Routine??

What's a routine? Everyone keeps asking if we have a routine. Uhhhh...no.  Every time I think we may have one, we don't.  Enough said.  Dare I say that Caden has been getting a little bit better about sleeping in longer increments at night.  However, now that I  mentioned it I'm sure it is either just a fluke, not a routine, or that I have just jinxed myself.

Here is his two week old picture.  I'm a little late.

Here are some 2 week old picture outtakes.  He wasn't really feelin' having his picture taken that morning.

I love this picture of Caden and the way that the sunlight is hitting him.

After bath time.  We used the Tummy Tub for the first time this week.  He loved being able to chill in the tub for  a few minutes.  I'm sure his little red, diaper-rashed bum loved it too.

Charlotte and Caden bonded this week.  These days you won't find Charlotte far from him.  If Chris or I is not within immediate proximity of Caden, Charlotte is, guarding him and making sure everything is A-Ok.

Yes!  He is smiling.  I swear it's not gas.  He's GT! :)

This past week was also Easter.  It was fun being able to see all of my family and they were really excited to see me Caden.  Caden was pretty content with Easter overall.  He got his first little Easter basket and since people basically fought over who got to hold him all weekend he was always warm and cozy.

That was until we got home and he was

1. Not being held

and

2. Still had on his bunny hat.

He was not happy.  First he expressed his feelings by flipping us the bird.  When that didn't work...

He begged for me to stop taking his damn picture.

But he finally succumbed to the fact that there was no use and decided to just wipe away his tears.  He was wearing a bunny hat AND a shirt with a bunny and chick on it, and there was nothing he could do about it.  Sorry dude.

These past three weeks seem like they've flown by, and yet it seems like years ago that I was pregnant or that we were at the hospital. 

This week marks the milestones of Caden officially growing out of newborn sized clothes (now that he weighs in at a whopping 9 pounds 9 ounces), of him absolutely HATING being swaddled anymore and the image of Chris blowing on Caden's little, red, naked, Desitin-covered bum...an image I thought I'd never see. :)

Caden Has Arrived!

Caden Christopher Fredrickson arrived a week early on March 22, 2012 at 5:18 pm.  He weighed 7 pounds 4 ounces and was 19 inches long.  He came into the world with a bang!  I wasn't due for another week and had just had my last day of work the day before.  I was actually supposed to work until Friday, but had decided to call it quits two days early.  Little did I know that someone would be arriving the very next day and that my first official "sleeping in day" would be interrupted at 3 am with intense labor pains.

Caden ended up being delivered by c-section as a very last minute decision.  Dr. Najima felt it was best as his heart rate kept dropping every time I had a big contraction.  It was definitely the right decision because the umbilical cord was wrapped around his little neck.

Our first family photo taken minutes after Caden was born.  I couldn't believe that he had just been inside of me and that he was actually OURS!

Chris was able to take photos of Caden's first bath (after being told by the nurse I'd be mad if he didn't) :). Caden wasn't too thrilled.  The nurse giving him his bath is Katie.  We loved her.  She was the most amazing person at the hospital!!

Grandma Georgia's first time holding Caden.  This was also the first time we had put him in a swaddle blanket.  He liked it so much he slept for 8 hours!  We had to wake him to feed him. 

On Sunday March 25th, after 3 days in the hospital, we were able to go home.  We bundled Caden up in his new little doggy outfit, tried to figure out the millions of straps, buckles and snaps of the carseat and headed out.

Grandma Georgia and Caden.

Grampa Greg and Caden.  Grampa Greg really likes Caden's dinosaur blanket :)

Grandma Susan and Caden.  Grandma Susan stayed with us for a couple days after Caden was born.  That was such a huge help.  Thanks Grandma Susan!  I think by the time she left we thought we had the diaper changing difficulties figured out, but lo and behold, that afternoon we went through four diapers and multiple outfits during one changing.  Oh well, Caden just wants to make sure that he's able to wear ALL his outfits at least once before he outgrows them.

Caden's first bath.  This picture isn't really an accurate portrayal of how he felt about his bath.  He pretty much hated it, however, he does love to have his hair washed.  He leans into the water being poured over his head.  It's pretty funny.  And anytime you play with hair and rub his head he gets very quiet and relaxed.

The day of our first outting.  Five days old and time to go see Dr. White.  The check-up went very well.  He had already packed on the pounds!  Once he really started eating and we decided to just do what made us happy and go with formula the little man was set to go.  When we had left the hospital on Sunday he had weighed 6 pounds 15 ounces and by Tuesday he was 7 pounds 7 ounces!  He likes to eat, that's for sure!

Caden and Daddy waiting to the doctor.  This was first time I'd gotten ready, fully dressed or washed my hair in quite a few days so I imagine it was taking me a while with all my wounds. I wonder what Chris was thinking in the picture (besides that I needed to hurry up) :)

Caden all snuggly with me in the morning.

All set to go with his Wolf Pack hat from cousin Andy and his mute button.  He loves his binkie (Chris hates it when I call that :) ) but the mute button is a little too big.  He's not a fan yet, we have his "favorites" scattered around the house.

He was much more relaxed in time for his second bath!  Or maybe it was the amazing smell of the bath products I used that time.  Thanks Uncle Tom and Aunt Stacey for the Noodle and Boo! :)

Already one week old!  I can't believe how fast the time is going and how much he's already changed!  He's getting little chubby cheeks and his little arms and legs are thickening up!  I can already tell that some of his newborn outfits won't last for much longer.  He's getting long!! :(

This week Caden also had his first official photo shoot with his cousin Erin.  She did such a great job.  I can't wait to see all of the pictures.  Here's a sneak peak of one of the pictures she took...

Chris and I are so happy.  Our lives will never be the same.  Thank you so much for all the love, well wishes, offerings of help and congratulations.  Caden is one lucky dude to have so many special people in his life.