Snow!

It snowed today! Well, it was a little snow mixed with sleet, but it still counts! We took Caden out to see the snow. He was happy outside until he actually touched it. You can see how much he liked it by the picture!

Barney Dance

13 Months

It's time for my monthly update! I don't think I can possibly share all of the many changes and accomplishments Caden has made over the last month, but I will share some favorites.

1. Caden has gone from taking a few steps to full on walking. He still walks like a cowboy with his legs apart. It's so cute!
2. Words. Lots and lots of words! Caden talks nonstop. This past month he started saying some new words such as cook (cookie), thank you, chip, no, Mamama, shoe, shirt, and Jack (ja).
3. Cookies! Cookies have become a staple around our house. Caden likes to stick one in his mouth and then hold another one in his hand. Then he teases Hailey by putting the cookie in her face and then running off. He manages to play chase with her for a while before she steals it. Then he comes back to me to ask for another one. The cutest part is that he laughs when he teases her.
4. Caden is in love with a doll. He takes such good care of it. When he sees it he says "Oh" lovingly. He rocks it, pats it, gives it a pacifier, and feeds it. Then he'll put the doll down and play with cars and blocks. But after a few minutes he goes back to tend to the baby. It makes my heart melt to see him be so sweet to the baby.
5. Barney and Sesame Street are Caden's favorite television shows. He finally became interested in the TV. This is helpful during his chest PT because it entertains him while he sits there. He loves the Barney theme song (to the tune of Yankee Doodle). No matter what room he's in or what he is doing, he stops to come watch and dance along.
6. Caden had his yearly tests done a few weeks ago. He had a lung function test, chest x-ray, abdominal ultrasound, and a bunch of blood work completed. Everything came back clear! This is very exciting news! We are thankful for a wonderful report.

Happy Halloween

Last year on Halloween Caden was having surgery. So I am calling this Caden's first Halloween! He was an adorable Houston fireman, just like his daddy. We had a lot of fun going to the church carnival with Star, Stephen, Madison, Jackson, Hope, Mamama, and Papa Joe. The next day Caden got to dress up again and go to the Trick or Treat Trail with the Slafka's and the Thompson's. It was a great weekend!

Caden is 1!

Today is Caden's first birthday! I can't believe our little boy is already one! I feel like we have so much to celebrate this year. It is strange to think that this has been the most difficult year of our lives, but yet it has been the most joyful as well. We are so thankful for Caden and how the Lord has blessed him in so many ways.

Yesterday we celebrated Caden's birthday with a monkey party at our house. He had so much fun playing with friends and family and getting lots of attention. And of course he loved eating cake!

Playing with Cars

Every day there is something new. A couple of days ago Caden started saying "Hi." Yesterday I taught him how to blow kisses. And last Saturday he started playing cars like a big boy. We went to see Star's new house that morning. Caden had fun playing with Jackson while we were there. When we got home, Caden started pushing a car around the living room (the correct way) and repeatedly said "Vroom! Vroom!" Up until this point, Caden's only interest in cars was to chew, shake, or throw them. I watched him for about 10 minutes as he maneuvered his way around the living room. It almost brought me to tears as I realized that my baby boy is becoming a toddler. Thank you Jackson for teaching Caden how to play cars!

Hurricane Ike

I have so much to say about the past few days. I could write about our roof damage, being without power, or staying up all night during the storm. These are all topics that many people are talking about right now. But truthfully none of these things stand out to me as the most memorable moments of Hurricane Ike. When I think back on this experience, I will remember my grandmother.

My grandmother's nursing home had to evacuate and she was transported to my parent's house. For many people this would not be a major issue, but Grandmama has not been doing well and is on hospice care. She is confined to her bed, has dimentia, and is completely dependent on others for her care. At first the thought of caring for her seemed overwhelming, but it turned out to be a blessing. It gave us an opportunity to spend more time with her as she nears the end of her life. We had many sweet moments, sad moments, and silly moments with her over the past few days.

The thing is, the sad moments were sweet at the same time. Grandmama had the opportunity to say her goodbyes to us, and we were able to do the same. It was touching to me to hear her communicate with my mom. She was calling her "sweetie pie" and had many loving things to tell her. She even reached out to hug my mom several times, and she hasn't been able to lift her arms. It's the perfect example of a mother's love for her child. It doesn't matter what age you are, or what condition your health is in, your love for your child will never diminish.

Another thing that I will remember is how much joy Caden brought to her every time he came into her room. She seemed to light up each time she saw him. She kept making up cute little names for him and would try to be silly and play. One time she asked us to sit by her in the bed so she could interact with Caden. That was special to me because I haven't been able to be that close to her since she entered the nursing home.

The most memorable thing to me is how she expressed her love for Jesus Christ. Even in her state, she praises His name. She has been praying and singing songs to Him. My mom asked her if she sees Jesus. Grandmama said, "Oh yes!" Then she asked her if she was going to heaven. She replied, "Oh yes! Beautiful!" Then she raised her arms in the air and said "Hallelujah!" and started to sing "Oh How I Love Jesus." What a wonderful example she has set for me. I pray that I too will have the kind of relationship with Christ that she has. The kind of relationship that not even dimentia can alter. The kind of relationship that will shine brightly for others to see until the very end.

Please pray for my family and grandmother as she continues to stay at my parent's house.