Thankful... 2009

About two weeks ago, I finally had surgery on my veins. The damage from three pregnancies had really taken a toll, and the doctors told me it wasn't getting any better with age. It wasn't anything like I thought it would be. Chris was with me the whole time which was a comfort. The doctor basically hooked my leg up to an ultrasound machine so he could see the inside of my leg. He inserted a very thin tube in the vein and lasered part of it. The other part that wouldn't cooperate he inserted a foam like substance. In essence he put the vein out of order so that the reflux I had been experiencing would stop. Other veins would take over and hopefully the clotting and pain would stop. I'm still bruised and sore, but I'm healing.

Here's a picture the day after surgery.

Several days later after the bandages had come off.

Here's Cara in one of her many Christmas dresses. I was so excited to find this one on sale last year at Pottery Barn Kids. It was so big on her the first time I tried it on. She seems to have grown into it nicely.

Cara 42 Weeks

Cheesing before school one morning. I think she's really laughing because she spit drink all over her shirt right before this picture was taken.

Cara 43 Weeks

Our friends Julie and JB came over a few weekends ago and brought their kids Cooper and Maddie. Cara couldn't quite figure out why Cooper was in her Bumbo.

Nick LOVES dressing up like a cowboy. This fascination has continued growing since Big Dan bought him his first cap gun this summer. For Halloween, Big Mama gave him MY old cowboy outfit. He looks good in it.

The "twins" Lauren and Harris having some yogurt. Harris is of course in his shades.

Hey Mom!

The littlest Cadwallader turkey celebrating her first Thanksgiving. I think she knows that there will be lots of food.

We went to Chris's parents for our annual Thanksgiving celebration. Cara enjoyed walking around with anyone who would hold her hands.

She also enjoyed swinging with Mommy.

All our cousins...
Nick, Hannah, Lindsay (holding Cara), Mia, Harris, Meredith, & Bodie

Chris and I can't believe that this was our 6th Thanksgiving together. Our first year in 2003 when we were still engaged, we flew to NYC for a long weekend to watch the Macy's Day parade. The next year, we celebrated our year as newlyweds. Little did we know that our lives were never going to be the same.

Thanksgiving 2005 - Nick 3 months old

Thanksgiving 2006 - Nick 15 months old

Thanksgiving 2007 - Nick 2 years & Harris 2 months

Thanksgiving 2008 - Nick 3 years & Harris 1 year (I'm 7 months pregnant with Cara)

Thanksgiving 2009 - Nick 4 years, Harris 2 years, & Cara 9 1/2 months

Chris and I have so many blessings. We are thankful for amazing friends and family in our lives!!! Happy Thanksgiving!

Celebrations!

The past week was full of celebrations! Celebration #1 was that Cara turned nine months old. It's hard to believe she's been in the world as long as she was in my tummy. She's definitely more fun now.

Here she is under the couch at Big Dan and Big Mama's house.

Nine months old.

At her 9 month check up she weighed 18 lbs and 4 oz (50%) and was 28 1/2 inches long (75%).

At nine months old, Cara can:

• wave
• pull up and cruise
• let go and stand for a few seconds and try to take a step or two
• walk when I hold one hand
• climb stairs (yikes)
• crawl through things
• pitch tantrums when she doesn't get her way
• repeat sounds - up, uh oh, mama, dada, no
• bite (I'm her favorite chew toy. She bit me twice yesterday.)

• She was drinking exclusively out of a sippy cup, but she's back to a bottle a day because she's teething.
• Cara wears 9-18 month clothes and size 2 or 3 shoes.
• She has 4 teeth - two on top, two on bottom.
• Cara continues to grow so fast. She won't be a baby much longer.
  
  
  Celebration #2 - the 10th anniversary of my 25th birthday. My girlfriends at school took me out for a wonderful dinner at Olive Garden on my birthday, and we went out with some family and friends the next night.

Here we are at the Tap Room.

Paul made my delicious and beautiful cake.

Yum, yum.

Yes, I know I look redneck with the lighter, but there was no candle.

Big Mama, Harris & Big Dan.

Poor Nick fell asleep on my mom's lap during dinner.

Dan & Andrea

Little miss with her aunt.

My amazing husband (he was afraid I was going to lick his ear).

When we got home, Chris told Nick to go upstairs to bed. He made is as far as the dog blankets in the kitchen before he crashed. Poor baby.

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Celebration #3 - Bounce U in Greensboro for Darah's birthday. It was a room full of inflatables that the kids could climb up and slide down. All the Cadwalladers (including me & Toph) had a great time.

Celebration #4 - Foothills for Alyssa's birthday.

Hey guess what, my big sis from college Shana made the blog this week. Woo Hoo! Now if she would just join Facebook...

Leah (expecting a little girl Mackensie in January - or sooner!) Shana & Me

After being trapped in the car all day, Cara was ready to go. She crawled ALL OVER Foothills Gymnastics.

Harris jumped in the foam pit.

Toph & Shana

"Ooh, Mommy, what's this? Can I eat it?"

My what big eyes you have!

My sweet baby boy.

Here are Shana and me jumping into the foam pit. Right after Shana jumps, look in the bottom right corner. You'll see Cara, yes my nine month old, crawling into the pit. She loved it and kept on doing it. Chris and I are going to be in BIG trouble with her in about 10 more years.

Look mom, here I am!

My handsome 4 year old before church on Sunday.

My handsome 2 year old before church on Sunday.

Carrington at 41 weeks old

Did I mention that Cara is a mess? Last night she decided to crawl through the chair.

"Um, Mommy, I think I might be stuck."

Naked baby

So this picture just makes me laugh. I told her to say cheese, and she gives me this huge toothy grin. Check out the super cute shirt I ordered for her. I love dressing her up - especially since she has a ponytail.

We have a really tame weekend coming up! Yea! I'll try to post a few pictures from my vein surgery in the next post.

Halloween Activities 2009

We all know about Harrison's obsession with my shoes. It was even more hilarious when he put on my boots with his footed pjs.

"These Boots are Made for Walkin'"

Not to be left out, Nick had to try on a pair too.

We don't have horses, but a gator will work. Ride um cowboys!

We went to SC last weekend to celebrate Cody's 3rd birthday. The kids had a great time.

I enjoyed seeing my old friend Holly.

Yea, Nick had a good time.

Mommy's littlest pumpkin.

Last Sunday, Harris and Lauren's preschool class went to Carrigan's Pumpkin Patch for a hayride and to pick pumpkins.

Lauren cheesing for the camera.

Checking out the animals at the petting zoo.

Harris looks so ghetto with his shirt that's 10 times too big.

Cara got a lift from her Daddy while Mommy took pictures.

Nick got to feed a cow.

Nick's found his pumpkin. Hey buddy, is it heavy?

Um, Chris, what big um pumpkins you have.

Nicholas made himself a pumpkin snowman. Sometimes this kid just amazes me.

Our little family

Nick enjoying the view.

Mommy and her Care Bear

The Wade's with two extra, Logan and Harris. Most people think Harris and Lauren are twins and belong to Lisa anyway since he doesn't look like Chris or me.

Goin' on a hayride...

This picture of Carrington is my absolute favorite. She look like an angel. Thanks Paul.

Big smiles

39 Weeks Old

Since I'll never have two girls, Lis and I have lots of fun dressing our daughters alike.

Cara's first ponytail

This picture was taken of the boys LAST Halloween 2008

And this Halloween 2009

Not a whole lot has changed.

Oh wait, there's an extra Cadwallader this year. Yea for Cara!

Lauren the Steelers cheerleader with Lis

Nick the Pirate, Cara the Ladybug, and Harris as Scooby!

Hope everyone had a fun and safe Halloween!