Pumpkin Patch Fun!

     This past Saturday was another first for our sweet Caden, his first trip to a pumpkin patch!  With a mid November birthday, this little guy just barely missed Halloween and visiting pumpkin patches.  What a difference a year makes!  From inside my tummy to walking all over everywhere, this kid is growing up fast!
Caden loved the pumpkin patch!  We went with my cousin who has a son about 5 months older than Caden and her family, so it was a blast!  We visited a place not too far from our house called Halter Inc.  The rest of the year this place operates as somewhere children can come enjoy the benefits of therapeutic horses and other farm animals, but this time of year they also have a pumpkin patch with tons of fun activities for kiddos!  There's a petting zoo, pony rides, etc. for super cheap!  Kids under 2 are free (Sweet!) as well as adults (Sweetness again!) and the kids over 2 are $5 each.
     Caden liked getting to explore and touch all the pumpkins, and one of his favorite things was sitting on a tractor (future farmer?, Perhaps, I mean this child looks absolutely adorable in his overalls!)  He fed some goats, pigs, and a llama.  He even stole some of their food for himself (sad to admit he actually did this twice!).  At our neighborhood's National Night Out they had a couple of police officers with horses there, and Caden was a little scared of these large animals (in his defense there is a substantial size difference), so I wasn't sure how the pony ride would go, but he did GREAT!  He loved sitting in the saddle and didn't cry once.
     Such a neat place to visit!  A few little showers didn't stop us from having a wonderful time!!

Our little pumpkin with one BIG pumpkin

Caden loved getting to touch all the pumpkins

Sweet cousins and friends

Such a Casey face who does not want to take another picture

Me and My little guy!

To say he LOVED the tractor is an understatement

Daddy with his Mini-me!

Loves being in the driver's seat!

Feeding the goat!  Apparently their food looked appetizing
to Caden because he took a few samples for himself.

Our first pony ride!

Taking the pony on a walk thru an obstacle course with cousin Cheryl!

Fascinated with this pumpkin

My sweet baby looking so grown up!

Picking out his own pumpkin with his Daddy

Caden and Spencer with their pumpkins!

The result of too much fun at the pumpkin patch!

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."  Psalm 73:26

10 Months!

     That's right this little guy is in the double digits now!  So hard to believe how fast it has gone by!  In my typical fashion, I'm posting this when the next month is already halfway over.  What a month it has been for this kiddo!  He went from taking his first couple of steps to his Daddy to now walking on his own all over the place!  This Momma was not expecting him to walk so soon, but I guess I really shouldn't be too surprised.  I could see in his face that his motivation in crawling was to get from one place to another so he could pull himself up to a standing position, so why wouldn't this kid want to get from one place to another faster standing upright?!  He stills crawls quite a bit, so we're not walking 100% of the time, but it amazing to see how much progress this kid makes each week. (This was the case a couple weeks ago, but now our little guy walks at lightning speed sometimes and there's a lot less crawling.  Crazy how fast that changes!)
     You are up to 5 teeth now, so we are making some head way in filling up the mouth.  I finally have gotten you to eat 3 times a day (most days), and you are eating table food like a champ!  Yogurt and fruit are probably your favorites, but you're still not too picky! (Hopefully this continues, but I am realistic to know it will end at some point)
     "Da-da" is your favorite thing to say/babble and you pretty much do it all day long.  I try to get you to say "Ma-ma", but you just  say "Da-da" in response.  Such a little stinker! Right now the only time you will say "Ma-ma" is if you're having a melt down or crying, but we'll get there one day where you'll say and be in a happy mood!  You've learned what the word "No" means and you are not a fan of it at all!  At first you would just pause what you were doing and then proceed to do what you weren't supposed to be doing, but recently you've actually started to stop the taboo action and not get into any trouble. Most of the time, you keep on doing what you want, and then get upset because you got in trouble.  Life is so hard sometimes!
     You are still an early riser usually waking up at 6, and then there's some days when you decide the 5 o'clock hour is a great time to start the day (I greatly disagree with this, but that does not seem to bother you at all).  Thankfully, you still will give me a couple naps each day, sometimes 3 if you're really worn out.

Sitting still for pictures is pretty much
next to impossible for this guy!

Caden loves to pull out the cabinet with all the plastic
tupperware and containers.  He enjoys it, gives him something to do
so I can do dishes or cook dinner, so we plan to not put
locks on this cabinet and have renamed it "Caden's cabinet"

My little cleaning partner.  I look forward to the day he can
actually help clean up his messes!

     Caden, you seriously are a little cutie and watching you grow up into this little boy is amazing to see!  I love getting to stay home with you and be able to make so many memories together!  So glad God gave you to us!!

"Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.  Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."  Proverbs 19: 20-21

A Step or Two In The Right Direction

    We've been pulling up on pretty much anything for awhile these days and have gotten very good about walking side to side while holding onto furniture.  Caden also loves to push his walker all over the house, but I still thought we had more time before this walking on our own business started. I was wrong.  I think that about so many things in life, but basically everything when it comes to my child.  The Tuesday after Labor Day  (Sept 2nd) seemed like a regular day in the Hixon house.  It was only a little different in that Casey had taken the day off so he would have a day at home to get things done since we spent the weekend/Labor Day out of town.
    Casey and I were just playing with the little pooper in the living room when Caden took his first couple steps toward Casey!  What an incredible sight to see your child walk on his own!  It was even more special that Casey was home to see it and that he walked towards him! Melts my heart and tears me up to think about!  Staying at home with Caden is such a blessing that I'm able to spend so much time with him and watch him do things for the first time like rolling over or crawling, so I'm so thankful Casey got to see this too and not watch a video of it on his phone.
     Caden is still mainly crawling, but the frequency of him walking on his own post is becoming more frequent so I know before long he will be all over the place on his two little feet!

"Behold, God is my salvation.  I will trust and not be afraid.  For the Lord God is my strength and song.  And he has become my salvation."  Isaiah 12:2

Our Happy Place

      Do you have a place that you love to go to?  The reason you love to go there is because it makes you so happy!  That's how we feel about going to see Casey's grandfather at his house outside Marble Falls aka "The Lake House".  Part of why we love going is because we get to see his Pawpaw and spend time with him.  Another part of it is that it's just nice to get away from the normal routine and go somewhere to be recharged.  Most of the time we don't do anything special or anything that different from what we would do at our house, but for some reason it feels different and recharges us for whatever lies ahead.
     I've only been going to the lake house for about 3 years, but it already holds a special place in my heart and I know Casey feels the same with his lifetime of memories.  This past Labor Day weekend we were able to go to our happy place and it was wonderful!  Hopefully you have a happy place too!

Caden with his great grandfather, Pawpaw Ben!
These 2 are almost 87 years apart.

Caden found the toilet paper
at Pawpaw Ben's house too!

This kid is on the go wherever he is!

"Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." 

1 Corinthians 1:25

9 Months!

     Hard to believe this kiddo turned 9 months old on Monday!  He is just growing so fast and learning new things at such a quick speed.  This kid is one that likes to be on the move and not really a fan of sitting still (makes church time and eating interesting).  He's not walking on his own yet, but is a pro at holding on to furniture or people to get places, so walking on his own is probably not too far off.  Several times this month he has even stood on his own for a few seconds, so we're making progress!  He crawls at lightning speed and can find trouble in no time! (i.e. toilet paper rolls)
     We are now up to 4 teeth!  The pediatrician found his other top front tooth just breaking through his gums.  These top ones have been a doozie and rough on the little pooper (and his parents), but he's a trooper and trucking on!  With those chompers, we have started giving you table food, which you love!  Makes going out to restaurants much more pleasant for your Mommy and Daddy!  Haven't really found anything you don't like, but I'm sure that'll change as you get older.  For now, I'll just be very grateful for having a non-picky eater!
     This trip to the pediatrician I was actually able to time it so you went on the exact day you turned 9 months.  It was supposed to be a no-shot visit, which is what I told Caden, but the flu vaccine had just come in, so your Mommy lied and unfortunately you got a shot.  Sorry buddy!  The doctor was pleased with how well you were doing and said everything looked good! (Sweet music to this Mommy's ears!)  Here are your latest stats:

Head Circumference: 18.11" (79%) (Biggest part of this kid is still his noggin, big brain growing in there!)
Height: 28.5" (58%)
Weight: 19 lbs. (38%) (Still a little guy, but the perfect size to me!)

     Over this past month, we've gone to the pool a number of times, which you love!  He's such a water baby, and loves to splash in the pool and move his feet so quickly!  What I love about the pool is that afterwards Caden will take a long nap!  Win-win for us both!  Caden spent his 2nd night away from his Momma, but he was in good hands at Grandma and Grandpa's house!  Grandma took him to Bible class with her and Casey & I were able to go to a marriage seminar at our church, so that was good.
     Caden also went to his 1st eye doctor appt, this month.  Amazingly, one of our sweet friends from church is an optometrist!  Her office is out in Waller, but for us it's a straight shot down 290 and only takes about 30 minutes.   She's a great doctor, so it's worth trip to see her and make sure those peepers are working properly.  Sitting still is not his favorite thing to do, but in a very short time the doctor was able to check multiple things (and could even tell he slightly favored one eye).  Overall his eyes look good!  The staff absolutely loved him and welcomed him back anytime! 

9 months and getting harder each month to get
a good picture because someone can't stop moving

What happens sometimes when Daddy changes him

Standing up all by himself!

Looks like such a little man in this pic with his western wear
and custom belt like his Daddy had as a little boy

Driving Uncle David's truck

A magnet for trouble!  Silence for too long is not a good sign!

Such a good helper while shopping!

Can't wait to watch some Aggie football with this kid!

Discovered the pantry

At the eye doctor getting his peepers checked!

This boy is the best and we love him more each day!  Can't wait to see what this next month has in store for us!

"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on him because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:6-7 

8 Months

     So hard to believe in 4 months that Caden will be a year old!  My baby is looking more like a toddler and less like a baby, which is both sad and exciting!  What a month this past one has been for the little guy! He started crawling and can get anywhere in the blink of an eye!  It took him a little while to discover the stairs, but once he did, it's usually the first place he goes, either there or the fireplace (both now have gates on them).  We also have our bottom front teeth, which made their entrance about a week apart (which was not so fun for the Hixon house, but we survived.)
     Caden also went to his first VBS at church, which was special to me.  I have such good memories of all the VBS's I attended, so it was neat (and also surreal) to see my child have this experience too!  Sure, he was just in the nursery this year and will be next year too, but that''s fun too playing with friends and watching the play they put on each year together.  I love that VBS is a way for us to serve together as a family.  Casey records the play each night so people can watch it online, I always help/teach in one of the kid's classrooms (this year it was the 3 year olds), and soon Caden will be in the classroom learning more about God's word. VBS was 4 days with it starting on Sunday, so by Wednesday we were all beat!  The little pooper did pretty well, considering we got home well past his bedtime each night.
     Caden did get something we weren't expecting from VBS, a virus! (Explains the awful lack of sleep Thursday night and the fussiness on Friday)  Poor little guy had a 102 fever that Friday night (which was also his 8 month bday, sad!) and did not feel well.  He just would lay there on me with this sad, glazed look on his face and was very fussy.  Of course this would happen on a Friday after the pediatrician's office was closed.  Thankfully, our pediatrician is part of a group that offers after hours care during the week along with weekend appointments.  Thank you Texas Children's Pediatrics!  Strep test was negative, which meant little man had a virus:(  Casey and I took turns with him in the recliner since sleeping in the crib was a no-go, which meant sleep at the Hixon house was not great for anyone. Sunday marked the beginning of our happy baby returning, thank goodness!
     Since we made an unplanned field trip to the doctor, we got to see how much you weigh.  Caden is now up to 18 lbs. 2 oz.!(33%)  You are eating baby food like a champ, and have yet to spit out anything we've given you.  Finally, you have graduated to size 3 diapers and 6 months clothes.  You are so vocal these days (there is some of your Momma inside there!) and have babbled ma-ma and da-da, but since that is just babble I'm not cheating and counting that as talking.  Your favorite thing now is to throw up both your hands and have us say "Yay!"  It makes you so happy and you're so proud of yourself.  You can crawl at lightning speed, but you really like standing up and walking sideways while holding on to something.  It's so neat to see your personality coming out and to watch you learn to do so many things!  That smile still melts our hearts!  Each month, it is getting more and more difficult to get you to sit still for your picture!  Here are some of our attempts and some other snap shots of events this past month:

Ready for his 1st VBS!

How each night of VBS ended for Caden

Caden crawling for the 1st time!

Giving the sick baby in the mirror a kiss!

"Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."  Psalm 139:23-24

4th of July Weekend!

     What a wonderful holiday weekend it was at the Hixon house!  We started the celebration early on Thursday night by going to The Cheesecake Factory for my mom's birthday.  On the 4th, we had a pretty laid back morning/afternoon before we went to the next door neighbor's house for a party that night.   We thought Caden would sleep through the fireworks like he did at New Year's, but little guy woke up briefly during the middle of it all.  He seemed quite upset at the time, so I thought maybe if I took him outside (which he LOVES) that he would love all the pretty colors/lights and forget about the loud noise.  Major parenting FAIL!  Poor guy cried some more!  Thankfully though, I was able to get him back to sleep even with the fireworks continuing on, and he remained asleep for the rest of the night.  Big props to whoever invented the video baby monitor because it allowed these parents to keep an eye on our little guy, but also enjoy some fireworks outside!
    Sunday was nice because we went to church, but the rest of the day was not as much fun because of dealing with a CRANKY kid who did not want to take a nap and just really fussy.  Thank goodness, that attitude was temporary because he seems much happier today (perhaps a 24 hour cranky virus if there is such a thing?).  Casey took Monday off, so we took advantage of some extra family time and went to the Blue Bell factory in Brenham.  Both of my boys had never been! Caden is almost 8 months old, so I understand, but poor Casey had never gone either.  So sad! Glad we fixed that one today.  Caden was a trooper and really enjoyed the tour too!  He loved putting his hands on the windows that looked down into the factory.  He even got his own ice cream too!  Not that much of course, but couldn't let him miss out on some delicious Blue Bell!  Back to Houston we went and dropped off the little guy with Grandma for their Monday play date together.  Then Casey and I went to Double Dave's (pizza rolls, yummmmmmmmmm!) for a little lunch date just the two of us, who both got to eat with 2 hands at the same time! (It truly is the little things you appreciate as a new parent!)  Here are some pictures to recap our fabulous holiday!

Happy Birthday Mom!

What a hunk, indeed!

Major meltdown began right after this picture
 and I feel did not end till bedtime!

So in LOVE with this boy and picture!

Our little ice cream family before we demolished it!

Could these 2 look anymore alike?
They are even making the same face at me!

Hard to tell from the picture, but he LOVED his
vanilla ice cream and kept begging for more!

Father/Son picture in front of the Blue Bell truck of course!
My boys love cars! 

Me and My Little Guy!

Happy Hixon Family!

"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7