Saturday morning we decided to do some drills and work on technique. Last Saturday during the Padre game, Caden was practicing with the whiffle ball. I noticed him dropping his release point. We had a quick review of the fundamentals...keep the hands on the elevator line between the chin and belt buckle, throw over the top, keeping the elbow near the ear. Check his progress by clicking the play button below.

Wednesday - New toys

Wednesday arrived and we could tell our son was eager for adventure. Little man gets hungry just about any time his eyes open, so we introduced him to the Binkie. He took to it like a longhorn to green alfalfa.

Craving further entertainment we brought out the grandaddy of sensory entertainment. The bobblin band baby bouncer.

Tuesday's Groundbreaking News

After 4 days of lounging about sleeping and tooting, we were stunned with a monumental moment. Late in the evening as Caden stretched out on his back in the bassinet, his inner drive kicked in. With that he promptly rolled 90 degrees to left. A monumental feat to be sure.

Monday visit with Granny Lee

Sunday with Granny Lyons

Spent the day playing with the lil burrito man. His eyes are starting to open more often.

Saturday - first full day at home

Auntie Kris and Uncle Trev with cousins Skylar, Ben and Emily...
After the cousins head home. Caden takes in his first Padre game...Jake Peavy dealing, the good guys lead 4-0 over the LA Dogs.

Friday we're off to the ranch

We made it through our first night. After passing a series of tests, little Caden was officially released into our custody. We dressed him up in some traveling clothes and hit the road.

Thursday at the hospital

Thursday afternoon, Gayle and I, along with Granny Lyons, drove up to Pomerado Hospital. A little nervous and hoping for the best, the newborn staff put us at ease, explaining what was to come. At 5:40pm we were introduced to our new baby boy.

Driving up to the hospital we reviewed our shortlist of potential names. We figured once we saw wee Lee, one of the names would jump out at us. He was born with reddish hair and a healthy set of lungs. We thought he looked like a lil Caden. Caden is a Welsh/Irish name meaning spirit of battle or little fighter.

We enjoyed giving the him a quick bath and asked the nurses all the questions we could imagine. Once he was bundled up, warm and happy, the nurses opened up the nursery window for a family greeting. Auntie Kris, Granny Lee, Granny Lyons and Grandad Lee crowded the window for a peek.

We were assigned a room and off we went to spend our first night together.

Inside Room 206

So off we went to our room with our new burrito wrap asleep in the bassinet. Once settled in the room, we took turns passing Caden around. He was just as sweet and silent as could be.
Feeding time was fast approaching. We soon learned that Caden wasn't shy about expressing his desires. Quivering chin and all, he demonstrated his command of the upper register with great passion.
So with that, it was time for Mike's crash course in baby feeding. So there I was with a roomful of experienced mothers, simultaneously holding Caden, feeding all of 1/2oz of formula, flexing every muscle in my body and positioning each of my limbs as awkwardly as possible.
It appears I passed Neck Support 101, yet failed miserably with Burping 206. Thankfully the room full of graduate mothers gave a full tutorial. With a full tummy, wee Caden's energies diminished. He was out before we placed him back in the bassinet. The excitement, stress and awkward flexing took its toll on your humble narrator as well. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Gayle hit the light and the three of us drifted off into dreamland.