I love Mommy

I'm pretty sure that's what she's saying...

She's here!

Taylee has arrived! (I'm really late posting this update but there has been very little time to catch up...). I was planning on being induced on Friday, November 13th at 5am but at 5:00 pm on Thursday night Taylee let us know it was on her terms. I had a few contractions but nothing regular. At 6:00pm I was having them every 10-14 minutes with an occasional 6 minute little one. I called the hospital a few times but they told me to wait until they were 6-7 minutes. Finally at 6:50, when they got to be pretty intense but not regular and still far apart I called and asked if I could come in and they said sure, I called mom- told her not to hurry but to come soon. By 7:15 I had had two that were 7 minutes apart, mom had arrived, and we were on our way. At the top of the bridge (7:25 on my phone) we called the hospital to tell them we were on our way and they were every 2-3 minutes and to please have an epidural ready... Mike turned the hazzards on and put the pedal to the floor. We pulled into the Emergency door and they wheeled me upstairs. Nobody realized how serious I was until I was checked just a few minutes later and was at a 6+. The nurse barely got the IV needle in my hand, Dr. Sabastian almost didn't make it and I delivered Taylee Anne Manion at 8:12pm on November 12th (Auntie Leah's Birthday!). I remember the nurse telling me I was probably ready to push and I said "there isn't any doctors here?!" She told me "I've delivered babies before!" It was very exciting and we're both (mike and I) glad it's over. I think it's noteworthy... NO DRUGS! Feeling like a champion!

Animal noises

Cayden has learned so many words and sounds in the last month. He can recognize when a truck is driving by and says "truck", a motorcycle and says "cycle", and busses- all without being able to see the vehicle. He loves dump trucks, bulldozers, back hoes, and front loaders too. We got a book from a friend of ours that he sits and reads all the time and then just recently there was a construction project less than a block from our house that we have been to visit. One day we walked there in our hats, mittens, and winter jackets and he sat in my lap for at least 20 minutes watching them at work. It was pretty awesome. Here are a few sounds that he knows- words to follow in a day or too... you will all be amazed!

Mia's Baptism

Papa John wondering just how much cake Cayden can eat?! In both pictures I took Cayden did not take his eyes off the cake on Papa's plate!

Uncle Rob and Johnny

He's not my baby anymore...

We bought trucks before church and Cayden showed Great Grandpa Burm how well they work on the back of the pews. I just realized I have NO pictures of Mia and she was the reason for the day! Oops.

Great Grandpa Burm

Cayden checking out the boats using Great Grandpa as a stepping stool!

Abby and Nama

These pictures were taken within the week of the following "Fall" pictures. Shorts/short sleeves and then winter hats and mittens... We love Superior!

Fall is here...

Not only are we busy getting ready for Baby Girl Manion we are also getting ready for fall...

Mommy's Relaxing vacation

I took one final hurrah vacation by myself over the Labor Day weekend (how appropriate?) before we have Baby Manion #2. I went and stayed with Andi, Matt, and the Kids. While I was gone Cayden played for 5 days with his Daddy! They went to the aquarium, the cabin, and some super secret places they only know! Here are some highlights...

Big boy words...

In the last month Cayden has been talking up a storm. Uncle Matt asked if we had any of it on camera which made me realize we didn't. Here's a start... I will update this again because I wasn't ready for him to cooperate as much as he did and couldn't think of the words fast enough!

Also, notice the new shirt- That's an Auntie Andi score!!!

Poop in the Potty?!

We had a first today! It wasn't the glamorous "let's teach Cayden about the potty..." it just sort of happened but we'll take it! He didn't get scared and thought the whole ordeal was pretty cool. It started in the tub... and we'll just leave it at that!

I'm not even sure this is normal to post... but that's probably the cutest little tird ever!?

Within minutes...

We were barely out of the zoo parking lot and Cayden was out!

Fun in the Kid Coral

1st time at the Zoo!

Daddy has been patiently waiting this day. He has talked about bringing Cayden to the zoo for a long time and today was the perfect day! The weather was great, Cayden did great, there was not a ton of people and so we all had a great time.

Disney.com-

Here's Cayden and Daddy enjoying a little Disney.com

New Haircut...

We've had enough with Great Clips. They take way too long and I think Cayden realized it's more of a girl place than a dude place so we decided to try a real Barber. Steve was great! There are lot's of animals on the camoflag (sp?) wall, hunting, fishing, and outdoors magazines, and best of all only guys (other than the mommy) come in.

The New ride!!!

We finally got the bike trailor up and running, the flag, and a helmet that fits his head! He loved it and we will definitely be at it again tomorrow!

19 Weeks tomorrow!

We are so close to the halfway point! I was feeling really good about my belly this time compared to "what I remembered" it to look like last time. Bummer... pretty much the same. However I have only gained 12-14lbs (depending on the day) this time around and last time I was up to 30... so it is much better this time. I think there's a difference in the "bump" which secures my intuition that this little baby is most likely a girl!

In case you forgot....

"how old is Cayden?"

Pool fun!

Nama got Cayden a new pool for his birthday. For awhile we thought we might have to set it up in the living room in order to be able to use it this year! However, the weather in Superior for the week has been mid 80's so we are taking advantage of the pool and Cayden is loving it! He was playing in the pool one day while Daddy was working on the landscaping and helped out every now and then. Then there was one time we had him fully dressed, it was in the evening, and I thought he was going to splash around... he squatted down and crawled right over the side on his belly! Of course... I couldn't get to my camera quick enough but got the aftermath... yes- there's water in the pool!

Summertime fun

Although most of us have wondered if summer will ever come... we have taken advantage of all the nice days we've had so far. Cayden loves the wagon, his water table, spending time at the cabin, and just today- his sandbox FILLED WITH SAND! (Sorry... it's crooked- I keep forgetting that the computer won't turn it!)

Buddies

Cayden has developed a great friendship with Abby. By the end of any length of time together Abby tries to hide from Cayden because she is worn out. It's pretty cute to watch and we're VERY glad Papa and Nama have a dog so we don't have to! This video is so quick but sooo cute!

Just too cute...

Here are some pics to help you see this little personality emerging!

Daddy's birthday... 31!!!

Daddy turned 31 on June 3rd. We did a quick birthday party during his lunch break with blizzard... of course Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and then had the Manions over for the "must have Manion birthday cake-" Angel Food cake with homemade chocolate frosting!