Cowboy'n

A couple weeks ago we were able to go to North Platte for a visit and for a shower that was thrown for Kaiden (photos to come). We had a wonderfully relaxing time, and even got to ride Annie one evening. Cowboy Kaiden had his first horse ride (if laying down on the blanket of a still-standing horse counts as a horse ride :)) I love this time of year on the ranch--the warm evening sun drenches everything in golden rays and in a few hours the orange harvest moon (that's right, orange) shines brightly in the star-covered sky. And the silence, I had forgotten how glorious is the sound of nothing but a warm breeze and chirping insects.

2 months

A snapshot...

of the past few weeks at the Dean's house

Kaiden's Aunty Lisa came to visit and will be spending the next couple months with us. She has been such a help and so much fun to have around!

Kaiden has discovered the new-found joy of smiling...

and talking. :)

Great Grandpa and Ruthie got to meet Kaiden

Our friend Mel came to visit and Lisa and I got to see some gorgeous sights when we took her up and dropped her off at Rocky Mt. National Park to hike.

I got my haircut

There has been lots of sleeping on dad as he has found some unique but effective ways of getting a grumpy little boy to catch some zzz's.

My little fish

Kaiden had his first swim yesterday. We took him to the North Boulder Rec. Center and he really seemed to like it! There was, of course, a little whining when he first hit the water, but then he just laid back and observed everything going on around him--the brightest thing he can find still being the most interesting. We went with our neighbors, so after I dried Kaid off Bran and I got to have some fun swimming together as Someone else watched him for me.

One Month Old

fuzzi bunz

My friend Natalie has loaned me all of the cloth diapers she used for her babies. You can't get much cheaper than that when even if you buy the cloth diapers and use them consistently you can save around $1000 per kid! Right now Kaid is just wearing them at home since they are still so big he looks like he has a blimp-bum and many of his clothes can't fit over them. I love them. They hold better than disposables (we haven't had a blow-out in one yet!), they are so soft and comfortable for him, and he is so stinkin cute! The one unfortunate thing (for him) is that they have earned him a new nick-name, "my little fuzzi bunz" (that's the name-brand of the diapers).

Funky little man

"A Babe in the house is a well-spring of pleasure, a messenger of peace and love, a resting place for innocence on earth, a link between angels and men“ - Martin Fraquhar Tupper

Sleeping Beauty...

in a very masculine sort of way, of course.

Man a photo shoot is draining!

Tiny expressions

Kaiden had his two week dr. visit today. He's gained over a pound and has already changed so much. I kick myself for being so stereotypical, but I already look back at pictures from birth and feel sad that my baby is growing so quickly. At the same time I am loving watching the little man grow and can't wait to see who he becomes (ok, I admit, I also can't wait for him to fit into some of the cute summer clothes he has before Autumn is here:) ) We love you Kaiden, and all the adorable things you do with your tiny little face!

First Bath

Tennis Time

This morning Kaiden had his first stroller ride. We walked down to the parks' tennis courts and watched Brandon playing/ giving lessons to our neighbor kids. And I admit, I couldn't stand just watching, so I played a couple games too. It feels so good to be able to move like a normal human being again, as opposed to waddling around.

Note the gorgeous mountain backdrop.

Kaiden did a good job of totally distracting Phoenix from the lesson.

The fun was short lived for Kaiden. He fell asleep as soon as the stroller started moving.

Dad

Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body. ~Elizabeth Stone

One week old

Kaid is one week old today! He is such an incredible baby...so placid. Bran and I have discovered we no longer desire to watch movies, we'd much rather sit and stare at him for 2 hours. :) I didn't know it was possible for one person so small to have so many different facial expressions.

He's Here!

Kaiden Brandon Dean
Sunday, July 1
10:58 am
7 lbs . 3 oz
21 in.

...and growing, and growing, and...

Poor Kaiden doesn't have much room to move around these days. He has stretched my belly beyond what I thought possible and I must say that I'm not finding his presence very comfortable either. Nine more days little one, nine more days (please!)! I finally have my hospital bag packed, my birth preferences all typed up and ready to give to the doctor/ midwife, and...well, your nursery isn't all put together yet, but I don't even mind if you come before it's completely ready. Hopefully my next post here will have pictures of a baby boy. :)

Baby Shower

Last night Natalie threw me a wonderful baby shower. We were outside a little tea shop off of Pearl Street (downtown Boulder) and the weather was gorgeous. In addition to the Emmaus girls, my friend Donna (the lady I work for) and Becky (a girl I roomed with in college and who just moved right outside of Boulder) were both able to be there. I had a great time and received lots of wonderful gifts! Thanks Natalie and everyone who helped celebrate!

All of us girls (minus Tara--taking the picture, and Michelle--hiding behind Sidney's head)

Natalie, Josey and I with a rattle and beautiful blanket they gave me.

Donna and I with a gift from her dog Tazzy (Donna has already given me so much I told her she couldn't bring a gift, so Tazzy gave me something instead :))

All the wonderful presents from the shower!

Hail Storm

Last week we had a hail storm here. It was a bit scary since we had just laid sod (which isn't cheap) and since we have no garage for our car! Even though the ground was covered in white ice by the end of the storm, it did no damage to anything (Praise God!) and really was quite beautiful. It seems that everything is beautiful here with the foothills for a backdrop. Standing by the front door and watching the hail drop reminded me of these verses from one of my favorite chapters in the bible--Job 37.

“God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways….He says to the snow, ‘fall on the earth,’ and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’ So that all men he has made may know his work, he stops every man from his labor. The breath of God produces ice….He brings the clouds …to water his earth and show his love. “