Taylor Reese Wickett

Our Tuesday

2011-11-15T20:00:00.000-08:00

On our Tuesday together we hung out and went to the park by our house for a bit. Our park got some new equipment so we decided to go check it out.

They added some exercise equipment for parents to hang out on while the kids play! So cool! I was just thinking about this as I watched a you-tube video of exercise bikes in the huge central courtyard area in Australia. When more people would ride the bikes they would light up this video of these sexy men so it motivated women (and some men!) to exercise more. I thought...what if they could do this at a park or something and in order to get toys to work for kids, the parents had to get on the exercise equipment. Ha! This is one step in the right direction. I love it!

Taylor walking her bunny...hehe

Curls!

2011-11-04T17:27:00.000-07:00

I have been wanting to buy Taylor some soft sponge curlers to put in her hair at night for so long now. I found the perfect, most colorful ones when I was at Ralphs! Today after a bath we finally did it. It reminded me of when I was a kid a putting them in my own hair. How nostalgic it was! Taylor sat so still and got each one ready for me as I prepped each area of hair. We dried her hair a bit, put some mousse in, put the curlers in, dried it a bit more, then voia-la!

The next morning

One of my absolute favorites...my beautiful girl!

Palm Desert

2011-11-03T17:02:00.000-07:00

Daddy had to work out in Palm Desert so Taylor and I packed up our bags and headed out with him for a nice get away. I was able to work from the hotel while Taylor played, taking breaks by going to the pool. This year Taylor was able to take her big-girl bike so we could walk/ride back and forth from the time-share to the pool. It was so fun; she raced me a lot of the times with me having to truly run to keep up with her.

Although I was overwhelmed with grading papers for the class I'm teaching at school and doing assignments for my current classes at school, I had a lot of fun doing that tedious work out in a beautiful place.

Silly girl in her princess dress

Video of a "show" Taylor was putting on for us

Stride Rite photo shoot!

2011-11-01T19:10:00.000-07:00

Today Taylor did her first modeling gig and oh what an intersting (and fun!) day it was. As an educated mom with a concern for Taylor's development, I didn't want her to get caught up in the "modeling" aspect of it and just wanted her to have fun. It kind of fell into our laps and we took advantage of the opportunity...it turned out to be great!

I prepped Taylor by letting her know that it was going to be just like a play date at the park where we get to meet new friends and play with other kids without mommy always by her side. Of course, if she didn't hang on me all day I told her I'd take her to Starbucks, the mall, wherever she wanted to go afterwards. Haha! Funny enough, she ended up having so much fun that she never asked to go to those places afterwards!

We got there and she had over an hour to get to know the kids she was going to be in the shots with and just play. They had so much fun together it was perfect! It was fun for me to watch all the people involved in this whole process, including the photographer who I knew. Some mom's were quite interesting; you could tell this was their livelihood...trecking their kids around to photo shoot after photo shoot for some extra cash. Very interesting world out there.

When it was time to get ready, Taylor and the other girl got to sit in these tall Director Chairs to get their hair done. They loved it! They then went down to the clothing truck and got clothes and shoes picked out for them. They then went off with the Child Wrangler who had to have been my most favorite person all day! I could have watched him play with kids all day long...soooo amusing! Taylor was cracking up with him, giggling and just having so much fun in front of the camera.

There were two girls and a boy in the shoot and after about 10 minutes they decided to take one of the girls out and leave just Taylor and the boy. They did such fun shots together and from what Silas said, the client loved her. So, we will see, she may be up in a Stride Rite store in the Spring!

Mint mocha smoothies, freshley baked cookies, a fun play date, some cute photos, and a few hundred dollars in Taylor's college fund...overall it was a great day!

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T23:00:00.000-07:00

Beach Babies parade at school

Ms. Tina- a Director at Beach Babies

Walking by us in the parade

With her friends

Taylor's pirate friends

At school, scheming what they are about to do...

Runnig and giggling was the plan!

Pumpkin carving before trick-or-treating

Mommy and Taylor shooting Spiderman webs with her Spiderman pumpkin

Daddy's pumpkin

Taylor and her pumpkin

Trick-or-treating...

Taylor and Rachel (BFF's!)

The kids

Pizza before heading out

Their goods!

The two youngest girls were the bravest!

CUTE!

They went BACK to the scary guy!

Their ultimate favorite...

Pumpkin Patch and pre-Halloween fun!

2011-10-30T13:42:00.000-07:00

Nanny B came down to visit us for a few days over Halloween which was so special as she got to do all of our fun pre-Halloween activities with us, going to the pumpkin patch and doing fun games at home. Aesa and Noah came over one day and Taylor and Aesa just had soooo much fun together!!!

Pumpkin Patch- this year our favorite patch around the South Bay area was closed so we found another one owned by teh same people. It was pretty cool, but oh so crowded! Taylor LOVED the jump house and the pony rides. She is growing up and becoming so mature. She makes friends so easily and is being more confident to just start playing with other kids she sees. I love watching her grow!

Nanny then planned some fun Halloween games at home that we never actually got to play as a family but she got to play a little bit with Nanny and they looked so fun!

Halloween playdate with Aesa...

Aesa riding Tay's bike

Tay and her scooter

Putting fish from "Go Fishing" in the kitties' water bowl

Water play outside

Taylor giving Aesa a ride in their dry clothes

The pinada didn't open with the strings so the kids are karate chopping it.

All the treats after Nanny ripped it a part!

Taylor's favorites 3 years, 10 months

2011-10-25T14:46:00.000-07:00

These are Taylors favorites, per an interview I had with her tonight:

Movie: "The new Alvin and the Chipmunk (Wolfman and Frankenstein)"...we got it for Halloween

Favorite book: Ariel

Favorite toy: clock

Favorite color: purple, pink, and blue

Favorite number: 6

Her name: Taylor

Her last name: Reese

Her whole name: "Taylor Reese Wickett. Wickett is my last and Reese is my middle name."

Favorite food: soup and spaghetti

Favorite friend: "Nana says she's my friend always."

Favorite teacher: Miss Meaghan (not her teacher, the Director's daughter who quit when she had her own child)

Weekend with Sydney!

2011-10-08T13:34:00.000-07:00

We had been planning this weekend for a while and were so excited for it to finally come! Alvin, Shelley and Sydney came to stay with us for three days. We relaxed most of the time, having fun adult time at night, and making our normal trip to the beach.

The first night when they arrived a little past 10:00 PM, Taylor had just gone to bed so we let Sydney go into her room to say hi and 3 hours later (yes, 1:00 am) they were still wide awake playing in Taylor's room! They were so excited to see each other they would not lay down to go to sleep. Yay cousins!!!

On Saturday we had a fun morning at Good Stuff with yummy food then a relaxing playdate at the beach.

Aunt Kiki came up to our house while Taylor and I were off at a her friend's birthday party. Aunt Kiki had fun Halloween gifts for both the girls...such a special treat!! We all had a fun night on Saturday night when Aunt Kiki came up to visit; we played liar's dice and had some yummy adult drinks. IN order for the girls to get some sleep, Taylor slept in our bed while Sydeny slept in Taylor's room. Whew! My most favorite memory that night will always be Aunt Kiki and Aunt Shelley dancing, with it all on video.

Love you guys!

Halloween cakes

2011-10-03T13:30:00.000-07:00

Taylor and I wanted to get into the Halloween spirit so we picked some cake tins out of our Halloween boxes and found som epink cake mix (her choice).

They turned out great!

We needed some frosting so asked daddy to pick some up on his way home...this is what he got. Haha! True girly Halloween cakes.

Puzzle making!

2011-10-01T13:24:00.000-07:00

Taylor has loved puzzles since she was little so we bumped her up to a 300 piece puzzle! She definitely has both the Wickett and DuCharme puzzle-making genes!

Taylor's new bike

2011-09-05T13:15:00.000-07:00

Taylor and daddy made a special trip to the bike store and came home with a new bike for Taylor!!! This was a surprise to mommy and oh how happy I was. I just love Taylor and daddy having their special time together that mommy does not have to be a part of. Taylor LOVES her new bike that she has looked at so many times when she and daddy have gone to the bike store for daddy. This time it was to get her her very own bike. So cute!

Taylor's first week of Dolphins (Kindergarten Prep)

2011-09-02T19:08:00.000-07:00

This week Taylor started her Dolphin class which she was so excited for! She has been talking about being a Dolphin and getting ready for Kindergarten for months now. A few of her friends moved over in June so she has been ready. She's been doing worksheets in a Preschool prep workbook, saying that it's her book that's getting her ready for Kindergarten. So cute!

So, she started this week and she has come home with new skills already! As I told her teachers (when emphasizing that I wanted her in one of the advanced classes), she will only learn as much as she is presented with and that is shown this week. She went in on Monday being able to write some letters of her name, all capitals, but not really in a line or in perfect order. On Wednesday she came home (her first full day in that class) writing her name in all capital letters on one line, in order, on multiple worksheets that they did throughout the day. She wanted to show us how she could do it and vuah-lah! That night I asked if she has started to write lowercase letters and she didn't really know what I was talking about. She was just proud of what she was showing us! On Friay, the NEXT DAY, she came home and told us she had something to show us. She got a marker and a paper and wrote her name in upper and lowercase letters, wonderfully! One day learning...truly awesome!

I am so proud of our girl and she's not even 4!!! I can't explain how happy I am to see her succeed and excel. I see her potential and can just imagine her success and happiness in life. More important than us being proud of her, she is proud of herself and excited to show us what she can do. It's just awesome. I'm a happy mommy right now.

Beach Day with mommy

2011-07-26T18:21:00.000-07:00

Today was such a beautiful day so Taylor and I headed to the beach. I tried to actually get some work done in the morning but our server was down so with some encouraging from friends on facebook, I got outta dodge and headed to the beach. We packed up the wagon, the umbrella, some snacks, some toys, and some towels and had such a fun time! At one point Taylor had to pee so I took her out to the ocean and we got crashed hard by some waves! We ventured in after a no-pee adventure and she then just decided to pee while sitting on the sand and letting the water rush up on her. After not getting it all out, she just stood up and peed away. Oh the joys of being a kid!

Searching for shells to bring home to daddy

Cute!

Singing

Sun bathing like mommy (actually, she called it "napping", which didn't last that long)

Taking a break to finish the rest of our food while looking out over the beach

Me and my girl

Silly

The many faces of Taylor

I can't get enough of her!

Taylor paiting toe nails

2011-07-09T15:20:00.000-07:00

While mommy and daddy went out to a friend's 30th birthday party last night Taylor and the babysitter painted fingernails. Well, today she wanted her toes done too so she got out the markers and took the liberty to do them herself.

Oh how I love having a girl!

The process

The results

4th of July

2011-07-04T22:00:00.000-07:00

Today we had friends over for 4th of July and what a beautiful day it was! We BBQ'd, had the new inflatable pool set up for the kids, and played bean bags before going up on the rooftop to watch fireworks. A new drink favorite that we got from 4th of July commercials...Disarrono and cranberry juice! Would have never mixed the two but I could drink those all day (and I did!). Mmmm. Thanks for joining in the fun Noah, Laura, Simon and Jocelyn (and Aesa and Rawley!).

The Kids' Play Area

The Adults

Daddy jumped in with Taylor

Aesa and his daddy

Cheeeeese!

Friends getting dry

Taylor chose her outfit after seeing Aesa in his then they proceded to roll around in chalk...lovely!

Rawley and Noah lighting their firework

Horrible picture but the only one of the kids on the roof...they loved it!

Art with daddy

2011-07-03T15:17:00.000-07:00

Taylor doing art with daddy over the weekend before bed.

Taylor's Dance rehearsal and recital

2011-06-26T15:09:00.000-07:00

First we had the dance rehearsal on Friday night and then we had the actual Recital on Sunday. I got out of class by going to the section on Saturday so I was able to be there for Taylor this year! She was such a big girl, definitely demonstrating more confidence and comfort with being on stage than last year. I think being good friends with the girls who were doing the dance with her helped immensely.

During the rehearsal I was able to get to know the stage mom who was helping with the girls backstage. I introduced her to Taylor and had Taylor see her and talk with her for a bit. On the day of the rehearsal when I had to drop her off backstage I think having Taylor already knowing who this woman was helped. As a reference, Taylor screamed and would not let daddy leave her side last year. After being plopped on stage in the dark while screaming, she proceeded to scream the entire dance. This year she gave me kisses goodbye and got right into coloring and doing stickers with the other girls. I could not have asked this mom to be any better! They had to wait for a little over an hour backstage until it was their dance so we, a few of us parents, were very nervous about how they'd come out on stage. They were awesome! They were smiling and doing almost all of the steps of the dance. I am so proud of my baby girl growing up so quickly.

DANCE REHEARSAL

Happy Tappin with Elmo girls

Taylor and daddy

Taylor and Rachel on stage

So giddy up there!

The girls

DANCE RECITAL

All the dancers from Webby Dance Company at the end of the performance

Father's Day Kiting Adventure

2011-06-18T17:00:00.000-07:00

On this Father's Day weekend daddy wanted us to go watch him kiting so we packed up for a fun day at the beach. It was windier than we expected so Taylor and I made a make-shift tent with our umbrella and daddy's bags. We had a ton of fun! Taylor learned to make drip sand castles and was so good at it!

Daddy and his kite

Notice the hand on the hip...she poses now

Our set-up

She made this entire drip castle all by herself!

Her first attempt at standing on a kiting board...she loves it!

Helping daddy undo his kite...she's going to be ready in no time for this kiting thing!

Disney's California Adventure w/Mommy

2011-06-14T21:56:00.001-07:00

Today may have been the last trip to Disneyland before our summer blockout begins so we took advantage of our free day and headed to California Adventure to see the new Ariel ride. We had so much fun! This was Taylor's first time back to Ca. Adv. since she went with her cousin 1 year ago. We, of course, headed to ARiel's ride first, then went on the Golden Zephyr, then watched the Bug's Life 3D movie (wow, that was a loud, somewhat scary but fun experience!), then last, Taylor had a blast in the water area in the Bug's Life. We finished our day watching a Mr. Incredible parade and eating Taylor's favorite, a soft pretzel with cheese dip. Mmmm.

On the tram

Finally, after an hour wait, we arrive at the Ariel ride!

Climbing in line for the Zephyr

On the Zephyr

One of my favorite pictures of Taylor...on the carousel

Getting ready for our crazy 3D Bug's Life experience!

In the water area...still somewhat dry

Not dry anymore!

So cute (this woke her up a bit and obviated the need for a nap)!

Yay! Pretzel time!

An unexpected parade by Mr. Incredible

Snacking at the picnic area (letting mommy rest her feet) before heading to the car for the drive home

Angel's Game with Daddy

2011-06-11T23:04:00.000-07:00

Taylor and daddy went to an Angel's game tonight with Noah and Rawley. After the game they saw fireworks at Disneyland from the parking lot! That's all Taylor can keep talking about, well, in addition to the hot dog, nachos, and pretzel that daddy let her eat at the game. Haha! A fun (late) night with the boys.

Happy Girl

Rawley and Noah

Doesn't every kid have a picture like this?!

Goofy picture smile in front of the fire works

Cute

Finally, Taylor and Daddy, oh so cute!

High fever and Coordinating Dance Recital

2011-06-11T21:00:00.000-07:00

Last night Taylor was up throughout the night with a 105 degree fever. She recently go ta cough/runny nose from kids at school but this fever was out of the blue. This seems to be a common occurence with her though; she gets high, high fevers when she gets sick. Her body goes into over drive trying to get rid of whatever virus is growing. AFter the cold rags and one round of medicine was not lowering her fever, we put her in a bath (she agreed) but once she felt how cold it was we had a very sad, tried, angry girl. AFter lots of screaming and crying (by both Taylor and mommy, the crying that is), I took her out and we put her in our bed so we could monitor her throughout the night. Daddy got on the computer and did some research to see if we had to take her in to the ER. Apparantly the height of the fever (under 106/107) is not a sign of how sever the sickness is. Basically we got the idea that we didn't have to worry; what you should look at more is the child's sick symptoms (lethargy, vomitting, coughing, etc.). The good thing was that Taylor was happy as can be when we'd wake her up to take her temperature...weird! Whenever I'd give her the cold rags she say "Oh, thanks mommy." It was so cute! So, are worries were alleviated and we all slept.

Taylor woke up with no fever at all but still had the cough/runny nose. I kept her home just to monitor her and let her rest before her Coordinating Rehearsal for her Dance Recital in two weeks. Woo hoo!

The Rehearsal was a success and we even went to Fro-Yo with her friends from school after. Below are some pics of the fun times.

Rachel and Taylor in awe watching the older dancers

The girls ready up on stage

Being silly out front of a nail salon, which they called the "nail doctor"

So interested in what's inside!

Hair cut

2011-06-07T17:00:00.000-07:00

Today was quite the exciting day. As I was cleaning up Taylor's room last night I noticed a huge chunck of hair laying right by her garbage can. I picked it up and took it to her and asked her what it was. She put her head down and said "nothing" in a very guilty and afraid manner. Not wanting her to learn to lie to avoid punishment I told her she wasn't in trouble and to tell me what happened. I finally got it out of her that she cut her hair. We had a long talk about why that is not okay, what drawer in her room is all for cutting, and now we have to cut her hair even shorter to make it even. I think she got the point. :)

So...today we got her hair professionally cut for the first time. She wanted her hair long "like Rapunzel" so we compromised, she had to have it short in the front and she could keep it long in the back. We found a fun place to get it cut in El Segundo and made a fun day out of it. We're hoping that the fun event of cutting her hair professionally will show her that if she wants her hair cut, the fun times are at the salon, not with her own scissors in her room.

Here is the original "Taylor cut"

Waiting patiently

Here we go!

Beautiful

A beautiful evening at the beach

2011-06-05T21:35:00.000-07:00

To end the weekend we headed to the beach to let Taylor get some energy out in the water. She is loving the ocean now-a-days and getting braver and braver. Hence, the life vest "just-in-case"!

From 2011_0605 beach evening

Our beauty!

From 2011_0605 beach evening

This is her new pose...where did she learn this?!

Bye-bye beach

Denver

2011-06-01T17:42:00.001-07:00

BJ and I headed to Denver over Memorial Day weekend for my annual ABA conference. Taylor had a week full of fun with Nanny B and Papa Al in Sunol while BJ and I had such a fun time roaming the city of Denver and having fun just the two of us. We were able to stay out late, enjoy the night life on 16th street in Downtown Denver, ride pay-and-ride bikes around the town, and sample the many different amazingly good restaurants. Our favorite was the Mellow Mushroom. Mmmmm.

Below are pics to tell the story of our fun weekend.

Here is BJ on the pay-and-ride bikes. This was on our way to Cherry Creek in Denver to have lunch and visit the Botanical Gardens and other parks in the city.

Beautiful big parks all over the city

All the pics below are at the botanical gardens.

I LOVE the rocks that make up this walk...I want to do this for stepping stones around our house!

The Chinese Garden

The Victoran Secret Garden (BJ's favorite!)

So pretty...notice the rain clouds coming in!

This was in a tropical enclosure that was so amazingly humid and hot!

My favorite at a park right after we hid under a bus stop to get out of a thunder/hail storm!

Bye-Bye Denver. We'll miss you!!

Yosemite 2011

2011-05-22T22:11:00.000-07:00

This weekend we took our annual trip to Yosemite and unlike our previous few years, we had beautiful weather!!! The day before we got there the snow plows were going through the campgrounds so people could drive out...not for us! Beautiful weather in the mid 70's.

pics to come

Disneyland with mommy

2011-05-10T21:44:00.000-07:00

Today Taylor and I went to Disneyland, just the two of us. It was a hot, crowded day but of course, very fun! Taylor once again loved It's a Small World, Autopia, Dumbo, the Buzz ride, the Space Ship Needle thing that goes round and round, the Carousel, and for our first time, Nemo.

This is Taylor being shy so I jumped in the picture with her. This is what happens when Taylor is not with any of her friends at Disneyland.

Disneyland with Rachel

2011-05-01T20:00:00.000-07:00

Today we went to Disneyland with Taylor's best friend from school, Rachel. The girls had so much fun, rode in their own seat on It's a Small World, loved taking pictures with all the characters, and Taylor even went on the roller coaster in Toon Town and loved it (well, she asked to be all done as we were approaching the peak at the beginning of the ride right before the big drop and then at the end she said she loved it). Fun day and can't wait to go again on a Tuesday on mommy's day off when it's no so crowded!

Tea Cups!

It's a Small World

The Girls (Audrey, Hannah, Rachel, Taylor)

With Tianna (Princess and the Frog)

With Jasmine

It's getting a bit too hot...rest in a Toon Town trolly

Pluto!!!

Taylor and Rachel

The Girls with Minnie Mouse

Checking out the fridge in Minnie's house

and the dishwasher

Goofy!!!

The Girls at Autopia

Taylor and me in our car

Taylor's School pics

2011-04-27T08:16:00.000-07:00

This year Taylor's school decided to take pictures themselves instead of have a professional company come in and take them and I was a little weary but after seeing the results, I am so happy they did! I can't believe how beautiful these pictures came out. I now have presents for the rest of the holidays and birthdays for the year!

My absolute favorite!

My beauty!

Now her smiles are getting a little fake...haha!

LOVE this pose..but again, you can tell she's saying "cheeeeese," haha!

Easter in Sacramento

2011-04-25T09:55:00.000-07:00

This weekend we went up to Sacramento to have a fun Easter with Cousin Sydney. It was a very nice weekend for us parents as well as it was my first weekend off from school in a long time! We went to Downtown Sacramento on Saturday, had some yummy Mexican food and melon margaritas, died eggs Saturday night, and had a very relaxing Easter Sunday. Thanks Alvin and Shelley for the fun weekend!

At the train museum

Making their own crate labels

Snack time

Cousins

A ladybug!

Listening to their voices echo

Old Town

This candy shop brings back such fun memories as a kid!!!

Yummy Mexican lunch!

Gettin' some saltwater taffy

We get more?!

Shelley attempting to convince Alvin how cute these ornaments were.

Easter Egg coloring

I think the adults were more into this than the kids...hehe

Cousin Sydney

Easter morning- following the trail of chocolates!

Our baskets!

So sneaky that Easter Bunny

Searching

Bubble time

Window coloring time

The hose is out...even if it is sprinkling!

Camping with Daddy

2011-04-17T22:00:00.000-07:00

This weekend Taylor and daddy went camping in Anza Borrego with friends Julia and Silas, and Jeremy and Morgan. It was sooo hot, near 100 degrees, so they moved campsites after the first day and found somewhere in the higher elevations with a creek runnning through their campsite! So fun! Supposedly Taylor was very annoyed with the bugs at the first campsite so the second one, with water to play in, cooler temperatures, and less bugs made her very happy. I'm so happy that they could get away for a daddy-daughter bonding weekend while I finished up my 5th semester of school (4 more to go!).

What a beautiful setting!

Just getting settled by the creek

No bathing suit so undies will do!

So cute!

Having so much fun!

Hangin' with the adults

The view for two days...who couldn't love this?!

What do you want to be when you grow up?

2011-04-13T08:55:00.000-07:00

As of April 13th, 2011 at the breakfast table, this was Taylor's response.

Mommy: "Hey Taylor, what do you want to be when you grow up?"

Taylor: "Ariel"

Mommy: "Oh! What do you want to do when you grow up?"

Taylor: "I want to help people, like you!"

Mommy: almost in tears I'm so proud...I don't know how she came up with this one!

Taylor: "And play with Ariel. She talks."

Wow, how long it has been!

2011-04-12T21:45:00.000-07:00

Wow, 6 months later and we're back! Anyone miss us?! :) We have been keeping ourselves overly busy but having so much fun along the way. Time to add a few posts of our recent adventures with Taylor...as a big 3 year old!

See a few below (nobody will notice that posts from the months of November 2010-February 2011 are missing, right?!)...

Bubblefest 2011

2011-04-12T19:05:00.000-07:00

Today Taylor and I headed to the Discovery Science Center today for our second year seeing the "BubbleMan." This year was such a change from last year as Taylor was so much more interactive with the exhibits throughout the Discovery Center and just loved spending as much time as she could with each and every thing. The biggest thing of all today was that during the Bubble Show (in one of those big white tents with bleachers inside), Taylor sat down in front of the stage with all the other kids while I had to sit up in the bleachers! My big girl no longer needs me for safety. I'm so proud!!!

Sitting without me for the Bubble Show!

Grocery shopping

In the space shuttle (in the black "cube" off the 5 freeway for all of you familiar with this place)

Here's the inside of the cube

On a zambonie (sp??)

Thinking about tackling this wall

She did it!

Up in the Dino's belley

Making the heart beat

Watching the poop drop...haha!

Trying her own bubbles!

The Dino's tail is a slide!

Just her size

Bye-bye Discovery Center

Bye-bye Elmo

Fun at the Block of Orange for lunch

Adventure City

2011-04-10T21:31:00.000-07:00

We went to Adventure City over in Anaheim for Amalia's birthday (Joanna's daughter from daddy's work) and had so much fun! Today I realized that our little Taylor is a THRILL SEEKER! She is not the shy, scared girl that we saw at Disneyland 9 months ago, she wanted to go on every ride and roller coaster there was...and laughed her way through every one. Daddy has himself a real play partner.

This is Taylor's first "ride" higher than a carousel...since Disneyland in July of 2010. She's loving it!

On the swinging balloon...she giggled out of pure joy on this one!

Sooo fun!

Taylor's first ever "roller-coaster"...and it's a rickedy one too!

Taylor went hands up in the air on this one!

On the train around the park...we actually had to "evacuate" this train in the middle of it because someone dropped their sweater and got it stuck in the wheel...haha!

Tuesday with Taylor

2011-03-29T22:49:00.000-07:00

Today was my Tuesday with Taylor so we headed to the mall for a girls' day. We watched about an hour of the movie Rango (not fans of this movie), had some fun int he photo booth in the movie theatre, and hung out at the mall for a while. Fun day with my girl!

The Little Gym- Marina's Birthday

2011-03-26T22:51:00.000-07:00

Today we celebrated Marina's 3rd Birthday at The Little Gym and boy, our little girl is showing us just how she is growing up so different from our (my) expectations. She is out little athlete now!!!

Under the parachute with friends

Forward roll (with her great friend, Isabella, from Beach Babies)

Being silly

Being monkeys

Listening so attentively to the teacher

All friends from Beach Babies

Happy Birthday Marina!

Excited for the cake

Taylor and her party loot

Birthday weekend in Palm Dessert

2011-03-06T23:18:00.000-08:00

I decided to forego our annual camping trip to Anza Borrego this year for my birthday and instead, enjoy a relaxing, pampered-rich weekend in Palm Desert at a resort which is one of BJ's job sites. Ahhhh, the beauty of having an architect for a husband. It was a WONDERFUL weekend! It is calling my name again very soon, as I got sick teh last day and couldn't make it to my spa treatment which my mom bought for me. Guess I have to go back and use that gift certificate sometime soon!

In the pool the minute we arrived!

Beauty Queen

Birthday flowers from my mom and dad...they are the best!!!

Our view

Our cutie

Resting after a long day of play

Taylor had us do an Easter Egg hunt with her Uno Moo pieces

Results of a fun time

One of my fave's

Last day...enjoy it while it lasts!

What do you want to be when you grow up??

2010-10-28T21:52:00.000-07:00

Mommy: "What do you want to be when you grow up?"

Taylor: "Tinkerbell and Cinderella"

**I think this one was influenced by us asking her "what she wants to be" for Halloween so much lately.

Mommy: "Oh, okay! What do you want to DO when you grow up and you're a big girl like mommy?"

Taylor: "I want to cook all by myself!"

Taylor's update

2010-10-18T09:46:00.000-07:00

1. Taylor loves her new class at school and doesn't cry when we drop her off anymore. Instead, she blows kisses, one after another really fast while laughing while I walk out the door. Love it!

2. Taylor loves (and is so good at!) puzzles. She has been doing interlocking ones up to 24 pieces in the tray and she just started doing ones out of the box (with help of course to start with the corners and edges)! It's amazing.

3. Taylor loves games on our phones, like tangrams and of course, puzzles! She is a pro at "dragging" pieces to where they go. Last night I couldn't get a piece and she told me, "You have to be gentle mommy. You drag it over." Haha!

4. Taylor's favorite movie is UP! She is an addict! She only gets to watch movies on the weekends and on Tuesdays (her day off of school) and this is the first one she always watches. Thank you Jocelyn and Simon for lending us that movie!!

5. Taylor loves pretending to be a ballerina. She stands on her tip toes, puts her hands in the air, and spins around...so cute.

6. Taylor is a definite book worm. We often find her in her room in the rocker reading book, after book, after book. At a birthday party we went to recently she disappeared and I frantically went running through the house and there was Taylor, by herself in her friend's room reading books off of his bookshelf. At school, everyday when we pick her up she is in the book corner reading books and she gets so excited when we get there that we stay for another 10-15 minutes reading books at school with her. She LOVES books. We even hear her reading her books out loud when she is watching her movies...multi-tasking!

7. Related to above, Taylor takes a while to warm up to crowds and prefers to be with smaller more intimate groups. She will hang on to me for quite a while until the crowd dissipates and she has found a good friend to play with. She is definitely her daddy's girl!!

8. Taylor can't wait to be three. She always tells us how old she is (holding up her fingers), then tells us how old "Sydney and Rachey" are, holding up three fingers. She says "I'm going to be three too!"

9. Her new favorite stuffed animal is the baby turtle that has been ssitting up on her top shelf in her room since she was born. There are three turtles, a baby, a mommy, and a daddy, all of which we bought on our babymoon to Maui when she was still in my tummy. She loves it!

Tanaka Pumpkin Farm 2010

2010-10-16T17:38:00.000-07:00

Wagon ride pulled by a tractor

She's a pro at feeding the goats (2010)!

Comparison!!! Feeding goats in 2009

They are quite aggressive...

2010 with mommy

2009 with Nanny B.

in the corn maze...fun!

She took a picture by 8 of these signs!

Looking for a Taylor-sized pumpkin

Found it!

Mommy-daughter time at Downtown Disney

2010-10-11T18:41:00.000-07:00

Today we thought I had an important meeting at work but because it was Columbus Day Taylor had the day off so she went to work with me! It turned out that the meeting did not occur so after a nap at my office Taylor and I headed over to Downtown Disney for some afternoon fun and a special dinner with just the two of us. We walked around the whole Downtown, we bought her a TinkerBell Halloween costume, we looked at all the yummy treat stores, we bought a cookie (a football cookie!) for desert, and then had dinner at The Rainforest Cafe. Of course, after dinner she read books for a while in the Rainforest Cafe shop and then we went and danced to some live music in teh main plaza at Downtown Disney. It was a fun mommy-daughter afternoon!!!

Yummy treats!

Taylor chose the football cookie!

Dinner at Rainforest Cafe

In the plaza

With her cookie

NASCAR

2010-10-11T18:27:00.000-07:00

Today I had school and so Taylor and daddy went to....NASCAR!

Daddy bid on some VIP NACAR tickets (with pit passes and all) at a golf tournament he played in and he won! So, he took his little girl to the races. Taylor got ear plugs to help with the loud noise but when they were walking down the hallway at the start of the race they didn't help a bit! She wanted to leave pronto.

So, off to buy headphones! She looked so cute in those headphones! Below are pics of their cute time together. They got soft pretzels, lemonade, a NASCAR coloring book, and a day full of memories together.

PICS TO COME...

OH MY GOODNESS!!!!

2010-10-10T18:21:00.000-07:00

Today I had school and when I came home and was playing with Taylor upstairs, daddy came up to tell me the most surprising, exciting news I had heard in a very long time.

Taylor was an early talker and could say almost all of her sounds early on in life, even the /r/ sound and the /l/ sound. The weirdest thing though was that she could not say any throat sounds such as /k/, /c/, or /g/...until today!!!

Daddy came upstairs and had Taylor say my name. I cried!!!! She finally learned to say all of her throat sounds and I just couldn't believe my ears! We spent the rest of the night saying lots of CCCCCool words, getting all excited and giddy, and Taylor just being oh so proud of herself.

Taylor: "I did it mommy I did it!!!!"

Tea Party

2010-10-05T17:13:00.000-07:00

Taylor has been wanting to have a tea party with my real china and so today we decided to have our very first tea party. We had so much fun! We had hot chocolate for tea, we had strawberries with chocolate drizzled over them, toasted PB&J, and cheerios. I LOVED my special day with my girl.

Taylor's first pair of wedges!

2010-09-27T17:15:00.000-07:00

Tonight we went shopping for new shoes for Taylor, mostly for new school shoes because she is just growing out of all her shoes and clothes so fast! Along with the new tennis shoes for school she got her first pair of wedges...and they light up!!!

TinkerBell at El Capitan

2010-09-18T17:18:00.000-07:00

This weekend we had Alvin, Shelley, Sydney, Katie, and Nate come down from NorCal to spend the weekend with us. On Saturday all of us ladies took the girls to see the NEW Tinkerbell movie at El Capitan in Hollywood. Before the movie we had breakfast at the Soda Cafe next to the move theatre where we met Tinkerbell and got pictures with her!!! It was so fun!

After our movie (and the guys enjoyed a game of golf) we all met up at Kinkaids in Hermosa Beach for appetizers and drinks.

It was such a fun weekend having family here...can't wait for you all to move here!

Blurry but oh so cute

The cute Cafe

With Tinkerbell!

On Hollywood Blvd

Cousins in Beverly Hills

The four of us

Me and my girl

At Kinkaids for dinner

Cousins

Making spinach smoothies with daddy

2010-09-05T18:20:00.000-07:00

One of Taylor's favorite things is helping daddy make his spinach smoothies for the next day. She loves getting a frozen berry to eat and to hold the lid while it turns on. She's a big helper!

Painting!

2010-09-05T17:11:00.000-07:00

While mommy and daddy painted the house, Taylor had her own fun painting her art in the garage.

Tiger is ready for football!

2010-09-04T18:43:00.000-07:00

Taylor fell down the stairs!

2010-08-23T23:14:00.000-07:00

Daddy is in Florida for a work trip so I emailed him with our events from this evening. This is what I wrote.

Taylor fell down the stairs tonight, from the very top to the very bottom. I walked up right in front of her and I got up before her so I went in our room and I hear this "ka-boom, ka-boom, ka-boom" and after about three of those I realized what was happening so I ran out swearing my head off and heard her crying by the time I got to the top of the stairs. She was at the bottom with the basket from the stairs all crashed on the floor too. I expected full on screaming but no, just some scared crying. She was totally fine! She just said her head hurt from hitting the basket but once I started quizzing her (her name, how many fingers I was holding up) I think she thought I was crazy mommy and she stopped crying. She wouldn't answer me so I got serious and told her I was scared and she needed to answer me. When she told me her name she hugged me and was all fine. She started laughing about 2 minutes later saying, "that was crazy mommy!" I couldn't believe it! I was almost in tears imagining her tumbling down the stairs (still am freaked out by that) and she's laughing. Holy moly! Our fragile girl has turned into a champ!

SICK!!!

2010-08-23T08:40:00.000-07:00

Today Taylor woke up with a runny nose for probably the 6th day now and also a barking cough! Oh no! Keeping her home and going to the doc. She is now having the time of her life though at home knowing that she doesn't have to go to school. Obviously not feeling sick but I don't want it to turn into anything worse. I can't afford, for school or work, for this to get worse!

Good thoughts for this to go away!

UPDATE: not contagious. Small case of croup. Just need to get the humidifier going again. She had a fun day at home, playing with her baby doll in her baby pool out back while mommy worked. Long nap (and mommy even snuck in a partial nap for a while) so I could get stuff done!

Fun day at Maier's House

2010-08-21T08:37:00.000-07:00

Today we went to a family party at a friend's house from school to celebrate one year being done with our Ph.D. program. We had so much fun! Taylor met a new boyfriend and for probably the only time in my life I was proud to watch her leave holding hands with him without needing me with her. It was so cute! After playing in the jump house he took her by the hand to his bedroom and they played for a good 20 minutes by themselves. She actually did not whine for me to be with her which I was so happy about!! As she walked back outside she was so excited and said, "Mommy! I played with his stuff!" Oh, so innocent. Later in the day he took her on a ride in his little kid Escalade...of course Taylor had her juice box in hand. It was so cute! Per his daddy's advice, he even opened the door to let Taylor in and out of the car. They were adorable! To end the night, Taylor wanted to take a nap so she chose his bed instead of the pack-and-play. We stopped the date between the two kids here and let Taylor sleep in his bed while he played a while longer (no sleeping together...even though I think he may have got a little kiss in while they were in the hammock together!).

Besides witnessing our daughter's first date we also had so much fun with all of the adults! Leaving at about 11:00 PM we had a ton of fun and probably overstayed our welcome. Thank you Eric and Arwin for such a fun party! See you guys soon for UFC!

Locklin and Taylor

Taylor and Locklin cuddling in the hammock

The kids of TCS 2009 cohort

Locklin taking Taylor on a car ride

Tuesday with mommy

2010-08-17T16:54:00.000-07:00

Woke up at 9 am this morning to Taylor coming into our room to lay with me. We lounged around for a while and watched Toy Story before heading out shopping. Taylor got her normal Berry Smoothie at Costco and was such a good girl the whole time. Asked the man at the door for a happy face on the receipt and told him "thank you." Love my girl! Enjoyed the "bumpety-bumpetys" in the cart going into the parking lot and then headed home for nap and lunch (sorry daddy...had to skip picking up your car part b/c Tay had to pee!). We enjoyed some cold cereal with our new milk, yogurt, and bread for lunch (all Taylor's choosing!) and now Taylor is napping in mommy and daddy's bed (her treat on Tuesdays and weekends if she wants). She asked specifically for the door to be closed so Tiger wouldn't come in...sorry Tiger!

Fun day with my girl.

Bye-Bye Maui- day 8

2010-08-12T21:48:00.000-07:00

Thursday:
Today we enjoyed the beach in the morning, had some breakfast, then packed up and headed out.

Big girl on the airplane again

First class again- such a lady wiping the juice from her mouth

Making herself a bib- look at next three pics

That airplane is flying way too close!!

Can I sleep like that?!

Taylor's focus on the airplane

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Day in Kihei- day 7

2010-08-11T21:26:00.000-07:00

Wednesday:
After a late night at the Evans' house last night we all slept in. After mommy took a morning walk on the beach we had breakfast then played in Kihei for the day while daddy had his last kiting day over in Kaanapali.

Going through mommy's wallet

Playing in the pool with daddy

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Taylor's idea of "surfing"

Relaxing on our last day

Our last night- check out the sliver of a moon

Documentation of Taylor's new behaviors

2010-08-11T15:54:00.000-07:00

As I have lots of time on vacation in Maui to sit, watch, and admire Taylor's growth, I realize that I do not document all of the wonderful behaviors that Taylor amazes us with everyday. Even if it does not come with a picture I am going to try hard to document as much as I can so we can look back at these posts and remember our little girl and all the fun things she did. To start, here is a list of things that make us smile...

1. She's getting our attention with, "Hey guys?!"
2. "Member that mommy?" is a commonly used phrase when Taylor is talking about something that we did in the past.
3. When she is with friends she takes the lead and often tells me "WE want to color mommy, WE want to go outside mommy, etc." even if the other child has no interest in doing what she wants. It is her way of trying to get them to follow her.
4. When she wants confirmation of something she says, she adds "right?" onto the end of it ("that was funny, right?").
5. "That's crazy!" and "We're so silly" are fun phrases she often uses.
6. She is a very good rule follower, especially if I give her the contingencies (e.g., "If you throw that once more I will take it away"...I can be sure that 90% of the time she won't throw it again).
7. Her favorite friend at school is Rachey
8. She is still an amazing eater!
9. She is putting her face under water and enjoying the windshield wipers drying her eyes afterward (thanks to Nicole!)...especially here in the pool in Maui with daddy!
10. She has a few favorite movies: Tinker Bell ("Born" and "New" as she calls them), Princess and the Frog, Nemo, Toy Story
11. At nap and bedtime she talks and sings herself to sleep, sometimes for an entire hour!
12. She is getting to be a lover of music and singing a lot. She knows all the words to You Are My Sunshine which is soooo cute!
13. She fills in words to songs and phrases on her videos that are playing, kind of like she is talking/singing along with it but doesn't know all of the words. Very cute!
14. She sleeps at naps and at night time in her undies, no more pull-ups! And she loves to go potty on the normal toilet seat, not on her kid seat that goes on top of the normal toilet seat.

More to come as we remember!!!

Kaanapali and the Evan's house- day 6

2010-08-10T21:21:00.000-07:00

Tuesday:
Today we did our morning exercise routines, had some breakfast, and then headed out to Kaanapali for some snorkeling and good lunch by the beach. We rented some snorkel gear, put Taylor in her life vest and her floaty, and towed here around out at Black Rock in Kaanapali while BJ and I snorkeled. It was so fun! Although, next time we want to get her some goggles so she can look for fish over her floaty too. After Kaanapali we headed back for a nap at home then got ready to go to Marley's house for a playdate, dinner, and a night full of games with Chris and Sarah. This had to be our most fun night of the trip, making so many memories with our good friends and just enjoying games and wine while the girls slept. So fun!

On our way to Kaanapali

At Black Rock

At lunch

Mmmm...mango lemonade

Taylor loved these fishies and said "cheeeese" before I even had my camera out!

Day in Lahaina- day 5

2010-08-09T20:18:00.000-07:00

Monday:
Today we had a relaxing morning, Taylor went down for her nap early again, and daddy went Kite surfing again during T's nap. When she woke up she and I went walking around local Kihei. We got her little souveniers that she picked out herself (a hat, a key chain with her name on it, and some shoes), got some ice cream at a yummy place right by our condo, and then walked over to the park where Taylor ran around and danced to a guy playing his guitar. It was so windy that the stroller was being pusshed across the grass by itself!!! After daddy got back we headed over to Lahaina for a walk through the town, some dinner at Old Lahaina Pizzeria, and some fun play in the big Banian Tree.

Mommy and Taylor doing our morning beach play

Ice Cream!!

So windy in the park

Back in the stroller to get back to the condo

Our condo

On our way to Lahaina

Taylor insisted on holding this man's hand!

So cute!

Typical of our girl, she was cranky before dinner and once food got into her she turned into an energized bunny!

She insisted on using a fork...what a lady

Cheeeeese!

The Banyan Tree!

Video of Taylor in the tree

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Daddy and Tay

Our beautiful lady

Taylor gets her good looks from her daddy

Sunset

Playdate with Marley in Maui- day 4

2010-08-08T20:00:00.000-07:00

Sunday:
Today Taylor went for a nap at 10:00 am (1:00 CA time) so daddy went kite surfing and Taylor and I stayed in. That evening we had a playdate with Marley at our condo so Sarah could go to dinner with her friend in Wailea. It was so fun! We made some pizzole, ate some tofu, and the girls liked reading their books, coloring, and jumping on the bed singing 5 Little Monkeys. So cute!!

Mommy and Taylor's morning walk on the beach

Watching the water with daddy and bunny blankey

Blankey watching the ocean

Breakfast

Games during T's nap

Taylor's way of playing Skipbo

Marley and Taylor coloring

Sharing Marley's dolls

Doing "cheers!"

Video of two little monkeys jumpin' on the bed

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Dinner and sunset in Maui- day 3

2010-08-07T20:00:00.000-07:00

Saturday:
Today we went and met Chris, Marley, and Sarah at the beach for a little play date. Taylor ws so excited to go to "Marley's beach" and play with her. It was tough though because due to the time change, Taylor was ready for a nap when we were driving TO the beach. Fortunately we got some good play time in and had many days left to play with marley some more. Mommy forgot her camera so no pics Marley at the beach (grrr). Fun memories though with Marley's Buzz Light Year kickboard and Taylor's very small bathing suit bottom underneath her life ves strap (hehe). It was a great beach with a cove blocking the wind so the kids could enjoy the shallow water area.

Dinner back at the condo

Taylor at sunset

Waking up in Maui- day 2

2010-08-06T20:00:00.000-07:00

Friday:
Today was so fun for all of us! It was awesome to see Taylor so excited when she woke up as she looked outside our sliding door at the beach and the ocean. It was 6:00 am Maui time so hardly anyone was even out yet. It was gorgeous!

Mommy got her hair done by her friend and hair stylist who moved to Maui so Taylor and daddy enjoyed a fun day playing in the ocean and the pool.

Good morning Maui!

Video of Taylor waking up in Maui

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Enjoying the ocean with daddy first thing in the morning

After mommy came back we all went to the beach again

Taylor and daddy making mommy a castle (lucky me!)

Sometimes the "cheeeeeese" is a bit too forced

Looking through the tunnel

Video of the best part- knocking down the castle!

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Lounging

Having fun on the Murphy bed in the living room

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Sunset

Our sunset walk on the beach

First class to Maui!

2010-08-05T23:59:00.000-07:00

Thanks to daddy's work miles, Taylor and daddy got bumped to First Class on our airplane ride over! The lady at the gate was nice enough to bump mommy as well so the Wickett family of three all enjoyed first class treatment on the way to Maui! Woo-hoo! We had juice and water welcoming us on the plane, warm towels to clean up before dinner, and even cookies and milk in wine glasses after dinner! Taylor loved it! What made it most enjoyable for her was the DVD player that the Fetters loaned us for the trip. Taylor was in 7th heaven teh entire flight over! By the time we got into Maui, got our car, and drove to the condo, Taylor was pooped and went right to sleep. We are here!!!

Cab ride over

Getting onto the airplane

First class girl

So excited to go to Maui!

Life is good

Full dinner for Taylor

Cookies and milk

Music with daddy

Loving life

If daddy sleeps he needs blankeys

So focused on iPhone tangrams with daddy

Pooped from a long travel day

Aquarium with mommy

2010-08-03T15:00:00.000-07:00

On our Tuesday together Taylor and I decided to spend some fun time at the aquarium. She ran around the place like she owned it! So proud of my growing girl getting so courageous and confident.

So excited to show me the fishies in the tank!

Even more excited to run to the big tank (and left me!!)

Listening to the educator at the big tank

Sharks!!

Trying to pet sharks

Enjoying some lunch time in the shade

With the birds

She's getting more adventurous...climbing on rocks and not wanting ANY help!

A special frozen lemonade treat to finish off our mommy/daughter day

Dinner at BJ's Bar and Grill

2010-07-27T22:00:00.000-07:00

Nanny B and Papa Al have been at our house, Papa Al working on more crown molding and painting while Nanny B spends her standard grandma time with Tay. We went out to dinner one night and had such a relaxing time, particularly because BJ had a large project due before we went to Maui and I was finishing up my final weekend of my 1st year of school! Well deserved dinner out.

Taylor loves to run and play chase now!

Daddy teaching Taylor how to have a thumb war

Mommy and daddy modeling the thumb war

Now that's a bowl of mac-and-cheese!!

Being so cute!

With daddy

With Papa Al

Pretend City

2010-07-27T15:00:00.000-07:00

Today Nanny B and mommy took Taylor to Pretend City in Irvine, on Tuesday which is mommy's day with Taylor. It was such a fun place!!!

You can drive through the whole place in your own car!

Learning street signs

Trying to get Taylor to dance on stage (a bit weary because of her recent Webby experience)

Gardening like a farmer

Petting the turtle in the garden

Picking tomatoes

Pretending to eat peaches

Feeding the turtle a tomato

Putting the apples back on the tree

Nanny dancing on stage

Taylor controlling the lights

Reading a book to baby in the little pretend house (actually big!)

Taylor wanted to get right in there with the baby

At the beach

Lounging with mommy

Getting money at the ATM

Filling the car up with gas

Taylor trying to imitate mommy doing hopskotch

Grocery shopping

Checking out

Waiting for the green light

Pretend lunch time

Mmmm, soup!

Water time!

Catchin duckies

Art time

Paining the plastic wall (and mommy behind it)

Bye-bye Pretend City!

Our Hula Girl

2010-07-23T18:00:00.000-07:00

This is an outfit that Nanny M and Papa Bill sent from Maui. Taylor is gettin' ready for her own vacation to Maui!

The reason behind the funny smile is that she was imitating the Tiki behind her...haha!

Tuesdays at home with mommy

2010-07-06T20:00:00.000-07:00

After a nap I let her play in daddy's jeep in the garage (with the door open to the house of course). Well, I peeked out at one point and saw this:

Lotion from the glove box was found!

After a quick bath she went for a second play round in the jeep

She wanted her bunny chair in the driver's seat

After that long play time in the Jeep she got hungry...our flower child who loves Tofu (in clothes that she picked out from the pile that is being put away because they are too small...hehe)!

Funny picture which Taylor will hate someday (hehe...that's what parents are for)

Tuesdays at the movies

2010-07-06T14:00:00.000-07:00

AMC theaters offer $1 movies on Tuesdays throughout the summer so I took advantage of a few of them to try to teach Taylor how to sit through a movie at a theater. After about 20 minutes, this is where Taylor ended up spending her time. Haha!

On the car ride in the lobby!

Another one

At the Hello Kitty store

With her friend Daisy

July 4th with the Trax's

2010-07-04T23:00:00.000-07:00

Today Laura, Noah, Rawley, and Aesa came over for swimming, dinner and fireworks. As always the kids had a ton of fun together and we all enjoyed the fireworks from our roof. A first at our house too, Aesa feel asleep in the pack-and-play so the rest of the family could stay a bit longer than normal and hang out...so fun!

Aesa loves to splash so we let Taylor squeeze water on his head which made her stay in and enjoy the pool a little longer.

Taylor got to hold sparklers for the first time!!

Taylor is starting to draw!!

2010-07-04T10:00:00.000-07:00

Taylor is learning to draw faces and other shapes. Here is our first documentation of her own drawing of a face.

The pool is out!

2010-07-03T16:31:00.000-07:00

Today was beautiful after the fog rolled out so Taylor and I put up our pool on our deck and enjoyed a lazy day while daddy got in some extra hours at work. After the pool Taylor found her art smock that Lisa and I thought was a great idea to teach our 1 year olds how to paint in and mine has never left Taylor's closet! Taylor just found it and ran in naked with just that on saying "Look mommy! It fits me now! I'm a big kid!" Gotta love her!

Here it is...we did it!

Mommy is so handy, she puts up pools and she even sets her camera on a timer!

Here's the art smock

Doing work on the workbench in an artsmock...so creative!

KidSpace Tuesday

2010-06-29T15:32:00.000-07:00

A few mommy group friends went to KidSpace today and we had lots of fun! We carpooled with Jackson and Rachel and the kids had so much fun together in the car. They were so cute! We met Kellen and Cadin at Kidspace and between allt he activities to do there, we actually managed to find some time to spend with eachother! It was a fun day.

Taylor and Jackson squirting water

Crash!

Bikes with Cadin

Drawing on the chalk table

Loves the hand dryer!

Jackson driving

Taylor digging for fossils

Beep beep!

This was the first time she was big enough to climb on this!

Pinecones will always be the things she gives to Silas as presents...so cute!

Painting

Taylor and Jackson in the water

Leaving

Bye bye Kidspace!

Disneyland 2010

2010-06-27T09:30:00.000-07:00

We finally did it. We conquered Disneyland for our first time with Taylor and it was a huge success!

Alvin, Shelley, Sydney, Nanny B, and Papa Al all came down on Wednesday night and stayed at our house. Bright and early Thursday morning Nanny B. made us a tart for breakfast and of course mamosas before our long day at Disneyland. AFter rushing to get out of the house we didn't have much time so we had a large mamosa to-go that BJ and Alvin enjoyed at the park (hehe). Alvin, Shelley, Sydney, BJ, Taylor and I enjoyed the day alone with the girls at the park and then we went to a Princess Lunch. So fun!

Other fun times included seeing the girls dance their hearts out to a live blues guy in Downtown Disney, going to dinner with the DuCharme and Harding grandparents, seeing Taylor absolutely horrified on the carousel but then ask for it and want to show us that she could do it with a happy face the very next day, seeing the girls conquer all the rides we were skeptical about, and just seeing the magic of Disneyland through our daughter's eyes. It was a magical, amazing, successful trip. Enjoy the slideshow below.

Taylor Dance Recital

2010-06-25T20:00:00.000-07:00

Today we left Disneyland early because Taylor had her Dress Rehearsal for her Dance Recital. I won't be able to make it to the Recital on Sunday because of school so I made it a must for me to attend her Rehearsal. She was wonderful!

Froggy drama!

2010-06-13T21:36:00.000-07:00

So, Taylor got a new froggy ecosystem for her 2 1/2 year birthday. She was so excited to have her own frogs and feed them. It was this cool ecosystem thing from Brookstone.

Well, Taylor and Daddy went to Santa Cruz this weekend for Tia's graduation and while they were gone, Pearl (our cat) knocked over the ecosystem and shattered the whole thing while I was sleeping...no froggies to be seen in the morning! After much deliberation, we decided to get a real acquarium for her room so she could still have her froggies (new ones) but have something sturdier that would last in our house with two cats. Here's a pic of the acquarium from PetCo (real pics of Taylor's to come).

She came home today and I talked to her about her new acquarium and the old broken one. She loved it (but wants to go pick out a plant for it since I didn't get extra stuff for it...wanted her to be able to do that). I told her all about, explained what Pearl did, and that is why we have to have the new bigger one. We didn't really talk about what happened to the frogs- she didn't ask and I didn't tell. There are just two frogs in her room and I have no idea if she thinks they are new or old.

BIG UPDATE!!!
While I was in the kitchen tonight Taylor yells as she's running to me, "Mommy, there's a froggy on the floor!"). I look at BJ and say "I can't, I can't go look, you go!" Daddy goes and looks (with her following him) and he quickly directs her away and says "it's just dirt, why don't you go upstairs and make sure that your frogs are still there (but winks at me that it is a frog!!!!). Ahhh! Taylor and I went and looked at her safe frogs in the tank while daddy cleaned up the dead one that was dragged downstairs to the front door (by the cats??). I kind of hinted to her while we were upstairs that we can't move the tank around (she tried) because we don't want to break the tank and let the frogs out because "they may die and we would have to throw them away." No death talk was planned until she saw a flattened and dead frog on the floor! I had a confused mom moment and knew that what she saw on the floor WAS a frog and I don't know if she would believe daddy that it was dirt. So, I had to bring up the death topic. I can't imagine what seeing that frog on the floor actually meant to her in that moment (she's 2 1/2!). She may not even remember but just in case another one pops up (there is still one on the loose!) I think we'll watch The Princess and the Frog again and talk about the froggy by the front door when we see the lightening bug squished by the shadow man. :( Wow, never knew the death conversation would come so soon.

Day with Mommy

2010-06-08T16:01:00.000-07:00

Today Taylor and I soaked our feet in the kitchen sink, a fun thing that my maid of honor and I used to do when we were kids. It brought back a lot of fun memories!

After Taylor's nap I opened the door to THIS!!!!

Her bed was stripped!

Not only were drawers emptied but furniture was stacked!

I dug a little deeper and noticed that ALL of her drawers were empty!

Needless to say we had a long clean up session.

Mommy and Taylor's day out

2010-06-06T21:50:00.000-07:00

Taylor's 2 1/2 year birthday!

2010-06-06T21:43:00.001-07:00

Today we celebrated Taylor's 2 1/2 year birthday. Instead of giving her presents on December 9th, her real brithday (so close to Christmas and with so many other presents from family and friends) we decided to do a special celebration on her 1/2 birthday from now on with just our immediate family. Taylor and I went to the mall today and picked out her presents then picked out her big cupcake before heading home for a nap. After nap she woke right up and said, "I want my present!" So, dinner first then cupcake then present. Below are pics from our fun afternoon with our beautiful daughter!

Our Princess

Here is a cute video of her getting her cupcake:

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The Race- Escape from Alcatraz

2010-05-04T15:54:00.000-07:00

On Sunday daddy woke up at 4:15 and headed over to a bus that took him to a ferry that took him to Alcatraz where all the racers would jump off the ferry and swim back to the City. Crazy!!!

Here is the ferry. You can see the racers in the water and the helicopter overhead.

Daddy running from the water to the transition area to head off on his bike.

While daddy was on his bike we all headed over to Starbucks and passed this beautiful field of yellow flowers!

Tia with Taylor and Sydney

Loving Nanny

Tia and Taylor- when Taylor was a newborn Tia put Taylor to sleep in this same sweater on the couch with her!!!

At Starbucks

The girls looking for BJ to come in on his run and finish the race!

He did it!!

I had to get a picture...these guys were so funny in their pink tutu's!

Papa'Al and Taylor in the field of flowers heading back to the hotel

Tia and Brian

Weekend in San Francisco

2010-05-01T15:35:00.000-07:00

On Saturday after some spa time and homework time for mommy, Uncle Alvin, Cousin Sydney, mommy, daddy, and Taylor headed over to the City. We dropped off BJ at his race venue to check-in and the rest of us headed to the hotel. The girls went wild! Sydney had a nap on the way to the City...Taylor had none.

Here are the girls loving the hotel!

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Alvin, me, and the girls then headed around the warf area to walk around and get out of the hotel.

Here are the girls being extra goofey after "Uncle BJ" showed up. They were holding hands and screaming his name as we followed him back to the hotel.

We went out the pizza at a yummy place right down by the warf

The daddys pushing the girls (switched!)

Grumpy in the sun

Corwn and Crumpet...such a cute place that I want to take Taylor some day!

It's a real live tea party!!

The girls picking flowers

Sydney being Cinderella up on the stair case

Cuddling before bedtime with Aunty Cori

Night with cousin Sydney at Nanny and Papa'Al's house

2010-04-30T15:31:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we went to San Francisco for daddy's Escape from Alcatraz triathlon. We stayed the night at Nanny and Papa'Al's house in the East Bay Area Friday night with cousin Sydney and Uncle Alvin.

Taylor on the car ride up to Papa'Al's house

Taylor and Sydney being goofey on mommy's bed

Video of the goofyness

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Spa Time with Papa'Al and Nanny (they wanted to swtich bathing suits so they have each other's on)

Dressed in my new TuTu and Butterfly Wings

2010-04-29T15:26:00.000-07:00

Taylor is very intersted in ballerinas, particularly because Tinker Bell takes a ballerina on a music box to the "main land" in her second movie. Sydney gave Taylor that music box for her birthday so now Taylor is very much into ballerinas. Nanny bought her a tutu from Costco and boy is she is 7th Heaven!!

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Taylor's other Nanny (Nanny M) brought Taylor up some butterfly wings from the Wild Animal Park in SD for Easter. We have one lucky daughter!!

Helping daddy do house work

2010-04-26T16:57:00.000-07:00

For an entire week Papa'Al and Nanny were here helping out to give the inside of our home a face lift. We painted and put new baseboards and crown molding up around the entire downstairs. Papa'Al is truly amazing with his craftsmanship and painting! It feels like we have a brand new house...thank you!!!

Taylor really wanted to help out so when daddy continued to do some work after Papa'Al left, Taylor was able to use her own screwdrive and help daddy!

There was nowhere to sit so...let's ride on daddy!

Party after bed time!

2010-04-20T16:39:00.000-07:00

Today Taylor figured out that she could get out of her bed after we put her down and she could play, play, play! I put Taylor to nap at 1:15 and as I was walking out of the room she fell out of bed on purpose and laughed (this has been a fun thing for her for about a week). So, I just left her there, told her to get back in bed and take a nap. About 15 minutes later I went in to check on her and she was sitting up in bed reading her Tinker Bell Pillow Books. She told me she was "putting them together like this" so I just said "okay, when you're done lay down and take a nap," and then I left. Another 20 minutes later I swear I heard something so I went in her room and...

she was in the rocking chair reading books, all the stuff in her top and bottom dresser drawers were taken out so her Tinker Bell Pillow Books could lay inside of them, and she just looked at me and didn't say anything. I looked at her didn't know what to say, and just walked out (really because I wanted to get the camera). My mom and I went back in, took a picture and she started whining that she didn't want to take a nap. I told her she had to, picked her up and put her back in bad.

I left and then grabbed the monitor which I hadn't used in soooo long (Lisa's bright idea so I could just have fun watching what the heck she does in there). Taylor continued to sit up and down in her bed, play with her dolls, count the flowers on her blanket and pillows, play with the snaps on her crib sheet, etc. She became really focused on her Abby doll that Cadin gave her for her first birthday. She took the pacifier on and off Abby and even whispered things to her but I couldn't tell what she was saying. At the point when all the clothes came off Abby and Taylor was going to take another 20 minutes to get them back on I went in, put them on, and told her she needed to go night-night. Once Abby's clothes were on she was a-okay and went right to sleep.

Oh boy, I'm interested in what is to come with this new after-bed excitement!

Day with mommy's work friends

2010-04-08T16:32:00.000-07:00

Today mommy's friend and "scheduler" at work came all the way from Arizona to visit the office. A few people brought their kids to work and we all had a pot luck. Before the pot luck a few of us took the kids to Fan Yang's Bubble Show at the Children's Discovery Center. It was pretty cool!

I left Taylor in the car (in her carseat to buckle it) while I went back in the house to grab something and this is where she ended up when I came back out!

Mommy caught you!

Following Victor, Mateo, Margaret and Suzanna to the Discovery Center

That screen tracks Taylor's movements and makes a cool design

The marble machine

Exploring how circular light shapes can make light tracks when you move them in the dark

Here is Fan Yang!

Taylor's first piece of Fried Chicken (at mommy's office)

Giving Marisa a hug

Marisa's cool toy

Tran with Suzanna (Margaret's daughter)

Taylor and Mateo playing in our toy room

Taylor and Mateo riding the scooter-thingy

EASTER!!!

2010-04-04T16:52:00.000-07:00

We had so much fun planning for this very special Easter. The Easter Bunny made sure that both Sydney and Taylor's baskets had all the same stuff and boy was that stuff good stuff! Sydney wakes up much earlier than Taylor so the Easter bunny decided not to come until a little later in the morning. While the girls were getting ready in Taylor's room the Easter Bunny came to our house and hid lost of eggs. He even made a path using chocolate easter eggs from Taylor's room all the way down to their baskets. What a creative bunny!

We then went to the beach after the egg hunt and had some fun swinging, playing with the girls' new bubble toys, and playing in the water.

The chocolate egg path

Collecting yummy chocolates!

Wow, the chocolates led right to the baskets!

Tinker Bell!

Enjoying chocolates with daddy

Mommy showing the girls how the malt balls make lipstick!

So pretty on Sydney

And Taylor...

They got Tinker socks!

And tattoos

Not a good picture but so cute and silly ready for the beach

Cousins

Bubbles!

Sydney can touch the ground!

Our sun bather

Singing while buried

Easter-Eve

2010-04-03T16:40:00.000-07:00

Alvin, Shelley and Sydney came to visit for Easter weekend and oh, we had so much fun! They arrived at about 10-ish on Friday night and the fun started then. We let Sydney wake up Taylor and give her a good night kiss (we told Taylor that we'd have Sydney do that when she got to "Taylor's house") and then off to bed both of them went. The adults then had some fun playing liar's dice until the wee hours in the morning. It's been a while since we had that much fun!

Saturday we all lounged around in the morning until we were off to go get the girls' pictures taken in the mall. That adventure was too long to write here but in the end the girls had a ton of fun running around the mall, taking pictures together, and dressing up in the same outfits. Everyone at the mall kept insisting that not only were they twins but that Shelley and I were sisters. Haha!

We came home and after naps the girls decorated cookies, colored easter eggs, and we all had a nice Easter dinner.

Snack before dinner

Easter themed cheese bites!

They got this coloring thing down this year

A somewhat long (but cute!) video of coloring easter eggs

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Cookies!!

Sneakin' a little candy

Blue tongues!

Wow, now that's a decorated cookie

Their beautiful cookies

Uncle Alvin got Princess Stickered!!

In jammies with heels on and milk

Cutie cousins

The cutest of them all...

Taylor's first night gown

2010-03-30T16:37:00.000-07:00

Taylor and I went shopping today to buy her her very first night gown. Last week she wore one of mommy's t-shirts to bed pretending that it was a night-gown, just like mommy's. So, today we decided to get her her very own. She picked out two, one satin with monkeys and one cotton with polka dots and a flower. Here she is on her first night wearing her very own nightgown.

Admiring herself

My beauty

Camping with daddy

2010-03-27T16:33:00.000-07:00

While mommy was in school this past weekend daddy braved it as an only parent and took Taylor camping. Fortunately, he also had many other adults to have fun and play with Taylor. Silas and Julia were there with Julia's sister and friend, and Jeremy and Morgan were also there to share in the camping fun. It seems as though Taylor had a blast with everyone; below are a few of the pictures that daddy got with our camera.

Helping get wood with daddy

Eating din-din

Silly Uncle Silas!

The many faces of Taylor watching Tinker Bell

2010-03-20T08:14:00.000-07:00

If you haven't already heard, Taylor's FAVORITE movie is Tinker Bell. It was the first one she ever watched and she now sits through the entire movie by herself! I captured a few faces while she watched, showing the facial expressions she makes as she watches different parts of the movie. Soooo cute!

Focused

Copying a face of one of the characters

Amused

Attentive

Copying a face of one of the characters

Content with her ballerina (from Cousin Sydney) which is in one of the Tinker Bell movies.

Pasadena Triathlon and Kid Space

2010-03-20T08:07:00.000-07:00

Today daddy did a reverse triathlon (run-bike-swim) at the Pasadena Rose Bowl so mommy and I headed over to watch. It was great because they had a wonderful park for us to play at while daddy was on his bike, right near the course so we would just run back to the course to look for daddy and cheer him on.

After the race we all got changed into our warm clothes and headed over to Kid Space.

Playing in the jumping water at Kid Space while mommy and daddy ate lunch.

Playing in the creek...a water wheel dumps water every few minutes behind me off of a tin roof...it is so fun!

Ringing the bell at the top of the climbing wall.

Wow, a picture of me and mommy!

Daddy and me going down into the ant hole

Crawling into the ant hole

Coming out at the top!

Again with mommy...I loved this!

Uncovering fossils with paint brushes

Playing in the jeep

Very tired at the end of the day!

Sick day at home with mommy

2010-03-16T07:59:00.000-07:00

Today Taylor woke up with more crusties in her eyes than yesterday so I decided to keep her home from mommy-and-me and get her to the doctor. She's also had a nasty cough for over a month as well as a green runny nose. Something is buggin' her and won't go away!

Low and behold she had an ear infection and two pink eyes. Now on pink eye drops for 5 days and antibiotics for her ear infection for 10 days.

Below are pictures of our sick day at home...you'd never know she was sick!

She loved taking walks in our driveway today, being Miss Mommy. She took her bowling bunnies, her tangle hair spray, an egg in her hand, and her baby Julie buried below it all! Oh yes, don't forget the shoes that are two sizes too big for her, on the wrong feet...haha! But, oh so sparkly!

She wanted to wear a hat like the Easter duckie next to her.

At the end of the day we mopped!

Here's a very short video of her mopping (battery ran out of the camera!)

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Feeding Baby Julia

2010-03-02T07:55:00.000-08:00

Today was a Tuesday so mommy and I got to stay home together. After lunch my baby got hungry so I decided to feed her before I took a nap.

Here's a video of me feeding Baby Julia!

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Our little behavior analyst providing praise to mommy

2010-02-23T09:52:00.000-08:00

This morning we were getting ready for mommy-and-me and Taylor started quizzing me on her magnetic letters (so cute!). Well, after a few I finally realized that she was providing social praise for all the letters I got right too! What a good little behavior analyst. Hehe.

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My very own burrito

2010-02-22T07:54:00.000-08:00

I LOVE burritos, nachos...anything with beans and cheese. I've always eaten mommy and daddy's burritos but today I actually got my very own made for me for dinner!

Day with Daddy!

2010-02-21T07:48:00.000-08:00

Today Taylor spent the day hangin' out with daddy, going shopping and doing errands while mommy locked herself away and studied upstairs. Below is the perfect daddy-daughter outfit!

Notice one braid in, one braid out...haha!

Who needs a skirt?! This is Taylor being oh so cute with daddy, wanting his food that he's making.

Here is a cute video of Taylor playing, singing, and waiting for daddy's burrito.

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Falling out of bed

2010-02-17T13:48:00.000-08:00

Here is Taylor in the morning when I went to get her up, sound asleep.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2010-02-14T14:30:00.000-08:00

Thank you friends, Nanny M and Papa Bill, Nanny and Papa Al, and mommy and daddy!

Fun weekend in Big Bear

2010-02-14T09:00:00.000-08:00

We are back from our vacation in the snow and we had so much fun! Taylor enjoyed the snow, her most often used comment was "It is REALLY cold outside." Her favorite part about the snow was eating it. You'll see in many pictures below she is just sitting and eating snow. We had a lot of fun relaxing, playing with Taylor in the snow, playing games at the cabin, and just enjoying a very mellow vacation.

Right when we got there we got some snacks out...of course Taylor loved!

Taylor and daddy reading while mommy got dinner ready

Friday morning daddy and Taylor jumped in the jacuzzi in the room...she loved this!

Bubble girl

Friday afternoon we headed down to an area by the frozen lake to play

Eating snow

Giving daddy's snowman a big kiss before leaving

Friends

Taylor's way of taking part in our Monopoly game

Keeping busy with Mr. Potato Head

On Saturday we went to a big hill between some condos to make a sled track...it was so much fun!!

Notice the ice in her hand...she never went without a piece to eat on!

A smaller snow man made by daddy

Giving him a kiss goodbye

Eating daddy's yummy homemade chicken nuggets

Putting daddy's "hair" in pigtails

While Taylor was on daddy's shoulder, Curious George got to sit in T's seat.

So happy with her animals...the night before we left.

Taylor's Animal Party

2010-02-11T10:09:00.003-08:00

Taylor's animal party in the bathroom while mommy got ready in the morning.