Dad

Beth: Dad, good thing we have you.

Dad: Why is that?

Beth: Because when there's scary parts I crawl on your lap and my heart feels happy.

(Beth aged 4.)

(picture taken September 26, 2012)

Cute Response

We attended a large extended family party on my side of the family this evening. My cousin Jenny asked Beth if her dad was at the party. Beth replied "Let me give you a hint, he's the handsome one." I couldn't agree with you more Beth.

Halloween

Beth's "Sour Face"

Pumpkin Patch

I love this time of year with the pumpkins, the changing colors of the leaves, and the cool evenings. We went to the Mabey's Pumpkin Patch on the first day it opened this year so the selection was fabulous. How fun it is to have two kids to walk down the pumpkin rows with. We each chose one pumpkin and then Kev suggested we get a big one for our whole family. (Mostly because I couldn't decide between two that I really wanted.) We spent $17.00 on pumpkins.

Last year I set some old pumpkins out on the garden area of our backyard. I nearly pulled the plant (thinking it was a weed) that became a great producer of pumpkins from those old pumpkins. They all grew in a butternut squash/bowling pin kind of shape but I love feeling successful when it comes to growing things so we set our home grown pumpkins with our pumpkin patch pumpkins on our front porch and got to enjoy them all month. We'll see if any of these grow out back too.

Beth and Chocolate

Beth is a lot like Kevin. They both really enjoy their chocolate. Beth even enjoys some of the dark varieties that most kids would turn their noses up at. Riva spoils Beth with chocolate and suckers at every visit. One day she came home with chocolate on her shirt and I asked her "What kind of chocolate is on your shirt?" She replied "Stain chocolate".

Luckily for me, I can usually get chocolate off her clothing but tomato based stains are another story.

Beth's First Day of Preschool!

Technically her first day of her second year of preschool with Miss Lori. She loves it. Beth is very social so preschool is a perfect situation for her. Luckily Riva (an angel on earth who lives about half a mile from us and loves Beth and Andrew) bought Beth a new outfit for her first day. I have been preoccupied with things that don't really matter lately. I think every new beginning deserves a new outfit. Beth chose this outfit. The striped pants are so her. Her last pair of striped pants (which she wore with everything--matching or not) had to be retired after they were approaching capri length on her. I love this little girl.

Labor Day at Last Chance Lakes

The Taylor family met for a picnic on Labor Day. We met at the pavilion at the church in Vernon, Utah. Gary and Dixie bought us hamburgers and fries from a tiny cafe in Vernon named the Silver Sage. After the picnic we went to Last Chance Lakes. Unfortunately the wind was too strong for Kev to ski, but the rest of us took a short trip on the boat and Beth was brave enough to go in the tube. She got soaked but enjoyed it until the waves got a little too bumpy for her. Andrew loves to relax on the boat and I have a feeling he is going to love the water when I am brave enough to let him.

Ward Picinic

Kev loaded the kids in the bike trailer to tow them to the ward picnic at the Veterans Memorial Park in West Jordan. Andrew had an ear infection so we ended up taking him to stay with Riva for most of the time we were at the picnic. Beth enjoyed the playgrounds and I tried to remember that I will miss the days of pushing her on the swings and chasing after her so she doesn't get lost.

Andrew is 18 Months!

This is my favorite toddler stage. At 18 months toddlers understand a lot of what is being said, they start to use their own words, they are funny, and so interacive at this stage. Andrew turned 18 months on August 26, 2011. He brings such joy to our family. I know I'm partial because I am his mom, but this kid has a cute and sweet personality and I look forward to getting to know him better as speech comes into the picture.

These pictures were taken on his 18 month old birthday. I didn't remember that it was on the 26th so luckily some pictures were taken that day of our trip to Last Chance Lakes.

At his 18 month old doctor appointment the doctor had some questions about Andrew's development. Does he climb? Like a monkey. Can he crawl onto an adult chair? Yes, and does so regularly. Can he do stairs? Our tri-multi level home gives him tons of practice and he'll do the first stair in the garage without even holding onto anything. Does he point to things he wants? Definitely, and because his mom is a softy he usually gets what he wants. Does he have 6-8 words? Mom, Dad, Ba (Beth), ball, shoes, dog, owie (when he gets hurt), wow, done (after he finishes a meal). And he does the sign for "more". Does he imitate you? Yes, and it's so cute to watch. He covers his mouth when he laughs like I do. Other things that I love about this little guy: He gives me zerberts. He hugs his stuffed animals. He plays peek-a-boo. He gives great hugs around the neck, he's learning to give kisses. He loves his big sister and wonders where she is when she's not around. He'll go around saying "Ba" with his upturned hands that he uses when he's asking a question. He loves shoes and even likes to try on other people's shoes. But, once we get in the car, he loves to take his shoes off.

One thing that is hard for me is he doesn't like being rubbed when he's tired and this is how I usually help babies to calm down. He grabs my hand and pulls it away. Although sometimes when he's really tired and laying next to me he takes my hand and puts it over one of his ears which seems to help him sleep.

I was so nervous to have a boy. During the pregnancy ultrasound when they told me it was a boy I told Kev, "I don't know anything about boys." Even though this is true, I am so grateful Andrew came into my world. Hopefully he'll be patient as I learn how to be his mom. I love him to pieces.

Clean Your Room

Mom: Did you clean your room Beth?

Beth: A little help from Grandma and her brother.  (Uncle Jakey came to help her clean her room.)

Hogle Zoo

We finally got a chance for our whole family to use the zoo pass we got for Christmas (thank you Grandma and Grandpa Taylor). The kids had a great time. The zoo has a special exhibit right now called Zoorassic Park so dinosaurs that move and make noise are scattered throughout the park. Andrew was a little nervous at first but when he realized they weren't getting any closer to him, he was fine.

My Grown Up Girl

Went shoe shopping (with no luck). Beth was trying to help me pick out a pair. I love this picture in the black heels. But, I wish I would have got it on video when she walked over to me in a pair of low cut, red cowboy boots and said "What about these babies?" I love her so much.

Champion Swimmer

Beth took swimming lessons for one week this summer. I wondered how much she was learning because there was six students and the lesson was only 1/2 hour. She surprised me when we went to Grandma Taylor's pool by swimming very well. She is not afraid of the water which makes it much easier for me to send her to lessons. She took private lessons when she was 18 months old and 2 and 1/2 years old but because we don't practice during the winter she lost some of her skills. At the private lessons they always called the students "champion swimmers" and I want for Beth to feel that she is a champion swimmer.

Beth is Funny

On the morning of Saturday, June 4, 2011 Beth came into my room while I was still in bed to ask me if she could color a picture in her Disney Princess magazine. I said "Yes, go get your pencils or crayons." She responded "Pretzels?...How would I color with pretzels?" I did still have my retainer in so it very well may have sounded like I was telling her to use a snack food as an art medium.

On Tuesday, June 7, 2011 I posted this story about Beth on facebook. Beth is very particular about her toothpaste and what types she will use. (Unfortunately the kind she likes best is no longer being sold.) I got her a new kind tonight. After trying it she said, "What flavor is this?!......mushrooms?" I laughed right out loud. She loves most vegetables but doesn't yet love mushrooms.

Andrew's Firsts

March was a big month for Andrew. He started to "lead the music" at church just like Beth did at about this age. I think they get their musical talents from Kevin. On March 9, 2011 he folded his arms for the prayer for the first time. I love when he does that. And now a lot of the time he will fold his arms for the blessing on the food.

On March 18, 2011 Kevin gave Andrew his first "horsey ride" on Kevin's back. Andrew laughed and loved it.

"Garfield"

Beth after trying that white vegetable often put next to broccoli on a vegetable tray. "You know what, Mom? I don't think I like Garfield."

A Miracle

Last Friday, January 21, 2010 Beth decided she was ready to wear big girl underpants. She had one accident that night but none since. She is basically potty trained and I didn't use charts, bribes, or my own tears to try to get her to do it. I know it's later in her life than some parents would allow, but to me it is a miracle. I had a feeling that everything would be okay but I also went through times of thinking, how will she go to Kindergarten.....and other thoughts of what about college?

Icipops

Winter is in full swing and it's been too cold for me once again. I broke large icicles off the house today for Beth and Andrew to hold. Beth wanted to lick and eat hers. I'm not sure how much to be worried about how dirty the water that formed them was. Andrew didn't want to touch them for too long--I don't blame him. I had to record this though because Beth calls icicles "icipops". Which makes sense since icicles has the same ending as popsicles and they are both cold and can be licked.

Just for the record, Andrew started clapping a few days before his 10 month birthday on December 26, 2010.

Andrew had tubes placed in his ears on Thursday, December 16, 2010. He had them placed in his ears by Dr. Garner Meads, Jr. at the new Riverton Hospital. It was hard to have to dress him in a tiny gown and turn him over to a nurse who took him to the operating room. He was only gone from us for between 15 and 20 minutes which was really nice. He recovered well and while he still is up at least once a night, his naps during the day have been 2-3 hours as opposed to the 1-2 hours he was doing for a while. I was hoping the tubes would solve all his sleep problems but alas no. It's interesting that the one thing I need more than anything is plenty of sleep and neither of our kids sleep through the night yet. If I slept long enough to dream, I would dream of a night with eight (or more) hours of uninterrupted sleep. It's hard to imagine I use to be able to sleep when I needed to. Kevin and I are both sleep deprived. It would be nice to have a night time and nap time nanny so that we could rest.

For about a week now we have noticed that Andrew is saying "Be" to call out or refer to Beth. Maybe Beth will be his first word. I don't think I recorded what Beth's first official word was but I know she started saying "Mom" and "Dad" quite young.