More Cade-ness

"It's like your name, with 'ness' at the end." Or something like that. I think it's from You, Me, and Dupree? Anyway...some recent highlights...

Saturday picnic by the lake anyone? This was my way of jazzing up the fact that we were having sandwiches for lunch.

Decided to hit up Lake Olathe which, it turns out, is not that cool of a place. I felt like we had teleported back to 1985 when we pulled up. Old cars and boats, rusty gross playground equipment, and run-down houses.
But, we did get to use our fancy picnic basket that we got for our wedding...5 years ago. I should never have been allowed to register for things. I had no idea what I was doing. I thought we needed a picnic basket?

Matt was a good sport.

Cade slept through the entire outting.


Next event was Megan's baby shower! This pic isn't that great of quality (sorry, Aud, your eyes are closed). But it was the only one we took so I had to share. What a special treat to get to go to a shower for Meg in KC since she lives in Chicago.

Megan's mom, Mary, used to babysit me when I was little. Hence how I've known Megan for pretty much my whole life. So many fun memories of growing up at their house. Reminiscing makes me feel old, yet somehow like it wasn't that long ago.


My guys are SO cute!

Cade has found his feet...

and loves to jibber, jabber away.
He's smiling more too. The sitter eluded to the fact that we spoil him...it's to be expected, right?


I heard the toys on the playmat jingling and expected to find Cade playing with them...

Random Ramblings...

I discovered a band-aid on my heel while showering the other day. I have no idea where it came from. Can't remember for the life of me when I put a band-aid on or why. I don't know if this says more about my current lack of sleep...or lack of hygiene.

I frequent the Weather Channel for the Local on the 8's to check the forecast and plan when I'm going to run. When I enter channel 43 the TV always asks me if I'd rather go to the HD Weather Channel. Is it really necessary to watch the Weather Channel in HD?

What constitutes a proper voicemail greeting these days? I mean do you really have to say "This is Jana.." and give instructions like "leave your name and number," etc? Surely everyone understands how it works by now?

Final random thought, I love weekends. I am enjoying work but nothing makes you treasure the weekends like working full-time. I love just sitting here holding my baby, watching the weather channel and contemplating changing my voicemail greeting.

Royally Rained Out

Jason, Jessica, and Reegan invited us to the Royals game! Sounds like fun!

Take me out to the ball game!

Cade and Reegan are real show-stoppers. Everyone stopped to comment on the cute babies at the Royals game. We (read: me) don't mind the attention at all!


Getting settled into our great seats! Wait, is that a cloud in the distance? It was a little chilly when we arrived at the game so I grabbed a cheer sweatshirt I had in the car and thought we'd be fine.


Fireworks for the National Anthem gave us a little scare...

Play ball!

20 pitches in...wait, stop playing ball.

We retreated to covered seats.

And the rain continued...

And the kids grew restless...

Then the kids fell asleep...

Then we decided it was NEVER going to stop raining so we jetted to the car...

And the cheer sweatshirt came in handy!

So while Cade is now certifiably a Royals fan...he didn't really see much of a game.

But it made for a good story and still a fun night with Jason, Jessica, and Reegan!

This is a Test...

We've been testing out all sorts of new things around here! New phases for Cade...and I guess a new lifestyle for me. That of a working mom. It hasn't been too bad. I really enjoy my job and I love Cade's sitter. So I guess that's a winning combination for us!

Week one as a working mom ended with an 8:30 bedtime on Friday night. Not even ashamed. Two mornings of 6AM cheer practice and one morning of running before school didn't really help the transition. I'm thankful for the weekend to rejuvenate...at least mentally anyway.

Cade says, Mom, you got up at what time?!

Testing out the Bumbo...

He makes it look super uncomfortable.

But I guess it would be considered a constant work out for his little neck. We'll keep trying.

G-Mom insists that Cade needs something to hold onto and love on. Usually she's right on so we tested out a few things. Don't you want to snuggle up to a furry blanket in this heat?

Mostly he just attempted to eat it.

And then was very indifferent once it dropped out of his hands.

In other news, Cade officially only gets up to eat once in the night. 4:30 has been his waking time of choice. Which is ok...except on days when my alarm is set to go off at 5am. Now the search is on for diapers that can also make it til 4:30am. I don't mind getting up to feed him at all, but an outfit and bedding change each night (I guess it's actually morning?!) could get a little old.

OCD Behavior?

School has begun (for teachers, kids on Friday). You'll be glad to know (since most of you work full-time ALL YEAR..can't fathom it!!) that I'm focusing on the positive and just being thankful that I had the last 3 months off with Cade and NOT COMPLAINING about going back. At least not today anyway.

At our first staff meeting back they had us do an "ice-breaker" that is really sticking with me. A lot of people dread ice-breakers. I pretty much love them. Hey, I was a peppy cheerleader, sorority girl, and overall conformist...why did you think I wouldn't like ice-breaker games?

On with the ice-breaker. The theory is that everyone has at least 1 or 2 OCD behaviors. After a brief introduction you then had to share your behavior of choice with the entire staff. It was hilarious...and frightening. Freak-o people are everywhere. And I'm definitely one of them. I had to think hard to narrow down from many, many options what I was actually going to say out loud as my OCD behavior. Answers ranged from pretty common closet sorting tendencies to alarm clock setting tendencies to having to set the TV volume at a multiple of 5. It was actually quite a bonding moment to learn all this baggage about people. I can't help thinking about it randomly. Like how one guy has to go to bed at 10pm no matter what. That was like 2 hours ago...

I realized that I'm a freak about...

--crumbs on my kitchen counter (yet somehow I can have an inch of hair and hair spray on my bathroom counter and not give a rip)

--Living room couch pillows (Don't touch 'em!!!)

--Closet has to be sorted by color/purpose

--Check book must be balanced and reconciled

--Slow drivers...wait any driver in front of me...this might not be OCD but just impatience...judge rules...still counts

--Having to clear shows off the DVR as if it was on my to-do list instead of just watching TV for pleasure

--Cell phone chargers not staying plugged in when the phone isn't charging

--Sorting items and putting them in a specific order when placing them on the check out conveyor belt in case the check out guy doesn't sort things my way

--Kitchen utensils sorted in my Pampered Chef carousel thing (all spatulas together, all wooden spoons together, etc)

--Having to blog since it's been a few days even though I am DEAD TIRED!!!

But, if you've made it this far, please respond. The world wants to know your OCD behavior. C'mon, I know you have at least one or two. And if you're a relative of mine...I bet you have more!!!!

McDonald's Sweet Tea

What was I thinking?! This was Cade in the middle of the night after my large sweet tea...

3 Months

August has been crazy-busy already! And we're only 5 days in! If July is my favorite month, August has to be my least favorite. Well, no, maybe April. It just seems to drag on and on. Anyway, that's not what this post is about. It's about Cade...clearly!

As you can see by the floating arms, they are flailing all the time. I am blaming the floating arms for waking him up in the middle of the night.

Kelly and I set out to try to fix it.

Cade's not digging it. He hated it after 2 seconds so I guess it's out of the question to expect him to sleep like that. He's just never been a real swaddler.

Occasionally he will fall asleep on his own, but usually he needs to be rocked and then practically bribed into falling asleep.

Attended his first cheer practice where he was all smiles for Coach Whitworth but overall didn't really like the whole "cheering" part of cheerleading practice. Just too loud!

And now the monthly photo shoot. This month had to go short ways and long ways on the blanket due to last months goof.

However, he wouldn't stay stretched out so that pretty much defeats the purpose of the pic. I'm pretty much through with the blanket pics.

This pic somehow reminds me of a photo ID pic like for a work badge or something. I think it's the tie. Cade Keeley, CEO?

Let's review...1 Month

2 Months

3 Months

I'm wising up and starting the day with our photo shoot instead of ending the day with it. He wore his tie onesie in honor of our shopping trip with Dedra today who made it for him.

So handsome! I didn't realize how blonde he was getting until I see the comparison pics. Notice the school bus clip art. I hate August.

Much better to end with a smiley pic than with a crying pic! Gotta love that little grin!

Weight: 12 lbs 0 oz, Length: 24 inches