Summer Blues

Tomorrow will be a very hard day for me. I will be leaving Taylor at a NEW daycare after being with her for the past 9 weeks. She has gotten so attached to me because she has been home with me all summer. I had originally planned to take her one day a week at her old daycare to keep her in the routine and give mommy some time to get some stuff done, but we found out we were moving at the beginning of the summer, so we quit the daycare all together. Aside from that, I am really excited about her new daycare. The only thing I worry about is the fact that starting August 11th.... she will move into the toddler room(with all the other kids in her class) and they have to sleep on a mat... YES... A MAT!!! I am so worried that Taylor will give them fits b/c she is such a hard headed child anyway... but I have confidence that they know what they are doing and she won't be the only kid having to learn how to do this!! Having that said, she will be in a "big girl" room which makes me sad and reminds me that my baby is about to be a year old!To all you new mothers: time flies and you need to cherish every minute of it!! I have been fortunate enough to be able to spend the first 3 months of Taylor's life at home with her and the whole summer as well... and I can honestly say.. it's still NOT long enough!!
On another note, I start my new job tomorrow as well. The kids don't come until Aug. 11 but we have a whole week to get prepared!! I am so excited about teaching here. This is our church community as well so that makes it even better!! Here are a few pics of Taylor bug over the weekend.. she is a mess. And oh by the way.. she has a tiny bruise on her face from falling onto the metal table leg at my school (she was with me while working in my classroom.. needless to say i got NOTHING done) and a carpet burn on the other side of her face from walking too fast along the chair and sliding down it. She is getting faster by the day and I can just visualize my little girl with marks all over her body from being TOO BUSY!! Needless to say.. WE ARE ENJOYING EVERY SECOND OF IT!!!

PS: To all you moms out there.... you need to check this website out

http://www.tinysoles.com/

We had to buy Taylor shoes because she is walking along stuff so much!! We tried the pediped shoes.. and I highly recommend them. They have a soft sole and are great for beginner walkers. Anyway, this website has free shipping and no tax. Check it out!!

10 MONTHS!!!!

We have been so busy that i didn't have time to post about Miss Taylor turning 10 months!! Well, there is so much to say about this little girl that I can't even begin to describe.. but I will try. She has really blossomed over the last month. She is everywhere and into everything. She now has 4 teeth. She eats a whole lot of table food... probably hasn't had a jar of babyfood in over a week. She loves to eat.. and anything for that matter. We are so thankful she is NOT a picky eater. Some favorite NEW foods : macaroni, cheese, goldfish, animal crackers, cheese puffs, fruit loops, cheerios, mini waffles, mini pancakes ( great for little hands), and ritz crackers. Taylor will eat anything we give her and she LOVES to feed Kane. She finally realized that he would eat out of her hand, so every time she has food in her hands... she gives kane a bite.. and then sticks it back in her mouth.. yeah.. GROSS!! Oh well, they have become such good friends and Taylor squeals when Kane runs by!! She just thinks he is so funny!!
We are attempting to swap Taylor from drinking formula out of a bottle to drinking it out of a sippy cup... so when she changes to whole milk.. it won't be such a big difference. She has done very well with it.. she just makes a huge mess because she shakes the sippy cup and it flies out (supposed to be spill proof) but I hope it won't be a problem. She is very attatched to her sippy cup with handles.... she LOVES water (with ice) so we didn't try to put milk in that cup because it would really confuse her.
She has started saying mamamam which I call Momma!!! Ha!! She squeals at everone in her sight and is such a happy baby. She plays very well by herself and loves to share with us. She likes the word "thank you" so when she gives us something, we say thank you and she laughs!! It is amazing how much personality this child has. All sorts of people tell us what a talker she is!! She is the light of our life and I will say this once again... God is so good and has truly blessed us with an angel!! Pics on the next few posts!!

COUSINS!!!!

We went home this past weekend so James and Adam could play in the Columbus Classic Golf Tournament. My mom and Tim were in town (Tim was playing also) and Dad and Drew played as well. So, needless to say it was like a holiday for us!! We were so busy seeing family and having fun that we never stopped to relax ( which is what I had originally planned) oh well. It was GREAT to see our family.. but I only got this one pic of Madyson, Lexi, and Taylor.

I also got to see Miss Shelby and Bella for a little while... and that was fun, too!!

It was a LONG and very busy weekend..... it's always fun to go home!!

Apartment Life !!!!

As you can see, Taylor is really enjoying this new style of living!! We are constantly on the go.. because there is so much to do here... and every second that we spend in this apartment she is playing and getting into ANYTHING and EVERYTHING that she possibly can!! She is just steps away from walking... and I'm NOT ready for that. We can barely keep up as it is, so I know it will be a madhouse when she realizes she can walk on her own!!

We are really enjoying living in Hattiesburg. I FINALLY (legally) got out of my contract... so I have been working hard in my new classroom.. which I absolutely LOVE!!! All the people are extremely friendly and there aren't so many rules to follow as you see in the public schools!!

We are all getting settled in!!!! House is still for sale(but have had several people looking... so maybe soon!!) And, we have found a house that we LOVE.. just waiting to see what happens with our old house!! God has been so good to us and we are extremely blessed!!

Quick Update!!!

Okay... so we are finally moved into the apartment in Hattiesburg. It is a lot better than I thought it would be. Taylor loves it and Kane feels like he's back in James' apt in Starkville because he gets to look out the window and bark at people!! Taylor is doing great. She is starting to gain some confidence and walk behind stuff (just a few steps) but we are praising her!! James' job is going really well and is so much better because his drive is not so far!! We have been busy looking at houses and getting settled in here. Of course James is as happy as he can be because he can go play golf anytime without having to drive!! (been driving to the country club from laurel for over a year now!!) So, with all that said.. we are doing great and loving being here!! We know that God is taking care of us and everything will fall into place when the time is right!!

On another note.. I couldn't really mention it earlier because I was still under contract at my previous school! I will be teaching Kindergarten at Sacred Heart Catholic School!!! I am so thrilled about this and really feel that God has a special plan for me here!! I got the job at the beginning of the summer, but we have had some pronblems with my old district letting me out of my contract.. so they have hired someone to replace me and will "officially" be let out at the end of July!!
No pics at this time.. using Mrs Cindy's laptop until we get one ordered!! Hope to post pics soon!!

Busy Life......

MY NEW HOBBY: KEEPING UP WITH MY BUSY DAUGHTER!!!!

We had a very relaxing weekend. Taylor is so busy that she plays for hours... and wears herself out!! We DO NOT miss a nap or it is dangerous territory for us!! We do go a lot, but we try to fit in the nap before or on the way :) We got Taylor a set of blocks over the weekend.. which she LOVES. (she played with some at the condo the entire time we were in destin.... so we figured we better get her some of her own... and PINK of course!!) She emptied the entire bag out as soon as we got home.. refer to pic below:). We also got her a walking toy that she can stand up behind and learn to walk. NO we are not pushing her to walk, but she is standing up ion everything and walking up and down so we figured she would like this toy!! Well, she is not so sure about it yet, she will stand up behind it and walk with me holding on to her, but if I dare let go.. she sits. It's really kind of funny!!


taylor in her pj's sunday morning


as soon as we got home from church.. she was ready to go play!!


taylors new favorite thing... ALL the time!!

*Updates*

We are moving to Hattiesburg... finally!!

Actually, we are going to be in an apartment for a little while. James' company is putting us up.. rent free... bill free... and fully furnished!! It is a very nice apt complex and we are not sad to have to do this. James won't have to drive 2 hours a day to work and I can get my stuff done without having to drive back and forth (look for houses, work in my classroom, the pool, etc.) This new company is such a blessing for us. We know that God is taking care of us and that is ALL that matters!!

Also, we finally got Taylor in a Daycare!! It is the one we wanted and it will open up just in time for school to start!! This will start a new chapter in our lives and we are so thrilled!! Thanks be to GOD!!!

DESTIN 2008

WARNING: LONG POST :)

I tried to do the slide show and it never worked, so i had to upload each pic!! Don't worry.. I took out as many as I could!! We had a great trip to Destin. Taylor was way better than we could have asked for. She usually starts to get cranky being away from her routine and home for that long.. but she was great!! We all had fun.. and the babies really enjoyed playing with each other! They really love each other already!!

daddy teaching tay how to swim!! check out the golf tan.... think he plays enough?? haha... we still love you!!

taylor and her pop

not real sure she likes the sand on her hands.. i don't blame her.. who does??

i was trying to get taylor to stand up and all she wanted to do was sit in the water!

cici with taylor in the baby pool

the babies snacking on a biter biscuit while we wait at the restaurant. it was really late(for them) like 8:00 and they were being so good!!

too hot :)

talking to her daddy :0

cici and pop with the grand babies!!

cici and taylor with their matching pajamas

we had to wait at the restaurant... what a surprise:) so, we decided to wait at the car for a little while to pass the time... you see where taylor is.. standing up playing in the back of our truck!!

loves her mommy!!!!

Milestones, Commutes, and Madness

Okay, so Taylor wastes NO time doing anything. She started pulling up on the couch, chair, toy box, etc. not even a week ago. Within 2 days of pulling up on stuff, she had mastered it. And that wasn't enough... so she starts walking up and down the couch.. over and over and over again. She will crawl to something like the wall.. and pull herself up just for fun!! Our lives are about to change once again.... there will be steps(on her own) in No TIME!!! (not so sure we are ready for that... she is wild enough as is!! :0 )

Taylor had her 9 month check-up yesterday:
20 lbs.
28 inches long
75th percentile for both head and weight
She now has 3 teeth and eats everything we give her... she really likes adult food!!

On another note: Our house is finally on the market and we are on the hunt for a new house!! We have looked at several houses and found 1 that we are interested in!! There is so much to choose from that it's hard to even decide where to start. James started his new job yesterday and LOVES IT!!! We are so thankful for that. He is driving from Laurel to Lumberton for the time being: 60 miles and a lot of gas. So, we have decided to buy a little car for him to drive to work!! (saves gas.... his truck is a guzzler...and so is mine!!) We hope to sell/find a house soon so that the driving won't be so far... but for now... we are content!! Thanks for all your prayers and support!! It's been crazy around here and will continue that way until we are settled in Hattiesburg!!

9 MONTH PICS

9 months old!!!!!!

Taylor Leigh is 9 months old today!! She has grown so much in the last month that I hardly know where to begin!! She is crawling like a maniac everywhere, pulling up on stuff, trying her hardest to stand up, eating tons of "real" food, playing all by herself, talking/babbling like she has A LOT to tell us, PERSONALITY, PERSONALITY, PERSONALITY!!! This child is very strong-willed. She screams when she wants to do something or when she wants you to do something. She understand the word "no" but doesn't like to be told that. She chews on everything in site. I promise you she has eaten more stuff in this house that I never even knew existed. She thinks it's fun to eat Kane's dog food, play/splash in his water bowl, and chase him around. She is amazed by him.

Some of Taylor's favorites include:
her walker(we refer to it as her car), water, bath time, playing outside, pulling up on stuff, grass, stroller rides, being chased by someone(absolutely loves this), swimming, pots/pans, wooden spoons, newspaper/magazines(only so she can tear it up), shopping with mommy, and buggy rides(grocery store, target, wal-mart, etc.)

Some new and favorite foods:
mashed potatoes, eggs, spinach dip, English peas, mac and cheese, chicken, steak, shrimp, pudding, jello, oatmeal, broccoli, corn, bananas, pineapple, watermelon, grapes, popsicles, and ice cream, and bread.


This pic is Taylor's new hobby... eating off her big girl tray on the floor. This helps keep her busy and in my sight while in the kitchen:)

We finally bit the bullet and bought a new car seat. Taylor is facing forward now and loves it!! She was not a very good car rider mainly because her car seat was getting too small, but also because she couldn't see out!! We have a DVD player in the car, but it comes down from the roof, so she couldn't watch that. Well, now she is a big girl and can watch TV which helps mommy and daddy out. We decided to buy a new car seat last Saturday while we were heading out of town. I was not fired up about sitting in the back seat the whole trip, and Taylor was not going to do well. She absolutely LOVES the new seat, watches TV, sleeps well, and can see out!! And mommy is happy because she can now ride in the front seat with daddy!! My how the smallest things in life can make you so happy!!

Taylor is such a sweet girl and we are enjoying every minute of her little life: the good days and the bad.... they are ALL WORTH IT!!! We love you Taylor!!

Santa Rosa Beach

taylor enjoying herself over breakfast at harbor docks

daddy and taylor at harbor docks for breakfast.. after church sunday morning... this is one of our favs so we made it a point to go there!!

san san with taylor

all 3 girls at the pool ( in the front of the house.. which was really easy also!!)

mad because we told her NO when she tried to put the sand in her mouth.. she understands the word, but doesn't like to hear it!! strong willed.. i know!!

all 3 girls taking a break after swimming

family pic on the beach

trying to crawl on the sand..

daddy, taylor, and uncle drew at louisianna lagniappe..... another favorite of ours!!

mommy and taylor... this background looks fake, but it's really the bay outside at night!!

Taylor had her first beach trip and it was a blast. The beach was right outside the house we were staying in, so it made it very easy to get Taylor to and from the beach!! She liked the sand, but she really just wanted to eat it, so we stayed at the pool most of the time. Taylor did really well for being out in the sun (or outside for 3 days). We had lots of people on this trip.... Drew, Holli, Madyson, Lexi, Amber, David, Winston, Tim,

and Mom. My grandmother, Aunt Debbie, Uncle Charlie, Aunt Becky, Ginger, and Bryce also came to the beach but stayed in a different location. They came over each day to visit/ swim since we had our own pool. Taylor really enjoyed playing with Madyson, but when they both had enough... they sacked out!!

Taylor slept pretty well each night (which is a blessing since we spent the whole week prior to this trip up each night from teething... the tooth came through the day before we left!!) The guys played golf, we shopped, cooked in, and dined out!! I forgot to take pictures throughout the trip, so most of the pics were taken the same day or two!! It was good to see our family and we look forward to heading back to the beach in a week with James' family!!

EXCITING NEWS!!!!

WELL..... WE ARE MOVING!!!!!!!

James got a new job with a company called Cooper Industries in Lumberton, MS. So.... we will be moving to Hattiesburg! We are so very excited. The job opening, interview, decision making, etc. all happed so fast!! We were totally not expecting any of this but we all think it will be a GREAT change for us. We spend most all our weekends in Hattiesburg anyway, so now maybe we can save money on all that gas we are spending to drive back and forth :) haha. The company seems to be a really good company. James says they are a fortune 500 company( don't really know exactly what that means) but from what I gather... they are located all around the world and have many smaller, sister companies!! We are in the process of putting our house up for sale.. hopefully it will be on the market in the next day or two. And... we will start the process of finding a new house.. yes... I have already found dozens.. BUT we have to think of Taylor's daycare and where I will be working to locate an area!! James starts his new job on June 30th... yeah right around the corner!! God has opened so many doors for us and we are so very thankful to have this wonderful opportunity!!