Friday Fun

Happy Friday! (Thank goodness!)
I follow a ton of blogs... including people I don't know. Somedays I think that's weird, other days I'm okay with it! ha. One of the blogs does "5 Friday Questions..." I thought that would be fun. Here they are and my answers:


Questions for Friday, August 27th:

1. Do you have any nicknames and if so how did it come about?
“Muffy” – My Dad called me Muffin when I was little and it soon got shortened to Muffy. A little embarrassing. ;)
“Nell” – My good friends’ kids call me Aunt Nell (and hope my soon-to-be nephew will do the same!)
“JaaaaNel” – from Ryan & Lacey


2. What is your birth order amongst your siblings?
Youngest – My mom always told me it was a good thing that I was a good baby b/c Trish & Jill (mostly Trish) gave her a run for her money!


3. In a movie of your life, who would play your significant other?
Ryan of course. ;) Gerard Butler is ‘hubba-hubba’… and his accent is so cool.


4. What is currently your favorite song?
Oooo that’s hard… I’m going to list 2:
King of Anything – Sara Bareilles (love the beat of it)
Glitter in the Air – P!nk (love her voice!)

5. Are you saving your money for anything right now? Big or small purchase?
I’m always TRYING to save for something. I have a big wish list. But these are the first ones that come to my mind, and they are large purchases:
A different vehicle (preferrably a Ford Edge!) and a new camera

We love Dadda & "Craft" Time

It's obvious that we love Dadda and miss him. Each night (if time permits), we get onto Skype and talk with Dadda... Kayson typically doesn't say much, just smiles and waves. It's so damn sweet.


I've had to become very, very creative over the past couple weeks - to keep our busy son happy. Some days were easier than others. Recently I purchased some crafty stuff - paper, crayons, markers, stickers, things like that... Tonight I pulled all that stuff out to see what would happen. He had a good time... and did so well.

We made some pictures for Dadda! (of course!)


and end result - Washable markers all over his hands, tummy & face, as you can see. ;)


We are thrilled Dadda will be home tomorrow!

20 Months

Kayson is 20 months old today... that means 4 more months til Christmas and his birthday. 4 months!!!! YIKES! To top off those two emotions, I'm sad today... Ryan's been gone since Sunday (his second week out) and it's caught up to me today. I have to think to myself that things could be much worse, I'm very lucky, so I just need to get out of this funk!


SO 4 months til Christmas/Birthday - I'm not going to lie, that gives me an awful feeling in my gut, give me high anxiety and worry (I get that from my Dad). A lot of thoughts race through my mind when it comes to the holidays and now throwing in Kayson's birthday with Christmas Day. I know there will be so much to do like find time to have a "special" moment just for Kayson on his birthday (and continue that for years to come), to find time to shop (we will have to run into a money tree between now and then!) and try to start our own family holiday traditions... that one in itself will be a challenge. Both of our families are so close-knit and I feel will be truly upset if we do attempt our own traditions on Christmas Day/Birthday. I feel it's much harder for us because we don't live in the same town as our families... Actually our families are on complete different sides of the state (even harder!) I grew up opening Santa's gifts in my pajamas on Christmas morning at my house - I'd love for Kayson to have that!! In the long run, as long as Kayson is happy, that's what's important.


Anyway, lots of emotions today - my baby isn't really a baby anymore and soon the holidays and his 2nd birthday will be here! (That's a poke to all you others out there - it'll be here before we know it!!) ;) Get ready!

Lots to say

We had a nice weekend, went too fast, but nice.

Friday Ryan got home from South Dakota around 5 - was wonderful to see him. Friday we enjoyed some time as a family and just hung out.

Saturday was a hectic day... it was our First Annual Block Party for the neighborhood. I was excited... I, along with 2 other gals, planned it... and was hoping for a good turnout and just a good time. We did some grocery shopping in the morning, then played hard with Kayson prepping him for a 3 hour nap! It was a hot day, so we played on the deck with some water buckets. (This was started by Aunt Tina - give him buckets and tupperware full of water and let him go to town!) It's awesome! In the midst of running around, I got bit by a wasp on the top of my left foot (I originally thought it was a bee, but Ryan soon after killed 2 wasps in the yard). Either way, I was stung and it hurt like a SOB!!! (I can say that on the blog right?!) I had tears and it scared me... I called my sister and she asked me questions and told me to take some Benadryl... and if I was allergic, something would have happened pretty much right away. My foot was swollen and red and throbbing... I took some Benadryl and just waited... soaking it with an ice cube. Wow it hurt. Within an hour, it was better - not as sore, but still throbbing... I was feeling better, loopy from the Benadryl but better! Then Saturday evening was the Block Party. We had a great turnout... between the sweating (from everyone) and swatting the bugs away, I do honestly think everyone had a good time. We got to know more people and more faces, which is always nice. I was pleased... and tired by the time the party ended (around midnight). I'd say it was a hit! ;)

Today has been a lazy day. I can say I've felt icky all day - I'm certain it's due to knowing Ryan had to leave again this afternoon... knowing I'll be without him for 5 full evenings is so hard... So I've been 'down' today. Ryan took off around 2:30, so Kayson and I played and did as much as we could inside... then did a WalMart run. That always passes the time pretty well. And I even took him to McDonald's... interesting, I just thought it would be something different. He hate his french fries and a few nuggets... was more interested in looking out the window at the birds and cars. We came home and played some more... and bedtime went well. I just talked to Ryan, so now it's time for me to hit the sack. I sure do pray this week goes well and FAST.

And my foot is just fine today!

Here are some pics from the weekend.
This is Kayson playing with the water... likes to put his face in the water to make bubbles and then the end result him laughing!

Now doesn't this look so sweet? He was watching a movie... so I snapped a few shots... and soon enough I realized he was pooping!!! Still sweet. ;)

Momma & Kayson Date Night

With Ryan gone, I've really tried to keep Kayson and I busy this week... we'll have to do it again next week too.
Sunday evening - Ryan's parents visited for a bit
Monday evening - My parents (along with Hope & Eden) visited
Tuesday evening - Play date with Cali
Wednesday evening - Play date with Braley
Tonight - Date night with Momma

We had a good dinner at home... then went to Jordan Creek and fed the ducks and walked and walked... and walked... it was good for Kayson's little legs! And mine too. Here are a few shots of him enjoying the outside. (Pics are just from my cell phone).

Throwing the bread...


and more bread...


and a treat for both of us - Strawberry Cheesequake Blizzard. Yum Yum.

3 more days, 2 more nights

I just need to get through the next 3 days... then Ryan will be home. Kayson's been good, he's a pistol and busy, but he's been good. He's been sleeping for me... however, I can't say that I slept well last night. I'm getting a cold - my head is full, my nose is running and I'm exhausted. I had some stress last week with work and I think that has domino-effected into a cold. I need to get better before Ryan comes home... that wouldn't be fun - he's gone for a week and then home and I'm sick. No way! So... I'm going to do my best to 'take it easy' the next 3 days and get better.

This morning Kayson was upset and pointing to his mouth... I asked him if his teeth hurt, he says "No", however, I looked in his mouth and his lower right hole (one spot that doesn't have a tooth), is all red and swollen. I'm guessing that's sore. Poor thing. I asked him if he wanted some medicine, he didn't say no... and walked right over to where our medicine is. Smart thing. He took it like a champ... I'm hoping that dulls the soreness for today...

Another story - we were driving to daycare today and pulled up to a stoplight and we were next to a red truck. Kayson said "Papa" and pointed to the truck. My Mom drives a red truck and Monday they came to visit and Papa was driving... he put two and two together. What a neat feeling.

Rain?

Rain rain go away. It's literally rained ALL day today. A gloomy, drizzle all day long. It really doesn't matter to me - I don't have plans to be outside or we are lucky enough to not have to worry about water in our basement, etc... but still - it's icky to have it rain ALL DAY LONG!

Like one of Kayson's favorite songs - "Oh Mister Sun, Mister Golden Sun - Please shine down on me!"

45 Lessons

Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio.
"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16.. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone & everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come...
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Mowing in the Mist

Crappy shoes on... and his old Hawkeye hat... Kayson knew exactly what Dadda was going to do this morning. "Mow Mow"... over and over again. Kayson and I played outside and watched Dadda mow the yard... in the rain... mist kind of. I guess that's better than the heat! Kayson and I had fun... following Dadda and sitting in our chair and taking pictures. I got some smiles out of him! That's been hard to do lately!

Blowing kisses to Dadda.


Laughin! Likes to see his picture on the camera... good way to get him to smile!


Concentrating... he's gonna Mow Mow!


and there he goes... he pushes it. Strong little boy!!

My boys hard at work... notice the gloomyness - it was sprinkling at this point!

Good... then Ugly

Ryan and I took the afternoon off today to go golf. We have had it planned for a couple weeks... since this was one of the weeks he was going to be in town. I had such a good time golfing at the Taylor Reunion in June, that I wanted to get another round in before summer was over. So we picked a day and ran with it... then it rained on us! It was dry on the way to the course... we got through the 1st hole, then it started to sprinkle... I'm thinking "I can handle this"... then the sprinkle became a good rain. My hair was soaked and my white tank top was becoming wet... not pretty! We continued to play... a couple times finding a tree to block some of the horizontal rain. We laughed about it... and stuck it out. By the 7th hole, it was clearing up and we finished with the sun... the warm sun. Perfect timing for that! I'd rather play in the rain and cooler temps then blazing hot sun. We had a nice time... a nice little 'date' for us.

I then picked Kayson up... he was crying when I picked him up from daycare... I hate that feeling. I wonder then if something happened, is he just sad, is he tired, is he not being paid attention to? Once we got in the car, he was fine... however, then we got home and he started whining again. Ryan and I are having a hard time with this whining... it's pretty much constant anymore. That's tough. Tough on us. Tough on Kayson. I wish we understood the whining.

We decided to go out for dinner tonight... not sure why we thought that would work, but we tried it... and he actually did well. He didn't eat, but he did well. We walked around the pond at Jordan Creek feeding the ducks and fish... Kayson absolutely loved that. We even got some ice cream. Then we got home and this is where the 'ugly' started. Kayson's awful clingy to me... he doesn't want Ryan to do much with him - always saying no to him if Ryan asks a question... and we wanted to give him some medicine (thinking he might not feel well b/c he's so whiny??) and he gagged when Ryan gave it to him... so we took a break and I tried it and he did just fine. I know that hurts Ryan. It hurts me too... I don't want Kayson to only cling to me... He loves his Dadda, and Ryan knows that, it's just hard to comprehend sometimes. Kayson was all upset so bedtime came early tonight... I sure hope he sleeps well and tomorrow is a better day of him wanting Dadda. That makes me sad.

Oh the challenges every day.

It's a BOY!

Congrats to Aunt Tina & Uncle Blair - Baby Taylor is a boy! They found out today and Martina just posted it on Facebook, so that's my 'ok' to post it on our blog! We are so thrilled... we can't wait to have Kayson and Baby Taylor play together and be buds. What an awesome feeling!!

We also are wanting Baby Taylor to be naughty like Kayson is!! haha... Here's proof.
The other evening I was getting prepped for my cousins arriving and Kayson was pretty quiet... and I hollared at him... and then Quincy. Quincy ALWAYS comes to me when I hollar for him... and he didn't... so I knew something was up. I peeked around the corner of the counter - and this is what I saw. "UH-OH" Kayson says. Yep... definately an Uh-Oh.



Here are a few pics from tonight. Kayson was doing this dance thing... we think. He would laugh and want us to do it too. So cute. And then him and Dadda. My two favorite boys.

Frustrated... Patience Tested

It's Monday... where the H### do the weekends go!?? I need a break, I need time with my little family and I'm tired! The storms kept ME up last night, not anyone else! ha.

Anyway, yesterday was our relaxing day at home and we did have a chance to just lay-low... however, we had some very frustrating moments with Mr. Kayson. He's challenging us, he's testing our patience, he's doing all the things that a 19 month old does. We really, really struggled with eating yesterday. We all were upset, even Ryan. Kayson didn't want to eat anything 'new' that we wanted him to try... he eats the same things all the time, which part of me thinks "at least he's eating", the other part wants him to try different things and eat the things that Ryan and I eat, as that would be SO much easier when we are out. Ryan was upset because he wants Kayson to not be picky and eat new things too. Ryan gets pissed, I get sad... and Kayson cries, hard. Wow, it breaks my heart just thinking about it.

I get advice and it's all over the board... of course! ha. My biggest concern is just wanting him to eat healthy and grow.

Do any of you Moms out there have suggestions on how to 'courase' Kayson into trying new things and actually liking them!?

NonStop

From 4:30 pm on Friday evening until now, Saturday evening at 9:45... I've been nonstop. I can say it's been all enjoyable and fun... however, I'm ready to relax tomorrow!!

Friday evening my cousins and their daughter came from Cedar Rapids to have me take their daughter's senior pictures. We did all the indoor shots Friday evening... Shanna did great. She's fun, she's creative, she's very photogenic (which makes things SO much easier!) We took a ton of shots, then wrapped things up around 8:15 and went out for dinner. During all of this, Ryan took Kayson to an ICubs game. Each year my hometown church comes down for a game... some of you may remember the horrible experience we had last year with Kayson. (It didn't go well). So I was nervous about this year... however, Ryan said he did great. Kayson sat with my parents and Trish/Greg and Jill/Jeff and the kids. Ryan enjoyed some the comfort of closer seats given to him by his work... he enjoyed it, but still checked in on Kayson! They had a great time!! We all wrapped up the night around 10:00. Kayson did so well and crashed... and slept til 7:00 this morning. (That's sleeping in for him!)

This morning we wrapped up the senior pictures... we did all the outdoor pics - hitting 3 locations. Again, Shanna did great - we had a lot of fun, even between me sweating! We enjoyed a covered bridge, some water, some geese and some roses... We spent about 3 hours together, and then we were done! I was able to do a quick look through on the pictures... there are some great ones, I hope she's pleased. The rest of the afternoon was spent with Kayson taking a 3.5 hour nap (awesome!), while I cleaned a little and worked on pictures... Ryan did some stuff outside and helped a neighbor with some garage shelving. This evening we got groceries - I can say that we were low on everything... our bill showed it! My sister, Jill and her family were here in DSM (saw the ICubs game Friday and then did some heavy shopping today), they stopped by tonight for a little bit. Kayson and the kids just had a blast. It was past his bedtime, but he did so well - laughing and playing with them. I don't think at one time we all weren't smiling or laughing at him and the kids. Such an awesome feeling.

Now... almost 10:00... I'm sitting... my eyes are heavy. Being nonstop wears me out!

19 Months+

A fellow blogger and friend as well, helped me (without her even knowing!) realize that I haven't really given an update of the fun things that Kayson does... I know I post things here and there of some of the naughty things he does, but I really should lay everything out for you! Especially those who don't see us very often. Kayson is now 19 months old, plus a week and a half.

1 month old (so precious!)

• Wears 24 month clothes, somedays I think those tops needs to be a little bigger. He has a long torso (IMO).
• Wears size 5 shoes... however, if we are purchasing NIKEs, then we shoot up to a 7??? 6s are just too small... he has fat feet - especially the tops of his feet. I say he doesn't have ankles, his calf and top of his foot all kind of run together... Pretty funny actually.
• Is still not the best eater... although, I feel we've gotten a little better.
• Says more words each day! (Which I absolutely love!) Momma, Dadda, Puppa (for Puppies), Murme (for Murphy), Melmo (for Elmo), Mil (for Milk), Wawa (for Water), Momeel (for Oatmeal), Banki (for Blankies), Ou (for Out), Nana (for Banana), MoMo (Mower), Papa, Bair (for Blair), Bye Bye, Hi, Bath, along with all sorts of sounds for animals, which is a ton of fun. He's basically repeating every basic word we say!
• Gives open mouth kisses... along with some closed ones (few, far and between), AND fishy kisses!
• Is SO good at bedtime... Routine: Bath, dry off (which he hates), blow-dry hair (yes, he likes it some days and I hate going to bed with wet hair!), get milk, pick out 2 books, and off to his room... running... saying Bye-Bye to whoever is not putting him down. It's so sweet.
• Loves to hold the puppies leashes when we are outside... just now needs to hold on tight, b/c he gets pulled by them!
• Loves to stare at people... just like his Dadda! ha. (That's a poke at Ryan, he stares ALL the time!) ;)
• Hits me (and Dadda sometimes) when it's time to come in from outside... just hates the fact that we can't sleep outside. ;)
• Loves to help Dadda mow... but scared of it at the same time. Weird child!
• Likes to wrestle me... If I'm sitting on the floor, he will come push me just enough to get me to lay on the floor, then he pounces!
• Wants to watch movies a lot... I'm fine with that, but not a lot - "We need to play Kayson" - I say that a lot! ;)
• Has had his hair cut 4 times now... and it may get cut again this weekend!
• He's a 'sponge' - I know he's soaking in EVERYTHING we do and say... he's learning every day and it's amazing. He also remembers so much too, things I don't even remember! ha.

Well that was fun... I'm sure I've forgotten some things!! He's fun, he's ornery... and we love every little inch of him.