I'm a Blogging Slacker!

the kids getting goofy on the couch!

Yummy - fresh bananas!  

Mace with grandpa Pat's hat and suitcase 

tired girl!

I totally didn't realize how long it had been since I last posted something - I'm a blogging slacker! it seems we've been non-stop busy the past few weeks.  My mom and dad came for a visit two weekends ago, and my sister and her new man (LOVE HIM) came for a visit this past weekend. I've also begun planning Peyton's first birthday party, and Stacy's first baby shower.   I'll actually be helping to host two, a family one and a friend's shower.  The Kieneker and Hansen families are big enough on their own to qualify for one shower! ;o) thank goodness I have lots of help on both. 

Peyton's therapy is going quite well - in three weeks she's able to sit by herself, although not totally unattended yet, and is pushing up a lot more on her hands while on her tummy.  She also was very close fisted most of the time and we've been working very hard to get her little hands to open up and desensitize them.  Her therapist thought she would probably be commando crawling here soon if she keeps up her current rate of progress - SO exciting!  We got one round of her blood work and urine tests back, and were required to go back for some additional testing at Children's.  Some enzyme levels in her liver and chemical levels in her urine were what they call "questionably off".  Dr Collins (the neurologist following us) explained the first step was retesting a fresh sample of blood to see if the same results were found.  We received the wonderful news yesterday that her second round came back all clean, along with the genetic test!  WOOO WHOOO!!! 

Mr Mason and mommy have been clashing here a bit lately.  He's finally into asserting himself by strongly saying "NO!" to just about anything.  He is definitely testing what he can and can't get away with.  He threw his first big, public tantrum the other day in the middle of Albertson's, and called me "BAD MOMMY!"  - ha ha!  He's been spending a lot of recent spouts in "time out" and has had several talking to's about bad choices he's made and why it's not nice to do this or that.  It's definitely clear that three is going to be the challenging year for us.  I don't excuse his behavior by any means, but I think he's feeling a little less center-of-attention than he cares for with all the recent emphasis around Peyton.  Mommy is having to focus on her a lot, do exercises daily with her, and hasn't had much of a chance to get in some needed Mommy and Mason time.   I hope to do that either Friday or for a few hours this weekend.   The weather has been crummy so we've also been pretty tied to the house or play area of the mall, which is growing tiresome quickly.  I've been setting up some special away days for him and that's been helping a bit.  He got to spend some one on one time with his auntie Jennie and uncle Russ, and he had a day with just Grandma and Grandpa Kieneker today.  Tomorrow we're going over to a neighbors for a play date with his good friend Megan.  

I've been told four is worse but I'm hoping that wont be the case for him.   In fact I may develop a drinking problem if that holds true ;o)