It's FALL!

I'm loving, totally loving the weather right now... for several reasons:

• Kayson looks absolutely ADORABLE (more than normal) in sweats and long sleeved shirts and sneakers. Can't wait to pull the cute sweatshirts out!
• I love being in sweats and sweatshirts too! I know Ryan does too... he puts the hoodies on and wraps up in blankets. It's hilarious.
• Windows open and fresh air.
• Pumpkins on front stoops... we don't have any yet, but we will this year. Kayson will love it!
• Football. I actually like watching football... and I'm sure Ryan appreciates that.
• Just staying in. I feel like we are on the go all the time, but this weather seems to slow us down just a little... :)

I'm done babbling! Enjoy the week!

St. Joe

Ryan, Kayson and I took a trip down to St. Joe, MO Saturday with Mike & JeanAnn to celebrate Aunt Maagie's 85th birthday. That's a big deal! We had such a good time! We got to the hotel a little early and let Kayson enjoy the pool for a little bit. Then we met everyone up for the birthday dinner and mingling... Kayson did great - was a little shy at first, but once he ate, he started to warm up... giving high-fives and running around. We all had a crappy nights sleep (Kayson was up most of the night and pillows were AWFUL!)... but today is a new day! With our sore necks and backs... and plain tired, Kayson had a great breakfast with Grandma JeanAnn & Papa Mike, while Ryan and I got ready... slowly. We headed back to Creston and then back home. It was a nice trip - always nice to see Aunt Maagie - she's such a wonderful lady.

Here are some fun photos from the trip.
Kayson and Dadda in pool... I did get in, for just a small time!


Some dinner pictures...
With Aunt Maagie... I love how she's looking at Kayson - she loves that little boy.

and Kayson crawling under the table. We do have control of him... really. ha.

We went back to Aunt Maagie's after dinner - Kayson played with a slot machine she had - loved it... and also this fly-swatter that said "Gottcha!" everytime he hit it. Funny.

Bite

"RiRi bite" - says Kayson, as he holds his arm.

WHAT??! This was about a week ago - our conversation at the dinner table. Dadda was home, so he heard it too. We asked a few questions, with Kayson's answer of "Yah" to everything. So we dropped it and didn't bring it up again... (still seemed very interesting to us).

The week went past... and then this week, he's only been at daycare for 3 days. Today we took him, no fever, so we all went back to work... and him back to his routine. I picked him up today and attached to his Daily Gram is a 'Boo-Boo Gram'.

It reads: "Was bit when trying to take a friends crayon." Action Taken: Lots of TLC.

Hmmm... interesting. He didn't have a mark on an arm or anything. I ran into the director/owner on our way out... she's wonderful, we always chit-chat a little when we leave or arrive. Today I mentioned the Boo-Boo Gram... she of course can't tell me who bit Kayson... however, when I mentioned our conversation from last week... she smiled and said "we are working on it and her mother is so upset". I put two and two together... that Miss Riley. Poor thing... I feel bad for her Mom, sure hope it's something that fades soon and glad that we haven't had to deal with that (yet anyway).

Ryan and I will not bring up the biting incidents...

Who could bite this little guy?! ;)

Cooled off, but TIRED!

It's Friday morning... the entire Taylor household is tired. (Well maybe not Ryan, cuz I think he slept through our 'rough' night). I had VB last night... once I got home, I was hungry and wired... I didn't lay down til nearly 10:30 or so... 11:00, Kayson wakes up wanting "Mommaaaaaaa" I rock him and love on him for a little bit... laying him back down and getting myself comfortable again. 11:08, Kayson is up again... repeat rocking. 11:25, up again... repeat... we did this for nearly 2 hours (up about every 10-13 minutes). I kept track. I couldn't figure it out - diaper was changed, motrin was given, he drank some milk, we rocked, we talked, he cried, he rubbed his eyes, he yawned. I resolved to bringing him into bed with us... which is impossible for me to get comfortable and sleep. Kayson finally slept hard from 2:30ish til 6 this morning. No fever this morning (which is excellent), so he's at daycare today... however, I'm now concerned he could have an ear infection... We are suppose to travel tomorrow to St. Joe, MO... I sure hope we get some good sleep tonight and he's a new baby tomorrow!

I'm pooped!

Still warm

Kayson's still running a temp... he's in good spirits, but still warm. This morning his temp was 101.7 (or so). Ryan is still not feeling all that well either - so both boys are home today. It'll be good for Ryan to be home and not travel for a day (hoping he can relax a little with Buster), and get Kayson to kick this fever.


Apparently this fever stuff is going around... a friend of mine's little boy is experiencing the same stuff... a gal from work is home with a fever. I don't want to get sick.

Doing better

We are home today... Kayson and I. He's doing better - much better from this morning. He (and me) snoozed til about 8:30 this morning... pretty awesome for me, and obviously he needed it. We played a little this morning, not much - then he wanted to watch cartoons. He's slowly starting to get into cartoons a little more... he'll actually sit and watch (for a short amount of time). I needed more motrin & tylonol for him, so we did a Walgreens run, then we walked around WalMart. He was great. We came home, didn't eat lunch (him)... and now he's napping. He seems happier, so I sure hope this fever thing was just a one time thing.

I have to say - I'm enjoying my day at home.

Home sick

Daddy's sick... however, he got a good nights sleep last night, so I'm hoping that's a good sign to recovery. Now, Kayson is running a fever... a high one. 102.4. I'm staying home with him today... hoping to snuggle and nap. ;)

A little under the weather...

Warm, then cold... cough cough... then comfortable... cough cough... then hot, then cold. Sigh. Not me - Ryan. Poor guy. This happens about twice a year... he's gets this AWFUL cough and it hangs on... even with prescription meds. He's been non-stop with travelling and I guess it's due to happen. It just stinks. This week he's commuting back and forth - sometimes I think that's worse for him and his co-workers, cuz they still get home late, but they have the hour plus drive in the morning and at night... Of course, I love having him home... however, tonight, we ate supper, and he's been asleep in his chair since. Again - poor guy.

He asked tonight if I feel ok - he's worried Kayson and I might get sick... I feel fine - tired, but fine. Kayson was running a low temp tonight and has a snotty nose, so we'll watch him closely.

I just hope tomorrow is a better day for Ryan... having the meds in him for a full day and get him more perky!

Thomas in the rain

Today, Ryan, Kayson and I went to Boone to ride Thomas the Train at the Scenic Valley Railroad. I had set it up months ago... knowing Kayson was just starting to be interested in Thomas back then... his interest has grown and grown, which was perfect. We enjoyed our time in Boone - the rainy day kept us from doing some of the fun things they have outside, but we still rode the train and shopped a little in the gift shop. I personally thought it was perfect for Kayson's age... the ride was about 25 minutes... just out about 10 minutes and back. Nothing too exciting for us adults, but it was good for Kayson.

Waiting for Thomas...


Here he comes!!! (Dadda was excited too!)

Here's Thomas!!


Look at that face...?

This was the view for the majority of the ride... so sweet.

Five Question Friday

1. How much time do you spend on the computer a day?
Well... from about 7:15 am til nearly 4:00 pm... then about an hour or so in the evening (depending on how much photography stuff I have to do or just crap I look at!). That's a lot.

2. Will you pay for your children's college or raise them to pay for their own way?
I know Ryan and I would LOVE to pay for Kayson's (and any other children we are blessed with) college. I have a feeling, however, college will be way more expensive in 16 years+ than it is now... that's super scary. But we will certainly try our hardest.

3. Have you ever been in a car accident?
Yes, a small fender-bender. My friend April and I were leaving track practice one evening in HS - a gal turned out in front of me and I clipped her back-end. Scared the crap out of me, b/c it was SO loud, but we were all ok!

4. What is your favorite book?
Hmmm. I don't read. ha.

5. Do you make your bed everyday?
Yes.

"Conversations"

I can officially say Kayson and I (or Ryan) can have a small "conversation". Sometimes things are really clear, other times not so much. It's so fun to watch him learn and start to talk more and more each day.

Here are some examples of the "conversations" we had today on our way home from daycare:
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Momma: "How was Daycare Kayson??"
Kayson: "RiRi pay" = Riley play
Momma: "Yes, you play with Riley... and your other friends too..."
Kayson: "Yindsey, Hayey" = Lindsay & Hailey
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K: "Dadda drive"
M: "Yes, Dadda is driving now... he's traveling... we hope to have him home tonight!!"
K: "Dadda!!!" with big smile
M: "Who else drives Kayson?"
K: "Bair, Papa, Momma" = Uncle Blair, Papa, Momma
M: "What about Aunt Tricia and Aunt Tina? Don't they drive too?"
K: "Baby" as his rubbing his tummy... = Baby in Aunt Tina's tummy
How sweet.
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K: "Row... Dir... Tractor..." = Road, Dirt & Tractor
As we pull into the driveway - they are working on the road in the back of the house... we watch the workers and trucks and bobcats and 'tractors' everyday.

I love these little talks we have. I can't wait to see how much clearer these words get in a month, or even next week!

Kayson - 15 Month Well Check/Shots

I have a frustrating story, so you all get to listen!
Last week, daycare informed me that they needed a copy of Kayson's immunizations. I always forget to ask for it at the doctors. Anyway, I called last Tuesday to get a copy. I was off that day, and the lady said she would call me back that afternoon to pick it up. No call back. Wednesday I didn't hear anything... so Thursday morning I called to check in. I let a different gal know my story and she said she would call me back. Thursday afternoon I got a call back saying that Kayson wasn't updated on his shots. WHAT? We talked and attempted to figure it out, and she said she would call me back. Friday morning she called me back and explained that Kayson never had his 15 month well check visit. Again - WHAT? I was so confused and frustrated... and worried. I scheduled the visit for this afternoon.

Kayson got three more shots today... and hated every second of it. He's fine in the lobby, but the second we walked into the room, he cries and clings hard. The nurse said "I'm going to need help, aren't I?" I said "Yes." I pretty much had to strap him down while two nurses gave the shots. Once they were done and out of the room, he was perfectly fine... I just hope he sleeps.

Anyway, my main frustration is that Ryan and I are first time parents and we completely rely on our doctor and nurses to help us with what's next for Kayson. I had NO idea he needed a 15 month well check visit. No clue. It's just dis-heartening... I have put a complaint into the main office... and will be complaining to the 'manager' or main doctor as well, just haven't gotten that far yet.

Totally Random

• We had a nice weekend... sad that it's over, but it was good. Saturday - FB Game, Today - at home. Awesome.
• Go Hawks! Great game, great weather (even got a sunburnt face).
• Kayson now says "Go Hawkeyes!" and "Touchdown!" Priceless and perfect.
• Load after load of laundry got done today... what a great feeling. (That includes ironing!)
• Ryan and I need new clothes - he needs jeans, I probably could use some new jeans... we pretty much need new stuff (for fall/winter). Kayson will too (that's what grandparents are for).
• I'm going to paint our laundry room. I know, weird - but I've always thought a gray laundry room would be cute. Again, weird, but it's on my list to tackle maybe next weekend. (Ryan says I can paint it cuz no one really sees it - if you remember with Kayson's room, we have agreed any other main room will be painted by a professional!) ha.
• Less than 4 months til Christmas & Birthday... I've started to make a list of gifts (for Kayson) for the Grandmas and Aunts. A small list.
• Thanks to my mom for cleaning a little on Saturday when they were here... she scrubbed my kitchen floor. I do that too, but with a mother's touch, it's just so different (and so much better).
• I'm tired of seeing little toads in our landscaping and driveway at night... gross.

Our backyard... Kinda

This is what we see when we look out our back windows... They are tearing up dirt to make a road. We thought it would be another 6 months (at least Spring) before they started on this... but unfortunately no! I have a feeling the road will be done right about winter time, then they'll start building back there soon after.

Labor Day

We spent Labor Day in Diagonal, Iowa. Anyone heard of that??!?! (Of course the Creston folks know the little town!) That's where Grandma & Grandpa Taylor and Great-Grandma Ann live. Each year there is an enormous Labor Day parade. I mean tons of old cars, tractors, horses... you name it. Martina & I say there's probably at least 600 tractors and 210 horses. It's a hoot!

We made the trip down with Blair & Martina and enjoyed the parade. My allergies were about to get the best of me... but once we were back to the farm, Mike gave me some Zyrtec and it helped a ton. We enjoyed company at the farm... all the kids running around, playing outside (in the SUPER windy conditions!)... and eating a ton. We had a nice time. Kayson did great - loved playing outside and got to really know all the kids. It was great!

Here are some of pictures from the day.

Kayson sitting with Papa during the parade (only for a short period of time)... look at all those people!

Loves the water, imagine that! It was SO cold too! ;)

Just some of the kiddos...

All the Great-Grandkids with Grandma Ann... and Kayson, the Great-Great Grandbaby.

and ALL of us. What a great group.


Kayson and Dadda on a tractor.

Cool weather = Lots of time outside!

1st - Love the long weekends. It's Sunday and I'm not crabby! haha. We have another 'free' day of the weekend... AND I'm taking Tuesday off just because.

Yesterday was a big day for us -- Opening game of the College Football season. Go Hawks! Ryan and I headed over to Iowa City early Saturday morning. We tailgated in a new place this year, still with our same group. It was a great spot, close to the stadium and our car is right there with us. Which is a huge plus. I can say the game was boring, simply because there wasn't anything too exciting happening... but it was a win, so that's always good! It was good to see our season ticket neighbors too! Mike & JeanAnn stayed with Kayson for the day... and they've told us they had a good time and he was a good boy. Blair & Martina came to visit and play as well, so that's always good. Kayson had lots of time with the family.

Today we've played outside all morning - gorgeous morning! It was a little chilly, so we all had sweatpants and sweatshirts on! Here are a few pictures of Kayson:

Kayson's napping... I'm catching up on emails and blogging... will soon do a little cleaning... and then shower! Great day!

Tonight we have plans with our neighbors to just hang out, play and eat... sounds perfect to me!

Tomorrow we'll head to Diagonal for the Labor Day parade and a great lunch with all the Taylor's. It'll be a good time!

Five Question Friday

1. Who is in charge of the remote at your house?
It's a mix... but probably Ryan is in charge 90% of the time. ;) I typically don't mind what he's picking to watch - except those weird, old movies he'll pick on a Saturday afternoon.

2. What was the first car you owned?
First car I "OWNED" is the car I'm driving... bought and paid for.
First car I drove and was considered mine was a 1978 Olds Cutlass Supreme. It was brown, I called it the "Terd".

3. Do you fold your laundry as soon as it's dry or does it sit in a pile until you need that white Tshirt?
It's folded right away... and put away right away.

4. Favorite flower and why?
Gerber Daisy. When Ryan and I were first dating that was the flower of choice for him... he bought me several and I fell in love with them... simply because he loved them.

5. If you could have any color eyes, what would you choose and why?
Probably blue like my sons... They are beautiful and people draw to them and always say how beautiful they are. I have hazel eyes... boring. ;)

Good Deed... and Friends

I did some volunteer work this afternoon. 11 of my co-workers and I volunteered for the Meals from the Heartland. I've never done anything like that before... and was anxious to see how it worked. There was so many people that filled HyVee Hall... I was amazed. It was basically a 'factory line'... I had the sealing portion of the food bag. Our little group put together 19 boxes of 36 food bags in 2 hours --- 684 bags. We made a difference. It was a great feeling.

Tonight Colleen & Cali came for dinner and to play. And wow - did the play hard! It was so awesome. Colleen played just as hard as the kids... it was hilarious! Kayson really took to both of them tonight... Ryan, Colleen & I all said - "Just wait... they are going to get closer each time we do this". When Cali was leaving she gave hugs to all of us... and Kayson sneaked in a kiss. It was so sweet. ;)

Kayson doesn't say Cali's name very well... but we ask if she is his friend and a big "YEAH" comes out. That's what we want... lots of friends to love and play with! We are very lucky.