Happy 1st Birthday, Michael!

It truly is amazing that the Pear turns one today. Really, where does the time go?

I never knew how incredibly fulfilling, wonderful, stressful, overwhelming and emotional having two children could be. God blessed me with this dynamic little boy and I thank him every day for that.
The journey began for the Pear and I back in March '07, yet I didn't know at the time that it had even been planned. A few weeks after our Spring Break trip to Tampa I started feeling a little funny. Could I be pregnant? No way. We tried for months back in the fall with no luck and we were going to try again in August. But silly me, it wasn't my plan, it was God's! The little Pear seed was already planted and was due December 23rd, 2007. A winter baby? In the middle of basketball season? Two days before Christmas? I was floored but overjoyed.

After a pretty uneventful pregnancy, Michael was born via c-section on December 16th, 2007. He was a big boy with a big cry!





The first few months brought tummy problems, reflux and a sometimes a very unhappy baby. The doctors ran tests for digestive problems and even Cystic Fibrosis. I was so afraid that there was something wrong with my little boy. It was my job as a mommy to make him happy, but sometimes I felt like I was failing because he seemed so miserable at times.



As the months past, he got happier and happier. He smiled and played and laughed hysterically when I nuzzled his belly or daddy "boxed" with him. At around 6 months, he started sitting up and really admiring his big sister. We spent summer days at the park, taking Champy for long walks or swimming in the pool on the patio. Those were great times that I'll never forget.



Michael is now a champion crawler and cruiser. He could walk if he wanted to (the doctors are amazed at how strong he is), but chooses not to. He stands alone for a bit and in true Michael fashion, will walk when he sees fit. He babbles like crazy and says "dada" pretty well. I've also heard variations of "mama", "dog", "Tay Tay" and "teddy". He's a pointing fool and loves to point at different objects and have me tell him what they are. He figures things out quickly and is one smart little dude.

The little man has a stronghold on my heart. We have a special connection that will always be there. It's a mommy-son thing that only moms and sons can really understand. I have a special connection with Taylor too, but Michael and I have a just-as-special, but different, bond. I love when he reaches for me when he's feeling a little timid and squeals when I come into his room in the morning. He puts gusto into everything, whether it be screaming bloody murder every. single. time. he gets his diaper changed or burrowing his little fuzzy head into my arms for a hug from mama. I am a better person because of Michael and I can only hope that one day he can say the same about me. Don't let anyone ever tell you any differently, Michael. You will always be Mommy's baby boy!

Happy Birthday! Mommy, Daddy and Taylor love you with all our hearts!

Until next time,

Mommy Kel

Prelude to the Big Birthday

Michael got his first 1st birthday present today! Thank you Tony, Lauri and Scott! If his actual birthday party is anything like tonight, it's going to be a lot of fun.

First, there was fascination with the box. He kept trying to cover it with his teddy bear blanket:

Then, he cruised around it, climbed on it and drooled on it:

We got the brown paper off, read him the cute card from Tony, then got him started on the wrapping paper. He had a blast ripping it off:

He was squealing before he even got the little basketball/baseball/football sports set out! See his little pointer?
He played with it for a good 30 minutes straight. He loves his new toy!

Taylor had fun with it, too, despite being sick all day. She's already feeling much better.

Here's a video of Michael getting excited about his new toy. I wish it wasn't so dark, but you can still hear how happy he is.

Thanks Tbone, Lauri and Scott. You're the best!

Until next time,

Mommy Kel

Visiting and Visitors

We took advantage of the long weekend to visit some family and have some friends over. Both the kids love to be around people, so it's always fun to see everyone.


We headed to my dad's house for Thanksgiving this year and had a nice, relaxing day with my mom and dad. Both kids were on their best behavior. Michael did smack his head right on the corner of the dining room table as we were bringing the food out. He had a nice goose egg, but was back to himself after a few tears. After dinner, the kids, grandma and I took a wagon ride around the neighborhood. (Well, the kids rode and I pulled their big butts.) I'm glad we all had a chance to hang out!

My little turkey.

My other little turkey with the big ol' goose egg on his big ol' noggin. He liked for me to pull him around in the Lego cart.

G-pa and the Worm.

G-ma and the Pear.

The best $9 I ever spent. He loves this toy.

On Friday, my BFF Lauri and her little cutie, Tony came to visit. We got to see them last month and I can't believe how much Tbone has grown in one month! What a cutie. The kids played in the floor and Lauri and I got to relax and just enjoy each other's company. I miss you Lauri! We used to raise a ruckus in our college days, but could have just as much fun hanging out painting pots and watching movies. I so wish they lived closer.

Taylor took this picture of Lauri, Tony and I. Thanks, Worm!

1-for-3 on getting my subjects to look at the camera. Hey, Max and Ruby was on.

0-for-3. Still a cute picture of the kids playing. Michael is checking out his future OSU college roommate. Taylor is contemplating whether or not she wants to babysit these guys some day. Tony is pushing the Pear out the way for more camera time.

Yay, it's Tony!

The Pear plays hard and naps hard. He always chews on his blanket while he's sleeping. It's so cute.

We got some more out-of-town visitors on Saturday. Brett, our friend from the old Wabash days, and his wife Ashley stopped by for a few hours. They live in Northern Michigan (and yes, he's a Michigan fan), but were in Cincy visiting relatives for Thanksgiving. They're expecting their first little one this spring and find out the gender this week. Can't wait to find out!

Saturday night, I talked Mike into taking the kids to our town's "Holidazzle Hometown Parade". It's a lighted Christmas parade and it was actually really cool (and really cold!!!). Taylor absolutely loved it, but I think Michael would have been happier cuddled up somewhere a little warmer.

The trick to staying warm during a parade in late November is to keep a buddled up kid on your lap.
Simply dazzling.

Basketball season starts on Saturday when Mike's team heads to Oak Hills. Good luck Hurricane!

Until next time,

Mommy Kel

Happy Thanksgiving!

Taylor and I made turkey cupcakes tonight. Aren't they cute? (She insisted that some be pink.)
Popeye the sailor Pear's eye is already looking better. He's on the mend!
Until next time,

Mommy Kel

P.S. Give me props for two updates in one day. :)

Decorating, Photo Shoot and Popeye

Boy, I've been a real slacker lately with updating the blog! Adding pictures can be a real pain in the butt and I think that's why I always end up putting it off.

The weather here has been unseasonably cold lately, so we took advantage of a sunny day on Sunday to put up Christmas decorations. Yes, it's too early and I always wait until after Thanksgiving, but the forecast isn't too promising. I'm not a big fan of being cold, so the lights went up Sunday. I was going to wait until Friday to do the tree and inside stuff, but it felt too weird going from Christmas decorations outside to fall decorations inside.

Taylor was my big helper this year! (And I mean that in a serious way, not a cutesy mom way.) She held the lights while I got the strands untangled (I had a 3-week-old baby last year when I took them down. They were a mess!) and even helped put the Christmas tree up. I like real trees, but I'm not attempting that with wild-man Pear in the house.

Michael loved the decorations and kept doing that cute heavy-exhale, wide-eyed thing. Taylor was so excited the whole day. That's what really makes it all so much fun! Oh yeah, just as we put the finishing touches on the tree, the entire thing feel over on top of me! We caught it on video, but I can't figure out how to edit the section out. If I do, it's so going on here. Taylor said, "Good thing Mommy's head blocked the tree from falling!" How sweet.

Taylor assembling nature.

I want that...and that...and that...You'll get nothing and like it.

Cuties under the tree. The Pear would NOT sit still.

Taylor with her favorite ornament.

The outside lights. Yes, I have a cheesy deer. I even considered an air-blown Santa this year.

Just a cute picture from dinner Saturday night.

Posing with Michelle and cutie Ben.

I took the kids to get their pictures taken on Tuesday. Wow, what a production that is! I picked out the perfect outfits, set up the appointment between nap times and prayed for no sickness, scratches or bruises. The pictures are so adorable. I love the Picture People and I recommend them to everyone. Taylor is a ham and did whatever the photographer asked. Michael was all smiles until I put him down and then he went ballistic! He kept crying and crawling to me, muttering "mummmmummm". In the end, the photographer covered my arms and shoulder with a white sheet and I held Michael. He was all smiles again and they just photoshopped me out later. Too funny. Here are a few samples from the shoot. They are even brighter/cuter in person:

I noticed that Michael had a few eye boogers yesterday morning, but no big deal. Well, his eye turned bright red and goopy last night. (Your eyes are watering right now, aren't they?) It was completely swollen shut this morning so I took him to the doctor. Yep, it's pink eye. Luckily, the drops are supposed to work quickly and he's not contagious after 24 hours. We should be safe to head to Cincy for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. He seems totally unaffected by it. I keep singing, "He's Popeye the sailor Pear..."

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Until next time,

Mommy Kel

My Little Indian, Basketball and scUM

Hi everyone and TGIF!

I was so proud of my little girl last night! Taylor had her preschool program and it was just adorable. She and her classmates were Indians and let me tell you, the Worm makes a pretty cute little squaw. The older kids were pilgrims and the little 3-year-olds were turkeys. I laughed back when Taylor first told me her little friend Noah was going to be a turkey. "Mommy," she said in such a serious voice. "You can't laugh at the 3-year-olds or they won't wear their costumes." Corrected by your 4-year-old for being immature. Oops. :) She did great, as did all of the kids. I have to give props to the teachers. At one point, there were 92 preschoolers on stage!

Taylor had quite the following last night. Grandma Taylor made the 45-minute drive through blowing snow to be there and our friends Brown-Haired Donna (Taylor has always called her this) and her son Kody stopped by. Five of Mike's varsity basketball players also stopped by to see her. How sweet is that?

Taylor was soooo excited before we left!

My little Indian girl, dancing to the music when her scene was over.

Taylor, cheesing on stage. The red eye makes them all look like children of the corn.

Taylor and her preschool BFF.

Cute picture of Grandma and her grandkids. Doesn't Michael look really old here? I figured out that it's because he actually has a neck now. It's no longer his big bobblehead noggin sitting on his shoulders. :)

A rare picture of the four of us.

Michael, checking out his big sis on stage.

Short video of Taylor dancing after her part was over.

This weekend should be a fun one. Mike's team has their first scrimmage tomorrow morning and we'll head over for a little bit. I'm excited to watch them play. They should be really good this year. Plus, they really are a great group of guys which makes it even more fun to cheer for them.

Coach Daddy on Meet the Team night.

Hanging out on court with Daddy.

Of course, the big Ohio State/Michigan game is tomorrow. I hate Michigan/scUM. There's really no nice way to say it. I watched Ohio State play Michigan on Family Feud's College Rivalry Week last week and flipped the TV off like 10 times. Real mature, I know (Taylor was at school and Michael was napping). Taylor knows all about our beloved Buckeyes and the rivalry. She's looking forward to the game, too. Tonight I was putting her to bed and I mentioned that we get to watch Ohio State beat Michigan tomorrow. She got a worried look and asked, "But what if Michigan scores more points?" They won't, I reassured her. "Oh yeah," she answered. "We have Beanie."

Go Bucks! Michigan is kinda yucky!

Until next time,

Mommy Kel