Week Thirty-Two

We're finally back from our long vacation and ready to post about all of our many adventures! 

On the evening of Thursday, May 27th we made the first leg of our journey and landed in Ellensburg, WA for the night.  After those 4 hours in the car with Kai I thought I wasn't going to survive all of the driving that we had to do in the coming days (unless I purchased a high quality pair of ear plugs that is).  It's obvious that our little bundle of constant movement, energy and curiosity does not really like to be strapped into a carseat for hours on end, and prefers to look at the many things going by outside the window rather than sleep.  However, the next day he made a turn for the better and was a trooper for the rest of our trip and the MANY hours in the car. 

On Friday we continued our journey, stopping for a quick shopping trip at Ikea and continuing on to North Seattle where Bryon wrote the first of four CPA exams he has to take this year.  In the meantime, Kai and I had fun meeting up with a few friends in Seattle.

Then, on Saturday we met my parents in Seattle and Bryon went south to ski with Joe in Oregon while Kai and I went north to visit my family and friends.

All ready to leave on our big road trip.

Emily Harvey

Kai, Emily and Johnny

Johnny was one of the few people kind enough to let Kai play endlessly with his shoelaces. 

Needless to say, Kai was delighted!

Laura came and met us at our hotel and we went out for dinner together.

Getting all ready for his first Top Pot donut, complete with his onesie from Andrea and Danielle. 

(We've been waiting for this day for a long time!)

Devouring/attacking his donut!

Bryon sent his old guitar to Kaden, so Kaden and Kai tried it out together.

Kai with his second cousin, Alyse.

And, his second cousin, Stewart.

And, more relatives...my mom's cousin Cathy.

And, Cathy's husband Bob.

One of Kai's favorite friends at my parents' house.  However, the next day he began mauling it so that relationship quickly came to an end :)

Meeting Danielle for the first time.

Breanne

Kai loved the trampoline, and would burst into loud chuckles whenever anybody jumped.

Visiting Diane's cow.

Week Thirty-One

About three weeks ago Bryon decided he was fat, so Kaibo told him that he needed to start running.  Since then, Kaibo has proven himself to be a worthy coach.  Each night after work, the father-son duo go jogging and as a result Bryon's flab is rapidly falling away and mommy is enjoying her half hour of peaceful dinner-making!

Coach Kaibo

Week Thirty

Kai's little personality is definitely growing by leaps and bounds these days. Whether it's letting us know he's impressed or not impressed, he does it with gusto (as you'll see in the pictures below). And, he's rapidly becoming quite the little ham, just like his daddy.

We also had a doctor's check-up this week and Kai weighed in at 18 lbs. 10 oz. and was 28 inches long.  No wonder all of his clothes are getting too small!

And perhaps the biggest news of the week is that Kai has now officially dropped the swaddle.  A few weeks ago I started leaving one arm out of the swaddle and that seemed to go fine, so this week I finally decided that it was time to drop it completely.  He seems to like his newfound freedom (which sometimes means more playing than sleeping goes on in the crib), but for the most part he's still been napping and sleeping really well.  Hooray!

His newest joy is rolling around in his blanky and playing peek-a-boo.

Or just rolling into walls that he can't see!

Second haircut..."Hmm, this seems to be okay."

"Well, I'm not quite sure."

"Okay, yeah, I hate it!"

First bath without his bathing seat.  He absolutly loved being in the big tub.

As you can see, he stirred up a few waves with his "swimming".

And bathtime came to an abrupt end when he turned around and discovered the chain/plug!

Daddy is by far Kaibo's favorite person to play with.

Checking out his new pool.  Not too sure what to think...

Not really loving it...

Definitely not loving it!

"Okay, this is a bit better."

"Yup, all better!"

One of his new favorite toys...following in daddy's footsteps.

I love this face!

Week Twenty-Nine

Mother's Week continued at our house with lots of fun surprises from my boys, and ended with a great family celebration on Sunday.  After church we went to City Beach and gave Kai his first wading experience in the lake.  He wasn't even phased by the frigid water!  Then, after a nice Sunday afternoon nap for me and Kai, we went to another beach park for a picnic (just like my family always did on Mother's Day when I was growing up).  

I LOVE being a mom. 

Thanks again to my two favorite boys for a great week!

Day 3: A treasure hunt ending in a choice between a massage or a treat.  Somehow I managed to get both!

Day 4: This is how Bryon appeared when he arrived home from work on Thursday!

Day 5: A relaxing Friday evening.

Day 6: Homemade eggs benedict on Saturday morning.  Yummy!

Day 7: Mother's Day!

Week Twenty-Eight

Welcome to "Mother's Week" at the Budensiek household.  Yes, my wonderful husband and son decided that they would not only plan something special for Mother's Day, but for each day this week leading up to Mother's Day.  I am obviously very spoiled to be the mom of an awesome son and the wife of an amazing husband. 

A big thanks goes out to my two favorite boys!

Day 1: Lilies and Ben & Jerry's ice-cream

Day 2: Java Chip frapuccino and a doughnut left on our doorstep