Kade and Piper

my little lion... playing hide and seek.She loves the mirror on her swing!

so alert!

Kaden really just adores his new sister. He is always wanting to touch her and kiss her! It is so sweet to hear him say she is beautiful and she is a princess! She is lucky to have such a doting big brother who I am sure will be her protector as they grow bigger! Just wanted to post some new pictures!

Kaden's quips:

Lately Kaden has been making all kinds of funny "misspeaks." Here are a few that I can remember. I will update this post as I can remember more... (oh to only write things down as they happen)

~ Mommy, I need sunshine cream so I can go outside to play bounceketball!

~Kade calls Piper by her first and middle names and we were explaining that "Jean" was her middle name like "McAlister" was his. So I asked him: "Kaden what is your last name?" to which he responded "come here!" Kaden McAlister Come Here! since then he has introduced himself as "my full name is Kaden McAlister Come Here Now!"

~There was a basket of things on the counter and he reached to pull it down. Afraid that it was to heavy for him and it would fall on him, I told him I could help him. He said I got it mommy. I can use my muscles. I am strong, like Jesus! (I am pretty sure that this is from the song Jesus loves me, "I am weak but He is strong")

~We went to Olive Garden for lunch and Kaden was looking at the kids menu which had the characters on the cover. Bene the breadstick, Ollie the Olive, Gina the grape etc... Kade liked the breadsticks (Butter free) and after I tore it into pieces to cool, he put it back into order. This is his head, this it his belly... But he also wouldn't say "breadstick", he would say (in his best italian voice) this is bread the stick!

~ah yes... I did forget! (not a big surprise!) Kade says that Piper is "swallowed" up when we get her ready for bed... we better understand it as "swaddled".

did it again...

Kade did it again, yet this time he took his clothes off and actually was twirling as he stated that he was a princess! :) oh boy!

Kaden has really been begging for puzzles so I found some and he loves putting them together! He really does a good job.

recently...

Well I know that it has been a while, we have been busy, but I thought while I have been laying in bed for several days now with a hacking cough and wheezing breathing that I would get something new on the page... A funny thing: Kaden picked up one of my tank tops the other day and put it on. He then proceeded to say, "Look Mommy, I'm a princess!" I expected some of that after we have our little girl, but for him to come up with it on his own.

New room for Kade...

so Kaden has really been ready to be out of his crib for a while now, but I really didn't want to move him until we knew we were expecting... which we have obviously known for a while now. So Jaron has been working on painting and we finally finished putting his room somewhat together so we can start on the nursery. We told him that all of his pacifiers had to stay in the crib for his new sister, Piper. The first night he really acted unsure, but he has stayed in a big bed before with no problem, it's just that he had a paci at the time. He settled in and did fine. Nap time the next day we weren't so lucky. Thankfully Jaron was home, and after multiple times of sending him back to bed, Kade finally took a blanket and lay down on the floor and was asleep. Night time again was not bad, but he is so quiet in the morning that Jaron didn't hear him get up. Needless to say I wasn't looking forward to nap time, but I went in to give him a tissue and he wanted to sleep on the floor again, so I covered him up and he has been out without a peep! Forget the new bed and blankets... Love the floor! :)

So on to the nursery! Over Christmas break we had the opportunity to buy 0-24 months of clothes from a friend who has a little girl almost 3. I know little girls are more involved, but I could probably dress her in a different outfit everyday and never wear the same thing twice! We have been so blessed! The 3 year olds birthday is April 28th and Piper is due April 27th, so as far as seasons, we should match up... Unless she is another little pip-squeak like her brother who is still wearing some 18 month. I would much rather do it this way and have everything already! I just keep forgetting when I see really cute outfits in the store. (Jaron is quick to remind me though!) So her closet is already full and we are still loading the dresser and have about 7 more large totes that we are all of the sudden at a loss of where to store!!! Again, a good problem to have, but I'm not sure Jaron sees it the same way!

She is starting to make her presence known by tumbling a bit. Once Kade started, he never stopped! I have been so extremely thankful that I haven't been sick as long or had heartburn as bad! She is redeeming by thoughts about pregnancy... Don't love it, but not so bad as before!
I'll get some pictures of the new rooms soon. Jaron is thinking about painting the nursery, so we shall see what even comes of that. Still have a while!

So while Kaden is sleeping on the floor and the snow is quietly falling.... I'm going to nap!
Oh yes, my next class starts up next Wednesday and that should take me up to about a week before I am due. I get these naps in where ever possible! later all!

Newer News!

I am now at 12 weeks and although still sick, I don't feel nearly as bad as before. Still have yet to see the Dr. since waiting for 1, 1/2 hrs and then having to leave. School is still keeping me busy, but I think some of the initial chaos is over.
Kaden had a low grade temp last night and today and so I started to wonder and tonight as I was brushing his teeth I checked and sure enough top back two molars are coming in! Soon all of his teeth will be in and we can be done with this stage! On to other growing pains!

Gluten and Dairy free Elmo!

For Kade's party I made a gluten and dairy free cake. The gluten was for my niece and sister-in-law and dairy free for Kade.
In the process of the party Kade opened his present from us and wasn't really sure about the Elmo. He still doesn't want to touch it!

Elmo says " I looked up, up, way up!" So Kade did...

Vacation!

It was so nice to get away for a quick weekend. We spent time hiking northern MI,
biking,

swimming, playing at the beach,
and just relaxing...
and cuddling with Grandpa!

July part 2

Kade has really taken an interest in cleaning... gets that from his dad. :) Before his nap the other day I told him we needed to "clean up" and put the toys away. We sang songs while cleaning and then it was time for nap... well Kade was not ready. He wanted the vacuum out and wanted to vacuum before nap. When I told him no he about melted down. I took the vacuum out of the closet and told him after nap we would vacuum. That was good enough for him. Sure enough when I got him up he was trying to see if the vacuum was still there and he helped me clean and then wanted "I do it" :) Let's just hope that this lasts!Also Kade thinks that he can swim... We were at Jaron's Aunt and Uncle over the fourth and he wanted me out of the way. He would just jump into the water! I let him go just far enough that he would learn he was not a fish, but that didn't stop him. He would get out of the pool and go around and try to get in from the side! We bought floaties the next time we went to a pool and he still was pushing me away, but at least he was staying above water this time!

I have started a garden this year... first ever and I have one sugar pea and one sunflower so far! The squirrels are getting into my deck boxes and so my basil is paying dearly.
Head and tail hanging out...
This one fell over shortly after I took this picture... not sure if he was still in it.

July

Since I have only posted once every so often the title is just plain and simple. Well, so far this summer things have been pretty quiet. I have helped out at Kindred Spirit a couple of days and worked my first "shift" in well over two years... things went well. Last night we were able to spend some time with extended Montague family and some cousins from Idaho. It was so great to catch up! Then Kaden's allergies just exploded! So now we have to figure out what outdoor allergy he has! He was sneezing out of control and his skin looked like he was attacked by a swarm of mosquitoes. When we stripped him down and got him into a bath his skin was fire red. :( Poor kid. As soon as the benadryl kicked in and the itching subsided he was okay to play, just looked bad. This morning- no signs! He just likes to keep us on our toes!

I have been having fun playing with vinyl lettering and sewing and quilting. I need to spend some time organizing everything, but still having fun experimenting. I've made some cute pillowcases and "dolled" up some overalls and skirts (not for Kade).

Jaron is almost a year at his job at the prison. Longer if Standish prison stays open. We shall wait and see.

Kade will be 2 on Aug 1! Can't believe it! Love all of his quirky ways... okay he learns them from us, but it has been such a blessing to watch him grow. We are looking forward to all of the new experiences this year will bring.

not much

Well after not being able to post for a while, I got out of the habit... so now I am trying to remember to sign on and post...

Kade is just curious about everything. He points to everything wanting to know what it is. Today he learned window. We were in the car on the way to Church and we put the windows down since it was so nice out. Now he points to all of the windows in the car and says window. He has been working on using silverware. Actually doing well.

I started working as a title 1 tutor at Carman-Ainsworth. The schedule was the best part of taking the position. Jaron and I still pass like ships, but we have our time and protect it.

Please help?!!

Well, it hasn't been for lack of trying! I have not been able to sign in to post on our blog from our home computer! There have been many hours of trying to understand what is happening, but I apologize to those who keep checking back to see the same old information! I can barely remember what it was all of those times when I just wanted to share. Well if anyone has any ideas please let me know. When I click to sign on it just takes me to a blank "page not available" page and there is no information further than that! I am at Kindred right now and it does work. I was even looking at another blog "wordpress.com" just so I could keep updated... well, as for now,

We spent most of Thanksgiving with my parents, and now we are headed to see Jaron's parents and drive with them to Chicago to meet Jaron's brother Derek.

We have both been busy, I am long terming at Carman and Jaron has been on 2nd shift for two weeks... yuck! I had an awesome time at the Exceptional Women's conference with my Mom and Sister in law two weekends ago. And then upon return, Kaden had an allergy reaction that I was ready to take him into the emergency room if it continued to get worse. The doctor on call said that we should have an epipen jr. on hand in case... Not fun! He only seemed a little bothered by the whole episode.
Hopefully I can figure this thing out especially since I have so many pictures that I wanted to post. Well I hope that everyone has a wonderful holiday and now that I know I can post on other computers I may be able to go elsewhere! Love to all and God's blessings remembered and shared through the holiday season.

first quilt... kinda

Jaron has started his training at the prison now... Which his schedule is still up in the air. I guess it is still a wait and see. It will be nice for him not to have to drive to Lansing every day for a while... nice on gas cost too!

I have been working on a quilt for Kaden. When I was subbing last spring some of the staff got together and had a quilt class and then school was over for the summer and well, I just never got back to it until now. I am kind of at a point where I need the next class so I may have to hunt someone down to figure out what is next.

Kaden does not like it when we put the gate up into the kitchen. Lately he has taken it upon himself to start moving all of his toys from the living room over the gate into the kitchen. The other day he lifted the soccer ball over!

Here he is going back for more...
And then one of his blankets...
he is really ready to go... now why can't he do this with his toys when it is time to clean up!

Earlier this month Kaden enjoyed one of our last warm days outside. Our yard is sloped and the grass is spotty so he was having a rough time getting himself up the "hill" to the deck.

He loves the little "Helicopter" seedlings that fall to the ground.

Reading...

Kaden is really taken with books. This is no surprise due to his parents love of books. Each time we read a book to him we then have to hide it (usually in the couch) so we don't read it ten times in a row and he will get down, go get another and another. He does get wiggly and we are trying to focus on getting through a book before we start another.


Then in August we were able to attend a friends wedding on Grand Island in New York and Kaden was able to visit Niagra Falls for the first time.

been busy!

Wow... although we haven't been busy every day, it sure feels like we have been doing a lot! My parents left for Alaska the day after Kade's birthday and are on their way home today!
Jaron was working for friends from our church when he sliced his finger open...And we just returned from crossing the border 4 times for Maria's wedding on Grand Island in NY. We stopped at Niagra Falls with Kade. I am so very excited about Maria being only 5 hours away instead of 12!!! I have more pictures and will post more in a bit!