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!