The Big ONE!

On Birthday morning, Ky was greeted by mom and dad with a birthday song. He seemed pretty please about that--especially since dad was able to take the morning off of work. We then got ourselves ready to head to the zoo. Before the trip, we turned his carseat around--so he faces forward. It was funny putting him in. It was clear that he knew something was different--but wasn't quite sure what it was right away.

The Madison zoo is very cool. We had a fun time (except for all the kids on field trips) looking at all the animals. Ky especially enjoyed the animals that moved. If they didn't move, he wasn't very interested. I think his favorite animals were the Bears. The bears were pacing, and one even decided to take a dip in the pool. The only thing Kylan did not like so much was the big fish. We had him walking on the ground by the aquariums and when he saw the giant fish he ran to daddy's arms and insisted on being picked up.

After the zoo, we decided to give Ella's Deli a second try (See feb blog entry). They have a lot of neat gadgets and games to keep kids occupied so we thought it would be fun for Kylan. Plus we figured there shouldn't be too much of a lunch rush. We were right, there were not many people there---however we still waited 45 min to get our food. And we ordered simple items that do not need to be cooked, just merely assembled and heated. Yeah--I don't think we will be returnng anytime soon. We ordered a kid's meal for Kylan--that was too small for him. He ate it--then ate part of mine and Rob's food. Prior to arriving, we had considered getting some ice cream for the b'day boy--but dad had to get to work, and I think we were all a little irritated by the experience.

After Ky's mid day nap he spent his time playing in the driveway. We grilled and ate outside--which he loves. He loves to see other people walking--the neighbor kids playing--and cars driving.

Oh-yeah and there was a brief visit to the doctor. (Ky remind me to tell you about this later--I won't put it here--that way I can save you the embarrassment of everyone knowing.)

All in all it was a very nice day. Stay tuned for the next blog--Ky's first b'day party!

prebirthday blog

It's June 6th. The night I went into the hospital. I just tucked the wee one to bed. His bedtime story tonight was of the day he was born. Can you believe that my little guy is turning one!? Rob says, "Can you believe we have been parents for a year?!" Wow!

So--these pics are from Memorial day weekend. We spent Sunday with Nana and Grandma Jan. Ky was able to persuade G'ma Jan to go down the slide. I think she was a bit scared. (By the way did I mention in the last blog that Ky has just learned how to go down the slide on his own? He figured out that he has to scoot his butt.) After the slide, he then went on the merry go round a bit and the tried out a canoe ride. Unfortunately he didn't get very far--since it was anchored to the ground. Ky loves the park, we go at least once a week---often two to three times.

On Monday--we went to a chocolate festival in Burlington WI. We were rather excited however quickly disappointed once we arrived. It was basically a lousy excuse for a carnival. There was only one tent with chocolate--and even some of that was disappointing. We paid for free samples--and went to a cheesecake place that served us a marshmallow dipped in Hershey's syrup--talk about unreal. Anyway they did have a finger painting tent with chocolate pudding--so we took Ky. He loved putting his fingers in the pudding--but did not understand the whole "painting"part. Then when Dad tried to show him (and took the pudding away to do that) --Ky had a meltdown. The picture above shows him in one of his tantrums. Yes an in action tantrum. He is a boy that knows what he wants and will cry when he doesn't get it.

After the tantrum we left. No point in dealing with that any further.

The other pics are of Ky at his table eating. Dad was very impressed by Ky's maturity and wanted some pics. Ever since we started working at the Y--I have always placed Ky at the table for snack time. It is so funny--because at the Y his eyes just peer over the table. If I haven't mentioned this before--Ky is food motivated. He will not move if he has food in front of him. Therefore I never have to worry about him falling out of a chair. So he has been sitting in big chairs at snack time for 2.5 months now.

Well I need to head to bed. Tomorrow is the BIG day. Rob took the morning off and we are taking Kylan for his first trip to the zoo. It should be a lot of fun. The big birthday party is Sunday--I will update with birthday pics shortly after that.

I could not have asked for a better kid!

Kylan is the best. He is turning more and more into a person every day. He is really loving and will run up to you to give and receive hugs (as well as kisses.) The other day ky was taking turns running from me and daddy to give hugs (all on his own accord.)

We have figured out that Kylan is calling Rob "mama." He is having a difficult time with those d's. It was so funny--the other day Rob came home from work and Kylan began clapping his hands and saying "mama".

Kylan is maturing in other ways too--he now throws tantrums when he doesn't get what he wants--this is something we are trying to stop now--we'll see how that goes. He also gets upset if you are eating something different then him. (Sometimes he gets upset when you are eating the same thing as him.) He is also beginning to insist on feeding himself. This is tricky. He doesn't have the coordination yet to use a spoon, but he tries. We would be bad parents if we discouraged his desire to feed himself.

Ky got his first skinned knee (I forgot to take a picture.) He was running on the driveway (wearing shorts) and he tripped. We knew it was bound to happen--but it was so sad when it actually did. Kylan also now has a sixth tooth (four on the top, two on the bottom.)

So for mother's day we surprised grandma Irvin and went to Indiana for a very very short visit. My Uncle also is battling cancer and so it was important to go see him as well. Kylan got to meet his great grandmother Hammond for the first time. He walked around the house and showed everyone what a big boy he was. He also spent some time rearranging Grandma's kitchen cabinets. He had a great time seeing Uncle Joel and future Aunt Jamie's new house. It is beautiful. He also watched his uncles play marbles (something mama used to play with Uncle Joel way back in the day.) For Mother's day the four siblings (Me, Joel, Jeff, and John) cooked a wonderful meal. We had a great time! Too bad it was so short. Ky also had a wonderful time sporting around disposable diapers (something he rarely wears.) Doesn't he have the cutest little chubby thighs?

The next weekend we went to the farmer's market for the first time this year. It takes place around the capital. After we bought yummy stuff, we sat in the grass and ate. Ky had a lot of fun walking around and checking out the capital. We also took him into the capital building where he got to drink out of a marble water fountain. Talk about fancy.

Well next blog entry will be either the first b'day one or the "Ky's most embarassing moments" entry. I can't believe he is almost a whole year old!

11 months and handsome as ever.

Never leave your child alone for a second! That top picture would be Kylan discovering the joys of Toilet paper. Boy did he have fun. The second pic is of Kylan discovering that even though TP is fun to play with, it does not taste so good.

11 months and what a little walker.

He often walks with his hands clasped now, or he walks clapping. (6 pic from top is of him clapping) He actually learned to clap his hands at his first brewers game this year (April 20th I think.) We have been to a couple of games and he still enjoys them (especially getting the attention of the people around us.) Oh yeah--and when the brewers hit a home run---he is fascinated by the fireworks.

He also went to his first tailgate before a Brewer game. Ky had fun eating with Grandpa. It was a good time. We saw Cousin Elizabeth from Nebraska and said goodbye to Cousin Dr. Paul. Cousin Dr. Paul is receiving his medical degree next week and then moving out to San Diego. We will miss him.

Kylan has also learned how to making farting noises with his mouth. He is very proud. He will walk up to you and put his mouth on your arm/face/leg and blow. What a boy!

He loves being outside and now his new walking skills makes the outside so much more exciting. He tries to eat the plants and trees. BLAH! We try to get him to ride his trike, but he would rather push it.

His vocab continues to expand. He now says "Bread" and "MAMA" quite regularly. It was pretty cool--the other day we were taking a walk and there was a man across the street walking two dogs. Kylan started saying "BEAR! BEAR" Then he said "HI BEAR!" (FYI--our dog's name is bear.) He is a pretty smart kid!

Garage sale season has begun! YEAH! I just bought a "Super Gate" at one the other day, so now I am able to confine Ky to the family room. This gives me a bit more sanity during the day. Now if we can just find a cheap entertainments center with doors. (to keep little fingers off the electronics. Ky already broke the sound knob on the stereo.) We also bought the neat trike you see in the pics up top. It converts from a rocker to a tricycle that we can push (until he is ready to push himself.) I also picked him up a big bag of trucks for $2 and lots of play clothes for .10 to .25 each. Now that he is old enough to play outside I don't want him wrecking his nice outfits--so play clothes come in very handy. Did I mention I love garage saling! YEAH! (I also bought Rob a brand new suitcase for $8.)

Let's see I forgot to mention the pics of Aidan, Mark and Gianna. We went over to play with our Godson (Aidan) and had some fun. We (the adults) learned though it is better to get the kids together earlier in the day and to do things outdoors--so there is less mess indoors.

So that is all I have for now. Can you believe that Ky is almost 1 year old! I can hardly believe it! I plan to post at least once more before the big party!

Have a good one!