Daddy Day Care!

Monday morning Lance was at home and he helped me by taking Kaden to his Mom's and picking Kaden up from her house as well for me. Then, on Tuesday morning he was still at home and decided he would KEEP Kaden all day long by himself. Daddy & Kaden day was VERY successful, and Lance enjoyed their day so much! And, Kadem did too! Then, this morning Lance kept Kaden as well until I got home at noon to take him to his doctor follow up appointment. At the appointment, Dr.C says Kaden is doing perfect. He's all cleared up and no more wheezing. So, he gets to stop the steriods and the breathing treatments. YEAH! We are 100% better, healed, WELL! He & I, except I am scared to brag because of my job. I swear I have a SERIOUSLY ILL child in my class every day this week so far. We have been disinfecting the school like crazy because of the swine flu, but it doesn't do any good when kids don't use proper hygiene. Anyway, we have the LAST of our 5th grade TAKS test tomorrow, the Science test. Then, we are done with TAKS, except the kids that have to retake the math test. Oh Yes, Kaden weighed in at 15 pounds and 10 ounces today, loosing 5 ounces this week while he was sick!!! Off to bed, it's going to be a LONG day at work tomorrow!

Mommy's Saturday Ramblings!

First, I just wanted to share a quick, oldie but goody recipe that I just re-copied from my M-I-L and that we are having for dinner tonight. Yeah! Daddy is home after 10 days of us not seeing him!!! We are HAPPY to have him back!!!

Mexican Fiesta Chicken

1 can cream of chicken
1 can cream of mushroom
1 can cheddar cheese soup
1 can rotel (I recommend mild)
1-1/2 cups chicken (I used a LG can of Chicken, juice and all)
1/2 cup chopped onion (optional, I don't use)
1/2 cup bell pepper (optional, I don't use)
1 1/2 tsp. chili powder
1 bag plain tostito rounds
(If you want to use a bag of nacho cheese doritos, do not add chili powder)
Mix all soups together.
Slowly stir in chips (not the entire bag)
Add cheese sprinkles to top
Cover with foil and bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes.
Enjoy!!!! Yummy!!!

This is what mine looks like when it came out of the oven!!!






On our outing to the pediatrician the other day (Wed), I had not anticipated a three and a half hour doctor visit. 2 hour wait to get seen, then an hour and a half back with the doctor. I didn't bring in Kaden's bottles and formula diaper bag from the car because he had just eaten before getting there and I never imagined we could be in there that long. Well, we were. I finally commented to the nurse about it and they brought us a 2oz. ready made formula bottle. Kaden was not to happy with that 2 oz. snack and screamed his head off when he finished it! So, once we left the pediatricians office I decided to go in Target. (Yes, I get the bad mommy of the year award for taking my sick baby in Target.) But, he had to have a bottle and I didn't want to sit in a parking lot, in the back seat of the car alone and feed my baby. So, while in Target, of course, I found things I couldn't live with out.
For example, this cow chair, backpack, and bug box for Kaden! The lady at the checkout asked me if this was for my older child. I said, "No, it's for him! (Pointing at kaden) The lady says, "Oh, we all do that the first time!" LOL!



This afternoon I ran to town. (Yes, to town, we live in the country and that is what us country folks refer to as driving a minimum of 10 miles to the nearest Wal-Mart or grocery store!) I didn't literally run, thank goodness, however, it might help me loose some of this baby weight. Anyway, Lance wanted to take a nap and Kaden was ready for a nap, and I needed to take care of a few things. Kaden is still not feeling well, so I don't want to drag him out. I had some clothes to return and tryed on new clothes (which is very depressing when your 3 dress sizes bigger than you've ever been in your life, a good reason to stay in maternity clothes as long as possible, real clothes SUCK after a baby!) I have lost a lot of weight. 38 pounds to be exact, but I gained 55 pounds during my pregnancy. So, I still have 17 pounds to go! And, I just get the feeling that I am going to have to start working for that weight to come off. I KNOW it has only been 11 weeks, and most people would KILL to loose 38 pounds in 11 weeks, but I am just ready to get in my clothes again. And, it WILL happen! I can not live with my body like this! I have been so excited about the weather getting pretty so I can gt outside more with the stroller and Kaden in the evenings.

When I returned from my little outing this afternoon, this is what I found.... HA!





Like father, like son! They are both STILL sleeping just like this, this is why I have quiet time to THINK about this post!

I am thinking of starting to scrapbook...Do any of you do this productively or faithfully? I thought of printing out my Mabe Babe blog and putting it all into a scrapbook for Kaden to keep as he grows up??? What do ya'll think?? I know it will require a lot of time and money and effort, but I think it would be a good hobby to keep me busy at home. (Like I need help having things to do, but, I do need fun relaxing things to do, and I enjoy being creative like that!)

Also, I started organizing Kaden's closet the other day. (Already, yes.) I have officially packed up his Newborn and 0-3 month clothing, socks and shoes into clear totes and labelled them. It was SO sad to pack that stuff up so soon! I HAVE to have another boy to use all of this stuff! So, we are packing it all away very neatly for the next Mabe Babe boy (maybe) one day. (Not yet though, I have to loose all of this baby weight before I can do that to my body again!)

Kaden is really starting to react badly (in my opinion) to the albuterol nebulizer treatments. He has started jerking and being very hyped up after wards. He also has rosy cheeks and face today. I'm just starting to worry about giving them to him. We were doing every 4 hours or as needed, but I am stretching it out to every 6 hours or longer, or as needed. Only doing them if he is wheezing or really congested. I guess I need to invest in a stethoscope because I am curious what his heart rate is like after a treatment. Do any of you have experience with infant albuterol use???

My almost 16 pound baby!!!

I forgot to mention that little Kaden weighed 15 pounds and 15 ounces at the docotor on Wed.!!! Holy Cow! He gained almost 2 pounds in 3 weeks! He's a big boy and growing SO fast! We are going into size 3 diapers very soon, as soon as we run out of the 2's that we have.

This is Kaden's favorite outfit! A diaper!!!





And, the only reason he has shoes on is because Mommy found these super cute flip flop sandals at Target and was trying them on him!



Kaden is the sweetest little thing in the world. He is bringing so much joy to my life! I just love this little guy!

How can you not love this face???



The big scratch above his eyebrow is from his fingernails! He is so good at scratching himself everytime we get one cleared up he does it again. Also, yesterday while buckling Kaden into his bouncy seat the buckle somehow made contact with his arm and pinched his skin. He screamed bloody murder, and I almost cryed when I discovered that I had pinched my sweet baby. He has a mark from that pinch below his elbow, so I know it had to hurt. I felt horrible for letting him get pinched...

Sick???

My poor baby caught the CRUD from me! I got sick after my first four days back at work and am still fighting off the nasty cough from the illness. My sickness required two doctors visits including two shots in the hinnie, steroid and antibiotic, as well as an oral antibiotic and prescription cough meds. Needless to say, I obviously infected my sweet Kaden with this stuff. He started feeling sick on Monday and by Wednesday he was full blown sick with the terrible congestion, coughing and wheezing. He sounded like a seal when he coughed. So, off to the pediatrician we went Wed. We were there for 3 1/2 hours due to a long wait to get in and then the doctor having Kaden take a breathing treatment so she could listen to him after to see if he was still wheezing. We ended up with the diagnosis of CROUP Cough and a viral cold. We also left with a lovely new nebulizer machine to do breathing treatments at home every four hours. Dr. C says this should help us avoid the hospital, which FREAKED me out a little. She said he was very sick. I mean, I knew he was sick, but just the mention of the hospital scared me.
So, here we are getting breathing treatments at home:





Here's the machine...it is the panda bear...



He sucks on the pacifier and it gives him his breathing treatment. Pretty neat technology we have these days for babies... He is also on a steriod to help with the coughing/wheezing situation.

The good news is, Kaden is feeling better today, we still have a nasty croupy cough, but he is feeling much better. In fact, here he is all SMILES and laughs and talking....(to his NANA, of course)





Look at my sweet baby!




Here he is talking...






And my poor sick baby sleeping...



So, again, I have missed more work. I missed 1/2 day Wed., Thursday, and today. Maybe next week I'll get in a full week. Maybe...
Also, Daddy has been gone to work since last Wed., he hasn't seen us in almost 10 days!!! He is on his way home now, should be here in the morning, we hope!

Am I at Super Mom status yet???

It has been a LONG week/weekend. Starting with the fact that I began to feel sick on Easter Sunday which progressed each day until I had the full blown crud on Wednesday. So, on Wed. from work I called my doctor and begged them to call in a prescription for me because I can not miss anymore work. Heck, I had only been back 7 work days total as of Wed. My doctor was a trooper and called me in a Z-Pack antibiotic. My husband, being the sweet man that he is, drove the meds to me at work, on his way to work. I have not seen Lance since Wed for those few moments at school, and frankly don't know when I will see him again, hopefully soon. I finished the work day on Wed., and proceeded to feel WORSE as the night went on. My Mom ended up coming over and spending the night with me Wed night so that I could sleep a little and try to stay out of Kaden's face. On Thursday morning I called in to work and went to the doctor's office feeling like death, literally. I got two shots in the booty. On steroid, one antibiotic, continue Z-Pack antibiotics and mucinex. I was sick enough on Thursday that when my Mom left at 3 p.m., my M-I-L came and picked Kaden up and I stayed in bed. Thursday night around 9:45 I went to my in-laws and spent the night with Kaden there. On Friday, I again missed work. Still sick all day Friday, Saturday, and still pretty well feel like HELL tonight. Mainly I have a cough that won't quit and my body just aches. But, I am going to work in the morning. I attempted church alone this morning with Kaden. It was our third week to go with Kaden and he was good as always, it was just really hard on me because I held him the whole time and he's heavy! I had no one to pass him off to. We missed Daddy today.
Now, the reason why I am super mom, you ask???
Well, tonight while getting ready for bed (9:30 p.m.) I got Kaden from his swing (were he was asleep) to change his diaper to put him to bed. He immediately woke and was kicking and gooing and smiling and talking to me while I changed his diaper. A dirty diaper might I add. When I just about had the clean diaper on him, he began to pee and it went all in his face and all over his shirt. So, I got out another diaper and took off his clothes. Once that was all cleaned up, I almost had the other diaper on when the same thing happened again. Unbelievable! So, now I leave him naked on the pack-n-play changing table basket to go run bath water for him because he is now covered in his own pee. When I return to fetch him, no JOKE, he had peed again! Only this time it had landed all over MY BED!!! (Which I had just finished changing the sheets and bedding on today) I went to rip the sheets back quickly, but it was to late, it also soaked through the mattress pad which I had just washed too!) He was screaming by this point, tired of laying in his pee, I suppose...so, off to the bath we went. And, after about 1 minute in the tub he released a lovely present for me again, only this time it wasn't pee. So, we had to drain the bath and start over again. Luckily, it all ended there! (I hope.) It's just one of those moments were if it weren't so funny, I'd cry! I'm ready for Daddy to come home and help me!!! It's now after mid night and I have to get up at 5 a.m. to get ready for monday at school! Yip-he! Can you sense the excitment in my voice??? I just want to stay in bed tomorrow with my baby, but we must have health insurance and a pay check, right? It sucks though, I don't want to work, I want to stay at home and play with Kaden.

New Kitchen Accessory!

Every kitchen countertop should have one of these cute little things, don't you think???



We know, Kaden, you are still a little small for your bumbo chair, but we had to try it out and see how much longer we have to wait! You liked it for about 2 minutes, then you cried your head off! We'll keep waiting until you can hold your head up alone.




You LOVE, LOVE, LOVE bathtime! In fact, Mommy is enjoying this time with you as much as you are enjoying your bathtime. If you'll look carefully at the picture you can see the water moving from Kaden kicking so much! He LOVES it!






We have an infant safety net in this tub that he sits in until I get him all soaped and washed and clean, then I pop the net off and let him SOAK in the tub without the safety net. He LOVES to soak and kick in the water. His favorite activity so far!



Here are some 10 week old pictures of Kaden...













Have any doubts about that red hair???

More Easter Weekend!

Easter morning we awoke and went out in the rain and cold to church. Our second Sunday back to church with Kaden. I REALLY think he likes going to church. I think he likes the organ, and just looking around. The last two weeks I have timed it were he has a bottle during the sermon time to make sure he is quiet, but he hasn't even attempted to make noise at church. So far he has been a very good boy in church. And, we have enjoyed taking him out. Everyone just loves him, says he's so cute, and wants to touch him! Imagine that?
After church Sunday, we ran back by the house and changed, then went to my Granny's for the Fisher family Easter party. I got to play Easter bunny and help hide the forty million eggs that were there to hide. I took some pictures before the kids got let out. Luckily, the rain let up and the kids got to hunt outside Saturday and Sunday at both our parties.








Here are all the kids hunting....

Leah...(My first cousin, Shannon's, little girl)



Hannah... (H & L are twins! H has a broken arm.)



Chloe...(my first cousin, Kim's, little girl)



Ashley...(Shannon's other daughter)



Gracie...(My first cousin, Kristi's daughter)



Emily... (My niece)



Jacob...(My nephew)




Dustin...(My nephew)






Dakota...(My nephew)




This is Kim, Chloe and Wayne...



Leah, Chloe, and Hannah all smooshed together! They are all first cousins. (You all already know Miss Chloe from this blog)



This is my first cousin, Kristi holding baby Kaden!



Uncle Lenny (My Brother) holding Kaden...



Wayne (Kim's boyfriend) and Chloe Mae...



My first cousin, Kristi, and her family!
Shannon, Kristi, Dylan, and Gracie




This is Shannon (my first cousin, Mom to the twins & Ashley!)



Here is Chloe Mae loving on her baby Kaden...




Nana loving her boy!!!





Mommy, Nana & Kaden



Me & the love of my life, Lance...



Mommy & Daddy loving on their boy...




Daddy and Kaden...



Believe it or not, I have more pictures to add to this post shortly! (Ha!)

Easter Festivities at Last!

We wore Kaden down Easter weekend. Kaden was 9 weeks old on Easter weekend. We had Easter at Lance's family on Saturday. Kaden's Aunt Vicki bought him a baaaa.... Isn't this the cutest picture???



Here's Mommy with Kaden, his baaaa, and his Easter basket...



Kaden with his baaaa and his basket...



I want to get a professional photograper to photograph our family under this beautiful old tree at the Mabe place. I think it would be so pretty!



Here is Kaden in Granddaddy Mabe's lap enjoying the kids egg hunt outside.



J.J., Granddaddy, and Kaden Easter Party 2009!




Granddaddy, Kaden, Chance, and Chase Easter Party 2009!



Chandler hunting eggs!



Chandra hunting eggs!





That's it for the Mabe Easter Party!