Kid of the Year

Caiden 2 Months: Vote for Caiden! He's currently in 25th place for the Kid of the Year photo contest. I may be biased, but I think my baby is pretty dang cute. Click that link and vote! You can vote once a day until the end of the week from different computers. THANKS!

Family Portraits

Because I spent an exuberant amount of money getting my BFA in Photography, I'm torn between two thought patterns. 1: I have my degree in photography, I like my own style, I want to take my own family portraits and it's free! 2: I hate that people think that because they have a nice camera that takes nice pictures they are automatically a photographer, so I would like to pay a professional to take my pictures because I want professional pictures of my family, not just "nice" pictures. 

Anyway, I went with thought process #1 a few weeks ago and went out to a field near my parents house and shot a few family portraits before Caiden started getting too big! We had a photographer take some pictures for us in Rexburg while a videographer shot Caiden's newborn video but I didn't really like them. So despite the fact that the sun was going down and we only had 20 minutes to take pictures before the Ward party I think we got some keepers! Caiden was 6 weeks old in these pictures. I wish I had thought to comb his hair...

Flashback 2 Months

There are a bunch of pictures that I've never posted from the last two months. I'm going to start playing catch up. So welcome to our 2 month flashback!

Caiden was born with jaundice. He was our little glow worm for a few days hooked up to the billie light.

 We sure love to snuggle our little man...

...and so does Nixon! He had to be every where that Caiden was and sit on the lap of whomever was holding Caiden. 

Meeting Grandpa Heidorn for the first time! We were so happy to have Mike come visit for Caiden's blessing.

Caiden getting ready for his first outing on the left. The outfit on the right was from his Aunt Samantha and Uncle Cassidy. It was my favorite newborn outfit! He wore it all the time. He obviously wasn't too thrilled about getting his picture taken though.

 Caiden met his great-grandpa Dimick at a lunch that my Aunt LuJean put together.

 Caiden with his great-grandma Dimick!

Caiden was just a week old in these pictures. He's the cutest little man (I'm biased but seriously he is adorable, am I right or am I right?)

 We got the greatest surprise when the Schiller's came to Rexburg during Caiden's blessing weekend. I'm so happy they got to see Caiden as an infant. He also got to meet his Grandma Sue! We were so happy she flew in for Caiden's blessing!

After the house was all packed up we took some time to swing on our porch swing as a family. A part of me is really going to miss that ghetto little house. It's the first place that's really felt like home since we started college.

Caiden's cousin Matthew absolutely adores him! I often hear him saying "ohhh Caiden you're sooooo cute." or "look at those cute toes." Caiden thinks he's so funny too. 

Michael was not so fond of Caiden at first. He's really come around though. He used to get extremely jealous when my mom or dad would hold Caiden. It was like his whole world fell apart. But now he kisses his hands and wants to hold Caiden.

Our little Mets fans! Boys after my own heart!

Caiden's first Easter! He had matching outfits with Matthew and Michael. Unfortunately Matthew had a high fever and Michael drooled jellybean all over his vest right before church so Caiden was the only one that got to wear his outfit to church.

 

 

Caiden with his first Easter basket! A book, a toy, and some eggs filled with candy (pretty much for daddy). His basket was essentially the same size as him. 

Stay tuned for our family portraits. Then I will be almost all caught up! 

Little C is 2 Months

My baby boy is growing entirely too fast. I can't believe another month has flown by. I haven't been able to bring him in for his two month appointment yet because I haven't found a pediatrician that we like. So all these stats are unofficial. Basically I used a measuring stick to measure his length and hopped on the scale, got my weight, then added Caiden and did some subtraction. Not really legit but it works. I'll have to update this post for my own personal records once C goes to the doctor. 

Here are some Caiden facts: 

-he's about 25in long and weighs about 12lbs. This puts him somewhere between the 90 and 95th percentile for length and the 25 and 50th percentile for weight according to babycenter.com

-he's really started to fill out with his chunky milk cheeks and chubby thighs. I love it!

-he is such a smiley, happy baby... unless he's hungry. He has a total meltdown when he's hungry and momma milk isn't presented instantly.

-he loves his baths now that Mr. Turtle towel has been introduced. He would kick and giggle in the bath all night if we let him.

-his eyes are still bright blue! He's taking after both his grandpa's with those beautiful blues.

-he's still such a snuggler. He nuzzles his little nose into your chest and falls asleep.

-he loves Primary songs. He generally stops crying when his momma sings "I Know That my Savior Loves Me" and will fall asleep 9 times out of 10 to "I am a Child of God."

-he takes a 4 hour nap around noon each day which has really helped his momma catch up on sleep! He also sleeps in 4 hour increments at night.

-he's a noisy sleeper! He snores and breathes heavy just like his daddy.

-he loves playing super baby! Just don't play after he eats or it's spit up city! He'll giggle the whole time he's "flying."

-he loves to be outside. If he's crying and it's sunny out I'll bring him outside and as soon as the sun hits his face he's happy again.

-his eyes are connecting with people now, he's more aware of his surroundings and is starting to recognize more than just his momma. 

-Miles and I love him more and more each day, he's such a blessing in our family. We marvel that there is a little person that is the best parts of each of us.

C & Me

Everyone says that Caiden looks exactly like Miles. I am not refuting that. They make some of the exact same facial expressions. It's so weird when I look up to tell Miles to look at the face Caiden is making only to find that Miles is making the exact same one. However, I also think Caiden is starting to look a lot like me when I was a baby, especially when he smiles. He has my dimple. Just one on the right cheek just like his momma. We have the same chubby cheeks, same little nose, same eye shape, and same lips. This may sound weird but I think he looks like me as a baby but like how Miles looks now. What do you think?

My Mother's Day

Miles already wrote a very sweet Mother's Day post and tribute to our mom's and me (I have the greatest and most thoughtful husband). I don't want to take away from that, but this being my first Mother's Day I wanted to write down a few feelings I had about being a mom to my sweet little man and on motherhood in general.

I can't even begin to tell you how I feel about being a mom. It's overwhelming, humbling, full of joy and excitement. I feel overwhelmed with feelings of love and a new level of spiritual awareness. I feel humbled to have such a perfect, innocent child of God in my arms on a daily basis. When I was in high school I used to think of Motherhood as something that would tie me down, keep me from all the things that seemed so important in my life; that children would keep me from my dreams. I was never one of those girls that when asked what they want to do with their lives responded with "All I want is to be a mom." It always seemed like something low to aim for; something that would inevitably happen and take over the things I enjoyed in life, like a career, traveling, and making lots of money. I'm not saying that those things are bad or that you shouldn't want them, because they are actually really great things. I am simply discounting my previous inaccurate teenage view of Motherhood. I have come to realize something while looking at Caiden as he sleeps in my arms, soundly, making lots of little Caiden sleep noises: being a mom is so meaningful, so humbling and everlasting. Caiden is my dream, I just didn't realize it until I felt him move the first time, until I saw him wiggle around on that ultrasound monitor, and until he was placed in my arms and every moment since then. I would never trade this experience for things that now seem so inferior. Money, prestige, the approval of the outside world could never compare to this. This perfect little piece of heaven that I have the privilege of raising, him and Miles; this is what life is all about.

Chelsey's First Mother's Day

Written by the hubby...

I rarely get on here and contribute anything to our family journal, but I thought it was only right of me to say a few nice things about my lovely wife on her first Mother's Day.  I also want to use this as a way I could pay tribute to a few VERY important ladies in my life.  I'm hoping that this won't qualify me as a "blogger". I guess I'm really just scared that if I started doing blogging that I'll turn into one of those freaks that blogs and tweets every little thing.  (Not that there's anything wrong with that) Anyways...Yesterday when I was out working I heard church bells ring, "Ave Maria". Naturally, I thought about what kind of mother Mary was to have been chosen to be Christ's earthly mother.  She must have had all the qualities our Father in Heaven wanted to help raise his Only Begotten.  I feel pretty special to have equally as wonderful women in my life.  Starting with my mother, who among other things, has blessed me with a believing heart and a caring soul.  I've always and will forever have a deep respect and love for her.  Cindy, my bonus mom (step mom), has also played a pivotal roll in my life. She has always been nothing but a sweet and true friend to me.  I can't remember a single instance through the years that I've ever been upset with her or got into an argument.  Its cool to have those types of people in your life.  Then there is my other "bonus mom", Lu.  There is such a bad connotation with mother in-laws with most people.  I must be an exception to the rule or something because Lu is awesome.  She is someone I look up to for so many reasons. Mostly because she was able to put up with Chelsey in her teenage years.  

Above are a few pictures we took after church today.  I'm always complaining how it seems like we are always taking pictures, but Chelsey constantly reminds me that I married a photographer.  I also married an incredibly talented, beautiful, and well rounded woman. Besides being able to capture and edit a really great moment through her lens Chelsey is a great mother.  I knew she would be even before Caiden arrived.  In the last seven weeks I've seen a new side to her as the mother of my child.  I admire her gentleness and softness towards our son, even when he is crying hysterically.  Even more than that I appreciate all the sleepless nights of nursing and soothing Caiden to sleep.  Sweetie, I love you and wish you a Happy First Mother's Day :)

Photobooks

At the close of the year for the last three years I've compiled photobooks with two pages dedicated to each month of the year chronicling the adventures that Miles and I have had that year. I write little commentary and stories and include lots of pictures. I've become mildly obsessed with finding the perfect photobook company. I've tried every company you can think of. But I never order a book without having some sort of amazing coupon deal. I have never spent more than $15 on a 8x10 book with 24 pages. I came across this new company called Mypublisher.com this week. With Mother's Day around the corner I started designing my book (I do all my designs in Illustrator to get exactly the layout I want). I started searching for coupons. If you "like" their page on facebook you can get a free minibook. That was too small for my liking. So I started searching again. For a 5x7 book I found a buy one get one, buy two get two code. It's one time use and I didn't use it, so I'll post in on here as a first come first serve: 5VER-KYFF It's to be used for the "pocket book" and it has to be hardcover. Then I came across the steal of a deal. $20 off your order of one item or multiple copies of one item. SOLD. I thought I would share the love with all. You just put in your email address and they give you the code instantly and email it to you. It's valid for one month after you receive it. I'll probably try this link with Miles' email in January when I'm getting ready to order my 2011 book, hopefully it will work again! But I just ordered 4 books and can vouch that the code definitely works! I'm so excited to get my books! I put together page layouts of Caiden's newborn portraits combined with the family pictures I just took! I'll have to post those soon. Anyway, on to the goods: CLICK ME FOR A GREAT DEAL!