Visit Swaddle Duck Clippies to see who won and to see some new stuff!

Goodbye Winter.

Oh, how I live for our Saturdays. Especially when it is warm outside. Today was just what I needed.

Swaddle Duck Clippies

I have mastered making baby hair clips.
Heard of the No Slippy Hair Clippy? These are better. Promise.
These suckers will stay in the finest of baby hair!
Have you seen my little girl's baby duck hair? Her nick-name is Swaddle Duck for a reason.
I am now taking orders. You can email me at anitaylor1@gmail.com. They are 5$ each.
Giveaway:
Comment with your 2 favorite Swaddle Duck Clippies, and I will pick a winner on Saturday!

last week

This little girl turned 3 and we had a little tea party to celebrate. Girls only. (Notice the boys outside)

Kate was a little lady at her first tea party and loved the decor.
We rode our bikes to the Swallow's Day Parade...
Kate didn't like the tamales. HA! But we did!
And the roasted corn.
We met Matt at the beach for lunch
We don't usually kiss like ducks.
We also have my cousins in town, and my little brother and his two friends made a surprise visit home. It was a FULL house!
Fun week!

this makes me happy.

doesn't get more cute than this.

Mormon Monday

Are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (a.k.a. Mormons) Christians?
Yes!

10 months

Kate Bug is just 2 months shy of turning one. How can that be? I feel like it was just yesterday we were welcoming our sweet baby into our the world.
She continues to be such an easy baby. She is always happy as long as we are near.
I love her dark eyes, her button nose, and every single roll on that chubby body.
She is turning into quite the ham these days. We are constantly laughing at her funny faces and noises. She knows she is funny! All day long she gabber, gabber, gabbers. If only I knew what she was saying.
Oh how we love our girl.

We have a new brother!

Jamie and Nate tied the knot this past week in Hawaii! We are so excited to have a new member of the Taylor crew.

Re-Posted from Last Year

Matt's grandparents are from Ireland, and his dad was actually born there too! His grandpa, Bumpa, has this ligit kilt and whatnot, the whole shabang. We stopped to visit them in St. George a while back, and they insisted on Matt trying it all on. It was so funny! His grandparents are really cute, super short, eat meat and potatoes for dinner every night, and have really thick accents!


We tried to call them tonight to wish them a happy St. Patrick's day, but we think they went to Ireland!

Mormon Monday

I intend to make Monday's on my blog, "Mormon Monday". I will pick something gospel oriented to talk about or explain, LDS culture, or answer questions. . Anyone is free to ask respectful questions! So here we go!

Since I am preparing for FHE right now, FHE will be our topic today!

What is FHE?
Family Home Evening "is special time set aside each week that brings family members together and strengthens their love for each other, helps them draw closer to Heavenly Father, and encourages them to live righteously."

What do you do for FHE?
"Family home evenings should be scheduled once a week as a time for discussions of gospel principles, recreation, work projects, skits, songs around the piano, games, special refreshments, and family prayers. Like iron links in a chain, this practice will bind a family together, in love, pride, tradition, strength, and loyalty."(Salvation; A Family Affair, Ensign, July 1992, p. 4 — President Ezra Taft Benson)

We usually have a song, a prayer, and then "family business". We talk about upcoming events on the calendar, plan outings, or discuss any other topics involving the whole family. Someone gives a short lesson, and then we close with a prayer. When I was growing up we always played "Fruit Basket Tips Over" (if you wanna know how to play ask me, it is so fun!)
Everyone takes turns doing everything. Even the lesson.

Last week we watched this video, Come What May, And Love It

Who is FHE for?
Anyone! I had FHE when I was in college with my roommates. I did it alone while I was studying abroad. And Matt and I have it with our little family now.

"Homes are more permanent through love. Oh, then, let love abound. Though you fall short in some material matters, study and work and pray to hold your children’s love. Establish and maintain your family hours always. Stay close to your children. Pray, play, work, and worship together."
(President David O. McKay, 1968)

Love that!

Why have it?
Why not?! I always looked forward to Monday night's with my family. Some of my best memories are from these times together. My parents and siblings taught me so many things on our FHE nights.
Now that I am a parent I can see how this will benefit our family as we raise our children. One on one time with your children, teaching a principle you want them to learn about, or being taught by your child and hearing their testimonies, discussing the gospel of Jesus Christ, praying as a family and feeling the Spirit together as a family: how could it not be a great thing?


Mormon or not...a night together with your whole family will truly bless your home. Adapt it to fit your family! We do!
Tonight we are pushing Kate on her new swing as our activity, and when she goes to bed we will have a short lesson. Maybe popcorn for a treat?! Watch out, we're livin' large.

weekend.

bonfire at sunset. wahoo's salad. friends.
sleeping in. church b-ball. rope swing. byu volleyball. bravo. family.
rushing. praying. calm. lunch. smores. swinging through the air. naps. baby giggles. mr. t. all to myself.

Dear Former Lurkers,

It was so fun to get all of your comments and check out your blogs! I am excited to keep reading.
I have always wanted to be a spy. I love when I hear interesting stuff by innocently eve dropping. I am totally not a peeping tom, but when I go on walks, I can't help but look at the houses and wonder who lives inside. I think everyone has such interesting lives. Therefore, I love the blogging world!
Thanks for de-lurking. Doesn't it feel good!?
Kate picked Diana for obvious reasons (she loves a good compliment):
Leave a comment with your email and I'll send you your little gift!
xo,
Ani (pronounced Annie!)

Dani- while you were gone...

Image by Elizabeth Harris

While my sister and her hubby are cruzing the Pacific, I got to hang out with my two youngest nephews for a bit. They are handsome, let me tell ya. They are also funny.

Jake: Is Uncle David home?
Auntie (that's me): No, he is in Utah, have you been to Utah?
Jake: No.
Auntie: That is where Ty was born.
Jake: Oh yeah, me too.
Auntie: No, you were born in Laguna Hills
Jake: How do you know?
Auntie: I was there.
Jake: Oh. (Looking out the window) Is it way over those HILLS?!
Auntie: No
Jake: Wayyy over thooose hills? Behind the trees?
Auntie: Nope. OK, so do you remember where you were born? Lagunaaaaa.......
Jake: Laguna Mountains.

Oh Jake. You are a cutie.

The Real Us...

I have been looking forward to daylight savings since we "fell backwards" in the fall. Yuck. I hate when it gets dark early. Anyway, Sunday morning Matt and I wake up at 7:30 and I said, "I think we will finally be on time to church!" (We are the family that ALWAYS walks in 5-10 minutes late).
So we laid there for a minute then I asked, "Did the DLS start last night, or tonight?" Matt jumped up in a panic. Dangit. So, we were about an hour late for church because it was really 8:30 (church is at 9) and mostly because we woke up looking like this:

Check out the volume on the right side. I managed to get it straight, but couldn't control the poof. Sometimes you just have to roll with it.

Kate's hair was not fixable either. It was so tall!

Thinking this should be our next Christmas card. What a beautiful family we have!

But at least we didn't smell like bonfire.

Lessons learned.
Don't go to bed with wet hair.
Take a picture if you do.
Set your clocks the night before.

2 hours of church was amazing I must admit.

Super Saturday

We had a busy day planned for Saturday. And we managed to get it all in.
I haven't been so tired since I gave birth. (Warning, many pictures)

We had the bright idea of riding our bikes to the beach and having lunch. Half way there, the trail was barricaded off. Sweet. The detour added on about 40 minutes to our ride. We eventually made it there! It was pretty fun!

This is the face Kate makes whenever her helmet is on. She whined and scratched my bum the whole ride.
Finally at our destination. (Some strange lady insisted on taking our picture. And telling us all about her cat. Yuck.)

My mom rescued us at the beach, and drove us home. Thank goodness! Kate took a nap while we washed our cars, and packed up for a bonfire.

Kate was loving it until it got freezing...

Matt's friends from his Hawaii days. Best attempt at a group shot.
Sleepy girl with her Dada.

Finally home. I think she was kinda pissed at us for dragging her along all day. She rather sit and play with her toys I think.
We all stunk really bad...so we woke her up and we all took showers/baths...and went to bed with wet hair.
Stay tuned for our Sunday morning picture. Classic.

De-Lurking

Introduce yourself por favor! We all lurk blogs. There is no denying it. There is also no shame! So, de-lurk yourself. I need some new blogs to read.
Gracias.
ps. Kate will pick a winner for a small give-away!

yum

i love my days home with my baby.


is there anything better than a baby fresh out of the bath?

Happy Birthday Meg!

Mike met Megan while I was away in Vienna. I was pretty nervous to meet her! But, I loved her from the moment I we met. We got to live across the hall from each other, and then were roommates while we were both engaged. It was fun to get to know her really well during that long winter when were both away from our boys.

I learned that...

she really did love my brother

she loves salt

she watches a lot of sports and is very athletic

she is very neat and tidy

she loves King of Queens

can fold laundry like a professional

she always smells good

she is the easiest person to live with

has very good style

has a strong testimony

and would be a very good sister to me!

I am so thankful that she is in our family!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEGAN!

Meg and Mike spend the night last night and she had just told us that she was born at 4am. Kate woke up right at 4, and Matt and I ALMOST went down to sing and bang pots and pans. I think she was happy we didn't!

today i am thinking...

Jason, Jason. I wanted Molly to win, so I was secretly happy while everyone was "up in arms."

(But I REALLY wanted Jillian to win...)

Another bug flew in my eye while on a bike ride again today.

I have been using Tofu lately and really liking it!

I think it is awkward to talk about your weight on your blog, but I have been working hard! I am 1/2 pound away from my pre-preg weight. (Pathetic I know, it has been 9 months, but I am really excited about it)

The 2 scoops of formula isn't cutting it for my Munch. She is not napping well and waking up at night again! AH! Lucky for her, I think her chubbiness is cute, and I am not worried about it. 3 scoops are back!

After my chubby baby woke up at 4 am for a bottle, I could not fall alseep. I laid in bed and tossed and turned for an hour and half. WHY?!?!

so...

I took an amazing nap today. Usually after awhile of laying on my bed/couch, I open my eyes and I am never sure if I even fell asleep. But today I was out. But as I was sleeping, I think I was dreaming, "Oh my gosh, this feels so good. I am sleeping so good. I love taking naps." I completely got to enjoy the whole nap because I was somehow conscious that I was sleeping so great. Does that make sense?

I keep hearing from people that Matt looks like Kris Allen from American Idol.

What more could possibly happen on "The Bachelor: After the Final Rose"

Every night I tell Matt we need to go to bed earlier. It NEVER happens. And when we get in bed a little earlier than usual I become a motor mouth and we can't stop laughing.

I am happy. 

Thoughts...

I have been thinking about the Gledhill family all day. They took their sweet daughter off of life support today. I cannot begin to imagine what they have gone through for the past year, and especially over the past week, and today.
I do not know how people could possibly endure the loss of loved ones with out the knowledge of Heavenly Fathers plan of happiness for us. I know the Gledhill family is feeling comfort from all of our prayers, and from their knowledge of the gospel.
Tonight my heart is full. Full of sadness for their family. Full of happiness that families are eternal. Full of gratitude that I have a healthy baby sleeping soundly in the room next door.

21 pounds, 28 inches long, and my favorite tiny person

favorite toys: dad's toothbrush, mom's make up and cell phone, her fuzzy deer (pictured), mr. glow warm, and her twitter bug
favorite food: kiwi, avocado, tofu, rice, orzo, bananas, yogurt melts, and her beloved puffs.
favorite game: peek-a-boo, anything with dad, and being tickled by mom
favorite activities: eating, going on walks, playing with her toys, swings at the park, and playing with her "dada"
favorite people: mom, dad, and grandpa (he is home all day with us!)
favorite sleeping position: on her tummy with her blankie under her face, nummy (binky) close by

In an attempt to be more domestic, I have been busy.

As any good first-time-mother would, I have been planning Kate's first birthday since...forever. I whipped up this bad boy for the big day.
(please excuse the awful pictures).



And made these for her room. (One day, hopefully soon, she will have her very own room that I can put this in.)

Weekend Report

I got my new bike! (I feel like I am 7 again.) We got a little seat for Kate, a helmet that matched the bike (of course), and off we went! (But not before Matt had to WD40 the chain, that is a new-bike tradition I learned.)
Kate HATED the helmet. She was just screaming and crying, and pulling at it like crazy. We were just doing a little test ride and she pulled it off and threw it and then was happy as a clam! She will tolerate it now, but holds on to it the whole time, and pushes it up so she can see.

Click to enlarge. Her face is awesome.
I forgot that...
riding a bike without gears is not easy
your bum gets really sore
bugs fly into your eyes
and mostly...
I am really out of shape.

After our first ride. I was having serious buyers remorse at this point.

It was a fun weekend for Matt and I, but I think Kate was fed up with us by Sunday night.
We tried to get her to be a little more active, I mean, look at those thighs (they are amazing!).
But in all honesty, this is what she loves most.
And of course her bottle.
But with only two scoops.
Not three.


ps. We rode our bikes to a park, and I was sitting on the bench watching Matt push Kate on the swing, and I just started laughing...it seems like yesterday he was romancing me on the beaches of Hawaii, and now we are that family who takes bike rides and goes to the park on Saturdays. I LOVE IT.