a day in the life

And just like that, he was one.

Doesn't it seem like just yesterday when Bean looked like this?
It certainly does to me. Or perhaps you remember him like this.
However you look at it, he has grown up and changed a lot this year.
He still has his gorgeous blue eyes that crinkle when he smiles and his Daddy's long forever long lashes.

And a super sweet smile.

And personality?


Yes. He has a lot of personality.

No seriously, a LOT of personality.

He loves pretty much any food I put in front of him sans avocado (which I haven't tried again because wow they have been expensive) and twice now has been very tentative about cake (video soon.) Still goes to bed at 7:00pm and still nursing although I can see that he will be done with that soon. I will be very sad when that is over as I have nursed him longer than the other two and that is just my favorite time to play with him. He is super ticklious under his arm pit, and I love hearing him giggle. He is nearly impossible to change thus we give him non-baby, and well, let's face it, semi dangerous objects to keep him occupied during diaper changes. I am talking thermometers, big kid toys, and Vick's containers. He now can say Mama, Daddy, ball, and yesterday said Yakson in a whisper. He loves to wrestle with Charlie, loves to pull Lillian's hair, and LOVES to be chased. He can totally get past our toy barricade and although still has the oddest crawl I have ever seen, still is not trying to climb steps or walk. We enjoyed his first Christmas a pull here or there on the tree, but he is a very good listener when we say "No touch."
I can't believe it was a year ago that I came home from the hospital with him. Still sore from the SPD and the worst decision I have EVER made in my entire life, getting a stinking tetnus shot. I forgot how much those hurt.
I still kick myself for not getting a single photo of Jess
who answered my call at 2:30AM!! and drove all the way from DE to help me through the delivery, or DADDY who of course is his DADDY until much later.
But don't worry Bean, Daddy held you all the time. So there you have it. Bean, Jack, Jackson is one. ONE. Or, as we said at his party, Uno.
Love you so much Bean

love, Mama

Friday Five

Did I say I was back to blogging? Well. I will get there, but still unpacking, editing, cleaning, POTTY TRAINING, hanging, and running around. But here are a few things I must share.

1. For my birthday this year, I made these
Petite Lasagna. OH MY they were so so good. Made with Won Ton noodles. You can find the recipe here. They are even great leftovers. Thanks Erin for the heads up :)
2. Charlie got another cold last week, thus, we ALL got colds. I cannot seem to keep this kid's fingers out of his mouth. Suggestions? I also have never been able to get him to blow his nose. It is a horrible, fighting, crying mess. And that is just me. So I came up with an idea. I now have him STOMP. As hard as he can. It is AMAZING. What a skill to have, but that kid can blow his nose like no one's business. Now if I could only figure out the trick for potty training. (Although MUCH progress has been made.)
3. Jack is crawing everywhere-still Army style, but he is starting to rock back and forth on his hands and knees a bit too. He is sitting up for longer periods of time, and stood next to the activity table yesterday. Oh and he is TERRIFIED of any toy that moves quickly on his own. Like tailspin of fear and screaming. I will have to get video of it because although a little sad, it is also veeeeeery funny.
4. Lily is definitely ready for school to start. I can't believe how grown up she is. I mean, she has gotten hurt a few times in the past few days and just said OUCH. I believe Adela and Jess know EXACTLY what I am talking about. She is also going to be six in just a few short weeks. Oh my-present ideas anyone??
5. I blogged over at Write. Click. Scrapbook! Everyone should check it out (except my Mama :)

Ten on Tuesday:: Charlie turned THREE

Forgive my lack of blogginess lately as I haven't seemed to figure out how to stay awake late at night anymore. Oh I miss my late night hours of creativity...
1. Charlie turned THREE on Saturday. I can hardly believe it. We moved here when he was only six months old. Ohio isn't "home," Ohio is a vacation to him. Just weird.
2. In our attempt to figure out the whole family of five thing a bit better, we opted to forgo the party this year and just spent the entire day together-just us. We spent all day opening presents-open one, play with it forever, open another, play with it forever, it was great. Big sister did excellent except for the brief moment of disappointment to losing a game, but she was so excited for her brother and it was fun to watch.

3. It was a Thomas and Cars sponsored birthday. Good heavens.

4. There were also a few robot things thrown in too. The Dillows got him the COOLEST robot book, and I gave him a magnetic robot building kit. One that I bought when I was pregnant with him and though wow, it will be forever before he can play with this, but it is ROBOTS so I guess I have to get it. Who knew forever would fly by this quickly?
5. We decided to use some gift cards we got at Christmas and go to Red Lobster for an early dinner. I am happy to say that eating at 4:30 allowed us to be sat immediately, get our food quickly, and have every single member of our family behave perfectly despite the fact they were too busy to allow us to pet the lobsters on our way out. I actually had everyone applaud our behavior in the car on the way home. Much improved from our disastrous Chocolate World trip...another day.
6. On the way to Red Lobster Bj was telling a story and said "I hate." In our family, hate is a bad word and it isn't allowed. So Lily said "We don't say hate!" Charlie then decided to correct us too; for example We don't say 'I hope they aren't busy.' and We don't say 'Did you bring the gift cards.' Hee hee.
7. One of Charlie's favorite presents was his Pillow Pet. Recently our friends came and spent the night and all the girls were comparing Pillow Pets. Wanting to be just like the big girls, he jumped to show of his pillow. Which is plain, and white, and boring. Poor kid. Then he said "I want a LADY BUG Pillow Pet." Every time that is what he went for. So we are now the proud owners of Charlie, the Lady bug Pillow Pet (his name :)
8. The first present he opened was a Cars book, which Lily promptly read to him. Have I mentioned that I love Kindergarden?
9. Charlie requested cinnamon toast for breakfast (normally he eats two kinds of cereal, toast, and a banana, but I think he was a bit excited,) waffle (again, really likes breakfast) oranges and apple sauce for lunch, and macaroni and cheese and broccoli for dinner. He also requested chocolate cake which he barely touched so wondering if he likes the idea of chocolate cake more than the actual chocolate cake.
Cause his mama, not a fan.
10. On April 1, when Bean turns THREE MONTHS, I am also going to attempt to get some shots of Charlie alone. Wish me luck cause I have never seen a kid so determined to not want to take a picture. There will most certainly be lots and lots of bribes.

Jackson Henry Taylor

Thought Jackson needed his own formal introduction on the blog.
Jackson Henry Taylor
born January 1, 2011 @ 7:51am
6lbs 15oz, 19 3/4 inches

Also thought I'd let you know I am once again doing a 365 for 2011 (Jack knew this and arrived right on time to be a extra special first picture!) Here's to a spectacular 2011 :)

Ten on Tuesday

1. As you may have heard, Charlie turned two on Friday. I made it through the whole day without crying once...until I put him to bed. Our nightly ritual includes brushing teeth, diaper change, (getting taped IN to the diaper,) jammies, stories, then some cuddles in the rocking chair. I decided to sing Happy Birthday one more time. The result was big, giant crocodile tears. My baby is two.
2. Here is the recap of his birthday celebration(s) 3. Did you catch that? THREE different cakes and THREE different celebrations. One with Mor Mor, one with Nonnie & Bapa and one with friends. This is one lucky kid. Who will not get any sugar for the next month ;) Oh and did you also notice that I am not in a single one of these pictures? NOT. ONE.
4. Somehow each and every single one of his presents are perfect for him. No joke. He has miraculously played with every single one, many, many times. Good job everyone.
5. That doesn't mean he doesn't find time to attach himself to my leg-or between my legs quite often. I literally was walking around the kitchen yesterday dragging him while I was preparing dinner. I thought that was just something that happened in the movies.
6.  He sat on the little potty for the first time today. And wouldn't get off. I think he sat for about 15 minutes. Much different than begging, bribing and finally making a chart solely based on just sitting on the potty for Lily. Nothing came of this time however.
7. Recently his language has been amazing and quite funny. The other day after hearing of all these two-year-olds and almost two-year-olds getting their molars I decided to check. I said "Oh Charlie, you are getting your molars." and he said "Yea! Molars!" He also has started copying what Lily is saying (which oh my is going to create great problems when she realizes this is actually a bit annoying) but at the moment it is patchy. As in "I asldkf jakdls laskdjf owiu sdlkf uu colored!!" Hee hee.
8. He has suddenly started waking up much earlier so it is harder for me to get my shower in before he gets up. However today for the first time, I put a show on and did not put him in the pack-n-play while I was showering. The verdict is still out if I will attempt this again any time soon.
9. Look Elizabeth, your very cool handiwork in action!
10. Happy Birthday Charlie. I hope it was a very Happy Day.

Two

That's right-he's two now. And as I slowly catch up on the craziness that was his birthday month, please be assured that he fully, FULLY enjoyed his happy day. And tomorrow's Ten on Tuesday will be filled with many festivities. Man I love this kid.
(waiting expectantly for the present opening to begin.)

Happy Birthday

Tomorrow or Today (whenever you read this)

I can post this here because Bj only remembers I have a blog every few weeks...
It's Bj's birthday (December 4th) He is 33! He is MUCH older than me. He is old. He even has some gray hair. He has hair that sometimes looks like a Monchichi.   And he passed that hair onto his son. So if you read this, email Bj, the birthday boy. Or write on his Facebook page (which he will eventually remember that he has.) Or call him. But don't text him-he can receive those. Just wish him a happy birthday-because I know if you have ever met him, he has made you laugh. A real laugh that came from deep inside. Because he is just that funny. (And sometimes funny looking. Like a Monchichi :)

A little birthday recap

We had a great birthday around these parts and I think fun was had by all. We had a little photo shoot today but I will share more of that later. For now, BIRTHDAY!
I have been wanting to do the flower pot deserts FOREVER. And let me tell you, they were a big hit. Lily's has the purple flower (her choice, and her boy guest has the one with the worms ;) Her party was more of a playdate so no big games or activities, but we did get to open some presents. Lily really knows how to make you feel really good about the special present you give her. This is her reaction to opening tights. which she then hugged tightly. She had this reaction to everything :)
I also love that she immediately had to look through her book despite all the excitement-just like her Mama. and this is my new favorite picture-see her little toes at the bottom? tee hee. The party was soon over and a mad dash occurred where Mama ran around cleaning up just in time to greet our next Summer guests-Nonnie & Bapa! Sadly, my flash was out of battery and I didn't get a good one of her reaction when she saw them-but trust me it was a good surprise. While waiting for dinner we opened presents in which she got  a dollhouse! Worth it to show this terribly burry picture. Have to work on my action shot lighting reflexes. But priceless just the same. It is now up in her room so we haven't really seen much of this girl-she is too busy playing with it :) So next was dinner (Kraft dinner, FRESH corn on the cobb and biscuits, ie Lily's favorites) and then to work off that big dinner we took a walk/ride around the block.  Where she got stung by a bee-just moments after this photo. But thank heavens the stinger didn't go in, she doesn't seem to be allergic and before we got home she was telling me she was just fine and not to worry. So then onto cake!  Next it was bedtime, but just as I was closing the curtains, I noticed this  I came out just as the double was disappearing. But I did catch this  A perfect end to a wonderful birthday celebration.

Anticipation

Did he like it? Check 365 to find out.