How to make a bird feeder (with a one year old).

Go outside and search find ONE pine cone. Kate is an over achiever. (Rinse outside first. Lots of little bugs hiding in those pine cones!) Tie a long string around the fat end of the pine cone to later hang the bird feeder with.

Put cereal, oatmeal, raisins, crasins, etc., into a baggie and shake. Kate prefers to shake things with her mouth. Using a large spoon, smash up contents of baggie. If you are doing this with your one year old, I would suggest not getting too close.
Cover pine cone with peanut butter. One year olds looove peanut butter. Cover pine cone with mixture! Kate was not too interested in sharing with the birds.
Then hang your feeder!

Forever Changing

Kate, jan.1.2010

It seems like yesterday she was a tiny newborn in my arms. Instead of nursing, and rocking, and checking her a million times a night, I am chasing her, wiping her nose, dancing with her, and asking for her help to unload the dishwasher.
I feel like yesterday I was just teaching her to roll over, to eat rice cereal, to crawl, and to drink from a sippy. Now, I teacher her manners, to share and so say "please" and "thank you". I teach her colors, and numbers and ABC's. To brush her teeth and and wash her hands, and how to close her eyes and fold her arms to pray.

Dear Time, where have you gone?
Will you always be this greedy?
If so, how do I dare take my eyes off my child for a second, for fear that I might
miss
something?

I see how fast my daughter is changing before my eyes, and realize this time is precious. I value each and every waking moment with her. (And sometimes enjoy sneaking in her room to watch her sleep, and hold her like a "baby" since she won't let me do that anymore.)
I love this life. I love being a mother.
I love my Kate.

Note to Self: Don't forget...

I hear my daughter's sweet and tiny voice outside saying, "Ready, set, go!"

And my husbands sweet but strong voice encouraging her, "Push the pedals! You can do it!" Her legs just a tiny bit too short to make the full rotation of the pedal on her Radio Flyer.

"Beep, beep, beep!" She says, with one hand on the handle bar, and the other tightly gripping her sippy cup.

So thankful for that my daughter has such a patient and loving father like Matt.
These two are buds.

Christmas Morning 2009

Matt and I had our first real Christmas playing Santa. It felt strange, but good, to be on the other end of the magic. As real first timers, we started assembling toys at 11pm. Not a good idea. The kitchen alone took 3 hours. And, we forgot to buy batteries! While Matt was busy putting the toys together, I encouraged him from the kitchen as I made a few pies, and made preparations for our Christmas morning breakfast. This is how our living room looked once Mr. and Mrs. Claus went to bed at 3am. When I was little I never understood why my mom and dad were so sleepy on Christmas morning...now I know!
I love this picture for so many reasons. This may sound strange, but what I love most is that it is out of focus. When Kate saw her toys, she was so excited that she ran into the living room, and I was still getting my camera set up! I also love it because of the look she is giving me. She ran into the room, stopped, and then just stared at the sight before her. Then very sheepishly looked at me, and slowly got the cutest smile on her face when she realized it was all for her. I am glad I have that memory persevered in this photo.

Kate and her Boe Boe checking out her Radio Flier Trike.
I think I could get use to this!My two loves.
I think she loved opening her stocking more than anything.
Love this baby face. And those kissy lips? Don't get me started!
My baby, with her baby.
Imagination is a great thing.

It was a nice little Christmas in the new Taylor home.

Christmas Day 2009

We spent the day at my parents home. We did a little of the late minute baking and just enjoyed being together. We had a nice dinner, and the kids had fun playing together and with their new toys!

This is Kate in her favorite spot at "Pa Pa" and "Gabby's" house.
My mom is the best stocking stuffer. Do you see my name on there? Did you know my real names was Andrea?
Kate loved her Tinkerbell Doll from Mike and Megan!
Me and my Naners! I love that short lady!

Bachelor

(If you see Bachelor as a title, it is obviously going to be a spoiler! Watch out!)

I am watching Ellen and she is interviewing Michelle. CRAAAZY. Pretty sure the only thing you don't want to hear after you share a first kiss is, "I think I am ready for this night to be over!" Oh snap! See ya!

Vienna. Oh brother! Drama Mama. Before the jumped off the bridge I was just dying. Jake was such a baby! Their Spiderman kiss was kinda cute..but I am not a huge fan.

Ali. Whoa. We was pretty surprise at what a "ring leader" she is. I still like her a lot and I think she will be one of the final girls.


Can we please talk about that comedy date?! Myself, and the girls that I was watching it with, all agreed that would be the worst! I would die. (Like Ashleigh!)

See ya later Elizabeth!!! Go make out with someones forehead!


Oh Chia Pet- You have giant lips. That is all I can really say about you.

I am sorry, who are you?

Mama Ella you are cute. But what was with the outfit changes? I was a little bored watching your date. Spice it up girlfriend!

Tenley, are you pregnant?!

A idea for me, a gift for you.

When I was 10 I always thought 25 sounded so grown up and mature. I wanted to be 25 so badly. I had great plans for my 25th year of life. That would be the year I would get married and have a baby. And we would all live happily in a cute house. It just seemed like 25 would never come.

25 is just 3 days away. It seems like all my dreams have come true already! I have a husband, a baby, and cute little home. What more could I want?

I want to accomplish something meaningful this year. That is where you come in. I need some fresh ideas. Consider it your birthday present to me! I will pick my favorite idea, and I will send you one of my favorite things! Just try not to repeat any previous ideas in the comments, and I will pick one on my birthday on Thursday.

Flashback Friday

This was probably 4 years ago. Sure love this guy.

Me on a Thursday

I am in a battle with myself over my home decor. Simple and light? Or fun and colorful?
I am a chapstick whore. I currently have 4 different brands.
I have had a headache for a week.
Anyone catch American Idol last night? One word. "ARROW-PLANE!" I guess that is two. But it is suppose to be one.
This past week or two of warm weather makes me really happy about Spring and Summer around the corner.
I have been working out 3 days a week and I am seeing results. Fun!
Just finished "The Lost Symbol"...loved it.
I feel it my mission to enlighten the world to the wonder that is olive oil for babies. Takes away Cradle Cap in an instant!
Finally, FINALLY!... Grey's is back, and Private Practice. Cross Over Event? Yes please!
During nap time (1-4 or 5) I have grand plans of productivity. My butt says on the couch most days.
I hate closing my blinds when the sun goes down.
Ellen D. is super funny.
Matt hours changed, so he comes home an hour earlier. But I am never prepared for dinner in time now!
The Lemon Pasta I make a lot will blow your mind. Matt and I fought over who got the left overs for lunch.
I love my new skinny jeans. LOVE!
Why do I love basil so much? I want to take a bath in it.
My CHI broke. My hair thanks me.

Note to Self: Don't forget...

I don't want to forget how cute Kate was on our little mommy-daughter date to Disneyland.
When I asked her what she wanted to do first she said, "Boats!" (Small World). She wanted to go on every ride we passed, good thing it was pretty empty today!
I don't ever want to forget how silly she was when she saw Tinkerbell. She danced in line and was so excited, and when we finally got to see Tink, Kate buried her head into my neck and closed her eyes shut as tightly as she could. She did not even sneak a peek! Even Tink thought it was funny!
Mostly, I don't want to forget how tightly she held onto my index finger with that chubby dimpled hand on the "scary" rides, like Pinocchio.
Don't want to forget how she kept kissing and kissing me before I put her down for her nap once we got home.
I know there will come a day that she will no longer depend on me like she does now, and one day those chubby, baby hands will be gone, and one day I will have to work a little harder for those kisses, and I am trying to savor each little moment.

Oh my sweet funny baby...

You make me laugh everyday!

Bachelor

First I will admit I was a little uncomfortable watching that first part with all the bikinis, with my husband my by side! Holy Boobs! They were out of control. Ok, moving on.

Ali: She is my favorite! I think she will be the last girl standing.
But I was totally bugged that she was so dressed up and darling, and he was wearing a super causal outfit! Obviously she is going to think she needed to dress up when she got that necklace! The whole time Matt and I kept saying, "When is he going to change?!"
And she looks just like her:
Next up: Elizabeth. Are you serious? She reads that dumb note, and then gets all up in his face asking if he wants to kiss her?! I thought she was going to confess if was a joke. That is going to get old sooo fast.
But she is pretty. She seems nice...

And she looks like her:Chia Pet: Doesn't she talk really strange?! I realized we have only seen really short clips of her talking. Can't wait for a good solid "alone time" so I can figure out what is going on with that speech.
Oh come ON! There is always one of these. I think the producers keep her on for the drama. After Chris spilled the beans about the "affair" and Jake said what he wanted...did she think it was open mic?! Awwwkward.
Nice. But I felt like she was trying to laser me with her eyes.
What to say? She starts out the episode interrupting a girl's alone time with a boob shake?! Then the super awkward kiss on the roof. I hate the first kisses on this show. What do you say after?!
And the "affair"?? Did we expect anything less? See ya!

I pledge in 2010...

I am not about making goals like...
I will work out at least 4 times a week.
Why?
Because at the end of the year, when Matt pulls out our goals, I feel like I just failed a whole year.
I told him this year I am going to use the word MORE and BETTER.

I will be more active.
I will drink more water.
I will read more books, and less blogs.
I will play with Kate more, and let the chores wait.
I will to be a better friend.
I will be a better wife.
I will be a better mother.

Sounds a little more do-able. I am excited for the better me.

a good start...

this is how we spent the first week of 2010. a week at the beach always does a body good.

New Year's in Oceanside