Random

• It's only Tuesday night... 
• Ryan's gone... til Thursday night...  I miss him.
• Cora is still fighting the ear infections...  I took her today - we'll be consulting with the ENT on Friday.  I hope to have a tubes surgery scheduled for early next week.  Doctor said we need to mention getting her adenoids out as well...  She's concerned, but also thinks she's too young.  (They could grow back???) - weird, I didn't know that.  I'm going to do some reading on that tonight!
• Kayson has an attitude.  A 4 1/2 year old attitude?  Certainly that'll go away by 5, right?!  ha.  Doubt it.  
• We have new rules when it's just Mommy home with the kids...  for bedtime, I put Cora down - still keeping her routine - bottle in her room (quiet time, no distractions).  So Kayson is required to stay in his room...  reading, looking through books, playing... I don't care what it is.  So far, so good this week.
• My new boss started at work...  she seems nice.  I hope she's someone I can turn to and trust... and just be comfortable with her.  That's always a challenge, in my opinion.
• I have the news on - apparently we have a chance of getting some snow Thursday.  GRRRR.
• I turned on the air last night... it was 79 degrees in the house... and I anticipate turning the heat on tomorrow night.  Only in Iowa.  :)
• Speaking of weather - I think Ed Wilson colored his hair... it seems a lot more dark than before... maybe hiding some gray!??!
• I can't remember the last time I vacuumed.  Oops.  I remember dusting and doing bathrooms... but not vacuuming!
• Tomorrow, May Day, is my nieces 18th birthday!!!  Ashley May - so awesome!!!

Weekend

Once again, we had a busy weekend...  but this weekend was much different than any other weekends in the recent past.  It was BEAUTIFUL weather!!!!  Oooh, it was fantastic!!

Friday evening, we just hung out at home... 

Saturday was soccer...  Papa Mike & Grandma JeanAnn came to watch Kayson...  was nice having them there for him.  The weather was so great...  it was nice not having to completely bundle Cora up!  We did lunch, then the kiddos napped... both of them, at the same time!  (HEAVEN!)  We are on a good schedule, that this could happen all the time now!  YEA!  Anyway, during their naps... Ryan did some organizing in the garage... while I cleaned the window tracks.  YUK!  ha.  I just need to do the kids' rooms now.  

Saturday evening Ryan and I had a date!  We did dinner at Centro, then went to the Civic Center for 'Rock of Ages'.  Oooo it was awesome!!  What a great show!  We had such a nice time...  Thanks to Papa & Grandma for staying with the kids.  

Today we all slept in, which was nice...  Cora's got a terrible cold (again) in her eyes... gunk, red, swollen...  snotty nose...  ugh.  She was rubbing at her ears again this morning too.  Seriously!?!?!?  But...  if she's not over the ear infection, then let's just move forward with the tubes!!!!  We'll see how tomorrow goes, but I'm guessing at some point, we'll be seeing the doctor this week.  Anyway, we headed up to Blair & Martina's for lunch and lots of playing!  We totally lucked out with the great weather!!  I even got some sun!!  :)  We had a great lunch, then we went for a walk to their great park near by... Kayson and Tate played so hard!!!  Cora rested!  :)  It was great.  Thanks for the hospitality!!!

On our way out of Nevada, we stopped by Kayson's old teacher's - Miss Whitney.  Her and Jake moved to the town about a month ago...  so we were lucky to see them for an hour or so.  It was nice to catch up with them... 

We had a tired little boy tonight...  late nap (probably 5ish til 6 pm)... wasn't hungry, pretty crabby...  so bath was taken, and he was asleep around 8:15.  It's hard being 4 1/2!!!  ha.  :)

Here are some pictures from today and the weekend...  

Who needs toys?  (I'm pretty sure I have a similar picture of Kayson doing this!)

Starting to pull herself to her knees...  she'll be pulling herself up soon! (See her poofy eyes?!?!)

Finally got to wear shorts for soccer!  Socks over his shin-guards - what a stud!

K & Tate!

Loved shooting hoops!  He did great!

My sleepy boys.  Fresh air wipes us out!

What? Tomorrow is Thursday Already!?

I should NOT be complaining that tomorrow is Thursday... but seriously, where has the week gone?? 

We haven't been abnormally busy this week... just the same stuff...  you know - get home at 5:30, pick up, wash bottles, get supper ready, feed Cora, feed my family, play for a bit, baths (every other night for both kids), quiet time, bed time for kids.  Those 2.5 hours literally fly by.  Why is that?  Why do those couple hours have to go so fast?!?!  (I mean, sometimes I want them to - depending on Kayson's attitude!!!), but most of the time, I want more time with my kids...  especially snuggles with Cora.  Oh she is so damn sweet.

Anyway... 

Tuesday it was confirmed that Cora's ears were 'cleared up'.  Good.  I just hope they stay cleared up! 

This afternoon I got my hair cut... was nice to catch up with Lacey... and relax a little.  Much needed.

Tonight I had a dinner with my volleyball girls... planned for months...  it was a nice time, and I'm glad it worked out that Ryan was home.  One complaint - we got there right at 6 pm... not busy, not one person waiting... and we were going to have 6 people.  I plainly see 4 tables empty, along with 2 booths... and we were told "about 40 minute wait".  WHAT?!?!  I was irritated...  not only do I get antsy just being away from home (even if I do have a great time with my friends... I still feel a little guilty going out and missing time with my kids).  I know... probably silly, but that's the way I roll.  Anyway...  I said to the hostess - "What...?  What's wrong with those tables?" - pointing to the 4 empty tables...  She says "We've just gotten slammed!"  What?  Really?  UGH... I just dropped it... and we waited... the 40 minutes.  Stupid.  My only guess is they were short a server...  but whatever.  ha. 

Um... what else...

We are actually going to take a vacation this year.  I'm excited!!!  My cousin from Arizona is getting married... we NEVER see that side of my family, so it's a really good excuse to go down there for a couple of days.  We now need to get some of the details panned out and we'll be set... 

That's all I've got! 
Now I just hope that tomorrow and Friday go quick... I'm looking forward to a great weekend (with great weather says the weather man!)

Prom 2013 & Weekend Update

Another weekend is gone...  makes me sad.  Actually, really irritates me!  Sunday's make me depressed...  knowing I have to get up by 6 and go to work tomorrow!!!  BOO HISS!

Anyway, our weekend was busy...  or hectic, or full!!  
Saturday Cora turned 8 months old.  Seriously.  We did our 'sticker' pictures... and I'm realizing each month gets a little harder to take her picture.  She just won't sit still.  Makes me giggle.  We had soccer again...  and it was actually a beautiful morning.  Not too chilly, the sun was nice and warm...  I was pleased!!  Kayson did well...  but this week he thought he had his 'swords' with him and was using them for the game.  Nice.  We also realized that he likes to space off...  oh, Kayson.  :)  oh well, this is good experience for him and he really does look forward to going.  I think that's all that matters at this point!

We had lunch, then headed up to Clarion.  We were lucky enough to see my two oldest nieces go to Prom.  Ashley - to her Senior Prom, and Hope was invited by her boyfriend.  It was so sweet seeing those girls SO DOLLED UP.  I mean, wow - it's like they are prepping for a wedding!  ha.  How things have changed!  :)  Anyway, lots of pictures were taken... and lots of family time.  

Today we skipped church...  just hung out at the farm in the morning, then had lunch at Tricia's with everyone... even the girls!  They were up, showered... and tired!  :)  Funny.  Then we headed out...  we were ALL tired and crabby.  :)  Cora was a little out of sorts...  it's a lot to be away from home for her I think.  She just was needy... and tired.  You are all thinking - 'she'll sleep in the car on the way home...'.  That would have been the ideal plan... but now that she's in the big car seat... it pretty much sucks.  She just can't get comfortable enough to fall asleep...  I've tried a little neck pillow - doesn't work worth a crap...  pacifier falls out of her mouth and she gets pissed...  needless to say, it was a long 1.5 hours in the car.  Big bummer.  I guess we can just hope that she eventually gets used to this and is able to sleep...  otherwise, trips to our parents' are going to be brutal!  

Anyway, being Sunday night... I'm exhausted.  My allergies were in an uproar today...  so I've taken some meds... makes me feel loopy... blah.  

Ok...  moving on to the pictures...  I'm proud to be these girls' Aunt!  :)

Ash's favorite boy.

Hope & Logan

They both love Kayson so much.

Proud Grandparents

Ash with date, Colton & best friend, Kaitlyn

Cora - 8 Months Old

Yesterday our wild daughter turned officially 8 months old.  
She's doing well...  growing and thriving, like crazy!  We think her ears are doing well... haven't seen any 'problems' since the last shot on Friday.  Just hoping for a smooth couple of months to warm weather... 

• Talks and coos...  has a sweet little voice.  I think.  :)
• Tells us when she doesn't want her bottle... pushes that sucker away!
• Likes to watch movies...  Doesn't happen very often, but it's a nice little change.
• Routine is good...  at least I feel good about it!
• 6:45 am Bottle
• 8:45 am - 10:15 am Nap (give or take 20 minutes or so!)
• 10:30 am Fruit, 10:45 am Bottle (this bottle sometimes gets drank, sometimes not - thinking I might try to mix this up a little and figure something else out????)
• Noonish - 2:00 pm Nap (give or take 20 minutes or so!)
• 2:30 pm Bottle
• 5:00 pm - 5:30 pm Nap (usually in the car on the way home...)
• 6:00 pm Fruit, Veggie, Cereal
• 8:00 pm Bottle
• 8:15 pm BED!

• Wearing 9 month clothes...  need warm weather cuz we have some darn cute summer things she needs to wear!
• Size 3 diapers
• Rough estimate of weight - 21 lbs.
• Hates (well... definitely not a fan of) her new big girl car seat. Lots of crying!
• Crawling all over!  Moves fast!
• Goes from crawling to sitting... she got this mastered in about 2 days!
• Likes to look at books in her room... for just a short time!

Harder to get her to look!

Ear... again.

I got a call this afternoon from daycare that Cora's right eye was all pussy, gooey, red...  They didn't need me to get her right away, but just wanted me to know...  I was actually, amazingly, able to get into OUR doctor this afternoon, so I picked her and K up and we headed out.

Diagnosis - Right ear infection.  Doc said it was pussy inside her ear.  Seriously.  Poor girl. 

Anyway, from the look on the doctors face, I knew she was going to tell me something I wouldn't like to hear...  She said "I suggest doing the 3 dose shot."  UGH.  I've heard of this, and actually thought Kayson had this, but he didn't...  Anyway, we went this route.  Rocephin - a shot today, a shot tomorrow afternoon and a shot Friday afternoon. 

I really thought we were doing well with her ears...  but really, how was I supposed to tell?  She can't tell us!!  But she's been eating awesome, and sleeping pretty well...  (I'm up with her a couple times simply because she bumps her head on the railings and startles herself)...  but she definitely didn't give us any signs...  just like the last couple infections.

I'm hoping for a smooth next couple of days... 

Saturday... Here & Gone!

Yet, another busy Saturday we've had!!  
We were up early...  well, fairly early - I think both kids were awake and ready to go at 7:15.  We just hung out at home in the morning...  JeanAnn came for a visit while Mike had a meeting in town...  Our morning was a little tough.  While Ryan was working, Kayson challenged me.  He's been doing that a lot lately.  He's a good kid, but he's bringing home things from daycare that we don't like, and to be honest, him and I pretty much but-heads most of the time.  It's frustrating.  I feel all I did from 9 am til 11 am was holler at him and be frustrated with him... in front of Grandma.  That's embarrassing and frustrating.  Oh that joys of a 4 year old.  :)

Anyway, we had our second week of soccer.  He did pretty good again...  No pictures this week!!  It was another chilly day, gosh I'm ready for warm weather!!!  Anyway, we had a quick lunch out, which was yummy... then I hurried off to a baby shower for a neighbor.  Nikki, Nicky & I headed out and had a nice time at the shower...  the kids napped at home... and from what I hear, Ryan and JeanAnn napped as well!  ha.  

Tonight we headed over to neighbors for pizza, beer (wine for me) and kid playing.  Another great time...  it was nice to hang with the girls, drink some wine and chat!  The boys hung out downstairs with beer, and the kids!  haha.  From what I hear Kayson did really well and was pretty good for bed too, which was a plus especially with the busy day and late night.  

Backing up to last night...  we got Kayson upgraded car seats - the booster car seat. We did get one of them in our cars and he likes it!  He's such a big kid!!!  And Cora was switched over to Kayson's old seat... she sits up so big now too.  Why do they have to grow up so darn fast?!?!?!  We'll get the seats fixed up in my car tomorrow and we'll be all set...  kind of exciting!

So... it's been a good weekend thus far.  I'm hoping tomorrow is just a nice day of randomness.  Groceries, more laundry, Target run, some cleaning... and hoping to stop to see Colleen and Shae.  Now that I write that out, that sounds like A LOT!  Oh well!!! 

This & That

• I loved the weather yesterday...  wow, beautiful!!!  It's such a tragedy that I had to work INSIDE a building all day!  ha.
• Speaking of weather... I think we are REALLY close to REALLY being in Spring!  That makes me so happy.  I can't wait to play outside each night... grill out...  have friends over... 
• Kayson had a 'rough' day yesterday at daycare...  I won't go into details, but peer pressure is showing it's ugly face by the little boys in his class.  This does not make Ryan and I happy.
• Both kids have been sleeping like champs.  (I hope I don't jinx this!!!!)
• Cora is now sleeping on her tummy...  being on her back, she scoots way too much and hits her head on the railings of the crib, etc.  Tummy sleeping is going awesome...  and really, is the sweetest thing I've seen.  :)  I should get a picture.
• I'm missing my friend, Colleen!!  She had her beautiful baby girl, Shae, last Monday...  we have hardly talked (first two weeks of newborn life is HARD), so I know she's busy... plus Shae has jaundice pretty bad.  I hope this week is better for them... and we can see them Sunday.
• I'm already looking forward to soccer again this week!  (Am I going to be that crazy Soccer Mom!?!?!)  I just know Kayson had fun...  so I'm looking forward to it!
• Two neighbors and I are having a garage sale in May...  I have a lot to do!!!!  That really needs to make the 'list of things to do'!!! 
• I used our 'delay bake' timer on our oven for the first time this morning.  I hope it works right!!!  We shall find out tonight when I get home!!!
• I ordered two spring-type dresses to try to change my wardrobe up (get me out of my box a little)...  they were hidious.  Or I should say, they looked hidious on me!!  ha.  :)  They will be going back.  I just don't have the body for dresses - I'm a big rectangle.  :)
• Speaking of clothes...  spring and summer clothes are needed for both Ryan and me...  I have a feeling we'll be doing some quick shopping sometime soon!
• We are also researching high-back booster seats for Kayson.  He needs to be moved to a different car seat, however, he's probably safest in what he's got now, but Cora needs to be moved, and she'll be taking Kayson's current seat.  More shopping... hopefully we'll finish that up this weekend or next!

Such a FUN DAY

It's 11:00 pm... and we are wiped out!!!  We've had an absolutely awesome day!!
Today was Kayson's first soccer league practice/game/not sure what we really call it!  But it was fun!  My sister, Trish, and her family came down for the day (staying over night too), and I'm so glad they came.  We had SO much fun!!

Kayson did great...  Ryan got him his shin guards Thursday night, and he wore them for about 2 hours!!  He was excited to wear them again this morning.  I was thrilled!  We got to 'practice' and he was off...  instantly being social with the few kids he knew (from his daycare) and with the Coach.  (He knows the coach from daycare as well).  I know this was a HUGE benefit, because if he didn't know those people, it would have been a different story, I'm sure.  

Anyway, after some warming up... they played.  He did pretty darn good... he went after the ball, but I'm realizing he's not very aggressive!  ha.  But that's ok!!  There were a couple girls that were bigger than the rest of the kids, and they were ALL ABOUT THE GOALS!  It was awesome!  I can only hope K will do the same thing soon!  :)

An hour practice went by pretty quickly...  it was just fun hooting and hollering for him.  :)  My kid is growing up, and it's a lot of fun to watch.  My sister and her family had a blast watching him too... that means a lot.  (I think we got a little rowdy at some points!)  

Our little soccer player!!

Warming up!

Uncle Greg keeping Cora warm!!

After soccer, we enjoyed lunch at El Rodeo... Kayson was a little garbage disposal!  Eating everything!  Hilarious!  He was starving!  Then a nap for him.  Cora and I met my sister and her family at the mall to walk and shop a little.  Cora is such a good girl...  just coo-ed and watched everything.  It was a very enjoyable couple hours.  

Tonight we met up with them again at their hotel...  ordered pizza in and let the kids swim.  Again, an absolute blast.  I'm so blessed that Ryan gets along with my sister and Greg... and the girls...  Lots of laughs!

Cora got to 'swim' for the first time.  She wasn't quite sure what to do at first, but she did eventually do some splashing and smiling.  Then the yawning started!!  We fed her and she was OUT!  Hard, busy day for a baby!

My babies!

Hope just sat with her for a long time... so nice.

Hawkeye suits!!!  :)

Fun with Logan (Hope's boyfriend)

Pictures

Here are some of my favorite pictures that were taken a couple weeks ago.  They all are precious and so meaningful to me.  I love my kids!

Cora was slipping...  and this ended up being one of my favs.

Seriously... my kids.  I love it.

Crocked smile...  priceless.

aaa... one of my favorites!  So giggly!

She wanted to be on the move!

Big brother loves her.

Love the yellow!