Update...

So I just added a TON of pictures to Facebook, maybe if I get time I will update the blog, but it's not looking really good. So if you want to see what we've been up to, including the pumpkin patch, and pictures of our new house get a Facebook account and check them out :)

How much time do you have to read this?

Well my promise of more things to come has yet to materialize, sorry. So, I’ll fill you in on what has been going on with us the past three months….

The first few weeks in June were pretty boring for us (not including the broken arm, see next paragraph), not a whole lot going on.

The first Wednesday in June was a nice day; I called Amanda to see if she and her kids wanted to meet us at the park. We decided to go to Kiwanis Park and play for a while. Kenzie was having a good time, mostly picking up garbage (she does not like things to be out of place) and her and Jax got the on wooden/metal train thing (I’m going to take a picture so everyone can see what the heck I’m talking about). A few minutes later Jax took a digger, but he was ok (thank goodness), and about 30 seconds after that Kenzie took a digger from the same spot. She cried for quite a while, but I thought that she was just cranky as she had been the past few days. I took her home and she took a nap. When she woke up she was VERY cranky, and just wanted to cuddle and wouldn’t hold her cup or spoon *super off for her* I thought that if I got her out of the house it would be better, but after a few times of getting her in and out of the car seat I (finally) realized that something was up. I took her to work and had Amber (our absolutely wonderful Physicians’ Assistant who also does shifts at the ER) look at her. She told me to take her in and get x-rays on her arm, she thought that maybe she had dislocated her elbow. So to St. Joe’s we went (our first ER trip), and they got us in fairly quickly. Although once we got back to the room it seemed like we were there forever. They took x-rays and decoded that her arm was broken in 2 spots, the lower and the elbow. They splinted it and we set up an appointment with Lewiston Orthopedics. The next day she pulled off her splint so we had to visit Dr. Harris so he could re-apply it. On Friday we went to the Orthopedics and Dr. Flock took some more x-rays and said that her elbow was not broken after all just her lower arm, so he casted it with a cute little half arm cast and away we went. The next day, she pulled that sucker off, so we had to make a phone call to Dr. Flock to see what to do, (we had to saw it in half and wrap it around her arm), then on Monday they put a full arm cast on (went up past her elbow). She had to keep in on for 2 ½ weeks and it did not slow her down one bit. Eating was a pain because I had to wrap it every time, and baths were horrible, she would scream the whole time, but other than that the weeks went fast. We got the cast off on the 24th of June and they did more x-rays, Dr. Flock said that she was healed but to keep her away from playgrounds for the following 2 weeks. And that is the story of Kenzie and the purple cast. (Yes I have multiple pictures of this adventure too)

We thought about going to Seattle for Father’s Day, but decided not to and Waylon ended up with a new Ruger 9mm to take hunting with him instead. (He taught me how to shoot it last weekend and it was pretty cool).

The last week in June we went camping up past Fish Creek (see previous picks) and the story that goes along with that.

The weekend of the 4th we went up to the same spot but this time we were with my Dad’s family and we had a great time. Kenzie once again did great on the 4-wheelers, we went on about a 3 hour ride and she did really well. She also (almost) mastered walking over all the tough terrain in the campsite. I have pictures of this adventure and I hope to get them posted soon, but seeing how my previous promises of pictures have been broken I am reluctant to make any more. On Saturday morning we took to the parade in Grangeville, it was oh so very hot, but she loved watching it. She was pointing at the horses, and marching along with the band. She tried to chase after them too. She also liked picking up the candy, but she would put it all in her mouth if I didn’t watch her.

On Tuesday Kenzie and I went up to Spokane to visit Waylon. I have Wednesday’s off, but this is the first time we did not have something planned (Dr. Appointment, satellite install, etc) since he started working up there. We did some shopping at Target (my fav!) and the mall and I was able to order 2 new pairs of glasses for $69.95 (including lens), America’s Best is my new favorite place for eyeglasses. (I could do the commercial right?). I spent some time cleaning the camper since 3 boys living in 24 foot long space can get pretty stinky, and after Waylon got off work we went shopping at the mall for a while. Kenzie had to sleep in bed with us, which was fine, but since she never does this it was pretty interesting getting her to go to sleep. I think it was probably after 11 each night. She would lay still for all of about 2 seconds and then re-position herself, both Waylon and I ended up with feet and elbows in our face quite a few times. We left early on Thursday morning so I could get to work, but Kenzie got to stay home with a babysitter since the regular babysitter’s daughter got pink eye.

Currently Kenzie has a little fever, she got her MMR shot last week and the doc said that if she was to get a fever it would be about a week later, and he was right (amazing how they know these things). I don’t like it when she doesn’t feel great, but she let me rock her for about a half hour, and I loved that!

Mom and Me Swim Lessons

So Christel and I signed up for Parent Tot swim lessons at the aquatic center this summer. Layla is so good about floating on her back and my little munchkin wont let me lay her head in the water, although she doesn't mind it when we go under completly. We have class on Tuedays and Thurdays and I hope by the end she does a little better, this last time she was pretty cranky since it was about dinner time and she did not have a snack. She likes to get out of the pool and then sort of jump back in, but I think she would rather just run around the outside of it if I let her. Thursday Richie brought Layla in so Christel took some pictures for me.

Camping

(Note):

I am very behind on this posting thing..I plan on getting caught up in the next two weeks including pictures from our trip to the coast, Kenzie's baptism and pics of her broken arm (along with the stories, for now I am working backwards doing the most recent first.

So, this weekend we went camping up past Fish Creek, I love where we camp because it's this huge area with trees and DIRT!! and lots of trails for 4-wheeling, I am so excited becuase we are going there again this weekend for the 4th and it will be like the old times with my dad's family. Kenzie totally loved the whole camping thing, she adores everything outdoorsy so it was a good fit for her. It was easy to keep her away from the fire, I just had to tell her it was "hot" and she repeats it and goes the other direction, say "hot" next time you see her, its so cute! She also liked ridign the 4-wheeler, mom and dad got her a super cute helmet that fits great and she would just hang out while we rode, she fell asleep for part of the rides too. More later....

Oregon Coast

For Memorial Day we usually go camping, but with Waylon working in Spokane, it was a long haul for the camper and the 4-wheeler needs some maintenence, so we decided to take a family trip to the Oregon Coast. We booked our hotel room 2 weeks in advance (which is not much notice for me, I like to have things planned). We stayed at the Shiloh Inn in Newport and it was really great, the rooms were nothig special but they were really big and the bed was comfy, plus there was a fridge to keep Kenzie's milk in and a microwave to warm up my coffee. It had a great view of the ocean and we could walk right down to the beach. I knew it was going to be cold so I packed warm clothes for Kenzie and I, my dear husband however thought that shorts and t-shirts would be good for him. Needless to say, we ended up buying him a coat (the warmest it got over there was about 50). We also bought new underpants for my hubby since it seems he forgot what he needs to pack when we go places.

We spent some time on the beach by our hotel, but it was VERY windy and Kenzie was not really into it, so we took a drive and looked at the lighthouses and checked out the super cool tide pools. We visited the aquarium, which was awesome (Kenzie was in love with the puffins, should would have taken them home if we let her), and did some shopping in Lincoln City. The total drive was about 8 hours, on the way over I figured that Kenzie would sleep since we did not leave until about 4, but no, she hung out with us until about 10:30 then she finally dozed off. We got to Newport about 1 a.m., when she promptly woke up but we got her back to sleep, (even if she did spend the night taking up the majority of the king size bed in the hotel). The trip back was not too bad, she slept for the first 2 hours, had a snack, stoped at the outlet mall outside of Portland, hung out, ate lunch, got a little crabby, took another nap, got crabby again, played at a park along the way, and then hung out some more until we got home. I felt a little bad since she was in the car pretty much all day Monday, but she was fine as soon as we got home. I have a zillion pictures to post, and more about what is going on with us too, I just dont have the time to do it right now. Kenzie is getting baptized Sunday, so I will post pictures of that too.

Lets see, while I was looking at my blog to see if anyone had updated their's recently I realized that it has been a month, yes A MONTH, since I wrote anything.  So here is an update...

Waylon started working for my uncle's company Inland Crane, he is working out of town which kind of sucks, but with the crappy hours he usually had with Albright's we hardly notice the difference, plus the house stays cleaner and the laundry stays done longer.  He is currently on a job in Spokane and only works half days every other Friday.  He really likes the people that he works with and the company treats him good.  The best part is that he finally has direct deposit,  this may not seem like a big deal, but to me, not having to put a paycheck in the mail every other week is great, it is just there (like mine has been since the beginning of time) and its wonderful.  

My job is pretty much the same, my coworker who I share an office with was found to have breast cancer recently, she has had surgery and is now on medication, but it has been a little stressful there.  

Easter weekend was really great, my cousin's family came up to Cottonwood and Kenzie played with her little girls a lot.  However, she is getting very clingy to me.  I am not used to it because ever since she was born she wanted to be away, down, anythign but held, and lately she not only wants to be held, but wants to be held only by me.  The upside of that is that she will run to me and give me a hug, or cuddle with me a little and I love that.

Two weeks ago we had scrapbook camp at Christels' mom's house, it was really fun and I got 50+ pages done, I only had about 15 more pictures to scrap but decieded to go home to spend time with Waylon while he was home for the weekend.  

The Tuesday after scrapbook camp I headed to Nashville for a work conference, my mom was able to come with me so I could take Kenzie along.  She did really good on the plane, it was not nearly as horrible as I imagined it would be.  Our hotel was awesome (the room not so much), but we spent a lot of time walking around the gardens in the hotel and in the mall next door.  Kenzie spent a lot of time in shorts and dresses since it was so warm there, she got her first real "owie" on her knee Wednesday and kept re-injuring it throughout the week (it is mostly healed now).  We ate at a cool resturant with a huge fish tank with sharks and Kenzie got clam chowder in her hair (don't ask).  We discovered that she really hates colsaw, we went to the Country Music Hall of Fame, The Hermitage (Andrew Jackson's home), The Parthenon (replica of the one in Greece), and we attended the Grande Ole Opry.  The classes were good too and I learned a ton *which is good since it was the whole reason that I went*  Next year the conference is is Anaheim, so hopefully I get to go again.

Other things going on with Kenzie...

She now has 10 teeth, 4 front top, 4 front bottom, 1 bottom back and 1 top back

She is starting to climb, and it is so funny, she thinks that she can climb up onto anything but her little legs wont let her and she gets pretty upset

She is finally getting a little cubbiness to her, she eats all the time and her tummy and her little cheecks are starting to show it

She loves to dance, she will push the button on my clock radio so the music turns on and she can dance to it

More much too, but I think this post is long enough, I am going to add pics too so check them out!

   

Blevins Update

It has been a while since I have “blogged” but I really don’t have to much to talk about, and I have not taken any pictures of Kenzie since her birthday. We are working on taking her binkie away from her, and it is going pretty well if you don’t count the half hour before and after she is sleeping. Without her binkie she is jabbering a lot more, she says “cheese” when we take her picture and sometimes I can get her to say “done,” “more” “bird” and “book” and last night she said “thank you” twice. She has 8 teeth now, 4 on top and 4 on bottom, the last two on the bottom came in without any problems, and I was so thankful. We dealt with fevers and puking and runny noses and drool forever with the last teeth. Hopefully, all the rest will come in without issues as well.

Waylon started his new job this week in Spokane so Kenzie and I are on our own for the weeks to come. He will be working every other Saturday, but on the off weeks he gets Friday off so that way he will be able to spend sometime with Kenzie.

I finally got him to sell some of his horns last week. He has been horn hunting for about 3 years now and our little house could not take any more. He got rid of most of his good deer horns, so the ones that remain all fit into the trunk that they belong in. The elk horns are another story….he has 3 sets on top of the armoire in our room and a couple behind it.

I started my free trial at Gold’s Gym last week and I liked it so much that we joined for the year. I also get unlimited tanning so I am pretty excited about that. I have been to the gym everyday for the past week and I have been pretty sore, but it’s worth it if I am able to wear a swimsuit this summer without making everyone puke. Tonight will be the first time that I will go and put Kenzie in the daycare there, it makes me feel a little guilty that she is at daycare all day and then for a while in the evening, but she really gets bored at home, she likes to play with other little kids.

I have my last day of CASA training tomorrow, for those of you who don’t know CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate. I will be assigned a case and work with the social worker for a child or children that have been removed from their homes. The purpose is for someone to meet with the child and all of their influences including their parents, foster parents, teachers, counselors, etc. to make a recommendation to the court for the child’s well being. Eventually the court decides if they child can go home or if they need to find another permanent home away from their parents, and this decision is somewhat based on my reports of the child’s’ wishes, how the parents are doing following their case plan (drug treatment, parenting classes, etc), and if the child is in a foster/adopt relationship with the foster parents. I am looking forward to getting started with it, check out the website www.nationalcasa.org if you want more information.

For not having much to say this was pretty long…..

Birthday Pics

So here are some pictures of Kenzie's birthday party and her on her birthay. I took about 250, but since my computer is so slow I'm only going to upload a few. Hope you enjoy!

My little girl is one today....

One year ago right now, we were in the hospital waiting (as we already had been for the past 28 hours) and Kenzington Grace eventually did grace us with her presence at 6:13 p.m. only 39 hours after the first contraction. It has been quite the year for us, I honestly cannot believe how much she has changed in just one year and at the same time its crazy how fast that all went. She had her first holiday the day she was born *(St. Patty’s Day of course). And her second holiday less than one week later as Easter was very early last year. She started out with waking up every 2-3 hours in the middle of night, then her getting up at 5 and not taking a nap for quite a few hours. At 2 weeks she started coming to work with me (I was going crazy staying at home). When she was about 2 months old we took a trip to San Antonio, and then the first week in June she started daycare with Tiffany Gilmore. Throughout the summer we went camping and swimming, she had her first rodeo, parade, and Mariner’s game. We went to a few weddings and had many, many friends be born (Layla, Brit, Jaxon, Ava, just to name a few). She stared to sit up a little before six months and got her bottom two teeth around then too. She moved from her bassinet/playpen in our room to her own crib on my birthday in September. By October she was crawling a little and by the end of October she was into everything. In November she could walk with a push toy and around Christmas (at nine months) she was able to take a few steps. By the middle of January she could walk well, and in February she could officially run. She now has 6 teeth, 2 bottom and 4 top. She can dance, wave, and clap. She is done with formula, feeds herself with a spoon (very messily), loves whole wheat bagels, and likes to play peek-a-boo. She loves to “find” us from around the corner when we are hiding from her and she thinks is hilarious when we jump out and scare her. She is very attached to her blankies, and unfortunately also to her binkies. We are working on getting her off the bottle completely and she only has one per day. She likes to walk around holding onto her spoon after she is done eating. She can throw one heck of a fit if she doesn’t get her way. She says mama, dada, yeah, and a few other things that I am not sure what they mean. She now weights about 20 pounds (up from the 7 lbs 2 oz when she was born). There is so much more to it, but the important thing is, we love her to death!!!

Her birthday party was great, thank you to everyone that came I think that she had a really good time. I have a ton of pictures that I will post sometime soon. We are having a family birthday tonight so I will have pictures of that too.

Oh, and I can finally get pigtails in her hair...

For your viewing pleasure...

Atlanta...and more

Thursday morning I left for Atlanta (for work), it was a good flight and we got to the city at about 4 o'clock their time, which, in my mind left plenty of daylight hours to get some sightseeing done.  Unfortunatly my boss did not see it that way, and we instead spent most of the afternoon/evening in a mall (I usually LOVE to shop, but when I am some place I have never been before I prefer to spend my time doing things that I cannot do around here).  And then we went to our hotel and watched a movie (good movie, The Changling).  The next day we were in our conference all day (which was fine since that was the reason that we were there), but when we were finished we still had plenty of daytime left to do somethings, but once again that did not happen.  We took the MARTA (Atlanta's subway/train system) to Midtown and walked around for about 20 minutes and then went to Old Navy and back to the hotel.  The next day we were in class until 3 then we went to the Olympic Park and the Coca-Cola museum as well as the CNN center.  The Atlanta Hawks happened to be playing that night and we were right next to the stadium (literally), but my boss did not want to be out after dark, so we went back to the hotel.  The next day we came home.  So I do not know much more about Atlanta than I did before I left, however, I do know much more about what were went there to learn about (the conference was very informative), so it all turned out ok, I guess.

Back to the main thing in my life, Kenzie.  She is doing well.  We started her on milk two weeks ago and all seemed fine, however she did have a hive outbreak and I am still not entirely sure what caused that.  We took her off the milk for a few days and the hives left, and we have since put her back on it and the hives have yet to return so we will see.  She is eating mostly table food now, she really likes whole wheat begals and yogurt.  We are having a problem getting her to eat pieces of fruit although she still likes the pureed versions of the same things.  She can feed herself with a spoon now, it takes quite a while and she is messy but she likes it, so we go with it. 

Her birthday party is this Saturday at McDonald's.  I would have perferred to have it someplace else, but with all the kids that will be there I needed to have something for them to do that did not cost too much.  Her acutal birthday is on Tuesday, wow I cannot believe that she has been around for 365 days, how time really does fly.  I am in the process of uploading some pictures from the past month, and I will post them tonight, hopefully.  Waylon and I are putting together her present tonight, so hopefully that does not take too long.

Playing Catch Up

So I realize that my dedication to this blog has dwindled in the past few months and I plan to remedy that sometime in the near future.  I think tonight would be a good place to start and I will update you all on the going ons of the Blevins' household, but you will have to wait a little longer for pictures as I do not have the patience to deal with my 10 year old computer and the speed of the upload. 

As for us,  Kenzie's babysitter had her baby two weeks ago, and the week before that her husband had emergency gal bladder surgery, so we have been babysitter-less for the past three weeks,  however thanks to my mom, grandma, great friends, and a flexible work schedule Kenzie was never left unsupervised.. :)  She will be going back to daycare tomorrow.  I think she really misses it as around here there are no other little ones to play with and she seems to enjoy that interaction. We are starting her on regular milk now as well as working on getting her mostly on table food and off of baby food.  She cracks my up everyday with the stuff that she does.  Lately she has been drinking water and she will pile a whole bunch in her mouth and then let it all run down her chin and laugh, she thinks its great.  Thursday when I was home with her she was kinda being a turd and I was putting dishes away from the dishwasher, I turned around and she had crawled inside of it, craked me up.  Later, she brought me a book and hit me on the leg with it until I sat down and read it to her (10 times, its only a 6 page book).  Wow, she is growing up so fast.  

I was able to get about 10 scrapbook pages done this week, so that made me pretty happy as usually I do not get time to do them except at scrapbook camps.  I am caught up to the beginning of February now, so I think I will be able to take a ton of pictures at Kenzie's birthday party on the 14th of March.  I really cannot believe that she will be a year old in 16 short days.  

On Thursday I will be flying to Atlanta for 4 days for work, I am pretty excited because I have never been there, but nervous because it will be the first time that I have left Kenzie and acutally went out of town, usually if my mom takes her Waylon and I just stay home. 

Waylon is now back to work, and I don't honestly think he is too excited about it.  After spending all those days with Kenzie he really bonded with her and if he could be a stay at home dad I think he would now, seriously.  

Well that's all for us now, more to come. 

A Day In The Life

Today is Wednesday, and it is my day off, usually.  It seems as though lately I work most Wednesdays.  Anyway, today I was home most all day (except for the 2 hours I went to work), and Kenzie and I took a bunch of pictures.  We were playing with her kitchen, reading books, looking through the changing table, shopping with the shopping cart, doing some laundry, playing with my purse, all within about 30 minutes.  Then, after a much needed nap we went to the park.