In Training!

Okay so I know a lot has happened since my last post, such as Halloween, Taytum's 2nd Birthday, Thanksgiving, and who knows what else, but I do have it all recorded in a journal....somewhere.  So let me try and catch up on here and then we will get to the most intense, smelly, and tiring training I have ever been involved in....potty training! 
So Halloween, Taytum was a penguin!  You might think that is random but she has a weird thing for pengiuns, always has.  Somehow we have managed to collect more than enough stuffed animals in the last 2 years, and a chunk of those are penguins.  Only one of them is cute too, but that is beside the point.  Taytum was a very cute penguin and learned how to say trick or treat!  It was awesome!  Finnley was a lady bug, the reason for that is because I saw a costume at Costco and thought that would be cute, comfy, and warm, so I bought it.  Let's just say Halloween is on the top of my least favorite holidays.  I don't know why exactly, I guess because it was always freezing, scary, and I ate to much candy which lead to stomach and tooth aches.  But it is different now that I have two little ones I get to dress up for.
Next, Taytum's Birthday, well I can't believe she is 2 in wo ways.  I can't believe she is only 2 in some ways and that she is already 2 in others.  She does so much it is crazy!  We spent her b-day in Cedar because Zach's Grandma June passed away and her funeral was that day.  So we went to that and she managed to put on a show even at the funeral.  She was with me on the stage singing and then decided she had had enought of that, so she marched on down the stairs and strutted up the aisle to get to my mom in the very back.  You could help but laugh.  So we had a Dora cake and ice cream, which she loved, she blew out the candle, which she loved, but mostly she loved everyone singing to her.  She loves attention!  We got her a dog named Hogan and she goes crazy for him.  They have a love-hate relationship.  I will see her kicking him and then kissing him in the span of 30 seconds.  He bites her a little and then licks her to death so it goes both ways. 
Next, Finnley is now 6 1/2 months and is a golden child!  She is so so nice!  She rolls over, sits up, and is extremely alert.  She loves to blow bubbles and her voice is really deep.  I am so excited to see her personality begin to come out.  It blows me away how unique each person is, especially siblings.  I mean how does that happen?  Taytum and Finnley look very much alike in there structure but have very different features.  Finn is tan and dark eyes, Taytum is lighter and bright blue eyes and their hair color and texture is way different!  It's just another sign to me of how little I really have to do with anything! It's all up to the Man upstairs. 
Okay Thanksgiving, worst of my life for multiple reasons which I will not go into all of them.... but basically lots of family pictures and lots of puking.  That pretty much sums up the weekend!  I lost 6lbs in a span of 3 days, and Thanksgiving is my favorite Holiday!  So yeah I was not super grateful this year, but all joking aside, I truly am blessed.  I have a wonderful family that I love deeply and that love's me back.  Really what else is there?  So now we will move forward to my 5 year anniversary coming up, and Christmas!  Hope everyone has a great Holiday Season's and can practice the true meaning of Christmas!

I almost forgot to mention the potty training.  Well Taytum just turned 2 so I was thinking it was a little early to worry about it but she keeps telling me she wants to "poop in the toilet" or "potty outside" with the dog, so I figured, I better not hold her back.  We started yesterday morning and have 0 potty's or poop's in the toilet and about 4 accident's.  Today she wanted to go on the toilet and then told me that I should leave and to shut the door.  So I did and I went back in about a minute later and she had climbed on the toilet and got nail polish and was back on the floor painting her toes!  The amazing thing was, she didn't spill at all, and actually got most of it on her toes!  After that she told me that I needed to go potty, so I put her diaper back on and called it a day! 

Signs & Kids

Taytum has been sick with the croup the last 4 or 5 days, so we have been spending a lot of time in "mommy's bed" watching Dora (Taytum's favorite).  So I could blame her hair on that, but it actually looks like that about everytime she wakes up, even from her naps.  I'm not quite sure what she does in that bed but her hair ends up in a huge rats nest, sticking straight out.  I have to soak it with water just to tame it a little!

Finnley on the other hand has no hair and pulls headbands over her eyes, so thank goodness it's getting cool enough for beanies, which I love!  I just took her to the doctor and she is 92% in height and 75% in weight.  To be honest I thought for sure she would be off the charts in weight!  I wonder what a baby that is 100% in weight looks like, cause Finner's is CHUNKY, just the way I like babies!

Does anyone else ever get sad when they realize that their baby is now a little kid?  Cause I took this picture of Taytum today and thought she is going to be graduating high school before I know it.  Sometimes I have sad moments when I think how fast time has gone and is going.  I wish I could just put everything into slow motion so I don't miss it.  Anyways maybe I am weird, but I keep thinking, she will go to preschool when she is 4 that is in 2 years, she is going to be 2 in about 15 days, that went fast.  Then she will be in grade school, and then she will be 18 and move out.  So I guess what I am trying to say is even though I have never been so tired, sleep deprived, and busy in my life, it's going to be over soon, so enjoy everyday because you can't push rewind! 

So I have been a little busy, with the usual stuff, diapers, feeding, bathing, cleaning, but also I have opened up a side of me I was unaware of, craftiness! Well it may not be crafty for most, but for me it is.  So here are a few of the items I have been working on. 

Summer where have you gone?

Well this summer, like all summer's, flew on by and left me wishing I wouldn't have waisted one second of the nice weather.  I love the Fall though, but it appears that may have come and gone as well.  I love the weather in the fall, the sports, the leaves, the food, and just the feeling that the Holidays are just around the corner.  Today I am sitting at my house with the strangest feeling, Zach took Taytum to Cedar and so it is just me and my little Finn.  She is so quiet that sometimes I forget she is here.  I haven't had this much silence since November 5th 2009, Taytum's birth.  I love that girl more than you know but she is LOUD!  I don't know where she gets it, really I don't think I am loud and I know Zach isn't, so just another mystery. So far Taytum and Finnley are opposites.  Taytum has bright blue eyes, white hair, light skin, and more spunk than anyone ever!  Finnley is dark hair, dark eyes, dark skin, and the most mellow baby!  They love each other though!  Taytum will grab Finnley's hands and say patty cake super slow, then roll it, also slow, then she mumbles some stuff and tickles Finnley's belly.  Finn just laughs and stares at Taytum.  The other night Tay decided she wanted to read Finn a book, so we sat them down and she started "reading", during her story she decided to count, and counted from 5-10 perfectly!  It was amazing, she had never counted before! 
I like to call Taytum my almost 2 year old Teenager because she acts like she's about 16.  She always wants to get in the car and go "dribin" and she will put her sunglasses on, her purse on her shoulder, and talk on her cell phone.  She mostly says, "hello, umm, yeah, umm, okay, umm, sure" etc..., it is really funny!  If I ever figure out how to put a video on here I will.  She helps me clean up the house with her mini dyson, and if she spills anything she wipes it up, with her shirt! haha I love this little gal and I can't believe how fun she is.  Finn is so much fun too!  I love babies!  I love everything about them except the sleeping through the night.  I love the way they smell, the way they giggle, cuddle, smile, and stare.  I seriously get sad when I think about how fast the two of them are growing up.  I didn't think I would be like this with kids, but I am a big time softy! 
 I have been spending most of my spare time, between diapers, feeding, cleaning, repeat.. making signs.  I am liking it, not loving it yet.  I have always wanted to design shoes and other things to do with sports so this crafty stuff isn't really coming naturally.  Anyways enough about that.  We love it in Kaysville and are so happy to be here.  Zach got a different job and is now working with Grainger and is super excited about that.  I am going to start reffing basketball in about a month and can't wait to get involved more with sports up here.  Taytum will be 2 in a few weeks and I cannot believe it!  Finnley is 4 months and growing like a weed!  So overall we are doing well and enjoying this crazy, busy time in our lives!

SIGNS!!

                                          I am selling signs... let me know if you want one.

Yes we are still alive!

So I know it has been a long time since I blogged but before you judge me, let me explain what I have been doing.  January we moved to Denver,  I lived there until the end of April when Zach found out he was being transferred to Salt Lake, so I moved to Cedar to have Finnley which happened May 26th.  Zach moved to Salt Lake May 15th.  So my dad flew out the end of April and drove me home just in time for my Uncle's Funeral.  So Zach packed up everything and drove out to Salt Lake and moved in with his brother Dave.  I stayed at my mom and dad's house and went back to Laurie Hansen to deliver Finnley.  I was so glad to have her as my midwife!  I was induced on Thursday morning at 4 a.m. and had a pretty good labor and delivered a 7 pound 8 ounce, beautiful girl at 2:15 p.m.  We named her Finnley Vernon, no middle name and I just heard the name and it grew on me so that's how we got it.  One week later I moved myself and my two daughters to Salt Lake to be with Zach.  We just got into our apartment on the 15th of July, we blessed Finnley in Cedar on the third of July and celebrated the fourth in Kanarraville.  So that is the short version of the last 6 months.  Needless to say I have changed more diapers than I care to count, gotten up in the night for who knows how long, and been pooped, peed, and spit up on a few times......... but what are mothers for right?  I love every day!  I didn't say every minute of every day..... but every day my beautiful daughters bring me more joy and laughter than I thought possible.  I have never been more exhausted in my life but every day I look forward to seeing my kids and wondering what are they going to do today that will amaze me!  So without further ado..... the two most beautiful girls in the world!

33.5 Weeks!

Well I have had a couple of requests for belly pictures, so here is one! I had Zach take it last night and I am almost 34 weeks.
My first pregnancy I gained about 60 pounds! hahaha Yeah I know it was a lot!  This time around, due to a toddler, I have gained under half of that!  So the baby is probably not going to be a giant like Taytum but healthy, so far!  Although I do still have 6 weeks to pack it on, and believe me I can pack it quick!

Finley at 33 weeks

Taytum at 36 weeks

Taytum 36 weeks

Taytum 17 months

I saw these shoes and I had to get them.  As many of you may know I am obsessed with shoes!  I have somehow contained myself with buying Taytum every pair of shoes I see, but I couldn't do it anymore.  Also when I am pregnant I don't want to buy any clothes for me, but shoes they always make me feel good.  So that is a quick little update on my babies progress.  I am excited and nervous to have another newborn.  I love being a mom, I didn't say it was easy being a mom, but I do love it! 

Taytum's first pair of Nike's! 

What a Trip!

Okay, so these pictures are kind of random.  I got a hold of my dad's camera and took some of the pictures off of it.  These pictures are of the last few months.  A lot happened so I will just briefly give a discription.  So the Cabin pictures are from January, my dad, Zach, Wade, and Adrian went to our cabin in Navajo to remove the snow off of the roof.  As you can tell there was a lot of it!  It took them all day to clear it off and when they got home they were all exhausted.  Glad I didn't go on this trip! 

Lilah

The Cabin

This little bundle of joy is the newest addition to the family, JaCoy and Ben's that is.  Her name is Amilia Jane and she is sooo cute and fun.  She looks just like her siblings did when they were babies, so she is sure to be gorgeous. 

Baby Milli

When we were up in Salt Lake for Taytum's Polypectomy, Zach was in town for Brooke's Wedding.  We went to La Frontera, my dad had been raving about it for a few months so we decided to give it a try and we weren't disappointed.  It was great food and a very interesting environment.  

Uncle Zach



Taytum in Lilah's bed. 

The Reception was pretty stressful.  Brooke wanted the ceiling dropped and unfortunately it didn't go as smoothly as planned.  But in the end, it all worked out and everyone helped a ton.  It turned out beautiful.

"The Reception"

These pictures are from Brooke's wedding day at the temple and also at the reception.  I think I was about 25 weeks pregnant at this point, so not the ideal picture taking body.  But I think everyone else looks great!

Brooke's sister's and in-laws

That's my girl!  Showing a little leg!

Jarrett gettin his groove on at Brooke's Wedding.

So there is a quick recap of our past few months.  Well March 13th I dropped Zach off at the airport for Florida and I headed home to Cedar!  It took us 11 hours to get there but was well worth it.  We spent two weeks in Utah and had a great time!  We went to the twins, and Spencer's basedball tourney in St. George.  Taytum ate a lot of dirt and sunflower seeds!  Then the Vernon's had Geoff and Patty, Dave and Britt, and Cara and her kids.  So we spent a lot of time up there playing with cousins.  Taytum had a great time!  Also we can't forget it is my favorite time of year, MARCH MADNESS!  I seriously love this time of year, even more than any holiday!  Call me crazy, but the drama, excitement, and upsets just have me counting down the days until March Madness begins!  BYU went to the sweet sixteen this year, although they are not my team, it was fun to watch Jimmer Fredette become a superstar, and one of my old friends Logan playing on such a big stage!  Anyway back to the trip!  It was my dad's birthday, he wouldn't tell me how old he is, and we had a picnic in St. George.  McKell and Ben, JaCoy and Ben, Wade and Sarah, Grandma Barbara and Mike, John and Claude, and myself were there.  It was a lot of fun to have everyone together!  So the following week my mom and I went to Las Vegas to see JaCoy and get some sun.  Unfortunately it wasn't too sunny but it was better than the snow.  Thursday we drove home and Friday we picked Zach up from the airport. 
Zach's trip was not quite as good as mine was.  He got an ear infection on day 2 of his trip, which eventually led to pneumonia!  When I picked him up on Friday, I had never seen anyone look so sick!  I felt horrible for not realizing how sick he had been.  He had to go to the ER and get an IV and then get on antibiotics.  So the next few days I tried to be the best nurse I could, and of course Taytum started throwing up Friday night!  It was an exhausting weekend for all of us.  I didn't think that at 31 weeks into my pregnancy I would be the healthiest and most comfortable one in the family!  Thank goodness both of them have made miraculous recoveries and we are all doing much better! 
I went to the doctor for the first time in 10 weeks, and I have to get another ultrasound because the baby wasn't very big at the first one.  So hopefully she is okay!  I think we are going to name her Finley, but we still aren't a 100% sure.  Anyhow, that is what's going on here in Thornton Colorado!  As my Grandpa Rowan would always say, "Life is a continual round of pleasure!" 

It's been a while!

Sorry it has been so long!  I think you will be sympathetic after I explain all that has happened in the last 2-3 months!  So last time I blogged it was Taytum's 1st Birthday!  We had a great time and she was very funny as usual.  Since then we had Thanksgiving which we spent at my Grandma Barbara's, and if you've ever eaten anything of hers you know we had a great Thanksgiving.  Wade and Sarah, and Mike and Terri were there, so it was small but very enjoyable.  We ate and slept, then ate some more, and watched football, you know the usual activities of a Thanksgiving day!  After that was Christmas prep, and I started to work at Sports Authority for seasonal.  It was a busy, busy month, but we made it and had a great Christmas with my family.  We always have a Christmas Eve party at the Church with family and close friends.  We eat, play basketball, have a live nativity, and enjoy being together!  Taytum had a good time with all of her cousins and seems to be bossing them around more than anything.  She is definitely a firecracker!  Good thing she is so cute, otherwise I don't think she would get away with it. 

After Christmas was time to gear up for the Wedding!  So my sister's and I had a Bridal Shower for Brooke at my Aunt's house.  It turned out to be really fun and she got a lot of nice things.  In the meantime, Zach was still searching for a job and had been disappointed on a few prospects.  Until the middle of January, he decided to take a job offer in Denver with Lincare.  So he moved right away and I stayed in Cedar to help with the Wedding and continue coaching the Freshman girls basketball team. 

 So at my parent's house, we had Brooke, me, Taytum, Adrian (Grant's younger brother), and my parents all living there.  It was hectic for everyone!  I was busy packing and trying to help with the wedding but it's not easy to do either one of those when you have a rambunctious 1 year old trying to get her hands on everything and then everything going directly to the mouth!  Also I had to take Taytum to Salt Lake to get her surgery on January 20th.  We stayed with McKell and Ben and my brother Zach was in town.  It was fun, aside from the surgery, but that turned out to go well.  She had a polyp and they removed it, she hasn't had any problems since.  I had been dealing with this for over half of her life and now it is finally resolved!  What a relief that has been!  She was an angel and all of the nurses and doctors wanting to keep her.  She recovered quickly and is as healthy as ever!   
 Anyways, back to the wedding.  Everyone came that weekend to help set up, which was a disaster, until it was finished.  It looked amazing and everything came together right at the end, which it usually does.  Zach flew in Friday night, Brooke got sealed Saturday morning, had a reception that night, and we packed up Sunday morning and drove to Denver.  So here we are, in Denver, so far it has been cold and lonely for me, but each day gets better.  I have never been away from home, so that part has definitely been the hardest.  I think we will really enjoy it here and I am looking forward to meeting new people and making new friends.  This past weekend was Zach's Birthday so we went out for a nice dinner, and then of course yesterday was Valentine's day, Zach made me a nice steak and shrimp dinner.  So it was a wonderful day and I love him more now then ever!  So that is our life, busy, but wonderful!