Birthday Celebration #1!

Lots of fun pictures and memories, so I have to split this into TWO posts!

A week before Taylor's birthday weekend, we celebrated with Ryan's side of the family with good 'ol pizza, cake and ice cream. :) Then we headed to the play area downstairs for some presents!

Of course the first thing Taylor wanted to play with was all the balloons

Now that Taylor is a bit older, she does so well with taking a bit of time to open each of her gifts. With Christmas being not too long ago, she had some recent practice with this :)

A "Minnie Mouse" boat

A dog that walks, and makes sounds

Grandma and Grandpa got Taylor AND Camryn a really neat new picnic table! Already makes me excited about the days of summer when we can have little friends over and eat lunches outside :o)

And of course the cake - Nemo theme this year :)

Big girl blowing out her candles!

Happy Birthday, Taylor!!

3

 
One post to talk about Taylor.

One post to talk about our now "three" year old.

One post. This won't even come close to encompassing everything about Taylor at this stage of her life. But I am going to try, because I want to remember her now. What she is like now. Who she is now. My first little girl. (And I have to put this in here, because it will be part of the memory of writing this, that Taylor is currently sitting on the couch, snuggled right up next to me, even though she is supposed to be sleeping in her bed.)

There will be posts about the celebration of this birthday, and the fun we've had, but this one is just about Taylor. :)

Where to start!

 Taylor's favorites ~ lovies (specifically white blankie and "Tony"), her apps on the ipad, reading books, spelling her name, giving us a kiss followed by a 'big squeeze' hug, snacks, playing downstairs while listening to songs, pretend games/conversations/scenarios with little figurines, making and listening to music, making Camryn laugh, anything to do with Christmas (I had nothing to do with that, promise ;o)), swimming, making independent decisions, coloring with crayons or markers, hanging out in only her diaper, kicking a soccer ball around and shooting goals, her aunts and uncles, her grandparents, she will loudly squeal "Mem!" when we first see her during a visit, loves certain TV/movie characters (Mickey and Minnie, Dora, Nemo, Doc McStuffins, Pooh), sleeping in mommy and daddy's bed, going to 'mama's school', the cottage, the fish tanks at Meijer and her pediatrician's office

Taylor's dislikes ~ doing something that is not her own idea, sitting on the potty (she is getting so much better, but this has been a real battle/struggle so far), wearing pajamas, wearing pants when we are at home - she will take them off as soon as we get in the door, having her hair rinsed during bath time, staying in her own bed, being told what to do (she will "shush" us quite frequently), paint of any kind - especially finger paint, Camryn playing with her toys, the shower head (she is very apprehensive about showers!), ice cream (we think it is because it is too cold), having to leave the pool, trying that first bite of new food, staying in her own bed all night long :o)

(see? no pants :))

THREE things WE love about Taylor right now...
1. She is a constant reminder to find joy in the LITTLE things... a new book for bedtime stories, jumping in a puddle (even after mommy told her not to), getting to push the buttons for the elevator

2. She will freely tell us the sweetest things... "I love you so much, mommy", "you're my pal" (that one makes us laugh), "thank you mommy, thank you for the yummy snack" "I'm sorry mommy, I'm sorry"

3. She is so observant and smart! (I am the mama, I can say things like that :)) Her ability to pick up on familiar words, letters, numbers, street signs, and spell her name, and recognize her friend's names, reading (memorized) books entirely by herself, and her memory when it comes to songs she hears and can sing back to us...we are so, so proud

OH, and I have to add this in - picking her up at daycare can make me smile, no matter how the day has gone - she squeals so loudly when we pick her up that everyone in the area knows that "Taylor's mommy is here" :o)

THREE things that Taylor does that makes her seem more grown up...
1. She now calls us "mom" and "dad" more frequently

2. What she accomplishes in her class at daycare, and learns from her teacher (we love Miss Jill!)

3. This may seem strange, but having her finally be to that age where she gets to take Valentine's in for her class, and that I got to make birthday treats for her little friends yesterday...I can just remember having birthday treats for school for my OWN birthday and getting to pass out Valentine's - I can't believe that I have my own little lady who does those things now!

THREE things we look forward to her growing out of...
1. Wanting to be in diapers ;)
2. Being apprehensive (stubborn?) about staying in her own bed
3. Not wanting to share with Cam (they grow out of that, right? :o))


THREE things we wish for her...
1. Another healthy year
2. Love
3. Laughter and lots of smiles

Love you so much, Taylor Leigh!

10 months old

This week, I bought Camryn a onesie that has the number "1" on it. "1" for her first birthday. The outfit she will wear on April 13. February is going quick, and then once March is here, we will be able to say "next month she is going to be one"!

Camryn hit a few fun milestones this month! She got her first tooth - a little guy on the bottom. We haven't seen signs of a second tooth yet, but I am sure it is not too far behind. Just as we had with Taylor, teething hasn't been a big issue for Camryn yet. Last Saturday morning, I was feeding her oatmeal, and then I got a peek at her gums, and sure enough - there was a little tooth poking through!

Camryn has also started to be able to walk behind her walking toy. And she is THRILLED about this new activity. Here is a little video that shows her ear-to-ear grin as she is trucking along. :)

 On a not so fun note - we've got an appointment scheduled for Camryn to have the surgery to get tubes in her ears. Since she turned six months old, I can't even count the number of doctor appointments, conversations with nurses/doctors over the phone, missed days of school to pick Camryn up from daycare because she isn't well, and sleepless nights we have had - and although this decision wasn't cut and dry (even though it would seem like it is!), we are going to try this route, and hope it helps her to be a healthier little girl!

Now for all those other little tidbits that I want to remember about Camryn as a 10 month old... :)

* Wearing size 3 diapers, and 12-18 month clothes

* Still not sleeping through the night (usually about once a week you will surprise me, and will make it almost all the way through!) - we are most often up around 3:30am, and sometimes once before midnight, too.

* Crawling like a speed demon, pulling up on everything (and getting down more gracefully, too), walking behind things that you can push

* Tolerating baby food, but really enjoying things that I can come up with that are soft enough for you to pick up and eat on your own (bread, pancakes, sweet potatoes, ravioli, melts, puffs, cereal, soft-cooked carrots and peas, little hunks of banana...)

* Weighs about 18 pounds 9 ounces (we know because we have been to the doctor so much :))

* Diaper and clothing changes are a CHALLENGE - you usually scream and fuss your way through both because you want nothing to do with laying on your back (we figure it is part just wanting to be on the move, and partly the fact that your ears bother you more often than we realize)

* You still sit up on your knees a lot

* You love to watch other kids play - especially your big sister

*Speaking of your big sister, you are one tough little kiddo, as Taylor can be quite rough when playing with you sometimes!

10 month picture

 

Gotta take the picture quick - before this happens :o)

Pushing around a chair at church

Big sister, little sister

Precious moment of sleep in the car (she does not like the carseat, just like Taylor when she was a baby, we are grateful when she is not crying!)

Lots of smiles!

Big girl haircut!

Taylor's hair was getting very long. We always put it up so it wouldn't be in her face, but it was time to get a trim!! And by trim, I mean 4-5 inches cut off. :o)

Before pictures...

 
And after!

Taylor keeps saying "mama, like my new hair?"

Little sweetie :o)

(Thanks, Aunt Karen!! :))

Snow Days!!

It seemed like it might never happen - we hadn't even had enough snow to use our shovel - let alone close school - in the whole month of November, December, and half of January. But then winter and snow (and COLD air) finally arrived - and we had two snow days in one week! I love my job, but an unexpected day home with the girls is always a wonderful thing. :o)

Trying to get a picture of both girls wearing their "snow day" shirts...not an easy task! :)

We played games (matching ABC puzzle game)

Practiced standing up (and not so gracefully getting back down!)

Spent time in the snow

And crawling under tables

Cherise these "extra" days at home!