Saying Goodbye to Grandpa Howard

I've neglected to keep up the blog these past few weeks, and don't have the energy to provide too much, but do want to pay tribute to my wonderful "dad" Howard. Kyle knows him as Grandpa Howard. We love him so much and will miss him more than words can express. Kyle enjoyed climbing up into Grandpa's lap and loved walking around with his cane. My dad passed away peacefully in his sleep Monday morning 3/2/09 - which is how he would have wanted it for him, but also for us. I'll write more later (I promise) but want all of my faithful readers out there to know the sad news. We will celebrate his life on his birthday 5/3 and scatter his ashes over his favor central coast spot. He is such a good person and did so much for his friends and family - there is no doubt in my mind that he's got a special spot in Heaven. Luv Ya!

One final thought about Santa

It quickly became evident that Kyle wants nothing to do with Santa or any man or woman that resembles the white bearded character. We had 3 attempts during the holiday season to befriend the gentle giant, but no progress. As we leave the holidays, I thought I'd post at least one of these memorable photos. We'll try again next year.

Kyle Gets A Toothbrush

Holidays

Kyle really loved Christmas. Although oblivious to all that was really going on around him, Kyle seemed to get a lot of joy out of unwrapping gifts. Christmas morning he squealed as he tore open presents. What Kyle didn't enjoy was the 3 attempts for Christmas pictures with Santa during the 2 weeks prior (Kyle does not like scary bearded men dressed in red suits).

Christmas started with a trip down to Nipomo to see Grandma and Grandpa Rathbun, the weekend before. We enjoyed lots of food, cider, playing on the putting green and visiting with everyone. Christmas day was enjoyed back in San Jose with Grandma and Grandpa Nelson and the Chiala's. Kyle loves the Nelson 40 foot motor home out front, each morning he runs out the front door to the door of the RV so that his grandparents can let him in. It's been such a nice relaxing holiday - more eating, drinking and relaxing and more eating! I've been trying to get some extra workouts in too.

Kyle is really exerting his independence now. He is saying more words such as "NO", "Hi", "Bye", "EYE," "MAMA," "DADA," "Nye Nye" (night), "Ba Ba" (bottle), "ho ho ho" (practiced that for xmas).

Most challenging right now is getting Kyle to eat. He will not eat jarred baby food anymore and seems to only enjoy bean and cheese burritos ( of all things). He eats one a day right now. Other current favorites are tator tots, dried blueberries, grapes, cliff bars and anything sweet. He also does not want to eat confined to a highchair, but rather at his little table.

Kyle's Christmas gifts were a CD player (boom box) for his room because he loves dancing, a star wars light saver (I'm pretty sure his dad got that for him because his dad wanted it), new clothes, a play cell phone, a sock monkey, a basketball hoop for the bathtub and semi truck/tractor set (from Grandpa) and other misc.....so spoiled!

We're enjoying time off of work/daycare - so wonderful being home together. Happy Holidays to everyone - "Life is Good!"

So Much To Be Thankful For

Turkey day isn't complete without real live Turkeys. That's what I thought as I got out of the car at my sister Vicki's house and was greeted by 3 gobbling birds (see pics). We started off the week with a quick trip to Grandma and Grandpa Nelson's up in Oregon. We had so much fun relaxing, eating, riding the ATV, playing on the beach and driving up the Mt's to see the beautiful scenery around the Scottsburgh area.
We also got a visit from my family, including Grandpa and Grandma Rathbun. Vicki hosted Thanksgiving, and we all chipped in "potluck style." My contribution - "steam and mash potatoes" - I bought them and hit the button on the microwave ( still not a cook!). It was great. Kyle just loved all the animals, and was a big ham - lots of smiles, "bye byes", blowing kisses and his usual lovable self. He wasn't much into Turkey but seemed to like the stuffing, sweet potatoes and Pumpkin Pie. We are so Thankful to have time with both families.
Kyle is really full of personality now, and seems to understand so much. His latest achievements include - sweeping the back patio (he tries), he knows what it means when I say "bath time" and "read books?." He understands what it means to get ready and go "bye bye's" - he runs to the back door, into the garage and pounds on the car door to go on his adventures. So much fun!

Kyle's 2nd Halloween - We Went Big

Well, it was a memorable Halloween '08. As some of you may recall, Chad got a big kick last year out of wearing his 5 dollar "tattoo sleeves" and biker gear. He decided this year the entire family needed to go that route. You'll get the idea once you see the pictures posted to the blog (more pictures posted via the link - to the right).
During Halloween day, Kyle wore his skeleton outfit to school which was perfect (thanks to my parents for that). He had a fun Halloween parade and party.
Last night, we all put on our biker gear, made Chili, handed out candy (with the Fales Family) and then headed to Johnson St in Los Gatos to hang out with the Burg's and friends. We got a lot of looks in our outfits. We had given Kyle and empty beer can to hold as a prop for a few photos, but it ended up he wouldn't let it go and cried if we tried to peel it from his hands - so I had to look like a horrible mother and let him hold it all night.
It was so fun - Witches Brew and all. We even got to catch up with the Chiala gang later that night and celebrate Sara's birthday. Another fun and memorable holiday gone by. Kyle really seemed to enjoy himself and will be ready to roll next year.

Precious Moments

Picture this - I'm headed out the door for work early this morning.....I put Kyle in his highchair with a banana (to give Dad some time to get organized) and tell my little guy "bye!" He then turns to me and says "bye bye" and blows me a kiss. Keep in mind blowing kisses isn't something we've been working on. It was such a moment and sent me to work with a big 'ol smile on my face. It's just so hard to leave him some days.

Cupboard Locks

He's into everything. There isn't a cupboard, drawer or garbage can that he's not trying to explore. We have finally had to get serious about baby proofing. It's now a process to get into anything - for him and us! He's very close to using door handles to open doors - but I think we're still a month or so away from that - let's pray!

Room H

Kyle graduated into a new room at daycare this week - "Room H." This is a big transition and has been a learning experience.
This means, Kyle has two outdoor play times (which he loves), can only take 1 nap, has "circle time" and art activity. It also means I have to feed him breakfast before he leaves - sounds trivial, but it's 1 more thing, and he's not at the stage where you just throw a granola bar at him.
Kyle has also started to really dance - all it takes is a little music, and singing gets him going too. He does this funky chicken thing, flapping his right elbow in the air like the chicken dance while shaking his hips (not quite sure where he picked up his moves - could be Uncle Brian). Daycare gets a real kick out of this...so do we. I'll get a video clip of it and post it soon - so hillarious.

He's 1 - and loved celebrating it!

Thanks to our family and friends, Kyle had an amazing 1st birthday. The highlights were the bounce house, having all his buddies around him, lots of treats (including a huge cupcake), making the rounds all day long to see what he might be missing, and absorbing the huge volume of new toys in our house & yard. It was quite a day. I've posted the pictures to the blog (on the right). Thank you to all that participated. Truly unforgettable. I think he's still catching up on sleep. Still can't believe Chad and I have a one year old.

Sent Home

So I get the call from daycare today. "Kyle is fine, but he had a little accident today." This means that beyond his bloody lip on Monday, he proceeded to put his tooth through his lip today. I've got a 1 year old with a very fat lip tonight. Poor guy, 3 days until his 1 year birthday and he looks like a boxer.

No longer a baby

Kyle is seriously a little boy now. It's so hard to believe he's already a year old. Kyle, Chad and I had a terrific visit with Grandma Pat and Grandpa Howard. Kyle was a ham and basically explored every inch of their house. He had a great time playing with Loki and their new kitty "Skitty." Kyle and Skitty hit it off and played non stop. Kyle is so happy, I think the fact that he can walk and pretty much run, makes him even more excited to experience EVERYTHING. He is so much fun to play with - can't get enough of him. Pictured above is Kyle looking snazzy in his robe and showing off the new table/chairs that dad picked him up. He loves to have his snack at the table and thinks he's pretty cool! More updated pics posted on the right hand side of the blog.

Labor Day Weekend

Kyle had a fun long holiday weekend. We made a quick trip over to Half Moon Bay to see Lauren Thomas & Family (and pick up the DVD she made of Kyle's first year). We also had fun BBQing over at the Chiala's and then hanging out at the Payne neighborhood block party. The block party was great and gave us a sense of how neat it would be if our neighborhood was as social.
Nick Nanez stopped by with his fire truck and let the kids climb in it, Kyle loved that. Kyle also loved watching all the big kids and he seemed very envious of the scooters.
We spent Monday over at Aunt Vicki's and visited with her mini farm. Kyle and I were fascinated by the turkeys. We played with the goats and watched the turkeys and chickens walk around the yard. Kyle even got some pool time in. It was a fun weekend.

All of the photos from our weekend are posted to the right "Labor Day Weekend '08"

Active is his middle name!

It's been quite a weekend. Kyle is walking everywhere and just today he figured out how to climb up the stairs of the play set at the park, and slide down the slide (see attached pictures ---->). He seems to have no fear (he's a Nelson). Here's a fun clip of his pre walking. He still takes "headers" many times a day, especially when he decides to skip the walking and go straight for the running. What's a boy without bruises, right?

Tahoe

I was reminded this past weekend how wonderful Tahoe is in the summer. Kyle loved his time down at the lake. We celebrated baby Ryan Burg's first birthday up there at the Burg place, it was tons of fun. Kyle played with the buckets of water down by the lake and enjoyed his time exploring the cabin. He practiced walking and seemed very motivated to "be a walker" - must have been his time with the older boys!
When we arrived home Monday evening, Kyle took his first steps. I just about lost it - screaming and yelling and calling for Chad. It wasn't a fluke, he's all over it now, but still a bit wobbly.
Kyle is so intrigued by all that goes on around him. He is the most amazing little person; so fun to watch him explore and learn.
He has learned a new noise that he uses when he gets mad - a funny grunt. I just realized that he learned it from me, it's the noise I make when he turns over on his changing table when I'm diapering him. He's a bit defiant at times - testing boundaries already.
He's absolutely incredible - getting more and more fun everyday. So much personality!