Cute cartoon...very true, well so far

Roly Poly Oly

This little guy of mine, well he's not so little, is full of energy and is a super frisky munchkin!  He's not crawling, honestly I'm in no hurry for that,  but moves around like crazy.  This was indicative in my belly however... he was active even then.

Before, diaper changes were a breeze; not anymore folks! Caiden now wants to roll over,  constantly, kick, play, hide under any fabric object,  all while, yes, I try to change him.  As crazy as it gets it's incredibly endearing to see. Wow, he's getting stronger,  bigger and more playful by the day.  My once simple baby is developing not only motor and physical skills,  but a vibrant and enthusiastic personality - to boot!  When you hold him upright,  or if in his exer-saucer, he goes ballistic jumping up and down.  When you give him a blanket,  he plays peek-a-boo.  When you put him on his back and try to put a onesie on, he rolls on to his stomach and giggles.  I love it... though yes it's a bit tougher.

All this new activity is kind of scary though.  Scary in the sense that he will be mobile soon, after which come the inevitable falls,  bumps,  and bangs. I can't picture myself being gracefully accepting of that...he's too precious.  Ok, yes I may be a little attached,  but whatever.  I realize there's nothing you can do... as he grows he will explore,  which is fantastic.  He is becoming an actual person wanting to do things himself and it's officially a stage he's entering where the ball will be rolling faster and faster,  as he grows exponentially fast and becomes less dependent on us for movement.

I kind of like him still needing mommy, but I know that stage is nearing its expiration  in a sense (more realized as I know my maternity leave will be up in a few months).  Feels like I'm not ready, wasn't he just born?  Well I guess that's how every mother feels.  Instead of looking at my list of things to do, I think I will just make the most of every day I get to spend with Caiden before we both have to do our own things.

Ahhh my baby is growing so fast,  not to be corny but seriously where does the fricking time go???

My little Valentine... the sweetest candy

I'm not big on celebrating Valentine's day, honestly I'm not just saying that.  It's not a cynical thing,  I just feel that flowers and candy on unexpected days mean more.  That and,  ok, I get mad when Vick spends triple the value on flowers.  But it's a cute day nonetheless.  It usually falls on a weekday,  so you go to work, come home and go for dinner and what not. However,  this year I got to spend the whole day with my jellybean.  We went to dispute a speeding ticket and won...so made a mini day of it and went for lunch,  got Valentines from the cousins, and I had to and pick up a little keepsake for him also.  I came home and snapped a few pics to commemorate my baby's first V day (though it was with mommy) and realized I didn't get my husband anything...well except a text message.  Ooops...what's supposed to be the purpose again?  I told you I'm no good at Valentine's Day! 

Seems as I've turned it into another "Caiden's firsts". Well I love my sugar...and here's a collage for my love of his loves. 

Dedicated to my husband,  we missed you! 

An Amazing Photographer: Cathy Kam

We decided to get Caiden's 6 month portraits done.  It's such a fun and interactive stage to remember. It also is considered a milestone in the sense it's, quite literally,  the halfway point between newborn and toddler.  I really wanted to memorize him at this point,  as he's growing so fast!

While searching and contacting photographers, I came across the work of Cathy Kam. I loved her work and quickly got in touch and booked a session.  I'm so happy with her shots!  Caiden is a spunky,  happy,  fun baby...she captured that charm in his photos! 

The whole experience was a breeze with her, and I truly loved the results.

Here is a link to her blog where she features Caiden.   I highly recommend Cathy for any baby/child/family photos!  Just visit:  cathykamphotography.com

Click here to view Caiden's 6 month photos by Cathy Kam.

What's for Dinner Ma??

Ok so he's not quite there yet...but my little muffin has officially started eating!   On his 6 month birthday we started introducing him to cereal and since then he's also tried a number of different fruits and veggies.  I was so excited (food is my thing) that I started snapping videos and pics...check him out!

As exciting as this milestone is,  it's definitely a bit of an apprehensive step, being a first time mom.  You have all these ideas of what he will eat (I personally have a list of what he won't), but you have no idea how he will take to eating, given for the past half year he's been drinking all his meals.  Also,  introducing babies to food rules have COMPLETELY changed from when we were growing up.   There is now baby led weaning (BLW)... where you actually give small pieces of food and allow him to feed himself as opposed to just pureed.  Furthermore,  no need to wait to introduce protein foods... meats and egg yolks are allowed much earlier (should still wait on high allergen foods like cow's milk,  nuts,  egg whites,  etc.)  Basically it's up to you and baby.  I honestly was just expecting to be given a strict guideline and month chart of when to give what,  but no... if he's ready,  go for it!  What???....eeeeks...I don't want to screw up!!!...What should I start with??? What if he doesn't eat and spits up... should I keep going???

After my mini- inside anxiety rant was done with, I went grocery shopping for Caiden for the first time!   I've been making him purees at home and also trying the baby led weaning.   Honestly he prefers purees and even has taken the spoon and put it in his mouth!  I allow him to "play" with his foods since it took him a while to learn how to eat...as opposed to just watching and mimicking us (it's ok to be messy I think because it's a learning experience for him mainly). But as days go on, surely Caiden takes to it.  Now I look forward to trying something new while following his cues of course. 

The biggest learning, though, is to not worry so much about what you are supposed to do and really pay more attention to just him,  what he's ready for and trust yourself.  He will show you what he likes and doesn't,  you will learn what agrees with him and what  doesn't,  you will know what you want to try next and what you're not ready to.  If something new comes up (like constipation, which I now know is normal at the beginning), you will figure it out and it will be fine. 

So trust yourself,  let baby be your guide, and have fun!  I decided I want to expose him to variety and definitely evoke healthy choices,  but lose the stress because this too is an enjoyable stage.  It has come up so fast and before you know it it will be a distant memory; as one day he will be a big boy and he will be literally asking you "what's for dinner Ma?"

Bon apetit!

Happy Holidays!

Quick Breakie/ Mommy Breakfast

Love this,  they are quick and still healthy options.  I find I don't have a lot of time in the morning, since I get up when he's up usually,  and I really try to follow the cardinal rule of eating within 2 hours of waking up (jumpstart your metabolism).

Thanks Women's Health for laying it out so simply!

http://www.womenshealthmag.com/nutrition/quick-breakfast-ideas?cm_mmc=Facebook-_-womenshealth-_-content-food-_-QuickBreakfasts