Mirror Image

While in Newcastle over Thanksgiving, Kailer found the reflection of an adorable baby and couldn't help but want to kiss him!! He really enjoyed the mirror at Grandma's -- and he left a big 'ol slobbery mess for her to clean up too! :) You can just tell by his poor little eyes that he wasn't feeling well, but he was a trooper for most of the trip.

I should also note that last night (1/5/10), we officially saw that Kailer cut his first tooth!! When did he grow up, it's like I woke up one morning and he was no longer my little baby.

Winter Fun

I couldn't pick just ONE picture for today, so I did two -- because I, of course, think this little boy is the greastest thing in the world!
We still have an abundance of snow in our yard and we're suppose to get 3-8" still today! But Kailer didn't seem to mind one bit. I got him all bundled up and away we went to get the mail. It actually wasn't as cold out as it looks, but Kailer's little nose sure did turn red.

Picture A Day ...

One of my faithful readers as "challenged" me to add a picture per day to my blog. So in honor of her being such a great friend (and keeping her blog up-to-date so I have something to look forward to), I'm going to try. I have to put up my disclaimer right now though ... it wont happen when we're in on vacation because I wont have a way to upload photos. I also have to admit that some of them may need to be pulled from the past .... but I'll give it my best shot!!

My future Mets Player

(That's right Uncle Barry, METS ... not Yankees) :)

A Letter From The Dog

Dear Mr. Stork:

Seven months ago my parents came home with this little "bundle" of joy they affectionately call "Kailer" (or some other "cutesie" name that they've made up for him) and I am writing to you, because I think that there's been a mistake.

You see, up until 7 months ago I was THE most important person (that's right, I am a "people," even if I do have 4 legs and a tail) in this house. Now that this thing called "Kailer" is living with us, well I'm no longer Numero Uno. Now don't get me wrong, this thing that's living with us now is pretty cute ... but I can already see the T-R-O-U-B-L-E in his eyes. I mean c'mon the kid wants to ride me like I'm some kind of pony. And you wanna know the sick part of it all? My parents encourage me to play with "it." In fact they had me barking so much one night to please "it" that my poor little throat hurt. The "Kailer" thought it was hilarious though. Okay, I do admit, it was pretty fun to get all worked up in the house -- something I'm not usually allowed to do. However, I'm scared to think what's going to happen when this "Kailer animal" becomes mobile. Scary!!

It's this stuffed pony now, but I'm afraid I'm next!

Let me demonstrate what I mean by giving you an example. On Thursday night (New Year's Eve), I was lying on the couch, minding my own business when Mom approached me with "it," drooling worse than a Saint Bernard. Mom said, "Mesa stay." Oh okay, right, like that's fair! I'm trying to catch a few Zzz's on the couch and she brings this little drooling monkey to play with me. But being the good girl that I am, I stay and allow the little "Kailer" to pet me.

You can just SEE the orneriness in his eyes; I'm giving Mom the "if looks could kill," look!

"Oh no .. he's going to get me with that slobbery hand!"

I'll beat him at his own game and lick him before he can get me!

Then I decide to jump off the couch (to save my hair from a baby bath) and this is the look "it" gives me ... like this "Kailer" kid owns me or something?!

So, do you see where I'm coming from - and this is just the beginning! I know I have many, many, many more years of torture from this "Kailer." So I was wondering, Mr. Stork, if it wouldn't be too much to ask - do you think you could maybe bring this kid back when he's about 13 and no longer intersted in harassing me??

Your prompt attention to this matter is greatly appreciated, though I have to admit, I have my doubts. I've spoken to some of my other peeps in the neighborhood, who also have these minature humans living with them, and it sounds like they've become a permanent part of their lives. So if that's the case, I'll cope and learn to share my toys with "it." They did give me an insider's tip though, they said that if I sit next to this thing called a high-chair I can get all kinds of good food coming down to me ... it's like angels are dropping it from above. So maybe there is something to look forward to!!

Thank you in advance.

Mesa (aka: the dog)

May all your troubles last as long as your New Year's resolutions!

~Highlights From 2009~

January

*Dan is employed by Gallatin County and becomes a "sworn officer"
*We got to see our baby via ultra-sound at the end of the month.
February:

*My "baby bump" makes its first appearance at 22 1/2 weeks
*Steeler's won the Super Bowl -- Yeah!

March:

*Baby bump continues to grow (26 weeks)
*I made a work trip to Minnesota for work

April:

*Baby Bump at 31 weeks
*Dan leaves for the academy for 12 weeks

May:

*Kailer entered our life on May 30th; 5 lbs. 8 oz. 19 1/2 inches long
Our life hasn't been the same since that miraculous day!

June:

*Dan graduates from the Montana Law Enforcement Academy!
*We get the opportunity to have lots of family visit during the month of June.

July:


*Kailer and Mommy take a road trip to Wyoming for the 4th of July holiday!

August:

*President Obama visits Belgrade, MT. Dan has a busy weekend on "Presidential Duty!"

September:

*Aunt Jamie and Grandma McGinty throw Kailer a shower over Labor Day weekend in Newcastle.

October:

*Kaler's 1st Halloween!

*Dan's 2009 Mule Deer

November:

*Kailer's 1st Thanksgiving (Spent in Newcastle)

December:

*Kailer's 1st Christmas!

Wishing you all happiness and good health in 2010 ~

Happy New Year!!

Merry Christmas To All!

It's officially over, Christmas has come and gone, and I am still trying to figure out how I got so lucky to have such a loving husband and a perfect child!?! I am one lucky lady, that's for sure.

Our Christmas was nice, though quiet. Dan got home on Christmas morning around 7 a.m. and decided to open gifts and spend a little bit of time as a family before he needed to head to bed. Kailer wasn't as "into" Christmas as I had thought; we kind of anticipated that he might really enjoy tearing the paper and putting it in his mouth. He didn't. In fact, he really wasn't too impressed with sitting on the floor with nothing to do .. UNTIL he opened his "Move and Crawl ball" from Aunt Jamie. After opening that he was happier and actually played with the ball all day long. Christmas was also marked the 1st time that Kailer really sat up, unsupported for an extended period of time! Now he's a busy boy sitting up, reaching for things and enjoying a different 'view' of the world. In truth, he's just growing up too fast!!

Yesterday I hit some after Christmas sales and picked up a few more toys for Kailer. He should be all set for awhile. Santa brought him a traveling DVD player for road trips; as a mommy who's done a lot of traveling with him by myself, I'm very grateful that Santa thought of such a great gift!

After a long and busy day, our little Christmas angel was tuckered out ... time for bed ... sweet dreams!

'Twas the Night Before Christmas....

...Happy Christmas Eve Everybody...

The Mayland Family is sending you warm Christmas thoughts from Montana and wishing we could be spending time with family and friends. Unfortunately Dan's work schedule dictated our Christmas this year and we are spending it at home. Thanks to some modern technology (Skype) we will be able to see some of our family "live" tomorrow via the World Wide Web.

We had a good day, despite the nagging feeling of loneliness in our hearts. We started out with a breakfast of homemade Egg Nog pancakes and bacon! Not only did Mom and Dad enjoy the pancakes, but so did Kailer. We had a busy morning of playing with Kailer and making him pose for lots and lots of pictures! I am wondering if some day he will look back at all of these pictures and think his parents were crazy?!

After three attempts at getting Kailer down for a nap (he didn't want anything to do with it!), Dan and I rolled our the sugar cookie dough and got to baking. After all, Santa needs cookies too!! Dan claims that he never made cookies as a child, so he was thrilled to get his hands on the assortment of shapes and he was like a kid in a candy store for the first time. We had a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to the upcoming years when Kailer is just as eager to help. I did tell Dan, however, that he couldn't continue to eat the cookies as he was decorating them! ;) Dan informed me that Santa is Lactose Intolerant, so we will be leaving him Soy Milk - good thing he likes Soy, since that's all that we have in our fridge.

As part of an annual tradition for the past 20 years, we also watched (Well, I recited every line) Christmas Vacation! Such a classic show and a great way to spend part of the day snuggled together on the couch.

We then capped off the night by listening to "The Night Before Christmas," and then putting our angel to bed.

Now my little elf is snuggled in bed with visions of sugar plums dancing in his head! His Dadddy is at work and I'm baking a Black Forest pie for tomorrow. Dan and I are very excited for Kailer and his first Christmas!! We will post pictures and hopefully a video for you all to enjoy.

Again, we wish everyone a very happy holiday. Our hearts are lonely without you, but the joy of memories from the past keeps you all alive in our daily life.

God Bless you all.

Merry Christmas from our tiny little bum-bum!