Great Gran and Gramps

SO SO lucky is he. These two have been some of the BEST Grandparents anyone has ever had. I have grown up with these two coming to all of my performances and games. I traveled with them as a teeny tiny girl and have continued as an adult. I love to stay at their house when I'm home-best sleep I've ever had. At the beginning of 2008 they took us to Hawaii. Just the four of us went. It was then and there we decided to have a baby. Gran and Gramps are so glad we did. They both love to play with him. At 76 and 79 these two still get on the floor and play with him. Kyler is so blessed to get to enjoy them. I know I am the luckiest girl in the world to have them as Grandparents!

Grandma Honey

Kevin's Mom is a fabulous mother-in-law. She is an even more fabulous Grandmother. She has so much energy for the boys (I have a nephew named Dexton) and she has no qualms about getting her hands "dirty." I loved when he was little and she was around because she just wanted to jump in and do things. Not only did she want to do things, but she always made sure that the way she cared for Kyler was in line with the way we wanted. That is amazing. So many people, particularly Mom's have their own way of doing things and that's the way they will do them thankyou very much. As Kevin and I have had some very particular and unorthodox ways of doing things, I really appreciated her approach. When she was around and Kyler needed a diaper or a bath or to be rocked to sleep (NiNies doesn't always work) or a new outfit on or anything really, she just jumped up and did it. As a new mother I am never great about asking for help. I know though, when Sheri is there she WANTS to take care of him. I will be honest-I have loved that so very much. Kyler has loved it too!

Auntie Em

This baby is lucky to have so many people who love him so much. He absolutely adores his Aunt Emily. We had the pleasure of her audience for the whole evening last night in Pocatello. He was so excited to show her all of his new tricks like talking and walking. We all ate at the Texas Roadhouse... Kyler loves their green beans. She couldn't believe how friendly he was, blowing kisses to the people next to us.
His Aunt was good to pack him in and out of stores and his car seat. When we got home he showed her all of his toys. They played and talked and laughed and I am so happy we got to enjoy her all by herself =). At least Kyler loved to have her undivided attention. He does love to be the center of it all.

Claykit and his "Big Brother"

Kyler loves to play with Emmanuel. Several times a week I learn more and more about a make believe world that is forever changing. Actually, two worlds. One is called Satoga and one is a spin off of the Warriors books (warrior cats). It is hard to keep up because the names, kids and ages are changing as fast as he can come up with something new. So far Im Brandiwhisker mother of Kevintail's kits, I have 7 kits, am a Queen because Im nursing, and Emmanuel's character is my son (his name changes regularly). Kyler is Claykit (use of middle name), and we have ties to several clans in the valley. In real life he says, "It's like Im Kylers big brother. I wish I really was his brother because I would love to have a brother." In real life I just love having him over, he can be Kyler's brother for all intents and purposes. The fact is Kyler loves to play with him and I love that my son is around someone so creative all the time. I hope he is taking lessons in use of imagination. A man named Walt made a great living and has impacted the World with the concept of Imagination.

Better than Training Wheels

This scene was in the evening February 9th, 2010. Kyler finally wants to walk for real. The 3 kids helping him are 3 of his favorite people in the world. He spends many many hours at their house and is always ready to go back for more. This family makes him feel like there is no other baby in the world (being the center of attention comes naturally to him).

Who needs a Crib?

Who needs a crib when you can relax in a king sized bed? Not this child. We have enjoyed sharing our bed immensely with this Angel. We approach nighttime parenting with a hands on view. Kyler sleeps in the middle and we don't miss a thing with this baby! Some of our most treasured memories are first thing in the morning when he wakes. He is usually happy beyond belief and chatty in the morning. The last few months we wake up to, "Hi!" and this week a kiss as well. Too bad we have a gorgeous bassinet, crib, crib set, and extra sheets that will never get used.... I really wish I could have waited until after the baby got here to purchase all the equipment. Honestly, a massage or spa day for Mommy would have benefitted the kid a lot more than these items did. I would like to say an extra thankyou to anyone who reads this and bought Kyler any of that stuff. I really thought we needed it. I really had no idea what kind of parent I would be until he got here. I would also like to put another plug in for Attachment Parenting right here!!!

Dog gaining weight

Shaka is putting on more than his winter coat now that the Baby is eating. One for Kyler, Two for Shaka. Some for baby, lots for puppy...
It may be hard to see, but Shaka is the big black dog peeking around the chair hoping for some scrambled egg sandwich~

He DOES Eat!

January 21st, 2010 my fears were washed away. I truly thought that this child would live on "nanny milk" INDEFINITELY. Turns out he will eat. He will eat Anything. Amazing.
He is covered in avocado in this picture. He ate Indian Tacos happily and Mommy slept good that night.

Practice what you Preach

I think it is safe to say that everyone knows not to let their children play with their cell phones. I give my husband a hard time for letting our son play with his on a regular basis. I tell him it will be ruined quickly. Well....I have not made it a huge issue when the baby gets my phone----and now MY phone doesn't work. There is 6lbs of drool and remnants of a mini-wheat inside the charger hole... Kevin's phone is still trucking along just fine.
Thank goodness it is still under warranty and the free replacement is on its way. Thankyou Verizon. No texting for Mommy until Wednesday- what a great opportunity to get back in touch with a phone call to those I regularly communicate with but don't talk to.

Just so you know there is a text waiting for me, I cannot get to it.....Driving me crazy

NiNies

SO.......My 13.5 month old baby loves to nurse. Still. I know that is shocking for some. I just want to say how much I enjoy nursing an older baby. My sweet baby says, "NiNi Mama, NiNies." Nurses, follows by saying, "Daint Dou!" (His version of Thankyou). and continues on his merry way. I am so lucky that is a part of my day! Sometimes I get exhausted from nursing him all the time and having to pump when I work, but it is with a Glad Heart that I continue to offer my son human milk =)

~I wanna be like you-hoo-ooo~

From a very early age my son has mimicked his Dad. On days that I was home when the baby woke up he would try to show me the games they played. At about 4 months (the age in this picture), Kyler would pull the comforter over his head and smile at me. Translation- "Daddy and I play peek-a-boo in bed when you are at work Mommy." On Thursday this week I came home from work early and got to enjoy the boys "working out." Kevin follows the video and Kyler follows Kevin. Kyler goes to the weights on the floor and "works" with them while breathing loud and heavy "Phoo's" (spelling the sound is a challenge). I have no idea how Kevin can continue with a straight face. I about fell out of my chair laughing at the sight. I only wish I would have had the camera out. I need a photographer at home and especially while I'm at work.......
p.s. Kyler's favorite relax-time movie right now is Jungle Book. So sing yourself a little King Louis---it will stick in your head all day!

Spilled Milk

What I like about this picture is that it is true and funny... Mostly just true. I giggle today but have cried each time milk spilled. Kyler LOVES to nurse and is no small child. Each spilled ounce was a heartbreaker. Good thing the boy didn't starve due to my clumsiness!

In the Beginning

Well, before there was Kyler there was just us. Kevin and Brandi. No strings, just us. The story goes that Kevin always knew he would marry me since before we even thought of dating. I knew within the first 2 weeks that I was with my soulmate. As our journey continues and our focus remains on our son, I wanted to spotlight the fact that we travel together with a beautiful past and a bright future. Just us.

Walking

So this week is going to be a great start for baby updates. I have to add an entry early because Kyler took his first free willing steps at my families house yesterday during the Super Bowl. We have tricked him into a few steps before, but quite frankly the kid has showed no interest in walking. He is incredibly fast crawling and must figure that he shouldn't fix something that isn't broken. By the way I need to add a prayer here because I have a feeling this is the beginning of the end. He has his own agenda to tend. The walk will turn to run in a blink of an eye and I will be swimming upstream to catch him.....for the rest of my life. I can't help but well up with tears at this sight. My baby. My brand new baby. Walking. Not to mention talking and sassing as well! You should hear this kid when he is telling me off. What is a mother to do?

Blogging for real now....

Okay here we go. New Goal. Weekly blogs for baby Kyler to keep a better journal for him. I have been so sporadic with entries that much information is missing from his first year journal. I hope someday he really enjoys reading about himself from my perspective as a wee one- if not I love to read it so it is win/win no matter what! My angel is sleeping now, thank Goodness. His latest and greatest defiance is not going down for sleep well for Mommy. Daddy can put him out like a light but Mommy has no luck. Sometimes he crawls away and wants to play with eyes he just can't keep open and sometimes he uses nursing to stay up and sometimes he just crys and says I'm not going to sleep. I've tried everything I can think of. I rationalized that he just wants to not miss anything...So why does he go to sleep for Daddy? I just don't know. Well I suppose that if him not going easily off to sleep for me is the hardest part of my day I'll just take a deep breath. Not too bad right?