Proud Mommy Moment

(kate with her friends at her 2nd bday party. raegan in orange, kate in yellow, and angie in the polka dots.)

The week Kate turned 2, she was gifted a new attitude. She has always been sassy, but now she raises her voice, and has some strong opinions. It was a long weekend. No time for naps, and it has been a little rough.
I walked into nursery to check on Kate (ie. chat with my friend) and while I was talking, I saw Kate walk up to her little friend who was standing by the door crying. Kate patted her on the back, and said a really sweet voice, "She be back, be back!" I died. Such a proud mommy moment. I am so glad I got to see that and be reminded that the attitude is a phase, and she is still my sweet girl.

Kissy Girl

thank you, photo booth, for capturing this.

This girly loves to smooch.
Sometimes I ask her for one, sometimes she she asks me for one.
She makes Matt and I kiss every night. Pushes our faces together, and says, "Go, go."
And then usually tries to get in on the kiss.
Love those little puckers.

Lately

I made my first batch of jam...

Made these invites for Kate's 2nd Birthday Party...
Trying to keep up with these two. Kate is getting so mature lately! The other day she said, "Look at the birdies flying in the sky!" What?! Matt and I couldn't believe she said an 8 word sentence!
Taking a few newborns photos...


I am now working with the Beehives (12 and 13 years old girls) at church, and I taught them some basics of photography during their midweek activity...Night shots were their favorites!


We have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of my 2nd niece...and I spent some time preparing for her shower and made these little cupcake holders on my trusty Cricut!
And then made some little accessories, and onesies for her!



Can't wait to meet the little bundle very very soon!

I have been lazy.
A lazy blogger mostly.
I haven't even posted to my photography blog in forever. I am going through a phase with photography. Sometimes, it becomes a chore. The guilt of not capturing Kate perfectly, or not editing fast enough, or not posting all the shoots. But I have a new computer, some new equipment, and I am feeling good about it again. It has been a hobby of mine since I was a teenager. I have been thinking about it differently lately, and love that it is a hobby I can do inside or outside of the home, and it gives me creative outlet that I need. I have taken the pressure off myself, and I just having fun with it.
Here is a fun shoot I did with my friend Jylare and her family.

Kate's 2nd Birthday- Part 1

When she woke up I asked her what she wanted and she said, "Six five chocate doughnuts!"

She picked the pink with sprinkles and a Snapple!

She wore her PJs, and wanted to wear her crown and her "jewel shoes".

Then she opened a couple presents...and loved every minute of it.

We met Papa at "Donalds" for some fun for lunch.

Grammy pulled through and made Kate a cute cake.

She has us relight that thing like 5 times.

Dinner with Grammy and Papa.

And us of course, while Kate picks her nose!

Opening MORE presents!

More to come from the other camera one day soon!

Palm Springs '10

Is there anything better than relaxing poolside with friends with a smoothie in hand?

Or laughing too hard with one of your best friends?

Or eating a meal with out a child?

Or taking pictures of ourselves like we have been doing for the past 7 years?

Or the Carlsons skinny dipping in the broad daylight?

Or watching husbands float around a pool with out their iphone or law school books?

Or shopping at the Outlets?

Nope!

It is already on the calendar for next year.

Happy 30th M.T.

Matt's birthday was an eventful one.

We started out day at 8am, for the statewide service project! We shoveled and spread mulch. Kate thought it was great running all around with her friends, and acting like a big girl.

I rushed home to shower, and then off to my sister's baby shower! We had a fun brunch to celebrate baby #5! Then I rushed to pick up the sitter, and off we went for a couples massage! Too bad we were 20 minutes late, and still had to pay, and only get 40 minutes, instead of an hour! Then we went to see Iron Man 2. Matt choice, of course! Then, we rushhhhhed home to scoop up Kate, and met the Bewsey fam down at the beach for a bonfire.

Three amigos

OH NO THE BIG 30! (Thanks for the 30 loot Pam!)

I am married to an old man.

30 looks good on him.

Kate and "Uncle Dabid"

We played a fun game of popping balloons against someones body. No hands allowed. It was pretty fun!

It was a nice relaxing way to end the crazy day! Happy 30th Birthday Matt! We sure are glad you were born!

in a few short hours, you will be mine. all mine.

It's true, my baby's two.

This little buggy is TWO. Two years ago I was basking in the feeling of being a new mommy, and cuddling my sweet new bundle. I am still basking in that wonderful feeling of being a mommy, and guess what? We have cuddled a lot today.

Kate is just the epitome of a two year old, and I love that. She is emotional. She is sassy. She loves princesses, and "no like" Handy Manny. Her favorite shoes are pink, and she loves to get dressed for church. She sings, she dances, and never stops talking. She is so funny, smart, clever, and curious. She loves bows, necklaces, and of course her bracelets.

Kate is a mommy's girl, and a daddy's girl. She loves candy, broccoli, chocolate, and raw green beans. She is timid, and sometimes shy. She is cautious and careful. She is a choker, and is not allowed to eat apples. She sensitive, and hates getting hurt. She loves to sleep, watch cartoons, and drink milk. She could not live with out her BoBo, Binky, and her Deer. She has crazy hair, and squishy buns. She is beautiful.
Kate is a happy little munchie bug, and now two!

We love this baby. Babycenter now prefers to her as my "preschooler" in the email updates, but what do they know? She is my baby. And she will always been my baby, even when she is 12, or 22 for that matter.

Happy Birthday Kate,
I hope you know how much Daddy and I are utterly obsessed with you and thank Heavenly Father everynight for the joy that you bring to us.
Love you sweet girl!
Love,
Mommy

one today. two tomorrow.

while getting ready this morning, my one-year-old, kate, sat in the big leather chair watching my every move.

me: "kate, do you know it is your birthday tomorrow?!"
kate: "yeth"
me: "how old are you going to be?"
kate:"two!"
and then she starts singing that jeremiah birthday s*x song that gets edited out on the radio.... "birthday SHHHH! birthday SHHHH!"

alive

don't worry my friends. we are alive and well. we have been celebrating and celebrating some more in the taylor household. once that new mac is in my arms (hopefully thursday!), i promise to stop ignoring this blog.
xo,
me

Laughing in the Dark

Images by Jylare

The other night, (or rather morning, it was 3 am) I looked over my shoulder in bed and couldn't control my laughter. I saw a sleeping husband, and a baby playing with her daddy's lips. I felt like I went to sleep 18, and woke a grown up.
Where did these people come from? And why were they in my bed?
I feel like time is just slipping through my fingers. I struggle everyday to hold on to those perfect moments and seem to keep coming faster and faster.

I never knew motherhood would be this fulfilling.
I never knew that it was possible to put someones needs completely before my own. I never knew I could feel the pain she would feel. I never knew sitting on the couch watching cartoons with my girl would be so fun. I never knew how much work being a mother would be. I never knew I could stare at a sleeping baby for so long. I never knew pb&j smashed in my purse would not phase me. I never knew feeling my baby's love for me would feel like I was going to burst. I never knew snot, blood and tears were all part of the game, and I would be ok with it. I never knew I was capable of cleaning up so many messes. I never knew how magical Disneyland could be. I never knew I could be so proud of such a small person.
I never knew I would love my husband so much more when I saw him as a father.
I never knew I the capacity my heart had to love,
until I became a mother.

I am a mother.
I love my role as a mother.
I take my job very seriously, and I think I am doing a good job.
At least I know I am doing the best job that I know how to do.

The other night, when there was a party going on in my bed at 3 am, I was so happy that I couldn't help but to laugh. Kate was hyper. We were tired. But, it was one of those perfect moments.
"I ride Daddy horsie!" I heard her whisper in the dark,
and I quickly warned Matt, "Brace yourself!"
And sure enough she jumped and landed right on his stomach.
I have never laughed so hard in my life.
And never been happier I was suddenly 25 and a wife and mother.