Winter 2013

We had so many fun times sledding this winter. It was really the first winter we could all play together for a while before Holden was too cold. The kids enjoyed the snow much more than I do. Any time it snowed they were ready to layer up and head out... My southern bones can only handle so much snow.

The holidays 2012

Holden's 2nd birthday

Photo update

A few summer pictures...

Space party!

Fall 2012

Wow.... More than 6 months have gone by...

So the last time I wrote I was amazed about having a 3 year old... And now we are getting closer to 4. Also Holden had a birthday that seemed to come and go... I had been trying to update from my phone and somehow got locked out with the app I was using. So I will try my best to update the past 6 months and keep up at least a monthly post, for my own memory.

In the fall we had a double birthday party for both boys... Two parties get expensive and since they don't care I thought why not just have one party to celebrate them together. They loved it! Of course we celebrated each of their actual birthdays on the their birthday with close friends and family.

Owen started actual preschool in January, he loves it and is thriving. He is in the top of his class academically  and even with his behavior, but we have decided that he will move the the older threes next year just to build in the extra year since he has the August birthday. So he was the youngest this year in his class but will be the oldest next year. I don't even think he will notice which is why I insisted that we build in this extra year now, instead of all his friends going to kindergarten and him not. Being a kindergarten teacher I have a very strong opinion on this subject and feel it will be best for him all around.
Holden will go the same road and get to be in the younger threes this coming fall and the will move to the older threes the next year when he's actually three. We had to get special approval for him to start this fall since he will still be two for the first 3 months but he really needs the structure of school and academics. The pediatrician said at his two year appointment we are going to have our hands full keeping him challenged, and I already see it.

I should look back and see if I wrote about Holden's evaluation??? Being that he is so tiny he went through a whole series of test. We met with development specialist at the children's hospital and also had an in home evaluation.  Over all we met with two speech pathologists, a developmental specialist, and nutritionist. Holden scored off all the charts for development, speech and academics. That was good. But his size still worried them. We met monthly with a nutritionist- keep food diaries, and added fats to almost everything he would eat. It was stressful, which I feel like made him back away from eating... After 3 months meeting with the nutritionist our pediatrician and the developmental specialist/ case worker suggested we graduate from services. They said he was so far advanced that his size and lack of eating wasn't affecting him and we needed to jut let him be a kid.... I believe he is now eating better than ever...and still very small/skinny... I think that's just how he is. I would say I was very impressed with everyone we came across through this journey. And it was great to see at what level he can perform. I believe being a little brother has really helped him soar... He picks up on everything I work with Owen on.

In February we decided to list our house so we could move before the kids were school aged and our house sold to the first showing. We will be in an apt temporarily until we find the right house.
Owen is very sad about moving from our house... But excited for the apartment. He loves small spaces and being as close as possible to mom and dad.

We have a disney trip planned, Miami trip planned and Tennessee trip planned for summer... I can't wait!!!!
I will have to come back and post pictures for a photo catch-up.

3 years old!

I can't believe I have a three year old.

No party pictures yet because we are having one big fall birthday celebration for both boys since we weren't going to be home on their actual birthdays. Owen has asked for a rocket party all year so I am in full planning mode planning a space themed party for both boys. It will be fun, and a lot less stress and money only having one party ;).

A few birthday cupcakes to celebrate!

Owen Dean Taylor: 3 years old.... It feels like just yesterday I was taking that very pregnancy test that was going to change my life. It has made me a completely different person, I am happier than ever- and love every single day as I watch you grow and learn.
You are such a loving little boy, you want everyone to be happier and do your best to make sure we all have smiles on our face.
At three you are...
99% potty trained
Talking up a storm. Full conversations.
Still loving trains.
Finally sleeping in your toddler bed. (We tried this a while back and you begged for your crib.)
You know your address now and can spell your name( you just say O-W-E-N)
You know your full name.
You love to go shopping with me.
You don't like to clean up and we often have a struggle to get you to do so.
You are starting to like to watch tv some. ( which means you will sit still for a few moments)
You love to be outdoors.
Swimming was a favorite activity this summer.
You have started getting picky about your clothes. Especially your pjs.
You are a great big brother teaching Holden all kinds of things... You have taught him colors & shapes. You keep trying the abc song with him... He'll sing it about half way with you.
You love to make up your own verses to wheels on the bus.
You like to ride your bike and wear your helmet. You got some roller skates for your birthday and the first time you "skated" was hilarious!
I could go on and on about all you have achieved by the age three... You totally amaze me.
We have your 3 yr well check up next week.
Love you bunches buddy.
Xoxo

Catch-up

Finding time to sit down and write..... I think about it often but just never make myself do it. After the kids are down napping, I either 1. Take a nap myself, or 2. Do house wifey duties. And let's be honest, a lot more of number one than number 2. But..... One day my boys won't nap any more, so I must nap while I can.... Right?

Why do I feel like that was yesterday? It really does amaze me how fast time is flying.I have been having baby fever a bit..... But two is plenty. I know this, and know its best for us.... But my uterus doesn't listen.
Many friends have been having babies this spring and I know that has things stirred up.

We are headed out of town for two weeks to see family, then we will be home for about 10 days before we head off the the bay, & then DC. Should be tons of fun!

Things the boys are up too.
We got our first bikes & helmets. They are a huge hit.
We have had a slight bump in the road with potty training.... Pooping is an issue, we are working on it.
Holden loves anything that is yellow... He finds yellow things everywhere we go- and points them out saying "yellow". He also can name the shapes star and circle.
Owen love love loves puzzles & playing memory- or "making matches" as he calls it. He like to play by himself. He likes to sing the abc's, you are my sunshine(Holden is starting to sing this too) & patty cake, ring around the Rosie, monkeys jumping on the bed, itsy bitty spider, and wheels on the bus.. Owen can also spell his name now. He is so excited to learn new things I'm thinking I need to get in the attic and pull out some of my teaching stuff.

We are planning on moving the boys into what is now our guest room. It will be nice because they will have room to play in there too. So mama can have part of her house back. ;) the best part.... I will have so much fun designing their "big boy/toddler room".

We meet with a feeding team next month to discuss Holdens low weight. The dr wants to rule out any sensitivity to textures. We and our dr believe that he is just going to be tall and skinny- he is in the 90% for height but at the very bottom in weight. He is obviously growing, but he is just skinny. He is very active, and never stops. So he burns off everything he eats. His favorite foods are also fruits and vegetables which make it hard to gain weight. He will have a full evaluation just to make sure we aren't missing anything.

Well it's 1:30, so I must try to go to sleep. I'll post pictures soon. I'm on the iPad and don't have anything current.