Baby Bjorn

So our car was in the shop the other day, and they called at about 4:30 in the afternoon and said we could come and pick it up. Only problem is, we're a one car family, always have been, and the dealership closed in less than an hour. Fortunately, it was only a mile away. Solution? Strap Caden in the Baby Bjorn, grab the cell, and take a walk! As you can see by the look on his face, Caden loves being in the Bjorn. It lets him look around and see all the world has to offer, and it lets Daddy show him off to everyone we pass. Seriously, Caden is a really good looking kid; he gets it from his mother...

Future Business Leader of America

He kinda has that CEO look to him, don't you think?

Caden practically pulled his daddy's tie off after work today trying to get it into his mouth, so we figured we would see how it looked on him. If there are any parents with 6 month old girls out there who are looking to betroth their daughter to a future millionare and certain Time Magazine Man of the Year, you better act fast before Caden is taken!

Up On All Fours

Caden is ready for take off! We regularly find him "practicing" for crawling. He has learned to pull himself up on his knees and then.... well....move backwards. He must know that he's supposed to move forward because I often hear him whining and then find him in this position. He's such a curious little fellow.

Yummy!

Caden had his first taste of baby food today. We started with yellow/orange veggies....yummy squash! Caden ate an entire serving from Gerber. Uncle Allen asked if we were trying to punish Caden with the squash. Well, Uncle Allen, I'm pleased to inform you that Caden seemed to actually like the squash...you could learn something from him!

Little Drummer Boy

Caden has discovered that he loves to hit things. We gave him a tin pie plate and he loves it!
After we showed him how to hit it a few times, the little guy took over and made some very beautiful music. Here are a couple of pics of Caden playing with the pie plate in Daddy's lap. Notice the cool matching shirts they have that Brett brought back from Togo last month. They wore them, along with a matching skirt for April, to Mission Sunday at GracePointe today. To read more about our Mission Sunday experience, check out our Africa blog.

Brown eyes rule!

O.K., so Caden's eyes aren't exactly brown...they are...well, hazel. they seem to be a gray around the outside and brown towards the middle. I suppose they could continue to change. Sorry Emerson family, no blue eyes here.

I'm 6 months old!

Yesterday Caden turned 6 months old!
We also went to the doctor yesterday for our "well baby check-up".

Here are Caden's new stats:
height: 26 3/4"
weight: 14 lbs. 13.2oz.
clothing size: 6-9 mo.
eating: rice cereal once a day

We're Sitting!

Caden has been learning to sit up all by himself. Just today he really seemed to understand how to balance himself. His little play station gave him something to hold on to, but he also sat up without it for a few moments. Don't worry, Mommy was very close by to catch him when he forgot what he was doing. This will now become a daily practice at the Emerson house!

Fun at the Zoo!

Last month we bought a season pass to the zoo so that we can take Caden to see the animals anytime we want. The zoo is close by, and they just opened a new elephant exhibit.

Here is a pic of April and Caden when we arrived at the park.




This 2nd pic is practically prophetic; we'll be saying this phrase in just a few months!

Graduation Day

The day we brought Caden home from the hospital, it seemed the car seat swallowed him.

Yesterday, Caden gratuated from his "baby" car seat to a "big boy" car seat. Once again, he looks too little for his car seat...but little boys grow.



We're half way through our first year with baby Caden...amazing!

Peak-A-Boo

Caden is learning to push up on his hands while playing on his tummy. In this case....he was supposed to be taking a nap. He was crying and I went in to check on him. This is what I saw: two little eyes peaking through the rails over his bumper pad. I started laughing, Caden smiled, and I went to grab the camera. It won't be long now and he'll figure out how to move those arms and legs and we won't be able to keep up with him.

Caden's 1st Easter

Caden spent his first Easter in Searcy, Arkansas. We took a trip to Harding University to see Spring Sing one last time before leaving for Africa. Although Caden missed out on the show (it was his bedtime and the noise level would have been disastrous for all involved), he had a great weekend meeting many of Mommy & Daddy's friends. He also did very well in the long car rides there and back. Thanks to Gamma for Caden's cute "My First Easter" bib. It completes the picture, don't ya think?!

Are you reading this?

If you read our blog...we want to know! We enjoyed our weekend in Searcy and sharing Caden with lots of friends. As we talked about our lives, so many times people responded with, "Oh yea, I read that on your blog!" Really?! We had no idea so many people were reading this other than our family and a few friends. So, I want to ask you to help us out... if you read our blog, please leave us a comment. You don't have to have an account with "Blogger".

Simply click on comments below, a new screen will open and all you need to do is write a comment or just type your name in the box titled Leave your comment. Then you have several options: 1. if you do have a "Blogger" account, sign in and post 2. click other and enter your name (no web page required) 3. click anonymous ...but be sure to include your name in your comment.

Once you've done that, click Publish your comment. Your comment will then appear on our blog and we (and others) can see who is reading. Don't worry, no information (other than your name) will appear on our blog...unless you choose to type it in your comment.

Thanks for helping us! Each comment is always encouraging to us...feel free to leave one any time!

Happy Easter!

Caden enjoyed an earlier visit from the Easter Bunny. We will be in Searcy for Spring Sing on Easter Weekend. We posted these pictures in our team newsletter, but thought many of your would enjoy seeing them. If you'd like to receive our weekly newsletter via email, let us know, we'll be happy to add you.

1st Time on Daddy's Shoulders!

Yesterday was the first of many trips for little Caden on Daddy's shoulders. He went all the way from the car, up 3 flights of stairs, and into the living room of our apartment while perched behind Daddy's neck. Caden loved the view from way up high, and Daddy just loved the thrill of having his first born son on his shoulders. Just another of our little daily blessings...

Cousins Day!

Yesterday Aunt Betsy had to run some errands, and she left Owen and Dawson with April and Caden for the morning. The boys had lots of fun taking a walk, petting a duck, visiting the pool, and watching videos. This is a pic of the 3 of them enthralled by an animated version of "Tikki Tikki Tembo". A good time was had by all!

It's true...

babies will put anything in their mouths!

Chillin' With Daddy

Gotta love Saturdays. This is a pic of us just lounging around on a lazy Saturday in April. I actually get to see Caden quite a bit during the week between the 1 1/2 hour lunch I spend at home and the fact that I get home from school at 3:30 everyday, but there is just something beautiful about Saturdays. Slowly waking up, getting Caden in bed with us, layin' there playin' for awhile, and then spending the whole day just chillin' together. I don't know who dreamed up the 5 day work week, but I want to publicly thank them on behalf of myself and Caden and all of the quality time we get to spend together on Saturdays!

Ma & Pa Pip

Caden was blessed to spend some time with one of his sets of great grand-parents this weekend. Ray and Nora Pippin stopped for the night on their way home from wintering in Florida. He had alot of fun with them and we greatly enjoy their visits and their continued support. Praise God for our amazing families!

Yes, two pink lines means you're pregnant. We have a little secret of our own that we have been keeping from our friends and family. Caden will be having a little brother or sister in about six months, meaning our baby will be born in France during our time of language school. We are very excited about this new addition, but not nearly excited as we are to tell you april fools. Hope you enjoyed a little joke or two of your own. ;) By the way, this was the test we took when we found out we were pregnant with Caden...only, then he was just a "baby".