Loopy

Some would think that 'loopy' means I've started to have too much to drink... that's not the case at all. I am fighting another cold/sinus thing right now... and I have been taking some over the counter meds. Last night (around midnight), I took some sinus night-time stuff --- it does help to 'knock me out', however, this morning I just feel loopy. I feel like my body is just floating... and my head is not attached. I can barely keep my eyes open! I will definately be calling the doctor to get in this afternoon - I'm guessing it's another sinus infection. It doesn't suprise me that I feel this way - I've been non-stop for the past 2 or 3 weeks... it was bound to catch up with me.

Kayson, too, is not feeling well. We as a family have just not slept well at all the past 4 nights. His cough is back in full force, his nose is full of crap, and he's just not happy. I've said this before - it's a lot of work to make a baby happy and comfortable, when typically he's so good and not whiny. I will be getting him into the doctor today as well.

I pray for a full nights sleep tonight (or at least by tomorrow night!)

Nice holiday... and two more days!

We had a very nice time for Thanksgiving this year. We spent it in Clarion with my family... everyone was there and we just had fun... played games and ate WAY TOO MUCH. Isn't that just normal?? Kayson was a good boy - fussy at some times, but I think it's due to his cough that's back (yes, he seems to get this cough about every 6 weeks). YUK. Anyway, we had a nice day. Today we headed back to Des Moines, and stopped at Blair & Martina's to see them for a little bit. Martina's parents were there too, so I know they liked to see Kayson...

I'm so glad it's only Friday night, instead of Sunday! We have two more full days to get stuff done. We already have a list for Lowe's... and also get the Christmas tree up and decorated. I would also love to get a few things hung up on the walls! But really that's not all that important!

Kayson is doing well with the army crawlling... he's really getting it down, and starts to laugh a little when he goes after something... for example, when he goes after a drawer that he wants to open. We've been saying "No" a lot lately! I'm just so glad he's moving! ;)

1 month, 4 weeks, 30 days...

til Kayson's birthday & Christmas Day! So much to do - start to shop for Christmas gifts, shop for at least one birthday gift for Kayson, put the Christmas decorations up, get our family picture taken for Christmas cards... It makes me crazy to think this will all be over in a month... We've got to find a weekend or two to get some of this stuff checked off the list!

Hope you all have a fantastic Thanksgiving holiday!

Inside Pics

Kayson - Enjoying the front yard!


The kitchen - one room that DOES have some decorations!


3rd Bedroom - The 'catch-all' room for now!


Living room - LOVE the fireplace & flat screen. HD baby! (What a difference that makes!)

And Kayson's room...

We don't have much on the walls yet. Our blinds were cut wrong (the correct ones will be installed Wednesday), so we did put up the curtains. They look great, and make it already pretty 'homey'.

It already feels like home. We love it.

Moved & Settled... & ARMY CRAWLING!

This weekend was our big move... I first want to thank all our family for their help - we couldn't have done it without them! The men - Mike, my Dad, Blair and even Scott - great to have all the man-muscle! The women - my Mom, JeanAnn & Martina - they helped organized and put that damn kitchen together! I swear there were boxes and boxes and boxes of kitchen stuff! Thank goodness for those ladies!

Second, I want to thank Colleen. She watched Kayson for us - and she said everything went very well - he took great naps for her and played well with Cali. I was so pleased... it's nice to know that Kayson does well for others!

• Side note -- Kayson slept on his tummy for both naps - and even today (He's never done that!) AND KAYSON STARTED TO ARMY CRAWL!! Finally! Saturday morning, Ryan & I and Kayson were in his room getting his last minute stuff packed up... he went to his tummy and just army crawled over to a drawer and opened it. We were in shock and it was the BEST feeling ever! We were just laughing and clapping... looked like idiots, but proud idiots! And ever since then, Kayson's been doing the army crawl all over. He's not quick at it, but he is doing it! NOW I can say he'll be into everything before we know it!

Ok... on to the move - everything honestly went really well - once small glitch in our bedroom furniture/dresser - but it's okay, we hope to find some stain or something. (Couldn't even tell you where we'll start!) The men and women worked hard all day long... and it was a success. Ryan & I are slowly getting more stuff organized... He's actually working the garage right now. That'll be a couple day project. We love our new house and can't wait to make it our 'home'.

I promise to get pictures up tomorrow. I have Monday & Tuesday off. Tomorrow I plan to actually relax a little, I've got to. My feet and legs ache!

The time has come...

We start moving tomorrow! We close on the house at 11:00, then the boxes will start being packed up and unloaded... I can't wait. It seems like it's been a long time coming, but really it's only been 4 weeks, and now that we are parents - 4 weeks seems like 2 days. ha.

The house looks awesome - we had our walkthrough yesterday morning, everything looks great - besides those little cosmetic things - like paint chips, etc... but that'll all be fixed by tomorrow, and we'll be good to go!

I do have updated pictures - but I'm going to wait to post those until we are settled. I will be away from the computer til at least Sunday, so be patient! ;)

Have a great weekend!! Happy packing & unloading for the Taylor's!

Time

I need about 40 hours in one day - just once... (at least this week!)

We have so much going on right now, I'm literally being pulled in every direction possible. I will sit down to work on my photo shoots, and then I feel the need to pack something, or finish the load of laundry, or Kayson needs something... I'll sit down to have a snack, and then the dogs will need to be let out, or I need to go to the bathroom, and then get distracted by something else... and move on to that. It's a no wonder I have pimples on my face and bags under my eyes!!! ;)

We did get lots of packing done this weekend... still not everything, but we sure are getting there. Saturday we went to Clarion to take the 'grandkid' pictures - we all had so much fun. We were going to go to a park across the road from the farm, but we decided to stay at the farm - we utilized one of Dad's tractors and some of the great leaves... I think the kids had fun, and so did Mom & Dad watching. Here's a few pictures of the kids. It was cold, but we still had fun!

Yesterday we did more packing and bought a new TV for the house... did some errands and played hard with Kayson. He's at such a fun age - he knows how to make us laugh now. He squints his eyes and leans back and gives a big laugh - and KNOWS that we will laugh and snuggle on him. He talks all the time - I have a feeling once he can really talk - it will not be quiet at our house! He's going to have a lot to say to us.

We have a busy week ahead of us - prepping for the big move. We've already decided we will be eating out every night. It's just too much to try to plan meals when we pretty much have the kitchen packed up. I gotta prepare myself for fast food and carryout. Next week I WILL plan meals in the new house! :)

So for now, I'm hoping work goes fast every day, and our evenings last forever, so we can get more stuff done!

Thankful

November is the month to be extra thankful... and I'm feeling I need to say thanks.
I'm thankful for:

• My wonderful husband - he's a man of little words, but also has a strong opinion that I respect. All I need from him is a hug and a kiss every day, and I'm good. He's an awesome dad. He's a funny person and has a big heart. I'm thankful for meeting him 5 years ago and having him change my life forever.
• My amazing son - You never know the true meaning of love until you have your own child (in my opinion). Kayson can brighten my day in 2 seconds... I hate to say goodbye to him in the morning, but love to pick him up everyday. That smile & flapping of his arms will get ya every time. God truly did bless us with Buster.
• Mine & Ryan's family - Two families that would do anything for us... I'm thankful to have a close-knit family who is always there for us when we need them.
• Friends - I have so many dear friends that make me laugh. I have close friends that have been around for years (since junior high), and some that I've just gotten to really know over the past 3 or 4 years. No matter how long I've known them - we each have a connection that is different but very special.

Now to the silly things:

• My camera - Best purchase I've ever made... I capture so much with that camera.
• Funny people in general - some people just make me laugh!
• Chips & Salsa from El Rodeo - need I say more?!
• Music - I may not be a good singer, but I sure am in the car -- great music starts my day. I'm intrigued by so many amazing singers in this world!
• Second chances at Love - once again, need I say more!?
• Fresh air
• The smell of a Sugar Cookie candle

I hope each and everyone of you will take a moment to thank the people you love for everything they do... even if it's the small stuff - that's what's big to me.

Sneak Peek

Here are a few pictures of the house... the deck is almost done, and a sneak peek of the inside family room area and dining area. I love it, I love it! It's really coming along!! We are told the carpet should be put in Monday or Tuesday... then we assume the countertops... and so on.

Nose!

Kayson knows where his nose is! How a little thing can be SO BIG in our lives! We have been practicing for a good week or so... He doesn't show us every time we ask, but he's getting there! Where is Winnie's nose (Winnie the Pooh)? He shows us. Where is Momma's nose? Doesn't show us that - still working on that! Where is the puppy's (stuffed animal) nose? He shows us. Where is Kayson's nose? He shows us.

Here is a picture of what he does... I'd say that's pretty damn good for a 10 month old!

Warm November Day

Over 70 degrees today here in Iowa... Holy cow, I was warm!! Windows open, windows down in the car, and Kayson with no pants on! Ryan, his Dad and brother headed over to Iowa City for the game... a loss for the Hawks. Kayson, Martina, JeanAnn and I did some shopping. Kayson was such a good boy - we shopped, he talked, he napped in his stroller, he just was a really good boy. When we got done with shopping, us girls (and Kayson) came back to the house and hung out. We played outside for a little bit - check out the pictures. Notice no pants - it's November 7!! Crazy! The trike I bought from a co-worker for like $10! We'll be removing the basket and the streamers!! haha. But for today, it was okay!

It was a nice day... I hope this warm/mild weather sticks around. I'm totally loving it!

Sleep & House

Kayson has decided that waking up in the middle of the night (several times) is necessary! The last several nights we've been up with him at least 3 or 4 times. As you all know, we are just plain not use to that! Ryan's cough is back, so he's coughing all night long, so that doesn't help! We are all tired and crabby (or at least I am!) ha. :) Of course we try to analyze this stage of Kayson being up in the middle of the night -- is it teeth? Is it his ears? Is he just not comfortable? We aren't sure... and that's SO hard to figure out!

On to the new house - things are moving along, which makes us very happy. We were informed yesterday that our walkthrough will be the Monday before we close - that's soon! We believe the painting is done on the inside, and Ryan said they had started laying sod last night. It makes me crazy excited! This weekend I hope to get in it again and snoop around! Then of course, concentrate on packing some more.

Hope everyone is having a good week! I hope to get some good sleep this weekend!