Cade Michael - 1 Month Old

Dear Cade Michael,

We have officially made it 1 month as a family of 4 (6, including Gracie and Harlee). I have loved getting to know you this past month. You have been a perfect little addition to our family.

Your name, Cade, is very special. Daddy and I picked it out a long time ago. It's special to me because your Mimi (my mommy) helped name you. You see, a few years ago, Mimi and I were sitting in Primo's restaurant eating lunch and we got on the subject of baby names. I wasn't pregnant or anything - just a conversation mothers and daughters tend to have sometimes. Daddy and I could never seem to agree on names for our future kids. Mimi suggested, "what about Cade?" I said, hmmm...I love it! I texted your daddy right then and there and he loved it too. So from that day forward, we knew if we ever had a boy, his name would be Cade. Since Mimi is not around anymore, it feels good to know that she has at least been able to play a big part in your life because she came up with your name. Your middle name, Michael, is your daddy's name, which I'm guessing will turn out to be really funny because I think you'll be a lot like him. =)

You also have a special connection to Mimi because you were born almost 3 years to the day she passed away. She passed away on September 14th and you were born on September 15th. Crazy how things work out. On September 17th 2008, I buried my mama. Who could have guessed that exactly three years later, I would be bringing a new baby boy home from the hospital. A true full circle of life.

I know you will never know your Mimi while on this earth, but it's one of my life's missions to help you and your sister understand how much she would have loved you both. I want so much for her to be a part of your life and stay in your thoughts and prayers. She may not physically be with you, but she is always in your heart and you'll get to meet her one day. I know she is up in Heaven loving on you from afar. She would be over the moon to have a little grandson. She was always a "guy's girl." You know, had lots of friends that were guys, knew about old cars, was a Daddy's girl. She worked with a bunch of guys at the phone company (the guys that climbed telephone polls) and just loved cutting up with them and hearing about all their crazy stories. She always knew I would have a son and always told me that she couldn't wait to have a little grandson running around.

You have been such a smiley baby. It's the sweetest thing in the world and it makes my heart smile every time. I think you'll be such an incredible little boy - so happy and sweet.

While you smile a lot, you've had some major gas pains (maybe that's why you are so smiley). I hate it for you. You are always a little uneasy after you eat (unless you fall asleep first).

You were born weighing 6 lbs, 10 oz. You are in the 50th percentile - average for your age. Even though you are much bigger than your sissy was when she was born, you still seem so small to me. According to Dr. Jo, you have had "exceptional" growth during your 1st two weeks of life. You were up to 7 lbs, 7.5 oz. You are also much more alert than your sister was...she seemed to do nothing, but sleep for her first month.

Having a boy, I had to work really hard to make sure you had extra cute outfits. It's harder to find cute things for baby boys, so I ended up making you a lot of things. I know it's silly, but I wanted you to be dressed cute. =)

The outfit you wore to come home from the hospital was your daddy's outfit when he was a baby. He came home from the hospital in it also. It is a sweet little outfit and I'm incredibly sentimental, so of course, you had to wear it too.

We ended up putting you straight into your crib on your first night home instead of putting you in our room. Because you were our 2nd sweet baby, I felt a lot more confident. You've done great in your bed.

We are nursing. Yes, I know you will be grossed out by this when you are older, but it's the best thing for you and you are doing great with it. I nursed Emily for a year, so I'm hoping to do the same for you. It's the sweetest thing in the world to me - something only a Mommy gets to experience. You are nursing every 2-3 hours and waking twice in the night to feed. You slept 5 hours straight on your first night home! Mommy had to wake you!

You met a lot of new people this month. I think the most important person you met was your sister, Emily Elaine. She is only 22 months old, still a baby herself. I am so glad to have babies close in age. Your Aunt Lisa and I are 23 months apart. I think it's a great age difference. One of my biggest prayers is for you and Emily to have a very close relationship - take care of each other, look out for each other, be loving to each other, be best friends. I know being a brother/sister will look different than two sisters or two brothers, but I know it can be great. I can't wait to see you interact with each other.

I have to admit, I was a little nervous about how I would handle two babies at the same time! I also worried about how I would give you the full attention you deserve, while still taking care of your sister. Well, I think we've done pretty good so far. You've been a great little baby and I'm getting into the swing of things. Granny has helped out a lot by taking Emily two days a week, so I can have Cade and Mommy time. Emily really likes being near you though. She loves, loves, loves babies and loves having an actual new little baby doll to play with. =)

Doing a little "tum time" as Emily calls it. She likes to join in too.

Another very important person you met this month was Abby Grace. She is one of your cousins and also loves you very much. Abby and Emily will probably drive you crazy soon...or, maybe it'll be the other way around. =)

An exciting event this month was the announcement of a new Luckey baby! Boy or Girl? Only time will tell! I'm hoping for a boy, so you can have a partner in crime. =)

You also met MORE special cousins this month, Avery and Liam. They live in Atlanta, so we don't get to see them as often as we would like, but when we get together with them, it's nothing, but fun! They drove all the way from Atlanta just to see you.

I wonder if you will be a mama's boy or a daddy's boy. I'm hoping for a mama's boy, but I'm thinking you might belong to Daddy. He was SO EXCITED when we learned we were having a boy. I wanted so bad for him to have a son - he needs a little sports and fishing buddy. He is such a good daddy to you and Em and husband to me. He will be a great role model for you (and Emily).

One thing you'll learn quick about mommy is that I love to take pictures. I just love my babies so much and want to soak in every moment - I want to bottle it up somehow. The only way I can come close to holding onto my tiny babies is by taking pictures. So, taking pictures we did! Thankfully, daddy took off a week after you were born to help out with sissy. They had some daddy/daughter time, so we could have some mommy/son time.

I even had one of my friends, Jennifer Rutledge, take pictures of you too, so I could make double sure I had some great shots. She did a wonderful job and got my absolute favorite newborn picture of you!

It's hard to tell exactly who you look like. Emmie looks like me, but you just look like Cade. I've tried to do some comparison pictures of you and sissy. You definitely favor each other, but you each have your own look for sure. You have your daddy's skin completion and have lighter hair than me and Em, which you get from Daddy (who had blonde hair as a child). I think you look like a little old man. You even have an old man hair cut already..haha!

Although, I think you look like me in this picture. =)

We were on the go a lot more with you as a newborn than with Em. You visited the Pumpkin Patch this past month. You did great - hayride and all!

A few more "firsts" this month...

First sponge bath

Luckily, Abby was around to keep Emily occupied while we gave you your first sponge bath.

First stroller ride around the neighborhood...

First "real" bath, which you LOVED...

Emily helped out with this one =)

First "outing" with Mommy (Target)

First "outing" as a family (El Potrillo)

I can't wait to watch another sweet baby grow before my eyes. It's the most bittersweet experience of my life - to watch my babies grow up. I absolutely love being a mommy and am so glad God chose me to be your mama. I know we'll have an extra special bond, my sweet, sweet, baby boy. Mama loves you and your sister with all my heart and soul. You both are my life - my reason for living.