Big Changes



Here you are on your last day as the only baby in the house!



Tomorrow we get to meet Baby Luke! We are a mixture of excited, anxious, nervous, and ready. I have to admit, I've been a bit emotional today, mostly because I know that our new addition is going to bring about BIG change for Cade...change that I know he's not prepared for and is too young to understand. I know that there is no greater gift we could give him than a baby brother, but I still worry about all of the emotions he's going to go through and I can't help but be a little sad knowing that today was his last day as the only child in the house. It's also strange to think that my baby is about to be the BIG brother. I know he'll be the best big brother ever and I'm so excited to see him take on this new role. Cade's ability to tackle change never ceases to amaze me. Over the past three weeks he's moved into a new room, given up his paci, and started to use the potty and while none of these changes are as great as the one he's about to experience, they prove that I typically worry when I shouldn't. And while I am totally stressed over how Cade will deal with the new baby, nothing makes me happier than picturing the two of them laughing, playing, and growing up together as the best of friends.

40 Weeks and Counting

Come on out Baby Luke...we're so excited to meet you! You were due two days ago, but it looks like you're so cozy in there that you decided to extend your stay. I'm not complaining, the extra time at work has been very helpful and we've gotten a few more things done in preparation for your much anticipated arrival here at home. And, it's kind of fun knowing that those first signs of labor could hit any time now. Your big brother Cade is very excited to see you too! He often points at my tummy and says, "Baby, hi, hug!" That's his way of saying that he wants to tell you hi and give you a hug. He sometimes hugs my tummy too and a few times he's even offered you a drink of his milk from his sippy cup! Last night we ate eggplant parmesan (they say it helps to bring on labor) and walked around Discover Mills at a way-too-fast pace in an effort to get things going, but no dice. We know you'll make your debut when you're good and ready and we'll be patient until then. We can't wait to meet you Luke!

Bye, Bye Summer

Summer is officially over.  I went back to work last week and Cade went back to Ms. Debbie's (Debba, as he calls her).  We sprinkled a few visits to Ms. Debbie's over the last couple of weeks to help him get back into the swing of things there...and so I could get a jump start on the school year.  Overall, he transitioned very well!  He cried the first few times I dropped him off (and I did too), but now he's upset when I come to pick him up!  :) 

My favorite part about summer was getting to spend every day with Cade.  I know it's the last summer that it will be just him and me so I really tried to soak it up.  We spent most of our days at parks, Gymboree, Everland or Catch Air (indoor play places), with friends, or simply running errands.  We also had our share of hang-around-the-house time which we spent painting, reading, or playing outside with Cade's wagon, chalk, and bubbles.  Cade has grown so much this summer (literally...gaining a little over 2 pounds) and socially as well.  His language has really taken off and it's so fun to be able to have a conversation with him...sort of.  :) Over the summer I watched him become quite a comedian, develop a love for Mickey Mouse and trains, discover how fun it is to shout "HI!" at every stranger that passes in public and watch their reactions, nurture his smooth dance moves while boogying down to the Hot Dog Song, and become so much more independent.  More about our summer changes to come!

We ended our summer with a trip to Hilton Head.  The Ewanowski-Burrous clan was gracious enough to invite us to tag along on their vacation again this year - which we are so very thankful for!  We had so much fun and to say that Cade enjoyed the beach would be the understatement of the century.  Our first night there we walked down to the ocean and Cade went crazy!  He was running into the water (in his regular clothes, mind you), splashing around and screaming...had to be the happiest kid on the planet.  I think Todd and I both teared up a little at the sight of pure joy in our sweet boy.  He had not a fear in the world of the water...ocean or pool.

While our summer adventures are over, we're looking forward to the new adventure that awaits us in less than two weeks...Baby Luke!  The countdown is on!

Terrible Twos???

Let me preface this by saying that Cade is an awesome little boy and he makes me so proud every single day - he is happy, sweet, loving, smart, cooperative, and well-mannered...for the most part; however, I believe we can safely say that we've entered a more difficult stage of toddlerhood - what some might refer to as the Terrible Twos.  Nope, he's not two yet, but from what I've heard and read this difficult stage often starts much earlier.  His tantrum frequency has turned up a notch and he has started yelling, "MINE!" if we take something away from him that he wants and we've also gotten a few "NOs!" as well.  He's definitely not afraid to show off his new found independence...anytime, anywhere.  Public outbursts have been particularly fun.  Overall, it is still fairly rare for him to act out in this way, but his quest for independence is most certainly beginning to rear its head...putting our true parenting skills to the test and serving up our fair share of humbling moments. 

In other news, we had a great weekend!  We went to the Fernbank on Friday and had a great time looking at the dinosaurs and other exhibits and then Todd treated us out to a delicious dinner out.  I had a mommy's morning out on Saturday to get some shopping done for the baby and for Cade's new room (thanks Todd!) and then we went to the Braves game with Ali, Austin, and Olivia.  We went out to breakfast on Sunday and then did some furniture shopping/toddler wrangling.  I love our weekend family time! 

Checking In - 32.5 Weeks

Friday marks 33 weeks of pregnancy.  While this one hasn't been quite as smooth as my first, it could definitely be a lot worse.  I was more nauseous in the beginning and I feel much more run down here near the end - but I think some of that has to do with chasing Cade around all day!  Overall, I'm feeling good and the anticipation is building as we patiently wait for Baby Rogers number 2 to arrive mid-August.  We are in the process of getting Cade's new room together and gathering our newborn supplies and I'm certain we'll be as ready as we can be very soon.  I'm not sure that Cade understands what's going on, although he will point to my stomach and say, "baby".  I just know he'll be the best big brother around! The countdown is on!

Happy Father's Day!

We are so blessed to have Todd as the father we celebrated last weekend.  He is the kind of man every family would want as its leader.  He works tirelessly to make sure we have everything we need and want for nothing.  And somehow finds the time and energy to be an awesome dad and husband too!  We did some shopping on Saturday and we spent Sunday evening with Ali, Austin, Olivia, Sandy, Mike, and Jeff.  We had a great time and ate some great food!  As usual, Cade and Olivia had fun playing together (as much as two kids their age can have fun together - Cade is still in parallel play mode) and enjoyed their first meal at the kids' table.  The two of them walked hand-in-hand to the door as we were leaving and Olivia turned to Cade and said, "You're my buddy."  So sweet!

Happy Father's Day Todd!  We love you!

 

 

It's Here, It's Here, It's Finally Here!

After a very long school year, we finally made it to that light at the end of the tunnel that teachers and kids dream about for months.  It's SUMMER!  We started summer off right with a road trip to VA to see GJ and Pop.  Cade had a great time exploring GJ's house and wanted to be outside the whole time.  He loved having a yard to run around in!  We went on an animal safari while we were there and it was unlike anything I've ever done.  We rode in the back of a truck through a 3 mile path where all kinds of interesting animals came right up to the truck to eat from our food buckets.  We had very up close visits with emus, zebras, moose, deer, ostriches, camels and all kinds of other animals.  We even got to feed giraffes!  It was definitely an experience to remember!  Wouldn't you know it...our camera battery was dead on arrival so we didn't get any pictures.  GJ is sending us hers so we'll share those when we get them.  We also got to visit with Uncle Chris, his new fiance Monica and her son Zack as well as my dad and his wife Candi.  We had a lot of fun and can't wait to go back!

Since then we've been keeping busy with trips to the park, Catch Air, friends' houses, and lunch dates. We reenrolled Cade at Gymboree this week for the summer.  He had a BLAST at our first class yesterday!  He wasn't shy at all and had so much fun climbing, dancing, popping bubbles and his absolute favorite...parachute time!  I love, love, love having the off-time to spend with our sweet baby over the summer!  It is a true blessing indeed. 



Visiting with the Clinkscales



Lunch date with Mommy

I fell at Bruster's and got my first skinned knee :(

Uncle Chris

Cleaning up after a hot day!