.Lost Tooth.

Cade lost his first tooth 2 weeks ago. Funny story to go with that. His tooth had been wiggly for about 10 days and the morning it came out he came in to me and said with blood in his mouth, "Mommy, my tooth came out! Is that ok?" I got all excited for him as I could see the stress on his face, "Woohoo, Cade you are a big boy losing a tooth!" He then smiled and got a little excited telling me how it happened, "Well,  I was trying to get the knot out of my rope that was tied to my door, and it just popped out. You know, some people tie a rope to their tooth and have to pull it out with the door knob. Not me!" It was pretty funny that he saw the similarity in it and I laughed hard. 

The stressed (covered with breakfast) face....

 Today

.Tooth Fairy.

I have acquired a new title as of today! Cade will have a visit from the tooth fairy tonight as he lost his first tooth.

It was not by choice unfortunately. We had a trip to Rapid City today for some dental work done by a peds dentist. Once they got in there, they realized he had an abscess tooth and decided to extract that and put a spacer in its place. Cade was put under anesthesia for the whole procedure today thankfully, as he needed quite a bit of work done. He woke really cranky and with a bloody nose as they use gas to put them under and that dried his nose and mouth out. We were in recovery for about an hour and he just kicked his legs all annoyed and cried a little until we rocked in the recliner and sang together. He is such a brave boy. He slept all the way home and woke feeling like a new boy.

We took some photos of his 'teeth with hats on' but they are way at the back and didn't turn out too good, so I will save you the joy.

I so hope this was the first and last time we will have to do something like this, but that might be jumping the gun if he has inherited my teeth, poor bugger. Lets hope he has his dads teeth from here on out!

I am so proud of my boy and marvel at how quickly children bounce back after such ordeals. Amazing small mercy in my opinion, one I am ever so grateful for.

.Cade.

Our handsome, clever and sweet boy turned 5 last week. We had a fun little celebration and were so glad for that one perfectly happy day in a week of stress. Cade is a definate joy and I am ever so grateful to have him!

I will have to post updated pictures as soon as I find my camera cord. But here is a photo history of the delight that is our first born...
2 weeks old...

1 year old

2 years old

3 years old

4 years old

.All Things Cade.

On Sunday Cade was holding the door open for me and others to walk in for church, the last one in was a little girl, probably 7 or 8 and she was wearing an all white dress and Cade goes, "Awww, you look very nice today, you have a very pretty dress!" It was the smoothest thing ever! Her dad was inside waiting for her and heard this and we had a good old chuckle.

Cade is very aware. He is too smart at times and wants to know everything as though life is a test. We will talk about things and he will want to recall them and remember right away without much practice. It can be challenging as he is also one that gets frustrated and frets when it isn't perfect. Want to tie his own shoes for example... oh this will be the death of me!

He is so ready for pre-school but we have yet to hear back from the place we applied. I am stressing if he doesn't get in as I put all my eggs in that basket and will be scrambling to find another.

He adores babies and will ask when we will get one whenever he sees a baby. He tells me Jesus wants to know when we will be ready.

Cade loves to help. He wants to do the dishes and set the table and will often get me things I need without me ever asking, he is a smarty.

He is a beautifully sensitive child and when he thinks about me being at work and not with him for the day, he gets teary just thinking about it and constantly tells me he will miss me.

Cade loves to pray and will say the same prayer each time, in the same order. Just lately he has added a little 'flare' and prays that we can have a pet or go on a holiday or have a baby etc.

He loves to draw and when drawing people puts a big smile on them right away.

Cade has a serious imagination and won't switch it off when needed. I have to tell him, "Ok Cade, I need you to get dressed so switch off the control so you can get dressed" He is often loud and screechy when playing and has to be told not to make the 'warning' noises inside. It can be seriously annoying!

He is affectionate and gives kisses and 'huggles' freely. He is a sweetheart.

Signs of irritation with Ethan have been showing up lately, which is another indication to me he needs time away just for himself. I totally understand this need and hope that preschool will be a good outlet.

Cade is addicted to TV. The only thing better in his world is to be outside, he loves to dig in the dirt and find bugs... oh funny story, earlier in the week we were outside watering the garden and Cade found an earth worm so I picked it up and he wanted to take it to the flowers so I put it in his hand and he squealed and said, "AHHHH, it's too wormy!" and he dropped the worm, I cracked up. Guess, you had to be there, but it was funny as.

Cade has great coordination, and can throw a ball and hit it and Cory is often playing ball with him, it is really nice to see them both enjoy this and will be even better when they can do it outside!

He so wants to be a big boy and often talks about his mission and going to Ireland or Island, we aren't sure! :)

We sure love our Cade. He is such a good boy and I love that he is tender, fun, genuine and mine!

Happy 4th Birthday Cade!

Today is Cade's 4th birthday and it has been a great day. We have just been home but he has had a wonderful day. He has been so lovely and just feels like such a big boy!
We had a family dinner last night, just simple but sweet and then he picked to eat out for dinner tonight and got a special treat when the waitress sang him a happy birthday song and had a yummy dessert. He chose to have an rocket cake and alien cupcakes. We had fun searching for the designs he liked.
For about 6 or so months, Cade has been begging for a pillow pet and spots them any store we happen to go to. He wanted a dog and they were hard to find, but find one I did, about a month ago and he LOVES it. He was very happy with all his presents and the cards in the mail, so thank you to our family for making it special for him!
We sure love our Cade and he is just as much a joy as the day we had him those 4 years ago!
(photos to follow)

Conversations with Cade...

Cade was repeatedly saying "Bum" in some sort of sentence and I told him I did not want to hear that word again and if I did I would smack his bottom. He was jumping around naked after drying from the tub, this conversation follows...

CADE - "Ouch I have buzzy bees stinging my bum!"
ME - "Cade! I have told you not to say word, come here so I can smack your bottom!"
CADE - "Ok, but not too hard"
Then he pokes his naked bum out for me to smack it. It was an awkward angle to smack at as I was dressing Ethan at the time too so the smack was pretty lame.
CADE - "Oh, that wasn't too bad!"
ME - "Want me to do it again?"
CADE - "NO!"

I had to walk away so I wouldn't laugh! He has a fascination with saying, poop, bum, boobies and cracks himself up each time he says it. Tell me this is age appropriate.

Meanie

I have two little boys crying at the moment. I have for the last 3 hours put up with said two little boys playing/fighting over an empty tote and I had enough!
I threatened, "Any more tears or growling at each other and I am taking the tote!"
Well follow through I did! Hence the crying and begging faces at the window in the door while I put the tote away!
I am so fed up today, not sure what's the go there, but the tote got it! Early night for little men tonight I am thinking! Yep, I'm a meanie!

P.S. Cade just immerged, "Mommy, I miss boxie! I miss the box!"
Me, care factor of zero~!

Tooting Cades Horn

An update on Ethan is coming...

Cade had his first primary program in sacrament meeting yesterday and did AWESOME! On Saturday I took him to his practise and he was so obnoxious but so were all the other kids, but yesterday, he said his line without prompting and knew it word for word. (He then sat on the stand pointing to his foot tapping away to the songs, rolling his tie or saying his line again and again) ARGH!

I just asked him, "Cade what was your special part in church?" and he states with a huge smile.... "Jesus Christ died for us, but he lives again!" What a spunk!

They had the sunbeams on a little bleacher type stand and I sat in the front row to help the teachers with the kids (mine especially). It was pretty cute though, they were all very proud of themselves and one of the little girls in his class would sway and dance to the songs. She said to me afterwards, "I sure did dance and move to those songs!" You sure did MaKadee!! So cute!

I didn't get a photo of the spunk in all his spunkiness, but I will next Sunday!

My Boy Cade

I have not done an update on my boys in a while so thought it was about time I did so!

Cade is just short of turning 4 years old and at this stage of life, he is a busy boy. He keeps me on my toes, can be sassy, challenging and bossy but is so helpful with his brother, so smart and affectionate. He always asks if he is a good boy, which I worried about at first thinking he thought that I thought he was naughty, but I have since come to realise he wants reassurance he is doing what is appropriate and 'choosing the right'. He wants to please and apologised for having a rough day or being cheeky, usually at the end of the day or when he is getting tired. He has a bit of a temper at times that I am trying to help him learn how to channel. He states, "That makes me mad! That makes me stomp!" and he will stomp his foot. I had to walk away and laugh the first couple of times but since then, it is not so funny. He wakes each morning with a "Good morning mommy, good morning daddy! Did you have good sleepys?" He gets Ethan out of his crib and they come toddling in and climb into bed with us. He loves educational shows and puppet shows. We once went to a puppet show at UW and he has since talked about it and asks me if I remember it and certain other things, like the tall house we use to live at, certain friends etc. He has had a harder time going to class at church since we moved and realises the change in friends. I am hoping we can get him into pre-school or because we might have missed the intake, to get him on a waiting list. He does not like me to try and teach him anything, he would rather teach me. At times it is a battle of wills and that drives me crazy.

Cade loves to sing, loves to tell stories and is very creative with both. He loves showers and riding his new bike! He asks each day, "Where are we going today Mommy?" or "What are we doing today Mommy?" (So like his mother in this regard)

He insists on saying each and every prayer we give and is not shy to do it at others homes too. I love that. Confidence I hope he always has. Cade plays with the same toys each day. Still enjoys his trains and gets distressed if they are not coming together the way his mat goes. No matter how many times I tell him they don't match, he still tries his hardest to get them to. He loves to create with blocks and I will have to get a photo of the awesome little trains he makes from his wood blocks. He LOVES to watch Thomas and Fraggle Rock (Gobo the Rock as he calls it). He also likes Barney (much to Cory's dismay) but redeems himself by liking Phineas and Ferb. He goes through stages of things he likes to watch but I hate that he loves TV so much. I often hear him saying, "Curse you Perry The Platypus!" He has a liking for Astro Boy but when I heard him saying, "I shoot out my butt coz I have guns in my butt!" I have not offered that one since. He has picked up on words we say that I have had to eat my words about, "Crap" being one of them "Stupid" being another. Yep, it's started. I am surprised it too this long really.

Cade is sweet and gentle and loves to have his back tickled. He will tell you he loves you and gives lovely kisses and cuddles (huggles). He barters his kisses and huggles, saying, "mommy if you do such and such I will give you a kiss and a huggle!" He likes to go for drives and to get the mail each day. He insists on helping me clean, with a "Can I help you with that Mommy?" He makes his own sandwiches and knows exactly what is needed. He still loves to wrestle and enjoys most of his food. He is off chicken lately which is not like him to be picky. He will eat each and every piece of fruit in the house if I let him. He is liking to dress himself lately too.

We sure love our boy and he has truly showed us how to love and be loved. We are thankful everyday for our happy, healthy boy!

Cade...

Cade just came out wearing my bra stating, "Look mommy, I'm wearing your boobies"
I laughed out loud.
Life has been pretty stressful, so a lighthearted little boy makes life good again!

Cade... my boy

Due to the journal-ing aspect of this blog and for the fact that I have neglected to put this on... bad mom I know

Cade had lots of things going on for the months of February/March. There were a couple of firsts that kept him, daddy and I busy.

He started indoor soccer. Cade is all about soccer. Any and all balls were soccer balls. All shirts will balls on them, were 'Soccer ball game shirts'. It wasn't until he started playing that he now realises that there is a difference in the balls. Funny little man.

He was on the Green Monkeys team and he ran his little heart out. Not often did he connect with the ball and more times than not he was way more concerned with the attention of the crowd than where the ball actually was. It was a great first for all of us though and we will for sure be signing him up again. He was sad when he no longer had games on Saturday mornings, but we didn't miss the 8am starts! Bittersweet I guess.

Here are some pics of the fun that was had...




Cade also took swimming lessons. He did great and loved to go. He was a little too eager at times and at his last lesson actually jumped in the lazy river 3 times and had to be scooped up by the teachers. He had to go in time out the 3rd time as I think it scared the instructors. I about jumped in the pool myself, they were right there and had no clue he had jumped in! I am not good with my kids in water, I think I mentioned that before, but I MADE myself sit and let them do their job and thankfully they did and Cade knew how to hold his breath and thankfully he did not drown... nightmares I tell ya, caused me nightmares! :)

Here is our happy, FEARLESS, little fish...




We sure enjoyed the busyness of that 6 weeks and it was good to get out and try new things. Cade was able to have some Daddy/Cade time at soccer practices and some Mummy/Cade time with swim lessons. It was nice. Was a little taste of the busy life we will have once school and tumbling class or something else fun comes into the picture as Cade gets older. We sure love our Cade and how willingly he tries new things.

Melting Moments

On Sunday Cory and Cade were wrestling and Cade got his toy plastic hammer out and was 'adjusting' Cory's back.

Cory goes, "Cade, are you going to be a chiropractor?"

to which Cade replied, "Sure daddy, I'll be a pirate cracker!"

We about peed ourselves with laughter!

Woooo Cool Moves

I was talking to my mum today and thought I should record this one for future memories....

Last week Cade and I were in the store checking out and he was messing around playing with the toys in the isle. I told him to move to me as people were trying to get their groceries unpacked and he was in the way. After the third request, those toys were apparently all too appealing as he didn't move quick enough so I grab his arm and picked him up and in one swift motherly movement I moved him to the other side of me.

He goes, "Woooo mom, that was a cool move!"

The people by me cracked up laughing, it was pretty funny.

Here I thought it might be considered somewhat abusive, but apparently not to the boy on the receiving end!

10 Months

Ethan at 10 months is just so fun! I distinctly remember with Cade, that I found 10 months really hard, I don't know why that was, perhaps because that was the month his teeth finally popped through or because that was the month Cory went back to another semester of school and along with that an even busier schedule, but I seemed to find 10 months difficult. I would have to say that is not how I feel now. 10 months is busy yes, but just a great age for me. I LOVE the newborn stage and would keep that stage a little longer but this Independence and still the love of a good cuddle I really enjoy.

Here are 10 more things Ethan is doing at 10 months...

Ethan has started to say a few words, he says "Mama" "Dad dad" "Bub Bub" and "Bott Bott" and says them specifically. When he wants to be picked up he will crawl to you and say, "Mama, bub bub". It is so stinkin cute!

Ethan now shakes his head 'No' especially when we are wanting to feed him at meal times. I think he has learnt that if he does that he thinks he is done, but he is hungry at the same time so it is proving a little messy.

He loves to climb, he prefers to go the hard route over items as opposed to around them and it is fun to watch him rough house with Cade and Cory.

He is tough! He really doesn't cry when he gets hurt when playing, it is only if Cade hurts him unawares and I hear Cade run away saying, "Sorry Ethan, sorry Mommy!" and then I know it was a definite hurt.

Ethan really only cries when you take food from him that he has totally goobered or a toy he is not meant to have that he is chewing on. (And he cries at night... can't forget that little gem)

He is like the human vacuum. If something is to be found on the ground however minuscule, he will put it in his mouth, I was eating dinner tonight and dropped some rice on the floor when I was cleaning up and he was there in a shot to try and get it! Gross.

Ethan walks along furniture and is constantly on his feet. He does this bending and straightening of his legs like he is dancing. He stood alone twice today and that was pretty amazing to us.

He knows when he is being naughty or doing something he is not meant to, he will look at you with his sweet as can be eyes and smile and laughs at his naughtiness. He loves to tease Cade. He will purposely stand in front of the TV to block him and has learnt to turn the TV on and off so we have had to tape the switch so he can't get it. Funny little boy. He

He is F.E.A.R.L.E.S.S in the bath. He just crawls around in there like no ones business and lays on his tummy and blows bubbles. He stresses me out just watching him but he has an absolute ball in there!

He loves me to take photos of him and totally hams it up. He likes the red light reduction that comes on and squashes his face up as you can see in the photos.

We are just totally in love with this boy and Cory says daily, "What would we do my boy without that smile!" Cade loves him, he is gentle and kind and caring and talks to him in a special sweet voice. I hope they are always so close. Don't get me wrong, they have their moments but thankfully they are just moments and they just love each other to bits the rest of the time.

Melting Moments

I have been feeling really flat the last 2 afternoons, can't put my finger on it but I am just frustrated with trying to organize things beyond my control (church calling).

Once again, this is a time when I am so thankful to be a mum to my precious boys who delight my day.

Yesterday Cade and I were cuddling on the couch and he goes, "We can be best friends!" in the cutest most innocent voice. I responded, "We sure can my boy!"

Today the boys are sick with running noses and coughs and I changed their bedding, as I was putting sheets back on, I was get flustered when the fitted sheet wasn't fitting right, and Cade asks, "What are you doing?" and I tell him putting the bedding on and to go watch his show, and he states, "I just will watch you, I like to watch you" I said ok, but not to jump in the crib and he so sweetly says while pointing to me, "I like you mom!"

Cory just got home after Cade not seeing him all day and he ran to him, jumped in his arms, snuggled him as tight as can be with eyes squeezed closed and with a huge grin and Cory told him that when he came home earlier Cade was sound alseep and that he would have loved to have snuggled right up next to him and taken a nap and Cade goes, "You just do love me!"

Sweetheart he is.

This Little Boy...

...graduated from Nursery and is now in 'Big Primary'!!

We totally forgot about it until we were getting him ready for church this morning and he was talking about Nursery with Daddy and I said,

"Actually my boy, you get to go to 'Big Primary' with your friends today , a new class!"

He was excited.

Didn't faze him a bit!

When we got in the car after church I asked him how class was (the usual), I got a, "It was good!" (the usual)

and I then asked him what he did in class (the usual) and he states, "We made a prince crown, see, on my head! I colored with crayons!"

and I then asked what else he did, "I just sang some songs..."

He is such a cute boy. He is sweet and good and kind, at least when he talks about it, lets hope he is sweet, good and kind in primary!!

Melting Moments

Cade was just wanting a cuddle so I lay on the bed with him laying on my chest and tummy and I had my arm behind my head to support it and Cade got up and got a pillow...

Cade: "Here you go mommy, make it comfy for you"
Me: "Oh Cade you are so sweet"
Cade: "Yeah I know"

P.S. I love melting moments those yummy white chocolate peppermint candies mmmm. There are also these yummy scrummy cookies in Australia that are called the same, so it's a given to use it as my title and for future lovey moments from such a spunky, sweet little man!!

Cade Turns 3!!

I am a little late with this, but life seemed to get busy this last week for some reason...

Our beautiful, handsome, happy boy turned 3 on Sunday the 8th November. We had a little Pirate Party for him after church with a few friends and he loved it! It all came together pretty well, which I was thankful for as we had had 2 really awful nights up with Ethan with what we now know was a head cold. So I am glad that sleep deprivation didn't affect the day for Cade. I had alot of fun this year in the preparation for his party. I always make his invitations and his cake and I kept the party decorations very simple this year. We didn't do games as I find it stressful to get the kids motivated to play games they are shy or uninterested in so we just got eye patches, made our pirate hats and handed out the 'treasure' from his cake. It was also really nice to just visit with the adults and we just let the kids do their own thing. I know Cade enjoyed the day, Cory and I had a great time and I think everyone else seemed to enjoy themselves.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

I can not post about a growing boy without letting you know what he is up to at 3 years old. Cade is just a lovely boy. We are still as smitten as ever. He is fun, loving, caring, playful and just the most lovable 3 year old ever!! (I am ever so biased I know)
- Cade talks all the time and I find him really easy to understand, but I am not sure if that is because I am mum, but his Dr said he was doing great and that she could totally understand him, which is nice.
- He is fully potty trained, has been for over a month now.
- Cade is a great sleeper and still naps a good 2 hours a day, although I do have to lay with him for a couple of minutes until he nods off.
- He has a fantastic imagination. Wants me to role play with him.
- Cade loves TV and wants to do the things the characters are doing and if emotions are expressed he expresses them too. Very perceptive boy.
- He loves to dance and will ask to dance with me daily. I love it as I have always danced with my boys. He is a little break dancer if he dances on his own... not sure where he got that one, not from Cory or I that's for sure!
- I get daily requests to make a house, a tent or to fix his train set that Ethan the Destroyer messed up or if he can see his friends, who is coming to his house or when he can go to school.
- He has shown a keen interest in learning his colors and numbers. We try but he is a stubborn little mite and likes to get it on his own.
- Cade LOVES nursery. He lives for it. Loves to see the church steeple on the way to church and makes sure we all have seen it too.
- He is so appropriately affectionate, tells us, "I wove you so much!" all the time.
- As you might be able to tell from above, he can not say L's it is funny to hear him say every L word with a W instead.
- Cade does this pose thing when he is explaining something, he bends his leg and indicates to what he talking about with a hand on his hip and so matter-of-fact. It is hilarious and I have to bite my tongue not to laugh.
- He absolutely loves his cousins. He asks for them all the time and tells people about them.
- Cade likes to go to the Dr and when we drive past it he tells me I forgot and missed the turn. Funny boy.
- He loves his daddy to bits and greets him so lovely when he comes home.
- Cade just loves his brother and for this I am so thankful. Lately he has been telling me Ethan wants to get up and play with him when he is asleep in his crib and when Ethan finally does wake up I say, "Cade, look who's awake" and he exclaims with such excitment, "Ethan did wake up mum!"
- He knows all his animals and pretends to be them all day long. When he is done playing and he says, "Mum, I not a monkey, a puppy dog, a kitty cat, a monster, a dinosaur, I just a boy. I just Cade". It is hilarious.
- He is quick to say sorry and make things right when he has upset me or hurt Ethan etc. He is very aware and I love that he loves so beautifully.

Here are a few of Cades favorite things...
SHOWS - Caillou, Max and Ruby, Little Bear, Yo Gabba Gabba, Oswald, Thomas
MOVIES - This is a funny one. He use to love everything, it was hard to narrow down what he wanted to watch and when. Now he says everything is, "Too scary" Lately he likes Thomas (which we rented and he has requested it everyday since), Brother Bear, Charlotte's Web, Ant Bully, Wall-E, Bolt.
FOODS - He still likes my cooking, especially lasagna or spaghetti but has decided to be a little more fussy lately, so we just leave his meal on table and he comes and picks at it and it all gets eaten eventually. He loves pancakes, mac and cheese, cheese, hot dogs, raisins, grapes, apples, bananas, watermelon, chicken fries, green beans and carrots.
CLOTHES - He has a certain pair of shoes he loves, but Cory hates them. He loves to wear his Jammie's and would wear them all day if he could. He likes particular shirts, ones with cars or trucks on them are his favorite or ones with 'soccer ball game' (this is anything with a ball on it).
TOYS - He LOVES trains, cars, anything with a ship or pirates, lego, balls, ropes, fishing and horses (warsies).
SONGS - Just like with the movies, he is very picky about songs. At night he likes us to sing fun songs my mum use to sing to us, 'Jimmy Monkey', 'Hydee, Hydee Ho', 'Mumma Little Baby Loves Shortening Bread' and he says, "Monkey", "Elephant" or "Bread" for those songs. He loves 'Love Is Spoken Here' and calls that "Daddy Song". Lately he loves to sing happy birthday and it is so stinking cute. He is pretty good at it too. Last Sunday at church there were some children from a family that sang a song and Cade goes, "Ohhh mumma, it's a happy song!" We all got a chuckle out of that.

We are so blessed and fortunate to have this wonderful child in our home. I have said this since the day he was born, but he truly is a delight!

Here are a couple of favorites of mine...
Cade brand new and unnamed at this stage

3 days old, first day home

10 weeks

8 months

Cade 2 years old

Big Boy

I am so very pleased to announce....

....THIS BOY IS POTTY TRAINED!!! YAY!!!

This was our 5th and final attempt to potty train. We bought a trainset for Cade for his birthday and had it stashed away and I told Cory it was time to pull it out and display it and let that be the motivation to Cade to finally go potty. And it totally worked!!
We made a chart and put stickers on it at every potty time. He did fantastic! The first and second day I seriously thought it would be the death of me, both Cade and I have very little patience at times and therefore clash heads. We hung in there and I am so thankful we did. It was truly a bonding process for us too. Realising he can be independant in a good way was empowering for him and totally beneficial for me too. I was thinking it would be forever before he would poop on the potty, but by Friday that same week (so 4 days into it) he was pooping no problems. He has had 2 accidents since then and nothing for over a week now. He is waking dry of a morning and taking himself straight to the potty. He has also graduated from his potty and is now on the big toilet. What a big boy I have!! I am so happy with all that he had accomplished and I know he is happy with himself too, there is just a different sense about him, almost a new step in confidence and I love that.

CONGRATULATIONS my biggest little boy!!




The pictures above are from before we started to try, we made this chart and he was so proud of it. If you look at that first picture, you can see the bottom chart is covered in stickers... and so is his little potty, apparently he was running out of room.

6 Months

If I have said it once, I have said it a thousand times... but I simply can not believe my baby is 6 months old already!! Time has just flown by.

We had Ethan's 6 month appointment last Friday and he was 18lb 6oz (70th percentile) and 27 1/2 inches long (80th percentile).

Just for comparison for myself... Cade was 17lb 2 1/2oz (50th percentile) and 26 5/8 inches long (50th percentile) although his head was larger.

Prior to the appointment, Ethan was still like a newborn in his feeding schedule, waking every 3-4 hours and fussing, wanting to be held etc. It was not fun. On Thursday night I got up to him 9 times! 9 times! Are you kidding me! I have been really reluctant to let Ethan 'cry it out' as he has had these aspirating/choking fits and I FREAK out. Cade would always choke on food and that was scary and tainted me for life but Ethan chokes on nothing. I have since come to realise he does it for attention, when he gets worked up and wants to be picked up and held. Naughty boy!! So I have been really good about letting him settle himself during the day, which he was doing well at. He has always been a baby that likes to be put to bed awake and put himself to sleep... sweet! Since our appointment I have been trying some things differently. I have been staunch about getting him to sleep through the night. He has a last feed in the evening, about 8ish and is put to bed, sometimes awake, sometimes not. Then he seems to wake around 3ish and wants out of his bed. I have been going in, putting in his paci and making sure he isn't too hot and off to bed with me. He has done this for 3 nights now and cries for about 30 minutes and ends up nodding off and wakes for a morning feed at 6ish and then goes back to sleep for an hour or so. I can live with this and I think it is hard but is getting easier. He hasn't really been doing the choking thing, I think because I let him settle himself during the day it helps alot and he knows he isn't going to win at night. I am much stronger during the day I do notice though. Both the boys are in the same room and that stressed me about Ethan crying and waking Cade. He woke Cade the first night and since has not which is great.

Here are some particulars on what Ethan is up to at 6 months...
- Ethan is just a happy, delightful boy. A smile is NEVER far away. He has the most smiley eyes ever and we just adore him.

- Ethan LOVES Cade (and Cade LOVES Ethan). He thinks he is hilarious and we catch ourselves laughing along at the antics of Cade trying to entertain and make Ethan laugh. Ethan particularly loves when you move your head in a silly way or purposely lose eye contact and quickly regain it. He also loves you to swing your hair and jump (we found this out with my nieces while in Australia).

- Ethan has this cute habit of straightening his arm and flapping it back and forth against what he is laying by, my chest while nursing, his pillow while sleeping. It seems to be a comfort or security thing and I call it the 'whale' as that is what it is like, a whale slapping. He also waves his arm back and forth until he hits something he can hold while nursing, it is like his way of asking me to hold his hand. Very endearing.

- Ethan loves his baby food. He is quite partial to veggies and would choose those over fruits. He has a fruit with cereal at breakfast and can't quite finish it and has a veggie at night and gobbles that all. He seems to really enjoy pumpkin with pears lately. He has tried apples, pears, peaches, apples and blueberries, bananas, corn and sweet potatoes, squash, pumpkin with pears, carrots, mixed vegetables.

- He has been a fantastic nurser. Up until the last 2 weeks he was great, on, feed, off. But the last 2 weeks he has been not wanting to nurse during the day, which is really what the issue was with waking so much at night I believe. He seems to rather go without than to have a bottle. He has to be starving or will only take a bottle from someone other than me or Cory. I am OK with this as to me it tells me he still wants to nurse but sometimes it is a pain to have to always have something on hand if he refuses me.

- Ethan loves to play and will spend most of his day on his tummy. Last night he was showing great progress in the crawling department as he would lift his tummy off the floor just be on tippy toes and hands. It was pretty impressive. He rolls to something if he needs to get closer but for the most part just maneuvers where he wants to be.

- He loves to be in his highchair and would stay there all day if I let him. If I am needing to vacuum or about to feed him but want to get a load of washing on, I will put him in there with a bunch of toys and he will play happily. He gets SO excited when I walk by him in it and he will kick about and wave his arms with the cutest cheesy grin.

- Ethan gets SO excited for the tub. He just LOVES the bath. While we were in Australia my mum would bath him in the laundry trough and he was in heaven. Since being home I have let the boys bath together (Cade lives for showers or baths with Ethan, hehe) and Ethan about jumps out of your arms to get in that water. He does this suck backwards like of laugh in excitement and once in the water kicks like a frog the whole time. Very cute.

- He is by far way more cuddly than Cade at the same age. He loves to snuggle in your neck and relax. I love this and so does daddy!

- Ethan loves to suck your fingers and would gum them to death if you would let him. I think this is part of his teething (no teeth yet) but it is funny.

- He has started to drop things for me to constantly pick up, cause and effect, not such a fun game for mum, but Ethan loves it!

We are just in love with our little boy and are so thankful this precious man is in our lives. He is truly loved and adored, not just by us his immediate family but by our extended family too. What a blessing it is to have those you love, loved.