First Airplane Trip

Caden survived his first airplane ride from Virginia to Iowa! It actually went surprisingly smoothly. Our awesome neighbors Angel and Bryce took us to the airport and dropped us off. We took advantage of curbside check-in and got through security easily. Both flights were delayed but it was nothing terribly inconvenient. Caden squirmed and played most of the first flight and we stood with him at the back of the plane for the second flight. The pressure changes didn't seem to affect him and he was generally happy. It was still stressful but could have been a lot worse! He even smiled for Grandpa Bob and Grandma Bernitta when he saw them. They were thrilled to see him, to say the least.

Being home is great. We already had Christmas at Grandma Klindt's. We got to meet Morgan Muller and Collin Harder on Saturday...so cute! And so little compared to Caden...what a difference a year makes. Today we had family pictures. Caden (and Jeff) pretty much hated that but I think we got a few good shots. Tomorrow is Christmas here and at Aunt Cindy and Uncle Dean's. Then off to Cedar Rapids for a week with the Geraghty clan. Sounds like a lot but it hasn't seemed too busy or anything. My mom has been spoiling us with all kinds of good food. She baked a million cookies and Brian has had his fair share of them!

Caden tries to take a photo with Great Grandma and Grandpa and his cousins


Family picture


Mohawk boy loves his Clifford book


Steph, Collin, Meg, Morgan, Me, and Caden


Caden has been a little difficult lately. He is more attached to me and Brian than we realized. He tends to want us to hold him versus everyone else, but I'm sure unfamiliar faces and environment has everything to do with that. He is sleeping at night and was generally in a good mood yesterday. Let's hope that trend continues.

Caden saw Santa Claus last week at the Quantico housing office. He wasn't in the mood to sit but did enjoy Santa's fuzzy beard.



Thanks for all the Christmas cards and a very Merry Christmas to all of you.

Merry Christmas!

My apologies...it's been a while since I've posted a blog. Seems like there are too many things on the to do list this time of year. I got Christmas cards done last night, so that's a relief.

Caden crawls like a maniac and can make it up the stairs if he chooses. He pulls himself up to standing all the time and cruises along the furniture. We often call him "puppy" because he's always begging for food. Brian fed him some McDonalds fries last night. Oh my, he liked those. NOT a healthy treat! He babbles a lot. I sometimes wonder if he understand what "ma ma" means, but I'm not sure. He's sort of needy lately...likes to be held a lot. I discovered yet another tooth last night so that explains the fussiness. He now has 8...what a mouthful.

I'm going to crawl up these stairs...

Look Daddy...I did it!

We got our first snow on the 5th. Caden didn't enjoy it much for some reason. Perhaps it was Mom's inability to steer the sled and hold a squirming baby. Ha ha.

On Monday, Brian got officially invited to the All Marine Corps Triathlon Team tryouts in Florida January 23-27. It's all expense paid and a professional training company will work with him. There are not very many available slots but I have a strong feeling he will make the team. He has been working out hard twice a day, 6 days a week, for about 6 weeks. He looks and feels great and his times are dropping. His training partner kicks his butt in the pool but he has vastly improved, so it's worth it.

I'm bummed we'll miss his birthday on January 25 but at least he'll be here for Caden's. I cannot believe Caden will be 1 soon. Where did the time go?! My parents already bought plane tickets so they will be here to celebrate.

I haven't been running the past couple weeks. Brian gets home from work after dark and it's too cold to drag Caden out in the stroller. Now that Brian's class is over, he plans to try to come home a bit early on Tuesdays and Thursdays so I can get a run in. That will be good. The Marine Corps Half Marathon is in May and will be here before I know it. I need to stay in shape!

I've also been trying to work more lately, but once again, that to do list is always looming. It's hard to strike the right balance.

We fly into Omaha December 20 and will stay in Iowa through January 2. We hope to see many of you when we're back. Don't hesitate to give us a call!

Happy Holidays everyone...

Caden with his Godfather Daryl over Thanksgiving

These balls have been Caden's favorite toys since 3 months

What a big boy!