Lauren Taylor!

We are so excited she is here!!!

Lauren Taylor

Born: March 5, 2010

Time: 4:58a.m.

Weight: 9 lbs. 1 oz.

Height: 19 1/2 inches long

She came out round and pink all over!  The first night home we wondered if we could handle her because she was up every 15 minutes until morning came and then slept all day.  The next night my milk came in and we realized that she was just starving.  She slept 6 hours that night and we instantly fell back in love with her!!  Since then there is very few nights that she doesn't wake only once.

She is loved by her brother and sister and they are constantly wanting to hold her.  Kiera anticipates her needs and gets whatever I need before I even ask her to help.  The other day I was talking to Lauren and saying, "I think you are getting hungry."  Kiera instantly jumped up and ran in the other room.  She came running in with the nursing pillow, my Newman's Ointment, and a burp rag.  I was amazed and how in tune she is!!  And feel so blessed to have such a great helper.

We hope that you enjoy some of the moments we have captured throughout the last couple of weeks.

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To 3D or not to 3D

Well, I have to tell you, I have always been a little creeped out by 3D Ultrasounds of babies. They always look slightly Alienish. However, I had another ultrasound today because our little one wouldn't work with us to see all the points of interest on her body last time. The Sonographer, she's awesome, got done with all the screening and told me that she had enough time to see the baby in 3D. Nervous as I was, it was awesome! She's a bit skinny, but it was so neat to see her move and see her actual face. I'm sure she will have a Roberts nose just like mine. I have to say...I cried and now understand the interest in having a 3D picture of your baby. She just seems so real now.  

Candy, Candy, Candy.... *sigh*

Well, another Halloween come and gone. Too much candy, not enough sleep, and did I mention too much candy?

This year I made Kiera a tutu. That's it! It was great! I usually spend a week and a half dedicating all my waking hours sewing! And this year, I spent 30 minutes! Why did I make this decision to go from one extreme to the other you ask? Well, one reason is my sewing machine is in the depths of the storage room trying not to get too much dust on it from all the construction. One of these days the basement will be done, I'm sure! The other reason, and to be honest, the real reason, is that this year...I just don't care. There you go!

I think my kids costumes turned out all right for not caring too much. Whew! Because in 6 months I would have been very mad at myself, I'm sure of this.

Kiera was totally into Trick-or-Treating this year. She ran from one house to the next, yelling at the top of her lungs, "Trick-or-Treat" and then, "Dallin, come on faster!" She wore the boy right out!

Gavin the Eagle

I had to share this with you. This is my oldest nephew, Gavin. Two weeks ago he valiantly received his Eagle Scout Award, he had his 16th birthday, advanced to a Priest in our church's Young Men organization, and received his Driver's Licence. It was a big weekend for him!!!
I just wanted him to know that, one, I'm so proud of him, and two, he's just a great kid and I love him!!

Gavin Eagle Award from Jayson Kunzler on Vimeo.

Whew! No More Morning Sickness, But WAIT...

So for the last 4 weeks now, I have felt like a new woman. You know the kind, where you're actually able to clean the toilet before the yellow/brown streaks start to form, and the kind that can make dinner without dry heaving in the sink. I love being pregant!
I guess I must have celebrated a little too much, because last week, I came down with my annual Sinus Infection which makes my head feel about the size of my stomach (which currently looks bigger than it should, even being pregnant!). AND on top of that, Kiera was up all night throwing up! Now, this would be okay for any other year, but the underlining fear of the Swine Flu Epidemic causes me a little more heartburn than usual. I can't get the vacination until I'm better and Kiera is now sharing stomach flu with all of us AND, I just spoke with my friend who informed me that she has been standing in line for 4 hours at the Health Clinic and is still NOT in the building! It's crazy!!
Isn't there a secret location that has so much vaccine that they greet you at the door with a cup of hot chocolate and making you feel like a queen, as opposed to cattle being branded? This is my quest. . .

Mom, Can I Help?

A couple of weeks ago, I lay on the couch wondering if I was actually going to be normal again. Dallin and Kiera being the troopers that they are played very well together with a few comments here and there from Dallin such as "Kiera, we have to play nice together because Mommy isn't feeling well." and "Kiera, let's be friends today so Mommy doesn't have to get mad at us, cuz she's sick." Each time he commented, I would chuckle to myself and be grateful for my kids!

Anyway, every hour or so, Dallin would come to me and ask me if I wanted a pillow or a drink of water, or crackers, etc. I would thank him and tell him I was such a lucky mom to have him looking after me. Kiera decided that she wanted in on some action. She came to me and asked me if I wanted any candy, where I quickly replied with a shutter, that no, I didn't need any candy. She came up to me again and asked me if I wanted medicine to make me feel better. I told her again that I was okay and didn't need anything right now. She looked at me and said, "I want to help too, Mom! I'm a nice lucky girl!" After a slight chuckle inside, I asked her if she would get me another cracker and told her thank you.

The day progressed about the same and before I knew it, it was night. Joe was still at school and wouldn't be home for another 2 hours and my kids had spent the whole day looking after themselves and had done a GREAT job! However, I was feeling like a complete and utter failure as a mother! Guilt struck and thought to myself I better get them to bed. Dallin comes up to me and puts his hand on my cheek and says, "Mom, I think Kiera is tired, do you want me to put her to bed?" Man, why stop there, he had done such a great job all day, I should let him finish the day out, right? Oh, boy, what is happing to me! In desperation, I let him. He was so excited to do it!

This is what I hear from the other room:
"Okay, Kiera, it's time to say your prayers. Ready? [Dallin prompting her] Dear...bless mommy to get better...bless daddy to get home fast...amen. Okay, now let's sing songs. I'll sing you 3 songs. Which one first? Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star... Rock-a-bye Baby, in the Treetops... I Am a Child of God... Alright, it's time to go to sleep, okay? I love you Kiera! I love you, Dallin! Good night! Good night!"

Dallin ran in the room, I was moderately existing in, and told me that he was going to go to sleep, gave me a kiss on the cheek and left. He said his prayers and went right to sleep.

I have no doubt that even though I was feeling depressed and didn't feel like facing the world through this last month that this was God's hand helping me to hold on and see the love and the light that each new day holds. I have been truly blessed.

New Taylor Addition coming soon!

Well, I've been very absent in my bloggin' for quite a few months. With Little Entertainers performing in June and then the rest of the summer has been consummed with my reflection in the toilet bowl. All-in-all, we are so excited to get ready for our new addition to our family!! I am 12 weeks pregnant and starting to feel like a human being again. My Midwife says that it's a good thing I'm sick, this means there is a baby growing and progressing normally. There you go...
Dallin and Kiera are so very excited. Kiera comes up to me and rubs my belly and says with a big grin, "That's where my baby is!" Which Dallin quickly says in response, "Kiera, it's just not your baby, it's all of our baby! Huh, Mom!"



We told our immediate family this weekend and Joe, being the cake-lover that he is (ha ha), wanted to print a picture of the ultrasound on a cake.

Easter 2009

Easter has come and gone and I forgotten to post. I make it a tradition to make Kiera's dress every year. This year was so much fun and I'm so grateful to have been taught by the Smocking Wiz, Edna. Thank you for taking the time to teach me 3 long years ago! My first project was Kiera's blessing dress. Joe won't let me smock Dallin a shirt or outfit. I just don't know why. :-)

Kiera Turns 3!!

My baby is 3!
It seems like just overnight she turned from baby to independent, opinionated, sassy little princess who's favorite words are, "I can do it myself!" with a flip of her hair. Lil' Miss Pink knew she was turning 3 for a couple of months and everytime anyone mentioned anything of the sort, she would say, "Yes, I will be 3 and I'm going to have a Pink Princess Party!" After trying hard to sway her otherwise, I knew I had lost the battle and started preparing for a Pink Princess Party. The thing is that her favorite princess is Snow White, who is anything but PINK. But she didn't care, she wanted to dress like Snow White and have a Pink Princess Party. It made sense to her so we went with it.
I purchased some tiaras, wands, heart sunglasses, and lip gloss rings at Walmart after Valentine's Day for 75% off (making them $.50/package or 4 of each). Dang good deal! I finally was able to use all the scrapbooking paper to make her invitations with my Cricket machine (which I love). I talked my sister-in-law into dressing up as Snow White and helping me with the party(she was AWESOME)! I had most of the decorations from previous parties except for pink balloons. So, I only spent $25 and it was a fabulous party!

Chinese Ginger-Orange Chicken (Vickie Smith)

Got this recipe from one of my friends blog. It was awesome!

Dump into your pressure cooker the following:

2 T oil
4 boneless chicken breasts
1/2 c orange juice concentrate
1/4 c hoisin sauce
3 T lemon juice
1/4 t hot Chinese-style mustard
1 T ginger
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 T brown sugar
1/4 t cinnamon

Now set to low heat for 8 minutes. Serve over rice or noodles!

One of the Happiest Pictures of Me!

Giveawaytoday.blogspot.com is giving away a photography book that I desparately want! For three entries I have to find a picture of myself that shows me happy. So, after looking through all our pictures I realized that I either don't smile in pictures or I dodge having my picture taken too much! It's made me realize that my kids are going to feel 'gypt' when they don't have any pictures of me when they are older. It's taught me a valuable lesson and maybe I'll change my ways. But not today!
In this picture, Kiera was about 3 months old and my mom, grandmother and I had just spent the day together. We were all dressed similar and so my Uncle Matt took pictures of us. It will always remind me of that wonderful day with my wonderful Grandma! I love her so very much!

Couldn't let this recipe pass us by!!!

Peanut Butter Fudge Cake


Ingredients
1 box (18.25 ounces) devil's food cake mix
3 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 cups chopped chocolate-covered peanut butter cups (about 8 ounces), plus more to garnish
8 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

Directions
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat two 9-inch round cake pans with nonstick cooking spray. Line with waxed paper; coat paper.

2. In a large bowl, beat cake mix, eggs, buttermilk and vegetable oil on low for 30 seconds. Increase speed to medium-high; beat for 2 minutes, scraping down side of the bowl after 1 minute. Fold in 2 cups of the chopped peanut butter cups.

3. Divide batter between prepared pans. Bake at 350 degrees F for about 34 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let layers cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Turn out cakes onto wire racks and cool completely.

4. Place chopped dark chocolate in a medium-size bowl. Bring cream just to a boil and pour over chocolate. Whisk until chocolate melts. Add peanut butter and whisk until smooth.

5. Trim top of cake layers flat with a serrated knife. Put 1 cake layer on cooling rack and place on a baking sheet. Pour 1 cup frosting on top; spread evenly with a spatula. Top with remaining cake layer. Pour remaining frosting over the top, allowing it to spill over the sides. Smooth top and sides with spatula. Refrigerate 1 hour to set. Transfer cake to serving plate and garnish with chopped candy, if desired.

Singing in the Rain!

Bless his heart. He loves to sing in the shower, I know he will probably kill us one day for doing this to him. But we just could not help it! It's priceless!

Win Something Made By Me For You!!

The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me!
My choice.
For you.
This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2. What I create will be just for you.
3. It'll be done this year. (ha! 10 whole months :)
4. You have no clue what it's going to be.
It may be a story.
It may be poetry or an article on properly cleaning your face before a masque.
I may draw or paint something.
I may bake something and mail it to you.
Who knows?
Not you, that's for sure!
5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.
The catch?
Oh, the catch is that you must re-post this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog.
The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a FAB-U-LOUS
homemade gift by me!
I do promise fabulosity here folks...

The Week With Dr. Monkey

This last week, we hosted Dallin's Preschool Class Pet, Dr. Monkey. We did a scrapbook journal for him to take to school. It was fun!

6th Picture Challenge

1. Go to the photo folder in your computer
2. Go to the 6th folder of photos.
3. Go to the sixth picture.
4. Put the picture on your blog and description of it.
5. Invite six friends to join the challenge.

This is a picture of Dallin with his cousin's, Katelyn, Nathan, Steven, and Christine at the park down the street from my parent's house. It was the week of July 4th 2006. Dallin was still in diapers and because it was an impromptu water playing time, we let him play in his diaper. Talk about your cryptosporidium! We changed his diaper before he got in, so it was reasonably clean. Anyway, when we were ready to leave, his diaper was hanging so far down his legs that he looked like he was wearing it on his ankles. That was one full diaper!

The Art of Reading Books

I'm speechless and can only say one thing...

At least she loves to read.

Dallin's First Valentine's Box

With Dallin in Preschool, it gives us as parents a lot of "firsts". First day of school, first show and tell, first halloween parade, etc. Well, he had to make a Valentine's Box for school and his teacher asked that it be a family activity. So last Family Home Evening, we started working on this Box! Well, Daddy didn't think we should just do some ordinary box and suggested we do a dog somehow. We found a 3 liter Shasta bottle, some fur left over from the sheep costume I made, paint, and a glue gun. It was a little shakey at times but this is what we came up with! It was the hit of the classroom. Dallin said he was going to keep his Valentine Dog for next year and every year after that! He loves it, we did it as a family, and had fun. That's all that matters!

What the...!

The other day, I came downstairs to our unfinished basement to find this! Now many of you look at this picture and say, "Oh, what cute kids". Well, my first reaction was, what were you two thinking! But, I have to say, I'm sure glad I didn't look past their face and miss the joy and pride they had in their eyes! They were so excited to show me their 'fort' they had spent so much time making. My frustration quickly turned into a chuckle and I ran to go get the camera! After I took a few shots of the new addition to our basement. we had a "party" in our new fort with Ritz Crackers and Strawberries. I think about that day now and realize that I wouldn't have that great memory with my kids if I had looked past their faces to the mess that lay beyond! Thank heavens for far-sightedness!