Monday, January 24, 2011

Shopping = Ewww, BUT...

Just for the record Kade and I went shopping TWO days in a row this past weekend!  Mark that down everyone cause this guy don't do that very often.  Yes, cabin fever is setting in, so Kade and I ventured out with Mom both Saturday and Sunday for a bit to the big city.  When the store you enter is Fleet Farm, Menards, or Dick's Sporting Goods it isn't considered shopping.  That's just fun.  We shopped at two stores on Saturday and three stores on Sunday and then ended with a romatic lunch at Panera Bread.  How's that for "family bonding activities"! :-)  Kade had a "bird's eye view" :-) of the activities on the front on Mom in baby bjorn.  Yeah, that isn't going to last much longer.  I think Kade is half Mom's length already!  The legs were a kicking and arms a flailing as we walked down each aisle.  Occasionally some baby talk erupted as well which I understand as "Dad, what time is it?  Packers/Bears start at 2pm".  One would think Dad would have a photo of this fun filled weekend, but unfortuneately I do not.  I actually am a little sad about that.

The joke each time we go shopping is about who is going to get cranky first.  Dad or Kade.  Believe it or not Mom did not have to disipline anyone between these two trips. 

We showed Mom Kade!  Way to go kiddo!

Kade's overall impression about shopping!



Not sure the food was any good either!
Good night all.
-Erik

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Kade...Not a Shopper

I love Minnesota but this winter is killing me!  After expressing my annoyance with the freezing temps and endless snow to Erik, he informed me that we're probably almost half way through winter.  Ugh.  Don't get me wrong, I love snow but after Christmas it can all just go away.  Too bad summer weather and winter weather can't just pull an ol' switcheroo! 

Last week, to try to cure a little cabin fever, I decided to take Kade to the mall on my day off.  Very rarely do Erik or I venture out alone with the Kade Man.  He's quite unpredictable and seems to be a bit shy.  Meaning, when he sees someone he doesn't recognize (and sometimes even when he does recognize, ahem, Grandpa Bill) he tends to let out the loudest, shrillest scream imaginable along with big crocodile tears.  Sometimes Dad can calm him but usually it takes a good hug and some tear wiping from Mom before he calms down. 

So, anyway, back to the mall.  As I was shopping for a new purse Kade woke up from his snooze and realized he had no idea where he was.  Or maybe he did know where he was and was telling me the purse section is no place this little boy wants to be.  Either way, someone peeked their head in the stroller to get a look at the cute baby and he screamed.  I calmed him, we left the purse section, and headed out into the mall.  Rookie mistake because it seems like everybody likes to get a look at a cute baby in a stroller since everyone we passed would peak in to look at Kade and every time Kade would scream.  I had to laugh because his screams were echoing off the walls.  I'm sure people at the other end of the building could hear him.  Rather than keep torturing him with more stranger's looks, we left.  We were there for exactly 45 minutes.  Long enough for Kade to learn that he hates the mall which couldn't make his dad happier or more proud!  Now, Erik has an excuse not to go anytime I mention the word "shop", which is quite often because it's one of my favorite things to do!  I guess I'll have to learn to accept the fact that shopping will not be one of our "family bonding activities".  Anybody know of anyone considering adoption who is having a girl?? :-)


Could this little man be any cuter?!?!

I just know he's thinking, "Seriously Mom.  Enough with the pictures already!"

Just chillin in my sweatpants! 


Tuesday, January 11, 2011

"Dad Time"

Well it's about time I join the blogging world.  I typically don't have much to say unless someone brings up the subject "SPORTS"!  My wife has been doing an absolutely outstanding job of posting to the blog.  I always look forward to the email on Wednesday or Thursday (days Kristi has off during the week) from Kristi with a subject line of "new blog post" and a completely empty email body.  I work hard at work, but come on, no way can I wait until I get home to read the latest on our little boy!  I am sure my posts will not generate near the smiles or laughter from our readers (hopefully nobody falls asleep), but who says it's a competition anyway. :-) We have so much to be thankful for and to write about I don't even know where to begin.

I have decided to write about Kade today and his special moments he shares with his tall lanky Dad.  I know you are all shocked that Kade will be the topic of conversation in this post, but seriously, Kade is all we talk about these days and we just can't get enough of the little guy.

Kade and Dad have "Dad time" often.  One of our favorites times is bright and early in the morning (believe it or not) after Mom has already left for work and Dad is left in charge of getting Kade ready for daycare.  I don't mind getting up early, but occasionally a morning starts a little earlier than I'd like.  Kade is very good at making sure Dad doesn't fall asleep again after alarm has been shut off.  Kade doesn't want to be late to his daycare. 

Any number of the following combinations may take place during our early morning "Dad Time". We start the morning off by grabbing "the jug" from the fridge as someone is quite hungry.  As the end of the jug approaches and we take a break to burp Dad has a difficult decision to make.  Should we change diaper and get dressed now or is a #2 on it's way?  Mmmm...the million dollar question!  Dad takes a stab at it and Kade is usually able to prove Dad wrong.  The excitement Kade displays after getting plopped on the changing table a few minutes after the previous diaper change is priceless!  Can't help to laugh it out with him!  If this doesn't provide the two of us with enough laughter in the early morning hours Dad not being careful changing the diaper is another avenue we can go down.  Dad likes a warm shower, but not this type of warm shower. :-)  Kade loves diaper changes so at this point Dad has heard everything Kade plans on doing during the day.  My we are chatty in the morning!  Whew!  We are past the jug and the diaper now heading down the home stretch ready for the next task at hand.  Wash face and hands.  Dad can handle this task with ease, but neither Kade nor Dad understand the point of this task.  I'm not sure a second passes after completing this task before cheeks and hands are completely full of slobber again.  Mom says though and we do what Mom says!  Next we have to put lotion on face.  Don't want dry cheekers!  I'm pretty sure Kade says Mom does this task better. The next task involves Dad making another difficult decision again.  I mean making a decision is hard enough, but why give Dad the task of picking out what Kade is going to wear for the day.  Some typical responses after Mom picks Kade up and sees what he's wearing include "He just wore that", "it doesn't match", "the shirt doesn't fit", or my favorite, "he's got a million cloths, why do you always put this on"! :-)  Love you honey!! :-)  By the time all these tasks are complete Kade is off to the jumperoo for maybe 5 minutes while Dad washes his face, brushes his teeth, gets dressed, packs his workout bag, eats a bowl of cereal, tosses bottles and another jug into diaper bag, tosses whatever leftovers are in the fridge in workout bag, and let's Molly out.  At least all of those tasks have been mastered!  Showers in the morning are over-rated and just dry your skin out! :-) The final task is to pack everything in vehicle and enjoy the nice pieceful drive to daycare while listening to Kade talk for maybe the first mile (Kade is sound to sleep by then) and listening to Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star and whatever other baby tunes happen to be playing from the CD player.

Enough rambling for me.  Now time for the good stuff!

Diaper is dry so I like to roll over and play with Johnny Tractor while Dad picks out my cloths.  This can take a while so I have a productive morning in the fields!

Dad has my onesie on finally, but I have a lot of work to do today on the farm so I roll over every chance I get.

Finally dressed and ready for the day.

Helping Dad post the blog.  I'm such a good little helper.  I can't move much myself yet, but Dad takes me for spins around the house.

Just got done taking down another jug on New Year's Day.  Ready to watch some college football with Dad.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Finally! Video!!



This video was taken on December 12th, shortly after Lady A and S left. We tried to show them how much Kade enjoyed his Jumperoo but he wasn't having it when they were here. Of course, after they left he was all jumps and smiles! It's kind of a long video, my favorite part is right around 1:20. Listen closely to what Erik asks and how Kade reacts to the question.

Kade jumps in this thing like it's his job. Some people tell my their babies lived in the swing or bouncy seat, this baby lives in his jumperoo. If he's not in it, he'll look at it and start moving his legs like he's jumping in it! His legs are getting really strong as a result but I feel like maybe we need to teach him how to do push ups so his arms can catch up!!