This & That

• Spanking has been a regular occurrence lately in the Taylor household.  Is it the 'right' thing?  I don't know.  It does seems to make Kayson really think about whatever he's just done.  We are now making him tell us what he did and why we are punishing him... and making him apologize.  He does... and it breaks his heart, and ours.
• Baby Girl absolutely rolls and rolls inside me...  she gets up on the right side of my tummy and rubs...  then rolls.  It literally takes my breath away!
• It was wonderful having a 3 day weekend... and even better because today I worked from home (in between some appointments).  I really, REALLY like working from home for a couple reasons.  1) I don't have to drive downtown! HUGE to me! and 2) I get a lot done...  I don't get interrupted and/or distracted.  It's just really enjoyable to be in the quiet and really concentrate.  I couldn't do it every day, because I do like and need the conversations I have with the Consultants, but once a week would be a nice 'change'.
• One of my appointments today was getting my hair done.  I went blonder, and I like it.  It always takes a day or two to get 'used' to it, but I already like it.  I just wish I could figure out how to use a round brush like Lacey does...  I just can't get the style to look like she does!  
• Kayson and I picked out a softie for Baby Girl this afternoon.  I've also asked a neighbor to make one for her, which I need to work on talking with her about.  Kayson has two softies, so of course, Baby Girl needs two right?!  :)
• My garage sale is Thursday evening.  Tomorrow night, I (with Ryan's help) will be setting up the tables and at least getting the stuff in the garage...  I'm anxious to do this, as I've never done a garage sale before.  I just really want to get rid of the stuff...  we'll take the money we make to get the things we need for Baby Girl.
• Here's to a short work week!  Hoping it goes FAST!

Memorial Day weekend

I'm loving the long weekend already...  we have one more full day too.  Thank goodness!!  There's nothing better than a 'free' day off (in my opinion!)  ha.

We went to Clarion Saturday morning, and brought the wind with us.  Man, it was windy.  We had a nice time...  hung out with my sisters and their families.  We played at the park, ate lots of food, played a ton outside, and even played inside really well.  

Here are a few pictures from our time in Clarion. 

Playground with Lindsay, Eden & Ryan

Havin' a blast!

This is Kayson's "Angry Face"

Enjoying Papa's 4-Wheeler

Babble

• I feel like not much has been going on... but I'm afraid that the more I sit in front of this computer, the more I'll type... or babble.  :)
• My heartburn is TERRIBLE tonight...  oh, makes me want to just throw up.  UGH.
• The last couple nights have been super warm... and windy, so we've stayed inside and played.  Both nights we got the Legos out and started building away...  Kayson really used his imagination.  
• We had some under-cabinet lighting put in our kitchen last week...  I really like it!  Next is hardware for the doors/drawers, then hopefully a back splash.  
• Ryan kindly reminded me that the Kindle Fire that he purchased for us has been sitting for a LONG time...  I probably should do something about that and get a book to read!  ha.  
• I got Kayson some paint the other day, and he loves it.  It's nice to do something different with him, and the activity actually lasts longer than a couple minutes!  
• Today a friend of mine (co-worker) saw Baby Girl move through my shirt...  she got a little creeped out.  ha.  Baby Girl just rolls and rolls lately.  Busy girl.
• I haven't watched American Idol at all this season, but am stuck watching tonight, waiting for the winner.
• I'm really looking forward to the 3-day holiday weekend ahead of us.  We will be heading to Clarion to spend some much needed time with my family.  As much as I want it to rain, I hope the weather cooperates, so we can enjoy outside time with the kids.
• My neighbor and I are having a garage sale next week...  I'm just doing ours on Thursday evening because that's really the only time that works for me.  I'm really REALLY hoping to sell A LOT of boy clothes. 
• Kayson's been coming into our room in the middle of the night...  he does the whole 'stand right by your head and stare' thing, not saying a word.  I sleep pretty light, so I typically hear his door open and him walking into our room...  he'll stand and stare for a good 20 seconds (which seems like forever), then finally he'll ask to "please pat me Mommy".  

Cold Sprinklers!

We need rain.  Period.  We actually need rain for two reasons: 1) for our grass and landscaping, 2) so the Painter can come paint Baby Girl's room!  :)

But anyway...  tonight, some of the neighbors were watering their yards...  Kayson seems to love the sprinklers.  And tonight it was COLD!  But he loved it and SHOULD be exhausted.  

Check out our little boy.  :)

Me/baby & Belly Photo

How far along: 28 weeks
Total Weight Gain: 14 lbs 
Size and Growth of Baby: Baby is measuring around 14 1/2 inches from head to rump.  She blinks her eyes and has some lashes already!
Maternity Clothes: Yep.   
Movement: Yes...  she moves a LOT. 
Food Cravings:  Nothing in particular...  just will eat about anything.    

What do I miss:  Getting up and down off the floor easily!  It's already gotten harder for me...  wow, I've got a long ways to go too!  

OTHER: Heartburn.  YUK.  I also passed my glucose test this past Friday.  Whew!  However, I have low iron (hemoglobin)...  so I need to kind of watch that and take an iron supplement.  This explains my extra tiredness.  

Kayson wanted to show his belly too!  :)

Avery & Kayson

Tonight we helped out our neighbors by watching Avery...  we played hard, they played hard - really well together, we had supper, then a walk was taken.  

Having two toddlers around for more than an hour was different, good but different.  I said to Ryan - "So this is what it's like to pretty much have twins!"  It was a lot of work, but really they both were really good...  so I guess I couldn't imagine twins that were naughty!  ha. 

Avery and Kayson talked the ENTIRE TIME, which is really funny to listen to and watch...  the things that come out of a 3 1/2 year old and a 2 1/2 year old.  Too cute.  It was nice because Kayson wasn't constantly asking me for things, he would just talk with Avery and they would figure it out on their own...  it was pretty sweet.

Play-Doh

Legos

Here's to new friends!

Me/Baby

How far along: 27 weeks
Total Weight Gain: 10 lbs (will update Friday, the 18th)

Size and Growth of Baby: Baby is measuring around 14 1/2 inches long... and about two pounds!  She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals.
Maternity Clothes: Heavens yes!  I can barely wear regular cami's anymore... they just barely cover my belly.   
Movement: Yep...  she's been pretty active the last week.  It's fun to feel her... and some of her movements take my breath away.
Food Cravings:  Nothing in particular...  just will eat about anything.    

What do I miss:  Still getting up and down off the floor...  harder and harder to do.   

OTHER: Heartburn.  YUK.

Kayson - Funnies & Ears

I know I write a lot about our challenges with Kayson... that's normal, we've got that.  We also experience some funnies with him too.  He cracks us up.  Here are a couple examples:

• The other night we had breakfast for dinner.  Ryan decided to tell Kayson where bacon comes from.  Soon enough Kayson says "This is a good ole pig!"  Nice Ryan.  :)
• Tonight we got home from dinner and a few errands... and the joke around the house is that I leave my shoes EVERYWHERE.  All of the sudden, Kayson says "How many shoes of Mommy's are out?"  Daddy says this a lot!

On to ears - Ryan took him for his ear tube check up yesterday.  His right tube was out... gone...  and his left tube was in there, but not where it needed to be.  So Doc removed it.  We haven't had any problems for the past 5 months...  so I really hope we are in the clear for ear troubles.  Ryan said he did great...  very glad that he's "comfortable" at the doctors office.

Here's to a great weekend ahead of us, and hopefully a special Mother's Day!  :)

Class & Room

• Tonight was Kayson's last week/night of Sports Class.  It was a very successful 6 weeks, I think...  he had fun, he learned stuff, got more comfortable with a few new sport things, and it was good for Ryan and me too!  Tonight, however, the Coach decided that we would switch it up a little and have class OUTSIDE!  It was WINDY!  But we survived...  I think I was the only one trying to warm up in any spot I could find!  ha.  Yes, I'm a wimp.
• Kayson and all the other little boys and girls got a 'certificate' for the class...  plus stickers and another little ball.  He shook Coach Allison's hand while all the parents clapped...  so cute.
• Baby Girl's room is getting started tomorrow!  Meaning - the wanes coating will be installed tomorrow (and Thursday).  Oh my goodness, I'm so excited!!  I'll post pictures of all the progress!
• Now that her room is getting started...  we have stuff EVERYWHERE.  In our room, in the basement scattered all over.  We still have some organizing to do... and I'm not going to lie - I'm not motivated!  I better shape up and start working on some stuff!

I think that's all I've got for tonight...  gonna relax.  Not gonna touch the basement!  ha.  :)

Productive & Fun

It has been a productive and very fun weekend... I think!  We've been super busy with such random things going on...  it's sure made the weekend fast and fun.  

Friday evening I met up with some of my volleyball friends for a baby shower for one of the gals...  always fun to catch up with those girls.  I really hope to get back into volleyball this winter... I miss it and it's a good workout.  :)

Saturday was our 'productive' day... First - Kayson got a hair cut, he did great!  Then my parents came for a quick visit.  My Dad couldn't get into the field due to the wet ground, so they came to help 'gently push' us to get moving in Baby Girls room.  My goal was to at least get the room cleared out...  move the desk and dresser downstairs.  Accomplished!  Ryan and Dad did great...  we organized a little (still lots to do), but it's a start... and I'm thrilled that we at least got that part done.   We also picked up the rocker we bought, and it's WONDERFUL!  I can't wait to use it!! :)

Saturday afternoon, I stepped away for a nice bridal shower for my good friend, Colleen...  nice food, nice company, nice time.  Saturday evening we met up for dinner with some neighbors - Mexican food on Cinco de Mayo!  What's better than that!?!?  YUM.  We then enjoyed the evening outside by the firepit...  windy, but we really had a nice time!  

Today was a fun day.  My sister, Trish, and her family came for a visit.  Lots of playing time with Hope & Eden for Kayson...  it's just fun to watch!  While Kayson napped, Trish and I went our own way and shopped a little... We talked Baby Girl the entire time!  (I'm getting more and more excited and ready for her!)  Meanwhile Greg and the girls went shopping too.  Ryan got to stay back at the house in the quiet!  :)  Again, lots of fun... and appreciate them making the trip to us. 

Here are a few pictures from today.  

Some art - Watercolor paint.

Hope, K & Eden - shooting...  nice, I know.  :)

Aunt Trish bought K some water guns...  we had some fun this afternoon!

Step 2

We are slowly getting the basement set for a play area, plus we will soon be putting the 3rd bedroom 'stuff' down there too.  But we talked about adding some sort of storage area down in Kayson's new play area...  we finally did it.  We originally looked at very large and 'fancy' storage units...  that soon was a thing of the past... just didn't think it was necessary for that type of money.  So we went with a nice 9-cube storage unit from Target.  And I love it!  I actually wouldn't mind getting one more... then we can really get some of the things from upstairs to down there.  Either way, Step 2 is complete!  

Just not havin' it

It's been one of those days...  for Kayson. 

He has a cold - runny, snotty nose... and a little cough (he tends to fake, but we still think it's there!)

He had a 'rough' day at daycare.  According to Miss Jenny - Kayson did not listen well, threw a fit when they didn't sing the song he wanted during music time (really!??!), had an accident - right in the middle of 'centers', and gave her a hard time at nap.  

Tonight was Sports Class.  We really should have just kept him home, due to the attitude I got from 4:30 til 5:00.  (We may start having to take away privileges and awards in order to make him understand)...  but we went.  He just wasn't havin' it.  And to be honest, I didn't have much patience either.  Bad me.  It was a little of everything - not really standing how he should when he's batting (which he knows how to do), jumping while throwing, oh and the best one yet - saying his hand hurt when he had the ball glove on.  haha...  Papa Mike would just love that. :) 

So like I said, it just wasn't a very good day/evening for Kayson.   Obviously we all have off days...  and he does too.  I feel bad now... now that he's in bed (right at 8 pm)...  I just want a happy kid who listens.  

Hoping tomorrow is a better day.