Téa turns 1

Happy Birthday little princess. What a year it has been. Téa's birthday had a slightly different feel than Caden's. His first birthday was a big celebration because HE survived the first year. Téa's birthday on the other hand, was mainly celebrated because WE survived the first year. If the next 17 yrs are anything like this first year we're in for a lot of "fun". My mom and grandma laugh, apparently they think it's pay back or something. Anyways, we celebrated by having two parties for Téa. One party back home with family and old friends and another one up here in Monterey with some of our new friends. It was a princess-themed party complete with a tiara and a pink castle cake. I wonder where she gets her complex from?
Tea's Princess Castle
The big numero uno
Happy girl
Ma'ma, Aunt Valarie, baby Aleah, and Uncle Judd
Yum Yum
She loved the cake
And so did Caden
Téa and her new baby doll from Mommy and Daddy (She never puts it down)

Caden taking a whack at the Pinata
Bodie's turn
Mommy with the birthday girl
Ma'ma and baby Aleah
Tired Baby
Uncle Judd and Great Grandma
Daddy BBQ-ing
Caden enjoying the party
Téa on her actual birthday

Téa on the move
Birthday girl
Téa taking Elmo and her baby for a walk

Daddy's birthday

On April 27th, Don celebrated his 33rd birthday. I can't believe that when I met him he was only 26. Time flies when your having fun .......or when you have kids. Anyways, we celebrated by ordering in Sushi (one of his favorite foods). I also made him a yummy birthday cake. It's supposed to look like a popcorn tub from the movie theaters (use your imagination a little). I got him a new 37" HDTV for his birthday which he's slightly obsessed with. I am so proud of the man he has become and the father he is to my children. Happy birthday Bub. I love you♥

Movie theater Popcorn cake
Crazy birthday boy
Don's "other girlfriend"

April 2008

April was another busy month for the Kaizen family. Caden is doing well. His speech continues to improve daily. He's using more sentences and his articulation is much more clear. He recently went through a big growth spurt. Every time Caden goes through a growth spurt, his nervous system has to play catch up. As a result, Caden has been having some sensory issues but we're working through them all. In the picture to the right, Caden is at therapy riding a bike. He is also becoming a much nicer brother to Téa. I wake up every morning to Caden and Téa babbling back and forth. Lucky little Téa, she gets to wake up every morning to Caden saying "good morning princess". It's so sweet. They've also been playing much nicer together. Seeing the two of them interact makes me realize why we want more kids.

Caden and Téa passed out in the back seat
Caden eating popcorn on the couch while watching Sesame Street
Caden LOVES Sesame Street (especially Elmo)

At the end of this month Téa will be turning one. All I can say is wow. On April 15th she started walking. Yes, that's right, Téa is on the move. It's been very busy for me around here. For some reason, my children always want to go in opposite directions and always want to get into something they're not supposed to be into. I think they know I don't like having a boring life. Téa's still "Mommy's little leach" but since she's been walking she's been more content to spend moments away from me. We also recently started baby signing with her. So far she can sign "more" and "milk" (the essentials for her).

Pretty girl



She loves pushing baby dolls in the stroller
Crazy girl
More of her crazy day
Sweety pie
I love her profile
Téa earning her keep
Téa mad because Mommy's not holding her
yum yum
Silly girl

Leila and Keelah
Tired Puppies
Téa giving Leila some love

Caden Starts Preschool

After months of meetings and disagreements with the school district, on April 13th Caden started Preschool. I was worried about how he was going to react to mommy leaving him but was pleasantly surprised when he ran right in. Since then, there's been no turning back. He is currently attending school 3 days a week (Mon., Wed., and Fri.) from 8:45-12pm. He is so excited to go and I practically have to pry him away when I go pick him up. According to his teachers he has even taking a liking to a little girl in his class named "Emmi". In fact at home he says "Emmi is a pretty girl". Preschool has been a wonderful experience for Caden. If all goes well we might go Monday -Friday after his 4th birthday in the fall.

Inside his class room
Caden's Visual Cues
Caden's cubbie
The class room door
The playground (Caden's favorite part)