30 and 5 months...

10.17.2010

Hi. Sorry I've been horrible. I haven't had the computer much, and when I have - I haven't had the time...I know, I'm even horrible at excuses!

So here's my attempt to get you caught up in my life, but more importantly, in the life of my girls-the cutest, most precious things on the planet!

Alyssa

I'm a little behind, so I'll start now and work
my way back in another post...

5 Months

Mastered:
* Laugh - All it takes is T walking past her now a days. But she still loves big sounds, like a loud BOOM, or high pitched BOING...
* Roll - She's been able to do this for awhile, but now she's fast! She can really get around the room and into the things she shouldn't (like the library books, ya)
* Balancing Act - she can balance standing on Daddy's hand...following the tradition.
* Eat - she's getting the chewing thing down pretty good. She gets a little bit of whatever we're eating, momma bird style!
* Cause 'n Effect - She's learning this by playing games, such as: when you nibble her toes then stop, she'll lift her foot up to your mouth again.
* Clear a room - Sorry sweets, but ya got dog farts. Good thing those blue eyes melt your heart!


Working on:
* Scooting - She's just the cutest lil inch worm. She puts her rolly polly tootsy in the air then pushes off with those ity-bity toes...but still prefers rolling since it takes less effort for the desired outcome.
* Sitting Up - She's been getting better at this pretty quickly. She can sit without any help for almost a min or so, depending on how excited she gets.
* Pull ups - She's starting to use those abs. Trying to sit from a laying position, or pull her self up on the couch, etc.

She's developed a great relationship with Big Sis. It really is so much fun to watch them together. They really do love each other so much.

Taylee

2 1/2 years (or 30 months!)

Now here is the whole package! She is beautiful, smart, charming, hilarious - just an all out perfect daughter.

* She is so smart. She's beginning to recognize some letters, including:
T A Y L E E,
O (which was the first),
and occasionally M and D.

* She's loving to learn the words she already knows in different languages (Spanish and French) thanks to her Daddy and Fancy Nancy. She will tell me:
Venga Aqui (Come Here)
Vamanos (Let's go)
Apurate (Hurry Up or something)
Basura (garbage)
Te Amo Mucho (Love you Much)
Pesa Me (Kiss me)
Bonjour (Hello)
Oui (Yes)

* She loves putting people together, as in: who's James' mom, or who's name is Eliza? (which is the name of a friend who's called 'Blueberry')

* She is always asking questions - which sometimes I don't even know the answer to.

* She loves to talk on the phone, when she's pretending. She has great conversations too. Mostly she calls her prince James!

* She has good memorization skills. She has her favorite books memorized, to the point that she'll recite the page and tell you "Ok, turn the page."

* She's always been fond of music, but today told me, "My favorite is church music, because it has meaning." Really, I have no idea where that came from. Her favorite non-church song is Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat's 'Lucky'. She's always singing that!

* Drawing - She's been getting better at coloring. The other day we were at Lars' sister's house where they have a white board on the wall. Taylee drew this picture of her daddy by Lars just telling her what shapes to draw (circle, line...)

We really are so lucky to be the parents of these 2 girls!

Lars
Just celebrated his 29th birthday! He's so busy with school and work we don't have a lot of time together. But the time we get is special. He's so good at taking the time to be involved, and make us feel loved. We really appreciate all his hard work...even if it's hard on us.

As for me...I'm just trying to keep one step ahead, most days unsuccessfully. I still work once in awhile to keep my sanity. I'm enjoying finding new ways to have fun while not spending money (so if you have any ideas do share!)

Hope you enjoyed this long post...sorry! I've gotta have this stuff somewhere ;)

Preview

9.14.2010

I know it's been awhile. I'll be playing catch-up hopefully SOON.
But for now you'll just have to stand by while enjoying these FABULOUS pictures. I tried something new, knowing I could trust my photographer. We love you Michelle! Thank you SO MUCH!!!





















And this has to be my favorite! I didn't have the best of days, but every time I looked at this picture it made my heart swell!



I love these beautiful girls! How did I get so lucky to have such a gorgeous family?!?!!

Oh Really?

8.01.2010

Do you ever have those nights when 3 am rolls around and you're still not asleep?
If you answered no, good for you.
If you answered yes, you may know how frustrated I'm feeling. I have no idea why my body, well mostly my mind, won't shut off. By now I've finished some sewing projects I had going for some baby gifts, I cleaned up a few things around the house, I looked around on fb, then I did a little blog stocking...everything I can think of to distract myself enough to wear down my body and still, I'm awake.
I don't know what it is about being a girl that makes you just start to doubt yourself, and flat out beat yourself up.
Why, at three freaking o'clock am I throwing a party for myself?
All I know is tomorrow is going to be dreadful...

We're so glad when daddy is home!

6.22.2010

As much of a mommy's girl as Taylee is, she still really likes her daddy. If you ask her who her favorite is she usually says "Daddy is my favorite!"

We spent Sat visiting my Dad and Grandpa at the cabin. Taylee is really starting to love going up there, despite the drive.
She loves to ride the "fo-wedder" (four wheeler). She was telling us she needed a helmet so she could go SO fast, so we put one of her older cousins helmets on. She climbed on the fo-wedder, turned the key, started it, and luckily Daddy was right there, cause she gunned it!


The scariest part of that is, she can't wait until she's big enough to ride the motorcycle all by herself, YIKES!!

Sunday was kinda uneventful, I wasn't feeling good, but I had good intentions so I redeemed myself last night.
I made a yummy dinner: Phyllo wrapped Halibut with a lemon scallion sauce...Mmmmmm

(If you know me, this isn't my plate...hehehe. But Lars and Tay enjoyed their veggies!)

On Sunday we did go visit Farfar (Swedish for Fathers Father).
When we were in Sweden we saw this soccer jersey that said: Larsson #11.

We bought it, not having any kids yet, hoping that someday Lars' son could wear it!

Well...we know the story from there.

So Lars got it out and asked Taylee if she would be Daddy's lil boy for the day. She was playing it up, too. She kept saying she was a boy and then would giggle. Way to try to confuse her babe :) They had a lot of fun playing soccer. I wish I had a video camera with me though, it was the cutest thing hearing how hard Tay was laughing when Gator was playing soccer with her.








It was really important to me to choose a hubby that would be a great daddy! He really has exceeded my expectations! Tay absolutely adores him, and can't wait for him to come home!

He is the protector. He is calming, he is silly and he always makes sure that he has fun with them.

Like last night, even though his back was killing him and he was feeling really sick, he still climbed under our kitchen table cause it was Taylee's house and she wanted him to visit her.

It's so much fun watching them play house and babies, and soccer, or whatever Tay wants to play.

Thanks for being such a great example to me, you make me want to be a better mom. You are such a blessing and I couldn't imagine doing this without you. I love you babe! Happy Father's Day!

Campouts and Water fountains

6.09.2010

We've been having so much fun enjoying our summer, now that it's finally here! Taylee has her cousins back from Arizona for a little visit and so far we've had a camp out and played in the fountains at the Gateway...Utah really does have a lot of fun activities that don't cost money!
anyone have some good idea's on what's out there for little or no money?
But it's true what they say: "Pictures are worth a thousand words", so I'll let them do the talking!




~She has such a sweet tooth. Definitely enjoyed her s'more, even if she couldn't figure out why we kept asking her if she liked her more.

As for the fountains, they were a little nervous at first. Tay thought she'd be totally content with watching all the other kids play. Then I had trouble convincing them we were done, of course!

















...and baby Gator enjoyed her nap in the warmth of the summer day!

Our Brave lil' Monkey...

5.28.2010

Tay has NO fear. (Something I'm hoping changes soon)
My little brothers orthodontist rents out Classic Skating once a year as an appreciation party for his paitents and thier family/friends. Being one who's not afraid to partake in free activities we went, and glad we did.
Taylee's first time riding a scooter and she got it down so fast. She was dancing as she drove around the skating rink, too cute to watch. No fear of the bigger kids driving all crazy.



She also had no fear of the bouncy toys either, she was not letting us anywhere near her. These slides were pretty fast too.



It's fun to watch her challenge herself in new adventures.

Hope you all have a fun and safe Memorial Day!

We also love Sundays...and toes!

5.24.2010

Tay is such a girly girl, which I'm quickly leaarning how to accomodate. You see, growing up with all brothers seems to have it's way of forming one into a tom boy. It was much easier to play in the dirt with the boys then convince them to clean up to play dolls with me!
So it's been kinda fun to have a little girl who is so into being a little girl. She loves dresses, so you can see why we love Sunday. I just had to take pictures yesterday because I thought I have such a beautiful family.









And I just love these tiny toes all painted pink! Isn't it cute that they had thier feet folded the same way - (no posing involved)

Tay loves the Library

5.21.2010

Books have always been a favorite of Tay's but I never really thought to take her to library...until now.
A friend, Ashlee, gave me the idea to look at the library websites around the county to see the story time happenings for possible play date idea's. We were lucky enough to find the last couple before the summer programs start - a Royal Party and a Music time next week...
Taylee calls it a Princess Party, which is more like it. Not only did the princess tell them a story, she taught them how to dance like a princess and there were a few crafts as well.

Now what you all want to see: Pictures...

This is my favorite-she makes a perfect Cinderella! Don't you think.
She had to be Cinderella because she had Cinderella panties on, silly girl



Dancing with Blueberry


Listening to the story. She loved the huge book, too.


Crafting a princess hat with Grammy


(Don't you just love her face? Stinker...I asked for a Princess Smile!)

Tay's favorite part was the doggy, Baby sis even got to meet them!
Thanks Blue & Ash, we had a blast!

Sweet Somethings

5.19.2010

Last night...way after bedtime, I was on the couch cuddling with my girls. Aly was starving and Tay was NOT going to go lay down in her bed until I could snuggle her for a min, so I decided that we'd just snuggle on the couch while I fed the gator.
I thought for sure Tay would just fall asleep being that it was 10:45 pm, but then the sweetest thing happened.
Tay snuggled right up behind her baby sis and started singing "I am a child of God" to her. I just sat there and listened as she sang the first verse and corus over and over (3 times)...with tears in my eyes of course!
I just love this time of my life and can't believe how fast it has already gone by, sigh. Thanks for teaching me so much sweet girls, these are the moments I live for!

Thanks for letting me share this, I never want to forget this moment. In fact I think this is one of those moments I'll think of when I can't stand them as teenagers!

Welcoming AlyGator

5.17.2010

Baby Sis has been so much fun. I can't believe she's almost 3 weeks old, and I haven't even made a post about her yet.
She came a week early (due to the convenience of modern medicine) but still weighed 8 lbs 7 oz. She was 20 inches tall.


In 3 weeks Aly has begun to:
Interact - it's amazing to watch her study my face, to listen to her cue, to snuggle up to her.
Hold her head up and look around.
She's even tried to hold her body up, either be struggling to sit up while on her back or by pushing up with her hands while on her belly.


Having 2 girls has been pretty easy. Taylee has taken the adjustment well, she's such a good little mommy.
I had to take both girls to Aly's 2 wk appointment by myself. Knowing how sensitive Tay is to the happenings at the doctor, I prepared her before time of the pku test that would be taking place, to hopefully ease the trauma. But as soon as the nurse poked Baby Sis causing her to scream Tay asked "What's that Lady doing to Baby Sis?", then she goes on to chasen the poor nurse: "Stop it lady, you're hurting Baby Sis! Stop it Lady!"
It took a min to calm Tay down, when she realized the Lady was helping keep Baby Sis healthy she climbed on the table, curled up to her baby and began to soothe her by shushing and singing to her. It was definately one of the highlights of having children.



I'm so lucky to have these beautiful girls. I feel so blessed to be a mother, Thank you Lars, Taylee and Alyssa for making this possible. I hope all of you mothers had a fabulous Mother's Day!