Jenn: Caiden Eating pears and rice cereal

Today was the first day that we have added pears to Caiden's rice cereal. He will be 6 months old in two weeks and we are starting to incorporate solids into his routine:)

He loved to take the spoon away from Mommy, he thought it was the funniest thing!

After his big meal, he took a peaceful nap...We like to call it the "food coma."

Derek: Caiden Big Eater

Caiden's started eating Rice Cereal from a spoon, and he's already pretty good!
That boy loves to eat!

(Get in my Belly!)

(A little Messy, but satisfied!)

Jenn: Caiden 3 1/2 Month pictures

Thanks to my amazing friend Staci Roth, we have these adorable pictures of Caiden Thomas. We are so very blessed to have such an amazing son. I love seeing the world through his eyes!

Derek: A Caiden New Year:

Caiden wishes everyone a happy 2008!

With his Momma New Year's Eve, dressed to Party like it's 2008!

Derek: Christmas with Caiden

We had a great Christmas with our little man.
He's growing and developing so fast, we can hardly believe it. Soon he'll be walking, talking, going to college...

Already holding head up.

He loves the ducky washcloth made by grandma Di.

He really enjoyed opening presents.

Derek: Caiden & Santa

Here's the photographer's pics of Caiden with Santa:
Such a handsome guy!

Caiden Coos

Caiden has really started 'talking':

Derek: San Fran

We just got back from a really great getaway to San Francisco. Keven joined us as our Au Pair, at least until Caiden broke her. 8-)

Caiden did amazing on the flights, and really enjoyed seeing the sights. We think he's going to be a great traveler.

What a difference just 2 short years makes:

Where we started:

Where we are now.

First Pictures with Santa

We had our first pictures with Santa , courtesy our realtor- Dawn Shaver-Faulconer. She's the absolute best. If you need a house anywhere near LA, check her out!

Caiden was excellent. He didn't cry or fuss at all. We had a good time, got pictures as a family and with Jan & Keven. Kasia & Michael got pictures with Zofia.

(Family with Santa)

(With Nana & Papa)

We're mailing out our Christmas cards, if you don't get one in a week, let us know, we might not have the right address! (Update 12/14: Haven't made it to the post office yet! Hopefully this weekend!)

Hope everyone is having a blessed time preparing for the holidays.
Love you all.

Derek: Good Doggie

Dillon, the elf-dog

Dillon is such an amazing dog. He puts up with all the crap we do to him. Take Christmas, he has to wear his silly elf-hat. I don't know many dogs that would handle it. I don't know of many dogs that could handle the handful that a new baby is, the way Dillon has.

He's been amazing with Caiden. From day 1 you knew he cared about Caiden, but not to the point that he's always on top of him. Dillon also knows to respect Caiden's space and to be careful around him.

If Caiden cries Dillon checks on him, then checks on the area around him, to make sure there's nothing making Caiden cry, then comes and gets us, even if we're standing a few feet away. When we get up at night, Dillon goes with us either downstairs or to Caiden's room. At first Dillon didn't like the constant waking, but he's gotten used to it, and sticks with us.

Dill loves his 'little brother' and gives him a kiss on the top of his head, pretty much once a day to show it. We are truly blessed to have such an amazing companion for our family. Good Dog.