Sweet Smiles

Kolay turned 8 weeks old this week! She is still sleeping 6-8 hours at night usually from around 11 PM to 6 AM. She is quite a noisy sleeper, but this mom is tired enough it doesn’t bother me to have her in the bassinet beside our bed.  She is a great eater and can burp like a grown man. She definitely knows her mom’s voice. She is really starting to smile this week, and does it several times a day. Mostly when her mommy is around, but has started smiling for others as well. Thanks to some Aquaphor cream the rash on her face is all cleared up, and the rash on her neck and back is almost gone. Her head is definitely growing, as her hair keeps getting thinner.  She is a long skinny girl with a cute little belly. I enjoy dressing her in some of the dresses I wore when I was a baby. She is right in the 0-3 month clothing.  She is so pleasant and is great to have with me at work or wherever I need to go.

Kason turned 19-months old this week.  He has turned into a great sleeper. He loves his crib. Every night we have the same routine. We get on our pajamas, brush our teeth, read scriptures, sing songs, and have prayer as a family, then we go to his room, turn on his “music” (which he always asks for), gives his big bear a hug, give him a sippy cup of water and his favorite horse blanket, and then Kason dives into his bed.  He usually sleeps from around 9 PM-7 PM.  He takes a great nap in his crib, usually about an 1 ½ at noon. One night I told Kason that we needed to go down and get his pajamas on. Kason disappeared and came back about 10 minutes later with a pair of pajamas from his closet. It was pretty cute! Kason talks a lot! He repeats lots of words and now says some on his own. He loves to have conversations. Kolt has been trying to teach him Spanish. When he is alone with Kason, he will only speak Spanish to him. One day this week, Kolt only spoke Spanish to him while he was in the store. Kason would point to something, say it in English, and then Kolt would point to the same thing and say it in Spanish. Kason was pretty frustrated. Now when Kolt starts speaking Spanish to Kason, Kason will jabber back in some incomprehensible language and will laugh at himself like he is speaking like Dad. His favorite show is Super Why. It is an interactive show that teaches lessons from reading stories and helps with spelling and sounding out letters.  Kason thinks that “E” is always the answer, and just started repeats some of the letter sounds, including “ss”.

Monday morning we enjoyed a nice breakfast with Grandma Lindley before I left for work.  We are so glad Grandma was able to come to Kolay’s baby blessing last week. Kolay and I stayed at work all day to close the month.  Kason stayed home with Kolt for the day. In the evening, I subbed for my volleyball team at the Zone again. I enjoy getting the chance to play. Last week, Kolt came and watched both kids. It was quite a task. This week I was able to take Kolay with me and have Teresa Ure come and watch her at the gym. Kolay did great for her and I’m grateful Teresa was able to come. It is just a little too long to leave Kolay at home between feedings.

Tuesday I stayed home with the kids while Kolt had class and studied at the school from 8 Am – 10 PM. We had a great day at home. We went to my mom’s basketball game at Rocky Mountain. Half way through the game, Kason started saying “Rope” and pointing to him in his lime green shirt across the gym. I couldn’t believe it! I didn’t know Rope would be there, so I was pretty impressed Kason found him. He loves going to basketball games and is really good at watching.

Wednesday Kolt had class in the morning and I worked in the afternoon. Kason and Kolt went up to Brand’s game at Madison, but found out on the way up that Brand wasn’t going because he was sick. Luckily he was planning on watching some of my mom’s game at Madison, so he was able to make something of the trip. I took Kolay to my volleyball practice; Kolt met me at the gym to take her home. We had a good practice. It is fun to coach 12s this year. They definitely learn a lot from 10 to 12.

Thursday Kolt had class in the morning, and I worked the afternoon again.  I filled in for Beth at work Thursday afternoon and Friday. I am getting better at it although it still seems new to me every time! In May, she is going on a trip for 10 days, so I will be training a lot in the next week to fill in for her then. Kason got to ride the bus with Grandma Lindley to her basketball game with the team in the afternoon while Kolt had his afternoon class.  He was great on the bus and was pretty shy with the girls. Kolt went to the game to get Kason and watched a little bit, then did some shopping. I met them at home with some pizza that I got with a coupon for dinner.

Friday I worked all day with Kolay. Kason fevered most of the day with Kolt at home. He wasn’t feeling good. Kolt was great to do the laundry! Half way through the day Kolt came and picked her up and brought her back a few hours later when she was hungry. It was a busy day at work! In the evening, Kolt went to watch some of Brand’s game, although he wasn’t able to play still.  We had a good evening, watching basketball and eating caramel popcorn.

Saturday Kolt worked a 7 AM – 7 PM shift at the BHC. That makes for long day for both of us! I was able to do taxes in the morning and spent the afternoon making valentines for grandparents and cousins.  For the grandparents, we made a valentine with Kason’s handprint and a picture with both kids, blowing them a kiss. For the cousins, we made Bear-shaped cookies with a tag that said “We love you BEARY much!” I tried to help Kason understand how to hold his hand big to put it in the paint. Once I did, he started crying saying “Uh-Oh”. He was pretty worried at the mess, and it wasn’t such a fun activity for him. He really enjoyed helping me make cookies though. Since we have officially had pancakes for 2 weeks straight, he kept calling them “pancakes” because they were flat. He thought the bears were pretty cool though! Kason went to town with Grandpa in the day and also to Evan’s basketball game. He loves going anywhere!  In the evening, I took the kids to the girls district basketball game at Bonneville with Grandpa & Grandma and Kamrie & Kylen. Kolt met us there half way through! We had our hands full!

Sunday was a good day. I took some pictures of Kolay in her blessing dress again in the morning. Kason got up early and took an early nap. He was pretty tired still through nursery, and the leaders were shorthanded, so it was tough in there. Kolay slept all through church. She is great to go to others when I needed to play the piano in Relief Society. After church, we drove straight to Great Grandma & Grandpa Piquet’s to take them their valentine. It is always good to visit. We then went to Grandpa & Grandma Piquet’s house to take them their valentines. Kason went outside with Rope and Kolay snuggled with Shauna & Grandma. When we got home, Kason was really tired. He went to bed at 7:15 and slept until 7 the next morning. Kolt and I watched a crazy show called Stonehearst Asylum on Netflix. It was pretty intense!

Kolay's Baby Blessing

Kason is 19 months old today! He is turning into quite the character. Kason loves holding Kolay and will say “hold” and jump on the couch when he wants to hold her. He loves to play with sports balls. He runs up to us, says “catch”, and throws the ball. He has a pretty good arm! One day this week, Kolay was doing tummy time on the floor, and Kason thought it was an invitation for a horsey ride! He didn’t understand why his mom didn’t let him sit on her. Kason loves sports; he says “football” and “basketball”, and he knows the difference. He now started throwing with his right hand too, when at first, he would only throw left handed.  He does the actions to Popcorn Popping all by himself! He is doing much better at nursery; he loves snack time and likes to sing the songs. Kason officially thinks every baby is Kolay, including all the pictures of himself in his room. Kason loves pancakes and eats at least 2 every morning.

Kolay turned 7 weeks old on Saturday.  This week her right ear was draining on Monday; we kept an eye on her for a few days, thinking she might have an ear infection, although she was still pleasant.  On Thursday afternoon, her left ear started draining, so we made a doctor’s appointment for the evening with her pediatrician.  She weighed 10 lbs 2 oz which makes sense for how well she eats, but she doesn’t look like a 10 lb. baby yet!  She is a long, skinny girl! The good news was both ears looked good; her left ear looked like it was starting an ear infection, but the doctor didn’t want to start her on antibiotics if she didn’t need it, so we’ve been watching it, and she’s doing much better.  We also found out that the rash on her face, neck, chest, and back was eczema, so we got some cream that we had been recommended and it looks much better as of today. Kolay is a great baby; she is starting to look around and be interested in things.  On Saturday evening, she had her first smile at her mom and dad! She has done it a few other times since, and we are just in love with her smile!

The most exciting news of the week is that Kolay Piquet was blessed on Sunday. Kolay was blessed by her father. Also in the circle were both grandpas, all of her uncles, and her Great Grandpa Piquet.  Kolay wore the same dress that I wore on my blessing day almost 23 years ago. She looked gorgeous! Kolt gave her a beautiful blessing. I was able to bear my testimony in the meeting. I am grateful for the chance I have to share what I know with the ward and my family. Kason did great during the meeting. He was pretty tickled that all his cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents were at church. After the meeting, we had a small lunch with Kolt’s family and my family. We served Chicken Bacon Ranch wraps. Grandma Piquet brought brownies, cheesecake, and moon pie for dessert. Kason loved the moon pie just like his daddy! He loved playing with his cousins at the house.  We were able to get a big table set up in our living room. After dinner, we watched the Super Bowl together and enjoyed an array of treats.  It was a great day! We are sure grateful for all the love and support we feel for our family, especially Kolay on her blessing day.

This week was a busy week! It was my last week before I go back to work officially 3 afternoons a week.  On Monday, I had my 6-week appointment. The kids were able to stay with Grandma Lindley, so Kolt and I could go together. I was happy to report that I was feeling great. It really is a night and day difference from my postpartum experience after Kason. I was able to ask my doctor some other questions I had been wondering about.  Kolt also did some shadowing at Community Family Clinic in the morning.

On Tuesday, Kolt had his evening Organic Evolution class. He was excited to find out that the LDS book about evolution he had read over the break was written by his professor. In the evening, I took the kids to my mom’s basketball game at Rocky Mountain. Kason played with Nathan and Brooke. Tatelyn and Jeanna Hill were great to help with Kolay during the game, as well as my dad who helped with Kason when he decided he wanted to play in the game too.

On Wednesday, Kason played with Brooke during Nathan’s preschool. I had a visit from my visiting teachers in the morning. In the evening, Kolt took Kason to Highland for Brand’s basketball game. Brand played really well; Kolt was glad to be able to make it to the game. Kason did great on the drive. I stayed home with Kolay and was finally able to get my 1099s out for work. Although technically my first day back to work was yesterday, I have been working almost just as much logging in from home, running to and from the office and trying to get the year end responsibilities done. It has been a big blessing to have some flexibility in my work schedule over the last few weeks. Kolay and I enjoyed being together for the evening in the quiet house.

On Thursday, I took the kids to meet Kolt at his school for a Super Bowl lunch sponsored by the Activities club. We were able to meet Kolt’s classmate’s family, including their little girl, Tyga, who is just 4 days younger than Kolay. Kolt had another voice lesson; he passed off his first song! He has been practicing quite a bit at home this week. It has made a big difference to have music in our home. Kason loves to sing and play the piano; he even sings the line “Let it go” from Frozen now. Kason spent the evening at Grandma’s Day. I had my first volleyball practice for club. I took Kolay with me; she stayed with Ashley and Trish during my practice. Kolt was able to get some homework done and make it to our ward church ball game before picking up Kason.

On Friday, Kolt did some early morning shadowing at Family First. He is learning a lot from the shadowing and gets along with both P.A.’s. I helped fill in for a coach at their practice in the evening before Brand’s game. The girls were more than willing to help watch Kolay while I was there. I met Kason and Kolt at the game at Sandcreek. Kason played in the bleachers with Paisley; he sure likes to wander. Kolt brought dinner to the gym; Kason was eating corn by the handfuls. After the game, we went to the varsity game. We were able to sit by Kylee & Riley Sessions! It was fun to catch up with her. Kason was so tired by the time the night was over, but he stayed awake to get a Jamba juice and come home to bed.

On Saturday, Kolt worked a 7 am-7 pm shift at the BHC. I stayed home with the kids and finished getting ready for the blessing. I finished my Family Birthday Board with my Cricut cutting machine I got for Christmas. I love it! We also picked up Kolay’s hand and foot impressions this week. I’m so glad we got them! They turned out great, and I am kicking myself for not getting Kason’s done when he was born. They are pretty neat. We are so grateful for the many things we are blessed with. Hope you are all doing well.

Kason is Binky-Free!

Kason will be 19 months old next week. Here are a few fun things about Kason: He has a hard time sitting to eat for very long. I have found that he loves pancakes, so I try to make those just about every morning because I know he will eat two without begging to get “up” (up means up or down for Kason right now).  He also likes tomatoes surprisingly! Kason’s favorite words are: “Where’s _____?, football, cream (for whipped cream) “Toway (Kolay), and apple. The other day Kason begged to get in his crib. He played in there for close to an hour, looking at his baby pictures above the crib and talking to his big white bear. Kason loves to play with horses. He likes to sit behind the stools and pretend that his horses are in the pen (the base of the stool).Kason also does the cutest little bucking horse around the living room. It is pretty cute. Kason is almost grown out of all of his size 5 shoes and almost ready for size 5 diapers.   He learned how to do somersaults and will do them almost immediately when you ask now.  The biggest news is that Kason is now 13 days without the binky! We are pretty excited about that. He made a great transition! He was pretty sad the first night without the binky; he thought he had lost it in the side of his crib, but we were able to explain that his binky was gone. It worked great having Kolay’s binky because now we can just explain that “binkies are for babies.” He seems to think that’s a good reason not to have one, and now he takes it upon himself to make sure Kolay has her binky in her mouth anytime he remembers.  He also started saying “Hand” and grabbing my finger to take me and show me what he wants.

Kolay turned 6 weeks old on Saturday. She is a growing girl with the skinniest legs and arms and a big round belly! She is grown out of most all of her newborn clothes and fits the 0-3 month clothes just great! She also moved up to size 1 diapers last week. She is very good at finishing her messy diapers once we try to change it. She has pooped on her mom and dad more times than they would like! She is still sleeping well; most nights are 6 hours, but occasionally she will still wakes up every 3.  She is really patient with Kason all over her.  She is also content to sit in her bouncer and have some quiet time too. Her newborn rash seems to be getting better. She also loves baths!

On Monday, Kolt went to watch a rope training that Brand attended for a little bit and then spent most of the day doing homework. Kason and I went for a walk in the stroller. He was excited to have Grandma Lindley join us after her run, then he immediately turned to me and said “Where’s Papa?”  He has become really aware of who is with us and who is not.  In the evening, I went to play volleyball again at the Apple on kallie’s co-ed team.

On Tuesday, Kolt had class in the morning, and I worked in the afternoon printing checks and getting ready to send out 1099s.  I got home just in time for Kolt to go to his Organic Evolution night class.  Where did that day go? The day seems to fly by when we have lots to do!

On Wednesday, Kolt had his first of 4 voice lessons. We bought it at a Young Womens Girls Camp fundraiser a little while ago.  Kolt enjoyed learning more about singing, and I enjoy having him come home and tell me about it! I picked up Brand from school and fed him before his game. Kolt picked up 4-hour shift in the evening, so he took Kason to the first part of Brand’s game and then left him with Grandma Piquet. She was so great to keep him, and she and Rope brought him home. Kolay and I were able to bathe and have some time to get caught up. Brand’s game was really intense, so it was fun to hear about it!

On Thursday Kolt had a couple classes and stayed at the school to work on his online courses.  I taught Evan his piano lesson. Evan had a great week of practicing, and it showed! He played both songs flawlessly! I was a little excited! Kason went to Grandma Piquet’s in the evening and played and played hard. Kolay and I went with my dad to my mom’s basketball game at Rigby.  Kolt had planned to stay home and study; he hurried and hurried and was able to make it to the game without missing much.  When we went to pick up Kason, Rope came to stay over because he didn’t have school the next day.

On Friday, Kolt shadowed two P.A.’s: one at Family First and one at Redicare. The schedules were pretty empty, so he was able to visit with both of them and learn a lot. The kids, Rope & I stayed home and played in the morning. Kason, Kolay, Rope, Saydie, and I met Kolt, Natalie, Brady, Nathan and Brooke at Chick-Fil-A for lunch. We had a great time visiting and letting the kids play.  In the afternoon, Kolt and Rope played basketball before he took him home.

We had a great Saturday together. We sure didn’t do much. I did have a volleyball practice for club in the morning. I can’t believe it is almost time to start that! After nap time, we watched a 17-month old boy from our ward while his parents went to the temple. He and Kason played really well together. Kolt and I have been reading from a book my dad got us for Christmas last year called The Wednesday Letters.  We are really enjoying it; it is getting really interesting, and it is hard to only read one chapter a night. We are excited to start the sequel The Wedding Letters that my dad gave us this Christmas!

On Sunday, we worked hard to get Kason a nap before church. It worked great—he was tired at about 11. We had a good combined lesson with the Priesthood and the youth about Family History work. Kolt and I are trying to incorporate indexing into our weekly routine. After church, we went out to Piquet’s for ham and potatoes. It was delicious! We had a good night of visiting before going home and putting the kids to bed.