Looooong time no see!

It's been awhile since last I blogged and I have some catching up to do! But first, an excuse... perhaps flimsy but at least a reason for the big delay in this post. Our computer was in the shop- something to do with a fan and so it was sent off to the place where computers are fixed and we were without my blogging laptop for a couple weeks. But it's back now and so I am going to combine what would have been three or four posts in to one big one and then try to keep up from now on!
So first on today's post- Presely's 1 year birthday party at my parents. It was a lot of fun- sort of a replay of Kieran's what with the pizza, cake and family/friends... but with lots and lots of PINK! Presley was a little doll in her spotted sun dress and later her pink tutu. Kieran and she had lots of fun playing with all her gifts- in fact Kieran wasn't completely convinced that some of the things didn't belong to him ;) Presley loved her cake- who doesn't love sugar- especially pink sugar?! Thanks to grandma and grandpa for putting together another fun and memorable birthday for the grandkids!
The outside pics are from Kieran's 13 month birthday. KP LOVES to be outside, playing in the dirt with grandpa or blowing bubbles with mom and dad- doesn't matter to him- he just wants to be out! As you can see he is growing again- he seems taller and a bit leaner, more and more like the little boy he is destined to become. He still isn't walking unassisted yet but he takes a lot of steps holding hands and cruising around furniture and walls. He stands from a seated position by himself pretty well now- but those first independent steps have yet to come- however I am sure they are just around the corner!
Kieran hasn't added any new words recently to his vocabulary- I think he is too busy concentrating on this walking thing. In fact most things are now "da" or "dada"- much to Rick's delight ;) He is eating more and more finger foods as mommy eases up on her terrible fear of choking-just a little ;)
We have spent the past few weekends with family a lot and some with friends. We visit grandma/grandpa every weekend and love to play outside- grandpa has even let Kieran ride in the wheel barrel which he isn't too sure he likes but it's cute anyway. This past weekend grandpa was working in his flower bed and when Kieran came out to see what he was up to, grandpa put KP's feet in the dirt and buried them! Kieran thought this was great fun and proceeded to kick the dirt everywhere- too cute!

A couple weekends ago we had a garage sale, which kept us busy all spring break as we prepared. Lori and Jesse were nice enough to host the sale in their yard. We sold a ton of stuff- it was great to get the basement and closets cleaned out. All of this of course is in preparation for our eventual move. Rick has been busy working in the yard- getting it in better shape for curb appeal. We have also begun packing away things like books and frames to make the house seem larger, less cluttered and more like a "hotel room" as has been suggested to us to increase our chances of selling. It's been strange packing away things that I know we won't see for a year or more but it's also nice to open up the house a little and declutter as well.
I have been busy looking for day care for Kieran for next fall as Sheila is retiring. No luck yet but we have our name on a few wait lists and I have seen a couple in homes as well. I think finding care for Kieran has been one of the hardest choices we have had to make so far. It is such a big deal- letting someone else care for and basically raise your child while you are at work. Talk about guilt. And when we finally get comfortable with someone, we have to change and do it all over. We are taking suggestions, so if anyone knows anyone or can recommend an in-home or center, we would love the advice.