Ronald McDonald House

Several weeks ago, our small group from church did a dinner for the Ronald McDonald house here in town.  It is a wonderful facility and we had a great time coming together to help them out.  Taylor had a great time playing on their playground and giving hugs to the statues outside!  I'm a little late posting this because these pictures were taken by our good friends David & Stacey who have been on a little vacation in Mexico!  Wish we could have gone too!!

Some of the crew with Mr. Ronald!

Smoothie Girl

I made a smoothie for lunch but can't ever seem to be able to have the whole thing to myself!  I poured Taylor a cup and while I usually give her a straw like mine, I opted to just let her drink from the cup this time... You see the result!

*FYI* Taylor's ear infection and pink eye are all cleared up and she's back in the pool!  Yea!!  I, on the other hand, found out yesterday that I have mono for the second time!  Taylor is running circles around poor mommy.  I remember now why I slept this away when I had it in college!

Just a Day at Home

With Taylor and I both under the weather, we spent the day at home in our Pj's!  I've been working on typing up some recipes for a girl's project we're doing with our small group - Taylor decided to swipe one and take it to Daddy in his office (while wearing his shoes!)

Then, in Daddy's office, there is always something interesting to play with - like his keys or headphones!

Where Have we Been?

To the doctor - again!  Taylor came down with a crusty eye this morning and it didn't seem to be getting any better so I called the Dr. and made an appointment.  Sure enough, she's got pink eye - plus an ear infection - both on her left side.  Now Eric and I have been having irritated eyes... I pray we don't get it too!  This means no swimming until the ear infection is gone - 

On that note... Taylor has been doing SO well in swimming!  She's mastered the float and can kick and swim to the steps like a pro (although she's so determined to get there she doesn't want to stop and float along the way... she swam from several feet out and made it to the steps!)  Yesterday she did her entire lesson in summer clothes (to simulate a situation where she might fall in with a diaper/clothes/shoes).  She did awesome!  Today we were going to do the whole sequence in winter clothes (and I was going to video tape it!) but we'll have to postpone the lessons until we're better.  Hopefully we will be able to finish our ISR - we are very excited to graduate! 

Happy Birthday Party - Finally!

As most of you know, we spent the weekend that was supposed to be Taylor's birthday party in the hospital with Asthma.  It took us a while to have the party because the 4th was such a busy time for everyone.  Finally, on Sunday afternoon, we were able to have a "happy birthday party."  We had a great time, dispite the 100º weather!  Taylor's friends Owen and baby Drew were able to come help her celebrate - as well as Ms. Jenny, Ms. Stacey & Mr. David, Jim & Jen and of course, Mimi & PopPop - who hosted the big event!  We are so greatful to have celebrated with all our friends and family - Taylor really enjoyed everything.  Here are a few pictures.

My "creative" spin on a Costco cupcake!

Our theme was "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse"

Taylor & Mimi before the guests arrive

Baby Drew and Taylor

Taylor and Owen enjoying the pool

Taylor really got into the slide - especially after daddy poured bubbles on it to make it super slippery!

Mr. David helps Owen master the bubble gun

Jimmy helps Taylor - not quite as successful as the other team!

Taylor attempting to blow out the candles was the most hilarious sight!  She was giving it all her might but just couldn't get them out without some help!

I guess the 2nd birthday cake is just as much fun as the first!  Dig in!!

Two Year PIctures

Cyndi posted a few pictures from Taylor's 2 yr. session on her blog - check them out!  I can't wait to get all the pictures back.  I love receiving the book in the mail and looking through it for the first time (and over and over again!)  Thanks, Cyndi, for taking such wonderful pictures!

Inspirations Photography

Swimming Pictures

These are a few pictures of Taylor's swim course.  She is doing amazingly well and we're looking forward to a toddler who is happy about her progress soon!  :-)  I'm very glad we're doing this - knowing it could make a difference in a dangerous situation!  Of course, there is no substitute for constant adult supervision!  Last night, she taught her baby Charlotte to swim in the bathtub - maybe one day we'll have our own ISR instructor!

This is how she normally looks throughout her lesson - not too happy!  (she is getting a better attitude every day!)

Floating all by herself!

Swimming to the wall - and the steps!  (her favorite)

Afternoon Fun

We had a great family afternoon with Mimi and PopPop.  These are a few of the pictures I took while enjoying the shade in their back yard!

Notice the bandage on Taylor's wrist... we went to the Urgent Care on Saturday because we weren't sure what she had done to it!  (she pulled away from me at the Children's museum and then was not using her hand and clutching it to her chest the rest of the trip).  It turned out to be just a sprain... she's pretty much using it again. 

I really like this picture - she looks like a mini Farah Fawcett!

Happy 4th!

Happy Independence Day!  We had a fun filled morning at the pool - they have a great kiddie pool with a slide and lots of fountains to play in.  We wore ourselves out before lunch and made it home in time for an afternoon nap!  Then we went to spend the evening with Mimi - we had BBQ and went for a good long play at the playground.  These are a few pictures daddy took of us at the pool!

A College Athlete?

Yesterday we had a busy day - Taylor had swim lessons (which she did not like!) and I had a beach volleyball game in the evening.  

You would think that after so many years of lessons, club teams and college volleyball that I'd pick it up like riding a bike... not so!  I didn't actually do as bad as I thought I would, but after repeatedly serving the ball in the net it is safe to say I was a little embarrassed!  The rust finally started to come off towards the end and I'm hoping that, with a little practice, things will come back to me in time for next week's match!  If not, I'll just have to renounce my college experience.  At least I had some really cute cheerleaders!  (Eric & Taylor came to watch mommy play)

Did I mention I'm sore today!??

Pediatrician Apt.

We had our two year check-up today (no shots, thank goodness).  Dr. Treybig said the asthma may continue to be a problem or it could just be a one time thing - we'll just have to watch it and see.  At least we have a nebulizer at home now to catch it before it gets so bad we'd have to make a trip to the ER!  

Taylor seems to be doing fine - we've been cleared to continue with our swimming and so we'll hopefully be getting back to normal soon (if I can somehow manage this huge pile of laundry we've accumulated).  Thanks again for all of your support!