Comfortable?

I guess I'm making up for my recent absence from the blogging world tonight. I couldn't resist adding this one. I heard him complaining a little after I put him in the crib the other night, but he didn't really cry so I stayed away and let him fall asleep on his own. I had a good laugh when I went and checked on him later. Don't know how he managed to fall asleep after he got himself in this akward position. 

Thanksgiving weekend

Last weekend Mom invited us all home to celebrate Thanksgiving together a week late. It was nice Stan & Maxine were able to come for our Thanksgiving meal also. Jenn & Kayla were missed, but we understood! Kellen got lots of attention from his other Auntie's...
...and from Grandma...
...and Grandpa. And his cousin. I especially enjoyed this moment of Grandpa and the boys playing on the floor after church while waiting for lunch to be ready. I think it brought back that cozy Sunday afternoon family feeling I remember when everything seemed to slow down and Dad was around. 

Grandpa Cecil

Kellen & I drove down to Midale yesterday to visit Great Grandpa Cecil. Bill & Mary were off on a little trip for a couple of weeks. Cecil told me he is very much looking forward to Mary getting back and taking him home. They didn't feed him supper until almost midnight last night! But he did admit he might have exaggerated a little..."it was probably more like 10." Mostly he seemed to be doing very well. He said he was so tired but he stayed awake for 2 hours visiting us. I was so glad we went, he was so excited when we arrived. He reached for Kellen and exclaimed "this is the one I've been waiting to see!" He probably announced 10 times that he was sure glad I had drove the boy down to see him, and he supposed it was nice that his mother had come too!
 

The Boys

Too cute to not share this one! Only a little resemblance to a picture you might find in mine or Jenn's childhood photo album! (In this one, Kellen could pass for one of my baby pictures)...
And, in this one...I see all Jenn! So strange. Nolan in quite enjoying Kellen's leftover squash in a jar. Not sure if he actually liked the taste, or just the idea that he was eating baby Kellen's food.

Beautiful Fall Days

We've had some beautiful fall days. Today not so nice. But last week I did get some fall pictures of Kellen in the leaves before all the rain. Wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. I had just a moment to try snap a picture before I had to pull leaves out of his mouth again. I think these may have been the only 4 out of the 50 that didn't have a hand full of leaves on the way to his mouth.

Thankfulness

Just got home from lectureship and squeaking in on the gridblog. I need to take the time to be thankful. Here it goes...

I am thankful I got to have supper with my parents tonight. I am sure their steady faith has been the greatest influence in my life. I am thankful for my husband who can always make me laugh. I am thankful Kellen has a father who loves him so much. I am thankful that Kellen has fun cousins who are excited to see him... I know he will have great memories of fun with cousins, as many of my childhood memories are with my cousins. God has blessed me with so many people around me that provide support, encouragmnet, inspiration, thoughtfulness,...

I am thankful that I do not struggle with drug addictions that muck up my life. It hurt to see these problems today among people that I know. I am thankful that God loves them and will not give up on them. I am thankful that God is there working even when I do not know what to do. I am thankful God works on me in ways I don't understand despite my getting in the way and avoiding the growing too often.

I am thankful for new life. Linaya Grace Taylor. New babies are absolute miracles. Each and every one. I am thankful for the amazing things God teaches us through the little ones. I am thankful I more fully understand the depth of love when I look at Kellen...which helps me to understand God's love just a little bit more.

I am thankful for our mom's groups that connect me in our community and make my frustrations validated and make me feel normal. I am thankful for spinning class and getting out of the house.

Now that I have started, it is hard to stop. I am thankful for so much. I am also thankful for a warm, comfy bed when I am exhausted.

Happy, Happy...

Kellen's Update:

1. Very, very happy lately. Lots of smiles and laughs. (I'm so glad this side of Kellen is back now that the teeth came through.)
2. First flu (?) last night. Vomit all over the wall beside his crib. He continued to throw up repeatedly for an hour until he collapsed in a deep sleep. Very scary. I laid on the bed and watched him sleep for a long time before I could go to sleep. He looked so pale. But, they sure do bounce back fast! He was happy, happy this morning!
3. He learned how to scoot himself backward while sitting up. Goes in circles very well.
4. Loves to eat (not surprising considering who his father is). New favorite: sweet potato. I've been trying to teach him the sign for "more", but he communicates it very well with his scream.

Mom's Update:

1. Went to a spinning class demo. Love it! NEED to take it!
2. Frustrated today (for reasons that would just take too long to explain). Something I read really was just what I needed. Wonderful thoughts, so well written...here.