4th of July

 (Caiden walked around for a while with his sippy cup looking for a place to put it, and placed it right on the coaster. Makes us proud!)

This year we went to my Uncle Bill and Aunt Holly's house to celebrate the 4th. Our celebration was complete with family, barbecue, and a little wiffle ball. Perfect way to celebrate. We weren't sure how Caiden was going to react to fireworks, so we passed on any shows and had fireworks at our house. Just like last year Caiden loved them. We will definitely will be taking him to a fireworks show next year!

Caiden's 1st Haircut.

Caiden's hairs were getting a little out of control. He had a mullet and his sweet baby curls were taking over. Mr. Bedhead was taking over and he had crazy frizz hair all day long. So last week I took him to the salon to get his first haircut. He did wonderfully. He sat in the chair, very seriously, and stared at himself in the mirror the whole time. The hair dresser was so sweet to remind me to bring my camera to his haircut so I could snap away as much as I wanted. And at the end she gave him a first haircut certificate and had a special little envelope to put his baby locks inside. Good riddance Mr. Mullet. You are not missed, although I do miss the little curls. Now Caiden has a big boy haircut and looks adorable. I love my toddler boy.

Caiden letters.

Dear Riddles,

I promise I'm taking real good care of your animal friends. Copper is a little nervous when I run at him with my lawn mower, but Ollie kind of likes it. He's my new pal. I keep calling him "dog" but my mommy tells me he's something called a "kitty." I don't get it. Hope you're having fun in Europe, I love your house. Auntie Jenny's old room is treating me well.

Talk to you soon,

Caiden.

Bear with me, I'm about to brag.

Let me just stop right here and brag about this guy: this week he's been sleeping in until 7:40 every morning and today he slept until 8:15. This may not seem like sleeping in to some of you, but believe you me that is sleeping in for this momma! It has been glorious. Many prayers of gratitude have been uttered from my lips. Thank you Caiden for giving mommy some extra shut eye! Feel free to resume the extra sleep.

But mostly, I want to brag about this guy: this morning Miles accepted an official job offer from a new and exciting company. He's hasn't been enjoying his job so much since graduation because he's had to spend so much time away from home. He started thinking about looking for a new job and within a few weeks this new company contacted him. He started the interview process and nailed his presentation yesterday and got the offer early this morning. He's very excited about this new opportunity and I couldn't be more proud. I love you Miles!

When Grandpa Comes.

The first weekend in June Miles' dad came to Connecticut to visit us. To say we had a lot of fun would be an understatement. We went to the Creamery, ate at the Stew Leonard's hoedown, went in to NYC to see Times Square and wander through Central Park (stopping at the Boathouse for a lovely lunch). We saw the Manhattan temple, went to the Beardsley Zoo, and spent quality time talking and playing Caiden's favorite games. Caiden showed his grandpa how he mows the lawn and played bubbles with his grandpa. He showed him how he plays football, and how he runs around the house all day long. Thanks for the visit and all you do for us Mike! We miss you and can't wait to play again!

Nature Walk.

Today I took Caiden on a 2 mile nature walk.
- he started in the stroller.
- we then ditched the stroller.
- and he wanted to go on my shoulders.
- then he walked about 3/4 mile on his own.
- I absolutely love Connecticut.
- I am obsessed with trees, especially in groves.
- Caiden loved exploring and touching everything.
- we found the cutest gazebo tucked back in the woods, with a fire pit. (mental note: definitely coming back for smores).
- definitely bringing a client or two here for their shoot.
- the color green makes me so very happy.
- bringing Miles and Nixon back with us this weekend.
- we will be frequenting this trail.
- the woods are romantic.

The Boy is 15 Months.

I was taking some 6 month pictures for my sister this morning. I got my backdrops all set up and the lighting just so and Caiden waltzes in and sits and poses. I guess he's used to the shoots being all about him! So I decided to bring out Miles' skateboard and have a little 15 month shoot for Caiden.

The last 3 months:
-Caiden is a busy body! He always has to be doing something.
-I'm amazed I haven't lost 10lbs since he started walking (or should I say running).
-He says: dog, duck, dada, momma, please, tree, this, that, yes, yeah, shakes his head no, baby signs for all done, and lots of nonsensical jabbers.
-He got all 4 molars for a total of 12 teeth!
-When he laughs really hard he gets the hiccups.
-When the boy is really excited he starts biting things!
-Caiden loves to blow on his food before he eats it, and dip fries in ketchup all on his own.
-He lifts everyone's shirt up to see their belly buttons, especially his own.
-His favorite tricks are growling at every thing, making toot noises with his mouth, blowing on the back of his hand and lifting it really fast to make a "ba ba ba" noise, clapping for himself, laughing whenever anyone else is, blowing bubbles in the water, mimicking all of our actions, and tilting his head to his arm and pointing at things when he really wants them.
-Caiden has to have a fork in his hand while he eats even though he isn't quite sure how to use it on his own yet.
-The boy is a climber. He will climb up on anything and everything. He has no fear!
-He loves to walk (slash be pulled by) his dog all on his own around the yard.
-Caiden's favorite activity is mowing the lawn with the little toy mower his auntie Jenny & Riddle family gave him for his birthday.
-He also loves to climb in the hiking backpack and mow the lawn for real with his poppy.
-I love that the only hat he'll keep on his head is a Mets hat.
-The toothbrush is still his most favorite toy, but now he lets me brush his teeth with it.
-Caiden is still taking 2, 1.5 hour naps a day and sleeping through the night from 7:30-7.
-The boy loves pasta, pizza, waffles, and anything sweet.
-He now throws the funniest little fits when he's really excited and when he's really upset.
-Caiden is a lover. He loves to give hugs and kisses and be near his little baby cousins. He's become so so snuggly the last few months. He likes to snuggle before and after naps and it's become my favorite time of day.
-The boy is a boy. He loves toy cars, playing in dirt, making messes, baseballs, soccer balls, basketballs; anything that can be thrown. And he loves the ladies. He's become a shy little flirt.
-He still loves to color (and nibble on crayons when we aren't looking).
-Caiden waves hello and goodbye and blows kisses, but only when he wants to, never on demand.

Every day spent together gets better and better. We love to have fun, have little adventures, and spend time together as a family. Can't wait to see what the next few months bring!