WOW...it's been a long time

It has been a very long while since I last posted and my, how things have changed. Where to start???...

Kaden is now 7 years old and in second grade. He is doing great in school. We actually just came back from an almost 2 week stay at the children's hospital. Kaden had to have surgery to repair his diaphragm, yet again, for the sixth time. He is off of his vent during the day and we are working towards being off of it at night as well. Future plans include to be completely off of the vent and working towards getting rid of the trach!!! Right now though he has shown us that he still needs the vent when he is sick, so until he can go without the vent during those times he will have to keep the trach. I know though that he can do this. He is a very strong boy and has overcome so many other things doctors didn't think was possible.

Brody is 2, going on 16. He is such a parrot making it very important to watch what we say around him. He is super smart, just like his brother. We are definitely going through the 2 stage!!! ATTITUDE and DRAMA!!! He has the typical "only I can pick on my big brother" behavior. He watches out for Kaden and helps him when he needs it, but when we are at home there is an almost constant battle, lol. Brody is a picky eater, like his mommy. He is also a BIG BROTHER now, a role he is doing amazing in at this point! Brody is still my cuddle buddy, I'm hoping he never out grows that!!!

And for our new addition, Bentley Kole. He was born Oct. 14th. He weighed 9 lbs. 6 oz and was 20 1/2 inches long. Although at his 4 week check up he was already at 22 1/4 in long. So I'm thinking that they got the measurements wrong at birth. He is such a good baby. He too, loves to cuddle and may be a little spoiled.

Nate and I are doing good as well. Taking what life has given us and rolling with it. Our lives are truly blessed with the 4 most beauitful children. We try to enjoy each day and every moment given to us.

And now for some pictures...

Quick Update and Photos!!!!

Just a couple of photos of the boys...






I realized I haven't posted in what seems like forever, but time just goes by so fast and life has been staying pretty busy. Kaden's 6th birthday has come and gone. He is growing so fast. He started 1st grade a couple of weeks ago and seems to be enjoying it much better then he did kindergarten. He continues to grow stronger everyday and amaze me to no end. He such a bright boy with a bright future.

Brody is now 18 months. He is a very loving little guy with a big additude. He loves to dance and steal toys from others :). He knows all of his colors and says many, many words. He is a smart little thing just like his big brother!!!

We have very busy but fun days. The boys are so much fun and I feel so lucky to have them in my life. What awesome little blessings.

Remembering Ava Rae

January 31, 2008 - May 7, 2008

Angel Ava,

Tomorrow will be two years since I last held and kissed you. I know that you are in a better place and free from pain, but I continue to miss you every day and selfishly wish you were still here with mommy, daddy and your brothers. We are blessed with the three months that we did get to hold you and continue to be blessed with the memory of you and the love that fills our hearts for you.

You have been not only a blessing to us but the many others who know your story. We have been able to see true courage and strength with your fight. You were one amazing little girl while you were here on earth, I can only imagine what you are like in Heaven.

You are in our thoughts continously and will be forever. We love you and miss you every day. We are so proud of you and thankful that God blessed us with the chance to be your parents (and brothers). Kaden still talks about you and tells us the things he thinks you would like if you were still here. Brody is learning to say your name (he does pretty good actually) and is always looking at the picture of you in mommy's locket. You are still a part of our family, even though you are not here. We love you baby girl and miss you more then words can say.

Forever and Always,
mommy, daddy, Kaden (bubby) and Brody

DIAPHRAGMATIC AWARENESS DAY

Hi Everybody!!! Please wear your turquoise on Wednesday, March 31st for Kaden and all of the other diaphragmatic hernia fighters!!! Thank you in advance for all of your support and for thinking of them!!!

Dear Blogging Friends,

I just wanted to take this time to thank all of you for your support through the last couple of years. I know that I haven't posted in a long while and that when I do they are few and far between. Life has just been pretty busy, and I have kind of lost "interest" (for lack of a better word) in keeping up the blog. In the midst of not keeping up with it I have failed to keep up with all of yours as well. I do want you all to know that I still think of you and keep you all in my prayers. I have found some very close "blogging world" friends that have touched my heart. I thank you for those special relationships that have formed. I do plan to continue my blog, I just have to find the time and "ability" to write, I guess.

As for a quick update...Brody turned one about a month ago. He is walking very well, and running and getting into everything. He for the most part is a happy guy. I have a feeling once those teeth come all the way in he will stop some of the whining. Kaden is almost done with kindergarten. He has missed a lot of school due to being sick. It is in the back of my mind that he might need to retake it...but I haven't talked to anyone about that yet. We will see. He is growing like a weed and coming up with the funniest things to "say" (type). The other day he had to change his card to yellow at school for not following directions. When I asked him why he had to change his card he typed "because yellow is my favorite color." It was hard not to laugh. Well, that is just a quick update and I will try to post pictures again.




Waiting for Santa to come!


Brody's 1st Birthday.

Happy 2nd Birthday Baby Girl

I wrote this note to Ava and didn't get a chance to post it on her birthday.

Happy Birthday Angel 1/31/08-5/7/08

Ava,

Happy 2nd Birthday baby girl. Sorry mommy didn’t get a chance to write yesterday, it was kind of a busy day. I hope you enjoyed all of the balloons you got. It was amazing to watch them float right up to you. I have never seen balloons get so high before…it was almost like you were so excited to receive them they couldn’t get there fast enough.

I can not believe you are two already. As I have said before, I can not believe how time goes by so fast but it seems like forever ago that I got to hold you. We miss you so much. It makes me sick to my stomach to think about just how much I miss you. Yesterday, daddy and I were talking about you. This time it was a little different. Typically we try to keep things upbeat for your brothers, especially Kaden since he seems to understand what has happened. But yesterday was different…it wasn’t a bad talk, just different. We talked about what we thought you would look like right now and how we thought your personality would be. We talked about how there would be one more carseat in our car. How you and and your brothers probably would drive each other nuts on long trips (short trips too!!!). We talked about how spoiled you would be (and rightfully so J ), and just how much we missed you. Your daddy doesn’t say too much about stuff, but during this talk (although he did a lot of agreeing and did not have a lot to say) I could tell how much he misses you. His baby girl, his daddy’s little girl, the princess who had him wrapped around his little finger isn’t physically here with him, with us. I worry about your daddy sometimes. He is a tough guy, but sometimes I think he hides his feelings to stay strong for the rest of us. I know how bad my heart aches thinking about all of the mommy/daughter things we could have done together, I can only imagine how bad daddy’s aches. He will never get to scare away any of the boys you would have brought home, or most likely followed you home (I am sure you would have had a ton of admirers). He will never get to walk his baby girl down the aisle or dance those many, many dances with you. He will never get invited to the tea parties you would have probably had or play barbies (which every daddy should have a chance to do with his little girl). I think about this stuff a lot, and I imagine how fun it would be to watch you do these things with daddy.

We feel so blessed to have the opportunity we had with you. The short time you were here with us, you left an unbelievable impact on our lives. You are one of the three most amazing people I know. You were such a good baby, a strong and brave baby. I don’t know how you and your brother did it…went through everything and still kept a smile on those incredibly beautiful little faces of yours. Oh Ava, what I would give to have you back with us again (I know that is really selfish of me, to bring you back with all of the pain you had to go through from a place where you are pain-free now). I always wonder “what if”, there are so many things that I wish I could have changed to make your life a lot easier, but I know that God gave you to daddy and me for a reason. He knew that you would receive more love then you could have anywhere else, not only from daddy, Kaden and I but from the rest of our family. You are a very, very loved and admired little girl that will forever be in our hearts. We love and miss you more then words could ever describe. Happy Birthday baby girl.



Love Always and Forever,
mommy (daddy, bubby and baby Brody)

Merry Christmas!!!

Our family would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas! I know that I have not posted in awhile and I have been really bad with pictures, but in all honesty it is hard for me to find the time and at this point we do not Internet service at the house (so it is finding the time while at my parents or grandma's house :) ).

Things have been really good. We are enjoying the house and the boys getting older. Kaden is liking school a little better, getting so much better with writing his name!!! He is growing like a weed and every day getting smarter and smarter. The other day we were playing "Who am I?" His clues were "I like hunting and I don't listen." That's right...daddy!!!! It was hilarious. Then my dad and him play a game were Kaden kisses grandma and grandpa pretends like he is upset and says "boy, you better not be kissing my woman." Kaden loves that game. So anyway, Kaden types to me "mommy you daddy's woman." What a silly little man!!!!

Brody is also getting unbelievably big. He is eating table foods, standing on his own and taking some steps before lunging for an enjoyable thrill (I guess). The most he has taken is 7 steps. He can be kind of a bully but loves his brother to no end. He is into everything...I think his favorite is the toilet so we are trying to teach Kaden to keep his bathroom door closed. We are battling ear infection after ear infection with Mr. Brody so Wednesday he goes to see the ENT doc.

So since I am behind on pictures I have decided to post a billion of them :)!!!! Ok, I lied. I will try again soon. For some reason I couldn't get them to post, but I will try tonight!!!

"Good News"

Well, the CT scan came back earlier today. Initially we were told by the doc that it looked as though Kaden's diaphragm had reherniated. My heart just sank. That was the last thing I wanted to happen, another surgery for our big guy. I really don't want him to be put in that situation, especially with how far he has come. Surgery just seems to make him take a BIG step back. Well, then the surgeon resident looked at the CT results and said that he believes that the patch is still intact but that it seems like he has a small bowel obstruction that is actually pushing up against that patch, probably causing his difficulty in breathing. He did come off the vent today and stayed off the majority of the day and is off of O2 although his sats are not as great as they can be.

So the plan is for us to hang out at the hospital, hoping that this obstruction corrects itself. If it can not or gets worse he still will have to have surgery for them to correct it. He has gone through this before and things did correct themselves after a few days. He is not getting food, so he is getting fluids through an IV (that is one of the reason for staying in the hospital). We pray that things will correct themselves, that he will not need surgery, that he stays comfortable and that we are home in time to spend Thanksgiving with our family.

We all are missing our Brody. This is the first time I have been away from him other then being at work and honestly he goes to the same daycare that I teach at. Luckily, my parents are bringing him down this weekend and the hospital just lifted a "no sibling" policy (due to the large amount of H1N1 flu patients) so Kaden can see his "buba". He really misses him and has been talking about him a lot since we have been here. We can not wait to see him and give him hugs and kisses.

Thank you for all of the prayers and please keep them going for Kaden.

Day Two

Kaden slept VERY well last night. I was surprised. He is a little quiet but seems to have a little more energy. Right now daddy went down with him to get the CT scan done. Hopefully after that we will know a little more to what is going on.

I got more sleep then I anticipated but had a pretty tough night last night. I think because it was quiet and such that I had to much time to let my mind start wandering. Being here sure has brought back a lot of memories.

Well, I will type more later. Kaden is back!!!

Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

Last night was a long night. We took Kaden to the ER and did not get home until 12:30-1:00am. He has been battling brochitis/pneumonia (can not honestly tell you which one it is, I have heard both from the same doctor) for the last two weeks. Well, this week he just seemed to be getting worse...especially yesterday. He is now back on the vent 24 hours a day and has been requiring O2. He is really run down and just not himself. Yesterday I noticed that his belly was distended and he was even more run down then he has been. I then called his doctor in KC and asked her if it was possible that his diaphragm reherniated. She said that it is always a possiblity and wanted us to take him to our hometown ER to get a chest x-ray and some lab work done. The ER doctor believed that it looked as though it did reherniate and so we made plans to come to KC today. The doctors here are not sure if this is the case or if something is going on with his GI track so he is admitted into the hospital. He is not a happy camper and is ready to go home already. Tomorrow they plan on doing a CAT scan to see if they can see things clearer. I really pray that it is not his diaphragm and that we can stay clear from surgery. I will update more tomorrow...I am running on about 3-4 hours of sleep and can not think clearly.

Time Flies...

Things have been going by fast lately. Sorry I have not updated recently. We finally got into our new house around the begining of last month. Nate and I also celebrated our 3rd anniversary. Halloween went well, until Nate dropped Kaden on his head. We were out trick-or-treating and Kaden was dressed up as batman. Nate was carrying him around on his back and when they would get to a house he would swing him off of his back to make it look like he was flying. Well, Kaden didn't hold on or something and instead of flying he landed hard on his head. He was done after that and got a big bloody bump from it all (thanks a lot dad!!). Brody on the other hand didn't enjoy it much at all, he was just ready for a nap.

Kaden does not seem to be enjoying school too much. He has been crying a lot lately. I think it has been a big adjustment for him. Yesterday he was diagnosed with bronchitis again, so we are trying to get him feeling better.

Brody is crawling and getting into everything. He can say "mama" "bubba" and "bye-bye" (at least I like to think that is what he is saying). He is cutting his third and fourth tooth, so that is a lot of fun!

Nate...well, it is hunting season so he is out to find that trophy deer that he seems to miss every year!!!

As for me, well, I am here. I am very tired and feel like there is just not enough time in the day for everything. I really could use one full days worth of uninterrupted sleep (ahhh, a girl can dream, right?).

Well that is a quick update on what has been going on. I do want to post pictures and I really will try this weekend. We do not have internet set up at our house yet, so I will try to keep things updated when I find that extra time!!! Hope everyone is doing well!!!

The News...

I have to make this quick, but I am very excited to share it with everyone!!! Yesterday, Kaden had an appt in KC. They put a little camera down his trach and his nose while he was awake to look at his vocal chords and other things. Everything looked GREAT!!! His vocal chords are not paralyzed!!! That means there is hope that he will be able to get rid of the trach and that is exactly what we are working towards. They seemed very thrilled that Kaden is staying off of the vent for as long as he is (approx. 12 hours during the day) so now we are working on taking him off at night. I was going to start last night, but time went a lot faster then the rest of me, I felt like I had way too much to do. So, tonight we will start. We are just going to start with the hours I am awake and see how he does and then as time goes on we will work up to more hours at night. So once he can show us that he no longer needs the vent, we will then start working on getting rid of the trach!

More big news...Kaden got a paci-meir (don't know how to spell) valve. This goes on his trach when he is off the vent. He can use his voice loud and clear. So yesterday we heard Kaden's true laugh. It is a beautiful laugh and every time I hear it I can't stop laughing. Last night, I heard my two boys laughing while playing with each other...big, happy laughs!!!! One of the greatest sounds I have ever heard. I can't wait to post a video of them laughing together!!!

Stay Tuned...

For some great news!!! I have a wonderful post to share, unfortunately I am worn out and it is late. I am super excited though and for some reason felt the need to leave some people wondering :). I hope to post tomorrow around lunch time!!!!

How could we stay mad???

Yesterday Kaden had to change his card at school to orange. They have this system involving green, yellow, orange and red cards per student. They start out the morning and afternoon on green. The students have to change their cards, almost as warnings if they are not doing what they are suppose to do. Yellow is more of the warning, orange-miss a recess, red-principals office. Kaden has had to change his card once to yellow for basically telling the teachers no. Yesterday he came home with a green in the morning but an orange in the afternoon. Apparently he was "refusing" to work for the occupational therapist. I guess Nate left it to me to be the bad guy, telling Kaden he was going to be in trouble when mommy gets home (thanks).

He got his computer time taken away as well as his cartoons for the night (Nate thinks computer time should be taken away for the rest of the week, I think that is a little too harsh for a Kindergartener). As we were talking about it Kaden got out "white" (communication device) and typed the following:

"grandma wants to say roar Kaden no color yellow she going to be so mad grandpa wants to say growl kaden we not color orange not funny again nana wants to say no babies (a game they play) brody wants to say waa waa waa waa"

I thought it was so funny (especially since those three, are some of the most leneant people in his life). Nate and I couldn't help but laugh. I think Kaden had it planned out...how do I remind mommy and daddy of how stinken cute I am, I know...

What a clever little guy on my hands. Oh what is Brody going to learn????

Overdue...

First of all, I want to apologize for not even posting some comments. I didn't do it on purpose. Typically, I read them in my e-mail account and publish them from there, I don't know what happened but when I logged in tonight to post, I noticed I had 6 unpublished comments. Sorry, I wasn't ignoring any of you.

Kaden continues to do well off the vent. He spends most of his time during the day off and I put him back on before bedtime. I would say he spends about a total of 2 hours on the vent during the day, the rest of the time he is vent free! Of course some days he is on longer but that is not often. He is enjoying kindergarten and is learning so much. Today he counted up to 100 for me by typing out the numbers on "white". He only needed help with the number 30. I am so proud of him...so not only was he able to count that high but he was able to recognize the numbers as well. As always it amazes me at how much is going on in that little mind of his.

Brody still only has two teeth. He is getting over an ear infection. He is starting to crawl more although he still prefers the army crawl. He has finally figured out how to sit up on his own. I can't believe he is already 7 months!!! Time sure does fly.

The house should be ready to move in within the next week or two. We'll see, I think I remember saying times frames earlier and yet we aren't in yet. It is really close though and I am super excited!

Ok, now for some pictures. Since I can't see my pictures when I post them I will just explain to you now what is being posted. Some are pictures of Kaden's 5th Birthday at Chuck-E Cheese and his first day of kindergarten. There are some of Brody that go back to almost a month ago. So here they are...













I forgot to rotate some of the pictures...sorry.

Quick Update...

Tomorrow will be the finish of the first week of Kindergarten for Kaden. He is doing well and says he likes it. He must, the only way I can get him up for school is to ask him if he is ready to go to school. Yesterday he was off the vent for 10 hours STRAIGHT!!! He is doing great. Today was another 8 hours with about a 45 min break back on the vent. What a big boy. We might get rid of the vent yet!!! I am so proud of him...I know I say that a lot, but I am. His walking is getting so much better too!!! Quick story about our conversation tonight...
We were reading our bedtime stories, one being The True Story of the Three Little Pigs (given to him by one of his nurses). He kept pointing to the house made of sticks and I could not guess what he was trying to tell me, so we grabbed White (his communication device, yes, Kaden named him and yes, he gave it a gender :) ). He then types out "Daddy did not put sticks in Kaden's new house" "Yes baby, your right daddy did not build the new house with sticks." "bad." "yes that would be bad!!!" I couldn't help but laugh.

As for Brody...he is growing so fast. He has been trying to crawl. He gets up on his hands and knees and then lunges forward. He does make his way around by doing the infamous army crawl. He is getting his two bottom teeth, both at the same time. They do not seem to be bothering him too much just the typical chewing on everything and drooling everywhere. He is such a happy baby. He has learned how to do the "indian chant". Sorry if that sounds horrible, I don't know any other way to describe it. He is loving baby food...any and all of it so far. He loves his big brother Kaden and loves to grab any vent tubings or cords plugging in Kaden's supplies. Kaden is such a little man grabbing them out from Brody's grip and giving him a toy instead.

The house is coming along and we are hoping to be able to move in the first week of Sept. I am not getting my hopes up though, Nate keeps changing the date. It looks great. They did such a wonderful job. I am so excited and can not wait to move everything in. Kaden loves his new room. We often go there and Kaden hangs out in his room playing with the toys we did move over there.

Well, I think that is all for tonight. One day soon I promise to get pictures posted. It is just hard for me to find the time to be on the computer long enough to post. Hope to do it sooner then later.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KADEN!!!

5 already???!!! Kaden turned five today. He is growing so fast. Monday he will be starting kindergarten. It makes me so sad, but so proud and happy for him at the same time. It still amazes me when I see him accomplish something new (maybe that is just a mom thing and it will continue to be that way when he is 50???).

Kaden,
I know we have said it before and I know we will continue to say it, however, I will say it once again...we are so proud of you. You are nothing short of amazing, not only with how brillant you are but how caring, loving and kind you are as well. Every day of your life I have felt blessed to be your mommy. You have touched more lives then you realzie in your incredible 5 years of life. Now is the next step...KINDERGARTEN!!! I know you will do great!!! I am excited for you to learn new things and make new friends. I can not wait to see what you show us next. You are our miracle baby or should I say BIG BOY!!! We love you bubby, forever and always!!!

Love,
mommy, daddy, Brody and angel Ava

Sorry...

I just want to apologize for the lack of posts as well as pictures that I promised (only too long ago). I just haven't been in the mood, I know, not a good excuse. I have some things I need to work out with myself I think...maybe that will put me in a better mood, you know get my head straightened out a bit. I kind of feel like I am lost (I don't want that to sound weird, I just haven't felt that great lately...I think I am overly exhausted).

The boys are doing GREAT!!!, growing way to fast for my liking. Kaden will be in Kindergarten next month, which makes me almost sick to my stomach knowing that he is growing up. Our house should be ready for us to move in within a few weeks...which I am so ready for the extra space...maybe that will help my head as well. Well, that is about it for now. I do promise to post more about us as well as some much needed cuteness (aka picutres of the boys) sometime soon. Take care.

Stay Strong Tucker

Please pray for Tucker. He was born with a hypoplastic left heart (like our Ava). His mother had found out about a heart surgeon in Boston that reconstructs the heart to make it whole again. Well, he just had surgery to get his whole heart today and is doing very well. Please keep him and his family in your prayers as he still has to recover.

Tucker,
Stay strong big boy. You are in our thoughts and prayers. XOXOXOXOXO




About us:
I will post more later. I am tired (still) and need to get to bed. Things are going well though. Brody is now on baby foods and has been for almost two weeks now (2 weeks this Sunday). He LOVES them.

Kaden is, as always, simply amazing. He continues to grow and learn new things. Potty training is going great with a day or two of set backs, but back to wanting to use the potty (nothing a little money couldn't handle ;) ). He is tolerating coming off of the vent very well and my plan is to push him as much as possible this summer.

I took the boys swimming last weekend at my parents. They both loved it. Kaden has been before but never really wanted to stay in longer then 15 minutes. This time he stayed in for at least two hours (while off of his vent). He wanted to go under water like his cousin:(. I told him once we get rid of the trach he can go under all he wants. My mom and I were trying to come up with some ideas on how trach kids could go swimming more safely and go under water...still thinking, then we would need to send it to someone powerful like Oprah :) to get it made. Oh, one can dream, right???

Anyway, more later. I am off to bed. Yawn....

Oodles of info...

Ok, I know, that title is kind of corny...but it is the first thing that popped into my head. So anyway, things have been kind of busy (like always). I really wanted to post pictures last weekend, especially since I do not seem to find time during the weeks to do so. However, I was sick on Sunday and couldn't stop vomiting enough to post. I will definitely try again this weekend.

Things are going well. The boys and I had appts. on Thursday. Brody has his four month check up. He is now 19.5 lbs and 29 3/4 in. long (98% for weight, 99% for height). He is in 18 months clothing (some 12 mos). He continues to roll on his belly...ALL OF THE TIME and seems to enjoy it better. He babbles all of the time and laughs at us constantly. Brody has learned to spit bubbles. In my toddler class that IS NOT allowed, but with him it is too cute so I have to admit, I kind of encourage it ;). He is absolutely fascinated with his bubby, Kaden. It is too sweet.

Kaden also had an appt. We headed to KC for his. We just had occupational therapy, which we just started last month to work on oral stimulation (trying to get him eating by mouth). He did awesome. I was so proud of him. Of course it took a little bribing (stickers are such a blessing), but hey, it got him focused and ready to work. He is such a big boy. Potty training is going GREAT. He still has his accidents, about once a day...but we actually have been able to get him to tell us that he needs to go while we are out too (which has been hard to do). After his appt we went to Nebraska Furniture Mart. On our way there Kaden told us he needed to use the potty and held it until we got there and made it to the potty. Another proud mommy moment (something only a mommy can appreciate I guess). He is doing unbelievable with spelling. I honestly can say that he can spell more words then not (within his vocabulary, if that makes any sense). He, again, continues to amaze me.

My appt. was due to the fact that I just have not been feeling myself. They took blood to test a number of things. Everything came back within normal limits. They did say that I am anemic, so I have to start taking vitamins again (I am horrible at taking pills and couldn't wait to stop taking pre-natal vitamins, but now I am back on them). I am to go back to see the Dr. if I continue to be nauseous, tired and have a new found pain in my upper abdomen area (which I didn't know existed until the Dr. was pushing around on me...wow it hurt!). No...I am not pregnant...had that thought myself...but 4 home test and one blood test has confirmed it. Well enough about me.

Today after I got off of work my boys (including Nate) and I went to the zoo. We went to something called "Dream Night". It is an evening set up for "special needs" children and their families. It is a free evening of fun. Kaden had a lot of fun. He had his heart set on seeing the monkeys, however the only thing we could find were the orangutans and they were sleeping. He also talks about "big cats" all of the time and said he wanted to see the lions. We found the lions and he decided that they were scary and didn't want to stay in that area very long. He is funny. I forgot my camera but they did give out disposable cameras. Kaden also got a t-shirt and a stuffed animal (a big, SOFT stuffed panda bear). They provided dinner and musicians. Kaden wasn't too into dancing tonight for some reason. When we got back on the road, Kaden said he had fun and signed "more." I think he was already ready to go back. I asked him if we could go again another day and he was definitely into that.

So anyway, that is what we have been up to besides Nate working on the house which seems to be getting closer and closer for move in time. Can't wait!!!

Oh and Jenny, from Zach's Gang...sorry I just found your comment from the end of May (long story). Thank you so much for the award. I haven't had a chance to see which one, but thanks a lot for thinking about us!!!

Sorry that this is everywhere and unfortunately I am not going to proof read so it could be even worse. I hope you got through it without too much confusion!!!

Kaden

Today was Kaden's last day of pre-k. It totally hit me tonight, that he is going to be in Kindergarten in a couple of months...definitely brought a tear to my eye. I can't believe how far he has come, how much he has overcome and how much he has proved doctors wrong. I told him tonight that I think he is absolutely amazing and he just looked at me with an "come on mom" look and nodded his head yes (whatever you say mom!).

So, I just wanted to share what he typed out today:
"new school call kindergarten write you numbers letters look at books play with toys cut paper home for ovilla (meant to be Oliva [cartoon]) is a pig ovilla dress up on ha your bus to animal prade (parade) four sleeps"

I'm not too sure what the "four sleeps" is for, unless he thinks he will be starting Kindergarten in "four sleeps".

I think he seems pretty excited to start his new "big boy" school. I on the other hand can wait :).

Oh and boy do I have some pictures of one cool man. Today, Kaden rode on grandpa's motorcycle down the alley and back (twice, he wanted more). He was disappointed however, because he wanted to ride to his friends house. I told him he will have to wait until he is at grandpa's (grandpa only lives a block from his friend's house).

By Golly, He's Got It

Today Brody has seemed to figure out how to get back onto his back. The first go around was an accident, but the two other times I think it was a real thought out plan he had :). He hasn't seemed to pick it up as fast as he did the rolling onto his tummy, but he'll get it. He is also liking his belly a lot more. Oh and boy does he like putting things in his mouth...toys, blankies, my shoulder...you name it.

Tomorrow is Kaden's last day of pre-k. I can not believe that in a few months he will be in Kindergarten. My baby boy is growing up. I am is such awe over him. He is simply amazing.

So today I read another word he typed out that I didn't know he knew how to spell. He typed out "all done watching the show". I had no idea he knew how to spell watching...he is pretty good about making things plural, or adding "ing". Again, simply amazing.

One last thing...Monday I decided to let Brody taste baby food. He did pretty good, although I know he is still pretty young. We tried the sweet potatoes. He knew to open his mouth when he saw the spoon heading for it, and he moved it around in his mouth pretty good. I just didn't want to give him too much at this time. We will wait a little longer...he just seems so interested when we are eating "real" food around him, I had to try.

Well, it is almost the weekend and I can't wait. Hope everyone has a great rest of the week.

Rolling, Rolling, Rolling

As of Friday night, Brody has learned how to roll onto his belly. Does he like it there, well...no, not really. He doesn't mind tummy time as long as we keep it short and sweet. Now that he has figured out how to roll onto his belly, he does it constantly. Once he gets there, he starts grunting and then screaming. He has figured out how to roll back onto his back. Needless to say, we are continously having to stop what we are doing to help him back onto his back. It is kind of funny!!! Pretty soon he will be rolling all over the place.

Kaden is a SUPER big brother. He continues to be very helpful, giving Brody his toys and wanting to help with diaper changes (I wonder how long that will last). The other day he was telling Brody and I all about Nemo on his communication device. Here is his conversation...

Nemo lives in the cool water sharks haves big teeth sharks haves no hair sharks scary hey brody you can play no no no no big boys

So he had given Brody the Nemo movie when he told him he could play then he took it away after typing no and started laughing. I thought it was funny that he is already teasing him, it probably won't be as funny later on down the road. He is so into the "big boy, little boy" stuff. According to Kaden "big books" are for big boys and "little books" are for little boys. He likes to seperate what he considers baby toys from big boy toys. He is too cute. And wow, he likes to tell us everything he can think up on his communication device. It is so nice to have and for him to be able to put into words his thoughts. He is absolutely amazing with all that he can spell. I have never met any other 4 year old or heard of one for that matter with that great of spelling. I am going to have to video tape him some day so I can look back on it in the future, just to remind myself of just how smart he was at this age...to show him as well.

One more quick story. Today I asked Kaden if he wanted to hold Brody. He reached up to help me put Brody on his lap. Well, Brody has been into "gnawing" on things and what better place then Kaden's arm. Kaden didn't think it was the best place and was quick to give him back. My mom reminded me that it won't be that cute once he gets teeth...ouch!!! Well, I better get going. Tomorrow Kaden has a friend from school coming over to play...it should be a great day for Kaden, this is the first. He absolutely adores this little boy. He talks about him all of the time. I guess the two of them hug all of the time at school. His teacher told me the other day that Kaden's friend had said to Kaden "you can hug me anytime you want." I thought it was super sweet. I have heard nothing but great things about this kiddo and how he treats Kaden. I am excited to see how tomorrow goes.

And Now, For Your Viewing Pleasure...

I finally made myself sit down and download these pictures. Ok, so I downloaded them while I was doing other things, but anyhow they are downloaded and ready to be posted!!! So here goes...there are a ton of them.



















Kaden's first day riding the bus to school. As you can see he is very thrilled ;).


As you can see there are some going way back to Easter...hey what can I say I am a "busy" mommy. There are also some from a trip we made to Hannibal, MO for a Boeckman reunion. I love the one with Kaden on the potty outside...it was hilarious, but when you got to go, you got to go. Kaden is doing very well now on the potty. He has an accident about once a day, not too shabby. Yesterday he finally stood while peeing (twice).

The picture of Kaden with green all over his mouth was of him licking an mm, his favorite candy (he doesn't eat them, just licks them). Then the picture of him in the hats are of him waiting for the ferry boat ride. The one with him and Nate are in the ferry, it was raining so we stayed inside of the boat. The one of Nate (Mr. Stud :)) and then of Kaden with his hood on are when we went to the caves...one of my favorite things we did on the mini-vacation. Our stroller was a little too big for some areas and there was one point where Nate and his dad had to lift the stroller up over their heads to get it through the cave...I was laughing my butt off. The first couple of pictures are the most recent, just took them a day or two ago. As you can see Brody is growing like a weed. He just turned 3 months and is in 12 months clothing. He is a very happy baby. Kaden is adjusting well to him and is mommy's big helper. He helped me change a diaper a couple of days ago...luckily for both of us it was just a wet one.

Things are going well here. But I better log off so I can finish getting things together. Hope you enjoyed the pictures.