Kyle is a biker now!

Kyle's first 4th

What a great break it was to get up to Oregon for the 4th of July holiday. Kyle was such a trooper on the long drive up and back (9 hrs). We took my parents with us and stopped overnight in Ashland, OR to break up the trip. While walking around downtown I ran into my friend Meighan and her hubby & kids - what a treat that was. After leaving Ashland we headed up to Crater Lake, to show the beautiful scenery off to Kyle and my parents. Then it was off to Scottsburgh, OR to spend the rest of our time with Grandma and Grandpa Nelson. We explored Florence, OR and spent some time at beautiful Loon Lake, where Kyle got to try out his new floaty.
You should have seen the fireworks we had out on the river (behind the Nelson house), the night of the 4th. I'm not talking sparklers - we had rockets, and all kinds of large explosive devices - thanks to a Nelson stop off in Missouri last year.
Kyle was a great sleeper, loved exploring his new surroundings and couldn't have been better (even with 3 new front teeth coming in).
We even got to see bald eagles flying around the back of the house! Grandpa Howard kept missing them and didn't believe us, but he finally saw one on the last day.
Chad & Traci had fun on the canoe, jet ski/tube and sleeping in. We had our usual feasts and really caught up on some much needed relaxation.
We enjoyed having Kyle out of daycare and spending time as a family. It was also nice to have both sets of parents with us, and spend time as one big family. I've posted pics of our trip - check them out! More later.....

Kyle & Chad at the Boardwalk

Just posted a few pics of Kyle & Chad at the Boardwalk last week (link to the right). We're in Oregon now, and will post more in the coming days related to our trip and new pics of the family. So nice to get away!

Busy Times

We had a wonderful trip to Maui! Kyle loved the water, and picked up a lot of crawling speed. It was on this trip that he first sad "muuuuum" - slowly becoming ma-ma and also made some noises that could possibly be interpreted as "dada." Chad has been busy since we've been back, being Mr. Mom now that I'm in my busy season at work and not home much. We're hoping things will balance out come July.
We are thinking positive thoughts and saying prayers for my dad - Howard (Grandpa Howard). We wish Chad, Grandpa Howard and Grandpa Ron a very happy Father's Day. Kyle seems to be changing every day and wants to walk - so bad. He is plump now because he loves to eat and seems to be scarfing down food all the time. His new discoveries are french fries, quessadillas and cheerios.
He's really fun, always happy, very active and pretty tough. Dad wrestles with him a lot, as if he's in some kind of training program. Love to all!

In the nude!

What's new these days? Crawling everywhere, trying to pull himself up on anything available and wrestling him down to get a new diaper on. He's in constant motion......and always with a smile on his face. He's had his fair share of stomach flu and colds but we're getting through it. Today daddy decided that Kyle needed some new toys, so he did a Target run and brought home a big 'ol dump truck and some tractors...your typical boy toys. Kyle loves them. Happy Cinco de Mayo and Happy Birthday to Baby Luke Newman (you're 1!).

Time to Baby Proof!

The crawling has begun......

Spring Fever

It's been so nice this weekend - in the 80's. Kyle got his first taste of what is yet to come this summer. Yesterday he had fun at the Chiala's - bouncing on the trampoline and sitting in the hot tub with dad. Today we got him a baby pool, and sat him in it with all of his bath toys. An hour later we decided to drag him out - all pruned up! He is definitely a water baby. We are so thankful for the new swimsuit Annie got him with SPF. It covers a lot of his body, which means a little less sunscreen application. His skin is so white and delicate, we're doing our best to protect it. He's so happy all the time, we hope he stays this way forever.

First Easter

It was a very special Easter. Not only did we have a wonderful visit with Grandpa and Grandma Nelson last week, but we had Grandpa and Grandma Rathbun this week - lots of fun. We made it to church this morning and had a great day at Aunt Vicki's. Lots of food, sun and a special Easter egg hunt. Kyle was most intrigued with Iris the kitten and the wacky chickens - it's the most amazing petting zoo out there. Kyle got a dancing chicken in his Easter basket that he giggles at, and he looked very dapper in the new Easter outfit Grandma Pat picked out and bought for him (see pictures). Lots of fun - it makes us all smile. We're very thankful.

Busy Times

Keeping this short but sweet. It's been a month now that we've been in the work/daycare routine. Things are going well despite teething and Kyle's unhappiness with my decision to wean. 99% of the time he's a happy little guy. He's sitting up now and grabbing/sucking on everything within arms reach. He looks interested in crawling but not quite there yet. Chad is doing the daycare drop off and pick up, and manages to have Kyle fed and dinner made most nights - he's our "Mr Mom"..and we're hoping that doesn't get old too soon. We're all doing well despite the very hectic schedule and enjoying every second of our weekends. Love to All!

It's Inevitable

My return to work. Well it's Sunday night and this Tuesday will be my first day back at work. I'm anxious, nervous and a little stressed, but I know it'll be fine. We had Kyle in daycare last week for 4 hrs a day (trial run) and it went fairly well. He seems to be taking to Miss Erika (his caregiver) very well and she's getting to know him and his schedule. What was truly surprising is how exhausted he is when I pick him up. I guess he doesn't want to sleep (hard to believe with 10 other crying babies around him) and he's constantly taking in all the action. He gets home and is a zombie. I'm hoping he adapts soon because Chad and I are ready to play with him as soon as we pick him up.
How's the baby food going, you ask? He's a food hound. He loves it and hasn't had a flavor he didn't devour. He opens his mouth like a baby bird, it's really cute. Last weekend we were in Kirkwood with the Musser's and this weekend we were in Capitola for a warm 73 degrees! Love California. Well wish me luck, I'll report back soon. By the way, Kyle is almost sitting up on his own and continues to roll all over the place. Did I also mention he now goes to bed at 7:30, and usually falls alseep when we just lay him in his crib - ok, I'll stop.

4 months

4 months old meant the green light for Kyle to begin trying baby foods. He's been showing signs of interest for the last few weeks, so we went for it. Today was rice cereal and boy did he take to it right away (see pics). Next week we venture into peas, carrots....so we'll see how Kyle does with that now that he's enjoyed ice cream with dad. We took a quickie 36 hour trip to Tahoe so that Chad could get a ski trip in with all this great snow, and Kyle and mom enjoyed relaxing in the hotel room/casino (nice spontaneous getaway). Kyle's 4 months appt went well, he's now 14 pounds and has met his milestones. All is good!

Happy New Year - welcome to 2008

It's been a while and a lot has been happening. We had a wonderful Christmas, beginning with a pre Christmas dinner with the Nelson family and then Christmas eve and day on the central coast with the Rathbun's. Kyle is 13 pounds and growing. Mom is nearing her return to work, and enjoying every second she has with baby Kyle. He's well loved, there is no doubt about it. In a nutshell, he's eating ice cream (thanks to dad), rolls from his belly to his back, constantly sticks his lizard tongue out and smiles every chance he gets. He even has a giggly laugh that seems to be triggered by his pelican stuffed animal, watching people chew and blowing kisses to his stomach. Oh, do we love him - if cloning is an option, we'd take another one just like him. Check out the updated pics. Oh, did I mention he sleeps in his own crib and his co sleeper is now occupied by "fat cat?"

Growing like a weed

It's been so long you probably thought I had forgotten about all of you. The time is flying, and we're having tons of fun. Kyle is all smiles, and now.....all drooling (what's up with that?) The spit up/drool combo is quite something. Still sleeping thru the night - 10:30 until 6:30 so no complaints there. We took our first flight with him over Thanksgiving to visit Aunt Cheryl & Uncle Jake in Spokane, WA and then road tripped it to Scottsburg, Oregon for a relaxing vacation at Grandma and Grandpa Nelson's house. Attached are pictures from Turkey day and our trip. Today we experienced our first "diaper days" at the local theatre and saw Enchanted (very cute movie). Today is Auntie Jennifer's birthday, so we wish her a Happy Birthday too!! We'll try to update you again very soon. Enjoy the pics for now.

Kyle's 6 Week Check Up

All those hours of feeding seems to be paying off - Kyle is now 11 pounds 7 ounces and 23 inches long. We learned this at Kyle's 6 week doctor's visit (picture with Dr. Dave featured above). He's in the 75th percentile for height and weight. Dr. Dave said to me, "did he do all this growing on breast milk only?"....and I just smiled. Kyle's so expressive now, as I'm sure you are noticing in his recent photos. We had our first jog this morning in the jogging stroller (aka "the bob") and it was enjoyable for Kyle and frightening for mom (very out of shape).