Kaizen Klan: September 2010

Since our house is still under major construction we decided it was only fitting to have a construction-themed birthday party. We used caution tape, safety netting and street blockades for decorations. They seemed to fit in perfectly with the rest of the "decor" around our house. When the kids arrived they received a construction hat and a tool belt and were sent to work. There were different stations set up around the yard. We had a paint station, a creation area, and a brick laying and demolition zone, but their favorite was the excavation zone, aka a giant pile of dirt. Go figure. The kids played Pin the Trucks on the Construction Site, Construction Cone Ring Toss and Boulder Toss. All in all, I think the party was a success and everyone had fun, especially the kids. Not one of them left the party clean.

On another note I can't believe my baby boy is 5 years old. It is amazing how the time has flown by and how much he has overcome and accomplished over the last few years. Happy 5th birthday Caden! It's crazy how much my life has changed over the past 5 years. I can honestly say the most pivotal day of my life, was the day I found out I was pregnant. They say that everything happens for a reason, and that God doesn't give you more than you can handle, but sometimes when you're in the moment it is really hard to believe that. I had just come to grips with the fact that life as I knew it was about to be changed forever. Seven weeks after finding out I was pregnant, Caden came into the world 16 weeks early. Luckily, my doctor thought I was 26 weeks along due to Caden's size, and that is why he said " the baby was salvageable". He later told me that if he had known that Caden was old 24 weeks along, he probably wouldn't have tried to save him. That's because a 24 week baby most likely won't survive, and "IF" he did his quality of life would be poor. But apparently Caden didn't get that memo. He came into the world as a micro preemie, with his eyes still fused shut and weighing in at only 1lb 13 oz , and measuring 12 1/2 inches long. He didn't let his size stand in the way, he was a "spirited little fighter". At one day old, the doctors had to give him some sedation medication because he kept trying to pull out his breathing tube and IV lines. At 2 1/2 weeks old he had heart surgery. He laid low for one day and then was back to the fight. After over 3 1/2 months in the Santa Barbara NICU, Caden came home weighing a whopping 6 lbs 6 oz. He was able to breath on his own and eat on his own, a huge accomplishment for a preemie. Caden is absolutely a miracle. Everyday with him is truly a blessing and a constant reminder for me of how precious life is. He is also the reason I am able to maintain such a positive attitude. Everything Caden has accomplished in his life has been a struggle. From breathing, eating and all of the milestones that babies are supposed to hit. I especially see that now that I have a "normal" developing child whom everything has come easy for. He didn't start crawling until after his first birthday, and only started walking and talking after he turned 3. Everything comes hard for Caden, but he does everything with a smile. Not just any smile, but a truly infectious smile. Caden has changed more lives in his 5 years than most people do their entire lives. Happy birthday to my very special boy, my miracle.