Kaden's Page

Notes started July 05. Kaden is 10 months old. I am starting my thought from date of birth.

Kaden, my golden boy. The first to laugh and the first to cry his mommy says. The first thing I remember about Kaden is his wonderful little pink bow mouth. That first night when we were allowed to see the babies in the NICU, the triplets were just in diapers and sleeping under lights to keep them warm. Kaden had his hands raised up on each side of his head. All stretched out and comfortable, he had the yellow fuzz that was to become his pretty blonde hair and the prettiest little pink mouth I had ever seen. It is impossible to describe Kaden’s personality. All I know is I could just hug him forever.

At ten months Kaden is still golden. He just seems to have a golden glow about him. His pale blonde hair has grown and now gets in the cutest messes when the wind blows it or he sleeps on it. His cheeks are always rosy and he still has his little bow mouth – he now sports two teeth on the bottom. Kaden is the cuddliest of the three babies. He will sit in your lap as you read a story and hug you with his little arms when you pick him up. Kaden is also the most unpredictable of the three. He can go from a beautiful smile and giggle to a beet red screaming face in a matter of seconds. Mostly, he is a wonderful little guy that goes off into his own world while swinging in his swing or jumping in his door jumper. He gets this pleasant relaxed look on his face and he just swings and swings and swings or jumps, jumps, jumps.

Kaden’s Really Awful Bad, Bad Day

Today the triplets were going to church for the first time. Oh, they had gone once before, but that did not really count. The first time they stayed with Mommy and Daddy in their class so all Mommy and Daddy’s friends could meet them. It was kinda fun and they could see Mommy and Daddy the whole time.

Today was different. Today the triplets would be going in the infant nursery while Mommy & Daddy were in their Sunday school class. Addison was fine. She loved looking around new things. The infant nursery had a lot of new toys to try out. Zander was fine. He just rolled over in the nursery crib and took a good long nap.

Kaden was not fine!! Who were all these strange people? They seemed nice, but the nursery workers were not Mommy. They were not Daddy. They were not Kaden’s Nanny Regina. Kaden wanted to go home. He wanted his own crib in his own nursery and he wanted his very own toys!

One nice nursery lady picked Kaden up and tried to talk to him and show him some really fun toys but Kaden just wanted to see his mommy and daddy! Kaden cried and cried – finally Mommy and Daddy returned to pick up the triplets and take them home.

Back home, Kaden and his brother and sister had their lunch. Kaden was glad to be home but he was still not very happy. He wanted something. What did he want? After lunch, Mommy put the triplets in their cribs for afternoon naps. Kaden took his nap but when it was time to go to the playroom and crawl on the floor and play with all the wonderful toys, he just did not like the way things were going.

His brother Zander crawled right across Kaden’s back as they lay on the playroom floor. Addison climbed to the top of the soft play mountain and rolled back down again so Mommy had to go pick her up. Zander tried to crawl out the door into the hall and Daddy had to go bring him back. Now Addison had to have a diaper change so Mommy was busy with her. Kaden crawled over to one of his favorite toys. Just as he was about to pick it up Zander reached for it first! That was it! Enough! “I want to be the only baby! I need my Mommy! This triplet stuff is hard. Mommy and Daddy are always busy!” Kaden cried and cried. He could not talk yet so he could not tell Mommy he really needed her full attention.

Mommy knew Kaden was not happy. She wondered if he was getting sick. Did he have a tummy ache? Was he getting a new tooth? Sometimes getting a new tooth makes babies feel bad. She put Kaden in her lap and showed him how a silly toy worked. But here came Zander and Addison to see it too. Kaden began to cry again! He did not want to share his Mommy today!

Finally, as mommies often do, Mommy figured out what the problem was. She asked Daddy to play with Zander and Addison. Mommy picked Kaden up, gave him a big hug and took him into another room. She sat in the rocking chair and read Kaden his favorite book. She sang him his favorite song and let him look at several toys all by himself! Kaden Alexander Smith was happy! All he needed was just a little special time just for him.

Mommy said she would remember that each of the triplets needs a little time just to be the only baby getting Mommy’s attention. This would not be easy with three babies, but Mommy knew each of her babies are special and need some time alone with each parent.

After a while, Kaden and Mom returned to the playroom and Kaden was once again happy to play with his brother and sister. He had had his few minutes of being the only baby.

End of Kaden’s Bad Day

September 30, 2005
Kaden has had his first birthday. What a year it has been! We all went to David and BeLynda’s for the celebration. I won’t go into all the details of the celebration, as those will be written in other notes. These are my memories of Kaden during his birthday weekend.

The first thing that comes to mind is just what a good baby he was during the whole thing. He was quiet and seemed to play mostly by himself. He was not impressed with his birthday cake and refused to even take a taste. He did tear up a little during the singing of ‘Happy Birthday’, not quite sure why all these people were staring at him and singing – but he soon got over it and munched on a few veggie puffs instead of his cake.

He really wants to walk and I saw him turn loose and take a small step before falling several times during the weekend. He was so cute during the dedication at church. Everyone expected he would be the one to cry – but he did not! He had two pacifiers, one in his mouth and one in his hand. During the dedication, he kept offering one of them to his Uncle Bert who was holding him during the ceremony. But he did not cry or make any noise. And speaking of no noise – we all had to pack up and go to the farm to get away from Hurricane Rita. It was a very long trip with bumper-to-bumper traffic. My little golden boy was a real trooper. He sat quietly in his car seat looking out the car window or at the DVD of ‘Old MacDonald’ for over four hours. I was riding in the back with the triplets and I did not even have to offer him a toy to play with. He just seemed to enjoy the ride. He finally fell asleep about fifteen minutes before we reached the farm.

At the farm, I played with the triplets and read stories. I will always remember the way my darling Kaden looks up at me as I read him a story. He is trying so hard to understand everything. He really seems to love the steady cadence of your voice as you read – the same book over and over – and he makes you want to keep reading just to see that beautiful up turned face looking up at you.

I do not know why I get these dots between every word. It was just that way when I opened up Kaden’s pages today. I will fix it later.

December 30, 2006
I cannot believe I have let so much time pass without writing about the babies. Let’s just say Maw Maw and let it go at that.

Kaden…. Age 27 months:
Mr. Charm – Mr. Showoff – Mr. Precious – Mr. Beautiful – Mr. Wrap You Around His Little Finger – Mr. Smart, Smart, Smart and Yes, Mr. Fit Thrower, but not very often.

Mr. Charm: He cuts his eyes at you and signals that he is about to do something really cute. He has to make sure you are looking so you don’t miss what he is about to do. He will actually pause and wait for your full attention and then proceed. When he looks at you under those long lashes and gives you his famous Kaden smile, your heart skips a beat even if you are just his gram. Heaven help the girls in years to come.

Mr. Showoff: He will put on a show almost anytime you request and many times he just starts the show all on his own. He loves to sing his ABC song, ‘Row-Row-Row the Boat’, ‘Ring Around the Roses’ and many, many more. He also just runs around making motor sounds like he is a racecar. He stops, makes sure he is being watched and takes off again at top speed. This goes on many times each day.

Mr. Precious: Kaden says his prayers at the dinner table. When he puts those little hands together under his chin and bows his golden head, it is the most precious thing in the world. He takes his prayer very seriously and asked God to bless everyone he can think of. The meal may be half over and he will remember someone else, fold his little hands and say their name. Many times it is Caffee – his Great Aunt Cathy.

Note Note Note ---- Higher and Higher ---- Building Lego towers!!!!!!