Clowning Around

Taylor is a toddler in every sense of the word! We went to the library today for story time. It was fun, but she got tired of it about half way through and wanted to wander around and talk to all the other kids that were there. Not wanting to be the mother who lets her child run willy-nilly, I slipped her out in the hall to get a drink and returned, hoping she'd found some new drive to sit still. This was not the case and she took the first opportunity to flee from her carpet square and run up to the front of the room where the librarian was finishing the story. Taylor ran back and forth behind the lady, then as the group broke out into a rousing rendition of "if you're happy and you know it..." Taylor felt the need to stop and demonstrate the song in front of the class. All the while I'm standing in the back, unable to navigate the mass of toddlers and mommies on the floor to retrieve my child, giving my best "you're in trouble" eyes and motioning her to "come here, now". It didn't work but she had a great time being the center of attention! I'm scared to go back next week, but I guess we'll give it a try.

This is a collage of images from Taylor's 18 month pictures. Notice the "somersault" in the bottom left corner and the "dancing" in the bottom right! I can't wait to get the proof book - should have it tomorrow!

A Hike at Hamilton's Pool

The weather was gorgeous Saturday so we decided to take advantage of it and go for a hike at Hamilton's pool - a creek and pool near Austin. Taylor had a wonderful time exploring the beach and getting nice and dirty! So much fun, in fact, that she fell asleep on the way out. These are a few of the pictures from the day.

Finish the Race!

One of my personal goals has always been to run a half-marathon.
Sunday I realized my goal! With a time of Two hours and seven minutes
I ran the whole thing and did much better than I anticipated (only
having run 10 miles in training!) My friend, Jen, talked me into
training with her and I'm so glad she did. She and her parents were
there to run as well and we celebrated with brunch at one of our
favorite restaurants!

Happy Birthday Grammy!

Yesterday Mom had her 50'th birthday (again for the 6th time!) hehe... You still look young and beautiful and we love you very much momma! Hope your day was special.

I am so grateful for my mom - she's always been available to give advice and support. I have been so blessed to have her in my life and I'm very thankful she's able to be here for me as I learn how to raise my own daughter. Her wealth of knowledge and insight is priceless and I am so glad we're able to continue growing as mother and daughter!

I love you mom!

18 Months and Counting

Taylor's photographer sends me a proof book (which I find so much more helpful than trying to pick pictures off the computer screen). We had her pictures taken over Christmas to correspond with her 18 month milestone. They should be here by next week but Cindy sent me a teaser picture to tide me over - now I can't wait to see them all! She looks so mischevious in this picture - very appropriately captured in my opinion!



Picture by Inspirations Photography

Yesterday we were invited to go to an inflatable play place with fun blow-up play scapes with several families and their children. Mommy had a massively outrageous dentist appointment which turned into a half-day event so we missed the opportunity. I was so bummed because I really wanted Taylor to be able to go so I talked Eric into checking a similar place out that is just down the road from our house. We had a blast and I'm pretty sure Taylor did too. Many of the events were a bit to challenging for Taylor but with my help she was able to navigate the big climbing walls and slides (which meant I got to go on them as well!) It was fun to be a kid again!

Random Bits of This and That

Just a few pictures I've taken over the last couple weeks. After mom left, we've not done much of anything noteworthy and I haven't been taking many interesting pictures. We had spaghetti last week and Taylor got fed up with her fork and opted for fingers. The picture by the fireplace is blurry, I know, but if it were clear it would have been so darn cute that I had to include it. (besides, the sweater we got with Grammy and the mis-mached socks are courtesy of Mimi... so I had to include it!) The last bunch is completely random, but that last face we're starting to see a bit more of! She's becoming quite independent and opinionated. Very cute but very frustrating at the same time.

Tidbits from Taylor

I talked mom into coming back home with me (actually, I convinced dad to let her come.) So, we loaded up the car and drove back to TX Thursday and Friday (it really isn't a bad trip!) Taylor was very good in the car and fell asleep last night about 8:30. When we got just out side of Austin, we hear this little voice serenading us from the back seat (it was almost 1:00am Michigan time!) On the CD player was the only disc we'd remembered to bring, so for much of the trip we listened to Christmas music - Taylor's favorite song has become Gloria - which is what was on when she decided to belt it out from the back seat: OOOOOOHH, OOOHHHHH... (you get the idea). They she says, "day-o" and goes back to sleep! (it was very hilarious). About 20 minutes later we pull into the driveway and we hear that same little voice from the back seat say in a very tired tone "yeah!" (that summed up our sentiments exactly as we made it in about 1.5 days!) We're safely home and enjoyed our visit to Michigan very much!

Snow Day Fun

Taylor and Gramps had a fun time in the snow this afternoon. We
bundled up and rode the sled around the yard. Grammy and Daddy
joined us and we took a walk to the school down the road for some
real sledding! After a scary ride down the hill to the school
(during which, Grammy and Gramps managed to steer the sled into a
small tree) we took off for the tubing spot. Having just witnessed
her grandparents collide with a tree (no injuries!) Taylor was not
too sure about going for a ride down the hill - we convinced her and
had several good runs before she quit and wanted to play on the
playground again. Our fun afternoon was topped off with a sled ride
home courtesy of Daddy pulling the sled and Taylor and I yelling
"mush." We all had a great time and will be sad to say "see ya
later" when we pack up and head home tomorrow.

New Year's Day

Every year, mom has her traditional New Year's Day get-together with
old friends! These are a couple pictures from the day. A picture of
the family all together and Taylor with James Evans - some of you
know him from when he was a little guy.

Watching the Snow Fall

Taylor & Grammy enjoyed watching the snowfall we had yesterday - I
snapped a few pictures while they were gazing out the front door.