Halloween

Okay, so it's been FOREVER since I've posted. My goal is to get better at posting on here. I promise, so please follow our lives! :)

Kaden was an adorable lion for Halloween. He didn't mind being in his costume at all, and was his usual happy self. We visited Kaden's Grandma Rysdam and our friends, the Burgesses', and then we took Kaden out to trick-or-treat in the neighborhood for 1/2 an hour. It was VERY cold, but Kaden was such a trooper. He smiled from house to house and even said "woof, woof" when he saw dogs. I can't believe we are already taking him out to trick-or-treat. Time has gone WAY too quickly!! Enjoy the pics! :)

Kaden loves to throw his toys (he literally chucks them across the room) and sit in the toy bin.

So happy!

Mommy and Kaden

Check out the back of the costume- so cute!

Our happy lion!

Kaden's First Birthday

It's hard to believe our little boy is already 1! This past year has been such a blessing, watching Kaden grow and turn into the fun boy that he is today. He is now officially walking, so we can say that he started walking at age 1. It's amazing how much he changes from week to week, and just a week ago he looked like a drunken sailor trying to walk the plank, and now he's flying around on the house, not yet realizing that he can't quite run as fast as his mind wants him to! It was fun to celebrate his first birthday with friends and family. I love planning parties, so it was fun to see the planning come together. After taking the time to make his first birthday cake, I decided to let him delve into a cupcake instead. He loved it and ate every single bite... except for those few crumbs that managed to make their way into his diaper, don't even ask me how that happened. He even managed to poop in the tub for the first time that night, what a way to celebrate his special day! :) All in all it was a fun day, and we feel overwhelming blessed to call ourselves Kaden's parents.

My latest project

A few months ago, our small group made our bucket lists. I know it sounds kind of morbid, but we wanted to make a list of goals we had for our life- tangible and intangible. My personal challenge was to complete one thing a year on my bucket list. One of the things on the list was to learn how to sew. As most of you know, I'm a pretty crafty person and love to do crafty projects. So, sewing was just another thing to add to the list! A couple of sewing master friends from school (thanks, Sandy and Linda!!) came over yesterday to teach me how to sew. I stole my mother-in-law's sewing machine, which was still brand new in the box, and started my sewing lessons right away. Before I knew it, I was sewing diagonals in squares for a rag quilt. Sandy helped cut the material, but I did the majority of the sewing. I worked ALL day yesterday on the quilt. Poor Kaden! :) He was such a good boy and played nicely. One of my own personal "faults" is that once I get started on a project, I can't stop. I was enjoying making my quilt so much I kept working and working on it. After 3 different needles, many replaced bobbins, and some mistakes along the way (the seam ripper is a great tool!!!), I managed to finish putting all of the pieces together. I washed it to help "rag" the quilt, and admired my finished product. Is it perfect? Not at all. However, I take pride in the fact that I learned something new and enjoyed it. Sewing new burp cloths is on the list for sewing projects next week! :)

Kaden's First Pool Experience

I got back from NJ on Saturday afternoon, after spending most of the week in NJ. It was great to see my family again and celebrate my "little" brother's graduation from high school. Time sure flies! I'm excited to see him more as he decided to come to the Holy Lands, aka Calvin College, next year! :) Kaden is super excited to have Uncle Brian here, too!

Kaden wouldn't go down for a nap on Saturday afternoon, which was no surprise after many changes in his napping schedules, flying (he did great- slept most of the time on all of the flights- what a trooper!!), sleeping in a Pack N' Play, etc. So, we decided to head to the pool since it was one of the first really nice days here in MI. We had the whole pool to ourselves and it was nice to enjoy some relaxing time together as a family. Kaden fell asleep on the 5 minute drive to the pool, so he relaxed in the shade with Mommy for the first 20 minutes while Daddy enjoyed the pool. He enjoyed splashing around in his new tube once he got used to it. He definitely loves water! We're looking forward to spending more time in the pool together as a family this summer!

Lovin' our little boy...

I can't get over how big our little boy is getting.  It's so cute to watch him lately- he's content sitting amidst piles of toys, playing with one thing, and then moving on to another.  He concentrates so hard on one item, and then decides to move on.  He LOVES books and will look through a book by himself page by page, and then hold it up, look at me, and go "eh, eh.."  In other words... can you read it to me, Mom?  Then, when we finish the book he bounces up in my lap and says, "eh, eh" meaning, "Again, Mom!"  He's so funny.  I think he'll be walking sooner than later, too.  He's getting a lot more daring and taking chances walking along the wall, reaching from the table to the couch, and all sorts of things.  I think he'd be content walking with me holding his hands all day long, but there's only so much I can take of that!  God has blessed us richly, and each day I fall more in love with my blessing from above.  Now that my school commitments have lessened quite dramatically for the summer, I look forward to savoring every moment I can get with my little boy.

Binder Park Zoo

A few weeks ago we went to Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek with some friends from church.  Despite the rain in the morning, we had a great day.  We were a bit unimpressed at the lack of animals there were, especially after everything good we'd heard about the zoo.  The highlight was feeding the giraffes and getting up close and personal with them!  Kaden undoubtedly enjoyed his first zoo trip, and was a trooper all day- considering his naps were in the car!

Getting around

Our little boy is making his way around our house!  We've childproofed everything, and he thinks he can now pull himself up on anything he sees.  Never a dull moment in the Rysdam house these days!!

Kaden's First Easter

Kaden had a great first Easter.  We spent the day with many of the Stuive family cousins and aunts and uncles.  Kaden enjoyed chewing his first plastic easter egg after the hunt... and he got 50 cents out the deal, not bad! :)  

Kaden also got a rocking chair from his Grandma Rysdam.  He enjoyed rocking in his chair and playing with his new bunny!  Note the Cub's attire, too...a true Cub's fan at such an early age!  Saturday marked his 9 month birthday.  It's hard to believe our little boy is already 9 months old.  Where has the time gone?  Now if only we could solve this waking up 3 times a night business, we'd be all set!!! :)  Tomorrow we go to the doctor for his 9 month checkup and shots, poor kiddo! 

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter celebrating our Risen Lord!!

Kaden is crawling!

Well, our little boy is finally crawling!  He's been working on it for about a month now, taking step by step, falling over, pulling himself across the floor with his elbows, and hopping around like a frog.  Thanks to March Madness and a lot of time downstairs watching basketball with Daddy on the big screen, Kaden got a chance to roam all over the basement without running into furniture like he usually does upstairs.  On Monday last week, he just decided it was time, and started crawling across the room.  Throughout the week, he's ventured his way into every room in our house.  The gate to the basement stairs has officially gone up, and I'm finding myself wondering why I wanted him to crawl in the first place! :)  I turn my head for a second, and he's in my bedroom closet eating my shoes... lovely.  The fun begins- every crumb and cord is attractive to an 8 1/2 month old boy.  He's so much happier now that he can quickly crawl across the room for a toy, and he's becoming more and more independent.  Where did our little boy go? 

Girl's Weekend in Pittsburgh

Sorry I haven't posted anything in a long time... it seems as though updating my blog has been put on the back burner.  Anyway, I promise to be more diligent in posting and giving you updates!  This past weekend I went away to Pittsburgh, PA for a girl's weekend to meet up with my best friends from NJ.  We've all been friends since elementary school, and still keep in touch and try to get together in NJ over the holidays if we're all in town.  One of my friends stayed in NJ, one is in PA, and two of us are here in good ol' Michigan!  We decided to meet in Pittsburgh as a "middle spot" but future girls' weekends will be in better locations.  While we were there we spent lots of time talking and catching up, rode the Duquesne Incline for great views of the city, went shopping, got pedicures, had a baby shower for one friend, made crafts (guess whose idea that was?!?!?) and ate lots of food.  It was nice to get away and spend time with friends.  Andy and Kaden enjoyed some guy time back at home while I was gone, and Andy did a great job of being "Mr. Mom" for the weekend!  :)