Mealtime Messies

Has anyone else ever had this mealtime idea: serve the toddler spaghetti with only a diaper and a bib?  If you haven't, I highly recommend it!  Kids love spaghetti, but, wow, the mess that it creates is absolutely mind boggling!  Noodles and sauce literally end up everywhere.  Oh, and another piece of advice: serve it on bath night!

"K" really does love the ground beef in the spaghetti.  For the longest time, he was not really in favor of the noodles, but he has started to get better about eating pasta.  Thank goodness, because pasta is one of my favorite items to eat!  So, enjoy this after dinner photo of the spaghetti-loving-little-man!

Dinner Guests

One of my favorite things about spring and summer is the weather!  I love being able to be outside, and enjoying some delicious grilled treats!  My good friend EM, was back for a visit, so we celebrated in the best way possible - with dinner from the grill!  Thanks EM for sharing the photos and your time we us, we had the best time!

The female crew that came for dinner is pictured here.  The guys were the photo takers - thanks Mr. Fixit and WM!  We enjoyed steaks, chicken, baked potatoes, broccoli salad, fruit salad, bread and this fun Jell-O dessert which DM brought.  I honestly don't know the name of it, but "K" pretty much thought it was top notch!

Sleepy Boy

Nap times are quite the adventure for "K," as it seems like playing in bed is the favorite thing to do.  As a matter of fact, sometimes he talks and plays for about an hour before he actually falls asleep!  I am wondering if it is time to cut out the morning nap, as he really sleeps quite good during that nap time.  Hmmm, oh the dilemmas of toddlerhood!

So, here I snapped a photo as I was trying to wake "K" up.  He had been asleep for about 2 1/2 hours, and it was time to wake up for snack.  Just a fact, in case you are curious, he does not like being woke up.  Typically, a wake up is followed by a l-o-n-g cranky period!

Feline Friend

Mama Cat, the name that we have given to the stray that we adopted from Mom and Dad's, since they were moving, has really taken a liking to her new digs.  She has 4 little kittens, and they are also quite comfortable roaming around the yard.  Mama Cat especially is fond of "K," maybe because she gets to eat his leftover snacks and meals?

"K," at first, was really in to pulling her tail and her ears.  She was quite the laid back, and forgiving kitty, so thankfully, she put up with the fuss.  "K" has now taken to "kissing" the cat.  I am not really quite sure of this, but I have decided - as with all stages - that this one too, will not last forever!

My "IFriend"

I call my friend EM, my "IFriend" because she is from an "I" state and lives and works in an "I" state, which, I think, is rather cool.  So, my "Ifriend" reference is not really related to technology at all, except that, she is really good at technology, and technology keeps us in touch when we can't see either other very often!

So, EM came back for a visit - thank goodness - because I have missed her.  Phone calls, Facebook and blogs really cannot do a person justice.  Plus, it is just difficult for us to travel to see her right now with the "little guy," as Mr. Fixit calls "K."  Someday, I would love to take a vacation to the "I" state, but for now, we must relish the great visit we had!

Sand Box

Recently Mr. Fixit engineered a sand box out of a cattle feed bowl, and of course, some sand.  The sand box is hanging out on the deck, strategically placed on several tarps designed to capture the sand.  However, I will let everyone know, that the sand really does find its way all over the deck.  My advice: wear shoes when you venture out!

This photo shows "K's" first day with his sand box.  He loves grabbing handfuls of sand and distributing it in various places, such as chair seats.  He also like using the rake and shovel to move the sand around.  We are still working on filling buckets and dumping them in the sand box.  Hopefully, a skill that will come soon!

Ear Tubes

After six ear infections, or maybe one ear infection that never went away, and six rounds of antibiotics later, Little "K" received ear ventilation tubes last week.  The process to get to this point was about four months, and Mr. Fixit and I are both hoping this is the ticket to a happier and healthier baby!

The surgical appointments for these little guys are early.  We headed in for our 7:15 a.m. appointment, and were on the road home by 9:00 a.m.  The doctors and nurses used a anesthesia to put the little guy to sleep, for about a 10 minute procedure.  Then we waited for Little "K" to wake up, and take a few drinks of water before we were cleared to go home.

Everything seemed to go smoothly, and after "K" had a round of hiccups later that morning, I really began to wonder.  Hiccups seem to be very painful after ear surgery.  This photo shows a little flashback to birthday times, because I did not want to photo a very cranky camper!

Dirt Diggers

Easter may seem like a distant memory, but the weather was so beautiful that day!  The kids had a terrific hunt at Mr. Fixit's family, and many adults chatted in the park after the hunt ended.  Of course, the kids had new trinkets to test out, so they quickly started checking out what the new toys could do!  Little "K" received a dump truck.

I could not resist snapping a shot of the two youngest grandchildren hard at work.  As fast as cousin "E" loaded the truck with gravel, Little "K" would empty the truck.  They played for about 20 minutes, until we headed over to Grandma's for dessert!

The Test

When one reaches the 28th week of pregnancy, the ob-gyn conducts a test: the glucose test.  This means that the pregnant woman must fast for a minimum of 10 hours, have a fasting blood draw, drink a cup of sugared substance similar to soda without carbonation and then receive a one hour blood test and a two hour blood test.  Glucose readings are taken after each test.

I had this very test a week ago, and I did not pass.  My third stick was higher than the allotted glucose amount.  Talk about disappointment and frustration.  The lab tech called me up, and said I was high.  I was, therefore, gestational diabetes, and I would now need to attend classes with a diabetes nurse and a dietician. *Sigh*

Risk factors for GD include being overweight before pregnancy, inactivity, poor diet, having a prior baby over 9 pounds, family history of Type 2 diabetes, African American descent and age 35 or older.  The only factor that I meet is the age.  I am still running, eating fruits and vegetables, lean proteins and taking good care of myself.  So, why do I have GD?

I asked this question of the nurse, and she said that the placenta simply compromises the body's ability to process glucose.  It is nothing that I could have done differently to prevent it, but nonetheless, I feel responsible.  My new routine is to now test Ketone levels (proteins) in my urine every morning and to monitor glucose with 4 finger sticks per day.  Of course, diet and exercise are still critical.

Late next week I will visit with the dietician.  The plan is to maintain healthy levels with diet and exercise, so that insulin does not have to be taken.  So, this is the new "normal," and I have discovered that the world of restaurants are not always diabetes friendly.  Carbohydrates are hidden everywhere: sauces, breadings, potatoes, even simple vegetables like corn.  I will keep you posted on what I learn!

Big Bro

In less than 3 months, Little "K" will become a Big Brother!  We were pleasantly surprised that a new little one would join our growing family.  I do, however, wonder if we will have enough energy and balancing skills for two?  "K" has no idea that a baby will be joining the ranks, but he does point out all the "babies" we see wherever we go.

Little "K" is becoming Mr. Fixit's buddy, and I am not sure that Mr. Fixit is getting much accomplished with his new little sidekick.  However, Mr. Fixit is super patient, and let's "K" explore the outside world with him.  So, until the Big Brother status becomes "official," Little "K" steals all the hugs and kisses!

1 + 5 = 6

Spring is typically thought of as new life.  So, when the stray cat we adopted from Mom and Dad's had five kittens, that could definitely be seen as a sign of spring, right?  However, my first thought was, this one cat has now become 6 cats!  That is quite a math fact!

We already had 2 cats.  I must clarify, at this point, that all of these cats are outdoor farm cats.  So, life can be tough in the pastureland.  I must also mention that out of the 2 cats we already had, the female cat has also had kittens.  We have not yet discovered hers.  So, at this point in time, I am not really sure how many cats are calling our land home!

Two Years

Two years ago - today - Mr. Fixit and I said "yes" in front of nearly 400 family and friends.  The weather was picture perfect - sunny, warm and beautiful blue skies.  We were chatting the other day, and could not believe that it was just two years ago.  We honestly feel like we have known each other forever!  I certainly cannot imagine my life without him!

One year ago - today - we Baptized our son, "Little K."  The weather was cool and cloudy, and we were blessed with family and friends to witness the special day.  Little"K" actually stayed awake, and did not cry when water was poured over his head.

Today, our Diocese receives a new Bishop.  The ceremony takes place in Salina, and folks from all across the Diocese will attend.  Quite amazing to think of all the excitement that can happen in two years, right?  So, no matter what you are doing today, enjoy a beautiful and happy "May Day!"