Taylor Lately

Taylor is now 4 1/2 months old and seems to be doing new things everyday. She is rolling over (tummy to back), can sit without support (while leaned forward a bit) for up to 20ish seconds, grabs for anything within reach (like my hair, ouch), babbles constantly, laughs out loud, watches the cats, watches the cars go by, loves to watch the American flag we have blow in the wind and lots of others! She sleeps very well through the night, but naps are still a struggle - we seem to be making progress as for the past week or so she is taking consistent 45 min - 1 hour long naps, 3 times a day (she took a 2 1/2 hour nap yesterday afternoon, I am still in shock). She doesn't take a pacifier (and acts like its the most disgusting thing on the planet), but will suck on my knuckle to go to sleep and is starting to suck her thumb. I am trying to encourage the thumb sucking because really nothing comforts or soothes except JT and I. She loves her playmat and grabbing the toys that jingle. She is starting to like her jumperoo more, but still hasn't figured out how to jump. She still doesn't like to be strapped into her car seat (or really anything for that matter) and is usually fine after a short while. Her eyes are very blue and the new hair coming in is very blonde - that equals trouble come the teens years! She loves to go outside no matter the temperature or weather. She hardly ever sits still and is always movin' and shakin'. I swear she is going to walk any day now :) She only tolerates bath time and clinches her fists - and she always smiles once we turn the water off and she knows we are done (so funny). When is doesn't fall asleep while eating, bouncing with her by running water always does the trick (at least for now). In the afternoons, we wait outside for JT to come home and once she sees him she is all smiles (no doubt is a Daddy's girl). She eats every 3 hours, and can stay awake about 2 hours at a time - then the wheels come off! She is very happy baby and is just taking everything in. Like I said, she is discovering and doing new things everyday!

As for JT and I - we are figuring out this parenting thing! We still have a LONG way to go, but doing pretty well I think. I have been going to my cardio kickboxing class (that I took pre-pregnancy) twice a week in the evenings while JT spends time with Taylor. He is such a wonderful husband and father - he encourages me to go, even when I don't want to. I always feel good afterward and glad I went. It appears to be helping as some of my pre-pregnancy clothes are fitting better. We enjoy our walks in the late afternoon/evening while the weather is pleasant. Come July those walks won't be pleasant - it will be blistering HOT! Soon we can get out the jogging stroller and go running together - Taylor has to be able to sit up on her own in order to use it. I don't miss my job, just the people there, and can't imagine anyone else taking care of Taylor all day. Even on the bad days, I am glad its me and not someone else. And now that she is napping better, it gives me a break in the day (like now) where before there were no breaks - at least not consistently. I can't wait for the summer months to come where she will be doing all kinds of new things - like swimming! I have a swimsuit all ready to go for her - I just hope it fits, she is growing like a weed! JT and I feel so blessed to have her in our lives and can't imagine it without her now!

Here are some recent pics of our sweet Taylor

My Cup Runneth Over

Like the new background?

And I thought I was computer/internet savvy. Apparently not. I just figured out how to get a "cool" background, instead of the boring ones that blogspot supplies. Only took a year.

Botanical Gardens

My mom had the great idea to take Taylor to the botanical gardens and take some pictures. It was such a beautiful day with everything blooming. Taylor was so interested in everything that was going on: the flowers, the fountain in the pond, all the people, sunshine, you name it! So much that she didn't want to look (or smile for that matter) at the camera. We still got some cute shots. Taylor got a cute outfit from JT's Aunt Sara (she is also named after JT's grandmother, like Taylor is...her middle name since they share the same birthday), so I thought what a great opportunity to wear it - she will probably out grow it by next week! Here are some of the pictures we took:









Thanks for the great idea, Mom!

Rolling Over

Taylor sorta rolled over today...with the help of me. She was on her back and trying with all her might to roll over to her tummy, so I got out the camera, then she was more interested in the camera than rolling over! I gave her a little push and over she went, then she was stuck, and then spit up...



After watching it, I gave her a bigger push than I thought. So, I wouldn't call this the first time she rolled over, but sure is close!

4 Months

On Easter Sunday Taylor turned 4 months old! We spent the weekend with JT's family as they had not met Taylor yet (except his parents, of course). All 3 of us had a great time! Taylor did very well, including sleeping which I was a little concerned about. Grandma Anita had everything set up just right for Taylor including a crib, changing table and rocker for mom and dad. They have 3 dogs, 2 of which are still puppies, JT would chase them around the yard and Taylor was fascinated by the running, barking dogs. She would just watch them run back and forth, trying to figure out what they were!

Today was Taylor's 4 month doctor's appointment. She is right on track and doing very well according to the doctor. She is still very tall, measuring 25 inches which is the 90th percentile for her age and weighing 14 pounds 14 oz., in the 75th percentile. We could have our hands full come teenage years with a tall, blonde hair and big blue eyed girl on our hands! JT is already concerned about boys.

Here are some pictures from this weekend

How 'bout them Rangers?!

Seriously. I know it's EARLY in the season, but the Rangers are looking very good. Above average pitching, good defense highlighted with some spectacular plays, and timely hitting. Put all of that together and you've got a winning season, something the Rangers haven't had in awhile.

Taylor and I watched Opening Day on Monday in our Rangers gear. Here she is in her Rangers uniform, thanks to my friend, Don, from work who works in the merchandise department!



Let's hope the rest of the season looks as good as the first two games!

Copacabana

Her name was Taylor she was a sweet girl
With spit up in my hair and the stroller is somewhere over there
We would pack up then she would poo-poo
And while Taylor looked for the stars I looked for the bar
The sun was so bright I nearly lost my sight
I shaded Taylor's eyes with the sun shade
Who could ask for more?

At the "COPE"-a, Copacabana!!!



I had named Taylor's stroller the Copacabana since it's like she has her own little cabana equipped with her own cabana boy Pedro (aka JT). Now everytime we put the sun shade up I feel the need to sing Barry Manillo's catchy tune Copacabana! Oh to be a baby and have your own moving cabana.

Great Day

Yesterday was a great day for all 3 of us. We had an Easter Egg Hunt with a picnic lunch planned in Grand Prairie with JT's reserve unit. We went to Central Market to get our "covered dish" that we were to bring and headed out! It was a gorgeous day with great weather. They had over 200 eggs to find, which candy in each one! That's my kind of Easter egg hunt!



Finding an egg


Taylor was very well behaved and only fussed once when JT handed her to me...she is a Daddy's girl! So, JT took her back and held her for about 45 minutes straight. He said his arm had knots in it...I told him I had no sympathy for him. Everyone commented on how good of a baby she was and of course how cute she is! There was a lot going on and the poor little girl was all tuckered out. She was getting big time sleepy eyes, so we laid her in the stroller and I "rocked" it for a bit and she passed out.



Once we got home, Jon, Kara and Eleanor came over for a bit. Taylor and Eleanor played together on the playmat and had a great time! Eleanor is so calm while Taylor is always moving her arms and legs back and forth, she kept hitting sweet Eleanor! It was good to see them all.



After they left we decided to go for a walk just around the neighborhood. We walked for about 15 or 20 minutes, noticed that Taylor was still (her arms and legs weren't flailing about like they usually are) and she was asleep in the big girl stroller! Something she hasn't done yet and wondered if she would since it seems that everything has to be just right for her to fall asleep. We decided to walk on over to Borders where JT got a coffee. She woke a couple of times with the traffic but drifted back to sleep. It was an exciting day, too much for her to handle! What a great day.

Warning: Cute Baby Pictures

Taylor tolerated tummy time very well today, for a few short minutes. I had her propped on her elbows and she seemed to do better, for a few minutes then the crying started. But, I got some CUTE pictures that I couldn't resist posting. Tell me that is not the cutest baby!

Baby Talk

Taylor has been doing a lot of talking lately. Here is a video or her talking while kind of upset. She does this mostly in the car after being strapped in, then talks to the toys hanging above her how much she doesn't like it.



I think she's trying to tell us something!