So Big!

Today, when we got home from school I was admiring Kyler (as I so often do), and I found it difficult to believe that he is the same kid that was born just 7 short months ago.

When I think of 7 months I think of it as a rather short time. But then I think of it as the time that we have spent with Kyler and I couldn't imagine it any other way. What were our lives like before Kyler? Kyler has aged so much in just 7 short months! Just look at how big he is!

His head touches the top of his gym!

He is a pro at holding his own bottle.

Getting ready to crawl!

When are football tryouts?

Seven Spectacular Months!

Kyler is seven months old today.

Yeah, yeah everybody told me just how time would fly, but I never really knew it until the instant Kyler was placed on my chest in the delivery room. I will never forget that moment...the feeling of Kyler all slimy and warm, the sight of Josh cutting his umbilical cord right there in front of me, and the pure shock that he was a boy! It couldn't have been more perfect. I should have seen it as a precursor as to what has followed.

Kyler is an amazing child! I'm sure if you ask any parent they will say the same. He is the happy part of my day - everyday! To watch him smile, and "talk", and play, and eat (A LOT), even to do the duties that aren't so much fun like change his diaper, and clean up his spit-up - these are the moments I live for. I never really realized just how much I could love someone else. For Kyler, I love and respect Josh so much more. Over the past seven months I have been bombarded with the feelings of love that grow stronger each and every day.

I truly enjoy being a mother and a wife - these were two jobs that I was put here to do.

...patty cake a baker's man!

Patty cake is something that I have done with Kyler from the day he was born. We have been working on it for almost 7 months now, and he has finally gotten it! On Tuesday when I got finished with work I headed on over to Diane's as I normally do. When we were loading him up into his car seat, I noticed that he was clapping his hands all by himself. I was shocked! Diane said, "Oh yeah, we've been working on that!" I couldn't get enough of it, so that night we were practicing all night - even during diaper changing.

Doctors Galore

This week Kyler got to see his fill of doctors. On Tuesday morning Josh took Kyler to see Dr. Brackett for a check-up on his leg. She took more x-rays and they showed the new bone growth over the broken area. She said that all looks great and would like to see him in a year just to make sure he is developing properly. Then on Thursday I took him to Dr. Ripley (believe it or not) for his 6 month routine check up. He is doing great! Although, when she was looking in his ears, she noticed that his left ear was a little red. She said that it is probably the beginning of an ear infection, so she perscribed some antibiotics just in case. He is growing right along the growth curve and is longer than 95% of his counterparts! He is just an amazing little boy, and we are so very fortunate to have such a healthy youngster!

Happy New Year Resolutions

Last Monday, our first day back to school from Winter break, I introduced the concept of New Year's Resolutions to my class. I am teaching fourth graders and decided that they are ready for such a feat. It was truly eye-opening to see what ten-year-olds deemed important in their lives. There were the few that copied the teacher of course, the few that wanted to impress their parents and many which wanted to impress me. It really got me to thinking as to why we make resolutions. Are we truly trying to do something for ourselves or are we simply trying to please others? I think it is a cycle. If we please others, we in-turn please ourselves and that makes us feel good about ourselves. Is this something that I am just figuring out as a 27 year-old that ten-year olds already know? If so, damn they're good!

Josh and I decided that we would keep our New Year's Resolution simple this year, "Be healthy, be happy." Since then we have started actually using the workout equipment that has previously collected dust in our basement, making better food choices and it IS making us happy. We have both noticed an increase in energy and a decrease in pessimism. I just wrote, "Hopefully we can stick to it", but I deleted it because that is the wrong attitude - We WILL stick to it!

Life it too short to have a clean house! I have learned that life IS too short to have a clean house. There are chores that are never-ending (i.e. house cleaning, laundry). They will always be there! I have been told, by many wise people, to "cherish the time with the one's you love." Time flies, so this year another thing I am going to do is to "love the one's I'm with!" Even if it means that my bed doesn't get made everyday, or the shower doesn't get cleaned, or the sticky spot on the kitchen floor is there for a week. Don't worry - I'll still clean the house for company!

On New Year's Day my mother-in-law had written on the message board at their house, "HAPPY 2009! May your year be filled with happiness, harmony, health and financial freedom!" I hope this is true for all of you! Happy New Year!

Break? What Break?

Sadly, our two weeks of winter break has come to an end. Nothing lasts forever right? I was meaning to blog a lot more than this, but I'm sure you know just how crazy the holidays can get. The festivities went off without a hitch! On Christmas eve we got all dressed up and went to Longmont to celebrate with my extended family.



We had a blast, and Kyler was loved by all.

After our visit to Longmont, we headed back home so that Santa could come to our house. "Ma in her kerchief and Pa in his cap we all settled in for our long winter's nap." Santa was extremely generous to all of us!


"The first gift of Christmas!"

Kyler really enjoyed opening his presents, but I think he liked the paper more than what was inside!

After a quick glance at gifts from Santa, we got back in the car headed towards Longmont once again. This time we were going to my brother Brian's house for brunch in celebration of Christmas with my immediate family. There was plenty of good food, great company, and gifts for all. Kyler was spoiled with enough toys to last a lifetime!

Our tradition (since Josh and I have been married) has been to celebrate Christmas brunch with my family and then get into the car and drive over the mountains to have Christmas dinner with Josh's family. Unfortunately the weather was not conducive to travel on Christmas day, so we waited it out until Monday, December 29.

Monday was a big day for Kyler. We got up early in the morning, finished packing a few last minute things, and went to our 9:30 appointment with Dr. Brackett (the orthopedic doctor). She took off his cast! He really didn't like the cast saw; he screamed the ENTIRE time she had the saw on. Once the cast was off, Kyler started to move his leg immediately. I'm sure he was thinking, "Oh boy this feels great!" She x-rayed it again and, "It looks great!" Whal-lah! Two short weeks in a cast and all is great! Once we were finished at the doctor's office, we went home to pick up the dog, and we were off to Austin, Colorado! (Where is Austin, Colorado? You ask. Yeah, I didn't know Colorado had an Austin either. Austin is on the Western Slope of our state about an hour south east of Grand Junction, between Delta and Cederedge.) After 6 hours in the car we were all ready to get there and Grandma and Grandpa Urich were very excited to have us!



We spent the rest of the week "laying low" on the farm. Kyler got his first farmer outfit from Grandma and Grandpa Urich.

All he needs now is a hat and some boots!

For New Year's Eve we went over to Montrose to visit some friends of ours - Billy, Mariah and their three boys: Aiden, Luke and Brekin. Aiden and Luke are our Godchildren, so we try and meet up with them whenever we can. Josh and I stopped by Target on our way over and picked up some party favors. We had hats, horns, streamers, poppers and even sparkling cider. We even counted down...to 8:00 (so that the boys didn't have to be up past their bedtime). I'll post pictures when I get them from Mariah (no pressure Mariah). On New Year's day we had a great big feast prepared by Rita (Josh's mom), and then in the afternoon Kyler was able to meet his great-grandma and great-aunt. We had a fabulous time relaxing with the family on the farm! We got home late Friday evening and have had a restful weekend before it's "back to the grind" on Monday!

Let the Games Begin!

Ahhh...I have two full weeks off with my family, my Christmas shopping is finally finished, the laundry is done (for about 2 seconds), our bags are packed and we are ready to celebrate our first Christmas with a child. Life is great! I'll keep you posted as to how all of the festivities "play" out! We wish all of you and yours a happy and healthy holiday season!

Must Be Santa

"...beard that's white, special night, cap on head, suit that's red...Must be Santa Claus!"


We took Kyler to see Santa yesterday, and he loved him. Kyler was just so interested in who was holding him that he kept looking up at him and trying to grab his beard. Luckily this was the real Santa, so I wasn't worried about Kyler pulling his beard off!