Too Hot!

So the last couple days have been ridiculously hot! We are setting records for hitting 110 degrees early in the summer. Kaeden has been wanting to play outside, and I've just not been able to stand the heat, so I went and got a little wading pool. Talk about one of the best things ever! I remember them being the best when I was little, I think they're even better now :-)

Needless to say, Kaeden's schedule is now get up, eat breakfast and watch some cartoons (blueberries and yogurt today),



go and swing before it's too hot, have a popsicle and a nap, change into swimsuit and eat lunch, then go play in the pool all afternoon.

At first he just threw his balls in it, played with the hose, splashed around a little. Then I moved the slide over to end in the pool and he fell in love...















He spent all afternoon going down the slide, giggling his head off. We also snacked while we played...my goofy kid wanted grapes to snack on instead of popsicles.



I think that so long as we've got the pool, this summer is gonna be a good one!

My Days...

So here it is, 25 days in to being a Mom of 2, and while they are sleeping I am blogging instead of napping myself. But they are such cute kids, I gotta share them!
Here are some pics of Kaeden and Kai from the last month...

Napping together on the couch


Already independent :-)


Always one hand poking out


Trying to figure out this potty thing...


I helped make it in this, I wanna eat out of this...





Gotta be talkin' to all my peeps




Having two has been a lot harder and a lot better than I ever imagined. Hard because I have two that need attention, are demanding, are crying and the diapers...holy cow! (note to self - DO NOT have another kid until the first two are POTTY TRAINED :-) Better because I have two that love to play with me, be held by me, kiss me, need me.

I have run through all emotions imaginable - frustrated and tired at 3 in the morning, 4 in the morning, 5 in the morning :-) like a blob cuz I'm constantly on the couch nursing, like a horrible mother cuz one is crying while the other gets my attention, horribly irritated and upset that Kevin gets to sleep through the night, ashamed that I think that of my husband cuz I know he needs the sleep for work while I can nap the next day, angry cuz my tummy isn't healed yet and stupid things like bending over still give me trouble, dirty cuz my house is dirty since I still can't bend over to pick things up, wonderful cuz Kaeden loves to give me kisses and help with his brother, loved cuz Kaeden and Kai love to cuddle in my lap to go to sleep at night, giddy cuz Kevin calls me when he gets bored at work and gives long hugs when he finally gets to come home at the end of the day, grateful to all my friends who help by having Kaeden over to play, happy when Kaeden pulls me by my pointer finger out to the swing so I can push him, blessed when I look at all my boys together and see how happy we are, no matter what the house looks like or that I've not showered in 2 days.

Okay, long paragraph, but that's the gist of this last month. It has been hard, but now that I'm getting used to new schedules and catching up on sleep it's starting to be fun. I'm so glad I've got such great boys.

Kai James Christenson

Kevin and I are pleased to announce that our newest son, Kai, is here!

Home, healthy and happy, as are we. He was born Tuesday May 11 at 7:57 am, 7 lbs 11 ounces (a full pound lighter than Kaeden!) and was 20 inches long. We were in good hands at the hospital until Saturday morning, and then came home for the next 18 years :-)

The delivery went well, I recovered more slowly this time, and find it difficult not to be able to pick up Kaeden for the time being, but all in all we're great. Kaeden had no trouble adapting to having a new little brother, he is quite the little helper.


He always lets us know when Kai is crying, runs to him and pats his belly until he stops, or tries to give him a paci or a toy to make him happy.


He likes to help with diaper changing and feeding whenever possible.



I think he is gonna be a great big brother, and am happy to have a little brother for him to eventually rough house with :-)

Kevin's mom is in town to help us out. Kevin had a couple days off while I was in the hospital, but returned to work today, so it's nice to have her around, doing all the heavy lifting (literally!) I'm happy to sit back and watch Kaeden, hold Kai and just enjoy loving my family of boys :-)

Day Before Brother Comes...

I can't believe it, but the time has come for us to be a family of four! Today was my first day of maternity leave, meaning I had to get all my last minute items crossed off my list and spend some quality time with Kaeden. Most of the list went out the window as I just enjoyed playing with my firstborn. He is such a happy little boy, so energetic and ready to laugh. We are truly blessed to have him in our family and as our first go-round with parenting, he has spoiled us. I hope this next one is as nice to us :-)

In preparation for me not being able to spend as much one-on-one time with Kaeden, and because he loves to be outside so much, we bought him a little playset. He loves it! The first day it was set up he didn't want to go to bed, he just cried and cried when we had to come in for the night. He loves the slide and to have something to climb around on. We also got a swing, but have yet to hang it - it's a few feet short of our beam in the front porch, so Kevin will have to get some rope and a hook, but once that swing is up, we'll never get him to come inside!




I can't wait to have two little boys - I hope everything goes well tomorrow. We'll get pics up as soon as I am home and able to get on the computer again (give me a week!

SUMO!!

I may have the sumo belly, but it's my boys who have got the sumo moves!!

When you can't...

When you can't fit in the high chair, you graduate to the big-boy-booster! (Thanks Grandma Christenson!)





When you can't find the right toy, just jump in and enjoy them all!!

Spring Break

For Spring Break this year my folks came down to help us work on the house. We've slowly been redoing it (mostly just the tearing down part). My grandparents from Phoenix couldn't miss the opportunity to come and visit with everyone, so we had a full house :-)

Family who couldn't come wanted to see the latest in Kai's development, so here ya go...



Mom and Dad slept in Kaeden's room, and our room was full of boxes, so Kevin and Kaeden got to bunk together in the living room...





The best part about having my mom and grandma here is the cooking! They always bring food with them and cook up a storm while here, so we ate like kings.



Kaeden was great at helping everyone get their fill...





We also got to meet up with my dad's sister, Shanne, and her daughter Mandy, who were in town for Spring Break. They came to dinner with us at Claim Jumper.








So many choices on the menu! Everyone got a little something, and dug in. I had to get my Motherlode sandwich again - the thing is 8 inches tall!! I had sandwiches for several days afterward :-) From fish to pasta, ribs to pot pie, everyone was stuffed with delicious food. I think the company was better than the food, but we still thoroughly enjoyed everything, as you can tell from our faces (Mom and I are cut from the same mold I think, ha ha) They had not been before, and it was such a great menu we'll definately be coming back next time!

Mom and Grandma were also able to come to my babyshower. They were thrilled to meet some of the great friends I've got here in Vegas, as well as put names to faces as I talk about them all the time. It was an open house shower, so no games just lots of great food and friends who could make it on break. We also did a little baby shopping of our own, getting some bedding and accessories for the new little one.

My Grandparents left Saturday, but Mom and Dad stuck around, helping clean the yard up and get some things done around the house...



Kaeden was always in the thick of things, wanting to help any way he could.





Unfortunately, that also meant he took a tumble and bonked his head big time...what a goose-egg he got from the concrete!



but it didn't keep him down for more than five minutes, he was running around like crazy, happy to be outside and helping.



Mom and Dad were happy to be here, helping and playing with Kaeden. We were sad to see them go. I've got video of them all playing, but seeing as how this post it a book, I'll post the video next time!