Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

I hope the gifts you find under your tree are as great as mine!

Merry Christmas, From the Wilkinson's

This Holiday Season...

This Holiday Season...
-I am blessed to share with the love of my life.

-We have already received the greatest gift in Cayden.

-We are so thankful for all of the blessings in our lives - great family and friends, a good home, plenty to share with each other and others, all of the gifts we are fortunate to have in our lives on a daily basis.

-I am very lucky to be living the life that we live, and thankful for that every day.

Cayden is glowing an growing before our very eyes on a daily basis. His smile lights up my heart every single day, and Cyle and I have really gotten into a pretty solid routine. I can't say it enough - that man has really amazed me! To see the two men in my life smile to each other simply puts everything at ease in my mind and heart. Every day is a new adventure with them!

Update Time!

My big Buddha is up to nearly 16lbs!! (and while we're speaking of nicknames...I'll go over a few that are thrown around often, so you'll know who I'm speaking of if I toss a new one out!

Buddha, which then turned into Booder, then quickly changes to Boodie (yes..like "booty!")! I'd have to say that Boodie is definitely the most frequently used...however Boodie has also been switched to Doobie from time to time as well!

Okay, I think that's all of them!

Anyway...My big man is now eating baby food like a champion! He hasn't found one that he doesn't like yet! He is out of his shoes on a daily basis, and now only wears them at night! That was a huge accomplishment! He definitely loves the freedom, and I had to go out and get him his Christmas present early...A JUMPAROO! He now freely jumps around in that thing like a crazy man! He LOVES it! He has gotten so verbal, and loves the sound of his own voice! He squeals and screams in delight and talks up a storm these days! And his smile is a bright as ever!

Here are a few new pics! Enjoy!

Happy Cayden! "Look Mama, No Brace!!"

Just hanging around on Thanksgiving

Elmer Fudd

(Assisted) Ring-around-the-Rosie with Sarah and Molly!

Our Happy Boy

Picture Update!

Just a few cute pictures I wanted to add...

Tiny newborn hands in Mama's...He will always be protected.

Two months later...I know he's safe in Daddy's care when I'm away at work.

Wrapped around his finger...

Little Molly being such a nice cousin during their sleep-over when Cayden was 2 months old. So sweet!

He told me he had a great time that night with Sarah and Molly!

They play so nice with him!

He's gotten so much bigger since the first bath photo I posted months ago!

Still loves his bathtime!

And now...at 3.5 months, weighing in at 14 lbs. 5 oz.

He's getting to be such a big little man!

His typical look after finishing off a bottle!

Check out those thunder thighs!!

Absolutely Adorable! I love this boy!

Happy Anniversary!!

October 13th, 2008

It's officially Cyle and I's first wedding anniversary! And I'd have to admit, this has been the all time greatest year of my life! Let's review: Cyle proposed May 9th, 2007 and I of course said "YES!" We planned a wonderful wedding and were married on October 13th, 2007 (Happy anniversary to mom and dad who were also married on this day 29 years ago! And to grandpa and grandma married this day 57 years ago!) We went on a great Honeymoon to the Bahamas on October 14th. Then came the great news: Cyle and I found out we were pregnant on November 25th. Then, 19 weeks later, it was determined that we would be blessed with a baby boy and would name him Townsend Cayden. We went through lots of ups and downs during the pregnancy (read the early posts to catch up on all of those!), but ultimately were blessed with our perfect son on July 19th, 2008. We quickly adapted to this new family we had created, and now live as a "family" and not the "couple" that we once were. And here we are again...October 13th! :-) Cyle is my one and only, my soulmate, my perfect match. I couldn't ask for anyone better and I hope for years and years of the kind of happiness I have had this year. We told each other that we didn't want gifts this year, realizing that Cayden was the perfect gift (we just gave him to eachother a few months early!) Instead, with the first years gift traditionally being a "paper" gift, we exchanged simple love letters. It was really nice. I couldn't be happier in this stage of my life - I've got my two boys, and so many other blessings in my life right now.

It's perfection.

Pictures!!

So, is this boy cute or what! My latest favorite picture :-)

Precious baby boy, 11.5 weeks old
Uh-Oh, he's getting mad!
REALLY Mad!!

(He's crazy, this boy goes from calm, cool and collected to full-blown SCREAMING in about 2.2 seconds!) Out of Control!

Okay, calm and happy again! He just hit the 12 week mark, and he is coo-ing away, talking more than ever, and so so smiley (most of the time!) :-)

He's changing before our eyes...

I can't believe how much our little man has grown and changed in a matter of 11 weeks! It seems like yesterday that I found out we were expecting...but at the same time, it feels like he's been here forever. He has become such a part of us, and its amazing to think how all of our lives have changed in such a short time.
I believe it about time for a little update. Let's start with last Monday...my poor little buddy had spent a miserable weekend at the lake, all snotty and snorting. So Monday I was able to get him into the pediatrician office, where he was diagnosed with bronchiolitis and placed on breathing treatments every four hours. So sad. It's crazy to think about how many breathing treatments I have given children at work and don't think twice about it. But when it's your own, it seems like such a terrible thing. But once again...my little man handled it like a champ! We went for a follow-up on Wednesday only to find that he was still wheezy. The treatments continued..
Moving on to this past weekend...MeMe and PaPa kept Cayden while daddy and I headed to good 'ol Van Wert on Friday to participate in the wedding festivities for Jackie and Mark (one of my college roommates, for those of you who don't know Jackie!). They brought him there on Saturday to attend the wedding...it was a great time! I'll have to add pictures once I get them downloaded! It's always so fun to get together with all of my old pals and to see everyone's kids and spouses! Love it!
Following that exciting weekend, we went for another follow-up with the baby...No more treatments needed! He's basically all cleared up, except for a few boogies here and there! He's doing well though. So...it was a crazy week last week...and to top it all off I went back to work full-time!! I definitely had mixed feelings about going back to work - part of me needed to just get out of the house for awhile (although I soon realized that 12 hours, in the middle of the night, might be a little more than I really wanted), another part of me had gotten pretty accustomed to just hanging out with Cayden all day! We have a convenient little set-up where daddy watches the baby at night and takes him to MeMe's in the morning, and it's worked out pretty well so far! Cyle has been absolutely great in this transition, I couldn't be more proud! (He even changed his first poopy diaper tonight!!) I get text messages and pictures sent via phone to me at work in the evenings of the two of them hanging out...bonding! There's nothing like seeing the two best looking men in my life smiling at me when I'm getting bombarded with patients at work. It makes me content to know that they're safe and happy at home. I love them beyond words! :-)

Keep on truckin'!

Okay, so first I want to say sorry. I just can't keep up with MeMe! She gets all the latest and greatest pictures of my boy up on her site before I get around to doing it! She may beat me to it, but I get to see all of the precious moments live...in living color everyday...BEFORE they even become pictures! And this is my life...so I think I've still got one up on her! :-) Its nice to see everything she writes though - I know it's just too hard to not love and to talk about all of her grandkids all the time!! :-)

So anyway.... how 'bout an update?!

Last week we had Cayden's 2 month well-visit! It's crazy its already been 2 months! Here are all of his stats:

Weight: 11#6oz (a 2# gain since last month, thank you very much!)

Length: 23in.

He's in the perfect 50% for both height and weight, so he's doing well!! So we'll keep on truckin'!

And it was great because this was the first pediatrician visit with NO CASTS!! So the measurements were all accurate. That feels great!

Unfortunately, he did have to have his first shots... sad. But he handled them SO well! Just a few tears, then he was fine! He's my little trooper for sure! A little fussy the next day, but no major problems with the immunizations thank God!!

After the pediatrician visit, we went straight to Dr. Ballock's office to follow up after being in the "special shoes" for 2 weeks! We got there, and off came the brace....Dr. Ballock was once again amazed at the progress he's made! He told Cayden that he had some great lookin' feet! And we couldn't agree more! The plan: 2 months more of the brace 23 hours a day, then we get to go to night time ONLY! He said that nap time wouldn't even be necessary if the progress continues like it has! So So exciting!

Moving on to this week...

On Monday, we started to try to get the little man on some sort of a schedule, with naps and everything! Before, I'll admit, he and I spent most of our time playing and cuddling on the couch all day. The unfortunate thing was that he was only getting short, random periods of sleep during the day, then when daddy got home in the evening, Cayden was fussy, over-tired, and frustrating at times! Things needed to change, so we decided maybe a schedule would work! And it has!! This week has worked out really well, he's napping like a champion (not in my arms!) and therefore is much calmer and more playful in the evening hours for daddy! He's sleeping pretty well through the night, and the days go pretty well too! No complaints, he's such a treat! :-) Impossible not to love...Playtime filled with lots of "coo-ing" and smiles!Posing in his first "real" outfit!Talking up a storm and holding the head up like a champ!A little "daddy time" :-)

"BUN-Jama Party!!"

Last weekend, Cayden enjoyed his very first "Bun-Jama" party with his cousins! Aunt Beckie, Sarah and Molly watched Cayden on Saturday while daddy went to help Grandpa at the lake, and mommy went to Jackie's bachelorette party in Cincinnati. It was only my second night away from him, but I had absolutely NO concerns because I knew he was in great hands! Aunt Beckie has successfully handled the infancy stage twice and look how great hers turned out! So thanks Bek, I know he had a blast! (and I had a fun night out too!!) Cayden is so lucky to have so many people in his life that already adore him so much. His proud parents, such great aunts and uncles, a grandma, a grandpa, a MeMe, a PaPa, two little cousins who are so involved with him and treat him so well, and even a few YaYa's that love him dearly. I can't wait until he's able to fully realize all the love that surrounds him!

Random Thoughts:

-It absolutely amazes me everyday to think that my world could change so much in the one second that my son was born. I no longer live my life for myself, but I wake up and live everyday for him - and it's all worth it when he smiles up at me.

-I never knew I could be surrounded by so much love. I met the absolute love of my life a few years ago, and I never imagined I would then meet another man who has changed my life as much as the first had. Cyle is my "Big Love" and Cayden is my "Little Love." Both have given me more than I ever thought possible, and I'm thankful everyday for the gift of a wonderful husband and the blessing of my perfect baby.

-My baby boy is perfection...In my eyes, every bit of him his perfect- from his full head of hair all the way down to his perfect little toes. I find myself just staring at him every day. He probably thinks "Mommy, please stop staring at me, you're freaking me out!" My response to that....NEVER. :-) It would be impossible.

He's all smiles!

Now how could you resist a face like this!?!

It would be impossible not to love this little man!

Thanks to his MeMe, Cayden got to enjoy his very first sleepover last Sunday (or BUN-Jama party as Sarah likes to call them!). At 7 weeks, he's beginning to sleep a little better for us at night, so MeMe said he did great! And while he was enjoying his sleepover, Daddy and I had a nice day of our own - first grocery shopping (exciting, I know!), running some errands, then enjoyed a great dinner out at a new restaurant, some wine, a campfire in the back yard...and a little lovin'! :-) Ha! Anyway, it was a nice date for us...so thank you MeMe!

Wow, we've got some catching up to do!

So sorry (for all of you that keep checking in for something new!)...we've been busy! But here we are, ready to give you some updates! Take a seat...this could be a long one! Alright...where did we leave off....surgery. Things have been going pretty well since surgery, he had casts for 2 weeks post-op and handled it well - nothing new for him! Two weeks ago we went out of town to introduce Cayden to a BUNCH of new people! First we went to the lake where he met the Helwigs and got to hang out with Grandpa! Loved every minute of it as usual...he'll be a lake rat for sure!! After a night there, we headed to Michigan (only a mere 20 minutes from the lake) for one of my old college roommate Jenn's wedding. It was a great time and Cayden got to meet all of my college friends and roommates!!

First dance with my precious boy

Then daddy joined us! :-)And thanks to MeMe for being our babysitter and DD!The next day, we headed to good 'ol Van Wert for another one of my great college roommate Jackie's bridal shower. Cayden loved this because he got to meet Hadley, Jackie's 6 month old daughter, who he's been flirting with via text messages and pictures since the day he was born! (And she's got two very cute cousins that he was eyeing too!) So, needless to say, it was a fun, and busy weekend!

Okay...What next?! We waited patiently for Sept.3rd to some around. This was the day that Cayden finally got his casts off! So exciting!! We went to see Dr. Ballock and he removed his casts just as planned (and Cayden unfortunately got cut with the cast saw!! so so sad! It wasn't too bad, and he even got a special yellow band-aid out of the deal!) We were then supposed to be fitted for his "special shoes" but found out that we would have to wait until someone from the Clinic could do it the following Friday. It was initially frustrating because we thought we would get it all done and out of the way that day, but it ended up being a blessing. We got to enjoy my little peanut's feet, out of all contraptions for TWO WHOLE DAYS!! I missed them so much for 6 weeks that I even found myself sniffing them! :-) His feet look great, it's amazing to see the improvements! Check them out!Cousin Sarah came along because she wanted to "see baby Cayden's little feet!"Lounging with daddy, letting his little feet finally breathe.

On Friday, Sept. 5, Cayden was fitted and place in his "special shoes." He will wear these for 23 hours a day for the next few months, then only nap time and bedtime after that. He's doing surprisingly well with the contraption. But hey, he's been through a lot for only 7 weeks - He's my little superman. At this point, I'm convinced he could get through anything. We are so thankful for him and his strength through all of this. Sometimes I wish that he never had to go through any of this, but at the same time I know we will all be stronger for having made it through. We're blessed, I have no doubt about that. He is so strong and getting stronger every day. He holds his head up like a champ, and is now smiling REAL smiles! (Yes, I can definitely tell the difference between these new smiles and "gas" smirks!) All of the hardships and moments of frustration absolutely disappear and seem so meaningless when he looks up at us with that bright smile! It's amazing, and we look forward to it every day. So here are a few more pictures to hold you over until we post again! Thanks for reading - we hope to see all of you soon!!

"Special shoes" connected with a flashy red metal bar!

His first real NAKED bath when he got his casts off - he loved it!

One of those smiles I was telling you about...irresistible!

MeMe attempted to take some 6 week old pictures...He didn't quite know how to handle it.

His strength at this age absolutely baffles us! He lifts up and looks around all the time!

Update!!

Sorry, it's been a while since we've updated, and a lot has happened since then! Cayden hit a milestone on Aug. 12th...he began using the weight of those big casts to flip himself completely over! At 3 weeks, that's pretty darn good! He's still lifting that head and is able to move around pretty well already...daddy and I will be in big trouble when he really starts moving - he's a maniac! But we're so proud!
On another note, Cayden successfully made it through his very first real surgery (and hopefully the last!) Surgery was scheduled for 7:30 am on Tuesday, August 19th. Since the surgery was scheduled, I've been worried (I think any mama would be knowing that her baby would be having surgery at one month of age). I have complete confidence in our doctor, and wasn't worried at all about the job that he would do that morning, however knowing that Cayden would have to be put completely under with anesthesia is what made me worry. Hearing that my little one would be tubed and unconscious was not easy to handle, but I knew it was for the best and that he was in great hands.
So surgery day started early...really early. Cayden couldn't eat after 1:30 am, which made for a long morning! But he was a trooper - didn't really complain about it until about 6:00 when we made it to the hospital. We made it to the Cleveland Clinic, downtown, at 6am to check in. Dr. Ballock arrived around 7:30 to speak with us, then we met the anesthesiologists who were able to calm my nerves if only a little. I was holding up rather well (if I must say so myself!)...until they came to take him to surgery. NOT EASY! There were tears, but we kissed our little man and knew that we would see him in about an hour. He was calm and that gave me a sense of peace with it all. I knew things would be okay. So off he went. We waited...then received a call to go to the desk to meet with Dr. Ballock. He told us that everything went just as planned, and Cayden was doing great! BIG sigh of relief for Cyle and I. :-) Shortly after, we had our little man in our arms! Unfortunately, because of his age, Cayden and I had to stay the night for observation. No complications though, and we left the next morning at 8am! We're so glad it's over, and I know this experience will be a positive one in the long run when he's up and running around like every other kid on his new feet! :-)
Thanks to everyone for their positive thoughts and prayers for us - we really appreciate you all!!

Daddy, Cayden and Dozer the day before surgery

In the hospital, getting ready to go home!

I did it!! Thanks for your prayers everyone!!

These are the new casts. The heel cord release done in surgery allows the toes to flex up toward the shin, which they were unable to do before. So he will be in these casts for two weeks, then time for braces!! Hopefully that will be the end of these heavy casts!

Look at the progress we've made!!

Sorry we didn't update last week as promised, but we weren't able to get good pictures of the casting process, and we had a very busy week filled with visitors! Time just got away from us!

Anyway, look at these pictures of the progress little Cayden has made turning his little feet out! We had our weekly casting appointment on Wednesday, and we got a lot of news from the doctor...

First and foremost, Cayden's feet have successfully turned enough that they are fully corrected already when it comes to side-to-side movement! In other words, the doctor is able to rotate his feet outward to the point of being normal, and fully functional. This is fantastic news because we were looking at 8-10 weeks before this was predicted to take place...and it's only been 2!! He's amazing! However...his little toes are still slightly pointed downward, meaning that his Achilles tendon is still too tight, so surgery is needed. Initially we had learned that this would be an easy procedure, done in the office under local anesthetic. In speaking with Dr. Ballock on Wednesday though, he thinks that the results we would get if we did that would not be the best. So...we've scheduled surgery...a REAL surgery...for August 19th. We're very nervous that our little man will be put under for a real surgery on the day he turns only one month, but Dr. Ballock and his wonderful nurse assure us that this is something that they do more often than we think, and that their team is amazing and they put their full trust in the anesthesiologists. Still...this will be a rough day for mama, I can guarantee it! :-( Gotta stay positive and focus on all of the improvement we've made so quickly though...that will get us through it! And Cayden's smiling face through it all makes it all worth it! Here are some pictures of the process and the great improvement!!

Dr. Ballock cutting off last weeks casts

Look how skinny those legs are! But they're looking straight!
Dr. Ballock showing us how well they are turning out!

Baby Cayden just hanging out through it all :-)

New Casts!

Enjoying some tummy time after the appointment :-)

So strong!!

Bonding :-)