Growing up....

paci is gone!











beating mommy at chuck e cheese














shooting hoops with daddy..he's a lefty!





So this was a very big week in the Brian household. We knew coming back from Texas that we had some work to do with Cade-potty training and getting rid of the paci. I was not looking forward to either one, but was very surprised by our big boy! Last week we began potty training and Cade did great. He has always been one who hates a mess, so everytime he had an accident, he hated it because he hated being wet! Awesome! So from then on, he used the potty every time he felt his "pee-pee coming." That is what he tells us now. So cute and he has done great! Chris decided that he was going to take Cade to Chuck E Cheeses if he pooped in the potty. We both knew that it might take a while for him to do that, but Cade had other plans. It took him one day to poop in the potty and he is on the road to being completely potty trained. NO, we are not taking him to Chuck E Cheeses every time he poops, but I did assemble a surprise box filled with little things from the Dollar store and that has worked pretty well. (thanks Jennifer for the idea)

The other agenda for the summer was Operation Paci...getting rid of our lifesaver. Man, I think this one was more hard for Chris and I than for Cade. It took one day of sleeping without it and paci was gone forever. I thought it would be alot harder, but once again Cade amazed us. He has not even asked for it and is so proud that he tells everyone he doesn't have his paci anymore.

All of this is wonderful, but I was somewhat sad that this all ocurred so quickly. My little boy is no longer a little boy and he is growing up so fast. Tears come to my eyes when I think that I no longer will be changing his diapers or seeing him sleep with his paci. Don't get me wrong, so thankful for not having to buy pullups anymore, but a little sad..

I know this is all part of life and I am so thankful the Lord gave us a healthy little boy who loves playing cars, riding his truck, throwing the frisbee, playing golf, wrestling-W.W.E. style, and many other things. We are so proud of you Cade and all that you have accomplished this week! You are so grown!! We love you!!

Texas-Part IV

Whenever we travel to Texas we get to stay with Chris' grandmother-his Nana. It is always a special time for us as we visit with her and listen to her love for the Lord. I thoroughly enjoy it! She has so much wisdom and she is definitely one after God's own heart. She lives alone since the passing of her husband several years ago, which happened to be the same date of Cade's birth. She is an intercessory prayer warrior and I know that she fervently seeks the Lord's face and listens to His still small voice. Chris and I both envelop her wisdom each time we visit her. The Lord's face does shine upon her daily and she exemplifies consistency in her walk with Christ.

One challenge we do face is what Cade call's her. He has a Nana, Grandma, Mamaw, and for some reason he thinks he has a MeME, so we decided that he would call her "GiGi" for great grandma. He called her everything but GiGi most of the time, but he loves his "GiGi."
Every morning when Cade would wake up she would take him to get the mail, and then they would eat their breakfast on the deck while they watched the birds. He loved this!! Every morning, if she wasn't there when he woke, he would ask where GiGi was. He loved spending his mornings with her and he loved watching the birds, especially the hummingbirds! Thank you GiGi for allowing us to spend the week with you!

Cade also enjoyed playing with Grandpa-Chris' dad. Everytime he saw him he wanted him to play cars or wrestle..of course. He loved playing at Grandpa's house and jumping on the trampoline, playing with Darby and Emily, and hitting the golf balls at the driving range. He must get his love of golf from Grandpa!
We loved our trip to Texas this year and we can't wait to go back next summer! It was a blast!

Texas-Part III

One of the neatest places at the zoo was an area called "Tiny Tot Adventure." This was a neat area that had a small creek that was ankle deep and beach sand surrounding it for kids to play in. Cade and his cousin Neveah loved this area and we spent alot of time there.. it was so neat to see the both of them play.
Cade has always been fascinated with trains..I know that it is probably a stage he is going through, but he absolutely loves them. We have taken him to see and ride on Thomas the Train, so when I found out that there was a train that travels outside of the zoo, I knew he was going to be so excited! We happened to see the train before entering the zoo, which made our viewing the animals go rather quickly. He kept saying "want to ride the choo-choo" the whole time we were in the zoo.
Grandma bought our tickets and we waited for the train to arrive. Cade could not wait. He sat in the train station, eyes glued waiting for the train to arrive. When it was time to board we took a quick pic with the conductor and Cade's smile was priceless! He rode with Grandma and cousin Neveah and I am so happy Leah got it on camera. We went over a bridge and through a tunnel, and through the forest. It was all he could talk about for hours! So thankful that we are able to share these precious moments with family!

Not worthy, but HIS

Texas-Part II

One of the best times had by Cade was our visit to the San Antonio Zoo. It is ranked in the top 10 in PARENTS magazine and well worth the ranking. We were so thankful to SEE all the animals, unlike our zoo here in Nashville where they just hang out in the back or they are asleep. Cade's grandma treated all of us. We went with Chris' brother's family, and Chris' best friend from high school and his family. It was so much fun.
We were so amazed at how close the animals were to us. Cade wanted to see the elephants and the fishes. He was really into the movie "Nemo" on this trip, so we visited them while at the zoo.. Dori too! He loved that part.
One of the new exhibits at the zoo was the African exhibit, as we entered there were two- what I thought- big rocks, but happened to be massive Nile hippos. I included the pic, but only got the picture of their backsides...go figure... not great at picture taking.
We also enjoyed feeding the fish.. although the ducks in the pond were quicker to the food..which was making me mad. Fish have to eat too! Cade was so funny, remember he had been watching Nemo this entire trip in the car, so he said "fish are our friends, not food"-the exact quote from the movie! He cracks me up!
Cade enjoyed his time at the zoo, but could not wait to ride the train outside the park with mommy, daddy, grandma, and cousin Nevaeh. More to come on that!

Not worthy, but HIS

Texas-Part I

The first part of our trip to Texas included getting together with Chris's dads side of the family. We usually try to do this every summer while we are there. It is great time visiting with family we haven't seen in about a year. This time we went to Uncle Russ and Aunt Millie's new home(which was gorgeous). They sold their lake house about a year ago to move closer to their new grandbaby..who by the way just turned 2 and is adorable. The kids swam and I happened to get a few pics of Cade posing in the pool..so funny. It was a fun time to catch up and see everyone...
We also spent some time at Grandpa and Grandma Donna's pool. It took him a while to warm up to the pool, but he eventually got in and loved it as you can tell by the picture. (posing again in the pool.. watch out David Beckham!)

Not worthy, but HIS