Happiness and Cheer

Christmas was wonderful. It was so fun to have Joe understand, and be excited for Santa to come. My parents' family is still small enough we can all stay in one house and spend the Christmas Eve and Day together.

Lily, being silly.

Will was most excited about the graham cracker Santa gave him in his stocking.

As long as I can remember we have had special scrambled eggs for breakfast Christmas morning. My dad makes the eggs with onion, chorizo and cheese, and they are yummy. This year my angel mom made some delicious orange bread to go with the eggs.

The grand-babies in their Christmas PJs (thanks Ash!).

After allowing enough time for our breakfast to digest two of my sisters and one of my brothers took a little run. It was so fun. We were blessed to be able to spend this Christmas with family.

My Baby

Joe woke up from his nap today rather groggy. I don't think his nap was quite long enough. He was cranky, even when I asked him if he wanted a popsicle he whined "no" (I know, it's the middle of winter, but this kid loves popsicles, and asks for them all the time, even when we have just been out in the cold). So, I asked him if he wanted to rock with me, and he did. I scooped him up, he wrapped his arms around me, and we cuddled in the rocking chair. As I felt how small he was in my arms I was happy; happy that, although he is growing like crazy, and looks and acts more like a kid every day, he is still my baby.

(Joe playing with some of our Christmas decorations)

10 months

This darling baby is growing up so fast.

He is such a content baby. He just started showing interest in pulling himself up, which he can only do half-way. Although he has the ability to crawl the normal way, he prefers to do his army crawl with which he has become very efficient. He loves watching his brother, and laughing at the silly things Joe does. His laugh is one of the best sounds in the world. Bath-time is his favorite, he goes to town splashing and playing. He loves munching on animal crackers and drinking water out of a straw cup. He usually squawks to indicate when he needs or wants something. He doesn't like when I leave the room, or exercise with him in the room. The blender terrifies him, so we never use it when he is even close. He loves to explore his surroundings. He is one happy baby, and shows it with his sweet smile.

I love my little Will.

Thankful

Has Thanksgiving really come and gone, already? Well, it may have past, but I'm feeling so very blessed. Zach and I broke my family's longstanding rule of no decorating for Christmas, or listening to Christmas music until after Thanksgiving. I will also admit that this was not our first offense. We put up our Christmas decor just five days early, and while we decorated we listened to Josh Groban's Noel album. I fell in love with the song, "Thankful" last year, and love it just as much now. Not only is the music beautiful, but the lyrics are perfect. If you have a minute, listen to it. And here are the lyrics:

Somedays we forget
To look around us
Somedays we can't see
The joy that surrounds us
So caught up inside ourselves
We take when we should give.

So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be.
And on this day we hope for
What we still can't see.
It's up to us to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There's so much to be thankful for.

Look beyond ourselves
There's so much sorrow
It's way too late to say
I'll cry tomorrow
Each of us must find our truth
It's so long overdue

So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And every day we hope for
What we still can't see
It's up to us to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There's so much to be thankful for.

Even with our differences
There is a place we're all connected
Each of us can find each other's light

So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And on this day we hope for
What we still can't see
It's up to us to be the change
And even though this world needs so much more

There's so much to be thankful for

This reminds me; to forget myself, remember my blessings, have hope, and that if I want something to change, even the world, that I need to start inside and work out.

The Feast

Oh, Thanksgiving was wonderful. We stayed in our home in Omaha. What a blessing to have wonderful friends to spend the holiday with! We had quite the spread, all the traditional elements plus some.

The Menu

turkey

mashed potatoes

gravy

rolls

stuffing

cranberry relish

homemade mac n' cheese

green salad

yams

sweet potatoes

corn

layered jello

Pies

chocolate cream

apple

pumpkin

Nantucket

pumpkin

topped with homemade vanilla ice cream

Delish! A few things to remember

• Let the turkey rest a little longer before carving to avoiding scorching Zach's hands
• Don't forget any dishes that were prepared the day before (cranberry relish)
• Don't accidentally put double the gelatin in only two of the layers of jello
• Serve the pecan pie cold (helps cut the sweetness)

We finished the night off playing a couple games of Apples to Apples.

Christmas Cards with Shutterfly

Last year, Zach nixed sending out Christmas cards to our friends and family. This year Zach has no excuses, because we can get our Christmas cards for FREE, because of Shutterfly's awesome promotion. I'm excited to pick our cards from their darling collection.

Some of my favorites:

This one is so fun and colorful

just picture Will and Joe's faces :)

However, I'm thinking this one

might be a little more appropriate for my little stinkers.

Or maybe something more traditional, and simple like this one

I really like Shutterfly. I've used them for a photo book for Zach last Christmas, and few a couple years now, my sister and I have done a photo calender for my parents. Awesome.

I may be one of the most indecisive people you know, though, so I'm going to have a hard time choosing from the many styles they have. And then I will still have to choose a photo!

Housebound

And why have we been cooped up? Joe has Roseola. I had never heard of it before in my life, but apparently most kids get it by the time they are two. Hopefully, we won't be discovering any other illnesses this winter. Thankfully, it's nothing serious, just contagious. So we've been trying to steer clear of any other kiddos. Hopefully his rash will be gone tomorrow or Saturday and we can get back to life.

Independent

Sometimes exercising your independence can be a little uncomfortable.

Self Love

Will wanted his chance to be featured on the blog so this week he started giving himself kisses. I came downstairs from putting Joe down for his nap to find him doing this.

He discovered his reflection and was apparently happy with what he saw. What a cutie.

Little Star

I came down from putting Will to sleep to hear this sweet voice.

Winter Wonderland

It's snowing. The first snow of the season. Omaha gave us a long, beautiful fall. We've soaked up the nice weather this week; playing on the playground, going to the zoo, riding bikes. We've tried to squeeze in all the outdoor activity we could. I think I'm ready for the snow, and the holiday season. And I'm as ready as I'll ever be to be cooped up for months. So bring on the snow, sweaters and hot cocoa.

Fun with Babica and Grandpa

We have been totally spoiled the last month and a half with visitors. My parents were our most recent guests and we loved having them here. We spent time at the Gardens, Zoo, eating fun food, and just hanging out.

I am so lucky to have these people as my parents.

And I'm pretty sure my kids are super happy they are their grandparents.

Don't you think so too?

Giving grandpa the rock.

My parents took us to this fun Louisiana restaurant called Jazz, in downtown Omaha on our way to take them to the airport. I wasn't brave enough to try the crawfish, but maybe next time Zach and I go I will.

Halloween Parade

Every year near Halloween the Creighton Women's Dental Alliance has a parade at the school. Joe loved going to daddy's school and loved trick-or-treating around the parade even more! Each time someone gave Joe a treat he told me he wanted to open it, but we convinced him to put in his treat bag for later.

Us with our dinosaur and little Bob the Builder. The dinosaur was more interested in his spoils than in taking a pictures.

Walking the parade route

Uh-oh, every teenage girl's nightmare, our neighbor is wearing the same outfit as Joe. Thankfully, he doesn't care.

Matchy-Matchy

I got the boys dressed the other day and realized they were sort of coordinating, and had to take a couple pictures. Plus, I haven't taken pictures of the two of them in a little while. So here are the little stinkers.

Check out that little chunker's wrists. I love it.

Also, Will cut his first tooth a little over a week ago. Joe tried to help me get a picture of it.

I don't think Will appreciated his help.

Mondays...

I don't normally love Monday, but today was such a good day.

It always help to start the day right, and I actually woke up before any of my boys today so I could exercise and shower. It felt so good.

One of Zach's patients brought him some fresh corn tortillas at the clinic today. So Zach offered to make dinner and we had them with beans (thanks Jenny) and scrambled eggs for dinner. If you've never had it, that probably sounds like an odd combination, but it was tasty. And by the way, fresh tortillas smell amazing, maybe it's just me, but I love it. It also reminded Zach how much he wants to go back and visit Mexico.

We have been trying to be more consistent with family home evenings. Tonight, our lesson was on temples. Joe was so engaged in the lesson, it was awesome! After talking to him about what a temple was, he kept telling me he wanted to "come in" the temple. He was also trying to step on the pictures, with the hope it would transport him there, I think. I hope he always has the desire to go to the temple.

He then entertained Zach and I by pretending to be a dinosaur (what he will be for Halloween) and then racing from one side of the room to the other. That kid has so much energy!

Top of the night with an episode of Castle with the hubby, and I am one happy girl.

Too Quiet

In my short couple of years being a mom I feel like I have learned a lot. One of the things I have learned is that quiet is not always a good thing, and sometimes can mean the exact opposite.

The other day Joe was a little on the grouchy side. I sent him downstairs to play while I was in the kitchen. I can hear him pretty well from our kitchen. I was so impressed with how well he was playing, especially because he hadn't been very easy to please that day, and then I realized that it was too quiet. So I came downstair to find this:

and Joe with a green sharpie in hand. There was also sharpie on our wall and Joe was in the process of coloring one of his trucks.

So I googled how to remove permanent marker from furniture and was happy to see people had already experimented with various methods of removal (what did people do before google?). So I tried overwriting on the sharpie with a dry erase marker. It worked! It may have also removed a little of the finish, but I was happy with the minimal damage it left.

Downtown Omaha

While Will was here we took a little trip to downtown Omaha. There is a little park with two slides, a pond with ducks and some metal artwork.

Can you tell I love when Joe holds hands with his uncles?

I was feeling a little nervous Joe was going to fall in, but I had nothing to worry about.

Isn't he so handsome?

He has become quite the goofball.

He is pretty funny and apparently he knows it.

As demonstrated by his prayer he said before bed with Zach listening.

"Heavly Faher...

thankufer foo..

umm...

[a bunch of words we mostly don't understand]

umm thankufur...

joejoe funny...

Amen."

He sure does make us laugh.

Visitors!

Just two weeks after Will left, Jerry and Ashley came to visit. We had so, so, so much fun with them. Joe loved playing with his cousins and was asking about them first thing every morning they were here (and the morning they left :( )

We went to the zoo, the pumpkin patch, and the visitor's center and temple while they were here. We wore the kids out and the last day they were here we just hung out and visited. It was so nice!

Joe and Sarah bouncing on the jumping pillow at Vala's

Getting ready to check out the zoo. Joe is being silly, as usual.

Joe loves the petting zoo.

I think Sarah liked it too.

Checking out the polar bear together.

Will and Lily hanging out in the stroller. Can you believe those babies are double cousins? You would think they would look more alike.

Well, they may not look that much alike but they are both adorable.

Thanks so much for coming to see us guys!

Stolen

I have a habit of misplacing things. Sometimes insignificant things, sometimes important things. Last week on Sunday we went to the visitor's center and when we got home I couldn't find my cell phone. I just assumed I had misplaced it like I have so many times before and it would turn up in my car, or couch, or purse. I called it a few times and can't ever hear it ring. Then it goes straight to voicemail so I know it has run out of battery.

Thursday, Jerry tried to call me and my phone rang, someone picked it up, and then immediately hung up. So someone had charged my phone and started using it.

So Zach called Verizon and found out they had racked up $30 of text messaging charges. So we suspended my phone line. Fun stuff.

Although I am irritated, and a little confused and when it actually got stolen (it was right next to Zach's in the cup-holder of our car the last time I remember seeing it, but they only stole my phone?) I am grateful they didn't incur more charges, and that it was just my phone that was stolen and not my car or something...

So... until I get a new phone you will just have to call Zach, email me, or stop by my house. And if you want me to have your number you can email me and katie.t.taylor@gmail.com

Uncle Will Comes to Visit

We were so lucky to have my brother come see us for a few days. Joe hasn't seen him since Christmas, but warmed up to him really quickly.

Thanks Uncle Will for coming to see us! We had so much fun!

Happy Day

I know I recently posted a video of Will and Joe laughing, but really, there is not much that is better than listening to a laughing baby.

Have a happy day.

Sleep Stories

Joe has not been going to sleep very well lately, for naps or at bedtime. Last night I went in the boys room to feed William and Joe finally stayed in bed long enough to fall asleep with me in the room. After about an hour and a half of trying other ways, I finally rocked him to sleep at nap time today. And tonight I lay next to his bed until he fell asleep. All three times I noticed he does something his dad does while falling asleep. They both twitch.

When Zach and I first got married this twitching definitely caught me off guard. It happens after their eyes have closed, their breathing is deep and even, and it seems like they are completely relaxed, then - twitch, and they resume their normal sleeping. Really, twitch might not be the word. Spasm, maybe? Whatever you want to call it, Joe seems to have inherited it from his daddy.

I never wanted our kids to come sleep with us at night. I love to cuddle, but I didn't want it to ever become a habit, and I wanted to get good sleep. Well, the last couple of weeks it has become a habit with Joe. I'm can't pinpoint the exact occasion, but I think it was just one night when he was scared or something and both Zach and I were too tired to put him back in bed, so we just had him crawl in with us. On second thought, I remember the specific occasion, because I remember bringing Will in the bed too, at his early morning feeding (5am ish). I really quite enjoyed that one morning, all cozy in our queen bed with my three boys. Not so much now. I would like to get some better rest, and not wake to Joe's voice, or bony appendages poking me in the middle of the night.

Last night was our first real attempt to break the habit. Zach took him back to bed first, and stayed with him for a little while. I think he even sang him a song, I was not awake enough to notice, but I think he mentioned it this morning. Then Joe got up again and I put him back in bed and stayed with him for a little while. I got back in bed only to hear Joe at our doorway again. "Get back in bed Joe." I was too lazy to get out of bed again. A while later Will wakes and I go to feed him. On the way I trip over Joe in our doorway, asleep. Poor guy. I guess we made progress?

Staycation - Picnics, Popsicles, and Pals

Joe had so much fun playing with his cousins and aunts and uncles while we were in Utah. He was re-introduced to ice cream, which he just calls "eem," and was asking for popsicles every morning when he first woke up (although we never gave them to him until later in the day, no worries.) My parents have a side by side fridge/freezer, so he did try to help himself on several occasions.

Part of the "staycation" included dining out for most meals. We went to a mexican restaurant, Pastorero. It was tasty. If you want some yummy, authentic tacos, you should check it out. After we ate there Zach decided to treat Joe to a paleta. Joe loved it. As evidenced by the drippings all over his shirt, legs, hands, and face.

Technically, the front yard picnic wasn't a part of the staycation. But, it was a lot of fun. We hung out with some of my family on what was the day before when we thought we were leaving, but then we couldn't resist staying just one more day.

Isn't she the cutest little munchkin?

Grandma Jean and Grandpa Ivan

I don't think Joe would ever get sick of being on Grandpa's shoulders.

And I'm pretty sure my dad loves is just as much and the grandkids.

Bonding with the Tidwell cousins. Sarah is just five months older than Joe, and Lily is just one week older than Will. So fun!

Staycation - Provo Canyon

Our Saturday morning activity was a bike ride up Provo canyon. We used to go often on Friday or Saturday mornings growing up. I haven't been biking in years. It was so much fun. Joe loved it too, up until the last five minutes before reaching our destination.

Grandpa, pulling the kiddos.

Joe and Sarah, looking so cute.

I have so many pictures of Joe picking his nose.

Joe and his Tidwell uncles (minus Will). He loves them so much. James came with us to the zoo too, and chased Joe around for me. I think James liked it just as much as Joe did.