Visiting Grandma and Papa

My Grandparents live in northern Idaho.  I have always Loved going up there to visit for many reasons.  At Grandma's house we get to see:

1.Grandma and Papa (of course!)

2. Yummy food

3. Beautiful country

4. Beautiful quilts and trinkets

5. Pretty flowers

And this trip was especially fun because the kids and I went up with my sister, Kelsey, and her husband, Zac.

 I couldn't have done it without them!  Kamryn is already entering the "2-year-old" phase and Kyler is still pretty little.  Both kids can be very difficult--but it was possible to go on vacation because Kels and Zac were so willing to help.   I'm so glad Kamryn loves them so much and that they like being around her.  I'm very grateful we live so close to them and get to see them often.  While we were up there, Kamryn's language really picked up faster than it has ever thus far--I think a lot of it was because Kelsey and Zac were there to encourage her and to help build her vocabulary.  She now says "Zac, Kels, Tree, Duck, Quack, Pink, Blue, Whereareyou?, water, Papa, and baby" on top of everything else she already had. 

AND to top it all off, my Uncle Gary and Aunt Nicole were also there this same weekend with their boys.  It was a very filled couple of days--but very fun.

In the car: driving once again! My kids are such good travelers! (for the most part!) :)

The first day we went up to the property that my dad and his siblings each own a portion of.  Kamryn really enjoyed it up there--especially because Kelsey and Zac made it fun for her!  (Thanks guys!) :)

Uncle Zac is Kamryn's favorite! :)  During this trip she began saying "Zac. Zac. Zac." over and over like she used to say "Mama Mama Mama"!  

Zac let Kamryn "Drive" with him...ever since then she wants to "drive" when she gets in the car now! Silly girl!

Funny story that day:  So before we went I knew my allergies would bother me up in the woods, so I decided to take an allergy pill.  A generic brand--over the counter--mild pill.  (or so I thought).  Throughout the day I found that Kyler was VERY cranky and that I just was feeling lightheaded all afternoon.  It was awful.  Water didn't help. Food didn't help.  I finally asked Kelsey and Zac to watch my kids for me and I took a nap in my uncle's car.  I felt a ltitle better afterwards...but I was still "off".  The next morning, Kelsey's allergies were bugging her and she went to take one of my pills and realized that it said "May cause drowsiness" on the side.  Oops!  That would explain why yesterday was tough on me and Kyler!  I really thought they were non-drowsy pills...but apparently I was remembering some other bottle and not these! :) Good thing I didn't drive! :)

The next day Kels, Zac and I took the kids to the Boardwalk.  I've done this many many times in my life--but it was fun to see Kamryn just LOVE the water!  "water, water" she kept saying over and over and over again! :)

Kyler slept in the sling the whole time.  Kamryn loved it so much that she would sit by the edge to see the water closer (when we let her out of hte stroller).  One time she didn't realize the water had splashed all over and sat down in a giant puddle!  oops!  Wet Bum!

My cute cute kids!  (Love my "Moby Wrap" to carry Kyler in...it's SO easy!  Thanks Kami for the idea!)

The rest of the trip was spent playing and talking and relaxing at Grandma and Papa's house. 

One of the days--Gram was cooking and found this onion in the back of her cupboard!  Oops!  It was completely "grown" out of its skin!

Kyler spent a lot of time on his tummy (thanks to Aunt Kelsey who helped me remember to put him on his tummy lots!) :)  At his two month appointment the Dr. told me to put him on his tummy in 10-15 minute increments for a total of 1 hour/day.  That is a lot of time--but I'm seeing results already! :)  So I'm trying to keep it up! (we aren't quite to an hour yet...but that's the goal!)

We played outside--it was GORGEOUS weather while we were there.

Papa taught the guys about surveying (He was a mapmaker for many years)

Kamryn enjoyed the toys that I played with when I was her age!

And of course we introduced "the cow" to her. (Little does she know that we actually own a cow pitcher now at our house because of Grandma last Christmas!)  Kamryn loved it! :) 

Funny story: We were sitting at the dinner table on our last night there and Kamryn pointed up to the ceiling and said "Bee".  We all looked up and sure enough--there was a bee in the house!  What a smarty pants! :)

Grandma made Kyler this fun Noah's Ark quilt. It's so cute! I love it! I layed him on the floor one night all wrapped up--he laid there awake for quite sometime and then next thing I knew he was asleep.  too too cute!

Some pictures of the kids with Grandma and Papa.  (their GREAT grandma and Papa)

We had a WONDERFUL time!  Thanks for letting us tag along, Kelsey and Zac!  And thanks for letting us come, Grandma and Papa!  We love you!

2 month Dr. Appointment

I took Kyler to the Doctor last Monday.  I was so excited to see his current stats because he is just growing and growing and growing!
Weight: 10 lbs. 15 oz. (25th percentile)
Height: 22 inches (30th percentile)
Head size: ?? don't remember but it was also in the 30th percentile (don't have the paper with me!) :)

So...he is getting bigger and bigger--but not as big as I thought I guess because he's still in the lower percentiles! :)  That's okay! I love my little boy! (It's different because Kamryn was in the 80 and 90th percentiles since the time she was born!  Luckily she is a girl (who are naturally smaller) and he is a boy---so they are about the same size really!) :)

Some fun recent pictures of Kyler.  He's been so good at smiling and cooing (talking) lately.  It's so fun to see him growing and gaining some personality!  Still as picky as ever though! :)

Kyler Blessing

We blessed Kyler on Sunday June 6th in Pleasant Grove. It was a wonderful experience. I was so overwhelmed by the amount of friends and family who showed up to support us and show us that we are loved.

Ryan wasn't as nervous this time as he was on Kamryn's blessing day. He did a beautiful job. Kyler was asleep through the blessing, which definitely makes things easier. :)

I bore my testimony in that Sacrament Meeting after the blessing--I expressed my gratitude for being and mother and a wife. That when I was in Kindergarten, and I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I always said "a mom"! That was all I really looked forward to--and now it is upon me. I'm grateful to be married to my best friend. (he's truly been my best friend since we met in 9th grade.) I can't believe that we have been married almost 3 years now and have 2 beautiful and smart children. Kamryn and Kyler aren't the easiest--but they are my joy. It is amazing to me that just a few months ago, Kyler was still living in the presence of our Heavenly Father--and now He has entrusted me to raise and care for Kyler. (and Kamryn). I hope that I can raise them to know that they are children of God--that they are loved by many--that they can always turn to our Savior, Jesus Christ, if they ever are feeling doubtful, discouraged, or just need some extra confidence. I am grateful for prayer--that we can always speak to our Heavenly Father and I know He listens. I know he hears and answers prayers--and cares about each one of us individually. I am grateful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It is a solid foundation in which we can come close to Christ and God. It is the same no matter where you go. When we are visiting family in Ohio, Idaho, Hawaii, etc. we can always attend church and worship the same way that we would at home. We can meet other people who are also members of the church, and feel "at home" even amongst complete strangers. I know God puts us in family units on purpose--to help us learn to love in the way that Christ and Heavenly Father love us. It is a deep and eternal love, that only comes as we learn to posses Christlike attributes such as patience, charity, work, faith, love, diligence, submissiveness, humility, etc.

It was a wonderful day! I am sorry that I have taken a month to post about it--but I have high hopes of catching up on the blog soon enough! Fun pictures of Kyler on his special day:

Such a big boy!

Our little family

All our family and friends who came to support us.

2 months old!

Kyler is 2 months old today!  Time has truly flown by! (although, while I'm doing  late night feedings, it seems like time goes SO SLOW!!) :)

Some things about Kyler:

-Kyler is a very particular baby!  He often plays the "guess what position I want" game.  Cute sometimes but other times it is very frustrating.  His favorite position most of the time is on his back on a blanket on the floor or a bed.  But when he gets sick of laying there--he wants to be held.  And when he is tired of being held--he's immediately happy again when he is put down on the floor.  It's almost funny how "black and white" it is! :)
-Kyler is easily startled.  Whether he is sleeping or awake.  With this baby, I was determined to get him used to sleeping around noise because I knew Kamryn would not be quiet around him... but despite my efforts--he sleeps much better if he is in a room on his own (and if that room is dark!) :)  Silly baby!
-Kyler has 2 dimples--and they are SO SO cute when he smiles!  It is my favorite feature about him.
-Kyler loves baths.  Hates before and after, but as soon as he hits the water he is very content.
-Kyler loves to look around now. I think he is getting more "ok" with the bouncer because it allows him to look around a little bit.
-Kyler likes tummy time!  This is an amazing thing to me because Kamryn HATED it with every fiber of her being!  Kyler especially likes it on the boppy so that he can look at a book or at whatever Kamryn is doing at the time.
-Kyler is VERY strong!  Ever since he was born, every Dr. or nurse who has met him says something about his strong legs.  And I see it every time I change his diaper!  He is always very stiff and we have to coax him to move body parts sometimes (especially when he is upset!)  He often arches his back -- it's like he just can't stand not being able to do anything with this little body of his! 
-Kyler doesn't like to miss anything!  He is difficult to get to sleep during the day--probably more due to his startle reflex but I also think he is like Kamryn in that there is just always so much to discover and explore--and sleeping means he'll miss out on something!
-Kyler likes to watch Kamryn.  Kamryn loves to help with him -- get his binky, change his diaper, cover him up, give him toys, give him  a bath, etc.  Although, just recently I've seen Kamryn start to act a little "jealous" of him.  I think she sees me feed him so often that she feels somewhat "neglected" however I happen to know that I spend more of my day catering to her ... not him! :)
-Kyler grunts a lot more than he cries.  He came out of the womb grunting...and continues to grunt 2 months later!:)
-Kyler is a good eater.  He nurses most of the time but I'll give him a bottle about 2-3 times a week and he does awesome with that as well.
-Kyler is a spitter when he eats.  And between feedings,  he is often drooling!!  Eww...  Needless to say he is often wearing a bib to protect his clothes from being drenched every day!
-Kyler loves the binky already.  I thought about trying to get him unattached last week...but it wasn't very successful...and I kinda gave up because he cries so hard that he turns purple.  I'm afraid he is going to pass out sometime!  and in my mind---I think I'd rather give him the binkie than have him pass out!
-Kyler often sleeps swaddled and binkie in mouth.  After he falls asleep, the binkie often falls from his mouth (luckily he doesn't wake up right away!).  And when he wakes up again, he wiggles so hard that he can unswaddle himself! Even if he was tight tight tight!  Strong little boy!
-Kyler sleeps with his hands open.  Even if you try to relax the fingers...they pop right back out again.

-Kyler is on a great feed/wake/sleep schedule (every 3 hours) during the day.  Because of this, he is now sleeping 7-8 hours at a time every night!  yay!! :) I'm  already getting some more sleep in my days!

-Kyler has his 2 month Dr. appointment next week---I'm anxious to see how much he weighs and measures now.  He is definitely getting "rollier" now!  I love baby rolls!

Kyler, we love you!  We are so glad you are in our family and that you are healthy and thriving!

Kyler and the frog! (I did a bunch of pictures with this frog with Kamryn too)

Look at that sad face!!

It's been a pretty good day (early Fridayfunny)!

Kyler sitting in his bouncer HAPPILY!! (guess he's growing into it!  Up till now he has just cried and cried!)

Kyler sitting in the swing HAPPILY! (This one took a little more coaxing from me but he did it and slept in it for half an hour!) :)

Kamryn played in the water table after I cleaned it out.  It was SO windy out though ... but she lasted longer than I thought she would..  She's getting to be such a big girl.

Love this little skirt!  She looks like a natural dancer, don't you think?!! :)

But this next event of our day TOTALLY made my day!!  I could not stop laughing! :)

I was changing Kamryn's diaper after she was getting wet outside and I asked her if she wanted to go sit on the potty. She said "yes" so we went and sat  on the potty.  I told her I'd give her a candy for going potty and encouraged her to actually "go" in the potty. She didn't actually go, but we wiped and flushed, then went back to her room to get her dressed.

After she was dressed again, we went out to the kitchen and I said "Do you want a candy for the potty?" She replied "no" but she always says no first, so I went for the candy anyway.  I asked if she wanted one as I got them down and she said "ok". (her new favorite word!) :)  After taking FOREVER to choose a candy, she chose a caramel filled chocolate kiss.  She unwrapped it herself and then brought me the wrapper.  I told her to throw it in the trash--so she did--which took another 2 minutes.  Then she ran off with her candy and I went to check on Kyler.  And I then I hear Kamryn climbing onto her potty stool in the bathroom---"that's weird" I think. "Why is she in by the potty again?"  I go in there and find her standing over the toilet, looking in it!

 (didn't get my camera fast enough before she was stepping off the stool)

 And there is her chocolate kiss IN the potty!!! 

I guess she took me literally when I said we were going to get a candy for the potty!  :)

Needless to say we flushed that one (awarded the potty so to speak!)  and got Kamryn a new one! 

Now--I dare you not to laugh about this the rest of your day!  I'm still giggling! :)