Growing Like A Weed!

Look at how these girls have grown!  We are so silly and have made it a tradition to take a picture of the girls in the same pose on the same day every year.  Silly I know, but so fun! :)  I can’t wait to see what this picture will look like in 16 years! 

Oops, looks like we swapped Reese and Sam’s position from years past!

Here’s our little pumpkin pies in 2012…

And, way back in the day in 2011 when Tay was 6 months old and Reese and Sam were just days old…

 

Time sure flys and they grow up so fast.  Tay is at such a fun, but also a challenging age at two and a half.  She is developing her sense of humor and is showing how smart and witty she is!  Watching her humor develop just amazes me because you can’t teach that.  It’s just part of who you are.  Taylor has become my little buddy and we are basically connected at the hip.  I don’t mind holding her, carrying her, etc… because I know there will be a day when she’ll grow out of it, so I just soak it all in.  She can be trying too at times, but what 2 year old isn’t?! 

Her two and a half year old well visit went perfectly and I am so grateful for a happy HEALTHY perfect little girl!

30 Month Stats

Height: 36.5 inches 74%

Weight: 35 pounds 95%

Tay Tay, at two and a half you are a ball of fun and laughter.  You are the sweetest, most compassionate little girl I know.  You LOVE school and your teaches just ADORE you!  I love your school too!  You know your ABC’s and recognize most of your letters, but aren’t able to write any yet.  You love to sing songs and you just started singing Royals by Lorde when it plays on the radio.  It is a riot to watch you get into the song and sing your little heart out!  You LOVE princesses and everything Disney!  You have already planned out what you want to be for the next 2 Halloweens – Snow White next year, then Belle the year after!  You watch Sofia the First EVERY day!  I like the show too, so we enjoy watching together.  We spend one evening a week with your GrGr and Papa’s house and you love to go there to watch movies in bed, play at the farm, feed the cows and drive the golf cart while GrGr whips up one of your favorite dinners.  You are potty trained, but pooping is still a bit of a challenge.  You’re still very young to be potty trained, so I know it will all happen when you’re ready.  You go to bed around 8pm and wake up at 6:30ish.  The first thing you do when you wake up is come into my room, get in bed with me, and we watch Sofia.  You’d eat waf-wafs or cereal for breakfast every morning if I let you.  You eat very well at school, but can be a picky or light eater at dinner times.

I could go on and on about my Tay… I just love to document what she’s up to at this very moment of her life because as all you parents know, it changes SO fast!

Big Girl!

Where has my baby gone?  Lately, Taylor has been trading in so many of her baby ways and is becoming a big girl!  Where has the time gone?!

First off, she’s dressing herself!  She gets frustrated when she can’t do it, so I try to give her easier clothes that she can take on and off herself.  She get’s so excited when she can do it! 

This time her shirt and pants were on backwards, but ah well!

Taylor is in big girl PANTIES now too!  This is a HUGE deal, folks!!  She’s been wearing pull ups and pee-peeing on the potty now for a few months, but it was time to move her to the next step and make her more accountable for her pee accidents.  I think she is really getting it and is excited about it too!  I keep a little kid potty in the living room, so she can quickly get to that on her own when she feels the urge, but she also goes on the big girl potty too!  I’m so proud of her, but where did my diaper wearing baby go??!!

This summer she’s been swimming every Saturday and Sunday morning at the Club House pool.  She’s doing so well at it and learning survival skills like swimming to the wall, crawling out of the pool, and floating!  We practiced her floating in the bath tub tonight.  :)

Taylor has given up her highchair as of late too.  It makes me sad; I love that thing!  So convenient having her safely sitting in her chair when I’m putting dinner together, but I’m afraid those days are gone.  She demands a big girl seat at the table now.  It’s tough keeping her sitting and still for a meal, but we’re working on that.  She’s also all about “I do it!”  - that is her saying of the month.  All I hear as I tried to cut the corn off the cob this evening was, “I do it.  I do it, Momma!", so I just let her go to town on the cob.  She handled it perfectly!

We’ve had a lot of visitors this summer too – a few of Taylor’s cousins, Claire, Ian, and Avery all came to Florida.  This was Taylor’s first time being around a 14 year old boy and she was in L-O-V-E with Ian!  Once she warmed up to him, he was all she talked about!  He was so good with her and even hand fed her dessert! :)  She still talks about him, so I’m glad we’ll be seeing them all again soon for Christmas in Texas!

Claire and Avery came another week and Taylor just loved spending time with the big girls!  We went shopping one afternoon and had a blast together. 

  

 

Claire and Taylor – the oldest and youngest of the grandkids :)  LOVE seeing them together!

Happy Summer All!

22 months

 

Oh my Taylor May!  You are 22 months old – that is OLD! :)  Every second with you is an absolute blessing!  Truly!  It is just such a joy watching you learn and grow.  You pick things up by the minute and are an sponge.  You have the ability to crack me up!  You are the sweetest thing, yet you do have your fair share of tude – and I love it! :)

Taylor is about 34 pounds (97th percentile), 33” tall (38th percentile).  She wears a 2-3T clothes, a size 5 diaper, and 7 (wide) shoe.  In other words – there is a whole lotta Tay to love!  She is a great eater and sleeper.  She sleeps about 12 hours and night and naps for about 2 hours every day.  I had one really tough week where she refused to go to sleep and kept getting out of bed, but luckily, she bounced right back to her normal good-sleeping self!  I rely on my quite time in the evening after she goes to sleep, so that week was rough!

Taylor still loves going to school and adores her teachers!  She is excelling in her color recognition, vocabulary, and comprehension!  I’ve got a little smarty on my hands!  Taylor sure does LOVE her “ommie” (that’s what she’s named her pacifier), but we limit it to just naps and bedtimes.  She will say, “bye ommie…” and drop it in her bed when she gets up in the morning. 

Taylor enjoys walking Romie and going to the park.  We have a park directly across the street from our new house, so it is so convenient!

I love that Taylor loves her evening bath time and brushing her teeth!  I got her an electric tooth brush and Elmo toothpaste, so it’s actually fun for her!  She is showing some interest in pee-peeing on the potty too!  She’ll sit there and play with a toy and try to do her business.  I know it’s still early to be potty training, but hey, if she’s open to the idea, I am going with it!  Once she transfers to the two year old room at school, they will really work with her on potty training, so that will be nice.

I cannot believe that in two short months, my baby will be 2!!!  Sure, I miss the baby Tay, but I am loving each stage and watching her grow!  We just started to plan her birthday party.  It will be a small pool party at the neighborhood’s splash pad with just a few of her little friends.  Can’t wait! :)

18 Months!

Guess what?! 

My baby is not a baby anymore…. she’s a YEAR AND A HALF!  

Where does the time go?? 

“They” say that parenting just keeps getting better and better and they grow and turn into little people, and they are right!  It has been a glorious past 18 months, and the best is yet to come!

Bear with me for just a minute, while I chronicle what my girl is up to these days...  It’s fun for me to look back and remember what life is like at this moment with her since things change so fast.  Taylor never ceases to amaze me – this girl is saying just about everything, putting words together, and understands everything!  She is recognizing her colors and saying them pretty well.  Her favorite past times are – watching “Abby Abby Abby!!” (that’s what she fondly calls Sesame Street), looking at books, pointing out animals and their sounds, playing with the fridge magnets, and climbing up and down the stairs (eek!). 

A typical week day for Tay consists of waking up around 7am (she is still a super-sleeper!), eating breakfast (that usually includes a banana), then off to school around 9am.  We like to have leisurely mornings when we can.  Tay is in the 18 –24 mo. school room and just thrives there.  She loves story time, play time, and especially snack time!  They eat lunch around 11 am, then nap on little cots from about 12-2.  I try to pick her up by 4 each day, but sometimes I am earlier and other times I am working late.  When we get home, Taylor enjoys going for a golf cart ride with her GrrGrr and Papa to see the “moooooo cows”, then we have dinner, her evening bath, and then we settle down with our evening beverage – milk, of course!

I feel like I always say the same things in her monthly updates, but she really is such a JOY!  She’s the sweetest thing with a touch of tude.  I love that little tude she’s getting too – it reminds me of me! :)

 

18 Month Growth Stats:

Head: 19.68” 100% – holy noggin!

Height: 33” 86%

Weight: 29 lbs. 95%

That’s one healthy girl if I’ve ever seen one!

We passed the time at her doctor’s appointment by pointing out all the animals on the walls.  She knows just about all of them!

  

Tay wears anywhere from 24 mo. to a 3T clothes these days.  She is already in a size 6 or 7 shoe… I think she is going to have big feet :/  I just bumped her up to a size 5 diaper too, but they are a little roomy.  She has about 10 teeth now.  It seems like she just got them ALL at once.  She’s been a teething mess lately.  That’s got to be rough.  Molars are coming in now, so hopefully the worst of the teething is behind us?  I am about to move her in to a big girl bed.  She’s really ready and totally capable of staying in bed all night but I am just waiting until I move (((which will be SOON!))) so there is less change for Tay to have to adapt to.  The crib will be staying at GrrGrr’s house, so she’ll have that to nap in when she visits.

  

 Taylor May Elise… You continue to exceed all my expectations of what being a Mommy would be like and what my daughter would be.  You are my daily reminder of God’s faithfulness!  You bring a smile and such joy to all who meet you.  You are going to do great things in this world; I just know it!  I love you with all my heart, baby girl!

My Girl

My mom and I had fun dressing Taylor in a dress that my Grandma Hoffmann made for me 30 years ago.  Here’s Taylor above, rocking the 80’s look.  She was so adorable in the dress!  Doesn’t it look so comfy?!  Below, is little old me on my second birthday with that very same dress on!  (Will you get a look at that cake my mom made??  That’s impressive!)

 

I totally see a resemblance in Taylor and I here, don’t you??  I found this picture of me around 6 or 7 months old and it reminded me SO much of the picture I took of Tay at 8 months old on the beach! 

This is me on the morning of my first birthday.  I didn’t have quite the same picture pose to compare it to, but I tried. 

  

Same hair, same eyes, and the same super-chunk figure!

I see A LOT of Taylor in these two last pics.  I was 14 months here, so very close to Taylor’s age.  I think I’ll put her in my car and try to get this same pose.  I know, I know… too much time on my hands :)

That’s MY girl!  How I love her so!

14 Months & Counting

Its been awhile since I’ve done a little photo shoot with Taylor, so what a better time than her 14 month birthday?!  Taylor is busy walking and talking and exploring her world.  She is one lucky girl to have “MOOOOOO” cows (as she would say) as our next door neighbors.  Every time she sets foot outside, she’s constantly saying “moooo-mooooo”.  They are her fav!  Taylor’s other newest thing is carrying around a magnet or a stuffed animal at all times.  She loves on her stuffed animals and recently took a liking to Donald Duck. 

 

I am so blessed to have such a happy sweet baby!  She is so tolerant and sweet 99 percent of the time.  The other one percent, she is starting to test her boundaries like any normal one year old would.  She doesn't want to sit still for diaper changes and doesn’t want to leave the bath; just your typical one year old stuff. 

She is proudly rocking 18-24 month clothes, size 4 diapers, and a 4 or 5 shoe.  Here, she is wearing a little Gymboree get-up that Auntie Traci got her which is a 2T and still a little big.  I clipped the back for our pictures.  Tay still has just 4 teeth, but that doesn’t keep her for eating anything!  She’s willing to try anything and will take a bite right from your sandwich! 

Life with my Tay Tay May just keeps on getting better and better!  This girl is the light of my life and so much fun to be with! 

 

Tay at 13 Months

I know I say this every month, but each month seriously keeps getting better and better with Taylor!  There were certain milestones in her first year that I just loved, but I gotta tell you… 13 months is awesome!  This girl has such a personality, a sense of humor, and is communicating so well!  She’s saying a few words, but it’s more than that; it’s the way she non-verbally communicates with us.  She is doing so well in swim class too.  It’s just amazing to see this little baby responding to the swim commands and showing improvement over the weeks.  It is so exciting to see as a parent.

Taylor’s latest feat is WALKING!  I officially have a walker!!  One afternoon, Mom and I were playing with Taylor out in the grass.  My Grandma came out to join in on the fun and so right as all four generations were there, Taylor started to take her first real steps!  Thanks to my phone always being in my pocket, I was able to catch it all on video!  It was such an exciting time for us!   

Here’s the Four Generations over a year ago before Miss Tay Tay entered the world…

 

Other fun facts about Taylor at 13 months:

• She wears anywhere from 12 month – 2 T clothes.
• A size 4 shoe. 

Oh my gosh… baby shoes are SO much fun!  I love picking out her little outfits and completing them with the perfect pair of shoes.  She just recently got this pair from her Auntie Anna!  Awwww!

• She has 4, going on 6 teeth.  (Two bottom teeth, two top teeth, and a few more coming in.)
• She eats anything and everything without any problem!  This chick LOVES food!  It is such a joy to see my girl just eat.  She will try anything on my plate.
• She drinks 2% milk – a bottle in the AM and PM.
• She still sleeps between 10-12 hours a night.  Hallelujah! :)
• She takes 1 real nap each day from 12-2 pm, but will catch a few cat naps in the car whenever she can.
• She’s saying, “Moooo” to the cows, “ruff” to Romie, “Momma” or course :), “Pap” for Papa, “Meee” for Mimi, “Mmmmm” for good food :), “Bath”, “Hi” (when she holds a cell phone up to her ear), “baby” to all pictures of babies, babies that we see, and to her dollies.  She is close to saying a few more things.  She is a chatter box.  We may not be able to understand what’s she’s saying, but she sure has things to tell us!
• She tries feeding herself with a fork and is successful at it most of the time, and she tries brushing her own hair too after I brush it.
• She enjoys playing Mommy by pushing her babies around in a baby stroller and by giving her baby a pretend bottle.  So cute to see a little baby play mommy!
• She loves bathes and anytime in the pool.  She also enjoys swinging and riding in the golf cart.  Likes to watch the cows, but does not want to feed or touch them yet. 

It sure is good to be a 13 month old!  Her life is full of fun, learning, and love!  We couldn’t ask for more.

Being a Mom is the best thing EVER and Taylor is the greatest love of my life.  I am so blessed to have a sweet and easy little girl too!  She is really good to me.

It’s Good to be 1!

Taylor has been thriving and blossoming into a beautiful little toddler lately.  She is so much fun to be with and changing daily!  I still just stare at her in complete amazement.  Since she’s turned one, she has been leading quite an exciting life….

For starters, she’s of legal golf cart driving age at The Farm!  Check this girl out!  She is serious about her driving!

Taylor has graduated to the 1 Year Old room at school.  This is a BIG deal!  She has new teachers, some new friends, and they eat their meals together at little tables, and nap on cots everyday from 12-2!  How these teachers get 6 one year olds to all nap on cots at the same time blows my mind, but they do! 

Also, in her new class, they eat all table foods.  She feeds herself, tries using a spoon, and drinks from a Sippy cup.  She’s down to just a morning and night bottle…. sniff sniff!  My baby is growing up!  She devours everything put in front of her even though she still only has two (almost three) little teeth!  The other morning I made her an Eggo waffle for breakfast, and before I could tear it up into tiny pieces, she grabbed it and ate it whole!  She doesn’t mess around with food.

One of the biggest changes in her lately has been the swim lessons she’s started.  She is the youngest by probably 8 months or so in her class, and it is amazing to see this tiny little person responding to commands and learning what is being taught!  It amazes me that a baby can understand what you tell them and comprehend it!  We tell her to kick her legs and she starts kicking, we tell her to paddle her arms and she paddles.  We guide her to the wall of the pool and she holds herself up on the side.  It is so rewarding watching her learn and enjoy herself!

Here she is relaxing after a long day at the pool.

I just have to end with this sweet picture…

This is my sweet Papa, who we now fondly call “Old Papa”.  There is a 90 year age difference between these two and they still laugh and play games together. It is so fun to watch them interact!  I love that Taylor gets to know her great grandparents.  Papa recently had a little heart scare and diabetes flare-up and spent a few days at the hospital, so one evening after bath time, Taylor and I walked over to welcome Mimi & Papa’s home and for kisses good night.  It was only 7 o’clock, but you know, at these ages, they like to get to bed early! :)  We are so glad to have our Old Papa home and healthy!

ONE!!!

It’s off with the monthly stickers,

because this baby girl is ONE!

Yippee!!

Taylor and I had a BLAST celebrating her this past weekend.  My buddy, Cass of Artful Life Photography, was there and she took some amazing pictures.  Here is a little teaser for now.  Many, many more pictures and details about Tay’s party to come!  THANK YOU to all our loved ones who came and who made it a day to remember forever!

12 Month Well Check Stats:

Head Circumference: 90th percentile (18.5 inches)

Height: 47th percentile (29 inches)

Weight: 85th percentile (23.5 pounds) Chuba-bubba! 

 

11 Months!

 

Look at this almost ONE year old! 

Taylor May is 11 months old and time just will not slow down!  Since I cannot stop time, I am just trying my best to soak up every minute of this little girl I get.  From the first smile of the morning, to meals, to play time, to naps, bath, and bed time… it is all a joy that I get to do with this beautiful baby.  I am so blessed to get to be her Mommy!  The first signs of Taylor’s “tude” are starting to show up, and again, I am just trying to embrace it and enjoy the changes and to see her grow.  Her generic answer to any question you ask her without hesitation is a shake of the head “no”.  When I leave her side, it’s an immediate cry for mommy, and bed time…. well, last month, I spoke just a little too soon.  I cannot just lie her down and she falls asleep anymore.  Nope.  She just started this new thing where she stands up in her crib and cries.  She’s so tired, but is learning how to fight it.  Luckily, she still sleeps all night like a champ though.

Taylor is blossoming into a little person.  She is such a big shot now that she’s walking with the assistance of her walker.  This is a big deal, folks!  She can pull herself up onto anything.  She is so ready to walk!  Over this past month, she finally cut her first two teeth!  She is eating just about everything insight.  The other night I left her chow down on some spaghetti with us, and she could not get enough of it!  She fed herself with both hands, one fist full after another.  She sucked each noodle down as she grabbed for the next.  Taylor loves to feed herself and get messy from head to toe.  I love it too; i think it’s fun to let them get elbow deep in their dinner and have a little fun with it.  Bath time is always after dinner, so what’s a little mess going to hurt?

Tay is sporting 18 month clothes already!  I just can’t believe how fast she is growing!  I bought her some shorts to wear this summer for school and thought for sure 18 month size would be more than roomy, but nope!  They fit her perfectly and some are a little snug actually!  Her hair as you can see, is growing by the week!  It needs to be styled now and brushed!  She is crawling everywhere, playing, high-fiving, pointing, clapping, waiving to everyone and more!  She is just so much fun!  Her new thing is the look at pictures throughout the house.  She is in the habit of asking my Dad to show her each picture on the book shelves and tell her who it is.  She just loves it and can look at them 3 or 4 times a day!  She also has to stop at the fridge were we have more pictures to look at and magnets to play with.  She will sit in front of the fridge and entertain herself by moving the magnets around.  She also totally recognizes her self in pictures.  She must think she’s cute too, because she will squeal and smile when she sees herself! 

This girl is on the move!  Just seconds after sitting her down in the garden for pictures, she grabbed a handful of grass and stuffed it into her mouth…

Our photo shoots have to be short and quick these days.  No longer do I have a little baby who’s willing to sit still for 15 minutes while I torture photograph her.

I know, I know… I always say the same stuff on every monthly update, but I mean it!  My time with Taylor just keeps getting better and better!  I’d say that Taylor is more work now than she ever has been, but still she is such an easy, sweet baby!  She is the light of my life and my joy! 

Taylor May…. Wow, what an exciting past 11 months it has been seeing you grow to become more and more beautiful inside and out!  Watching you learn and develop daily, and seeing your personality come out is so much fun!  You never cease to amaze me and I have a feeling that won’t ever end with you.  I can still stare at you in awe and watch you sleep.  You’re just so angelic!  You make me laugh and bring so much joy to my life!