Baby Charlotte's first professional photos

These were taken by my wonderful sister-in-law, Candace. She is so talented and sweet to take these. We wanted Charlotte to be asleep, but now I'm glad she was awake!

Check out her blog www.mysnapdragonphotos.blogspot.com to see more of her great work!

Flashback to summer

I love the top of the Chrysler Building prop!

Frozen custard at Nielsen's. Delicious! Grandpa told us we had to enjoy some and call and tell him all about it.

My kids love the movie "Annie". They know every song and every dance. I can't tell you how many times I've had to be Miss Hannigan to Lucy's Annie. Shea has to always be Punjab and save Lucy from extreme peril as she falls off the couch or the bed. Every time I have the kids help me mop the floor, they accompany me with their version of "It's a Hard Knock Life" as they throw their rags around and roll on the floor. I love it. I have always loved musical theater, and I am thrilled that my kids, for now, share this love.

Annie was playing at Tuacahn this summer, so we had to go to St. George to stay in my parents' condo. We left on a Sunday evening and had tickets for the Monday show. Well, it hadn't happened in two years, but the show that night was rained out. The next night was "Footloose," and we had to wait until Wednesday night for Annie again. We changed our tickets and stayed in St. George--in JULY and 8 months pregnant--for a mini vacation. We swam, spent time at the new Pirate Island, ate out, shopped, watched movies, enjoyed "Footloose" with my mom while Shea stayed with the kids, and had a great time.

"Annie" was darling! Lucy and the boys loved it as much or more than I thought they would. Before the show started, Lucy told me that she wanted to sing with Annie. I told her she could stand in front of her seat and sing all she wanted. She looked at me with disgust and said, "No, mom! I want to sing down there!" as she pointed to the stage. I might have an aspiring actress in my house. She enjoyed the show from Shea's lap and sang EVERY word. The stage production has a few songs that the movie doesn't, so during those Lucy just sang the songs from the show that she loves most. Seriously, she stayed up singing and dancing until midnight! After the show the actors were all out meeting the people. Of course we waited in line to see all of them. They were very sweet with my kids. I wish I would have captured in a photo how fun that was. Lucy even consented to hugging Rooster and Miss Hannigan, who she decided might be kind of nice. Meeting Annie at the end of the line was a highlight! We had to even go back after we had walked all the way to the car because Cooper was moving inthe picture we took on my mom's phone and it was blurry of him. He was devastated, so I ran with the three of them back up the stairs to get another photo. Luckily, the crowd was gone and Annie hadn't left her spot quite yet. We grabbed another quick photo just before she left with her real family. Yep, she found them, and they were there to watch her! Good thing my kids didn't pick up on who they were.

I just got the pictures from my mom's camera of the trip, so enjoy!

Has it really been this long?

iphone camera--sorry for the quality!

the only one month birthday picture I could manage

I've had a few requests to update my blog, and quite honestly, I've had a hard time prioritizing. Also, I've been waiting on some cute photos of my kids by my amazingly talented sister-in-law, Candace. I've been justifying my lack of posting on lots of things.

Our family has been busy. We've finished another soccer season, been to see the witches at Gardner Village, picked out pumpkins at a fun party hosted by neighbors, enjoyed General Conference, tried to get back into the primary mode with the program this Sunday, worked on sewing Halloween costumes, put together the newly redecorated girls' room, folded laundry--sometimes, made dinner, got Lucy's first hair cut, started Shea on the P90X program (which he is loving), nursing, changing diapers, and running carpool.

...why do I wait to update this until all my kids are home and I am going crazy?!

That's my life lately. And I hope I get more competent soon.

First week and first bath

follow up

Thursday was the day we were supposed to get out of the hospital and begin our new life with four kids at home. I had noticed most of the day Wednesday that Charlotte was looking more and more yellow. I knew her bilirubin count was going up, but I wasn't prepared for how high it was. My nurse came in at 3 a.m. on Thursday morning to do everything they need to do at that crazy hour. She told me about the results of the test, and she mentioned words like "brain damage" and "stay longer in the hospital." I was tired, and now I was stressed. I guess I never paid attention to the fact that babies sometimes stay an extra day or so to be under the lights. Now, after talking to people, I realize how common it actually is. I really learned a lesson in perspective, gratitude, patience, and unconditional mother's love.

Charlotte spent all day, except for feedings and a blessing from her dad, in the nursery under the lights. We spent a lot of time at the nursery window watching her. I was discharged at about 4 from the hospital and we went to pick up the other kids.

Dinners from the most wonderful friends, neighbors and family members started showing up that night and continued until the next Friday night.

After eating quickly and kissing the older kids, I went back to the hospital at 7 to be with Charlotte for her feeding then and at 10 p.m. I was willing to sit there all night, but with the nurse's reassurance, I decided to go home, sleep, pump, and come back at 7 a.m. It was a hard thing to leave my baby that night, but as I sat in the nursery I thought of all the people I know who have had to leave their very sick babies for weeks or months and made countless trips to NICU. I cried as I realized how blessed I am, and how healthy Charlotte is. She did so wonderfully on the lights at the hospital that I brought her home at 9 a.m. Friday morning, and she only had to be on the bili blanket for one day. We were all so glad to have her home. Having our whole family together has been so wonderful!

The miraculous arrival of Charlotte Rose

We are so happy to announce the safe, healthy arrival of our sweet Charlotte Rose. Our family is so blessed to have these four strong, precious children in it. I couldn't ask for more as a wife and a mother than this wonderful family of mine.

I got the call at 6:40 a.m. on Tuesday, September 15th. The hospital was ready for us to come in and be induced. I was so excited that I didn't sleep at all the night before. The boys and Lucy had spent the night at my parents' house, so they could get off to school and have a normal day.

I was hooked up to my IV and then to pitocin by around 8:30. Dr. Watabe came in and immediately broke my water. Contractions were strong and very consistent from the beginning, so I had my epidural by about 10. I have to say that this epidural was perfect. It did everything exactly the way the anesthesiologist said it should. I wasn't in pain, but I was still aware of what my body was doing. My nurses in labor and delivery and in mother/baby were all fantastic. I had some of the most wonderful care.

My nurse kept expecting my body to dialate more quickly, but as long as it didn't take as long as it did with Lucy, I was happy. I kept progressing, so Shea and I were happy and relaxed. In case you didn't know, there isn't much on t.v. during the day. We enjoyed "How To Lose A Guy in 10 Days" and Shea enjoyed lunch from the cafeteria downstairs. We spent most of the morning and early afternoon as just the two of us and the nurse sometimes. We had a lot of good conversation about our sweet family and our many blessings. I have been filled with so much love and gratitude to my Heavenly Father these last 5 days.

Candy arrived at 2 ish to chat and see how things were going. My mom and dad came with the kids at about 4. The nurse checked me at 4:15 and said I was completely effaced and a 9. Not 10 minutes later the doctor checked again and said I was ready to push. We were surprised, but excited. Everyone left the room and started walking down the hall to start their wait. I started pushing at 4:42, and sweet Miss Charlotte Rose was born at 4:44! It was the quickest, easiest delivery ever! She was healthy and beautiful and here! Her heart rate was unstable and she had a slight temperature, so the nurse placed her on my chest and I loved having her warm little body right next to mine. Amazingly, her heart rate normalized and her temp disappeared with a little mommy time.

The kids and the grandparents got to come in soon after Charlotte was born and meet her. There was such a special spirit in the room as my amazing husband and four sweet children were all there together. We enjoyed our time with the baby for quite a while. I got to eat dinner, which was a surprise. I have never felt good after delivering my babies. I always get sick for a few hours and am miserable while Shea is in the nursery with the new arrival(s). This time I felt great!

more to come...baby girl needs to eat in order to keep her sweet cheeks the right size!

Photos of Baby Charlotte

Labor Day

For us, Labor Day this year involved almost no labor. It definitely didn't involve the type of labor that brings a baby, but that's okay. I'll wait another week and be induced next Tuesday! That will give me time to get my hair cut and colored, my visiting teaching done, some volunteer time put in at the school, and two soccer games for the boys hopefully won. At least I have a few things each day to anticipate, which will make the waiting seem faster.
Yesterday we spent almost four hours swimming in grandma and grandpa's pool. My kids were in heaven playing for that long with their good friends and each other. Shea picked up lunch so I didn't have to prepare it, and after showers at home we headed to Holli and Phil's for a family night luau. It was a perfect evening in their perfect backyard with yummy food that, once again, I didn't have to make. We were assigned shredded cheese and diced peppers, and Shea took care of that. What an awesome husband I have! He really does spoil me. He even demanded last week that I get a cleaning crew in to deep clean the house because he knew how wonderful that would make me feel. I just have to give that man some credit. He really is amazing, and I've been extremely whiny and miserable for the past little while. He takes it all in stride, lets me vent, and then continues to take care of me.
Also, I think we've mostly settled on a name for this little princess. I hesitate to blog it because I do and don't at the same time want people's opinions. So far, today, her name will be Charlotte Rose. We'll see if she matches that when she comes out! I would say I was waiting to see what she looks like, but all my kids look so much alike that that doesn't make any sense. She'll probably look like the rest of them, which I think would be absolutely wonderful.

It's finally September!

2 weeks from today, and I am definitely counting! We are excited to welcome this new baby into our home and our family.

A new start

All my darling kids started school on Thursday. What a rough day for a mom! My boys woke up early and were very cooperative and happy. I love that they wear uniforms this year. It makes my life and laundry pile so much easier! Instead of wondering if the favorite pair of shorts are clean, or if one can wear something that belongs to the other and fighting about it, they just put on their clothes and come down to breakfast.

They were a little apprehensive about going to a new school, but after a day and a half (Fridays are always early out) they were happy and hopeful.

Shea gave blessings to me and the boys on Wednesday evening, and it was a very special experience. My boys are getting old enough to realize and appreciate the importance of the priesthood in our home, and they are really learning to recognize the Spirit. Lucy, seeing everyone else crying, was adamant that she did not want a blessing. I wonder what was going on her curly little head.
After the complaining and whining I heard from my princess all morning, I did not have high hopes that she would actually stay in her class and let me leave. I knew she would love her darling teacher...if Lucy would just give her a chance. I must say I was extremely surprised that she walked in to the room (stuck to the back of my skirt) and smiled when her teacher was so happy to see her. It didn't take Lucy long to warm up, leave my side, and not shed a tear for the whole 2 hours 15 minutes.

I shed enough tears for both of us. I didn't even make it out to the car when the tears started. As much as I hate it, my kids are growing up. And I have to let them. And I have to act as excited and brave as they are when they try new things. And it's hard!



They may all be a little goofy, but they are mine--and I couldn't love them more!!

Happy Ninth Anniversary to us!

June 2009

November 2000

Easter 2004

August 19, 2000

What a wondeful 9 years it has been! I can't wait for the next billion!

Fourth of July

We began our Independence Day celebration with a ward breakfast and bike parade. The boys were thrilled to decorate and ride their scooters around and around. I don't think they ate much breakfast, but we all had a good time.
After Shea was done cooking, he and a few buddies headed up the mountain to celebrate their right to keep and bear arms.
We traveled to Provo to visit my grandparents and have lunch and got home right in time to head to Shea's grandparents for an early evening party.

We ended the night by having a bbq with good friends in our neighborhood, wonderful food, and watching the valley fireworks from our front lawn.

I have to confess--I did not take one picture on the Fourth of July. So, all these are stolen from my good friend, Jerianne. Thank you for being so on-the-ball!

Taylor Family Reunion 2009--Bear Lake Utah

Kelly and Todd planned a fun three-day vacation/reunion for Shea's parents, brothers, sisters and families.  We stayed in 5 little cabins about 1/4 mile from the south end of the lake.  Despite the bugs, the cold, and the rain, we all had a great time.  It is so nice to just enjoy one another's company and great food together!  The kids all had a wonderful time...with 18 cousins there it was a little crazy and a lot of fun.