The Circus

We went to the circus on Saturday night!

No, not that kind of circus.  

This one

We went to see our friends Nikki and Casey and their 3 kids - THE CIRCUS!  

I joked with JT one time telling him that Taylor and I were going to the circus.  He was a bit confused because he knew the circus wasn't in town.  At that time they had a 3 month old, 16 month old and a 3 1/2 year old (the youngest is now 9 months old) so I dubbed them 'The Circus'.  I thought going over there it was just going to be mass chaos with one lone, tired mother in charge - and we were coming to add to the chaos.  Much to my surprise, it wasn't a circus at all - there wasn't one child crying the whole time.   Even though Nikki has everything under control (at least the times I have been there) we still call them The Circus and Nikki as the Ringmaster.

They invited us over for dinner.  Thank goodness they have a big table.

Not the best picture, I know.  But all 4 kids are in the frame which is a feat alone.  There is a lot of noise at the dinner table between the 3 older kids.  And then there is innocent Ally

Who just sits back and watches all the craziness go on.  She is the most laid back baby.  I have NEVER heard her cry, not even a whimper.

After we ate, the kids all played

And Taylor fed the dogs out of her snack cup.  Which she loved.  

We had a great time, thanks to The Circus for a fun filled, exciting, chaotic evening!

Blue Eyes

I just love this picture.  I took it with my phone last week, and its my new favorite.  People always comment on Taylor's sparkling blue eyes.  I am not sure how to react because I don't feel that I should take credit for them since both JT and I have greenish eyes.  Mine sometimes look blue if I am wearing a blue shirt - but they definitely aren't Taylor-blue.  

It still looks as thought she is going to be tall, with straight blonde hair and blue eyes.  JT is already thinking of ways to scare of boys, while polishing his gun.

And doesn't she just look so much older?!  Definitely not a baby anymore.  I don't think I am one of those moms that wants to hold on to babyhood forever.  We are having so much fun with her, that I find myself looking forward to her getting older rather than looking back on the baby days.  

Some fun photos over the last couple weeks

Lately, trying to grab the camera while I take pictures is a fun game for her...not for me.

Saying 'Oooooh'.  A new favorite of hers.

The Cowgirl Game

On Sunday we went over to Mari, Dustin and Clark's house to watch the Cowboy playoff game.  Our other friends Cody, Tara, Jill and Robert were there too - and Jill and Robert brought their dog!  

As everyone knows, they played more like cowgirls than cowboys.  Needless to say, it wasn't very fun to watch so we played with the kids instead and ate a LOT of good food.  I made 'cowboy cookies' to bring over

Taylor and Clark really love playing together, they just run around following each other to different toys (and swapping sippy cups I might add - for some reason they always go for the other's cup).  Here are a few pictures of them

For awhile the toy of choice was this plastic cup

Clark wasn't impressed by the team's performance either

What it would be like to have twins!

Trying to pick them both up was harder than I thought.  I got Clark in one arm, squatted all the way down to get Taylor, then tried to stand back up - WHOA!  It's like doing a deep squat (from a catchers squat) with 50 pounds!  Thankfully, I didn't topple over, but almost.

And finally here is a video of Taylor with dogs!  Believe it or not, she usually goes more crazy than this!  

After this, I went inside and told JT, 'You've got 2 kids and 2 dogs...good luck!'  

He didn't stay outside very long.

Thanks Mari and Dustin for having us over!  And thanks Clark for keeping Taylor happy and entertained!  We all had a great time.

There is always next season for the Cowboys...bring on the Rangers! 

Happy Birthday Eleanor!

On Saturday we celebrated Eleanor's 1st birthday over at her house with a great party!  It's hard to believe that our 'babies' are all 1 year old.  I just love this picture, especially Clark.

Where does the time go?  It seems like yesterday we were taking this picture, all 3 of us pregnant

And this picture, the babies as newborns

And don't they all look alike?  Blonde hair, blue eyes, super cute

So much fun.  Anyways, back to the party.  We all had such a great time.  The kids played, we ate some awesome food that Kara made, and visited with everyone.  Great party Kara and Jon and happy birthday Eleanor!  

A few more pictures of the festivities. 

The Little Gym

That's our little gymnast!  I cannot put into words how much Taylor loves The Little Gym.  She runs around that place like crazy - even more so than at home, which is a feat alone.  

Last week was the last class of the 'semester', so the instructors encouraged us to bring cameras and family members - like I need a reason to take more pictures.  Not to worry the next semester starts right up, so there is no down time.  She will still be in the same class as it's for 10-19 month olds.

They do lots of fun stuff, like riding on the parachute like a merry-go-round with their friends

Doing forward rolls and wheelbarrels with Mom (geez, could I look more intense?)

Pullovers on the bar

Playing on the air track - this big, blow-up thing (these were taken awhile back at a birthday party of one of the boys in her class)

...

And other things (that we didn't get a picture of) like working on the balance beam, playing with balls, bubbles, back handspring motion, and lots of other things I can't think of right now.  

Her class (some are missing or wouldn't sit down for a picture) and her medal!  We are so proud.

We have made friends there too.  It's great because all the kids are about the same age, which makes for great playdates outside of class

This is Taylor's friend, Hendrix, who has been in her class since we started going.  His mom, Cassie, and I get along great and enjoy each others company.  And as you can see, the kids get along too!  Taylor was very fond of his toy bike (and their dogs - seriously need to get it on video) and Hendrix wanted on with her!  So cute.

We are so thankful for places like The Little Gym where Taylor learns so many things and makes great friends.  

13 Months

Taylor turned 13 months yesterday!  She is learning so many things so quickly.  Our days are full of new discoveries, like this

The rest of the body parts are a work in progress.  I showed her where he belly button was one evening and now she loves to find it and look at it.  

As you can see I am experimenting with her hair and got it in a ponytail!  She will only sit still for about 30 seconds for me to quickly do it, and it's a one shot kind of deal.  

And new things like bathrobes in the morning

Isn't that the cutest thing?  I asked JT to put a sweatshirt on her one morning when it was pretty cold outside and she came out wearing this.  We got that as a gift before Taylor was even born and never put her in it until now.  So now every morning she wears her bathrobe.  Super cute.

She is understanding a lot of what we say and reacting to it.  If we ask her if she is ready to take a bath, she walks into the bathroom and hangs on the side of the tub.  And for nap time, I tell her its time to take a nap, we find her bear, and she carries him into her room.  

The only word that she says is 'kitty' but it sounds like 'titty' ... oh well.  She says it all the time when the cats are around, and she is playing with them (chasing them).  She still says 'Dada' a lot but it's usually not directed at JT.  She throws in a 'Mama' every now and then, but again it's not usually directed at me.  She talks a LOT, but sounds like a different language.  I am sure SHE knows what she is saying, but we don't.  I know that will all change very soon.

She is still taking 2 naps a day, and sleeping close to 12 hours a night.  Eating 3 meals, with usually one snack and is off formula.  Her favorites are still chicken nuggets and cheese, in any form (cottage, string, pimento, cream, you name it).   She is in almost all 18 month clothing, with a few 12 month pants in the mix.  She goes crazy for dogs, usually the bigger the better and loves to look at books with animals.  She likes to play with balls and will throw it or kick it on command.  She will dance (shake her booty from side to side) when any music comes on, and the ABC's is her favorite.  She has gotten over stranger and separation anxiety for now, but I know it comes and goes.  She is definitely not shy in the least and will go up to anyone and give a smile.  

Here are her 13 month pictures! (I couldn't pick just one)

The medal she is holding is from Little Gym, a post on that to come later!  (I had to give her something to keep her somewhat occupied while I took pictures)

Silly Girl

I inadvertently left my camera cord down in Wheelock so I haven't been able to upload any pictures or videos for a week!  I actually think Taylor got the cords (my phone charger was with it) out of my bag and hid them from me.  I never took them out of the bag the whole time we were there, but somehow some little stinker got them out.  

We have been having a lot of fun playing with Taylor.  Lots.  She loves to be chased around the house

At night JT has been making a fort out of blankets and kitchen chairs for Taylor to run in to.  She LOVES it.  She also loves to run around like a crazy person after dinner.  She has so much energy!   We try and wear her out so that she sleeps longer in the morning.  I think it's working since she is waking at about 7:30 am, hallelujah!  

For some very strange reason, after she turned 1 she started to take a pacifier.  

 Crazy girl.  And she started carrying around a stuffed animal everywhere she goes.  Both of these make nap and bedtimes a LOT easier.  There is hardly, if at all, any crying!  Again, Hallelujah!  We have been trying for a YEAR to find something that comforts her besides us.  We have put soft blankets, animals, you name it in the crib with her thinking she would attach to something, and she finally did.  

The other night I made corn on the cob and Taylor was starring me down while I ate it.  So, I gave her some and could not get enough of it!  

Guess I have to make corn on the cob more often.

We usually leave the tray of her high chair (it comes off) on a chair with cheerios or goldfish on it throughout the day.  I can't remember why, but I put it on the floor with cheerios on it and she did this! 

Just sat her little butt right on the tray and started eating.  Crazy girl.

And this is just plain cute.

Mari and Clark came over for a playdate the other day.  Mari was looking at a book with Clark and Taylor desperately wanted to sit with them.  She has always loved Mari...and who wouldn't?!  :)   So, of course, I had to get a picture.  Taylor is WAY into books these days.  

That's all the silliness for now!  

Top 10 of 2009

Here are a few top 10's from the past year

Top 10 Things I Have Learned
10. Acting silly to get your child to laugh is totally worth it. Even in public.
9. No matter how annoying/loud/obnoxious a toy is, it's better than a screaming child
8. Everything is a phase, give it time and it will change
7. Nap time is a great, great thing. (bearing your child actually takes a nap)
6. Never underestimate a schedule, it works wonders
5. And never underestimate Grandparents, the work wonders too
4. Always close the toilet, unless you want to find a surprise in it later
3. No matter how loudly your child is screaming, the world is not ending and tomorrow will be a better day
2. Don't blink because you might miss something great
1. Through everything, love conquers all


10 Things I Say Way Too Much
10. 'Taylor, get out of the bathroom'
9. 'What do you have?'
8. 'Taylor, you can't have my cell phone. Who are you calling?'
7. 'No, you can't have the remote control'
6. 'Did you poop?'
5. 'Taylor, be nice to the kitties' or "Phoenix, be nice to Taylor'
4. 'Let's get your shoes on, where are your shoes?'
3. 'Where is your Daddy?'
2. 'Taylor, no you can't play with the extension cord'
1. 'What is that in your mouth?!'

10 Things That Make Me Smile
10. Taylor's bed-head
9. When JT makes my coffee in the morning
8. Taylor's shake-her-booty style of dancing
7. Taylor's reaction to a dog (I need to get this on video, she goes crazy for dogs)
6. Watching Taylor run to the door when JT gets home, she loves her Daddy
5. Taylor at The Little Gym, she absolutely loves that place
4. Having a clean house (it's a rare occurrence)
3. Family hugs with all 3 of us
2. Seeing Taylor and JT together
1. When Taylor looks around for me, then smiles immediately when she spots me. Just making sure I didn't leave.