Birthday Boy!!!

Four years ago at 11:20 on 11/21, Caden was born!!!

Newborn

He has grown to be such a joyful, cuddly, and sweet boy!

First birthday

I can't believe he has already been a part of our lives for just 4 years, he has been in our hearts for many more than that!

Second birthday...I can't find any cake pictures, but Caleb was just born so who knows?

Caden loves animals, playing with Daddy, and he has become quite the big brother. He laughs with us all the time. Lately, he has been working on "telling jokes" as in "why did the chicken cross the road? Answer: strawberry pie" I guess you have to be 4?

He also tells me at least twice a day, "Mom, I wanna tell you something..." "(in a quiet voice) Your the best mom in the whole world and I love you!" Seriously, at lease twice a day! Caden's favorite foods (and there are not many to choose from according to him) are peach yogurt and Chick-fil-A. His favorite cartoon is Shaun the Sheep. He still wants to hear the story of Noah every night. He has a gentle spirit, but he is such a boy! He is already starting to talk in a "deep" toddler voice. Lately he is very interested in learning all about the baby in my tummy so we have fun talks about what they eat and how we give them baths. I'm contemplating whether its appropriate for a 4 year old to change diapers...

Mostly, Caden is as unique and wonderful as I could have imagined 4 years ago when we were waiting for him to arrive. Blessing doesn't even say how good it is to be his mom!

3 Years Above and 4 Years Below

(yes, that is the same shirt and no, its not planned, come on people)

Today for Caden's 4th birthday he got to open Candyland when he woke up...

Then, we went to the Mall and rode on the new train there which was a huge hit with both boys!

We even got to see Santa because he just arrived at the mall and it turns out the weekend before Thanksgiving there is no line. I have never been organized enough to get Santa pictures with "nice" clothes on my boys or even when their hair is combed, but now we will just have realistic memories I guess :)

I'm not putting the official (and very cute) Santa pic on here yet because it feels wrong before Thanksgiving, but here is a cute preview of Caleb being mischievous as any 2 year old would be. Also, notice his buzzed head which is thanks to a very traumatic first "professional" haircut experience. Apparently when they are screaming at the top of their lungs and flailing about violently it is not as easy to do a trim on the top and keep it long. Our stylist informed me that we would have to just use the clippers which turned out to be super short. Sigh. Hair grows, I know...

The birthday cake is chocolate-chocolate-with rainbow "sparkles" per Caden's request. I secretly love that he calls them sparkles because it reminds me of Rainbow Brite and I take what I can get in this house of men!

Happy Birthday Caden, we love you!

And as a ps, here is some bonus haircut footage...

Before

After...I miss you messy headed Caleb...I'll never cut it again...or not for a while...and not at that same place!