Tasting Uncle Dougs hair

Well, Cade was in for a NASTY surprise when he went for a ride on Uncle Doug's shoulders. He went for a taste of Doug's hair and found the hair gel to be a quite disgusting flavor! It was so funny! These pictures don't really capture the pure disgust Cade felt when he tasted it! Hahhahahha...

But he had so much fun on his first shoulder ride. Thanks Doug!

Before...

During...

After...

Alex and his dirty 'stache come to America!!!

Here is the long awaited arrival of Alex (and his dirty mustache) to America. We did miss him so! Cade was quite excited to finally meet him!

Cade opens Christmas presents in Portland!!!

We had a great time in Portland like we always do!!! We got to spend a lot of time with family which was awesome!!! Cade even got to open some Christmas presents there from Grandpa Denny and Michelle. He LOVED the crinkling sound the gifts made and he especially enjoyed exploring them with his mouth! The first video is him opening his first gift, and the second is of him getting a little fibrous taste of wrapping paper. Grandpa Denny found it especially funny that Cade felt the need to "taste" all of the new clothes they got him! Thanks everyone in Portland for your hospitality and help, it was greatly appreciated as always!

Roots of Empathy, Visit #4

Today was our fourth visit to the Kindergarden class as a part of the Roots of Empathy project. This week we discussed emotions; happy, sad, scared, and angry. We talked about how I can help Cade when he is having these different feelings. They in turn talked about how they can help their friends or family when they are having those same feelings. There is 3o minutes of video to root through, so I just posted the "Hello" and "Goodbye" songs for now, which is Cade's favorite part.

CWS CPA/Logger...

Here is my dad cutting down the Strand Family tree... followed by a victory dance!

A tree with legs...

This has to be the hardest that I have laughed all year. Poor Nick, was carrying this enormous tree and all I could do was barely hold the video camera I was laughing so hard. I almost peed my pants, in fact I just may have it was that funny. I am debating sending this in to America's Funniest Home videos. I just can't get enough of it. Watch it a couple of times... it's like wine, gets better with age! hahhahahah. Enjoy because I sure do.

Christmas Tree adventuring...

As per our family tradition... we headed out to the wilderness (re: Christmas Tree farm) to cut down our very own Christmas tree. Chris and Col joined in the adventure. Cade even got to go on a wild ride with Col driving (ie. in the baby carrier). It was very fun and we ended up with a perfect tree for Cade's first Christmas!!!

Nick, Col, and Cade standing in front of one tree choice... this is the recession tree. Bare and no need to spend money on decorations. Needless to say, we kept looking!

Kirty, Cade, and the Mag...

Me and my cold baby boy...

The love of my life...

I love these boys...

Nick holding the trees on the back of the car...

This picture was taken just before the video... Nick carrying our tree.

Cade Meets Santa...

Nick had the day off, so we took the prime opportunity to meet the man, the myth, the legend himself... SANTA!!! Cade was appropriately excited (as usual) and dressed to impress. Grandma Col even got in on the adventure.

Here are just a few of the pictures from this day... Santa picture to follow when it is received.

Me, my sweet baby boy, and his flavorful reindeer (explanation to follow)...

The Bizzles...

Cade standing on a box with dad...

I just LOVE this picture... my boys!

Happy baby....

This is funny! They gave Cade a stuffed reindeer after he met Santa and his favorite part you ask? The antlers. They are delicious, duh.

Still munching...

Cade looking extra precious...

Cade was just seeming to be extra darling on this morning... silly and smiley! I guess I am biased but could he be any cuter???

I just LOVE the way his feet are turned in toward one another in this picture...

Always smiling :)

An excellent display of kung-fu moves...

Cade's Four Month Check Up!!!

It's official, Cade is four months old and that meant another trip to the Dr. Quinn to see how he is progressing!!! He now is 25 inches long and weighs 15 lbs. 4 oz... which is over double his birth weight! He was in the 50th percentile for both his weight and height, so he's doing good. In addition to some shots, we also learned that he can start solid foods soon... videos and pictures to come on that when it happens!!!

Cade's first assisted steps!

This video had to be cut because it was quite long (Thanks Doug :))...so here is just a part of the fun we experienced this morning!!!

Can you see his biceps and back muscles flexing? Adorable!

Just chit-chatting...

Cade and I having a conversation... quite a talkative little man, huh?

Thanksgiving 2008...

This Thanksgiving, our family sure has a lot to be Thankful for; welcoming our dear sweet Cade into the world, our family and friends, our health... among MANY other things!!!

Well, Cade enjoyed his first Thanksgiving! He slept through most of it, except for when it was time to eat.... he decided it was time for him to eat his Thanksgiving feast too! Here are just a few photos from the day... more to follow!

He's stuffed...

And standing...

Hanging with mom...

Cade discovers leaves...

So many leaves, so little time...

His fist was his favorite part of the meal...

The Bizzles...

Roots of Empathy...

For those of you who don't know, Cade and I have been participating in a program called Roots of Empathy. Basically, it is a program that has been proven to reduce aggression in school-aged children by raising emotional/social competence and increasing empathy. The basis of the program is that over the course of a school year, one classroom will follow and be a part of the growth and development of a local infant... CADE! The children learn to track the child's development, as well as label his/her feelings. Through this, it is proven, that the children will be better able to label their own feelings and become aware of other's as well!

Here's a link to the program's website, so you can get a better understanding if you wish:

http://www.rootsofempathy.org/index.html

We are so lucky to be a part of this pivotal program!

This past week was our third visit to the Kindergarten room at the JCC. This class holds a special meaning for me as well because most of the class are children from my room last year. So they not only do they know me but they sort of knew Cade as well... as he grew in my belly!

The children decided that they would like to write letters to Cade this week and they are so cute! I just uploaded a few for you to enjoy... I have also translated for those of you who have yet to perfect the fine art of reading a five-year old's creative spelling!

I hope to bring the video camera next time we are visiting so you can see, not only how much the children love our visit but how much Cade enjoys seeing all of them. It is truly amazing!

Dear Cade,

I like biking. Does Kirty been giving you bike rides? I love you. Do you love me Cade? Love, Aidan Ben-Or.

Dear Cade,

I like to bake. Do you like to bake Cade?

Love, Esther

Dear Cade,
I like to color. Does Cade like to color?
Love, Risa

Enjoying some time with dad...

The musicians in the family are enjoying a little one on one time!

Sing us a song piano man...

Here are the family's most talented musicians...

Sleeping in his crib for the first time!

Had to do it... Here is a short video of Cade sleeping in his crib for the first time. If you watch carefully, you can see him smiling in his sleep (which he does often!)!

Full Belly...

Here are some pictures from the other morning... They were taken after his breakfast (as you can tell by his full belly!)!

Nakie (sort of) baby photo shoot...

Cade was feeling extra comfortable in his own skin today, so we let him play!!! He had a blast rolling and squirreling all over his blanket. He was practicing holding toys, laughing, and just being silly. Isn't he wonderful?

Happy Boy

Standing up with little assistance...

Double fisting...