Fall already?

A look back through pictures of the spring and summer months, brings it sadly to a close. So many memories, milestones and events to remember for all of us...

Hide-and-Seek is a favorite game of Mak's -- and well Kaiden too, who was all too happy to participate.

We planted trees together for Earth Day

Makayla upgraded to a "big girl bike" - and Kaiden to sitting, eating and belly "dancing"  (no crawling or walking just yet - he is happy taking things at his own pace... just ask Mommy).

Makalya continues to be a BIG help to Mommy & Daddy and takes her role as the big sister very seriously. She helps feed her little brother, entertain him and can make him smile by just walking in the room. At the supermarket today she told the lady at checkout "I'm 3. My brother is 8 months (he's 10mo). I'm the big sister".




Kaiden loves his big sister too. He wants to watch her do EVERYTHING (which was difficult for Mommy during feedings most days once he got to be 6 months old). He is happy to do what she does, and doesn't complain or whimper when big sister's hugs are a little rough... He loves every minute.

 Makayla turned 3 and celebrated Curious George-style... having a blast with friends and family at the cabin.

And in the months since, Makayla has leaped head first into being 3... she is the rule keeper, the regulator, the leader, the storyteller, the athlete, the giver, the negotiator (to no end... just ask Mommy & Daddy).

We enjoyed days spent at the cabin, the pool, Kings Island and a camping trip (100 degree weekend - we headed home a day early) - every day was full... and I felt blessed to be home this year to enjoy it.

 A late summer vacation was a perfect way to end the summer - although I was struggling with a cold/flu, we had downtime together and with family... and Jay & I celebrated 6 years of marriage.

I am already enjoying the cooler weather... fall & Halloween are fast-approaching. As always it's bittersweet to look back, the bitter being with fond memory and a little sadness that that age, that time is gone, and sweet looking ahead for all the trials, challenges, happiness and adventure to come....

Warming up to Spring

Ohio is slowly (very, very slowly) embracing Spring this year. LOTS of rain, so we take the opportunity to get outside when we can and have really enjoyed those few days so far that have been sunny and warm... blissful after this year's winter.

Its amazing to compare and see the things that Makayla can now do after a long winter - climbing trees or the playground, jumping, riding her bike and running. All at such an amazing pace and coordination - a natural athlete.

Arnold & Makayla are best buddies... they like to run together in the park. Makayla takes care of Arnold - feeds, lets out, walks etc. She's very concerned about his well-being (most of the time) - and he tends to follow her around, bringing her a toy or playing "chase" with her.


And this just in....Upon sitting up almost all by himself today while we were watching Curious George, Makayla takes notice and says "Look Mom! He's sitting up almost like a REAL person!" Kaiden should be most glad to hear that he is reaching the "real person" status in his big sister's eyes.

The Adventures of... Paige

A member of our family since Christmas, Paige is Makayla's side-kick, buddy and most often "baby" to which she cares for alongside me while I care for Kaiden.  This "care" encompasses A LOT of hard work and effort for Mak to rock, breastfeed, push in the stroller (more on this later), read stories, dress, potty-train, discipline and carry her in a sling (Mak's coat buttoned up and Paige's head sticking out at the neck -- however, this latest activity caused Paige's hair to get sopped in syrup while attempting to eat our pancakes at breakfast). Paige often the recipient of conversation, treatment or punishment that Makayla herself has experienced at the hands of her parents. (Author's note: Arnold is grateful for Paige)

So here it is. The first documented adventures of Paige (and Mak)...

One morning running errands, Mak requested to push Paige in her stroller in every store we attended. At one point while perusing the shelves and therefore taking my eyes briefly off Mak I soon hear several feet away "Paige, you are not listening (said w/ a 'y'...so yistening)", "If you don't listen I'm going to put you in the stroller and strap you in" -- (a common threat of mine to ensure child compliance during shopping trips... works every time...it's like death to sit still in a cart). We discuss what Paige did wrong, and I supported Makayla in discipling her.... on to the next store.

At our favorite grocery store, Paige helped in the search for P.J (stuffed bear kids find and get a treat), so she & Mak each got a sucker (see picture above left). Upon finishing her sucker, Mak looks over at Paige and says "Paige, you want to share your sucker? Ok...great...thanks!" <takes Paige's sucker and puts in her mouth>.

Paige is currently potty-training. Sometimes she doesn't make it (see picture below left) as I was informed by Makayla that she "pooped in her underwear <sigh of disappointment while cleaning Paige up>"

At other times, Paige is the subject of just plain silliness... as shown here where Mak was attempting to get Paige into a chair by using her legs.

Old McDonald had a...

DEER. Three to be exact, one female and her two tween-age offspring, were part of our most recent walk and experience in Hocking Hills. Thanks to today's "heat wave" - we were able to spend several minutes (at least 20, maybe 30... no I'm not kidding) talking to the deer. After 5 minutes, they seemed to be bored with us...the youngest actually coming as close as 30-40 feet from Makayla as she explained "we won't hurt you", "we aren't going to come into your forest" while also offering to feed them leaves, sticks and rocks from her yellow bucket. I could not help wondering if the reason they were not alarmed by our presence, and failed to high-white-tail out of there, is because maybe... just maybe... they had mistook Makayla as a large (and friendly) rabbit (see picture). 

In other news...Jay is enjoying a much-deserved ski trip with friends in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. After 2 days of skiing he's sore and tired - but loving every minute of it. However, he will be ready to return home... just as much as we are excited to have him back soon.

Kaiden is growing bigger by the minute - laughing and talking more and more during his waking moments. He's sleeping through the nights now (sometimes sleeping longer in the mornings then Mak!)... and generally just observing in earnest (and learning from Big Sister for sure), the rhythm of our days.

Introducing...

Kaiden is growing so much - and fast - already almost 2 months old. He is sleeping a bit less in the day to have playtime with Mommy (he seems to have a good sense of Mak's routine - and is usually awake with me during her nap)... Coincidence?
Here's a little taste of his squeaks, squawks and grunts... (He has a little cold too).

Kaiden - Jan 2011

A happy, happy new year

It was with great joy that we (finally) welcomed Kaiden Wilson Cahill into this world on December 5th, 2010.  He was 8lbs 6oz and 20 1/2 inches long. Another long labor, but easy delivery (thankfully, he arrived in just one big push) and Jay, Makayla and I have been smitten with him every since....  

December went by quickly needless to say. The holidays were filled with the "spirit" of the season, with Mak leaving Santa cookies and unwrapping gifts (everyone's gifts if she can get her hands on them!) and especially as Jay & I take stock of all the things we are blessed with and the many adventures (and challenges - ha!) we have to look forward to in the years to come... 

Jay had some time off after Christmas so we spent time together as a family at the cabin - eating, playing games, baking, sledding, walking -  and moved into the New Year with little fan fair (Jay & I were asleep by 10pm).  

As we approach the end of January, Jay is back at work and me, Makayla and Kaiden are slowly getting ourselves adjusted into a new routine. Kaiden eats well (his 1 month doctor appt. he had gained 2 pounds and grew 3 inches!) and sleeps 5-7 hours at night already most nights ... which is a very much appreciated by yours truly. Mak now is involved in a Monday music class, and still enjoys participating in gymnastics and pre-school each week - all of which helps to keep us entertained during the winter months, and allows for time/activities just for Mak -- since so much of the last 6 weeks has naturally been about Kaiden - and will continue to be over the next several months... 

Makayla is wonderful big sister and takes this role very seriously by helping mommy (& daddy) around the house - reading to him, playing nearby during feedings,  helping with bath-time, making him art and giving him A LOT of kisses & hugs (it's common to hear in our house "stop squeezing him..", "Mak! not so hard..." or " let go!"). Kaiden however doesn't seem to mind being loved so much and in return - LOVES his big sister... he watches her, listens to her and laughs when she talks and sings to him. He can't get enough of this lively little person. Between the two of them the days are certainly full and go quickly!