Back Home...For Now

Well, we're done with traveling until we move to France, a nice window of...less than 2 weeks. We'll be blogging alot leading up to our departure, and here's a late night post just to tide everyone over until tomorrow. It looks like Caden is ready to get one step closer to his new home...

9 month update

-9 months, 1 week, 1 day
-29" long
-17 lbs. 2.6 oz.
-crawling professionally
-pulling up on everything
-babbling non-stop
-happiest baby on earth

priceless!

Listen Up People! I've Got Something to Say...

Caden Gabbing
Video sent by emersonstogo

Let's Go!

Check me out! Thanks to Gamma I'm ready to go!

I've got my own backpack for the plane ride and

the two pieces of luggage they'll allow me to check.

I wonder if I can fit all my toys in here.

__________________________________________

Are you sure I can't fly to France in my new suitcase?

I'll Take the Stairs

I'll Take the Stairs
Video sent by emersonstogo

If you happen to see Caden in a hotel lobby and the elevator is about to close, there is no need to hold the door for him. He'll just take the stairs...

Piano Man

We're in Texas right now, visiting friends and family and doing some fundraising, and Caden is having a blast. We'll be posting several pictures and videos in a row of our time here, starting with Caden's new love: the piano! He will just sit there and pound on the keys all day, and Granny Dot is of course more than happy to help him out.

Caden is clearly a budding musician. Just leave your tips in the jar by the door...

Climbing Caden

I was checking my email while I
thought Caden was playing with his toys. Next thing I knew, a little head was peeking over the edge of the computer table. Now you need to know that Caden is not tall enough to peek over the edge of the table...unless he is standing on something. It was in that brief moment I realized that our son had figured out how to climb on the file box in order to reach the papers on the computer table. I snapped a few pictures and then put him safely back on the floor. To my surprise, he did it again (although, why should I be surprised?!) I captured the action on video for your viewing pleasure.

Warning: Caden slips at the end of this video. The video will end abruptly...but have no fear, Caden did not fall.

Climbing Caden
Video sent by emersonstogo

The Babies

Caden and Mallory (Ed & Amy) are the two babies in the family...at least until Cullen (Chad & Betsy's) is born. These two are only seven months apart. Right now, they are very different. But give them a year or two and they'll be running around together not knowing they weren't born the same year.


As you can see in this picture, Caden is quite interested in baby Mallory. I think Caden just wanted to give her a kiss...but Aunt Amy stepped in and stopped the madness. Don't worry Mallory, we promise to not let your cousin slobber you with too many kisses. I'm sure you two will be best of friends as soon as you can say each other's name.

A Globetrotter in the Making

Well we finally got Caden's passport back from Uncle Sam. It's really funny to us that 5 years from now, when his passport has to be renewed, he will still have the same 8 month old picture that will look almost nothing like his nearly 6 year old face. Oh well, it wasn't our idea, and we're not running the government of this or any other country, so what can you do???

It's cool to think that by the time he's 5 or so, he will have traveled more than most people do in their entire lives. Of course it's not of his doing; we just kind of kept on with our lives after he was born, and little Cade had to fit himself into our plans. He's already been to Tennessee, Georgia, Arkansas, and California; next week it's Texas, and then next month he'll be living in the French Alps, but he probably doesn't appreciate all of these great traveling experiences just yet...maybe one day when he's on safari in some random West African country, it will just hit him: having a passport and using it is AWESOME!!!

Gran'Pa and the Workshop

Gran'Pa has been very anxious to get little Caden out to the workshop with him. The day finally came when the two of them went exploring among the tools.

Don't worry, Gran'Pa was quite careful to have the proper eye protection for Caden while working on the lathe.

Gran'Pa and Caden make quite the cute pair in their matching red shirts and overalls...don't ya think?!

Tupperware and a Spatula

Caden loves it when we put tupperware on his head. Add that to a spatula that feels great to chew on, and you've got a very happy baby boy! With Cade crawling like crazy and pulling up on everything, he seems to think that every single household item was put there for him to play with. Life changes drastically with a crawler!

Obligatory 4th Pictures

Caden in his USA outfit from Gamma.
















Caden right before he went to sleep on Gamma.
















Caden with two of his cousins Nathaniel and Mallory.


















Caden and Papa relax and enjoy a little staring contest.

Two Very Special People

Today we went to visit with April's grandparents on her dad's side, Granny and Daddy Dick. This will be the last time we see them before we leave next month, and we wanted them to see how much Caden has been changing and growing. Caden was a total showoff all day as usual. He was smiling, crawling, pulling up, laughing, babbling...basically pulling all of his tricks out of his hat to make sure that Granny and Daddy Dick know just how special he is. We had a good visit, and we had the chance to snap this picture of 4 generations on the Gillespie side. We thank God for the blessing that Granny and Daddy Dick have been to us over the years. They are truly amazing and special people to us; we cherish their love and support, and we know that they pray for our family everyday.

We love you Granny and Daddy Dick!















Caden being silly with his great-grandfather...

Did We Mention We Are Moving?

There are lots of things you can use a packing box for...here's one of them. This is also a great way to keep your baby busy and out of things while you are trying to pack.

Caden With a White Thing on His Head

This is what Caden looks like with a white thing on his head. Also, he is dancing on the bed with his mommy. AWESOME!

And yes, April did cut her hair, and she looks HOT!!!

8 Month Old Caden

Caden...Caden...and more Caden! These pictures should give you a good idea of what our little boy is up to these days. He is quite the active guy and keeps his mommy and daddy on their toes.










AWWWW, such a cuddle bug!


As you might notice, the bumber pad had to be removed from his crib. Caden was using it as a step stool and reaching higher on his crib than his parents were comfortable with. Now if we can only convince him to let go of the railing and sit back down to take a nap!



And, of course...the classic sitting in front of the bear picture to let you really see how much he's growing.

Rules for Posting Comments

If you wish to post a comment on our blog, we'd like to inform you of the 2 narrow categories in which you are allowed to post.

Category 1) How much you love us.
Category 2) How awesome Caden is.

We've had some unnecessary, unrelated, and just ridiculous comments these last few days, so please limit your posting to the subject at hand. While we're not big fans of censorship here at the Emerson Family Blog, we nonetheless reserve the right to delete any comment for any reason at any time. Hey, it's our blog, right?

Disclaimer: The views of this post are those of both Brett and April Emerson, as well as Caden. He still thinks whatever we tell him too...

Upside Down Caden

Upside_down_caden
Video sent by emersonstogo

Caden loves being upside down!!! Here he is having fun with his mommy; don't worry, we didn't let ALL of the blood rush to his head. An added bonus to this video is that you can clearly see Caden's top 4 teeth. Enjoy!

Look at me!!!

Caden wanted to be sure that everyone knew he was now pulling up on things all by himself AND standing! He is quite proud of his new talents. He has also learned to crawl to get what he wants...this includes everything from toys to mommy/daddy and a few things that he's not supposed to have.

Happy Father's Day

We celebrated Brett's first Father's Day today. We celebrated his incredible involvement in Caden's life with a few special presents. Brett enjoyed reading a new book, "Ten Tiny Tickles" with Caden and looking at his own personal photo album from Caden entitled, "Just Me and My Daddy". Brett chose to eat at Smokey Bones for lunch and later he and Caden went swimming.

Caden loves...no adores his Daddy. We have captured this adoration in a few pictures, but unless you've seen it in person, the pictures don't do it justice. They already have a unique bond that many sons never develop with their dads their entire life. I am blessed to be the wife and mother who gets to witness this relationship develop the rest of their lives. Brett is the dad every woman dreams of having in a husband. From day one he has been very involved in Caden's life. Everything from volunteering to change his diaper, giving him a bath, feeding him baby food, carrying him everywhere, to putting him to bed....all on his own. I am so proud of Brett and the daddy he is to Caden. Happy Father's Day Brett, and thank you for being the man of my dreams! I love you and I know Caden does too!