Recently, it was this guy's birthday. To really appreciate
Caden and all that he brings to our family, here's to a half-decade of memories and pictures of Mr.
Cade. We love you so much
Caders and thank you for being YOU! You're a very special little boy who's
definitely, one of a kind :)
Cade's our fall baby, born September 29
th. I was induced with
Cade and his labor and delivery was fairly quick. He's our biggest baby and was the chunkiest and the easiest baby of our 3.
Cade is known for his long eye-lashes (which he's even trimmed once) and his beautiful curls as a baby. After his first haircut, those baby curls disappeared. He walked early on at 10 months old and has always been able to keep up with the big boys.
His favorite movie before Spiderman was introduced to him was, believe it or not, Nacho Libre. In fact, he was Nacho for Halloween when he was only two...here he is, doing his best Nacho impersonation. He'd even make the "fart noise" as he dove off the couch. He was an adorable little boy (still is) and he can still make some gross noises.
When
Caden decides to put his mind to something, it's over. He has more will power than anyone I've ever known...like when he wanted his training wheels off, he had just turned 4 and in a few hours, conquered riding his bike like a big boy. And when he was called a "baby" for sucking his thumb at preschool, it was over. That night, he quit, cold-turkey, his thumb sucking habit he'd had since birth. In fact, we have an ultrasound picture of
Caden sucking his thumb. When he felt the urge, he'd bite his
blankie (which I worried would become a new habit) but this only lasted a couple of nights, accompanied with tears of frustration. It was really amazing and he's one strong little boy. Another time is when he wanted to only wear "
underwears" like his big brother and be potty trained, he initiated it himself and pretty much trained himself. I was pregnant and in the midst of my grief of finding out about Maddie's heart and the last thing I wanted to do was work on potty training but
Cade forced it and achieved, once again. He's also our little fish...loves to swim and isn't afraid of the water, deep end, going under water, diving board, not scared one bit. It's a little scary to watch sometimes. We don't call him our little super hero for
nothin'!
Cade also has his own sense of style. He used to only wear anything red, then only superhero costumes or
apparel with the like splashed all over it, then it was only long sleeves, the layered look, and now it's this. A baseball cap, turned backwards on the very back of his cute little noggin. He's a trendsetter!
He's also a very passionate little boy. He cries hard, talks loud, plays hard, loves lots, laughs loud and sleeps hard. Everything he does, he puts 110% forward. It's a wonderful trait and we can't give ourselves credit for any of this, this is just
Cade. He
definitely has likes and dislikes and negotiating with him is tough. When he's mad, watch out. He's usually on a mission and don't get in his way! He can also be the kindest boy. He's observant and doesn't let much go unnoticed. We're so proud of his determination and I wish I had more of
Caden's will-power!
Here's to our creative, sweet, fun-loving boy! Happy 5th Birthday Caden Larry!!!
Maddie and her heart sister, Teagan, were the cover of the calendar given at the event as well as the the month of February with the cute kissing picture. We missed having the Maxwell's there last night. I would have loved seeing these two together!
Many of the patients spoke last evening, giving short stories of their health issues and how Children's has changed their lives. It was touching. We were very proud of Jackson...he did a great job (not pictured in our photo session). 
So, to gear Miss Maddie up for this big night, we kept telling her we were going to Cinderella's ball. We often call her our "princess" and she surely lived up to her name last night!
She was given her own special dinner of elegant but tasty kid's food. She had manners just like a princess by...
sipping her chocolate milk from a beautiful glass...
to posing by charming boys like our friend Jackson (this is as near as she'd come to him or any young man, I hope she's this way in her teen years with boys!) We enjoyed sitting with Noftles, Andersens, Courtney and Jenks. It's always nice to have familiar faces at an event like this. 
to having many adore her, especially her Nany. She was pampered!
But once the band started, our princess perked right up and wanted to hit the dance floor!
Dancing with Nany and Mama, as well as sweet little girls who'd come and take her hands and whisk her away
She came right out of her shell! She loved, loved, loved the live band.
More dancing, or shaking her "booty" as she calls it
It was an evening fit for a princess and this little girl had a grand time at the ball! It was precious and just watching her brought many smiles, tears and a big sigh in our hearts. Never in our wildest dreams did we imagine she'd be this healthy and living life so fully. It was magical.
