Road Trip

Look out, I'm getting brave. Last weekend Matt took his AAU team to Iowa so I thought, what the heck, let's road trip to the Bend while he's gone. Just Cade, Reese, and I. The idea of the four hour trek alone with them was a scary one. But with some strategic planning (aka using the DVD player and packing tons of snacks and toys) we made it just fine. Reese slept nearly the whole way and Cade watched movie after movie. He was in heaven. About 2 1/2 hours into the trip Reese did start to stir so I began to search for a place to stop. Wasn't sure what my plan would be...nurse in the car? Stop at a gas station? I randomly pulled into a Wendy's in McPherson and it ended up being the perfect place to stop. I brought in some books, bought Cade some fries, and we set up shop in a corner booth. About 20 minutes later we were all changed and fed and ready to roll again. I was thrilled that the kids did so well. Even with our stop we made it to the Bend in less than 4 hours. Woot, woot!
Celebrating Mother's Day. Now perhaps this pic should serve as my "motivational picture" for starting Insanity workouts. I feel like this screams "I'm a mom, I wear comfortable cotton outfits and I have fluffy, pale arms." Come on. You know you agree.

Cade had a great time playing with Gentry and The Kid. They always impress me how much attention they give him and how they never seem to wear out. Cade refused to swing in his blue swing this time, only the big swing for this mature 2-year-old.

Reese got to meet Grandma Sauder on her 92nd birthday.

Cade is obsessed with horns. I fear he will use antlers in all of his decorating one day.

Cade was Papa's right-hand man when it came to watering the tomatoes. "Papa, water 'matoes?" Cade would ask over and over.

So glad we talked Gentry into meeting us at the Bend. She always helps me out so much!

Cade has loved getting to hang out with his cousin Lukas so much lately.

They are a hoot to watch.

Then it was time to pack up and head back home. Luckily the return trip was just as smooth. Cade even fell asleep...right as we pulled into our subdivision. This kid NEVER falls asleep anywhere but a crib.

I can't see Reese because her seat is right behind mine and Cade just isn't quite old enough to help me out. Whenever I asked him if she was awake or asleep he would just repeat what I said. "Is Reese sleeping?" "Reese sleeping." "Is Reese awake?" "Reese awake." "Are her eyes open or closed?" Eyes open. Eyes closed." Thanks Cade. Then I figured out I could just snap a pic really quick to see for myself. It was safe, I promise.

Good trip, fun weekend. And I can't forget to mention that we returned to a spotless house and perfectly manicured lawn! He can be taught! Happy Mother's Day to me!!!!

Cade is TWO!

We celebrated Cade's birthday with a little BBQ at the park on his actual birthday, May 5th. Turns out when you're two you can start to grasp what a birthday is...because Cade was stoked about his party at the park and has definitely inherited the Keeley gene of wanting to celebrate his birthday all month long. Again, all the cliche things come to mind about how time flies and I can't believe he's already two and it amazes me how much he grows, learns and changes every day. I know he's my kid so you might not believe me...but Cade is one cool kid.

Not a great pic of any of us, but it's the only one with the birthday banner so by-golly it will be posted!

People we love traveled from near and far to join us! My Uncle David, Aunt Pam, cousin Nathan and his fiance Brooke made a day trip up from Tulsa to be with us! It was so great to have them with us!

The Lamar's, the Hepker's, Holly, Matt's parents, Cade's cousin Lukas, and my parents and sisters also partied with us.

Oh yes, and Reese was there too. This is what she did during the party.

I tried to serve food that Cade likes, since it was his party after all and he's one picky eater. You've got to practically trick this kid into eating anything. Thinking back, I'm not sure Cade actually ate anything at all at the party. We had pork burgers and hot dogs, mac & cheese, fruit, cheez it party mix, fruit snacks, and cute Cars cupcakes made and decorated by Holly. And yes, I should've snapped a pic before everyone went through the food line.

The grandpas did the grilling.

Matt says this is the last year I can put Cade in a "Birthday Boy" shirt.

Cade's small cake, which he ate none of.

He made quite the haul! Other than not quite grasping why he had to always move on to the next present rather than getting to continue to play with the one he just opened he was much more into opening gifts than he has ever been before.

Thanks everyone for being such a special part of Cade's life!

Testing out his new Super Man jammies. Complete with cape!

We've learned so much from Cade. He is teaching us how to be parents after all. It really is a privilege to get to stop and celebrate all that he means to us. I just can't even put into words how special he makes our day to day lives. Thank you, God, for entrusting us to raise Cade. He is my favorite active, smart, hyper, talkative, compassionate, polite, hilarious, strong-willed and sometimes disobedient little guy!

Just Growing and Growing!

I'm back! Where have I been? Well, no where actually. But the days have just been flying by and we're just growing and growing around here. I wish I could make time stand still...mainly so that my maternity leave would last forever!
Some random updates:
-I can FINALLY drive and workout and do all those things I couldn't before. I have worked out twice and concluded that while I really do enjoy working out (I mean everyone says they do but I think I really do!) I'm NOT ready to tackle "Insanity" like I thought I was. I've watched the infomercial at least 3 times...but since walking swiftly leaves me out of breath and sore the next day...I don't think I'm ready.
-All the sudden I feel very, very out of style. I haven't been shopping in SO long and being around "Sophomore Year Barbie" (AKA MaKenzie) makes me feel old and super un-hip. We took a shopping trip and she talked me into a few outfits that now whenever I go to wear them all I can think of is how NOT "Forever 21" I am.
-We celebrated Cade's 2nd birthday on Cinco de Mayo with a shin-dig at the park and had the best weekend ever! Details and billions of pics in the next post. Whenever that happens...

Now what you really want...more pics of the kids...

Our friends Megan and Scott Beahm brought their daughter, Emma, by to meet Reese while they were in town a few weeks ago. We tried to capture the moment...these pics crack me up.

Reese at 4 weeks, looking more and more alert and actually smiling a lot for us. Not for the camera of course.

Reese at 5 weeks, looking at us as if she's not sure we know what we're doing around here.

Started giving her a bottle of pumped milk a couple times per week just to make sure she'll take one come August. She's a fickle pickle, sometimes she'll take it and sometimes not.

I got a pedicure...was gone for less than an hour and came home to find the package of pacifiers had been busted into. Apparently they got a little desperate around here.

Her expressions on camera just crack me up.

See? Hilarious.

Cowgirl Reese

Matt's AAU season has started with MoKan so he's traveling most weekends for awhile. I'm still pretty terrified to be alone with my two children for extended periods of time (and I STILL can't drive) so G-Mom and Papa were happy to come keep us company last weekend and Aunt Gentry will be on duty this weekend. Cade loves having visitors!

G-Mom loves dressing Reese up even more than I do. Between my parents, Aunt Kizzie, and my Grandmama, Reese has quite the assortment of Cowgirl attire.

G-Mom gave Cade a crash course in photography.

And now he's always wanting to practice his skills.

Reese doesn't mind being the object of his photos. I was actually pretty impressed when he took this one. Bravo, Cade!

This is the life right now! Now I don't say this to make you jealous, but know that I'm composing this post from my lawn chair out on the deck making an attempt to get some sun before it gets too blazing hot. I'm so white right now I'm reflecting the sun I think.

The Joys of Parenting

I would do anything to make Cade happy. What parent wouldn't? Cader's birthday is just around the corner so when the Toys R Us catalog came in the mail...I immediately circled this guy.

Your very own bounce house. Heck yeah. Now Cade's birthday isn't until May 5th...but as soon as this puppy was in our possession we could wait no longer. Matt and I are worse than little kids at times. Reese watched carefully as I set it up and can't wait for her day in the bounce house.

It was fairly easy to assemble. Take it out of the box. Unfold it.

Hook up the blower and voila.

Instant fun.

There are several reasons why this is a practical purchase. 1. It is durable and will entertain children ages 2-8 and holds up to 250 pounds. 2. We don't have any large outside toys at this time so this gives us something to do outside. 3. It is awesome and Matt and I want to bounce in it also.

So clearly this will be the gift that keeps on giving around here. It has basketball hoops in it and came with several inflatable toys. Anything involving a basketball hoop is welcome around here. We have one in every room it seems!

Note that upon further exploration it seems that the bounce house holds the weight of seated adults fine but the blower sounds like it's going to explode when an adult (aka me) is jumping in the bounce house.

Cade stinkin' loves it. And he has no concept of when his actual birthday is so we just blew it up and said this is for your birthday. It's coming up soon. It's fine. Come over and play in our bounce house anytime! (Speaking to kids and adults here).

The Many Faces of One-Month-Old Reese

Look at this pretty girl! We decided to use her beautiful bed as the setting for our monthly pics. And the monthly stickers that we got from the Harwood's are super handy! Reese is very photogenic and was anxious to display her many emotions.

Happy Reese

Excited Reese

(Notice the red birthmark on her arm. I swear it gets a little bigger every day. Freak. Me. Out. But the doctor says that they're very common and that it will probably grow and then go away.)

Tired Reese

Angry Reese

Scared Reese

I decided the shoot could be finished when she started to get that terrified look. I know it's cliche but I'm totally in shock that it's been a month already. Wow. She eats like a champ and sleeps for 3-4 hours at a time 'round the clock. She loves to snuggle and you really have to con her to get her to sleep in her bed as she hates being on her back and seems to know immediately when she doesn't have contact with another human. She measured 21 7/8 inches in length and weighed 8 pounds 5.5 ounces yesterday at the doctor's office. Dr. Baker said she is "perfect" and we clearly agree! Do you think that Miss Reese and Cade look alike at one month?