Life in Florida

It is offical-I am the most INCONSISTENT blog updater ever, which potentially defeats the purpose of updating all my friends and family spread out everywhere....but here goes!

Much of the reason I have been so slow to update is WE MOVED! See ya later Memphis, we DEFINITELY miss you (seriously, we do!), but we are currently enjoying and thankful for this new chapter of life in Orlando! We moved about 2 months ago, and it has been a blur of transitioning and all which that entails. There are so many things we love about Florida thus far:

1. The beach and so many other Orlando attractions are 45-1.5 hours away! So far, we have been able to enjoy so many things as a family which we most likely wouldn't have the access to at this point in our lives. So many wonderful memories already.

2. Publix grocery store. Yep! Caden gets a free balloon, cookie, and rides in the grocery car.....it is the  small things in life! Seriously, have you ever BEEN to a Publix? Maybe the kindest, most helpful customer service I have ever experienced! Oh, and have you had their sandwiches...or their samples? It will be very difficult to go back to any other grocery store in the future. Not kidding.

3. Our rental home. Definitely has its flaws and I LOVED our little home with all the neighbors in Memphis, but this house is much larger and with that comes more room for me to allow little man run around without getting as stir crazy AS fast. Not to mention, I love getting all Pinteresty with new decorating ideas, always up for the challenge with revamping super cheap things we come across! Thankful!

4. Our church here-NEW CITY ORLANDO. I am amazed at this Gospel-centered and driven church. I have been exposed to many wonderful churches filled with many who are deeply in love with Jesus, but this is exactly the perfect fit for our family at this chapter of our lives. Brett and I would agree we have constantly been refueled and challenged by sermon and just the example of our brothers and sisters in here. We are so excited to serve in and be spurred on by/alongside our community here!

5. Marriage-Brett and I have really only known life in Memphis together and when we got married, I literally stepped into his life which already existed before me....his friendships, stories, etc. I absolutely fell in love with all of this because it was a part of who he is, but we hadn't ventured out together, and this has been something enjoyable (and sometimes frustrating!) trying to navigate the city, make new friends TOGETHER, and just experience a new chapter together. Along with this has brought a challenge or two, but I feel as though it has been so beneficial in growing our friendship and causing us to be more dependent upon one another, and stronger as a result.

6. Just call me your jewelry lady! We needed a little bit extra "wiggle" room once we moved here, and so my friend Carrie (the mom of a sweet friend) had told me about her business with Premier Design jewelry, so after much prayer and thought, I joined in! I am very excited about what is ahead, I have a lot to learn but am excited to be a part of a very respectable company and get the opportunity to grow in countless ways. It already has pushed me out of my comfort zone in adapting more quickly relationally than maybe what I would have! More to come in the future about this. :) I'd love to do a show for you when I come to town!

7. Caden-This is an obvious! He would be on my "love list" regardless of where we are, but I am constantly amazed at how my love for this little man increases. Not to mention, he is so FUN and such a delight to us. I love watching him experience life, his facial expressions as he discovers something new or delights in something. Every little thing. Cliche I know, but I feel like I really am developing a new appreciation for all the simple little things we so quickly pass by as we grow older as I look at these things through his eyes.


DISLIKES/THINGS WE MISS:

1. Southern hospitality ya'll. I love meeting new people and love being neighborly, and I'm sort of forcing people to talk to me sometimes.....no exaggeration, like chase them down kind of forcing. Once I corner them though, we are good to go! :) Even when I don't "force" it, Caden does, making sure people give him a high five, wave or a "hello".

2. Driving what seems like forever to get anywhere! I became spoiled in Memphis and everywhere else with things being relatively close by, and now I feel like much of our time is spent driving places! Makes for good convo time at least!

3. Family. This is a given, but this past Friday we had another little nephew born! We are so excited, but of course, so sad we couldn't easily just go to the hospital when he was born to meet the little guy. Obviously, we knew this would be a difficult aspect of the move, but doesn't make it any less difficult.

4. I haven't experienced this yet, but know it is around the corner. Already, I hear my friends from TN talking about the fall and weather etc.....and I'm SOOOOO sad we won't really experience that this year. (At least we don't think so anyway!) I literally LOVE the fall, so that's a bummer.....but there are definitely perks about Florida weather come February. :)

There are other little random things I miss, but I know it is all part of transition. Excited how God is using and will use both the things which "make my heart full" and also that which makes it ache to make us more like Him and to grow in character, etc.

To close this little update out, I thought I would leave you with a few little pics. (It wouldn't be me unless I posted a few!)

Crazy about this guy. (Even on the days I feel like he might make me crazy. :)

Crazy about this guy too! He is ALL boy....loves the dirt, rocks, and anything else of the sort!

15 month well visit at 16 months. First time to his new ped!

I will eventually update more about little man, the list will be long since I can't keep up with all his milestones and developments it seems!

Until next time....

Little Man is ONE.

Caden is one. Yep. One. One doesn't really seem like a lot of time relatively speaking, but it sure seems like more has happened this year than any other! We are so crazy about this little guy! I am thankful for the precious gift Jesus has entrusted us with-what an incredible blessing and joy little man is!

We were able to celebrate with many family and friends this past Saturday. His 1st birthday party was so fun! So many of the "guests" were friends and family who met him day one in the hospital-making it extra special!

We had his party at Brett's parents house because it is bigger and because they have a beautiful backyard (of which was not available this particular Saturday due to the rain!) I have great in-laws for letting us host it there!

I really enjoyed planning and crafting for his party. I know he won't remember it per say, but I want to make each birthday special and hopefully he can look back and know how special he is daily but also that we make a point to celebrate his life on his special day. Thank you PINTEREST for the ideas. :) (Prepare for lots of pictures to come!)

I stole the idea to print pictures as invitations from my friend Alicia. So much cheaper and I can send out to extended family etc. to have a little picture update of the little man! Thanks to the very talented BethAnn for using her skills to do it for me. ;) And...because I am indecisive I sent out 2 invitations. Ha. Couldn't decide which picture I like better....what do you think?

I borrowed this balloon wreath from my friend Lindsey and added the "ONE" banner to greet people. So fun and colorful!

This little setup welcomed people at the door. I wanted to have a little keepsake for the party, and Caden LOVES books...so I thought a "ONE" theme book for people to sign would be very appropriate!

And of course, people needed to have a 'stache or bowtie to coordinate with the little man theme....

We served hotdogs (I cannot tell you the last time I have eaten one!), chips, fruit, veggies, oreo balls, and of course cake!

I opted for these colors so I could use some fabrics and other items I already had from his room....plus I just love these bright and fun greens and blues!

 Little man came down with croup and then an ear infection to cap off his first year of life, so last minute my friend Marla sent this wonderful smash cake and cupcakes with my parents since I had my hands full with a sick little guy. (Caden was better by his birthday, the week before was so sad though.) Aren't these great!? I loved them-and so did Caden! Thanks Marla!

Drink station....(Sweet tea included of course!)

Monthly pic banner...I can't believe how he has grown!

And the cute little birthday boy himself!

We had quite a few friends and family show up, and at first he was a little stand-offish...but then he was  into everything and interested in everyone! 

He was interested in his gifts...

                                                but more concerned with watching his cousins...

                                    and his first taste of cake? I think it is fair to say he loved it!

                                                           Thankful for our family of 3.

We love you always sweet boy! You have brought countless smiles and happiness into our lives. Looking forward to to celebrating many more birthdays little man!

Caden: Belated 9 month update!

I have probably said this at every stage of Caden's life, but I have officially decided up to this point, this is my favorite age! (6-9 months so far really!) Little man is  "moving and a shaking" as the saying goes. He is keeping us on the move ourselves, but we love it. Caden really is such a joy in our life with a high-energy, people-loving, sweet spirit about him.

In case you haven't noticed, Caden is a big boy. I am pretty certain I have not been into a public place in which a stranger does not comment on his size...."Mommy is feeding you well"....."You are just starving him aren't you?!"...."I bet you are giving mommy a workout"....so many more phrases! Some people have asked me if it hurts my feelings that people comment about Caden in this way-NO WAY! I love a healthy and big baby boy! His 9 month checkup proved he is still on a rapid rate of growth, but percentile-wise he is not "off the charts" as he was before. At 9 months, Caden weighed in at 23 LB 5 OZ and was 29.5 IN long. I am thankful for my arm exercise. (My right arm is significantly more toned and stronger than my left!)

Caden still nurses but is now eating finger foods. A LOT of finger foods. The pediatrician gave the green light on feeding him finger foods and leaning away from purees (of which I am not grieving)....and this was not a slow transition. He doesn't want ANY pureed form of anything now. He is very demanding in his mealtime now!

Caden loves so many things now, I don't even know if I can list it all but some of the highlights....

-LOVES cruising and crawling-the little guy is so fast especially when he thinks I'm coming after him!
-mommy and daddy's shoes are his favorite toy items unfortunately!
-stroller rides-we usually get to go walking outside 1-2 times a week weather permitting. I'll be glad for warmer weather so we can have our daily walks!
-Eating. Not kidding. He talks more in his highchair, claps his hands, and smiles in this spot more than any other. He LOVES meat and black beans probably more than anything. He really loves sweet potatoes, strawberries, bananas (and pretty much any fruit). He also loves crackers and puffs-which I am trying to give him sparingly but it is hard sometimes!
-Exploring everywhere-he joins me in the kitchen daily.
-Johnny jump up is still a hit...at this point he gets bored with the jumping and maneuvers it more as a swing. (I can't wait for it to warm up enough to take him to the park.)
-"WAAA, WAAA....and BAAA, BAAA" are his constant babblings. Sometimes we think he is trying to say "ball" or "water" but not so sure at this point. Brett claims he has said "da-da" but I have yet to hear it. :)
-Speaking of ball-he LOVES to play ball with daddy. He gets so excited if he sees a ball and "chases" after it and does his version of throwing. Needless to say-Brett is so excited about this.
-His favorite books are "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?"....and "Good Night Moon." I love reading with him so much because he seems to really enjoy it and with these specific books is very interactive.
-He loves dogs....especially Max our pup. (Which is unfortunate because we are having to find him a new home soon because of circumstances!) He laughs at Max all the time and pulls on his tail and just watches him for a long time.
-Bath time is also still one of his favorite activities. He is so active in the tub-I cannot wait to swim with him this summer!
-He seems to enjoy interacting with other babies now...but especially kids who are a little older than him. It seems as if we are entering into true play dates now and not just sitting babies next to each other and taking cute pictures!
-He loves his "LOVEY". He has never been a paci-baby, but he cuddles with his lovey now and sucks on it to go to sleep.
-Loves PLAYING with daddy and CUDDLING with mommy.

Caden is down to 2 naps now...approx. 2 hours long give or take some time! We usually don't get him out of his crib until 7-7:30 AM. I say get him out of his crib because we NEVER have to wake him up. I'm not sure where he gets his early rising tendencies from, but they didn't come from me.

Little man has 3.5 teeth. .5 being it is clearly coming in but not exactly visible yet!

Caden currently HATES....

-Nursery or childcare anything....or anything else where I am not in his sight. He is a little momma's boy right now. I'm sure it won't last forever and it is a little stressful that he freaks out if I am not holding him or by his side, but I can't say I'm complaining. :)
-Diaper and clothes changing. HATES it. And now I hate it as a result...
-When I take away his toy or keep him from going in a direction he wants to go. (i.e. climbing a lamp in his room!)

Cute montly sticker pictures are still cute, but not exactly easy....

Now on to birthday party planning, because it will be here before we know it!