Kailee

I cant believe our little princess is already two (10/31/2009)! However, at the same time it is hard to believe she is only two. She is taller than most 3 year-olds and has the vocabulary to match. She can count to 15 and sometimes even higher, she knows all her shapes (except the -gon ones: hexagon, octagon....) and she is just as stubborn and opinionated as anyone could expect from one of my kids.

As of this week, we have began the official potty training. As one may guess, she is stubborn with this, as well. She INSISTS on wearing big-girl panties; however, she doesn't seem to mind at all when she wets herself. In fact, she will just strip off the wet ones, put some dry ones on and continue with her day. Little does she know that I am just as stubborn - if not more so - than her :) ...meaning, SHE WILL BE POTTY TRAINED!

She carries her little stuffed Elmo just about everywhere with her. This is her baby doll. She feeds him, put him to sleep, pushes him in her doll stroller, and attempts to fit her size diaper on to his 6-inch body. This is the one item that cannot be shared and she will quickly tell you, "MY ELMO!" if you go anywhere close to it.

She is quickly learning to be a socialite and has several play requests from surrounding friends. My good friend, Amber, has a 9 year-old daughter that schedules frequent play dates. However, her best buddy is Kaylex; Daves' nieces son (so I guess that makes us "Great-aunt and uncle....eek!). Kaylex is a couple of months older than Kailee and they are the bestest of friends.

***This picture is a result of her love of shoes (Caydens in this case, her need to be naked during potty training, and putting on her coat and demanding to see Kaylex...oh, and the cheeto face is a result of lunch!

True to the nature of a 2-year-old, she is constantly into everything. We went through the marker phase (see picture below)and have graduated into the "everything else" phase, which includes nail polish (she is a girly girl) and anything that can be smeared into her beautiful hair - lotion, soap, and butter are a few favorites; however, she is partial to pudding, mashed potatoes and soup, as well.

Kailee is also quite the comedian. She likes telling knock-knock jokes and "Guess what?" jokes. Pretty much any time someone says, "Guess what?" Kailee is most likey to follow with "Chicken Butt!" followed by hysterical laughter. She is such a cheery little girl, she truly brings so much happiness to our lives. I'm one lucky momma.

Hello World

Im back.....I promise to start updating immediately :)

Hey, my layout is more cute than I remember!

A Much Needed Update

The last two months have been so insanely crazy that I am just barely able to update my blog from its Christmas theme! Wow!


Now for the update...
David was fully booked for Sundance; so we literally did not see him for almost 3 weeks. Most nights when he would make it home, he was so tired he didn't even make it to the bedroom. I would wake up to find a shoe and sock trail from the front door to the couch. His clients were exceedingly happy with the work he did and he built a lot of great relationships that will benefit us in the future. He also got to rub elbows with some pretty cool people. He has had a pretty steady flow of business since then, but has begun preparations for his biggest show of the year...Evolution Arts & Music Festival (evofestival.com)

Cayden is doing very well in school. One day while I was doing dishes, he came in and asked for some pretzel sticks, so I got him a small bowl full and continued with my least favorite household chore. A couple of minutes later, he said "Mom I need more pretzel sticks so I can write my name." I turned around to see that he had spelled out C - A - Y - D, so I rushed to get more to see if he could finish it. Sure enough, he finished the E - N all on his own, and has been writing his name ever since.

This, of course, includes adding his name to the montage of stick figures drawn on his wall in permanent marker. Which we have decided we will keep on the wall until we move out. There really is so much more of his wall covered in permanent marker than not, I would hate to paint it now and have him find another way to make art on fresh painted walls.
He is really big into sharks right now, even though his love for Transformers will never die. We have told him if he saves enough quarters we will take him to Sea World (hey, whatever we gotta do to get him to pick up his toys!) So everyday, I have to go to seaworld.com and look through all the pictures. I'm looking forward to the day we take him - his reaction will be priceless.

He got a play hut for Christmas and ended up camping out in the living room for a couple of nights. After that, I had to set it up on his bed for a couple of nights, so he wouldnt wake up in the middle of the night and try to set up camp in the living room at 2 in the morning.

Kailee is the life of the party! She is so quick with a smile or laugh and is constantly singing. Her favorite songs are the alphabet song and Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes. She thinks that every ones belly buttons are ticklish and will insist on seeing mine every morning before I get her out of her crib. She also loves shoes, she could spend at least an hour putting on shoes and taking them off - this goes for clothes as well, but mostly the shoes. She is a little climber and has learned the art of pushing chairs to where she needs them. She can also be found making beds and tucking herself in, all with her little stuffed kitty tucked in her arm.

Both kids have had their share of sickness. Cayden got pneumonia and we spent a nice long evening in the emergency room, then he got better. Than a couple of weeks later, he got sick again and Kailee got sick. As Cayden started to get better, Kailee got worse and ended up in the hospital with the flu and dehydration. Then they both were doing ok for about a week, then Kailee got a double ear infection. Now they are both great!
After Kailee got the flu, we had to set up the pack n' play in our room so I could check on her easier throughout the nights. After one particularly long night, I woke up to get Cayden up and ready for school. In a half dead state I climbed the stairs to his room to find him gone! I frantically looked through the house and then went to wake Dave to have him share my panic. Dave turned on the lamp, careful to not wake Kailee and as I began to walk out the room I glanced down to see a curious pink blanket bundled up at the end of Kailees "crib." Upon closer examination, there was a little Cayden head poking out. He told me that he had climbed in there because she was sick and he loves his baby sister. I love the moments when he isn't pouncing on her and pushing her out of the way - absolutely priceless!

As for me, I am staying busy with life. I will be done with my Bachelors in November and will move on to complete my Masters with University of Phoenix. I was considering Westminster, but I like the idea of a lower financial aid debt due to the book fees being waived for alumni. So, I think my mind is pretty well made up. Also, during the madness of Sundance, my doctor decided that it would be in the best interest of my health to get my tonsils removed immediately. After being sick for over 3 years, my body and my spirit just couldn't handle it anymore. So, I got a tonsillectomy. It was the worst pain I have EVER had in my life! Unfortunately, David was completely unavailable, so I was very thankful to my dad and mom for taking care of me and my kids. I'm very happy to say, for the fist time in such a long time - I feel really good!

So there ya have it. 2 months of life and pictures summarized into a blog posting consisting of lots of pictures...and now a final video of Kailee doing her Head,Shoulders,Knees and Toes dance; I wish the sound was better - but its still cute, nonetheless.

Spelling Champ!

I have not been shy about my disappointment in the public education system. Cayden had a really great experience last year and was surrounded by people who seemed to be genuinely involved with the success of his education. Its been almost a year since Cayden was diagnosed with autism and during that time, I have learned that most of the people that have been involved with his many therapies have little or no experience with autism. **Insert a picture of me shaking my head with frustration here**
His teacher this year has a tendency to treat him "special," which irks me beyond belief. When discussing his goals for the year, I told her I want Cayden to be able to write his name by the end of the year, in which she responded with the lesser goal of having him be able to recognize the "C" in his name by the end of the year feeling that would be appropriate. Why limit him?!? I know he is exceptionally bright. **Insert another picture of me shaking my head in frustration here** Regardless of her lack of confidence, I have continued with my original goals for him.
About a month ago, he came home with a coloring project in which he had written a gigantic "C" on the back. "C is for Cayden," he proudly told me. About a week later while sitting in a restaurant, he told me, "C A Y D E N - That spells Cayden mom," I was so proud and shocked that I could barely find the words to tell him how brilliant he is. I thought, at least he is able to memorize the spelling which is the first step.
Then yesterday, he picked up a can of Diet Coke from the pile that is still waiting to be crushed. He brought the can to me and pointed out while saying "C O K N - That spells coke mom." He confused the "e" and "n." But, HOLY COW!! What a genius!

All I can say is take that teacher lady! My son is a spelling champ!

Red Markers

Many of you know from first hand experience the amount of energy that is required in order to participate in normal everyday activities that involve Cayden. He is like having twins and sometime quadruplets. As I am preparing for a final for my Finance class; it seems as there are no exceptions. In fact, Id dare say that he knows when I have important tasks to accomplish and feels the need to seek attention in a louder than normal ways.
I intentionally waited a few days to post this so I could cool down and find the humor in the situation.
Wednesday:
I had to run next door to my brother-in-laws for a few minutes. Leaving Cayden and Kailee in the care of Dave. Upon my return, Cayden greeted me from the top of the stairs, "Guess what Mommy?"
"What is it Buddy?"
"I drew a picture of Onslaught and Ratchet on my wall!" (These are names of Transformers) His face beaming with pride.
I heard Dave get up from his office chair as I ran up the stairs.
He proudly showed us the 3 foot stick figures that he had drawn on his walls with permanent marker. Pointing out which each were. Three in total - Onslaught, Ratchet, and a bad guy Decepticon.
It was pretty difficult to get upset. It was the first improvement that we have seen in his drawing. The stick figures even had fingers! Instead of getting overly upset, we took pictures and even had him pose in some. Then explained if he wanted to color he could use his special paper and crayons.


Thursday:
Morning have been pretty hectic since Cayden began school. Mostly due to the fact that Kailees crib remains in our bedroom and Cayden has no differentiation between quiet voice and loud-happy morning voice. Ideally, I would have Cayden on the school bus as Kailee was waking up. On this particular day, I seemed to have everything on schedule so there would be no need for rushing. So I gated off the living room and proceeded to make the kids breakfast. I noticed the silence, which as any mother knows - silence is only ok if your kids are sleeping.
I went into the living room, no kids! As I walked towards the bedroom, I finally hear Caydens voice talking to Kailee in his 'Im Batman' tone. They are in the bathroom with the door closed....not good! Even worse, the door is locked.
I knock, "Cayden, open the door Bud."
"No Mom, go away." He says in the no-big-deal tone.
"Please open the door, we need to eat breakfast."
"No Mom, go away!"
......this continues for several minutes. Cayden was getting more angry that I would not listen to him. I was getting more frantic as Kailee began to cry.
Finally I decide I am going to have to break in. The whole time I am taking the door knob apart Cayden is telling me that I am not going to put him in time out. Finally, the door opens.
Saline solution covered the floor and most of Kailee. My prized Bed Head Afterparty hair lotion saturated Cayden and Kailees hair. Mascara covered the front of the cabinets, the broken wand in Caydens hand - he had applied it to Kailees cheeks. My liquid gel eyeliner was smeared all over into the eye shadows and on every finger nail of Caydens. My powder all over the place, most of which had made it onto Kailees face.
I looked at the clock - ten minutes until the bus! I promptly stripped Cayden and put him in the shower. I must say, that I controlled my anger very well. Of course, there was no way that Cayden was going to miss his bus because I could not guarantee anything if I was to endure a whole day like this. He made the bus.


After the choas of the morning, I called my mom to vent. She did very well not to laugh to hard. She did help me calm down. After our conversation, I felt ready to continue with my day. I put Kailee down for a nap. Because she has been getting up so early with Cayden, she still takes 2 naps. On this day I was extremely greatful for this fact. I went upstairs to switch over the laundry. As I am headed downstairs, I am beginning to think that a nice hot cup of tea would be relaly nice and calming. Just as the thought enters my mind, I trip over my feet and begin to fall backwards down the stairs. I reached up to catch myself on the banister. The pain was immediate in my shoulder. All I could say is, "Are you freakin serious?!?" I sat on the bottom of the stairs and tried to regain my composure.
I went into the kitchen and went to get the coffee pot down (which I use to "brew" my tea) The pot falls and shatters into a million pieces all over the floor. At this point I decide it would be in my best interest to sit on the couch and not do anything until absolutely neccessary.


My day did get better. Kailee was in an extremely playful mood. And when we went to meet Cayden at the bus, he was so happy to see me he could barely contain his excitement. On our way in to the house, he grabbed my hand and looked up at me and said, "Mom, youre my best friend." My kids are the best!

UPDATE
Since originally typing this post, Caydens stick friends has grown from 3 to about 8.....the red permanent marker is still MIA.

Kailees 1st Birthday

Kailee turned 1 on October 31st! We planned a get together for friends and family the following day. The invitations were sent, the party supplies were purchased. Despite Kailees ear infection and the fact that Davids schedule had been changed to work later at the last minute and he would miss the party, the plans were still in place. However, after we picked up the birthday cake; Cayden began throwing up in the back of Grandmas van. So, 2 hours befre the party we decided to reschedule the party for Sunday evening.
The party worked out perfectly. Kailee and Cayden felt significantly better by party time. The house was packed with family and friends, and our normally shy beauty was exceptionally happy with all the attention. It was a great time!!

Halloween

As always, our Halloween was packed full of obligations. We had Davids family come from Idaho to spend time with us over the weekend. Dave had some business obligations that kept him busy with his day job as well as our business. I, of course, was busy with preparations for our guests and preparing our kids for a night filled with candy and fun.
The original plan was for me to take the kids trick or treating and then to go with my brother-in-law, Jeff, to visit Dave in Park City at the Harry O's Halloween Party. However, Dave called and needed us to bring some equipment up right away; basically allowing me to dress my kids and leave them with Grandma to do some trick or treating. The kids looked adorable and this was the first year that Cayden was super excited about Halloween and it was fun to watch his anticipation. I had a fun night out with Jeff and actually had a good time with the work I got to do at Harry O's to help out Dave.