Easter 2013

What a wonderful Easter weekend we had!!
Saturday we headed down to Creston late morning...  I had every intention to be in the truck by 9.  10:00 we pulled out of the driveway.  I have no excuses...  besides, moving slow on weekends, and making sure we have EVERYTHING we need for an over-nighter.  :)

Lunch was had - all the Taylor's were with us...  Easter Egg Hunt was had - even for the 17 year old! :)  Then just lots of playing...  and catching up.  We had a great time.  Kayson had a WONDERFUL time.  We barely saw him all day long... he just plays so well with his Taylor cousins.  It's awesome!  However, a day of fun (with no nap) makes for a terrible evening...  once everyone was gone, the crabbiness showed it's ugly face.  Big BOO HISS.  K did do bedtime very well for us... and slept good.  

Today we got up and went to Easter church service with Mike & JeanAnn.  It was a full house!!  Kayson did awesome... didn't hear a peep out of him.  I was thrilled.  Cora May was pretty good too... got a little restless near the end, but I was pleased too.  

Another great lunch was had... Cora took a great nap, while we tried to keep Kayson busy...  busy (and happy) enough until we got in the truck to head home.  He did crash on the way home... and even slept another hour and a half once we got home.  He SO needed that rest.  Bedtime was even early tonight too.  Tomorrow should be a 'normal' day for him!  :)

We really had fun... lots of pictures were taken to show our fun.  

And by the way - Cora is crawling everywhere!  She's getting into things already!  She also has already mastered going from sitting to crawling.  It's crazy!!!!  

Enjoy the pictures!!

With Great Great Grandma Ann - so special.

Working on "SO BIG!"

The boys playing... it rained a little - Kayson has his coat over his head!

Love this. 

Here we all are!

Papa Mike showing us how to "blow out an egg"

Tears stuff up!!!

The 'big' cousin, Colby, hunting for eggs!  haha.

Kayson loved it... as always.

Niece/Cousin Ashley & Cora

There are a few special things about this post. 

1. My niece, Ashley May, (whom Cora is named after) is very special to me.  All of my nieces and one nephew are obviously very important to me... & Ryan and the kids.  Ashley is my first niece, she's a great girl, smart, funny (actually hilarious for a 17 year old), mature, fun, caring, LOVES us and Cora and Kayson... she really just has a special place in my heart.
2. Ash loves our kids... which is awesome. 
3. Ashley talks to me...  I mean, she doesn't tell me the dirty secrets!!!  haha... but she talks to me... she texts me from time to time, she asks (and wants) us around for events, and tells me she loves me.  It's an amazing feeling.
4. She's graduating this May, (crazy to think that!!!)  and they've been going through pictures.  Here are a couple recent texts that she's sent.  Isn't this amazing?!?!?!

Picture 1
This is ME (young, and VERY thin me - in an oversized sweatshirt!  haha) with Ashley as a baby.  First - aaaa so sweet, and brings back memories... and second - holy moly Cora resembles Ashley!!!!  I LOVE IT!  I can say (right now) Cora looks like me (a HARDY!) 

Picture 2
Again... look at the resemblance!  So darn sweet.

We have a MOVER!

Cora is crawling.  It happened fast, in my opinion. 

Sunday, we started to notice her getting her one arm up and moving forward, but somewhat struggling to figure out what to do with her legs...  Monday night, we saw improvement... she was making a few more movements (including her legs).  Tuesday when I picked her up from daycare, the teacher says to me, "Tell me she crawling at home...!"  I said that she's been working on it... Tuesday night when I got her home, she proved us wrong that she wasn't just working at it - she was full blown CRAWLING!  It was amazing.  And FAST.  She's just doing things so much faster than Kayson... and growing up WAY TOO FAST, right in front of our eyes.  She's not a baby - she's a little person who is completely wrapped around my finger. 

I have some videos of her, but I can't get them uploaded to the blog...  if you are on FB, check the one out.  I'll see what I can do about getting them on the blog.

:)

Links - Life as a Mom

Last week I ran across an article about "having Mom in the picture".  This one hit home to me...  1) Looking back, I don't see A LOT of pictures of me and my sisters with my Mom.  and 2) I don't really LIKE to have my picture taken, but when reading this article it makes me change my mind. 


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/allison-tate/mom-pictures-with-kids_b_1926073.html

My favorite part of the article is:
I'm everywhere in their young lives, and yet I have very few pictures of me with them. Someday I won't be here -- and I don't know if that someday is tomorrow or thirty or forty or fifty years from now -- but I want them to have pictures of me. I want them to see the way I looked at them, see how much I loved them. I am not perfect to look at and I am not perfect to love, but I am perfectly their mother.

This is going to be my vow to be in more pictures with my kids.  No more hiding behind the camera.  So Ryan, be ready to take some pictures for a change.  :)
------------------------
Here's another article from a blog that I just was informed of.  This is another good one... another one to make a Mom think.  It talks about how we should slow down and "enjoy the moment, they go by too fast."

There are many nights (specifically nights when I'm solo-Mom) that I can't wait for bedtime.  I can't wait til my children are asleep and safe in their beds.  I can't wait for me to be able to sit down and take a breath.  I think now I'm realizing that Cora is here (and already 7 months old and already almost crawling), that life really does go too fast. 

Enjoy.
http://momastery.com/blog/2012/01/04/2011-lesson-2-dont-carpe-diem/

Beginning of Easter Stuff

Today we 'introduced' dying eggs to Kayson...  figured we better do that tonight, cuz week nights just don't give us enough time for stuff like that.  I kind of laughed as we are dying eggs... and it's flipping snowing outside... again!  OOOO we need SPRING!  

Kayson did pretty good...  he gets so bored, so fast though.  I hope that's a sign that he's smart!??!  ha.  Anyway, we did finish up, then he was off to do something else - probably watch a movie.  We did completely finished them by putting stickers on them after they were dry...  Pretty simple fun.  We even made one for Cora. 

Earlier this morning, Cora has her 7 month pictures taken... (yes, I skipped 6 months... and we'll just jump right to 1 year pics next).  :)  It was fun...  however, I was sweating trying to get Miss Cora to smile.  ha.  She finally warmed up, and gave Kristy some pretty smiles.  We got a few of K and her too, so that was nice.  Kristy shows a few sneak peeks (on FB) and it literally melts my heart... so damn sweet.  I will share more later when I have more!

Saturday

Today was a great day...  it was one of those days that lasted a long time (and not in a bad way), we had fun, we were somewhat productive and it was just a good day.

To start off, Cora's been having some rough nights again...  last night was pretty bad (up a lot, crying a lot and not eating very well yesterday).  She's happy...  which sometimes then throws me for a loop, but after her late morning nap, she was awake and pissed...  I finally just took her to the walk in clinic.   Results - ear infection in right ear.  UGH.  DOUBLE UGH.  Apparently Ryan and I just create children with terrible ears.  BOO.  What's crazy is on Monday, she had her 6 months shots (finally) and her ears looked good...  we were even still on her antibiotic!!  We finished the antibiotic on Wednesday morning... and by Friday morning, she was fussy and tugging at her left ear (which is weird, but whatever)!  I'm glad I took her.  I'm hoping for a good nights sleep tonight.  

Anyway, backing up to our morning...  Kayson had a big morning - we invited his little girlfriend from daycare over for a play date.  OOOoo... he was excited!  Riley arrived around 9:30... and they instantly were off to his room to play Play Doh.  I checked on them a couple times, and Riley said "you don't need to be in here Kayson's Mom".  aaaa... OK!  :)  They did great.  They then moved downstairs, Cora and I went with them...  a snack was had, then more playing!  They played basketball, tools, LEGOS, garbage trucks... a lot of fun stuff.  Riley's Mom picked her up a little before noon.  They gave 'huggies' and she was out the door.  It was by far the sweetest thing I've seen in a long time.  :)

Lunch was had... then K took a nap, while I took Cora to the doctor.  Ryan's parents and Grandma stopped by for a bit, as they were in town seeing a Civic Center show.  Then the four of us hit up Jethro's (K's choice).  Sometimes I worry about going there...  figuring we will have to wait forever, but we only waited for about 5 minutes, and the food came super fast.  I was pleased.  Cora is still figuring out the 'out to eat' thing.  We've been putting her in a high-chair, and sometimes that's a 'ok' thing, sometimes she just doesn't have it.  Tonight was ok.  I'm glad the whole process went fast... in and out, and both kids were good.  

We are now flipping between basketball and wrestling...  and I can barely keep my eyes open.  I'm practically typing with them closed.  I wish I wouldn't be so tired... blah.

Friends - Kayson & Riley

Our Adidas girl!

Cora - 7 Months Old

Cora's 7 months old today!!  She's doing great... now that she feels better from her ear infection and cough.  :)  

Here are some ramblings about her:

• 7 oz. bottles about every 3.5 to 4 hours. Fruit with her 10:30 am bottle... and supper consists of veggie, cereal & fruit.  We leave her a couple ounces of milk - sometimes she drinks, sometimes not!
• Naps are becoming more consistent...  last about an hour... sometimes 2. 
• She's really telling us what she thinks!  Tonight she talked and talked while she was looking through a book.  It was priceless! 
• Sitting up is old news.  :)
• Still getting up on her knees and rocking.  Earlier this week, she was getting one arm up and moving that forward, but not sure what to do with those legs! 
• She's trying to figure out how to go from sitting to on her knees... without just toppling over.  I give her a couple weeks to figure that out.
• She still wants to be IN THE ACTION.  She loves to laugh at Kayson... and watch the dogs. 
• She's liking Ryan more now!  :)  I think the "Momma's girl" thing was when she wasn't feeling the best.  She'd rather have me... but she's all about Daddy too!  It's great!
• Wearing size 3 diapers.
• Wearing all 9 month clothing.  I have a few random 6-9 mo outfits, some of them still fit.  

Likes to suck at her bottom lip.

 

Random Stuff

It's been a pretty good weekend...  definitely happy to have Ryan home... and he doesn't have to travel next week!!!
Friday night, we hung out at home... grilled out, and kept Kayson up late (he was totally loving on his Dad).
Saturday seemed to be a busy day... 

• Hair cut for Kayson
• Cut & Color for me
• Cleaning... playing...  and trying to keep Kayson happy.  He was a little crabby in the afternoon, even after a great nap.
• Dinner out at El Rodeo with some friends...  and we had a nice time.

Today my parents visited.  We haven't seen them in over a month, so that was nice...  more playing, oohing over Cora, lunch out and more playing... 

Some other random thoughts I have right now:

• I've been doing laundry all weekend...  grrr.  :)  
• I just fixed a hem in my dress pants... grrr.  :)  I'm not good at stuff like that...  I'm glad no one will examine the bottom of my pants!!!  (It's not pretty, but the job is done!)
• I can't keep up with cleaning...  I decided to sit down to upload pictures and write on the blog.  Maybe I should clean instead (or iron the 15 shirts that need done)?  Nah.  
• It's nice to see the sun...  today it's still chilly, but definitely Spring is coming...  sooner than later I hope!
• Really not much else...  which I don't mind!

Went for our first little walk Friday - bundled up!

Our little dalmatian.  :)  hahaha.

1st St. Patty's Day (I think she looks like a boy - minus the bow!)

Reading with Grandma Cheryl

4 days down, 1 more

Ryan's been in Kansas this week (and next week too)...  I've said this before, I'm (we are) used to his traveling, I can do it, the kids and I survive...  but this week, I've missed him more than normal. 

We finally have a healthy girl, which has helped a ton.  She's sleeping at night.  I think that's the best thing about this whole week, is that she's now not making a PEEP at night!  :)  Heaven!!  She's so intrigued by her toys and things around her.  She is a pro at sitting up and reaching (and not tumbling over) for things...  she's doing awesome!!

Kayson's been pretty good for me too.  He's a busy kid, but then some days, he just wants to lay around.  :)  Each night we've kept pretty busy... either just doing things around the house (and to be honest, by the time we get home and settled - after supper is ate - and soon after it's bath time and bed), we don't have a ton of time to do much.  But either way, I try to keep him happy, as well as Cora. 

Last night I needed to get to the mall - my watch battery was dead, and I can't survive without a watch!  So we ventured out - not getting to the mall til 6:30 (Cora eats her supper from 5:50 til about 6:15)...  I was starving, so we ate first.  Kayson ate every last bite of his food... ooh that makes this Mommy happy.  Then we got my watch fixed...  and then he got to play.  He was so good for me.  While he played I took Cora out of her seat and she just watched and watched all the kids... she was in heaven!   We even stopped into Children's Place.  I hardly ever go in there - I just have a hard time finding things I like for Kayson...  I did get him a new pair of jeans and a top though... Cora got a cute little pink, ruffly outfit... and some tights!!  (Both kids need clothes desperately...for Spring/Summer)  It's funny to think and say that out loud, because I thought a month ago, Cora had WAY TOO many clothes, but she is just growing so fast (and her clothes shrink!), and the weather is still so weird - she needs some new stuff. 

Anyway, we got home later than I wanted to, but they both did well for me... and were asleep by 9:00.  (Not too shabby). 

Tonight I told Kayson he could watch a movie... maybe then I can get a few house things done...  I'd like to clean a bathroom (or both), so I don't have to do it on the weekend.  But we'll see how tonight goes!

One more day til Ryan is home. 

A Mother's Instinct

Well, I was right.  Cora has an ear infection... actually - DOUBLE.  Again.  After another brutal overnight (Sunday night), I was certain that something hurts.  I rescheduled her 6 month shots (again), and got her into a doctor.  His exact words were "Eeehh gross."  Ah... that's awesome to hear.  He asked about her history and talked about how bronchitis and ear infections go hand and hand.  Then he proceeds to say "March is here...  that means Spring is around the corner."  Gosh I hope so.  :)  (Several of my close friends have been dealing with illnesses with their children as well and we've been saying for months that we can't wait for Spring to be here!)

Anyway, he prescribed a more powerful antibiotic for her... I hope it kicks in FAST.  (However, as I'm writing this... Cora was just up crying.)  It might be another long night... 

Weight today: 19 lbs. 3 oz. 

Here's to a better week... (even with Ryan gone)...  I want work to go well, I want K & C to be happy and healthy, and I want to sleep!  (as it's 11:11 and I'm still awake!!!!)  AAAAaaa... what's wrong with me!?!?  :)

Home, Fun & Still Tired

We've had a pretty good weekend...  despite the fact that Cora won't sleep.  I'll get to that later.

We just hung out here all weekend, which was nice.  
Saturday, Ryan had a work meeting, so the kids and I went to Lacey's to visit and play.  Corbin was going to be gone, but Kayson played with Kipton and two other little kids that came over.  They did pretty darn good, which was great.  Cora and Laityn played, as much as they could...  mostly Laityn stared at Cora the entire time.  Hilarious. 

Saturday afternoon was naps and just cleaning, laundry and a little organizing.  I'm attempting to go through Cora's clothes. Saturday evening, Ryan's cousin was getting an award through the Iowa High School Athletic Association... so Ryan, Kayson and Ryan's parents went to that.  Cora and I stayed home...  got groceries and just hung out.  It was a wake up call on how much easier it is to have just one kid at a time!  ha.  Even when Cora is pretty darn needy.

Speaking of being needy...  this little girl definitely is still fighting the cough... and I am pretty sure she has an ear infection.  She just won't sleep at night.  Friday night, I believe I was up with her about 5 times...  Saturday night - a whopping 8 times from 12:30 til 6:00.  I counted... and if you do the math, that leaves her awake about every 40 minutes... and I was not thrilled.  ha.  She's just super restless... and this afternoon, I noticed her rubbing at her left ear.  We go tomorrow for her 6 months shots, so I hope a doctor can look at her ears. 

Anyway, besides not sleeping... and still being super tired, we did have a nice weekend at home.  Kayson was pretty darn fun, still whiney, but good. And Cora is getting a pretty good personality too... and she's figuring out how toys work, etc.  It's fun to watch her. 

Here are a few pictures...  

When your kid has 2 blowouts at daycare and you only have 1 change of clothes, your kid gets to wear "Koalaty Time" clothes with a big "KT" on the back.  She seriously looked like a ragamuffin!

She doesn't like headbands.  :)

On her knees!!  Scooting backwards!

Obnoxious little boy!!

Daddy & Kayson figuring out "Angry Birds"

Oooo Overwhelmed & Tired

There's been a lot going on at our house this week... and at work for me.  I'm exhausted and ready to sleep. 

• Cora's cough is getting better.  BUT she will still cough fairly hard from time to time, and I can tell it hurts her.
• She's been restless at night.  She's fussing at 2:40 am or 3:30 am every morning.  Then it's a rough go from then on, for her and me.  Just restless.  and it makes me tired and mad. 
• Our routine from 5:30 pm til bedtime is terrible.  We had a rough night last night trying to figure it out.  You would think we could figure this out, but apparently, we are struggling.  Sometimes, she doesn't need a 30 minute rest, sometimes she does... and we are having a hard time figuring that out. 
• Work is busy.  We have 4 projects due, literally at the same time.  Awesome.  (sarcasm).
• My mind is racing because of work...
• Ryan's busy... and traveling next week. 
• He woke up this morning saying he didn't feel well.  Awesome.  (sarcasm again).
• Kayson is whiny. 
• Kayson's bedtime is back to frustrating... well, at least for me.  He listens to Ryan.  Not to me. 
• One plus - he's sleeping at night time.  Oh that's heaven.  Now we just need to get our daughter to sleep, and that would help me.
• Our weekend plans consist of nothing...  my hopes as of now is that everyone feels well (including Ryan).  I need to get some major cleaning done...  I'd like to take a nap (or two)...  I'd like to start prepping for the garage sale I'm going to have...  There's just always something to do - I feel like our house is in shambles all the time.   
• I'm wiped out.  Tired.  Mentally and physically. 
• Glad it's Friday.

Cora's 6 Month Stats

Weight: 18 lbs. 12 oz. (85%)
Height: 27 1/4" (90%)
Head: 17 1/2" (90%)

Her appointment went well... cuz we didn't do shots!  Doctor just didn't like the fact that Cora was still wheezing pretty bad, so we will go back early next week to get her caught up on shots.  

Doctor was pleased with the milestones Cora has made - sitting up on her own and scooting around like crazy.  We talked about her bronchitis and Doctor assured me that this is just the time of the year, and Cora will 'grow out of this'.  It's a tough time of the year, and especially (after I told her Croup is going around at daycare), with daycare - it's just bound to happen.  

A few more questions were asked... then we talked about food.  We can start trying those Puffs, and even some 'mashed' type foods.  Seems crazy that we can try that... she has no teeth yet!  And we didn't do mashed foods with Kayson til he was like 11 months old!  Oh well...  we'll go at our pace (and Cora's), and figure it out as we go.  

So overall, a great appointment.  She's growing and happy.  We love her so much!

Saturday thru Monday

It's been a busy three days.  Bummed that it's Monday afternoon already!!

Saturday - we had a nice day.  Ryan had tons of work to do, so he went into work.  The kids and I hung out in the morning...  Cora taking a nice long nap.  Then we headed out to the mall - I told Kayson we could go to the book store.  He of course wanted to play too... so we did that, along with a crap ton of other kids!!  It was busy!  We made the trip to the book store too... getting a few books.  Ryan met us for lunch out there... then back home for a nice long nap for both kiddos.  Cora started coughing last Thursday... and it was getting worse as Saturday went on...  still happy, still eating, and still sleeping well.  Saturday evening we went out for pizza - tried out the NYC Pizza Cafe.  Really good.  

Sunday - I took Cora into the walk-in clinic first thing in the morning...  Eee... I don't like walk-in clinics.  I'm not exactly sure why, but I don't.  Anyway, we were seen fairly quickly, but then stuck around for an hour and a half.  Cora was wheezing and the doctor was concerned...  so a breathing treatment was done, then a steroid was given to help break that crap up in her lungs. Diagnosed with Bronchitis, again.  We finally headed home around 10:30... with some meds for the nebulizer and "watch her".  All the while, my mind is racing.  In less than 2 hours I was heading out of town to go with friends to a concert.  I'm thinking - "Bad Mom".  We got home, and I just knew that Cora would be fine, without me.  (And she was, of course).  Ryan is a great Dad.  And after 12:30, he was in charge!  :)  I headed out with Nicky, Nikki & Angie to Omaha to the Maroon 5 concert!!!  

I haven't been to a concert in YEARS (9 years to be exact, I think!)  Anyway, we got to the hotel...  hung out and had some drinks...  got ready, had a great dinner out, talking, laughing and just having a great time.  Then it was concert time!  It was a great concert - like we all decided - it's certainly just because Adam is so DREAMY!  :)  I joke.  The music was awesome, light show was amazing... and he (and his band) are fantastic!!  I have been a big fan for a long time, but now that I've seen them in concert - wow, I'm a HUGE fan now.  Adam is seriously so CUTE!!! and he has a great personality as well...  very well worth the money and time away from my family.  

Monday - We got back to DSM this morning... around 10 am.  (We figured there's no real reason to hang out at a hotel!)  Nice ride back, then I went and picked up my kids.  I figured I could have just layed around and did this and that around the house alone, but I really wanted to see my kiddos!  We headed down to my work to 'show them off'... and we had a great time.  Kayson was so good... shy at first, but then he really got used to the place.  I showed him the cafeteria, and we got some food - ate at my desk with a couple other friends...  Cora was walked around and shown off some more.  It was a nice little visit. 

This afternoon has been nap for Kayson... Cora just layed down... laundry and just chillin for me.  I'm enjoying it!!!

Cora is still coughing...  but it's a little looser cough.  We go tomorrow morning for her 6 month checkup, so I'm assuming Dr. Beebe will talk with us a little more about Cora getting Bronchitis for the 2nd time in a month.  

Here are a few pictures from the last couple days.  Lots of fun happening!  :)

Showing off her bath towel from Aunt Tina.  Little did I know she was peeing during this...  (yes, she did not have a diaper on!)  Mommy & Daddy's sheets are being washing right now!

Really starting to sit up on her own more and more each day!

Dr. Kayson taking care of Cora.  Shot in the bum.  :)

At the concert!!  Nikki, Me, Nicky & Angie - fun times!!!