John's Dedication at Grace Covenant Church

Today was John's Dedication at Grace. He wore the beautiful baptism gown that all of the other Taylor cousins have worn. He looked like an angel. Pastor Matt said the sweetest prayer for John and the other two kids were so good while on the stage. On the way out of the sanctuary, Will waved to everyone and kept saying "Goodbye" as we walked out. Mia and Pops were also there for the service which was really special since Mia was literally the first person that John probably saw when he arrived in this world.

Afterwards we went to Austin Country Club for their amazing Sunday brunch. It was such a warm day that part of the time John was in his undershirt which makes me laugh because my mom goes to such great lengths to be sure that all of the kids are outfitted to the nines. Oh well. . .

John, today we stood in front of our peers to once again re-affirm that you are God's child on loan to us while here on Earth. We are blessed to be your parents and love you so much. May God continue to bless your life and ours as we lead you.

Letdown to my letdown

Well. . . John has weaned me (sniff sniff). I saw the writing on the wall about 2 weeks ago when he would just get so mad that my letdown was taking so long. And once I personally started giving him bottles it was only a matter of time. I pumped for the last time today at work and only got about 2 ounces. The last time I breastfed him was 2 days ago. This is always a bittersweet time for me. It is so luxurious to not have to be tied to him this way, but the snuggles are just the best during breastfeeding. I breastfed John longer than my other two which seems so amazing to me. Well, Johnny-Cakes it was a good run. We made it NINE months! Yay to us!

We are using some leftover breastmilk from Aunt Emily that should get us through the mid-part of February which is such a blessing - both for your immune system and our wallets. Thank you Emily!

Some other milestones that I have not documented on my little man:

~January 2, 2011 - STANDS for the first time

~January 12, 2011 - started "solid" foods (baby mum mum, puffs, bits of banana)

~January 17, 2011 - we notice his bottom two teeth are IN! Without a fuss!

My mom took John to Dr. Dawson today because he has had a cough for the last 6 weeks (some could argue for the last 4 MONTHS). Dr. Dawson thinks poor John has the cursed "Taylor lungs" and gave him some liquid prednisone to quiet the inflammation in his lungs. I see a nebulizer and some chronic asthma medications in our future. . .

GO STEELERS!

Matt is trying to turn all of our children into Steelers fans. Will was sitting in his lap today while watching the game against the Ravens saying, "Come on guys! Go Steelers!" Alivia on the other hand was rooting for the opposing team just to get under Matt's skin. Pretty funny. At this point, if the Steelers win their next game they will be headed to the Super Bowl! If that happens we will hosting a Super Bowl Party and even I will wear black and gold. Go Steelers!

Fun Day with Mimi and Grandpa

Mimi and Grandpa took the oldest cousins for a hike in a nearby neighborhood greenbelt and then built a fire at their house to roast marshmallows. The kids had a great time, and Will said that "Grandpa really likes the black marshmallows." Here is a pic of them while hiking along the trail.

Happy 5th Birthday, Alivia

As I always like to tell Alivia, "I was so happy on the day you were born that when they placed you in my arms, I cried." She is not quite sure what to say when I tell her that. . . but it is true. I feel so blessed to be her mother.

Here are some thoughts about this time of her life:

* She is a rules-follower

* She is thoughtful and loves to make cards and mail them to friends. She will often look in her room for a gift to give a friend that has come over to play

* She is very kind and patient with her brother (most of the time)

* She is a great mother's helper and is already very maternal

* She is anxious to learn to start reading and asks me to point out words and read them to her

* She loves school

* She is a total girly-girl and loves American Girl dolls, fairies, her pillow pet, make up, fingernail polish, perfume, doing her hair, doing her doll's hair, the color pink.

Alivia, I pray that the Lord will continue to bless each day of your life. That you would find wonderful, lifelong friends that will lift you up and encourage you to pursue God and your passions. That you will find a husband that loves you unconditionally and faithfully and that above all you would pursue God in all aspects of your life.

I adore you, my precious daughter and find such joy spending each day with you.

For the last part of this post, I am stealing an idea from my friend Jill. . .

Q: What is your favorite color?

A: Pink

Q: What is your favorite food?

A: Noodles

Q: What is your favorite book?

A: American Girl Manners Book

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

A: A Doctor

Q: What is your favorite toy?

A: My Pillow Pet

Q: What is your favorite thing to do?

A: I don't know

Q: What is your favorite memory from this year?

A: What is a memory? My birthday party.

Q: What is your favorite thing about preschool?

A: Playing with Ava.

Q: What is your favorite TV show?

A: Clifford

Q: Who are your favorite friends?

A: Samuel, Aubrey and Avery

Hello Kitty Bunny Party

Alivia is loving Hello Kitty at the moment and she also wanted a bunny party, too, so we combined the themes to make a "Hello Kitty Bunny Party!"

Chelsea from "Tiny Tails to You" brought 3 bunnies, 2 chickens and 1 chinchilla to the party! The chinchilla was a big hit since it has been declared "the softest animal on earth". I would have to agree. My mom whispered. . . "that is why I want a chinchilla coat." Chelsea was so organized and kind to all of the children. She had them sit on tiny fold up stools and put a mat over their laps to help stabalize the animal. It also helped that we had Alivia invite her 4 favorite friends (and their siblings): Aubrey (with Henry), Samuel (with Jane Ann), Avery (with Baby Paige - 18 mos) and Katherine (with Jack).

Alivia was enamored with the animals the whole time and sat on her little seat and enjoyed holding and petting them for the entire hour. It was so cute. The kids all played so well together, too. I think this may have been one of my favorite birthdays so far.

My mom ordered the Hello Kitty cupcake cake from Central Market that rounded out the theme. Happy Birthday dear Alivia!

Under Construction at Samuel's Birthday

I arrived a tad late to Samuel's 5th party, but I did not want to miss out! The Skaggs hosted the party at a nearby park and we all enjoyed the beautiful weather. The kids got out their construction trucks and played in the sand.

One of the pics is Aliva with her best buddy, Aubrey. And Jill (Aubrey's Mom) and me shown in the next picture. Jill and I have been friends since kindergarten - or just about the same age that Aubrey and Alivia are!

Happy Birthday Samuel!