Patience...A Virtue or A Curse???

When I first started working with Merrill Lynch (2 years ago) Ben bought me this orchid as a desk warming gift. I loved it, watered it, even bought fertilizer for it. The blooms lasted for about 2 months and it was beautiful. After the blooms were gone, I still loved, watered, and fertilized it...but without any gratitude from the plant. All it had was leaves, no flowers. Everyone at work made fun of me for keeping the plant around. I religiously watered my little flowerless plant for 2 years.... When I went on maternity leave from work, I took my ungrateful friend home with me so I could ensure that it would be taken care of... One day a shoot appeared...then, a shoot and several buds...this morning, I had my first bloom!
It is beautiful and I love it!
I would always see orchids for sale at the store and think that I should just buy a new one...They are about $20-$25. I bet I spent about that much on water, fertilizer, and time in the past two years...sad, but now I can say it was worth it.

Walkin' On Sunshine

Colorado is so beautiful! I cannot wait to take Kai out in a running stroller this summer, go to the pool, and have BBQ's in the warm weather. It was such a nice day today and Ben and I couldn't resist taking Makai out for a walk. This is the first outdoor walk we have ever taken him on. I loved it. Kai pretty much slept the entire time. Here he is sucking his favorite thumb.
This was taken after the walk...Sound Asleep

What Color Are You?

What's Your True Color?

My Result: Yellow

You're yellow, the color of joy and energy — two things you definitely bring to everyone around you. It's hard for anyone to be sad or lonely in your presence; your sunny disposition and cheery outlook just won't allow it. The warmth of your personality shines through in the kindness you show friends and family (and strangers, too). Always ready with a lighthearted joke or heartfelt compliment, you know how to make people feel good about themselves, so they can't get enough of you. Yellow is a warm and inviting color for a warm and inviting person — you!

Take this test >

Our Little Roly-Poly

Makai is starting to become a bit more mobile. He has previously rolled over from his stomach to back. He has done this about 3 times...until today. Today he has been rolling around everywhere...(stomach to back and now back to stomach). Ben and I are just floored b/c he acts like it is no big deal. It is as if he has known how to do it for a while now but was waiting for the right moment and audience. I am so happy that Ben was home to experience it with me.
I love it! We will try to get him on video and post it for everyone to see.
These are some pictures showing how Kai doesn't like to sit still anymore. He is all about grabbing his feet and reaching for things now. It is so fun to watch him learn.

Makai's New Favorite Thing

He has found his feet and is loving life!

It is amazing how flexible babies are...

Sunday Football

Cowboys vs. Giants
Go Cowboys!!!
Thank you for my Cowboys gear Grandma Lundeen!



Kai is starting to get some rolls on his legs...I had been so worried if he was getting enough to eat. I never thought I would be so excited about "thunder thighs," so hopefully this means Kai is getting enough and is right on track weight wise.

Little Man

I love dressing Makai in "Little Man" clothes. He is so handsome! Me and my little man...
Ben and Kai in thier church clothes...

Bath Time TOYS!!!

Learning Cause & Effect

You can hear Kai better if you pause the music player at the bottom of the page. You will have to hit pause twice though.

As much as I hate to admit it...I think Kai likes this saucer more than he likes the jumper. This saucer is a hand me down, and the jumper is brand new. If I have learned anything about Kai, it is the cheaper the toy, the more he will like it.

I love this video b/c he is so excited in it. He is sitting in a saucer, so everytime he moves the saucer rocks a bit....I hope this video doesn't give you motion sickness.

I Love My Jumper!!!

We are so excited that Kai is finally interested in toys.

I had to put this picture in because he is striking his most famous pose!

Squawking...

This is Makai's latest form of communication. I think he sounds like a bird.

Can't Bear to Part with My Thumb

Kai really loves his left thumb. (I often wonder if he will be a lefty like me. Ben said he wouldn't mind as long as he was a pro baseball pitcher). Today he fell asleep while I was holding him and when I looked down this is what I saw.

Chicks Dig Me

Kai always manages to scratch his face, even if I am sure his nails aren't long enough...he will find a way.
This is Kai's favorite thing to do lately...eat his hands.
I wanted to get a really cute shot of this outfit b/c he looks so adorable in it, but he would not hold still long enough. He has now started to arch his back when he doesn't want to sit up and kicks his legs like crazy. I can't even eat dinner with him sitting on my lap very well b/c he will stick his hands in my food and grabs my fork. So, the best shot we could get of this outfit is all bunched up.

Milestone!!!

I gave Kai some tummy-time earlier today and not even a minute later I looked down and he was on his back! He had rolled over like it was no big deal. I am amazed at how fast he is learning, and even more amazed at everything he tries to put in his mouth. :o)

Kai's First Christmas

Can you see the enthusiasm on Kai's face?! This outfit is from Grandma Michaelson and Kai just loves it.
Ashley on Christmas morning with Kai and all the pups.
Ok, so we went a bit overboard with Kai's Christmas presents this year. He can't play with any of the stuff we got him really...but he will someday. His pile of presents was more than ours put together! It is so fun having a kid. I can't wait till next year...
I love this picture of Kai and Ben. Kai really loves his daddy. Ben can always make him smile.