Walk Now For Autism

On Oct 4th our family will be walking for Autism with Team Taylor.  My niece Taylor was diagnosed with Autism when she was three years old.  She is now six and making daily improvements.  She is a beautiful little girl and enjoys all the same things as any six year old, swimming, soccer, horseback riding, Disneyland!  Autism Speaks helps provide programs and bring awareness so that Taylor has the opportunity to participate in all the activities she enjoys.

If you would like to make a donation to Team Taylor please click here!  Thank you!

First Tooth

Ayla got her first tooth when we took our trip to Southern California a month ago.  I kept thinking she would get her second tooth any day.  I have been saying any day now for a month and well still no second tooth.  I actually love that she has only one tooth so much it has provided her with a new nickname, Toof!  I love that little smile and I love my little Toof!

Happy Birthday!

Dear Regan,

Today you turned three!  And your Dad and I can hardly believe how quickly these three years have gone by.  This year has been a big year for you between traveling to visit your cousins, learning to swim to the side of the pool by yourself, potty training, and most importantly becoming a big sister!  You amaze us!

There are no maybes in your world you know exactly what you want when you want it.   You are still daddy's little girl which I think you may never grow out of.  You are happiest when daddy wakes you up in the morning to have breakfast with you.  Normally breakfast is pancakes or oatmeal and you will happily sit on your daddy's lap and eat as slowly as you can so you can enjoy every second with him until he leaves for work.  Only minutes after he leaves you will begin asking me when daddy will be home and if he can feed you breakfast again.  To let you in on a little secret I think daddy loves breakfast time with you more then you do.  He cherishes those morning minutes with his little girl before going off for a hectic day at work.

You are also an incredible big sister.  You are loving, protective, and concerned when it come to Ayla.  You love to see you sister happy and laughing and will do whatever it takes to make her laugh.  If we are packing up to leave the house you always remind us to bring Ayla and if your sister is out of your sight you will search the house asking, "Where's Ayla?"  It means the world the to me that you love her and you call her your best friend.  Your Dad and I love watching you two interact with one another and the excitement I feel to be so lucky to watch the two of you grow up together is almost overwhelming.

You are special beyond words, we love you birthday girl!  And it is our privilege to watch and help you grow!

Isn't she lovely, Isn't she wonderful....

Shh don't tell David but here is a sneak peek at his father's day present, I can post this because well David doesn't do the whole internet thing unless it is for work or he is reading it over my shoulder.  All of the pics in this post were taken by Nicole Fields Photography.

Aren't they sooooo cute!  I love looking at these pictures.

Pushups pushups and more pushups!

Okay so here is the deal, a friend in my mother's group, Nicole, told me about a website that can get you to do 100 pushups in six weeks.  My question is, really?  Because when I tried to do them I could only do six!  And well I just can't imagine ever being able to do 100.  So I am giving it a shot and trying to get to 100 in six weeks, I will believe it when I see it.  But best of all if I get there I am going to challenge by brother-in-law (and hopefully make a few bucks) because he will never ever think I am capable of 20 pushups, which as of today he is right.  Anyway if you want to try it too just to say you can go here.  There are also links to doing like 200 sit-ups and squats, but I got to take this one workout at a time.

Lisa if you are reading this don't tell Brian!

Also here is another secret, for the very first workout I started at the lowest level possible because even though I did six for my initial test I could barely do two when I started the program.  

Day one done only 16 more to go!  Doesn't seem that bad does it?  I will let you know how it goes and maybe even include a picture of my guns if I get there.  And you will just have to trust me when I say currently no guns! 

Kretive Blogger Award

Really Me?  Thanks Marisa I am terrible at keeping my blog up to date and well not all that creative.  But Marisa is my sister so she has to show me some love. :)  So this award does just that and now it is my turn to spread the love.  Here is the deal now that I have been issued the award I must pass it on to 5 others and also list five things I love.  I wonder if this is how the award rules worked in the very beginning or if this is like the blogger version of telephone.  Who got the first award?  And have the requirements changed at all since its creation?  Anyway if I selected you as a winner you now know this award does not come freely it is your turn to spread the word about blogs you like to read.  Have fun and thanks for passing it along! :)

MaceMoments

This is my oldest sister's blog.  It is brand new but I know it will be one to watch because I have some funny nephews, my sister is a great writer and she, unlike me, is very organized and I am sure will be very good at updating her blog and sharing good stories.

nicolefields.com

This is friend and my most favorite professional photographer, maybe because she has taken some great pics of my kids!  But I love looking at her blog and seeing her most recent work.  I hope to one day take pictures half as good as she does.

Bakerella

My sister Marisa introduced me to this blog and all I have to say is cake pops!  Check it out so cute!

Blakebunch

This is my sister-in-law's sister, do you follow that?   She is great with updates she always has them and I have noticed some very cute crafty ideas that I love.

SweetAddieVintage

Cute blog design, cute jewelry, cute kids, cute shoes (she never shows a picture of herself), just simply cute.  And then so funny to read, she can be blunt about motherhood which can contradict all the cuteness of her blog makes it interesting and fun to read!

Okay five things I love...

1.  My Husband

2.  My girls Regan and Ayla

3.  My amazing group of mommy friends that keep me motivated to be a good mommy and remind me to be good to myself!

4.  My Camera, not my photos just yet but I will get there! :)

5.  My Kitchen Aid Mixer 

I Miss Her!!!

I miss Ayla so much!  You might be wondering where a four month old goes to make her mother miss her so much it aches a little.  Well I will tell you they don't have to go far.  Up until last week Ayla was still sleeping about a foot away from me in a little moses basket.  She was an arms reach away and I liked it!  To be honest I also didn't mind if she fell asleep in bed curled up next to me.  I cherished every moment and even if I wasn't sleeping well it didn't matter she was happy and so was I.  But David was ready for us to have our room back and even the pediatrician told me to get her in the crib now before it becomes to late and life becomes hard to make changes.  So I did it she is in her crib and I miss her!  But...she doesn't miss me! :( She is sleeping fine and in fact can be placed in the crib wide awake and calmly watch her mobile and suck on her thumb and fall asleep.  I thought she might fuss I thought there would be a few nights where I would have to go in and get her and rock her back to sleep but nope she sleeps soundly.  I know I shouldn't complain I am super lucky to have a four month old sleeping all night but I wasn't expecting it.

Regan was in the crib after a week, this really means she was in her crib for about three hours before I had to go in and feed her and fall asleep with her in the rocker.  I had a kink in my neck for about 10 months and I would have enjoyed that kink a lot more if I knew how quickly she would grow up.   Ayla and Regan share a room so I was going to keep her in my room until she was sleeping well so she wouldn't wake Regan and I thought I would have her for awhile.  But then she was sleeping all night at two months!  I know fantastic right?  But what?  Just two months?  I wasn't having it.  And then the pediatrician told me she should go, David was ready for her to go and then I saw this....

Yes those are her feet. :(  She is long and well has just out grown the moses basket.

but isn't she cute?  All though she is looking at me like yes mom it is time for me to move on, I won't be far just a few a steps away, please mom I need more space!

So there it is my baby is growing up and this is only the first of many transitions that I am sure will be harder on me then her.