Bad evening

I had an eventful and interesting evening last night... in which I can laugh about now, but last night, I wasn't laughing.

Ryan was out of town last night... so Kayson and I got home and played a little bit, then I decided that dinner at Wendy's would be great. So we pulled out of the garage accidently hitting the button too quickly and the garage door went back up. I thought to myself "No big deal...", so I hit the button again... nothing - the lights flashed and the garage door wouldn't go down... Weird. I tried it a couple more times. I then tried the actual main button, still nothing. Damit!! I pulled out the manual and read a little... not going to lie - that was completely foreign to me!! I called Ryan... his suggestion was the same thing I had tried... So Kayson and I sat in my car and I just stewed... wasn't sure what to do. By now it was 6:20, we are starving... so I left, leaving the door open!! I drove down 92nd Street... and soon enough, I realized I was going too fast and was welcomed by a West Des Moines cop. PERFECT. This just tops the night!

Handing over my registration, license and insurance... Kayson and I waited. Kayson thought saying "Uh Oh Mommy" would help the situation. ha... like I said, I can laugh about it now!! What seemed like 20 minutes later, the cop came back giving me 4 warnings. THANK GOD - but 4... 4 warnings?!?!? What?!

1. Speeding - Slow down Maam.
2. Failure to give Notice of Address/Name Change - this relates to my name showing as Banta on my registration. I tried fighting it, but ended up just being quiet. (I called on this today to Dallas County - the nice lady said the cop was in the wrong, and my title shows Banta, so that's why my registration shows Banta). Whatever!
3. Display of Sticker (Tag) - there is a portion ripped on my tag (my fault, I guess!!!) and
4. Failure to Display Sticker (Tag) Blocked by Plate Frame -- I have a Hawkeye frame thingie over my license plate... apparently that's blocking too much of my tag. OMG!! Again, irritated... but giggling about it now. I think it's even more funny that when I called the Dallas County lady, she laughed and said "Honey - next time you get picked up for that - you tell that cop to call me!" Too funny.
Ok... so lesson learned! ;)

So... after sitting and dealing with that very 'friendly' cop, Kayson and I were on our way... I ended up going straight home and making fish sticks for dinner! Wendy's would have been so much better!!

Ok... so now moving on to our garage door that is STILL open! I called a couple neighbor guys to see if they had an brilliant ideas... both were very willing to come help/look at it, but no answers unfortunately. We were able to close it manually, so K and I were safe. (Thanks to Eric, Rusty & Jon!) So a repair place was called this morning and they'll come look at it this afternoon.

Whew!! Last night was not a great evening for me!! However, the Hawks pulled off a great win for their bowl game. Great job! I'm sure Ryan is happy!

Family Christmas'

Kayson is still a little sick - not near as bad as he was on Thursday. He's fighting this awful cough... (Going to take him to the doc in the morning just to check on it). I can say tho, it seems better today - it's starting to 'loosen' up, and he's in better spirits, so that's good!

We made the trip to Clarion Thursday afternoon... beating the snow. It was a good drive and we just lounged around for a day and a half, which was great. Kayson kept Grandma & Papa Paul SUPER busy... telling them to do a lot of things!!! "Come Papa, Come Draaama" They played and played and talked and talked. My parents got a TON of snow it seemed (I can't even guess how many inches, but it was a lot!) We played outside in the snow a couple times - even attempted to sled. It didn't work so well because the snow was so light and fluffy, but Kayson got the feeling of it, so that's what counts. He did pretty good! We were all worn out by Friday afternoon!!!

Here are some pictures from the Hardy side Christmas:

Dadda & Kayson

Hope & Eden just LOVE Kayson! They are so good with him.

Us getting ready to go play in the snow... I made the picture B&W cuz that made me look less BAD! ha. ;)

Sledding... well, Dadda pulling Eden & Kayson!

All bundled up!!


We then returned to our own house late Christmas Eve night... We woke up at home for Chistmas morning & Kayson's birthday. It was nice... just us... we opened gifts and just played... Then Ryan snow-blowed the driveway and some other neighbors' driveways... super nice of him. Then the Taylor's arrived... Kayson napped and then Blair & Martina arrived...

We all were ansty to open the presents (cuz there were SO many!)... we dug right in... Kayson did great, got some amazing gifts and so did we. We were very lucky (again) this year... it's wonderful to have such great gift-givers in the Taylor family (and Hardy family too!). We ate an amazing dinner and then just lounged around and watched Kayson go to town on all his toys. He can't play with one thing for more than about 2 minutes - he just moves from one to the other! He's SO busy and confused as to which toy he likes the best!!

Here are some snapshots of the Taylor Christmas:

Papa Mike got him a motorized big bike... this picture was the first picture of him on it, and he hasn't been on it since. He's scared of it, as of now. It's so cool... so I'm really hoping Kayson will change his mind about this gift too (just like the remote control fire truck!) Stinker!

This was the hit present of the birthday/Christmas gifts - a MOW-MOW!!! He loved it and still does... has went back and forth with that thing all day long!

A dancing Mickey Mouse!! He sings the Hot Dog song! ;)

As you can see, we had a very, very wonderful holiday... we are more than blessed this year. We are so lucky and so is Kayson. He has no idea!!! Thanks to both of our families for everything!!! Lots of love out to them!

My Baby is 2

Happy 2nd Birthday to our beautiful son, Kayson. It's really hard to believe he's 2... he's not a baby, he's all boy - all toddler... talking up a STORM!!!

I sit here... in the quiet, kinda. Mike, JeanAnn & Ryan and watching "A Chrismtas Story" (Ryan's favorite movie), and Kayson is napping... I sit here... with a tear in my eye (not letting anyone see it)... Kayson is 2. He says he's 2. It's amazing. The whole thing is amazing. I think back to two years ago - at this time, he was born and I was 'recovering' or maybe getting stiched up (some things are a blur!), but I know Kayson had arrived and everyone was ooohing and awwing over him... of course, he was perfect and healthy. He still is.

I just want to say Happy Birthday to our wonderful son. He may challenge us every day, but he sure does bring more smiles than challenges... He's a blessing, he's awesome, he's fun, he's perfect. I wouldn't ask for anything else. We love you so much Kayson.

This is Dadda & Kayson - heading home from the hospital.

Merry Christmas to all of our families and friends. Blessings to all of you.

Sick... and our Plans

Kayson is sick. Just in time for Christmas/Birthday. Figures.

He's been coughing pretty bad since Monday... and Tuesday the faucet from his nose starting running like crazy... and now he is running a fever. Can we catch a break here?!?!? Sorry - I'm very frustrated and sad that he doesn't feel well... and it seems to land on some important times and when we need to travel. That just makes me sad...

We, along with everyone else in the world, have a VERY busy couple of days and weekend planned ahead of us. The plan is to head to Clarion tomorrow late morning... we'll spend time with my family until Friday evening. The plan is to head back to DSM around Kayson's bedtime, so we can all be home for Christmas Day. Ryan, Kayson and I will spend Christmas morning opening our gifts and birthday gifts for him... just the three of us... I'm really looking forward to that. Christmas Day afternoon we'll be joined by Mike & JeanAnn and Blair & Martina... we'll do a nice dinner at the house and opening our family gifts. Again, looking forward to just being at our house and hanging out... it'll be nice to not travel much!

I hope everyone out there has a very safe and happy holiday with family & friends. Blessings to all of you.

Pictures to be posted later in the weekend! ;)

2nd Birthday Party

With Kayson's birthday falling on Christmas, I continue to worry how he's going to respond to that when he gets older... so we are doing are best to make sure he knows he is special and deserves a special day just for him. He got that today. Our immediate families made the trip to us today... for some presents, food and fun. Kayson of course didn't sleep well last night, so he was a little owly at first, but things got better once everyone was here...


We did realize that opening presents this year, compared to last year, is much different. We can't really 'hurry him along' and just open the gifts all at once, simply because he wants to play with each gift now... that's hard. We tried to move quickly so then he could just go at all the gifts later once they were all opened... it went fairly well, just different! Next week will be interesting with Christmas gifts and more birthday gifts.


Here are a few shots of his party.

Trucks and more trucks! He also got a semi that is full of little match-box cars... so cute! He also got some puzzles and books and a Thomas the Tank Engine lunchbox!


This picture shows how Kayson is scared of a toy that he got. Papa Mike purchased him a soft fire truck remote control car... it's awesome... and Kayson is scared of it!!! We played with it a little more tonight, he's still not a fan, but he'll get there...



And the cake and ice cream... he loved it when we sang Happy Birthday to him!!! And Dadda helped him blow out the #2 candle!

All and all, the party was a success. After everyone left, we all napped... we needed it. A party wears us out!!! Tonight Kayson's been pretty good - a little overwhelmed by all the toys... not sure which one to play with!! He does have a little cold now... and a cough. I sure hope he kicks this soon - we have another super busy weekend ahead of us.

Taylor Christmas 2010

The Taylor Family Christmas was held Saturday evening... we gathered at a hotel conference room this year. With Martina being pretty much 9 months pregnant, everyone travelled to Des Moines. I'm not going to lie, it was wonderful not having to travel far this year!! We met up late afternoon on Saturday... and began eating right away... there were two tables full of food - snacky foods... and then we ordered Jimmy John's for our 'meal'. We had a great time just hanging out, opening gifts and talking... I had a good time! Most of the kids got in the pool later in the evening... we didn't let Kayson know about that, simply because of his ears... and the fact that WE didn't want to be in the pool!

Here are some photos.
The Taylors - Us and the Mike Taylor Family. (How cute is Martina!!??!) ;)

This was what we saw from Kayson 90% of the night... at the table grabbing food. And remember it wasn't healthy food - it was snacky, junk food!!! Only for adults! ;) He also learned how to open the coolers full of drinks!

All the grandkids... and great-grandbaby!

One of the great toys he received - A Chugginton track with Co-Co, Brewster & Wilson! He loves it!

Tubes - Part 2

We had our checkup for Kayson's ears on Friday... everything is looking good, the tubes are doing what they are suppose to, doc was pleased. We'll go back in a month for another checkup, then I hope to not have to go back for many, many months!!

Now I think we are fighting a little cold/cough... oh, one thing after another! ;)

Five Question Friday

1. Do you regift... and if so, do you have a regifting horror story around it?
I don't regift... if I end up not liking something or it just doesn't work out - we'll just put it in a pile for a garage sale or take to Goodwill.

2. Do you know what you are getting for Christmas this year?
I know what my Mom is getting me... simply because I was with her with I picked everything out - I put it in her cart and she bought. ;) That's kind of nice!! A nice change! Otherwise, I've given ideas to other people, but I don't know for sure what I'm getting!

3. Who brings the most gifts in your family... you or Santa?
Me! Now that I think about it - I don't think Kayson has a gift that's from Santa... besides his stocking!! I'm assuming that's ok for this year! ha.

4. What store do you love to buy jeans from?
Jeans. Yuk. I have such a hard time finding jeans that I like (without spending an arm and a leg). I have larger thighs (people say that's stupid), but I do... we call it the "Hardy thighs"... and I have long legs. Finding jeans that'll work around that is a task in itself... I don't like jeans that really stretch out - if my butt is saggy by 8 am, that's not good. ha. So to answer the question - I would LOVE to buy jeans from the Buckle, but that's too pricey... right now, I have a couple pairs that work from Maurices and Target!

5. Christmas meal? Big, All out Meal or Snacks & Appetizers?
Big meal. Both sides of the family like food! Actually, we (the Hardy's), typically plan our time together around food and dinners... We'll have a nice large meal for the Taylor side, then for the Hardy side we typically do soups and tons of sides... Yum.

"Home Momma... Let's go home"

This week Ryan is in Kansas for work... he did the drop off for daycare on Monday, but it's my turn yesterday, today and tomorrow. Yesterday, I wasn't prepared for Kayson to melt-down. We talked the entire way to daycare - looking for buses, talking about Riley, Hailey and other friends, talking about Dadda at work, etc... the second we pulled into daycare, tears were running down Kayson's face and he was upset. WHAT?!?! I was stunned, I was confused... I didn't know what to do or think. We talked a little and basically all I could get out of him was, "Let's go home Momma, home... peeese." Now - put yourself in my shoes - HEARTBREAKING!!!! Of course I would love to go home and take him with me!! We finally got into daycare... still sad and crying. I thought to myself once we get to his room and he sees his friends, he'll be fine... right? No - not at all... it was awful. We had several teachers coming in wondering what was wrong with Kayson (cuz he's always so happy at drop off)... of course, that then makes me feel even worse!!! After 15 minutes, the director just finally took him and they walked around outside of Kayson's room - distracting him while I left. It just made me sad... tears fell the second I walked out the door. About 20 minutes later, I got a phone call from the director telling me how he was fine now... it did take him about 10 minutes to calm down and want to go back to his room... the rest of his day was normal for him.

Moving on to this morning... I was prepared this morning for the melt-down. I prepared myself to see the tears and be ready to just leave (as I know it made it worse to stay that long yesterday)... we got to daycare and again, the second we pulled in, Kayson was upset. The dropoff was quicker today, however... as I left within 3 minutes... I checked in, and Kayson was fine... of course. I knew he would be.

Ryan and I talked this morning about it... and it's obvious that his routine was off. He's use to having Dadda take him (Ryan's been around for a couple months), that makes a difference. We also need to start saying that 'Dadda is traveling for work and will be back soon'... rather than just saying that Dadda is at work. Because then I will say I have to go to work - and Kayson may be thinking I won't be coming back... since Dadda doesn't come back for a couple days or a week. We didn't realize that Kayson would pick up on this so soon - he's obviously smart and knows what's going on... it's all about routine with kids... and he's off this week. MAYBE tomorrow will be better - maybe it won't. But at least we are prepared for this now...

Oh the things a parent has to think and worry about!!

Lazy, Cold, Wrapping & Snow

It's been a lazy Saturday... and I love it. We've all taken naps... Kayson's still sleeping (3 hours in!)... it's cold and windy out - showing our first real snow of the year. It's slick out too. I've gotten all the present wrapping done (of the gifts that we have). We still need a few more, which I hope to finish up this week! (Cuz that's really all the time I have).

The details of our tree

The view out our front door... the sidewalk and driveway are covered in ice... YUK. We aren't going anywhere!

Kayson's doing well with the tubes... We did see some drainage in one ear Thursday and Friday, but today it's looking good... All good signs. We do go back Friday for a checkup, so I'll post then. All and all, he's been doing well - he's still thinking that it's cool to wake up in the middle of the night... (not cool for us), but we'll get through it.

He is the Boss.

Ryan will be traveling this coming week. It'll be first time he's travelled in months... and I'm not looking forward to it. It's been awesome having him home - things just go smoother... so I'm really hoping that this coming week goes fast! We'll miss Dadda.

According to the Hallmark Santa coming out of the Chimney --- 13 days & 7 hours til Christmas.

Five Question Friday

1. Do you open presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?
It's different every year. This year we'll be opening gifts on both days, with two different sides of the family. When I was growing up, my sisters and I would get to open 1 gift on Christmas Eve night... then the rest were opened on Christmas Day. That was always so much fun! Kind of gave us a 'taste' of what was to come! ;)

2. What is your favorite Christmas candy/cookie?
My Mom's sugar Christmas cookies. They are the BEST - and she puts awesome frosting on them. I'm not a big frosting person, but the frosting Mom puts on them is just perfect. ;) LOVE THEM!

3. What is the worst Christmas gift you've ever recieved?
Oh... I've got a good one. When I was married the first time, my Mother-in Law at the time gave me this Christmas sweater. It was a red cardigan with snowflakes on it... and it had these huge buttons on it. It was awful. Bless her. ;)

4. What Christmas song do you love?
"Oh Holy Night"
I also am liking "Last Christmas" - my niece, Eden, knows all the words and she sang it one night when I was with her and it was precious. ;)

5. How many trees do you put up?
1. And it's gorgeous... we got a pre-lit one last year and it's perfect. LOVE IT!

Tubes - Part 1

Kayson's ear tube surgery was this morning.

We arrived at the surgery center this morning at 6 am. Early and man, it was cold out! We filled out paperwork, signed tons of papers, paid a large bill and waited... We then were moved to a 'pre-op' room... a small room for us and Kayson - to be happy in for over 30 minutes. Hmmm... this could be interesting! He did well... we talked about lots of things, we read books, Kayson took my shoes off several times - trying to 'ties' them! The 30 minutes went quickly.

Then... it started. The anesthesiologist and nurse came in to briefly talk with us... and swooped Kayson away. Yes, he was doing everything in his power to get away from that nurse... crying and screaming. Wow - that hurts a parent. Ryan and I then moved back to the waiting room... and had a short wait of about 7 minutes. We met with the doctor then - we were told the surgery went fine, however, he was very concerned about the amount of puss that is in Kayson's inner ears. He's concerned that the tubes will need to do their job even more than normal in order to not get clogged by that puss. Typically the doc doesn't want to have a follow-up visit for a month - we get to see him next week. I'm sure it'll be fine (at least I hope!), but Kayson's in good hands... Following the consult with the doc, we waited some more, then we could see Kayson. He was crying and full of the shakes and just not himself... he was then doing some screaming and arching of the back - that type of thing... Ryan got instructions from the discharge nurse, while I tried to calm Kayson... which was very difficult. We 'recovered' for about 10 minutes... then headed home...

Once home, we thought he would just be ready for rest... he wasn't - he was still out of sorts and just upset. Didn't want anything but to be held... after about an hour - he finally fell asleep in my arms (which was so sweet). He's resting now... Ryan's at work... I'm blogging, checking work email... and will now rest a little too.

Tubes - Part 2 will come later.

Five Question Friday

1. What's on the top of your holiday wish list and why?
Gosh... nothing is on the my list for this year - nothing of importance really. If I had to choose and money wasn't an option (as we've talked before) - I would choose a new SLR and/or a new car! ha. Pick one. ;)

2. What is your favorite Christmas gift from the past?
I remember when we got a VHS!!! Santa always hid our gifts under the pool table... for some reason (we had a fireplace and I always wondered why the gifts weren't by the fireplace!)... but my sisters and I opened a VHS and we were SO EXCITED!!

3. If you had to do life over again, what would you be when you grow up?
An architect for sure. I would love to plan and design homes... I remember as a kid buying those home books with thousands of home plans in them... I would look and look and start creating my own on paper... loved it!

4. When do you put up your tree?
The weekend after Thanksgiving - whether it's that Friday or that weekend, it goes up at that time. And I love it - it's so pretty!! ;)

5. What is your favorite holiday?
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I love the food - the turkey, the mashed tators, the pies... and it's just a really great time to be with family and be so very thankful of what we have.