Cade-man Plays Soccer...

Cade-man started soccer this Spring. We had our first practice and game this week! Caden was SUPER excited to play and was so upset earlier in the year when he missed the first round of 2012 soccer sign-ups... he reminded me about it ALL. THE. TIME. With the help from Daddy of course! So I was going to be darned if I was going to let that happen again...

So we signed up and got Daddy prepped as Assistant Coach and we were ready. I am not going to lie, I was a bit apprehensive before we went to practice this week. Justin assured me that Caden would do GREAT and that I had nothing to worry about. But I know my little shy-guy and also know how long it can take him to get used to new situations and so I while I was very forthcoming with my enthusiasm from the outside, I was holding out a bit in my heart of hearts.

Justin was right... he did GREAT at practice. He was SO excited to be out there. He LIT up as soon as we got there. He ran and kicked and answered EVERY question the coach asked and was about as full of soccer enthusiasm as any three year old could be. The only time he seemed to be a bit timid was when they actually started to "PLAY" a "REAL" game before practice was over. The clump of knee-biters chasing one ball around a field was a bit of a shock to the system. But he recovered okay and was still very excited about soccer. And couldn't wait to wear his FANCY new uni and play in his FIRST game!

So game time came... before the sun! Seriously... we were up at 6:30 on a Saturday to get ready! I had made Caden's favorite breakfast and his uniform was ready to go... and OF course I did his hair... couldn't let my soccer star go to his first game with bed head... um no!

Daddy assisting with the cleats...

Kaki waiting patiently... still wondering why in the world someone tried to put a bow in her hair before 7:00am... not okay! So she ripped it right off and decided that bows are the new diamonds and wore it as a necklace! She was lookin' a bit tired... sweet thing!

Obligatory porch pic... with the soccer ball... SUPER CHEESE!!

We, of course, are the FIRST KID there from our team... you can't be a Cox if you're not early everywhere you go... especially when Daddy is involved!

So Caden had time to warm up and get loose... he was lookin' good...

His rubber-band rigged shorts were staying up in an all out run and so I was feeling pretty victorious all the way around...

Kaki was happy and content as always sitting in the "stands" eating her breakfast!!

The rest of the team showed up just in time for things to get started and we were off...

We should have taken our mini meltdown at practice as a sign of things to come... because once the game started we were in TROUBLE! Caden wanted NOTHING to do with soccer! NOTHING!!

SO UPSET! Uh-oh... my heart was saying, "Oh no, this is what I was worried about!" And Daddy was trying to figure out if he would get arrested for making his three year old walk home!

He kept saying (through tears), "I just want to play soccer! I want to play so bad!"

And we had to let him in on the cold hard truth, "THIS IS SOCCER!!" Poor thing is a bit self-involved and thinks that he should have his own ball and just get to kick it around the field and into the goal completely uncontested! Clearly, team sports are something we need! Which is why we're here, right?! :)

He kept asking, "Why can't I play soccer?" "Why that guy blowing that whistle?" "I don't like that guy with the whistle."

The whistle was too loud, there were NOT near enough balls, and there were TOO MANY kids! Oh my! It was a soccer fail!

We did get him to go out and try a few times and that was all I asked... that he tried! But most of the time he was just fine hanging with Mommy on the sidelines "cheering" for the Chivas!

So maybe three was a bit young to start soccer but for a kid who was READY we decided to give it a go and you just never know. Oddly enough he said he has SO MUCH FUN at his soccer game, so it seems that it wasn't all that traumatic just confusing and upsetting that he didn't get to RULE the field! Control freak, much?! I'm afraid he comes by it oh so naturally... on both sides! Bless him!

We're gonna keep at it and pray that Caden continues to adjust to life as a "soccer star..." it's hard work, but somebody's gotta do it, right?! :)

My Little Stars... in ALL of their GLORY!!

Brother and Sister: A Photo Dialogue

It's picture time... in Kk and Albi's new backyard that is full of trees and bright-colored flowers. Kaki has on a new spring dress and Caden's shirt is (mostly) clean and his hair is sweaty which makes styling it a breeze...

Do you think we can do it? Can we get a good picture of BOTH Caden AND Kaki? We weren't too sure but we were sure going to give it our best... and let the camera to the rest!

Turns out pictures really DO say one thousand words (or more)... let's listen in...

Really? Do I have to? With him? He's sweaty... and frankly, he smells!

Come on Ta-ki, get a little closer! You can't resist the cheese.

You're right... the cheese smell is overwhelming! I can't even look in your direction!

Tilt your head! Give 'em the weak in your knees, cheese!

No, no! You've got it all wrong. The finger prop is the weak in the knees, cheese! Try it!

They're lovin' it... absolutely lovin' it!

You're right! They are clapping and hootin' and hollerin'... we must be good!

Let's clap back...they love the kid clap!

Nope! They only like MY kid clap... you're too old! Just sit still and smile... and maybe try to open your eyes... WIDER!

You have so much to learn...squinty eyes are the new mysterious! Work it, own it!

You think we're almost done? I'm ready for my close-up.

Sure thing. I'm sure to drive them crazy soon enough.

Are you sure? Mommy? Kk? Help! He's starting to spaz!

Bah-hahahaha! I'm feelin' it now... cheese!!!

HAHAHA! Sit still?! They keep saying sit still and smile! Do they know you at ALL?

No kidding... still?! Energy like mine can't be harnessed!

What's the deal with your hands on your feet? Gonna attempt the human pretzel?

This'll get 'em... watch and learn, Ta-ki Pants... watch and learn.

Just a few more... did you hear that? They want us to get closer... holding breath now!

Aw, shucks! Don't be bashful Ta-ki... I won't bite... hard!

Snap, click, hurry! The smell... don't forget the smell!

Give 'em the model-eye... they love it!

Closer? I don't think they said Closer! No, no they said OVER! Over!

Come here you little tootie-tootie!

Oh gosh! One more... they promised... come on let's pull it together for a good one! Cheese!

This is it! The big one! Let's bring it home Ta-ki!!

Phew! Can I get someone in here to freshen me up... before my close-up.

I'm out? You want me out of this picture? I AM the picture!

Let's do this my way... mystery in the eyes? Oh no... all in the mouth!

I'm cute! I know it! So cute! And cuddly! And cute! And lovely!

I can be serious... and thoughtful... and reflective...

But I prefer a little goofy in my life... okay, a LOT goofy!

Oh my! What IS he doing now?!

He may be smelly but that guy sure does know how to make a girl giggle!

Is amateur hour over? My turn... watch and learn!

Pullin' out the big guns... Mommy's gonna love this one!

Hey, did you know I can clap?! Watch!

To which we all said, "YES, CADEN! We know you can clap! For the love... just sit STILL!!"

ELMO... LIVE... on Sesame Street

Da-Da-Da-DA...Da-Da-Da-DA... Elmo's World...

It's ALL about ELMO with a splash of Sesame Street, isn't?! It's the "Elmo Show" not Sesame Street Live in our house, but regardless of who holds King of the kid show court, we were blessed with the opportunity to go enjoy Elmo and his gang again this year!!

Nana invited Caden, Kaki and I to Belton for the big event! We were SUPER excited and I made sure to only tell Caden within one week of the actual event to be sure that I would not have to hear, "When we going to the Elmo Show? Today?! To-mo-yo?? With Nana? Nana gonna be der?" Oh my!

It was a rainy, wet morning in Belton which made it a perfect day for a show! I am ALWAYS the early-bird... over-estimating my travel time... so we were there ... OH 30 minutes early! OOPS! So the kids and I had some time to kill... in the car... with an iPhone and some excited smiles! :)

Our patience didn't wear too thin until a school bus came and parked right next to our car... which Caden feared would block Nana from being able to see us... and the meltdown began. "Nana not going to be able to see us? Move you stinky school bus!!" Oh dear!

But oddly enough Nana found us and we were READY and HAPPY to see her pull in! It was TIME!!

They added a play zone to the show this year which Caden wanted almost no part of... until he saw his girlfriend Abby on the way out and stopped for a quick pic! He is ALL ABOUT the girlfriends lately... "I like girlfriends!" He says it all the time... so I don't make a big deal about it and just let him indulge into all of his girly-flavor... including telling everyone that his favorite color is pink! :)

Nana must have had a huge sign on her forehead that only Caden and Kaki can read that said, "SUCKER!" because she bought those two kids everything they wanted! We came home with a show CD, a program which is more like a huge book and Caden's favorite thing from the show last year, TWO Zoe dolls, an Elmo balloon AND we had cotton candy and a snow cone! Phew! Poor Bop may not have gotten to eat all week after our trip to the Elmo show! :)

We are so grateful to have a RETIRED Nana to do fun things like this with us this year! It has been such a treat to spend more time with her! I must say that retirement has surely suited Nana thus far! I think it is safe to say that she is LOVING it... especially with grandbaby number 3 on the way... no, not me... Aunt Ree Ree!! Whoo hoo!! More baby lovin'!!

After the show we had a yummy lunch at Caden's favorite place... funny name... serious sandwich... Schlotzsky's! Thanks for obliging him Nana! :) And THANK YOU for taking us to the Elmo Show! We had a blast and have LOVED jammin' to our new CD on our trips around town!! Everything makes music...

We love you, Nana!!

PS: A huge shout out to Bop for allowing us to share Nana with him and for treating us alongside her! We appreciate you!

Magic 8 Ball... of JOY!

A bundle of JOY is she... Kaki-girl! A ray of sunshine always... Kaki-Lou! Primed and ready with a goofy grin... Kaki-pants! Loved and adored by all she meets... my Kaki!

She's my girl... my 8 Month Old girl TODAY in fact! I can hardly believe it myself. KK was equally as disturbed when she asked yesterday if Kaki was going to be 9 months old? She said she just couldn't take it if that were true... and thankfully she's just 8... but 8 still sounds so big doesn't it?

Oh my... how it flies... the time... from one day to the next... one month to the next...

I really thought Kaki was just going to take off and crawl today in honor of her 8 month birthday! But she didn't quite manage to get those chubby wubby legs of hers up under her... I mean that is a challenge! But she is ready... she is tired of this sittin' business and is setting her sights on the big things in life... like going and busting up all of brother's fun. Oh I can't wait until she starts giving him a run for his money, and I know she will. I think we might have ourselves an Alpha Dog in this house and it's not Caden. She certainly thinks he's the BEST thing since ready-made formula, but she isn't afraid to go after him either. We call her "grabby hands" because she is... if she wants it, she'll lean and pull and scoot and grunt her way until she gets it and then when she gets whatever it is she holds on for dear life... and sometimes that means coming back with handfuls of hair... :)

She is becoming quite the little ball of spunk... snorting and grunting and donkey kicking those legs when she gets excited. She is ready to play and I think for the most part we are too! Of course we have got some serious CHOKING HAZARD things to do before she is on the move too much. I have already started working with Caden on spotting CHOKING HAZARDS around the house, especially in his toys... hilarious!!

Kaki is finally standing... of course she is yet to pull herself up to a standing position all by her lonesome, but when propped up on one of her stand-up toys she can do it for longer than 30 seconds... we're up to minutes... like LONG minutes. She is so proud of herself and a bit cautious still and who can blame the girl with all that weight to bare on those SUPER tiny ankles... bless her heart!

She doesn't say much... she makes noise and sings occasionally but she tells her stories with her legs, her SMILES and of course those gorgeous blue eyes. There is not much you can't understand by looking at those baby blues!

She is still just eating two solid meals each day and 3 bottles, sometimes 4. She doesn't have ANY teeth so we are holding off on some of the yummier solids until she has a bit more bite. Plus we've had some poop issues and have had to figure a few things out before moving on to bigger and better things, but I will be excited for her to try some new things...cheerios... mac n cheese... you know the GOOD stuff! Avocados! We think she may be allergic to bananas... weird huh? But for now no bananas for sweet Lou Lou!

She likes books although she does not sit near as still as Caden did...again she is a grabby hands and is always trying to reach out and be a part of the story... quite literally. She is obsessed with Mickey Mouse and especially loves the Hot Dog Dance... she's got good taste!

As far as toys go... she loves them all, especially anything that she can chew on! :) She has this little frog that she LOVES! It's like her playtime lovie! :) Oh speaking of lovie... boy does she ever love hers. She is still sleeping with that things right up in her face! Although now that she is more mobile she does tend to leave lovie at one of the bed but only to wake up and realize it and head back for her... :)

She loves music and likes it when Caden and I sing... it is how we get her to stop crying in the car if she starts to get fussy. She likes any song but I think she really likes our rendition of "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town!" YES... we are still singing Christmas songs! We sing that one a LOT and recently we have added the Star Spangled Banner to our play list because you know the Baylor Band plays it at the football games and everything! Poor Kaki, and Caden for that matter... that song gets a little rough for Mommy... can we say pitchy?! It's terrible!

Today we did a little photo shoot outside... it was cloudy and a bit cool but we managed... and I had my little comedian to help me make Kaki laugh and smile, although I think our plan actually just made her distracted... BUT she is still just as cute as ever!

Sweet Kaki Lou... we love you...

And your rolls...or ruffles as my friend Becca calls them! :)

Your smiles... grins... especially those full on cheese ball open mouth smiles!!

Your poise in the midst of chaos... time outs... swats... and other craziness...

Your fiesty, can-do spirit...
Your budding personality...

Your excitement...

Your curiosity...

Your love for your brother...

Your patience with us...

Your snorts, huffs and puffs...

And your gift of making us smile no matter what...

We love you to the moon and back again, Kaki!!

Happy 8 Months sweet girl!!

Caden's Surgery 2.0

Well... I can't remember if I mentioned it or not... BUT Caden had surgery last Friday the 18th. He had another set of tubes and also had his adenoids removed. It was our next step after the "eardrum rupture of 2012" a few weeks ago. And apparently, the adenoids are just bacteria-harboring pockets of gunk that we can live without, so why not, right?! Yank 'em outta there!

Okay, we didn't quite make the decision to put Caden back into surgery that light-heartedly... I mean they wanted me to do this LAST May... so we definitely gave it a good 'ol college try but his eardrums weren't quite ready to mature...

So off we went...

Thursday afternoon KK swooped in and saved the day and offered to stay home with Kaki so that Justin could come with me to the hospital. I originally thought I'd just go with Caden and Justin would stay home with Kaki, but KK knew better and insisted that she come so Justin could be with us and a mother knows best after all...so who was I to argue?

It was nice to have Justin there to comfort, calm and reassure Caden that everything was going to be ok... oh and me too! :) There is nothing about surgery that I like but I am thankful that this is a very rare occasion in Caden's life, because it just isn't easy! My heart breaks for those who have stared surgery in the face time after time after time. The idea of him being ALL THE WAY UNDER was a bit much for me...although the alternative of him being awake during such an ordeal is way worse... so I counted my blessings for anesthesia! :)

Everything went really well. And God gave me a little treasure in a very specifically answered prayer... Caden's anesthesiologist was the same one that I had when I had Kaki earlier this summer. We got to be good buds while I was on the operating table and I was so thankful for his company... he was great and I was hoping/praying that he would be Caden's doctor too! AND... wouldn't you know... when he walked in I smiled from the inside out and gave God a little wink to say thank you! He was great with Caden and made the experience as easy as any surgery can be.

He even gave Caden a little pre-drug-drug to calm him down... he was giggly and loopy and had very few tears when they wheeled him out of the room and into to surgery and for that I am grateful! That is a hardest part on a Momma... I was dreading his screams and tears as they took him away, but thanks to modern medicine I shed WAY more tears than he did!

But no worries...I was able to keep back the tears until he was out of sight and then I had to have my little moment... you know... it's a me thing!

About 30 minutes later the ENT came in and told us that he did great and would need to be in recovery another 30 minutes and he'd come back to see us. Well about 15 minutes after that I heard Caden SCREAMING... he was UP! And I was thankful to hear that cry... even though I was sad that I could not go sweep him up and hold him, I was so grateful for his noise! :)

This is Caden pre-surgery... doesn't he look so sad... he really hated that gown!!

And after...

He still had his IV in and in between fits of trying to pull it out of his hand he'd lay back and fall asleep... it was sad, funny and a bit unsettling all at the same time to see him so out of it!

When we got home he had a special surprise that Mommy asked Miss Gina to make for Caden... Minnie and Mickey cookies...

Once again... Gina outdid herself... seriously cute!!

A close up of Caden's favorite girl...

Other than a few upset tummy issues Caden did remarkably well coming out of surgery and continuing on to recovery. He has seemed pretty much unscathed. He is still concerned about the mark on his wrist from his IV, but other than that I don't think he is too traumatized... :) He was so brave and so big... I was so very proud! Kids are WAY tougher than we are!! WAY!

And I am so very thankful that it is over and behind us... we are grateful for our happy, healthy boy!! Let's pray these suckers work!! :)

And if you are wondering how Kaki fared during this whole thing...

Well, she was just as cute and content as she could be... :)

Caden's Surgery 2.0... done and done!