Enjoying Spring

Okay, so I already posted today. But, I just had to show this smile that I caught when we went out for a walk in the stroller today. I think Kellen is enjoying spring and being outside!

Changes

Here's Kellen when he was 5 days old. How much he has changed already! I began to realize that when we picked up our pictures last weekend (all 220 of them!) Then again at the wedding I had a overwhelming realization how fast he is going to grow up. Greg & Phoebe had a slide show of their lives and it reminded me of things we did growing up with the Ashby cousins and how it really wasn't that long ago...and now we are all growed up and having kids of our own. So I really enjoyed all the cuddles Kellen has given me this week, because soon he probably won't want to be around me! I've also enjoyed his new activities this week...when I coo and smile at him, he looks into my eyes and gives a big smile back! His other news to report is that he will now fall asleep on his own without be held or bounced. I can lay him in his bed and I'll hear him talk for awhile before he peacefully goes to sleep (okay, so it doesn't happen every time, but it does happen quite often now). So many good changes!

Travelling

I was told by 2 people today that I needed to post, so here it goes even though its late. We had a really good time in Calgary for Greg & Phoebe's wedding. It's fun to see other people be excited about Kellen. The weekend went too fast though, I wish we had more time there. I think we wore Kellen out, he slept most of the day Monday when we got home. Travelling that far was a new adventure. I learned to feed him in many different situations. One thing we really enjoyed having and I think all parents should have when they travel is one of these handy-dandy mirrors. It straps on to the headrest and we had a perfect view of him. This was the good view, when he was sleeping!

Still Pregnant?

I thought this was a very cute outfit. Marylynn sent it to me. I'm not sure if she made these booties, but they are something else! I'd never seen booties that look like running shoes. I tried to post a close up picture of them, but for some reason the computer didn't like that picture.

Today Kellen and I went for a long walk. Usually he falls asleep right away in the sling, but everytime I checked on him, he was wide eyed and content. We stopped to get a tasty coffee (decaf of course) at the Roca Jacks and some women were quite surprised to see there was a baby in there. They thought I was pregnant when I walked in. And I thought all the looks as I walk around town were because they knew I had a baby under there. I didn't realize that people thought I was very pregnant! I ran into a friend and she said she had heard from someone else that they had seen me walking around town and "could you believe she was still pregnant", they reported. I better go for a walk with him in the stroller soon to dispel any rumors.

The strange world of blogging

Daddy wasn't sure about his son being dressed in a crochet sweater and toque, but I thought it was very cute (and even cuter when he was sleeping in it). Yesterday we went to Regina to do some shopping after church. I thought it would be a fun family outing and I had several things I wanted to accomplish. Kellen was not in his best form though beginning from our first stop at Superstore (who does enjoy shopping in that place I guess!?) So, we resorted to taking turns running into a store while the other continued to drive around to keep him sleeping.

I have been thinking about blogging lately. A friend of mine commented on how she felt like she has been in touch with me lately because she checks my blog. Strange thing though, its only one way communication unless you post a comment! But, I realize how many blogs I check without leaving a comment. In fact, I now check, through other links, people that I hardly know. Sometimes I feel like I'm reading a personal diary that I shouldn't be. However, there are so many people that are so inspiring. Considering my limited one way communication with my son, it seems to be my new social life to check blogs. I should be having lunch, doing yesterdays dishes, vaccuming, or doing laundry...or the many other things that need attention. However, here I am checking blogs and posting. Anyhow, I have decided to try to not let it become an obsession and to try to have some face to face communication with people. I will also comment on blogs. And, if you check my blog, (that's great, you are not reading a personal diary) but please leave a comment, I would love to hear from you.

Dress Up and Bath Time

I think the mommy is enjoying playing dress up more than the boy. He looks so cute in real clothes instead of sleepers all the time. He looks more like a little man with his furrowed brow when he wears real pants. We sure appreciate the clothes people have given him, and I think they are so cute. Thanks Jenn for the shirt and thanks Bill and Mary for these cute pants (I can't believe they fit him already!)











Mary, I didn't forgot your request for a pic of the bath tub. I tried to take one, but it was too hard to do that and keep one hand on him. It was nice to have Ian home for the weekend to help out. Right now I hear Kellen crying and I don't have to run to him!

Ian's other babies

Ian has been enjoying (and obsessing) over building crockinole (sp?) boards this winter. He has many different looking ones. I'm sure he'd post more information on the details of them, but that's about all I'll try to say about them. I've enjoyed playing on them, and can't help but report that I beat him once (I may get in trouble for telling on him, but I admit I got really lucky.) He now has 10 and I convinced him he shouldn't build anymore until he sells some. SO, feel free to point anyone who is looking for a board his way. Maybe I'll get him to post more info on them sometime.

I was very thankful for Ian last night at 12:30 when Kellen had been crying for about 1/2 hour. I was so tired and I was losing my patience. I knew Kellen was just tired and needed to fall asleep. So, although I felt bad knowing that Ian had to get up at 5:30 for work, I woke him up to relieve me. I heard no complaining from him and he soon had him quieted (well, for a little while). Yea, Ian, you are my hero! He always comes through when I'm losing it. I can't imagine being a single parent, how do they do it?

Too Many Thoughts

I couldn't decide what to write about when I sat down tonight. Partly because I'm too tired. (I really need to learn to take naps. I could hardly wake up to feed Kellen last night). I also don't know what to write about because so much has happen the last little while. We really enjoyed our trip to visit Jeff, Jenn, Kayla and Nolan, and Tim and Sarina were also visiting. It was a little scary to try a weekend trip, but nice to see how well it went. It was fun to see Kellen's cousins be excited about him. I enjoyed watching my brother put Kellen to sleep and how he slept soundly on his chest for hours. It was even good to have my sister tell me to chill and not worry about Kellen so much. I could also talk about going to Grandpa Cecil's 93rd birthday supper and how neat it was to have Kellen there. I could share how Kellen cried most of the time we were there and what that does to his poor mom. I'd like to share my conversation with Ian on the way home about how excited we are to see Kellen's personality and talents. So many moms I talk to say how they grow up too fast, but Ian and I figure we are excited for him to grow. We can't wait to interact with him, more than trying to figure out what he's trying to tell us with his cries. Not that I'm wishing this time away though! I could share about how strange it was that our wedding anniversary passed by almost unnoticed now that Kellen takes the spotlight in our house. I also could talk about the baby shower that J'nea hosted and how I was really touched by the thoughtful gifts and the presence of people there. I reflected that night on how nice it is to be excited with other people about Kellen and to know that he has a faithful community of people around him. I could comment on how trying to shop for a couple of hours reinforced to me just how much my life has changed. I had plans to visit 4 places which would have been easy to do in the old days. Well, I made it to 2 of the 4 before I ran out of time. Feedings and diaper changes in the middle of shopping really cuts down on actual shopping time. Today was one of those days where I got nothing done around the house (I even used my Mom's frozen lasagna since I never got time to make supper). When I mentioned that to Ian, he told me not to say that, I did an important job today...raising my son. Hmm, perspective, eh?

So, there is a quick look at a few of the hundreds of stories and thoughts I could share. Sorry for the rambling. Oh, yeah, the picture of Kayla with Kellen shows off the beautiful blanket that Kayla sewed for her cousin. I couldn't believe she really made it herself, what a talented girl! I was completely impressed.

Photo shoot

Thanks for the idea of a photo shoot, J'nea. How'd I do? I can't believe how good he was for me. He seemed rather interested in the whole ordeal.

I feel like I'm finding more time to do things today. Maybe I will find a schedule after all. Last night I realized that I should make a lunch for the next day at the same time I'm cooking supper. He is usually sleeping around supper time for a long block of time, but I have no time around lunch usually. So, I made a chick pea salad last night and when he was awake and wanting to be held at lunch, I had a good meal ready to go today! He seems to get tired early in the afternoon, but has a hard time falling asleep. So, today we went for a walk and he slept in the sling. I think these walk times will be good. I used to think I'd have to figure out what kind of a schedule to get him on, but now I see he's taking the lead and helping me to find a schedule...I just have to pay attention to his ideas!

Missing Daddy

Kellen and I are really missing Daddy since he went back to work this week. Now it really seems impossible to get anything done. Ian was pretty good at entertaining him. I thought this was cute...Daddy and Kellen watching sports center together.

Yesterday I noticed Kellen had a bad rash so I took him to the doctor. She wants me to collect a urine sample from him today and take it over to the hospital lab. I feel very bad for him, but it actually doesn't seem to be bothering him at all. It will be fun to stop at the hospital and show him off to my co-workers. I haven't thought much about work, I think it will seem strange to stop by and see my office closed up.

A Real Mom

I figure I am becoming a real mom now because I am learning to do several things at once. I've learned that we can both have breakfast at the same time!

Kellen didn't have a very good sleep last night. It was after midnight, he was crying hard, and I was ready to join him. Even though Ian had to get up early for work, thankfully he took Kellen and was able to settle him down. Felt a little strange to me, because I'm always the one who can settle him. But, I was very happy for Ian to be the hero and to have some peace!

Slings

I think this sling is going to be a lifesaver. Kellen falls asleep in it as soon as I start moving around. I was able to fold laundry and get some housework done while he was quite content. I have also gone for a couple of short walks with him in it under my jacket--it is SO good to get some fresh air. Well, this is short, but Kellen just woke up and is crying for food...

Regular clothes!

Kellen enjoyed sucking his finger like this for quite awhile. I thought it was pretty cute. he won't take a soother so maybe he will learn to suck on his finger to comfort himself.

As for the exciting news for today. I fit into my pre pregnancy jeans! I hadn't tried them on yet and was still wearing some maternity pants, I just didn't think they'd fit and was scared to even check. Well, I was surprised to find that everything in my closet that was hanging there for pretty much 6 months now can start coming out again. And it fits just as good as before!

Our angel!?

Ian caught a smile of the angel. Today I'm not so sure he's an angel. Mary suggested that it may be the chocolate i ate yesterday and i'm beginning to wonder. he has rarely screamed like he has screamed today. i got tired of rocking him in the chair, so i came down here to try type and rock at the same time. the more violently i rock, the quieter he is. and if i stop he yells at me to start again. its getting tiring on my back.

anyhow the good news for today...we took an outing to weyburn and he did sleep in the car in spite of this being a fussy day so maybe he'll be a good traveller. he didn't do so well at lunch or at walmart. oh well. better get back to the rocking chair as this twisting rocking motion while i peck away is getting painful. i'll take the memory of this angelic picture with me so i don't get too discouraged

One week old!

Here's one of the pictures from Kellen's One Week-Old Photo Shoot. He didn't give us many smiles, but I think this one is fun because it shows off his big hands. He is more alert during the days and we are happy that he goes back to sleep at night quite quickly after a feed. He is growing like a weed. Just an ounce shy of being 9 lbs the doctor told us today. It was his first outing. He did alright. It was Mom who had a hard time when he cried in his carseat. Tomorrow Ian is going to take his Mom down to Weyburn to go home. We thought about taking him and all going for lunch, but I'm still to chicken. I don't think I could handle it if he screamed in his carseat like he did today. Well, the day flew by again. Everyday seems like an hour to me. Time for Kellen's bath and hopefully a good long sleep to start the night off.