Jane Renee

"What?" you say.."you have another baby??" 

Yep, we do, and in fact, she is now 4 months old! Here's a little about her..

She was born June 26, 2012, and was 9lbs 1 oz, and 21 inches long.  She has been a pretty good baby.  She only cries when Mom eats food she doesn't like, if she's just too tired, and when she's hungry.  She has been such a fun addition to our family, and her sisters LOVE having her around.  They help me with her all the time.  She lights up when she sees them in the morning.  She is calm, happy baby, which really helps me out with having 2 babies!! I finally feel like I've got the hang of things, and Jane is getting more and more fun everyday.  She loves to chatter, and is trying so hard to get a laugh out.  She loves toys, and is trying her best to sit up.  She also is biting me all the time, so teeth must be on their way.

Brand new with her loving sisters

Blessing Day

Newborn pics

 Our little Wicked Witch

Kate update

Penguins in Hawaii

Always has her binky

Doing her own thing

Napping on the beach

Natural heart in the rock

Sister love!

 Starting BOM reading early

Goofy

Look, hands free somersault!

 

 

Well, Kate is now 18 mos old!! She is starting to talk, and has 5 clear words; yah, uh-uh, cheese, mam!!, and hi.  We love how she is so responsive, and its great to finally be able to figure out what she wants!  She loves to play with Taylor, take naps with her baby, hug her sister Jane, and sleep in Taylor's bed.  She is such a goof, and is always trying to get a laugh out of us.  In fact, the other day she was belly flopping off her chair onto the floor to get laughs.  She's a riot, and we sure LOVE this phase....(well, except for the "I'm-going-to-throw-myself-on-the-floor-and-throw-a-fit-for-no-obvious-reason...yah..those rock..)

Taylor Tidbits

It's been a long time, I know.  I won't give you my list of excuses, and I'll just get to the good stuff.  Here are some funny things she's been telling us lately.

I know how to spell computer;  D-E-L-L

Me: Taylor, open you eyes and look for ALL the movies(to be put away, on the couch next to her, she has selective vision).
Tay: Sometimes I just have to blink Mom.

Yah, we cracked up too...and then she told us to stop making fun of her..and we just kept laughing.

I caught Taylor putting eyeliner all over her eyelids right as Jane woke up and started crying from her nap. So I asked Tay to go talk to her while I put away the makeup. After a few seconds of hearing her talk to Jane, she comes running back, "MOM!!! Jane is smiling at me! She sees my makeup and thinks I'm the mom!!!"

When our home teachers come over, the dad really likes to talk to Taylor (ie, give her a hard time).  Taylor always runs upstairs to get her princess dresses on (you knew you had to do that for the home teachers right?).  Anyway, one particularly sassy Sunday, she came down in full gear; dress, shoes, crown, jewelry. 
 Our home teacher commented, "Wow, that's a pretty crown, can I try it on?
Tay: "No, boys don't wear crowns."
HT: "What about kings? Kings wear crowns."
Tay: "Well, you're not a king, so you can't wear my crown"
HT: "How do you know? I think I"m a king!"
After a short pause, and a slight twinge of exasperation, she threw back, " Yeah, the king of NOTHING!!!"



Mom: Taylor, you are old enough to put your shoes and socks away by yourself.
Taylor:  Do you think that I am 5!?!  NO! Do you think that I am 4 1/2!?!  NO!! I'm just 4!!!



Taylor has started preschool/joy school and she loves it.  She is learning quickly about all the letters, and loves to write letters to her friends.  She has also learned some basic addition skills, and loves testing us.  She and Kate are becoming such good friends.  Taylor often lets Kate hop in bed with her, and they both fall asleep together.  She is such a cute little girl, and we love watching her develop into a "kid".

Taylor modeling a winter coat I made for her..got to test for Peek-A-Boo Pattern shop

Giant Hawaiian Ice in Hawaii

Penguins at the resort in Waikiki

Tay went down a long dark water slide all by herself!

First day of preschool

Blowhole in Maui

Preschool at the Pumpkin Patch

Taylor Tidbits

These pics are a little outdated at this point, but still soo cute! We've been camera-less for awhile now, so I"ll have to get a bunch taken soon!

First, I just want to say that Taylor is a GREAT big sister. She is such a help, and can make Kate laugh like no one else. Kate searches for Taylor every morning, just waiting for her to wake up.

This year for general conference, we watched over at Braden's fam's house. They put up little jars with candies in them, and when the kids hear the word on each labeled jar, they get a candy. Well, Taylor sure loved this! She told me " Mom, the prophet is so nice, he gets me marshmallows" (the jar with marshmallows was a word the prophet used repeatedly in his talk).

A few weeks ago, she had her first primary song performance in sacrament. After it was over, she walked up to me and said "Mom, was that wonderful?"

She is obviously picking up on things I say to her, because the other night I asked her to do something for the third or fourth time that day that she had still not gotten around to. She exclaimed "You don't have to tell me firty (30) times in one day!"

On Mother's Day, Taylor was over at the potluck at Grandma Tracy's house. Aunt Denise was taking pictures of all the kids playing outside. Taylor was bouncing on the trampoline, and Aunt Denise bent down to tell her she was so cute and say hello. Taylor looked up at her and said "Excuse me, I am trying to get by." Well, I guess we're missing some manners!!

We went to a wing bar the other night for dinner. After we left, we asked Taylor how she liked it. "I just did not like that place Mom, there was just too much loudness. I just did not like it!"

And last but not least for tonight..a conversation we had in the car a few days ago.

"Mom, can Jesus see us from heaven?"

"Yes, he can"

"Well, how can he do that?"

"I'm not really sure, but he can"

"Does Jesus have really good eyes?"

"Yes! That's it, he has really good eyes"

(Pause)

"Well, I have really good eyes too, but I can't see him. But that's ok Mom, because I know what he looks like. He has long hair and wears a white dress. I saw him in my book at church."

Love my girls!!

Updates Galore!!

Well first, I should apologize to Kate that I have done such a crappy job of posting about her..sorry baby girl! We really do love you!

Kate turned 1!! Yeah!! She was VERY uninterested in cupcakes..I even had to smash it on her mouth a little bit just to get some fun pics!

Since our last post, Kate has gotten 10 teeth total now. We got one a week for 6 weeks in a row, and then a molar, which gave her fevers of 104!! Miserable!! But we are so grateful to have those done before this next little one pops out!

AND..Kate is finally walking!!!! I have just been dying for her to walk, because I don't know how I will carry 2 babies around everywhere, and she finally started last week. Very unsure, but this week, she now stands up and walks everywhere she can. She is so proud of herself, and we too are so excited for her! She loves it!!! Her cousins Sam, Calvin, and Emry are in town, and she just loves to walk around with them and be one of the "big" kids!

Kate has gotten some sign language down, and is really excellent at pointing out exactly what she wants. She has tossed out a few things we are pretty sure are first words, but nothing definite yet. She's waiting until she's got something real important, I just know it!

Kate has also started throwing fits ...(yah, she's a little young for this darn it!). When she does not get her way, she throws herself on the floor and just lays there crying. It is unfortunately really funny and cute to watch. If I hadn't dropped my camera the other day, I would post some pics of it, because it is HILARIOUS! I'll work on getting a video.

Kate is learning very quickly how to snatch things she wants (where could she have learned that, Taylor?) She is a bit possessive of her toys, story of the 2nd child I guess.

Fav snacks are pretzel sticks. She could eat them all DAY!!

A funny Kate story..Kate LOVES her bed...LOVES! She goes down for naps like a champ. The other day, I put her in bed, gave her little kisses and said goodnight. A few mins later, I heard some whining, which is very uncommon for her, so I peeked in to see what was the matter. Kate was sitting up, but her eyes were totally closed. Everytime her body started to fall down, Kate would let out a whine, but she was dead asleep. Sooo cute! Of course, I went in and laid her down, and she was finally able to sleep peacefully. Poor little girl!

New words and funny things, Kate update

There have been a lot of "battles" going on at my house, I guess that comes with the territory when your daughter eats, sleeps, and breathes princess life. Lately, she's been letting Kate be the princess. She runs all over the house battling the evil witch (Braden). Although we started using the word "defeat" because "kill" or "stab" is just not ok at this age, Taylor has come up with her own version of the word. The other night she ran up to her dad and said, "I will suffeat you evil witch!" "Why?" "Because I am a saver, and I must save the princess!!!"

A few mornings ago, my mom called, and so I let Taylor answer the phone. I walked into the kitchen to finish what I was doing. After a few seconds, Taylor ran into to tell me that Nana was coming over. As soon as she finished, the phone rang again. I figured it must be my mom needing to talk to me, so I told Taylor to go get the phone and she what Nana wanted now. Taylor picked up the phone and said "What now???" Except it wasn't my mom....awesome.

My favorite word of this phase: Yesternight

Kate update:

Kate started crawling just after 9 months! YEah! Very goofily with one leg tucked under her bum, and the other leg out, using just her toe to move along. Pretty much before she was crawling, she was taking any opportunity to stand up, so now that she's mobile, she standing on everything. She just needs a bit more balance, and off she'll be walking.

She gives great high-fives, waves, and I think she's saying "hi".

She is a curious little bug, moving all around and checking out everything left on the floor.

She loves her baby dolls, and gives them the cutest hugs and smiles.

She is full of expression; such a happy disposition.

Screams for her dad the second he walks in the door if he dares do anything else before picking her up.

Want to eat a snack?? Not around Kate. If you have food, know you are going to share. Think you'll just give her one little bite and hurry and eat it? Yah right, think again. She is the food monster. DEMANDING!

LOVES her Taylor..LOVES! Hates when Taylor leaves her, gets so excited waiting for Taylor to get up in the morning. Adores her all day. Definitely her favorite friend. Taylor can get her to laugh and smile like no one else.

Head shakes--shakes her head at us as fast as she can (really has to work on balance then), and then just laughs like she is the funniest thing ever.. (which of course, we agree!)

Santa Claus

Conversation I had with Taylor last night..

Me: It's almost Christmas, I talked to Santa, and we got you some presents for Christmas!

Tay: I just do not believe that mom! Is that true??

Me: You don't believe in Santa? Who told you not to believe in Santa?

Tay: I just do not know if I believe that Mom.

Me: Well, if you don't believe in Santa, Santa won't bring you any presents then.

Tay: Well, I believe in Santa, I just don't believe outside Santa.

Halloween Costumes

Here they are!!

Plans and Deals...Kate Update

I think we're past notable quotes from Taylor these days, its now conversations. Here's a couple funny ones since the last time we chatted..

Tay on the phone w/Dad: Dad, I have a plan.

Dad: What's that?

Tay: We're going to a dinner tonight.

Dad: Oh, where?

Tay: To a pizza place (her fav place, they give her dough to play with while we wait)

Dad: Well, I can't go tonight, let's go on Friday.

Tay: I'm going tonight Dad, me and mommy and Kate...TONIGHT!

Tay: Mom, I want to go see Sam and Calvin (cousins who live in Utah)

Mom: Oh, well they live far far away, it would take us all day to get there.

Tay: Well, I'll take a nap.

Mom: Oh, well, I don't think we can go there today.

Tay: Mom, here's the deal. I'm going to see Sam and Calvin.

Yep, always keeping it interesting at our house!

As for the Kater;

We sure love her! She is a cute little stinker. She loves playing patty cake, and itsy bitsy. She is a little beast when it comes to food. We cannot eat in front of her at all. She just whines until she gets a piece. She's a great (although ravenous) eater, and is very verbal about whether she wants food or water. She makes the cutest face when she eats: she purses her lips and sucks on her tongue a little bit, savoring every bite. She LOVES her big sister Kate, smiles are just infectious when Tay is around. She is sitting up on her own now, and fighting us about tummy time every step of the way. She laughs and smiles and plays most the day. Anything within reach is fair game to end up yanked and in the mouth (esp hair, jewelry, clothes, phones). Another favorite thing she does is she is always patting our arms or back while we hold her. She also rubs her chin like a perplexed little old man. Such a fun baby, and so different from her sister. Amazing the little personalities they already have.

After a ravenous feeding session

Matching Halloween outfits...more of those to come!

We took Taylor to an aquarium out at the Silverton Hotel/Casino. She loved looking at all the fish and stingrays, and they even have a mermaid show, which she was quite excited about!

Trees and Growing Older

Taylor: "Daddy is bringing home dinner of chicken and rice and broccoli, and NO vegetables!!"

Me: No vegetables? What is broccoli??

Taylor: Trees!

Taylor gets to sleep in underwear instead of diapers these days. Every morning she wakes up so excited that she did not have an accident. The other morning I told her how big she was getting and how good she was doing, and I asked her "How did you get so big?" In a matter of fact voice much older than her age, she said "My legs are long. I eat my vegetables."

Quilt Scrap Dress

Hey All!! Thanks for checking out my "Crafting with the Stars" entry!!

The Story: So, I am making my daughter a quilt for her 3rd birthday, (you can check it out HERE if you want), and I had a bunch of leftovers that were just too cute to throw away. When I saw the contestant auditions, I started racking my brain for what I could enter..and then it hit me! I could use my leftovers to create "fabric" for a dress to match the birthday quilt. My almost 3 yr old will love it, I will love it, and I won't have to just throw the scraps away! So, after some configuring, and a LOT of sewing the last few days...here it is!!

(Couldn't coax any smiles out today, she was little nervous about her debut..)

What I love about this dress:

1. It is totally bright and fun! 2. It's economical..you could make this dress with leftover scraps from any project, or hang onto clothes that get stained and cut them up into squares to create your own "fabric". 3. This dress is almost all rectangles, so you don't have to have a pattern. 4. It matches her birthday quilt...what little girl won't love that?

Thanks for looking, and I hope you love it!

Here's a quick close up of the bow knot, can you tell I just love it??

Birthday Quilt

Ok, so I know its not finished, but I'm just getting so excited I had to put up a pic. All Taylor wants for her 3rd birthday is a new blanket (easy right??) Well, I've been sitting on some quilting fabric I planned for her quite some time ago, so it was the perfect time to get it started. Now mind you, this quilt is far from finished. I still have to finish attaching the borders until even just the front is done..but isn't it cute??

Also, I've decided to enter Crafting With The Stars, a craft competition at SewDangCuteCrafts...keep your eyes peeled for my entry post!! I'm working on starting my own craft blog, so I'll have that up and running soon too!

Tangled is terrifying..

For those of you who have seen Tangled, you will understand why this is Taylor's FAVORITE movie right now...but she has to cover her eyes for one part. For those of you who may have not seen it yet, Rapunzel has magical hair, but when cut it loses its power. Mother Goethel (the bad guy/i guess girl) kidnaps Rapunzel as a baby when she tries to snip off some of her hair and learns its now powerless. Anyway, point being, Taylor covers her eyes for this part everytime. Naturally, I assumed that it was because the mean old lady is kidnapping a baby, but Taylor corrected me today. She covers her eyes because she is scared when the old lady cuts Rapunzel's hair because she is scared to have her hair cut because she wants it to "grow lOOOng down to the floor"

Haircuts=terrified toddlers

Funny Things and Kate Updates

Funny things Taylor has been telling us lately..

Kate was crying, and so out of exasperation, I said, "Kate, stop crying and whining, you can't cry all day!". Then Taylor informed me, "Mom, babies cry and whine, that's what they do." (And of course, this comes from the girl, who when Kate makes any peep, is always telling her, "Kate! That's enough!)

T: Mom, do you know why big girls cry?

M: No, why?

T: Because they need help finding they ballerina outfits.

(If only that were the only reason..)

I bought some new curlers for Taylor's stick straight hair. At first, she was not interested in wearing them, and so one morning, I tried talking her into it, telling her that her Aunt Macey would help us, and that she could have curly hair just like Aunt Macey, but it wasn't working. So a couple hours later, Macey called and asked us to come over. So I asked Tay if she wanted to go (and remember, we hadn't talked about the curlers again for several hours), and she responded with a resolute "No". She almost never doesn't want to go over to Grandma/Macey's, so I checked again. Still, NO. So I asked why, and she said "I don't want to go over there because I know if you make me go over there, you and Macey are gonna make me put those curlers in my hair, and I don't want to!!" I started laughing, because she caught me so off guard, to which she responded, "Do you think that's funny mom?? Because its NOT FUNNY!"

What a character!!

Kate Update...

Kate is 4 months now, and weighs in at 14.5lbs, and 25 inches long. She pretty much sleeps through the night, which is awesome!! She is an early bird, but she's a very happy one..She can hold her head really well, and is getting close to sitting up. She smiles and laughs, and LOVES Taylor. Taylor is the only one who can getting her laughing hard. She's teething, and so I sure hope those things break through here pretty quick so she won't be sad, but in general, she is a really happy good baby, and we love having her in our family!!

Pizza!

Taylor's favorite pizza topping..

pepper and roni!

Grammar and Cute Stuff

Mom: Taylor, who's outside??

Tay: Anyone is not out there!

Tay: Dad, I want hair down to the floor.

Dad: You can't have hair down to the floor. Do you know anyone with hair down to the floor?

Tay: Rapunzel!!!

(C'mon dad..duh! Get with it!)

Mom: Ok girls (Tay & Kate), I don't want to hear anymore whining.

Tay: Mom, Kate is just a baby. Babies whine and cry.

Love these girls! Taylor is saying the funniest things all day, and Kate is getting more smiley, giggly and cute each day. She is working so hard to sit up, and just lights up anytime you talk to her, which makes it really hard to get anything done all day! Tonight, she took her first long bath, and just loved kickin' and splashin' in that water. What a lucky mom I am!

Where babies come from...

NO, we did not have that chat yet..but this is what Taylor told me today about where babies come from..

This morning, Taylor told me Kate was sooo cute, and she wanted a baby too. So I told her one day she could have her own baby.

(Taylor) "I already have one, she's in my tummy."
(Me) "How'd she get in there?"
(Tay) " She jumped in my neck and went down in my tummy. She gonna come out in 2 minutes MOM, 2 MINUTES!"
(Me) "How will she get out??"
(Tay) " She gonna jump right out of my neck!"


Of course..I should have known!!

Water is King

Today after being very concerned about a friend's crying, Taylor remarked to her Grandma Tracy, "When I'm crying, I get a drink of water from my sippy cup, and it makes me feel better."

Yep, my child is totally soothed out of fits by a drink of water..can you complain about that???

Pics

Simple post today.. updated pics of the kiddos!

Funny Things and Kate Update

Taylor handed her dad a flower she picked so she could ride on a swing, and said, "Dad, don't make it dead."

After walking by a dad and daughter playing catch at the park, Taylor asked, "what are they doing?" "Playing catch Taylor." Taylor remarked, "oh, I can do that." So I decided to ask, "Is there anything you can't do?" After a short pause, she goes, "No, I can do everything."

Taylor was watching a show while I needed to vacuum which made it hard for her to hear, but it HAD to get done. So once I started, she came and found me, and with her hands over her ears, proceeded to yell over the vacuum, "MOMMY, I CAN'T HEAR MY SHOW". "Well sorry Taylor, but I need to vacuum, it will only be a couple more minutes." "MOMMY, I'M GONNA COUNT TO 3, AND YOU TURN IT OFF. 1...2...3...4...5...MOMMY, TURN IT OFF!!"

As for Kate, she is an angel baby. From the start, she slept 4 hour stretches, and most nights these days, I get about 5-6 hour stretches. She is so calm and smiley, and I love getting to see her personality begin to emerge. She weighing in around 11.5 lbs, a feat Taylor didn't get to until much later. We all really love having her around, and she is almost constantly showered with kisses from Taylor when she is awake (and more often than I'd like when she's asleep.) The adjustment is going well, and she is one LOVED baby!