Well, that was a first!

Yesterday Kaiden and I stayed at home to rest and not go anywhere, much needed for us both. It's been busy, a good busy though. While we rested, Mikey went to help his dad and their foster kid cut down a Christmas tree for his parent's house. Around 5:30 in the evening, I started smelling a smoky smell in Kaiden's room. This has happened before when our neighbors used their fireplace. For some reason, we can smell it through the attic access which is in Kaiden's closet. So I noted it and wasn't too alarmed because it's never been anything before.

Thirty minutes later, the smell is super super strong so I put Kaiden in our bed. It was so strong I decided to call Mike up at his parents just to see what he thought and let him know I was concerned that it was THIS strong. When I described what I smelt, he told me to knock on our neighbor's door and see if they (two college girls-very nice) had a fire going in their fireplace. So I popped over and asked. They weren't at all and even at that said they had to crack a few doors because their place was getting hazy with smoke. Huh?!?

I called Mike back, and he was very concerned. So he told me to call 911 to have the guys come out and just check to be safe. Ok, so I've never called 911 and I definitely want to keep our home safe, BUT I was super nervous to call because I know it will cause a bit of a ruckus (Yes, I'm that shy and don't like to draw attention to situations). The thing that alarmd me is that just in the past couple weeks, there's been several house fires. It seems to happen everytime it snows, so the firefighters say. So, I call 911 and explain I don't see any smoke but my husband was concerend about the smell, and the girls next door did have some smoke. The dispatcher said they were sending someone over to check it out.

So in the next few minutes comes the giant ladder truck (because we're in a complex on the 2nd floor), another truck, the Rescue, and battalion chief. In come the guys, checking K's room and the attic for signs of heat, etc. They also checked all the neighbors' houses. Of course, during all this Mike is on his way home (as soon as I got off the phone with him before I called 911). They never found the source of the smoke/smell, but they thought it did look like one of our downstairs neighbors had a fire in the fireplace ALL day and since all the pipes are connected, maybe there was a crack in a pipe that caused the upstairs condos to get a draft. That pipe would be SUPER hot after being used all day. I think our property manager is getting the chimney and pipes inspected this week to see if that's what it was.

So VERY thankfully, there was no fire or the start of one. I was definitely nervous, especially with it just being Kaiden and I, plus Mike had the good car because it was snowing. It was kind of cool to see the guys I've met several times and ate dinner with at the station in their actual gear and doing their job. They were so friendly and helpful.

I can now check "calling 911" of my list of things I've never done before. Thank goodness for DFRA!

A Thanksgiving Treat

The week of Thanksgiving this year was quite a treat. Grandma Krupa from Michigan came to meet Kaiden! She usually comes during Christmas every year, but this year couldn't get off work and wanted to see Kaiden sooner rather than later. Kaiden is Grandma Krupa's first great-grandchild. We were waiting for her at Mike's parents' house the night she flew in. When she walked in and saw Kaiden, she cried. It was such a sweet moment.

Grandma Krupa is such a fun lady. She's never met a stranger and is one of the most talkative/friendliest ladies I've met. Recently she bought a laptop and has started emailing at the age of 70+! This trip Mike helped her learn how to send pics with an email and how to use her digital camera. So cute! We plan to webcam her soon so she can see Kaiden grow. We always enjoy when Grandma K comes to town, and someday in the next few years we hope to visit her in Michigan! We're very grateful for the wonderful great-grandparents Kaiden has on both sides of our family.

Here's dad, Great Grandma K, and Kaiden playing

Welcome to the random thoughts in the mind of Steph

Here I am waiting for my hubby to come home early. He pulled his back on a fire call tonight, had to go to the ER (protocol even though he's just sore) and has to not work the rest of the evening. I SHOULD go to bed and sleep while K is, but I want to make sure Mikey gets comfortable, plus what better to do than enjoy blogging a random thought... or two?

So I've been thinking about the whole "Santa" fairytale that is big during Christmas and have come to a pretty amusing perspective the past week. Take aside all the fuzziness and fairytale-ness of "Santa" and what do you have?

An obese old man who "sees you while your sleeping", "knows when you're awake", and "knows if you've been bad or good". Plus, you better watch out and not cry? To top that, he so desperately wants to get into your house (bringing gifts of course because he stalks you and knows what you like), that he comes right through your chimney. Why not knock or use the spare key?? You know...with him going down your chimney that's an insurance claim waiting to happen. Either a) because he's old he'll break a bone, or b) he's no Skinny Minni and there's a chance he'll get stuck or his tooshie caught on fire. We all can imagine what happens from there.
Yep, Santa sues chimney owners for not having wide enough chimneys to deliver those gifts.

Nope, he doesn't sound creepy at all. Ha. Then I also think to myself, if Santa slimmed down, would America? Is he promoting obesity with his " belly like a bow full of jelly"? Hello Santa, bellies like a bowl full of jelly (aka JELLO) are SO not "cool" in our society. I wonder if marketers tried the idea and slimmed Santa down, would that motivate children and adults alike to be less obese and more in shape like Santa. How 'bout leaving Santa a granola bar and ice water instead of milk and cookies? Maybe that would cut back on the growing diabetes trend in America. Eh??

Of course, I'm just kidding! It's kind of fun to strip a fuzzy warm character down to reality. It's my sick humor. In real life, I probably wouldn't care for the stalker/obese man that songs portray Santa to be. Although St. Nick was a good man who really did help people.

Anyone reading this just might be thinking...poor Kaiden, he'll have such a twisted view of Santa. No worries, we'll have fun silliness with the whole Santa "thing" and I'll definitely keep my cynical humor to myself. I do LOVE Christmas time: the stories, the lights, the music, the real Reason we celebrate, and even the fun silliness that is Santa!

Three months and counting

Kaiden will be three months old on this Monday, December 7th! I cannot believe how fast it is going. We so enjoy him everyday! He is cooing more than ever and is super smiley when you talk to him. He's trying to laugh outloud but hasn't quite figured it out. It more comes out like a cough/smile/gurggle with little feet kicking turbo style.

He always keeps me guessing on something every week: why he'll have green poop for a few days, how to get rid of irritation on his scalp, or why he's fussy nursing for a spell. I hear it's only the beginning on guessing the"whys", but it surely is fun. I have to say I have wonderful friends that are moms themselves who are willing to answer my weekly "What do I do questions". They're awesome!

These days, Kaiden is trying to hold his up all by himself, and he is working hard to try to sit up on his own. It's too cute! Some things he enjoys are: getting his diaper changed-he gets so happy on the changing table, singing songs with hand motions, playing on his back batting at Mr. Frog, sucking on his paci to go to sleep, and snuggling.

Things K doesn't enjoy are: having a dirty/wet diaper on, being up past nap time, being held like a baby-he likes to sit facing the world now, and getting buckled in his car seat-he's sooo not a fan of that.

Here's his favorite hobbies we have pics of:

lots of sleeping...

lots of playing with dad...and mom but no pic yet

lots of reading...

and being QUITE the adorable turkey!

Couldn't you just gobble him up?!

One last catchup story

Kaiden is the first grandchild for both my parents and Mike's parents. He's the first GREAT grandchild for my mom's parents and for Mike's Grandma Krupa. So inevitably, there'll be quite a bit of spoiling and loving for the little man! I don't' want to forget the many blessings we received when Kaiden was born. Both Mike's immediate family and extended family have sent cards and gifts galore to welcome our son!

When Kaiden was born, he was very blessed to have Mike's grandparents, parents, brother, sister, and brother-in-law here to meet him. Mike's grandparents and parents were both quite generous! The great grandparents bought us a jogger stroller/car seat combo. It's so deluxe and perfect for our mountain town home! Mike's parents also blessed us with a baby swing, a pack-n-play, and the funds to get a very nice backpack as our diaper bag. Here's a few pics of Kaiden's great-Grandma and Grandpa Sinclair and his grandparents: Nonna and Grandpa.

(Mike's Grandma and Grandpa Sinclair with Kaiden)

(Mike's mom and Kaiden)

(Mike's dad and Kaiden)

A week and a half later, my grandparents were able to bring my mom with them for a visit to meet the new grandson/great-grandson. My mom stayed with us and was super helpful with dishes, laundry, and rocking Kaiden lots. She brought Kaiden several books to start on his collection. She's a librarian and finds amazing deals on book selections. My dad couldn't take anymore days off this year because of a back surgery he had. So he didn't get to meet Kaiden on this trip.

(My mom, me, and Kaiden)

(a four generation pic)

I enjoy a great friendship with my grandparents (Nanny and Papa). They've always been very involved in my life since I was little. It was a treasure to see them meet their first great-grandchild. They spoiled us too in helping us buy Kaiden's nursery furniture and the wonderful Baby Bjorn carrier. This was the first time my family had been able to come back for a visit since the wedding (which was a whirlwind/busy time). This time we were able to take walks downtown, a drive to Silverton, and eat at Serious Texas-which all Oklahomans that visit seem to LOVE. I was still so very tired, sore, and adjusting, but it was a good time overall. I felt very loved they took the time to come meet our son!

This January Kaiden gets to meet my brothers and sister-in-law: Uncle Zack, Aunty Meg, and Uncle Joe! It'll be very exciting to have them come here! Kaiden is very blessed to have family in his life who love him dearly.

Ahh, my 7th grader

Today I took my 7th grade class to Starbucks to enjoy a tasty beverage out of the classroom and discuss life and a homework assignment! There's only one girl in my class, and with the questions she was asking me it seemed like she didn't order on her own much. After we hashed out ideas, she started to tell me what she wanted and started to hand me her money. So I told her ok, just tell the person behind the counter what you just told me, and YOU give them the money. It was her first time ever in a Starbucks! Crazy, huh? I suggested a hot chocolate to her because she wasn't really a coffee drinker. Thankfully, she had drank hot chocolate before. Whew!



So as we are in line, we're standing in front of the pastries, and I am recomending different ones to her (I used to work there and did lots of sampling-yum!). After I pointed out a few I thought were delicious, she said "So that's why you brought us here, so you could eat all of these. Ya know, my older sister eats stuff all the time she shouldn't eat."



I'm thinking but not speaking: Say what?? Oh honey...



I nicely replied that I wasn't going to get anything to eat, just a drink. I honestly think she thought I was going to mow down on pastries!

My cup runs over

Tonight, Mikey is at work. While Kaiden has been awake in between naps this evening, we've been singing... worship songs, silly made up mommy song, and Christmas songs. I have to introduce Christmas songs to him at a young age because of how much we LOVE Christmas!

So what does Kaiden do? This evening every time I have started to sing to him, he starts to "coo" right along with me, and his eyes just sparkle. It is the most precious thing, and my heart has melted into a puddle all evening. When I stop singing, he stops coo-ing and just sits there gazing at me. He's singing WITH mommy! I've got to get it on video; this is something I can't forget.


My cup runs over... as does my love for our son.