Happy First Birthday Sweet Makayla!

Saturday was our dear friends Cortney & Lafo's daughter Makayla's FIRST birthday party. Since she was born on St. Patrick's Day, her party was green, green, green! Cortney put out all the stops for this party! There was amazing food (a whole pig!), the decorations were bar none, there were little games for children of all ages to play, a coloring station, a face painter, a balloon twister, and lots of family and friends. It was really something! You never would have known that this location was actually plan B. Plan A was to have it at a park, but Mother Nature sure wasn't cooperating as it was dumping rain all day Saturday. Makayla's birthday is also just another reminder that my baby is next to turn one...(tear).

Makayla & Kellen "playing"
Kellen loving the lego wagon:

Makayla with her Grandma Sandi:

Kellen playing on the fun mat full-0-toys:

Had to Share the Cuteness & 10 1/2 Month update

Kellen was weighed March 2nd and tipped the scales at 24 pounds! We know a couple two year olds who don't weight that much, ha! You should feel my biceps these days! We are actively searching for a new car seat as well. Not only is he heavy, but he is tall too (82 percentile at his 9 month check up), so a new car seat is in order soon. We are hoping to be able to hold out until his first birthday. Giving up the easily transportable car seat with base is a huge bummer as he often falls asleep in the car. Oh well...safety first!

Kellen continues to be as curious as ever. Getting into everything he can. He has figured out that drawers require a tug to open, and cabinets require a swing open from the side. He is no longer allowed in the kitchen as he can push buttons on the dishwasher & pulls open the oven door. The same goes for the laundry room...no babies allowed...buttons + swinging doors = no bueno!

His vocabulary continues to expand. He LOVES his flash cards and can play with those the longest out of any toy. Twice I have seen him pick up the flash card that reads "clap" and begins clapping! Without any words or coaching from a "reader." He tries to mimic every word you say to him. Words like "gorilla" come out "gababa" or "gamama," but we think it's great he's trying & gets the syllables right.

He is on the verge of walking...so close! I believe he is able to, but we just have to convince him that walking is much more efficient than crawling.

He is loving his swim class, and last week he "got dunked." He was super cute. It sort of shocked him & then he began to smile. No tears or pouty lip. I believe I dunked him two more times.

Here are a few random pics over the past month or so:

Kellen with Old Grand Dad (Lane)

Our Little Guppie

"Kick Kick Kick Kick." Kick, was the new word I repeated over & over Saturday afternoon. Kellen and I had our first Parent-Tot swim class, and he absolutely loved it. Jeremy was there with the camera snapping away capturing every emotion. We first started out with the noodle and Kellen faced me and practiced kicking. He was a kicking machine!! Then, we got rid of the noodle, and we flipped him over on his back. Kellen loved being belly up. In this position he really got to look around and splash his arms!! He was so funny! Then, we went up to the wall & he practiced holding on while kicking. Finally, we picked him up out of the water, put him on the edge of the pool, and let Kellen "jump" down to Mommy. He got this down quickly & he loved it. Especially since there was a slight wind chill factor & it was much warmer in the pool. We had our class with his girlfriends Makayla (mom Cortney) & Gianna (mom Trisha), and he met a new buddy Ethan (mom Jenny) who is one month younger than Kellen. We had a great time. Can't wait for next week. Here are a ton of pictures Jeremy took:
Click to view album:

Kellen Swim

It Takes a Village

We have been lucky that Kellen is watched during the work week by both grandmothers and a friend who lives near by. The situation could not have worked out more perfectly. Kellen gets to spend quality time with his grandmothers, and on Fridays is able to socialize with other children that he just adores.

Monday and Tuesday are the days that Grandma Sue (Jacobson) typically watches Kellen. She spends her days playing, reading him books, and watching Sesame Street. Grandma Sue stated she loves everything about watching Kellen. But, most of all she loves playing "Where's Kellen?" She also loves to hold him while he's drinking his bottle.

Wednesdays and Thursdays are the days that Grandmo (Lane) typically watches Kellen. She spends her days playing, reading him books, and going on walks. When asked what her favorite things are about babysitting she stated, "I love every moment. His smiles are constant and melt my heart. I feel so lucky to spend so much time with him."



Friday is the day that Kellen typically goes over to The Duran home. Mandi has her two boys Jackson (4) and Taylor (1 1/2) there as well. Kellen loves socializing with them, and they play well together all day long. Mandi states, "I love watching them with each other. They think the littlest things are sooo funny about one another."