Some "Firsts"

Kayson and I had a couple 'firsts' this week!

Sunday, I got to do a "Wine & Canvas" afternoon with a few friends.  It was held at Jasper Winery here in the Des Moines area.  For a small fee, you got to come enjoy time with friends, sip on wine and paint!!!  It was crazy fun!  

Here are some shots of the progress... and final product!!  I was super proud of myself and would love to do it again!

Blank - literally!

 

Final Product (Me, Holly & Nicky)

Tonight, Kayson got to go bowling for the first time!!  Our neighbor's little boy was having a birthday party at the bowling alley nearby.  Cora, K and I packed up and went to the party.  The little boys (and one girl - Avery!) enjoyed some pizza, cuppie-cakes and apple juice... then the bowling began!  Kayson enjoyed it...  he used the 'ramp' to help him along, and it worked perfectly.  He didn't get 'all of them down' (strike), but that's ok...  he still had fun.  Cora did pretty well...  I took the stroller, so that contained her for about 40 minutes of the 2 hours...  then she was off.  I chased her, and Bennett's Daddy helped Kayson (and all the other boys too), so it did work out in the end.  

Too much fun.  :)

So proud of him!

A little catchup!

We've had a great weekend thus far!
Last night we went out with some neighbors... just to El Rodeo...  food, drinks and great laughs.  I mean, we seriously had such a great time!  The original plan was to be home at the kids' bedtime...  but somehow 3 hours later...  we were having so much fun.  It was exactly what we all needed after the random/up & down week some of us had.  

Today Kayson and I went to visit one of his teachers from daycare.  She had a baby a couple weeks ago, so we made a quick visit to say hi and drop off a gift.  Lunch was then had, then the kids took great naps.  I did our grocery run... and we prepped for our evening.  My sister, Jill, and her family were in town doing some school shopping, so they came over and we grilled out and played and laughed so much.  Another great night!!

Here are a few pictures from the last couple days.

Ryan and Kayson putting together a LEGO figurine

Cora playing with Kayson's toys once again! 

Some fun with Lindsay (and all the rest of us tonight!)

Thursday Kayson was 'tested' at daycare.  This basically means the teachers want to see exactly where he is on certain items (in preparation for Kindergarten).  He told me - "They tested me to see how smart I am Mommy!"  I really like this idea... it helps Ryan and I see what he can do, and what he needs to improve on.  One thing specifically was - "Kayson talks with his friends at group time."  ha.  This is not a surprise.  He's definitely a talker.  :)  Either way, we and the teachers were very pleased.  It makes us proud.

Also, Kayson had his third dentist appointment Thursday.  The first two visits were pretty 'worthless' in our eyes... but this one went super well and Kayson actually let them polish his teeth AND put a quick treatment of flouride on them!  I was thrilled!!   He has 20 teeth (the 'right' amount).  He did great!

And one more thing - Kayson likes to help me with the grocery list from time to time...  this time, he did quite a bit of the writing.  He's doing really well!

This & That

• I'm not feeling well...  it started yesterday...  icky tummy, no appetite and thirsty.  BLAH.  I'm just trying to take it easy (at work!)
• Kayson threw up yesterday at daycare...  I was called - apparently he just said his tummy hurt, threw up, layed down for 30 minutes, then wanted to play.  He was ok last night...  he was not hungry, but I explained to him it was important to eat something.  So he had a piece of toast... that was it.  He watched a movie and was asleep by 8:10.  He said he felt fine this morning...  he at least had a pep in his step a little. 
• It's Wednesday... already.  I'm buried at work, which is not a bad thing! 
• I'm sad that Cora is 11 months old already...  we are starting the planning of her birthday party and it just makes me sad.  I don't remember my maternity leave (hardly at all!!).  She just literally has grown up too fast. 
• Cora is starting to be dramatic already.  When she's mad, she throws herself to the ground and gently bangs her head on the floor and cries.  Awesome.  :)
• I'm looking forward to seeing my other sister (Jill) and her family this Saturday...  We haven't seen them since May (Ash's graduation), so we have a lot to catch up on and just ready to spend the afternoon/evening with them playing. 
• Speaking of Cora's birthday - we need to decide if we'll get her anything.  (Typically we don't buy anything for 1st birthdays, just cuz Kayson got over-loaded with his 1st birthday and Christmas).  And I'm assuming that will be the same with Miss Cora. 
• Our flights are finally booked for our trip to Arizona in September!!!  We waited too long, but we got some decent flights (at a good price too).  The only complaint is we are leaving early (right around 7 am) for both flights...  early for the kids, but I'd rather have that then getting home at 9 pm!!  It'll be fine, and I'm really looking forward to it.  We have to make it super fun for the kids...  :)

Fun with Tate!

Saturday night we got to watch Tate while Martina & Blair went to a wedding reception.  We had such a good time.  Tate did great... we were thrilled to have him with us for the night. 

The kids played right away...  the basement was a disaster!  :)  We then ordered dinner in...  the kids did pretty well (for being excited)...  Tate ate well - little portions at a time, he ate the main stuff.  I did realize (even having all the kids do really well at dinner) - I'm done with 2 kids.  When you have three - the parents are out numbered.  :)  It was still a lot of work!  ha. 

Then more playing...  we did baths too...  enjoyed some quite time... and then bed.  They both did great, we were so pleased!!

Playing with the firetruck!  (Loves Kayson's toys)

Boys' bath time - blowing bubbles.

Having some quiet time after baths.

 

Cora - 11 Months Old

Someone is 11 months old at our house!!!!  UNBELIEVABLE!  

Yesterday was the official day of being 11 months old...  and she was fussy!!!!  Cora didn't eat very well, fussed a lot, and was pretty needy!   It all came to an answer this morning...  when she woke us up, and she had puke and poop (pretty much) all over her bed (YUK)...  she was warm and already frowning.  BOO HOO.  Her left side of her face was bright red as well...?? I got her cleaned up and tried to give her a bottle (not interested)... and she cried and I noticed tooth #4 is coming through - actually it's already through.  It's her top left one.  We aren't actually sure if it's her front tooth or her incisor.   (we are concerned she might have some messed up teeth - due to my family's history!!!)  Either way - she's getting it and it's giving her a heck of a time.  Poor thing!

Anyway, she's been napping most of the day today...  hoping to fight through this FAST!

Here are her 'stats':

• Still only saying one word - 'Momma'...  she does a lot of babbling, but no words yet.
• Still does not like to have her diaper changed or get dressed. She actually hates it.  :)
• 12 month clothing is quickly getting short and tight on her.  I put all of the 9 month stuff away...  and already put a few 12 month stuff away too.  I'm anxious to see how much she weighs.  GROWING TOO FAST!
• Size 3 diaper
• Crawling, and standing up to everything... 
• Standing now on her own - in the middle of the living room floor!  Walking is not far away!
• 4 teeth (as of yesterday!)
• Food is still about the same...  we are trying more mashed things, she does ok.  Daycare does really well with her (thank God!)  
• She likes the same sippy cups that Kayson does - so she has two pink ones now! 
• Loves "Itsy Bitsy Spider" song.
• We are working on 'blowing kisses'

Ryan's "Vacation"

Ryan's been on a 'forced vacation' this week.  I say that because literally his firm makes long term schedule (for the accountant's traveling, etc), and on that schedule - was "Ryan Taylor - Vacation, 7/12-7/19"  I laughed, but was excited too.  He needs it, he deserves it.  Of course it was the hottest week of the year, but oh well!!

Besides having some tummy issues the first part of the week, I think he's enjoyed it.  He's been super productive in the garage!  It's all organized (even more!) with some new shelves and things tossed out!  His next thing to do is to put handles on the kitchen cabinets!!  

I took this afternoon off...  I came home and finally finished going through clothes to go to Goodwill and clothes that can just be trashed.  FINALLY!!  That's been something I've totally procrastinated about!  Bad me.  

I'm taking tomorrow off as well...  I kind of felt that it would be nice to just be home with Ryan.  (Wonder how he feels about it!??!)  haha.  We don't have anything planned, but hopefully we can grab lunch and just putz around the house together.  (and get those handles on!!!)

We have a busy weekend planned with visitors and other random stuff...  I'm looking forward to the 3 day weekend!!!  

Brunch & a Movie

Today JeanAnn planned a day for Mike & Ryan's birthdays - for all of us to do a Sunday brunch and then the adults go to a movie this afternoon. 

We had brunch at Granite City - yummo!  We headed back to our house to play a little, then we had one of the daycare teachers, Lexie, come and stay with the kiddos.  We were able to get Tate and Cora down for their naps and then she put Kayson down...  The adults headed out to see Grown-Ups 2.  It was a nice time...  nice to get away and relax!  The movie was ok...  some funny parts, but nothing we would probably see again! Which is fine - no biggie!  

The kids were all awake when we returned...  I guess Tate was kind of upset when he woke up to find Lexie and not Mommy.  I felt bad...  but I hope it was ok...  They all stuck around for a bit, then it was just a quiet rest of the evening.  

A very nice day was had!!!  Ryan's off this week from work...  he doesn't have much planned, maybe some organizing and some relaxation!  Maybe he'll have supper on the table when I get home!  haha.  :)

Such fun with Uncle Ry Ry and Tate

Papa and his grandkids.  Happy Birthday to him!

A nice picture!

Cora gets into the pantry...  can't leave the door open for nothing!

 

Mon - Fri

It's been a long week...  so I'm thrilled it's the weekend.
Monday:
Ryan headed out to Illinois...  long trip for him...  which meant a long week for us.  I could just tell Kayson was going to give me a hard time... and he did.  :(

Tuesday:
Tried to keep busy by staying in...  it was a warmer day. I was hot, and super tired... so we just stayed in.  Kayson decided that giving me a fit about the iPad and not staying in bed was 'fun'.  

Wednesday:
It didn't seem as hot... so we had supper and I got the sprinkler out for Kayson.  Cora and I sat and watched him run through the water for about 30 minutes.  He did well, until, of course, it was time to come inside.  I understand being a kid and having to come in sucks...  I wish there was a good way to have kids understand that and listen!!

Thursday:
Ryan's 34th birthday!!!  Ryan was able to come home Thursday night, which was great.  Kayson was all wound up, so he was naughty too, but ended up being super happy to have Ryan home... and listened.  Once Ryan got home, we were able to run to Dairy Queen for his birthday.  A nice treat.  (Cora, by the way, loves ice cream!!)

Friday:
TGIF!!  It was a super DUPER long day at work.  It was really quiet, and we just weren't very busy, so it seemed like the 8 hours took forever!!  Tonight we did dinner out and then walked through Costco.  We got a membership there, so figured it was a good night to walk through... and spent way too much money!  ha.  

Here's to the weekend!

Zoo Sunday!

We picked a hot day...  but we did it.  We took the kids to Blank Park Zoo this morning.  First of all - both of our kids are getting in the habit of sleeping in...  like 7:30/8:00.  Oooo that's so nice, but it just makes me (and Ryan) super lazy.  UGH.  I sometimes don't like that!  (I shouldn't complain!!)

Anyway, we got out the door around 9:00... it was a warm morning already.  We really had a good time though... it wasn't very busy (until we headed out - around 11:30), so we were able to see all the animals without waiting in lines or trying to see over people.  Kayson had a good time...  he gets bored fast though, so he wanted to move from one animal to the next within minutes.  It's no wonder it only took us an hour and 45 minutes to get through the zoo!  Cora did great too - she just watched and watched...  not falling asleep once!  It was a success... we decided we would try to do that again early fall time.  

Saturday

It's been a busy day at the Taylor household!  
This morning, we had Kayson's friend, Riley, over for a play date.  They did so well together.  They played inside, and outside in the sprinklers, they had snacks and talked and talked.  She's a good little girl, and we are lucky to have them be friends.  

After naps, my sister and her family were in town shopping... so they stopped by for a short while.  Then Ryan's parents stopped in too...  they took us out for supper - we went to Iowa Machine Shed for something different.  It was really good.  Then we enjoyed some Dairy Queen.  :)

It's been a nice day...  

What a GREAT 4th of July!!

We had a fantastic day yesterday!  It's such a great thing having the day off and being able to just be with my kids!

We enjoyed the weather to it's fullest yesterday - it was beautiful all day long!  We went to the Urbandale parade in the morning...  we had never been to that one before, but it was a success!  The weather was great - we got a close spot - we were in the shade for the most part - and Kayson made out with candy!  He was thrilled.  :)  Cora did great - watching the entire time!!  About 10 minutes before we left, she got antsy, so I gave her her paci, and she was out. 

We had a quick lunch at home... then the kids layed down for a nap.  I did a quick grocery run, then did some quick cleaning too...  (everything was kind of 'quick' yesterday afternoon) - just getting things done and prepped for our evening out with friends. 

We then all headed up to Centennial Park in Waukee to enjoy the weather some more...  eat, drink and celebrate the 4th!  We met up with some neighbors and some other friends... and we all had a fantastic time!  Kayson did so awesome - played like crazy, ran like crazy and just had fun.  Cora, too, did well - however, I'm realizing she's more busy than I thought!  She literally was NON-STOP the entire time we were there (from 4 til 10!)  Oh boy.  :)   We grilled out and then just sat around, it was great!  The kids were doing so great, that we decided to stay put for the fireworks.  Kayson enjoyed them...  (as last year he didn't watch them cuz he was in bed)... and Cora did well too.  She just sat on my lap and stared, it was pretty sweet.  :)

We got home super late - after 10 pm...  exhausted!  I had to work today, which was TOUGH getting out of bed!!!  Ryan was off today, so he just hung out and got the kids to daycare (as they have more fun there!) 

It was a great day we had... and here are some great pictures!!

Friends!

My family

Waiting for the parade.

Such a great pic of the boys.

He did so well with the sparklers!

Having so much fun!!

My loves.  :)

Don't ask!!  I'm not sure... but I think it's funny!

Sittin' in brother's chair!

 

 

Bath Time

To save time tonight, Kayson and Cora took a bath together!  So damn cute.  They splashed and laughed, it was awesome!  We'll be doing that again for sure.  :)