Sick Kayson and Me/Baby

Kayson's been sick.
Sunday morning (early), he woke up with a high temp...  MAN!  He seemed ok... and wanted to sleep more, which was good...  meds were given and he was out for another good 3 hours.  The rest of the day on Sunday was on and off...  still the high temp that we just couldn't get to break...  but he took a great nap and seemed fairly happy. 

Monday morning he woke up again, with the high temp...  this time he had the terrible flemmy cough and just an upset little boy.  We knew he didn't feel well.  I kept him home and we got into the doctor Monday morning...  Ears looked good, throat looked good, and chest sounded good...  again = nasty virus.  (You know how I hate the word virus!)  So Monday afternoon a nice nap was taken... by me too...  wishing we could have been outside in the wonderful weather...  but it just wasn't happening.  Kayson was unhappy!!  Poor kid.

Monday evening/bedtime/overnight = terrible.  Ryan is out of town, so it was just me...  I had some outstanding patience with Kayson too...  thank goodness.  We were up probably every 45 minutes or so from 10 pm til 1:30 am...  then finally he crashed hard from 1:30 am til 4:00 am.  Then it all started again - crying hard, coughing hard, gagging...  just terrible to watch him suffer. I tried sucking everything out of his nose, but it's just so far in his throat...  just stinks!  BUT - his fever broke right around 4 am, so I figured we should be on the mend. But we still have that cough.  I decided to keep him home today too.  I just don't think it's that fair to take him to daycare when I know he's not really feeling all that well and not very happy.  We had an outing this morning - I needed to get my work laptop so I could do some work while he napped...  he did well, but was already exhausted by the time we got home.  He did eat a little lunch, then napped.  I hope we can get that junk out of his nose/throat soon. 

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And onto Me/Baby.  I've decided that I'll start writing about how I'm doing with this pregnancy and how Baby is growing. 

How far along: 11 weeks 5 days
Total Weight Gain: 0 lbs
Size and Growth of Baby: From crown to rump, your baby-to-be is just over 2 inches long (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce.
Maternity Clothes: Not yet...  Jeans/Pants are still fitting well!
Sleep: OK - minus my sick 3 year old!
Movement:  None
Food Cravings:  The spaghetti I made last night was REALLY good.  ha.  I'm still feeling icky - but not nearly as often...  Food is becoming more of my friend.  I'm at least hungry now and will eat something and it will satisfy!  :) 
OTHER: I'm showing... or at least I think I am!!  I definitely can't suck it in anymore!  and I get terrible headaches in the afternoons... 

I do plan on taking pictures of my growing belly, I just haven't done it yet...  now that I feel like I'm popped out, I probably should do that soon!  :)

No Pictures of the Fun!

Saturday evening, Ryan and I met up with about 18 of our closest friends for dinner/drinks/bowling...  we've done this a couple times over the past couple years for my birthday.  With my birthday in the winter time, and most of the time we are tired of being cooped in, we figured it's a good outing for some 'old folks'.  We had an AWESOME turnout - 20 people total... and what a great bunch of people.  I was so pleased...  but have to say, then it's hard to talk to everyone!  But I already know, they are all such social people, everyone just got along so well.  Awesome to know!  

We met up for dinner/drinks at Mickey's...  packed house and great conversation happening.  Then most of us moved up the street to the bowling alley.  (The help leaves a different word for 'nice'... opposite actually).  Somewhat disappointed in that, but we all still had fun.  

After all of this AND even bringing my camera with, I have no pictures to share.  GRR!  We all had a good time... and I'm so happy to have such wonderful friends and neighbors in my life.  Thanks to G & P Taylor for watching Kayson and Tate (so Blair & Martina could join us!). 

11 Weeks

"Your baby, just over 1 1/2 inches long and about the size of a fig, is now almost fully formed. Her hands will soon open and close into fists, tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under her gums, and some of her bones are beginning to harden. 

She's already busy kicking and stretching, and her tiny movements are so effortless they look like water ballet. These movements will become more frequent as her body grows and becomes more developed and functional. You won't feel your baby's acrobatics for another month or two — nor will you notice the hiccupping that may be happening now that her diaphragm is forming."

Have you figured it out?  Yes - Ryan and I are expecting another baby!  I'm about 11 weeks along, with an estimated due date of August 12!

The last 8 weeks have been a whirlwind of emotions...  happiness, scared, overly tired, nauseous, sad and excited!  Nearly 3 years later, things are different this time around.  I wasn't nauseous with Kayson, I don't remember being so tired that I couldn't function by 10 am.  Things are just different this time around...  I don't feel well, well - I feel half way decent about every other day.  Weird huh?  I decided yesterday that I feel really good when I'm sleeping!  :)  I'm sure it'll get better...  just a big adjustment to work hard and take care of Kayson too!

We are excited to be starting another "chapter" in our lives...  we have a lot to tackle in the next 7 months or so, but we'll do it.  More to come!

"NO"

"No" seems to be Kayson's favorite word lately.  Do you know how frustrating that is?!?!?  Everything Ryan and I say... or ask...  or suggest... or tell...  his response is "No."  Deep breath.  Lots of deep breaths come out of me!!!  We both lost our patience with Kayson tonight...  which is super unfortunate...  it is my birthday, and when it's a 'special' day like this, you only want a 'perfect' evening.  Silly of me to think that would happen with a 3 year old!  :)  Bedtime is becoming a challenge...  I would say challenge, because he fights us to get the bath done and then have the quiet time he needs...  he does fall asleep pretty much instantly (because he's exhausted), but arguing with us that he doesn't want a bath (not a choice - when you stink Kayson!)  and arguing with us on who's going to put him to bed.  We get tired of the back and forth...  which is just as much our fault as anyone elses...  we shouldn't do the back and forth, but when you are at that point of not knowing what else to say, you kind of fall into that 'routine'.  I would love any advice out there!!!

I've read and read some things from BabyCenter.com...  suggesting how to handle things and how this is just what happens, I understand that. I guess I'm just trying to help and figure out what Ryan and I can do...  (which this is just a small 'problem', but seems pretty big when it happens every evening).  I think another problem is that it's been so cold out, he just doesn't get the fresh air that he needs.  Daycare isn't going outside, so being cooped up all day, and then all evening is certainly taking a toll on that little boy's attitude.  

Having a 3 year old is hard!  (and he's only 3 years old and 1 MONTH!)  I've heard more and more over the past week or so - "It's not the terrible 2's, it's the TERRIBLE 3's".  WONDERFUL.  :)  Gotta love that kid.  Especially with the birthday card he gave me this morning...  darn him!

Nice Weekend... Nice Company

Well, the weekend is over already...  even though it went fast, we had a nice one.  Friday night was our normal evening out for dinner and home to relax.  I believe I was in bed by 9:30ish.  Saturday was a day inside...  just too cold and we just didn't have any plans...  but then around 2:30, my sister, Jill and her family popped in.  It was a very nice surprise...  always good to see them and hang out.  Kayson did wake up from his nap a little early to hear our commotion... and he joined the fun.  That was so nice.

Saturday evening we went up to Ankeny to see our friends Jamie & Travis and their two boys.  Braley is just about a month or so older than Kayson, so after some warming up was done, they played pretty darn well together.  Camden is about 7 weeks old, first time Ryan and I had met him...  sweet as can be of course.  We did lots of snuggling with him. 

And today was another day inside...  My parents actually made the trip to visit today.  Mostly for my birthday.  We pretty much just hung out and chit chatted all afternoon.  Blair, Martina & Tate swung in as well...  needed to get Tate's 1 year pictures done of course!  What a doll!  It was a nice afternoon.

This evening, I need to do a little... teeny bit of work, then bed will come early again. 
What a nice weekend.

More of This & That

• Funny story --- about a week ago, I was walking to my car which was parked in the ramp at work.  I noticed someone at the door of my car, a woman, dressed nicely - bundled up.  She was trying to get into my car.  At first I kind of panicked, but as I got closer, I had recognized her... and just assumed she was at the wrong car.  I used my key less entry to unlock the door.  She stepped back and looked up as I came around the corner... and said, "Well, this isn't my car!"  haha.  I couldn't help but giggle...  and just said that it was okay.  She apologized again, and walked a little bit further up to HER black Ford Edge.  :)
• Tonight my friend and neighbor, Nicky, offered to have Kayson come over to play with her daughter, Avery.  I could use about an hour to just do whatever...  I took her up on the offer!  Kayson was a little hesitant at first, but then all of the sudden, he was ready to go play and it was okay if Mommy didn't go with.  I was so proud.  And according to Nicky, he did great.  That's an awesome feeling.  Big thanks to Nicky.
• Some of our favorite shows are now back up and 'new'.  I love it, but sure does make me even more lazy at night time!!  
• I'm struggling at my reading...  Ryan got me/us a Kindle Fire for Christmas and we have one book on there...  I'm about 80% done, and I haven't touched it for over a week.  Darn you good shows!  :)
• I've been painting my nails lately...  they are growing like crazy due to some vitamins I'm taking, and it's kind of nice to see them painted!  It's a lot of up-keep though!
• A complaint --- this entire week, my drive downtown has taken either 1 hour or 1.5 hours... to go maybe 12 miles???  I mean, that totally makes sense, in Des Moines.  ha.  It's a good thing that I have pretty good patience.  Granted, I've been running a little later than normal, since I was in charge of getting K to daycare...  this takes about an extra 15 minutes.  Tuesday, we had some snow and the roads were not taken care of at all (or what I think they should have been!).  That drive was right at 1.5 hours.  Wednesday, it was just slow.  Roads were fine, I didn't see an accident - drive was an hour and 15 minutes.  And today, there was a 5-car accident - drive was right at an hour.  I'm hoping to shoot for a 15 minute drive tomorrow!!
• We have a relaxing weekend planned, time at home and time with some friends we haven't seen in awhile.  I'm looking forward to it.  Just wish it would warm up a little!  :)

This & That

It's Sunday night...  BOO... however, I do have tomorrow off.  Which will be nice...  I have some appointments, hopefully a lunch date, and maybe a nap to squeeze in!  :)  Ryan will be heading to Kansas tomorrow for the week, so it'll be nice to do some random things and prep myself for a week with just Kayson and I.  

Our weekend was good...  did some things around the house, and also celebrated Tate's first birthday!  I can't believe he's 1!!  Martina and Blair hosted a very nice party at their home Saturday night... great food, company and laughs.  Tate was spoiled, just like Kayson was!!  

Today we ran to the mall...  let Kayson play at the Play Place, we got a few things at Scheel's, and had lunch out...  a 3.5 hour nap was taken by K.  WOW - I love those for him!  While he napped, we both did random things around the house, it was nice!  It felt productive!

Tonight we have had some challenges with our little boy...  it's amazing how one day he's that perfect angel, listening and asking us so nicely to do things... then you run into an evening like we've had tonight.  Everything was a fight...  lots of "NOs", lots of whining!  He wears us out!  :)  

I hope to get Kayson's 3 year pictures taken this week.  He got his hair cut Saturday morning, so his hair looks super nice... so I just really need to find the time some evening to take pics.  I know some family members need some updated ones in their homes!  ha.  

Um...  I think that's all I've got for tonight...  Hope everyone had a nice weekend!

Enjoy these few pictures from last week:

K looks unhappy, but I couldn't get him to smile!  But he was happy to have Quincy sit with him.

My sweet boys.

Love Like Crazy, by Lee Brice

So this song has been out for awhile... some people may have never heard of it, especially if you don't listen to Country music.  I downloaded a bunch of songs onto my iPod last night and this was one of them.  The words to this song are amazing...  it's a true testimate of what every person should do - every couple should do.  I know love and life are not always easy, but everyone (including myself) should live by these words.  I love it.

They called him crazy when they started out

Said seventeen's too young to know what loves about

They've been together fifty-eight years now

That’s crazy

He brought home sixty-seven bucks a week

He bought a little 2 bedroom house on Maple Street

Where she blessed him with six more mouths to feed

Yeah that’s crazy

Just ask him how he did it; he'll say pull up a seat

It'll only take a minute, to tell you everything

Be a best friend, tell the truth, and overuse "I love you"

Go to work, do your best, don't outsmart your common sense

Never let your prayin' knees get lazy

And love like crazy

They called him crazy when he quit his job

Said them home computers, boy they'll never take off

He sold his one man shop to Microsoft

They paid like crazy

Just ask him how he made it

He'll tell you faith and sweat

And the heart of a faithful woman,

Who never let him forget

Be a best friend, tell the truth, and overuse "I love you"

Go to work, do your best, don't outsmart your common sense

Never let your prayin knees get lazy

And love like crazy

Always treat your woman like a lady

Never get too old to call her baby

Never let your prayin knees get lazy

And love like crazy

They called him crazy when they started out

They've been together fifty-eight years now

Ain't that crazy?

Random

• Monday...  wow, I hate them.  I'm never ready to go back to work on a Monday morning...  YUK.
• Kayson plays HARD down in the basement now... in his "play area".  He LOVES it!  I guess the change of scenery is key for kids.  He tells me tonight to "get on my play area Mommy - that's where we play!"
• Ryan got his Tahoe detailed today...  wow, it looks awesome!  We will be having my car detailed soon as well, I can't wait!
• I'm finally feeling 'normal' from my sinus infection... 
• I made some cookies the other night...  and I tossed them out tonight, because I thought they were hard.  Well, apparently, I was wrong.  Ryan was still eating on them...  so...  word of advice from husbands to wives --- "Make sure you really check that the cookies are hard, especially when they are the husbands favorite!"  NICE.  :)
• Mr. Tate Taylor turns 1 on Saturday...  really!??!  Can't believe a year has passed...  along with that, I'll have my car a year too on Friday!  Crazy!

Playin' Hoops!

Step 1

I mentioned earlier that Kayson's toys are coming out of the walls...  the doors...  the toy box...  everything!  We need some organization...  or at least something better!  SO...  we did purchase some rubber mats (Step 1) to put in the basement to be considered Kayson's "Play Area" downstairs...  SOON, we'll be purchasing some sort of storage unit that we can put down there and he/we can grow with it.  

The rubber mats look great and really make me excited to have this little area and get a storage unit soon.  We think Kayson will love it!  :)  (He hasn't seen it yet, since he was in bed!)

I haven't even begun to put the majority of toys down there...  I figure that can be a project for Kayson!  ha.

Kayson - 3 Year Well Check

This morning was Kayson's 3 Year old Well Check visit.  I tell you what, this kid is a good kid.  We have learned so much in the past several months, that if you really just get down to his level and talk with him about things and about what to expect, he gets it.  He just gets it.  It's amazing.  We talked about seeing the doctor last night and how it was just going to be a check up, that we have to do this every year around his birthday.  He said "Ok!"  He did great this morning, he talked the nurses' ear off and even the doctor's too.  I love to see him interact with 'strangers' really...  I'm so proud of him.

Here are his stats:
Height: 37 1/2" (50%)
Weight: 33.6 lbs (65%)
It's funny to think that he's so average...  cuz when we try to pick him up, WOW - I feel like he's such a LUG!  ha  :)

The doc checked everything on him... he hated having his throat checked, but it didn't last long... and much to our surprise, his tubes are out of his ears!!  Oh gosh!  We actually go to the ENT Friday for a check up there, so we'll see what he says...  I'm guessing if Kayson's not having problems, then we'll just go with the flow...  other than that, she said he's doing great!