Cousins

When Keaton was born Kelli and Aaron sent us the most awesome blue blanket that has Keaton's name and birthday on it (Thanks again, guys!). This blanket quickly became a favorite around our household; it is so soft and when Keaton is tired he pulls it up by his face to soothe himself. When Jackson was born we knew he needed a blue blanket too. Kira and I have been meaning to get some shots of the boys together with their blankets and a couple of weeks ago, on Mother's Day, we finally did it. The photo shoot turned out to be a liiiitle more difficult than I had anticipated - a certain 4 1/2 mo. old didn't really want to sit still, but at least we got a couple of decent shots. Here were my favorites.







This weekend has been fun and I have been so thankful for the extra day off. On Saturday we had our first wedding of the season and in between the ceremony and reception we also had a college graduation party to attend. Yesterday we lazed around for the majority of the day and this afternoon we headed up to Kira & Justin's for a Memorial Day cookout. My parents, Uncle Bryan, Aunt Cheryl, and Kylee and her friend were also there. It was great to spend some time with family and also give the boys a little more cousin time.

Ummm...Hi...do I know you?

Dude, it's me, Jackson.

Oh, hey bro. I didn't recognize you there. Give me a little high five action.

Jackson: What is she doing?

Keaton: Dude, you're gonna see alot of this. Just smile, it makes them put that damn camera away alot faster!

Man, all this smiling for the camera stuff is making me hungry. I could like eat your hand.

Best Buds

TV Polls: AI & SYTYCD

Big TV week here people! American Idol wrapped up last night and So You Think You Can Dance premiered tonight. So, I'm interested to know - were you happy with the results of American Idol? And will you be watching the next season of SYTYCD? Polls to the right!

I thoroughly enjoyed the AI results show. The highlights for me were seeing Black Eyed Peas perform - I love the Blacked Eyed Peas!! - and the face off between Kara and bikini girl. Which, do you think that was staged? Because Collin and I thought bikini girl looked seriously pissed off. And speaking of Kara, I thought she was a great addition this year; I really liked her, she added value. I never had feelings either way about Paula until this year, after Kara joined the show and actually had something interesting to say I realized just how annoying Paula can be. BUT, I wasn't happy with the results. I was an Adam fan. I have to say, I'm bummed.

As for SYTYCD, I will definitely be watching this year. I've only watched one season (last summer) and the thought that I missed out on the first 3 seasons makes me sad, sad, sad. If you missed the show tonight it's not too late to get on the hot tamale train - tonight's show was only the auditions. More auditions next week before Vegas week. So tell me, will you be watching? If so, we're gonna have so much to talk about over the next several weeks.

Does it get any better than this?

Today is one of those days that I want to always remember, not because of any big event but because of its simplicity. I wish we had more days like this.

Keaton woke me up at 6 am full of smiles and ready to eat. I took him into the nursery, fed him and then we played until about 7. When he started yawning I knew it was about time for his morning snooze so we snuggled up on the couch and napped until 9 am. This has become our usually morning routine on Keatsday and I so look forward to it. When we finally got up the weather was already gorgeous so after a stroll through the yard where Daddy showed us all the plants that were coming up, I pulled the Exersaucer out on the deck so Keaton could play while I worked a little on the computer.

Around 11 he started getting tuckered out so I pulled him out, wrapped him in a blankie and he immediately fell asleep on my chest. I spent the next hour sitting on the deck, the warm spring breeze blowing across my face as I held my baby and read a few chapters in the book I started back in January.

Once Keaton woke up the three of us headed into town for lunch and then walked down to Pfiffner Park for a stroll along the river. We walked all the way to Bukolt and back. The sun was shining, the trees were in full bloom, and geese were meandering around the park while the ducks and ducklings lazily floated in the water, moving up and down with each wave. It was a beautiful day.

After our walk we stopped for ice cream before heading back home where we stripped down to our onesies to watch Slumdog Millionaire.

Okay, we didn't all strip down to our onesies :) But we did all really enjoy the movie.

Nothing of great importance happened today; it was really just a very simple day. But if I could, I would do this again tomorrow, and the next day, and the day after that. I really don't think it gets much better than this.

This one's for Karma

Every time Keaton wears this outfit I get the urge to chant "Ra ra shish boom ba, gooooo Virgina!" And then Collin gives me a dirty look and says "Mommy doesn't know what she is talking about." Sorry Wisconsin fans. My apologies! Gooooo Badgers!

Life List # 14

About this time last year I started my Life List: 100 Things to do before I go. I'll be honest with you, although I've thought about it, I haven't revisited this list in awhile and I was afraid when I did I might turn my nose up to some of the things I listed thinking, dude, where did that come from? I could care less if I did that! But, damn, I must say, I did a good job last year because I still want to do every one of these things!

One of the items on my list, #14, was to plant and maintain an herb garden. I was so excited to let you know that I can now cross it off my list, but I kinda forgot how ambitious I was - not only did I say I wanted to plant one, but I said I wanted to maintain it for a full year and only use herbs from that garden. Wowzers! Well, fine, I can't quite cross it off my list yet, but I can say I'm working on #14.

The week before I headed back to work Collin got an itch to start some flats of flowers to add to our rock garden this summer. While we were picking up supplies I saw a little domed herb garden kit. It was calling my name and quickly found its way into our cart. That afternoon we both set to work planting seeds.

3/22/09: Seeds are in, soil is watered....grow herbs grow!

In their new home, the basement window ledgeWe have cilantro, chives, thyme....
....basil, parsley, and marjoram

4/7/09: Holy Shnikes, my seeds are....growing!!

I was so proud of myself when these starting growing. I gave myself a little woot! woot! that's right, I'm an herb growing stud, while doing that little churning butter move. You know the one, right?

And then I did what I always do. I forgot to water them. I suck at growing plants! So last week when I took the little dome cover off I saw more brown than green and more droop then....then what? Stiff? That's funny. I'm so imature I can not say stiff without laughing. Anyway, I dumped some water on them and LOOK!!

5/8/09: Woot! Woot! I'm an herb growing genius! (doin' the butter churn)

Now, if I can just remember to water these guys...I.."m hoping to transplant them and move them outside soon. I'll keep you posted.

Also, I'm working on the next installment of my list.

Mother's Day

“My mom said she’d watch Keaton while we go to church tomorrow if we want. But I don’t know, I kinda want to take him with. I mean, it’s Mother’s Day and I kinda want to go as a family – especially because they are going to ask all mothers to stand…...”

“You only want to go to church so you can stand up!”

“No……(smile spreads across my face)…..well, maybe. Hey, is that so bad??? Do you know how long I’ve been waiting to hear those words – “If I could ask all the mothers to please stand.”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

One year ago tomorrow I wrote this post. It pains me to read that. It pains me to relive the darkness, the despair. Life will never be perfect. We will always be struggling through something, but I can honestly say to date our struggle to conceive has been the hardest thing I’ve gone through.

I t was a couple more weeks before I found out, but when I wrote that post I was already pregnant. I had already boarded the train out of depression. When I say I am so grateful for my son I’m not sure I can truly convey how deep my appreciation goes. He saved me.



Today I’m thinking of all you mothers and mothers-to-be and hoping you had a beautiful day. And for all of you yearning to be mothers, I am especially holding you close to my heart today. May you soon be blessed with your precious gift. May you soon stand with pride to those words you long to hear. Happy Mother’s Day everyone!

Doctors appointments & Birthday parties

Last Wednesday we had Keaton's 4-month check-up. The appointment went well and Dr. T tells us he is holding his own growth wise, even though he continues to measure only in the 25th percentile for height, weight and head circumference, coming in at 13 lbs 6 oz and 23 3/4 inches. I was hoping we might get the green light to start giving him rice cereal because my supply has decreased since I went back to work and he is quickly going through our reserves, buuuuut, we didn't. Dr. T said we could try it if we want, but feels it is best to wait until 6 months, especially since Keaton was early and his gag reflux might not be great yet. He also said that he didn't believe giving him rice cereal would cut down on the amount of milk he'd need. If that is the case than my problem isn't solved so instead I'm going to try to get one more pump in during the day and see if I can get my supply back up. If not, then we'll eventually have to supplement with formula.

Wednesday was an absolutely gorgeous day, the sun was shining and the temperature was perfect. After the appointment Collin and I went for lunch downtown Point, then we ran some errands and spent some time outside walking our back acreage. Have I mentioned how much I LOVE having my Wednesdays off??


This morning we headed down to Milwaukee for our nephew's (technically 2nd cousin, but dude, it is soooo much easier to say nephew) 5th birthday party. Keaton loved watching all the kids play; he couldn't take his eyes off of them. I miss seeing these kids so much. When we lived down there we were able to spend time with them much more frequently. It always amazes me these days how much they've grown each time we see them. Here are a couple of pictures from the day.

Birthday Boy!

Emma & Keaton

Mason

The best part about a blue cake?? The blue tongue.

Happy Birthday, Cade!

Weekend Visitor

This past weekend was a pretty lazy one for us. Collin hadn't been feeling good last week and finally went to the doctor on Thursday to find out he had pneumonia; so we spent the weekend lazing around, and watching Marley & Me and then lazing some more. I fell asleep on the couch with Keaton at 5 pm on Saturday. We both woke up at 10 pm, had a little snack, and then went back to bed. It was good to catch up on some sleep.

We did have a little visitor this weekend and I'm pretty sure there is a certain someone out there that might want to see a picture of him.

This is Prince, Collin's sister, CaSondra's, dog. He is living up here right now with Papa & Busha (Ma & Pa Kono) and I know CaS is probably missing him terribly. He is such an awesome dog. He has this bedtime routine that involves dancing for a treat and it cracks me up. I loved hearing his little paws pitter patter across the floor. Prince is absolutely the perfect name for him because he walks with such poise that you kinda forget he is a dog; he looks like royalty.

Dear Keaton: 4 Months

Dear Keaton,

I’m not sure how this happened Stosch, but this week you turned four months old. Time feels like it is going at warp speed lately. Unlike your first three months, where we were living day-to-day, we are now living week-to-week; always looking forward to the weekend, looking forward to two full days together as a family. Thankfully you and I also have our Wednesdays, Keatsday, to spend together. I know I’ve said it a lot, but I am so grateful to have Wednesdays off. When I first started talking about working four days a week I wondered how we could afford to do this, now I realize we can’t afford not to do this.

At the beginning of the month if you would have asked me what my expectations were for April I would have told you that I thought it was going to be a rough month. With my return to work I was afraid I might not have many good things to say about this month. Boy was I wrong. This has been an amazing month. You have generally become a very happy little boy and I dare say this has been the most fun month yet. You are growing so fast, and in some ways I’d love to slow your development down, but at the same time watching your personality come out as you become more interactive is so much more amazing that I ever thought possible.

As I’m writing this I have a pillow under your head and your body is splayed out across my lap and you are rubbing my arm and tugging on my shirt. You are so curious these days. You want to know what every thing feels like, you turn your head quickly to check out new sounds and you love toys with blinking lights. Oh yes, and everything, everything, goes in your mouth. You love to suck on your fists and sometimes you stick your little chubby fingers so far in your mouth you actually gag a little. It must not faze you too much though because seconds later your hands are right back in your mouth. When you are upset I always know a little game of “Where’s the Baby” in the mirror will have you smiling again in seconds.

The coolest thing you did this month, at least for Mommy and Daddy, is you developed your own bedtime schedule and you started sleeping through the night. I was a little nervous at the beginning of the month when I had to go back to work because we didn’t really have you going down at any certain time and you were still waking up at night, but I didn’t need to be nervous, you figured it out on your own. We now put you down anytime between 7:30 and 8:30 and when we miss your bedtime, you let us know! At the beginning of the month you’d typically wake up around 2 am, but slowly you pushed that time back further and further and now you don’t wake up until 6 or 6:30 am. I’ve never been a morning person, but you make it hard not to enjoy the mornings. You are so happy in the morning. I know you are up when I hear you talking to yourself and when I go over to pick you up you always give me the biggest grin possible. It’s hard not to look forward to that.

I don’t want to make it sound like my return to work was easy; it was hard, really, really hard. The first few days I cried as I left you and by the time I got to the garage I was in a full out sob. But, like everyone told me it would, each day got better and better. I find it is most difficult to leave you when you are awake and smiling at me with your eyes; that’s when I feel the guiltiest. Just this week I had another day of tears as I left the house. The best part about going to work though is coming home to you at night. On my first full day back you were sleeping when I got home and as soon as you heard my voice your eyes popped open and you smiled at me. Thank you for that Stink, you have no idea how much that meant to me.


You may have noticed that I addressed you with a new nickname this month. Although your primary nickname continues to be Stink, with the following variations: The Stink, Stink-a-Link and occasionally Stinkarooni, this month we’ve revived the nickname given to you by one of our delivery nurses the night you were born: Stosch. For some reason you really grew into this name in the past month. Your explosion of personality and development this month makes me so excited to see what May will bring.

I love you Buddy,
Mama