A Summer Dream Come True

Ever since the Cardinal's season began last Spring, Cedric has been really into baseball and The Cardinals. He loves the Cardinal books at his school. He has 4 Cardinals shirts that he wears constantly. On the rare occasion when all 4 have been dirty, it is with a sad and heavy heart Cedric must pick out a different shirt to wear. The disappointments which this young boy has been made to endure!

Zach and I had planned to take him to a game when tickets came up on Groupon, but sadly Cedric got sick and Zach ended up going with his brother. But the week of his birthday, Zach and I decided to try the $5.50 ticket promotion through a local radio station and take Mr Cedric to an afternoon game.

To say he was excited is an understatement.

Right after we walked through the gates into the stadium we saw Fredbird. Cedric recognized him and ran right up to him. This is not typical Cedric behavior! He showed Fredbird his Cardinal's hat and shirt and was so busy talking, I never could get him to turn around for a picture with him and Fredbird facing me.

Here we are at our $11 seats - which turned out to be great seats. We were in the outfield near the first base foul poll and best of all, in the shade. Afternoons in August can be a tad uncomfortable in St Louis.

Some action shots! Pretty sure this is Pujols up to bat.

These guys have amazing reflexes. He pulled up to avoid being hit with a 90 mph pitch. No way could I do that.

Here's the reason why I love a baseball game. The uniforms. They are Great. If Zach ever plays in a baseball or softball league again I may have to insist that he wear some baseball pants.

A New Bike

We are really blessed to live near family. Understatement of the year. Cedric's Uncle Brad and Aunt Sylvia got him a bike, complete with a helmet for his birthday. Cedric has been asking for a "big bike" with a "helmet hat" for a while. So last week at our earliest convenience, we crashed Aunt Stephanie's birthday to go to a park and try out the big boy bike. He did great! Even rode at least 0.5 miles before I called it quits - it was time for lunch and he was really hot.

He started out going slow and cautiously staying with Aunt Steph and Eden.

But before long his confidence was up and he was zooming away.

Eden: "Say-gook! Come back!" And then "Momma, push faster!"

What a hot tired boy but he was so proud to ridden so far all by himself. I can't believe it. Not bad for a newly turned 3 year old. I still have plans to try and convert the bike into a balance bike like this one but for now even riding with training wheels is pretty fun.

3 Years Old

This time three years ago I weighed in at almost 180lbs. I waddled to the operating room and felt an overwhelming sense of relief when my baby was delivered, weighing in at 10lbs 9oz. It seem so long ago and yet not that long ago. I've been looking through old pictures and it just boggles my mind how much he has grown and changed in just 3 short years. I thought it would be fun to take you on a photo journey too.

This shot was taken on Wednesday at the Cardinal's game. FYI this is the face that I struggle to say no to. Wouldn't you?

Here he is almost exactly a year earlier at the Botanical Gardens. He is big enough to play in the fountains and not be overwhelmed by the water. I remember he was very pleased with himself. I can also see a patch of eczema on his check. Did I ever battle eczema! I am relieved that he has basically out grown it.

This is him at age 1. He didn't learn to crawl until the middle of August. By the end of August he was climbing stairs. But he wouldn't be able to walk until November! It is hard work to coordinate and move around all those fat rolls!

This picture is when he is just 6 weeks old! What a face. Those checks! That belly! He was such a big baby. It makes me laugh to remember it. It also makes me laugh when I remember how much I loved dressing him like a miniature old man.

This is Cedric at 11 days old. The full lips and big eyes he still has at 3 years but that is about it. I look at this picture and I can remember the newness of being a mom, how sweet he smelled, and how clueless and sleep deprived I was.

It just makes my head spin to see how fast he has grown. I feel truly amazed and truly blessed.

The Big 3

Mr Cedric is turning 3 on Friday. When I look back over the last 3 years or even just the last year, I am amazed at how much he has grown. Things things he can do that he couldn't do before; this year he learned to jump, skip, run with speed and agility, use utensils (including a butter knife!), pour liquids unassisted, use the potty, and the list goes on and on. (There is a growth and development post in the near future.)

Saturday, August 14 we celebrated his birthday (early) with his cousin Eden who turned 2 on August 1. My sister-in-law and I thought we would save money and time by combining the parties. We were either laboring under delusions or our love of themed parties with lots of food crowded our our love of frugality.

Except I don't have a love of frugality. Hmm, maybe that was part of the problem....

Anywho, we threw a really fun party for our kids. The grownups stayed up late decorating with Super Grover, Curious George, Elmo, and balloons. Zach and Uncle Peter set up Cedric's big present from us, a train table and wooden train set. It was all ready to go when he woke up and came downstairs. He loved it! You wouldn't know it from the expression on his face but he played with it for 3 hours straight.

Thanks to all our friends and family who came and celebrated with us!

A Birthday Shout Out

I want to send a shout out to my niece Eden who turns 2 years old today! Happy birthday sweet girl! We are looking forward to celebrating with you at your shared birthday party with Cedric in a few days.

Today is also special because Husband is celebrating his 400th month. It sounds like quite the milestone...to be alive for 400 months. He was more impressed that he even realized it. He is celebrating by taking a Sunday afternoon nap and watching an old Godzilla movie on Netflix.

Me? Well I've got some planting to do and I picked up a large bunch of basil at the farmer's market which means I'll be making pesto today. Recipe to come...