One more day!!!

I've said it before, I love long weekends... I love being home with my family... I love being productive. We've had one of those weekends so far -- and we have one more full day of it! Whoohoo!

Saturday we did a ton of stuff around the house, Kayson took great naps (Ryan and I both napped in the afternoon!), and we both relaxed in the sun a little too. I can't remember the last time we both did that... besides when we were on our honeymoon! It was nice to just sit and enjoy the peace and quiet... and sun. Saturday late afternoon my sister, Tricia, and her family came for a quick visit. They were in town, so stopped by -- we played a little then went for dinner. We had a great time! Today (Sunday) we got up and went to watch Ryan's cousin, Jenna, play some softball... we just stuck around for one game, cuz it was getting warm, but it was a good time... and Kayson walked around and soaked everything in. Then a Target run was done, and then a good nap... just for Kayson. It's been just another good day... and I don't have to 'hate' tonight, like I normally hate Sundays! We don't have plans for tomorrow either, which is great... maybe just another day of 'nothin'!

I hope everyone has had an enjoyable and safe Memorial Day weekend!

Water

By far, Kayson's favorite word is WATER. We see it everywhere - water from the sink, the bathtub, the sprinklers (all over the neighborhood), water in books, boats are in the water, ducks swim in the water... everywhere, like I said! Well today we bought a blow-up pool for Kayson - full of water of course. We tried it out after his nap... it was COLD, so he had some issues being IN the water, but liked to splash the water and talk about it... it was a good time, and I'm certain the next time we try the pool the experience will be better - he'll actually play and sit in the water! (if the water is warmer!?!?) ;) Here are some pictures...



Splashin... we did get in the water, but pretty much had to be held by me!


What a little stud.

Playing at the Park

We met Colleen & Cali at the park tonight... what fun we had!

Swinging!

Taking a break!

This is where Daddy showed Kayson and Cali how to throw the mulch! Naughty Daddy! (You can't really see it, but there's mulch on Kayson's hat)

Kayson attempting to climb up the slide... notice the static cling in his hair!

We had fun... and Kayson was asleep in 2.2 seconds!!

Cry Baby, Idol & Week

We had a cry baby on our hands tonight. I'm sure there was a reason for it, right?!?! There's always a reason for a 17 month old to have temper-tantrums and cry at the drop of a hat and not eat... right?! haha. Stinker!! It makes for a sad night for Ryan and I when Kayson is so crabby. We only want the best and for him to be happy and it's so hard when he's not happy... then it does the domino effect onto Ryan and I.

Moving on... American Idols winner is Lee. To be honest, we haven't really watched much of the show this season. I used to watch it from start to finish, I'm realizing that's hard to do now! Anyway, Lee won, and that's great - Ryan thinks he's a great performer and people will come to watch him... I did like Crystal too - she has an amazing voice... sure hope she can make a record.

Having Monday off was wonderful - AWESOME actually. One would think that having a day off would make for a short and fast week - NOPE! This week is draggin! I'm looking forward to having this coming Monday off as well for Memorial Day.

KC Trip

This weekend was a busy one for us... we travelled to Kansas City. Ryan's cousin was married a couple weeks ago in a private ceremony, and Saturday evening was the reception. We (with Mike & JeanAnn) made the trip to KC early Saturday morning - meeting Blair & Martina down there... we shopped at the Legend's outlet shopping center... it was warm and windy, but we still had a good time. Kayson got to do lots of new, fun things (sorry - didn't have my camera with me! Bad Mom!) We did "Build a Dino" - never had even heard of it, but it's based off of "Build a Bear". He got the cutest dinosaur. We also dangled our feet in the cool water fountain area in the center of the shopping center... we got some great ice cream too. He was such a good boy.

From there we went to the hotel and got settled - bathed Kayson cuz he was sweaty (as we were too!) The reception was very nice - a very laid back party... we played outside, danced, snacked a little, caught up with some cousins we hadn't seen in awhile, and just had a really nice time! I can say the only down-side was we were out late, and Kayson finally crashed around 10:00 pm in Grandma JeanAnn's arms (very sweet). He did well with the transfer back to the hotel and to bed, however, still up at 5:50 am! It's for sure that boy needs to be down around 8 pm, so he can at least get 10 to 11 hours of sleep! Stinker!

Today on our way back to Iowa, we stopped in St. Joe to see Aunt Maagie for lunch... had a nice visit. We then visited the cemetary to see JeanAnn's parents and Aunt Maagie's husband... we try to do this once a year and deep down it pulls at my heart strings big time. I wish I could have met JeanAnn's parents at one time... and just wanting them to know Kayson. I know Ryan will be able to tell Kayson stories about his Grandma & Grandpa... so that is our blessing. Visiting them, made both Ryan & I say that we need to do the same thing when we are in Clarion... all of my grandparents are buried there, and there's no reason to not visit them from time to time.

All and all, we had a good time... Kayson was pretty much all out of sorts by the time we got home tonight... he had a late dinner and to bed again late (nearly 9:00)... I sure hope it doesn't take him long to get back into a routine and some normalcy! He IS a good boy for adjusting so well to being in the car a lot this weekend!

Ryan & I took tomorrow off... I can't wait to not go to work! ha.

Shiner

Kayson recieved his first shiner or black eye today. He and another little girl (not sure who it was, but my guess is Riley!) were playing behind the cribs... the cribs can be easily moved (on wheels) and they must have been either stuck or the teachers were ready for them to get out... and one of the teachers picked up the little girl, who had a toy in her hand... and as she was being picked up, the toy smacked Kayson right in the eye. AAAaaaa poor thing!!! Miss Megan (a different Megan now!) said he did cry pretty hard, but didn't last too long...

Here's a picture of the shiner.

More Improvements

About a month ago, we had TimberPine landscaping come and give us a quote on some landscaping for our front yard... Ryan and I really didn't want to do it ourselves, so pay someone and have it done correctly! Over the past couple weeks, all of our neighbors have been planting trees and bushes and flowers, etc... all working very, VERY hard... some of them have been working on things for several weekends... and we had TimberPine come and it was done in one day. Whew - we worked hard! ;)

Here are the results... and we love it! We'll really love it when it's a little more fuller!!

Improvements & Fun

Productive is the word for this weekend. Saturday we were up bright and early (there's no sleeping in for Kayson we don't think!) We made a trip to Menards at like 8 am, that's a first for me I know... no shower for any of us, just a quick teeth brush! Our project was to take my old patio chairs & tables and update them a little. Here are the before and after pictures - I think they look awesome. Ryan did a great job!! (I did spray paint one of them... and Ryan would tell you that I used a whole can of paint and got some on the seat). Whatever! ;)

Another thing I wanted to do was touch up some paint spots in the house... Ryan isn't ready for me to paint (I would love to, but I'll be patient with him)! So we just have the flat paint and there were some spots that were rubbing off and some black spots... I finally touched those up. That makes me feel a little better about painting - however, I would really like to paint by this winter! Hint Hint Ryan - if you are reading! ;)

Saturday evening we went up to Ankeny to our friends' place for a family-friendly party. (We showered before the party!) Great weather, great food, great company... Kayson did great - played outside and he soaked all the commotion in! It was a good time and we were all pooped once we got home!

Here are a few other pictures from the weekend. We played outside as much as we could - with bubbles! Kayson loves bubbles. And then as most of you mothers out there know, toys are completely over-rated. Kayson likes to play with tupperware and old cool-whip containers... here's proof.

We had a great weekend... I love the feeling of getting something big accomplished.

Growing up too fast

Each day Kayson does something new. It makes me realize how fast he's growing up. Today when I picked him up from daycare, there was a letter to the parents (in his room) explaining that the kids will be moving up to another room. Again, just shows and really hits home how fast he's growing up. Soon he won't be in 'Pod 4' anymore, and he'll be in the next Pod having learning lessons, and things like that. Wow - that really pulls at the heart strings tonight!!

Kayson really is starting to talk more and more... I was just telling Aunt Tina that in another month or so he'll have 4 or 5 new words he'll use (maybe more). It's just amazing to watch him grow and learn.

His favorite words now are: Dadda, Momma, Bubbles, Puppies, Milk, Cheese, Water, Riley, Papa, Blair, socks or shoes (of course, some of these don't come out very clear, but I know exactly what he's saying!)

Here's a picture from tonight - he takes his socks off, then was trying to put them back on. Smart boy! ;)

Play Date

Ryan is gone this week... so Colleen, Cali, Kayson & I made a play date for tonight. We went to the mall to return a few items, grab a bite to eat... and let the kiddos play at the PlayPlace. Both Colleen and I were a little nervous about - it was the first visit to the PlayPlace for the kids... (I was mostly nervous about germs - and still am - I scrubbed Kayson's hands real good when we got home!) Anyway, the kids played - ran around - Cali went down slides and climbed on everything! Kayson went through tunnels and went down slides too. It was awesome!!!

Here is a quick video of Kayson playing... it's from my cell phone and I can't figure out how to make it look right. So good luck watching! ha.

Happy Mother's Day!

My 2nd Mothers Day has been good. I can't write and tell people enough how lucky I am to have Kayson in my life. Being a mother is amazing, challenging, beautiful and rewarding.

We've had a great weekend thus far. My parents came and stayed with us Friday evening through Saturday afternoon. It was a nice visit... nice to have them here for more than just 4 hours. I know Mom had a good time, b/c she called when they got home and she was sad - I could tell she had been crying and she said she could have stayed another several days. She loves that Kayson (and us of course). Today we met Mike & JeanAnn, Grandma & Grandpa Taylor, Blair & Martina for lunch... it was a good buffet meal and nice company. Right now Kayson is napping and Ryan is mowing the yard for the first time. I know he's lovin' every second of it. It's been a good weekend... I need to soak in every second with Ryan as he'll be gone to Illinois this week.

Hugs and love to all those Mother's out there... whether you are a Grandma, or a Great-Grandma or pregnant with your first baby - enjoy it, it's OUR DAY! ;)

Letter to Kayson from Momma

To my Buster,
When you were growing in my tummy, I never quite imagined how you would change my life. Your Daddy and I were so excited and nervous for you to arrive... and when you did, it seemed that life just changed so easily. Sure we had some challenges, and we still do each day, but we all got through it, with the help of your smile. You were SUCH a good baby... and to watch you grow and learn each day is a remarkable feeling. To watch you learn to coo and twist your feet around and around when you were excited... to watch you learn to sit up and be such a 'big boy'... to watch you learn who I am and who Daddy is (again, an amazing feeling to know that you love us as much as we love you!)... to watch you learn to crawl (finally we thought!)... to watch you start to copy the things we do... to watch you learn to walk. We have so much more to come in life with you and I just wanted to take a quick moment to let you know (in a letter) how much I love you. You have changed my life and your Daddy's life... for the better. We have become a family and I couldn't ask for anything else. I hope to be able to give you everything you need to be a happy and healthy boy and man in life.

I love you.
Momma

1st & Busy!

We had a busy weekend! A couple firsts were thrown into the weekend as well...

Kayson got his first hair cut! "Aunt" Lacey came over Saturday morning and trimmed up his hair. Oh he did so well and it does look much better. Probably to most people you wouldn't really notice, but WE noticed - there were some really long hairs at the top and Lacey 'blended' those in... it looks great!

Before, During & After (before his hair was hanging over his ears... now it lays so nice!)

Saturday afternoon we headed up to spend some time with Blair & Martina. Great food, great company. We just had a nice time... they have a little playground area close to their backyard, so we walked there and played! This was a first for us and Kayson. He loved LOVED the swings, and we even all attempted the slides. Kayson wasn't quite sure, but near the end he was liking it a little more and more. (I only pictures of that on my phone... )

and today, Mike & JeanAnn came for a visit... we grilled at the house, played outside, took good naps and just had a nice time. I even squeezed in a photo shoot for my friend's grandbaby. It went well!

So needless to say - we were busy this weekend. And now Ryan wants on the computer! I'm off to clean some of Kayson's toys... can't remember the last time I wiped them down!