Pool & Art

It was hot today, so I got our little pool out for K to play in.  

"I'm kicking my legs Mommy!"

Then after water time... and dinner, we got out the crafts.  Kayson does so well with art -- coloring and using stickers, we are even using glue sticks now!  

Taylor's

This weekend was the Taylor Family reunion.  A big weekend full of gathering, golf, lots of Taylor's and lots of food.  We headed down to Creston Friday evening...  and we were all up super early Saturday morning to start our day golfing.  The weather put a wrench in our 'early' start...  but we did get some golfing in.  The men golfed all afternoon, the women did about 9 holes.  I always enjoy the golfing, however, this year - I sucked!  ha.  Martina and I just didn't do well...  (I can say that out loud, right Martina?!?!)  

We, Martina & I, headed back to Creston to hang with Mike & JeanAnn who watched our boys all morning and afternoon...  Blair & Ryan continued to golf.  We all then met up with some more Taylor's Saturday night for dinner and some socializing.  It was an early night for this group of Taylor's... We were tuckered out!

This morning we took our time getting around, which was super nice...  then had the big potluck lunch where everyone gathers and catches up.  This year, however, was a smaller group...  but we still had a nice time.  We visited at Grandma & Grandpa Taylor's too...  Kayson was a busy boy all day long, playing so SO hard!  It was a very nice weekend...

We arrived home tonight around 7:30...  K got a bath and was asleep by 8:00.  A TIRED boy!  Ryan and I are tired too...  we've just been relaxing...  no laundry was started, nothing!  That can wait til tomorrow!

Here are some pictures from the weekend.

Grandma got Kayson good with the squirt-guns!  He was doing good at getting her too!  Too funny!

Papa Mike & his grandboys!

Tate - how cute is he!?

Brittlyn, Duke & Kayson -- wonder what K is laughing at!?  ;)

While at Grandma & Grandpa's - some of the men helped trim some dead branches off a large tree.  That's Ryan climbing up the tree!  The men did a great job!

And on our way home - Creston got hit with BAD storms... I've never seen so much rain and so much flooding on every road to get to Mike & JeanAnn's.  It was freaky!!  This picture doesn't even do this justice!

Daddy & Kayson

This is what happens when Daddy gets home from traveling!  ...  rough playing & kicking the football!

Glad you are home Daddy!

Big Boy! ... and other stuff

Kayson said to me tonight -- "Mommy, I need to poop!"  I asked if he wanted to sit on the potty and I got a big "YES" from him...  we went to his potty in my bathroom... but he apparently wanted it out in the hallway!  He undressed... sat...  and pooped and peed!  YEA KAYSON!  WhooHoo!  What an awesome feeling to see him do this! 

This was a big deal for us!!  YEA!

Ryan, unfortunately missed this...  he's been traveling this week.  I told him all about it and he was very excited though!  

Let's see... other things going on...  

With Ryan being gone, Kayson and I have done pretty well this week.  Ryan hasn't traveled over night for awhile now (but it's going to start picking up)... so it was an adjustment for Kayson and me.  Kayson did well - he, of course, asked about Daddy every night before bed, and every morning... and anytime in between.  Kayson did have a rough day on Tuesday at daycare - had some incidents with hitting and pushing his friends.  It makes us very disappointed and worried, but we just think it's him being 2 and a half AND Daddy is gone...  it's just adjustments...  

The weather has been BOOHOO lately... lots of rain and wind!  I'm ready to be back outside and enjoying the warmer weather...  I think it's to come this weekend.

Our good friends, Clay & Holly, welcomed their second child into the world last week...  a little boy!  Big sister, Gillian, is doing well with everything thus far.  Congrats to them!

I'm looking forward to seeing the Taylor's this weekend.  We haven't seen Tate in over a month... how time flies!

Kayson's been singing a lot more lately.  We listen to 'kid tunes' in my car... and just over the past couple weeks, I've noticed him actually singing.  It's SO cute!  We have a new favorite song and he wants that one over and over again - "Mommy, listen to it again!"

I think that's all I have tonight...  I knew I needed to post about Kayson's potty news! 

Dads

Dads are cool...  Dads are strong...  Dads love...  Dads care...  Dads protect...  Dads rock.

There are several 'Dads' in my life - first and most importantly - my Dad.  He's always been the strong, protective Dad - having 3 pretty girls, he should be protective.  ;)  I love you Dad!

There is Ryan - he's a super Dad.  He cares, he loves, he protects... and is a cool/fun Dad - as I hear him putting Kayson down for bed... and they are in there laughing, giggling, tickling!  It's bedtime Ryan!  ;)  Ryan's a great Dad and I'm proud to have built a family with him... I can only hope he can be a great Dad to another baby some day!  I love you honey!

There are my brother-in-laws...  they, too, are awesome Dads.  Jeff, Greg and Blair - all at different stages of Dad-hood, and I'm lucky to see them all and learn from them as well.  

There is my father-in-law, Mike.  Mike is a fun, caring, honest Dad...  I'm lucky to have him in my life as well.  He taught Ryan a lot and I'm thankful that Ryan has passed on those wonderful traits to his personality and hopefully to Kayson as well.  

There is Grandpa Dick - Ryan's Grandpa.  He's a man of little words...  but a man who is very strong and has a huge heart.  He's a proud Taylor, I can tell.

Here's to all the Dad's in this world.  May you all be blessed!

Thank god for Neighbor's Toys!

We are realizing that no matter how many toys/things we have Kayson to do/play with, it doesn't matter when we have neighbors.  He loves the neighbors toys!!  Which is good... we are learning to share, which is a challenge at times, but such is life, right?! 

Tonight we played at the Nielsen's --- they have a slip-n-slide and a few other summer/water toys.  Kayson absolutely loved every second of it.  Then of course, when we are home - he's upset, crying and crabby!  That digs into Mommy and Daddy's heart - big time!

Anyway, here are some pics from tonight...  The life of a 2 and a half year old!

 

 

With Bennett, splashing!

Lovin' life!

Step 1

Step 2

Best Step!

Thanks to the Nielsen's and to all our other neighbors for letting K play! 

Fun Night

This is what our evening looked like:

Best $1 purchase from The Dollar Tree - a squirt shooting pencil thingie.

This is now his 'cheesy' smile!

He squirted Daddy!

Then we had a dance fest!  He boogied away...

 

 

Suppose to Walk

My neighbor friends, Nikki & Nicky, and I have decided it would be a great idea to go for evening walks when we can during the week...  all of our kiddos (4 total) are typically in bed between 8 and 8:30 pm... so we plan on meeting up around 8:40 and get a brisk walk in...  while getting girl time, fresh air, and exercise - sounds PERFECT to me!  and it doesn't cost a thing!  ;)

It worked out one night last week...  and not yet this week.  I did get a walk in last night, I went by myself, which was fine - however, it's much better with the girls!  Tonight the lightning and thunder kept us in...  tomorrow and Thursday I won't be able to.  

This is a really good idea and I REALLY want to stick with it...  so hears to schedules working and no more rain!!  (or at least from 8:30 to 9:30 at night!) 

--------------------

Kayson is still having some of his famous melt-downs at night... however, we do think they are less powerful as last week.  We just think he's over-tired... and pushing it really shouldn't be an option at this point, especially on weekdays.  So I think an 8:00 bedtime is good.  

Side note - his new thing to do/ask is:

"What's that?" and we'll tell him what it is... and his response is "OH!"  It's just so cute!

A nice smile!

I finally got a 'nice' smile out of Kayson!  Over the past several weeks (maybe even a month), every time I want to take a picture of him, he just opens his mouth up!  Weirdo!  

Loves Murphy...  and he says "Murphy not in my chair!" and SUCH a nice smile...  so handsome!

We had a pretty nice weekend... a quiet weekend actually.  Friday night we had a nice night in...  just played and did a little of this, little of that.  Saturday we enjoyed the nice weather...  we were outside all day, didn't leave the house til nearly 5:30!  We then did a few errands, and had a Mexican dinner out...  then back home to play some more.  And today, Ryan enjoyed a round of golf with his buddy, Travis (which was on me by the way - a gift certificate from me for our Anniversary!)  Kayson and I played, tried to stay in due to the weather being chilly and windy.  We got groceries as well - and Kayson was spoiled by riding in the 'special car cart'.  Oh lordy, what did I start?!?!  Oh well, he was happy and talked the whole time!  

Yep, I'm in trouble the next time we go to HyVee!  ;)

I ate a lot today, which makes me super disappointed!  This coming week is full of meetings and lunch dates with some friends I haven't seen in awhile, so my workouts will be limited this week, so I've got to do some walks and/or exercises at home.  I've been doing SO good (still not seeing huge results), but I have least been very consistent!

Here's to another weekend flying by... I mean, it's practically the middle of June already! 

What a stud!

He's by far, the cutest thing I've seen!!

TGIF

Simple as that - thank God it's Friday.  It's been a long, busy week...  having to work a full 5 days this week --- just silly!  We've kept busy this week...  with not only actual 'stuff' going on, but adjusting to Kayson's new (and not improved) attitude.  I'll explain later.  ;)

Tuesday evening, we were invited by Ryan's work to enjoy an I-Cubs game.  They do this every year.  For those of you who know me --- not a big baseball fan...  at all.  But I go!  We had a nice time, as always...  Miss Whitney stayed with Kayson and of course, he was perfect for her!  ha.  Wednesday night we (including Kayson) were then invited to Ryan's boss' home for dinner/drinks, etc.  This is where we started our 'not improved' attitude.  Over the past week or so, Kayson's been very, VERY whiny, throws tantrums, cries A LOT... Wednesday night was a big scene he created (just at home), but it was enough for Ryan and I to have our patience tested and just get to the point of "What the heck do we do?!"  His crying/screaming fit went on for nearly 35 minutes...  34 minutes too long in my eyes!  We needed to be at Ryan's boss' around 6 pm...  it was 5:50 and Kayson was still throwing a fit.  The weird thing is - he wasn't telling us anything that was wrong or what he wanted to do, etc...  he was just crying.  Nothing worked, nothing made him happy.  It was a challenge!!  Soon enough, about 6:05, he stopped...  he somewhat calmed down and said "I want to go to Dennis'."  OH REALLY!??!   We finally did go to Dennis' and he was perfectly fine there.  Figures!  We headed home around bedtime and he fought us for bath and bed (probably cuz he was over-tired).  After that we said he's going to bed around 7:30 Thursday night.  Period.  And that's what happened...  Last night Kayson was better - didn't throw any HUGE fits, but there were a couple...  he did eat supper pretty well, and we just did bath earlier than normal and he was asleep by about 7:45.  And he was actually fairly happy this morning...  so maybe he just needs a little more sleep? 

I worried that his ears were bothering him, but he tells us that his ears don't hurt.  I guess we have to believe him??  So I guess our thought is that he's over-tired.  I talked to my sister last night and she says "He is a boy and he's probably just going to be naughty" - thanks for the advice Trish!  ha.  I know and understand things like this happen...  but I can agree not to like anything about it!  ha. 

Moving on...  we have had some great storms/rain the last couple days...  we needed the rain, but I'm not sure if we needed THAT much!  It keeps me up at night too, so I'm sleepy!  We have no plans this weekend...  which I'm looking forward to.  If we look at our calendar for the next month or so, we have plenty going on.  I hope to just do some things around the house and play outside.  I'm glad it's Friday. Period.  ;)  Have a great weekend friends!

What Kayson Says

"My belly is sticking out."  (He must hear that from his parents!)  ha.

"Want to play with me Mom?"

"I want to see Tim."  (Again --- lovin the neighbor, Tim)

"Puppies...  want to go outside and poop?"

"I'm not tired Momma." ... as he yawns.

"My turn now...  then your turn."  (We were playing basketball - he would shoot, then it would be my turn.)

"I want to see Avery...  Rusty...  Nicky...  Bennett... Kaed...  Liva...  Sydney... Eric... Nikki..."  He'll name pretty much all the neighbors (adults and kids)...  he's a big fan of everyone else besides Momma & Daddy!

"Lacey cut my hair... I sit and she sprays water.  I get a snack." 

"Tickle me...  Do it again!"  (Asks Ryan to tickle his feet.  Hilarious.)

He's also becoming a PRO at his ABC's.  He says them really fast now, like he knows he's so cool!  ha.

Weekend Sum Up

After Kayson's 'surgery' day on Friday... I was ready for the weekend.  Friday was good - Kayson did well, and I was glad it was over.  Friday night, Ryan and I went on a date - dinner at Gino's.  We had never been there, but Ryan had heard good things about it... so we tried it.  It was good...  and we decided we would go back again. We also went to Lowe's after dinner...  oh the smallest things can be enjoyable without chasing a 2 1/2 year old!  It was a nice little break from everything.  Thanks to Mike & JeanAnn for watching K.  

Saturday, we of course, started our day outside...  My parents came for a visit - we did lunch and then played in the afternoon.  Saturday night was then our Block Party.  Last year we hosted, and had roughly 12 adults/6 or 7 kids...  this year it was held across the street and we had nearly 35 adults and about 16 kiddos!  It was a great turnout and we got to meet a lot more people who have moved in to the area.  I had a great time getting to know a few new people and just getting names with faces.  Kayson had a blast - he played hard for about 5 hours... after fighting us for bed, he finally crashed around 9:30 pm.  The party went on for the adults...  we took our long walk home around 2 am, and we heard this morning that the party finally came to an end around 4 am.  Apparently we have some real partyers around here.  YIKES.  I'm thankful we were home when we were!  

Today has been a lazy day...  both Ryan and I are tired.  Kayson has taken a nice nap...  but Ryan went golfing.  Tonight I plan on not doing much...  

It was a nice weekend... now I've got to mentally prepare myself for a FULL WEEK OF WORK - REALLY?!  ;) 

Tubes - Second Set

Makes me sad to say that Kayson has officially had two - TWO sets of ear tubes as of this morning.  Big bummer.  We've said from the beginning of the ear infection saga --- he has his Daddy's ears (Daddy --- 5 sets of tubes as a kid!!!)  I'd prefer to stick to just two!  ;)

We had the tube surgery this morning - 6 am we had to be at the surgery center.  We waited... and the wait went well.  Kayson did great...  then the anethesiaologist came in and swooped him away.  Even the second time seeing that - it sucks too!  I think this time around - knowing what to expect - was almost worse.  We knew exactly how things would go, how long we would wait, etc...  and seeing it happen again just plain sucks. 

After the short procedure - again, waited about 6 minutes or so?!  We met with the doc, then another 5 minutes went by and we got to hold our son...  our sad, out of it, crying, scared, eyes glossed over son.  That sight sucks too!!  We were in recovery room for a little while trying to get K to recognize that Daddy and Mommy were there...  he was confused... it took awhile, then the nurse asked if we wanted to leave - I said 'Yes'.  We headed home... and this recovery at home didn't last near as long as the first time...  he fussed and was still out of sorts, etc...  but it just seemed smoother... maybe because we knew what to expect and how to handle it.  Kayson rested for about an hour and a half...  then was up and ready to go.  He still was a little 'clingy', but he helped outside for a bit, ate a good lunch, and now has been sleeping for about 2 and a half hours.  He should be back to himself once he wakes...  

I'm thankful this morning is over... and he's fine...  now we just wait and hope to God that these tubes don't get clogged and do their job!  

Ryan and I are off for our anniversary dinner tonight...  really looking forward to some alone time. ;)

Our life - In Pictures

Be prepared - lots of pictures enclosed!

All 'packed' up and ready to go to Grandmas!

Kayson helping himself to Great-Papa's birthday gift - roasted peanuts!

Memorial Day gathering -- all the Taylor cousins (minus Tate)

Racing with neighbor, Avery!  Notice - Kayson is on the pink bike!

Shootin hoops on Great-Papa Dicks mock bball hoop!

Wrapped up like a 'burrito' after bath!

My very handsome boy!

Happy Anniversary to Us!

June 2, 2007 was a beautiful day for Ryan and I.  4 years ago we were married and joined in love... (sounds so corny), but it's so true.  We had a wonderful day...  weather was awesome, friends and family joined us and we made some amazing memories that day and night. 

Here's to many, many more Ryan.  I love you!