In the Mean Time: 2009

Baby's First Christmas

4:15 PM - Posted by Erin - 0 comments

We had quite an extended Christmas this year...

CHRISTMAS CAME EARLY... the weekend before Christmas we got Taylor's present... an upgrade to her favorite play gym, Rob put together this jumpy/bouncy thingy with an assortment of attachments and gadgets (T's favorite is the little sunshine hanging in the front). I like to think of it as NASA training (looks a little like some gyroscope or something with those cross bars... but then again, I'm a nerd and would love to be an astronaut myself, and that's another story for another day).

Since she doesn't know the difference between Christmas and any other day we gave it to her that day... she seemed to like it. She's already learned that it's usually more fun to keep her hands near the toys as opposed to in the leg hole... she's so smart... maybe she IS NASA bound?!

She worked pretty hard and was pretty tuckered out after all that fun...

CHRISTMAS CAME RIGHT ON TIME... I'm not usually one to dress up my daughter like a doll, but T looked so cute in her Christmas outfit and I couldn't resist... she had already kicked off the cute black shoes when this shot was taken, but you get the picture. :) We spent Christmas Eve at home. The wind knocked out the power and our simple pasta dinner turned even simpler when we scrounged around and made tuna sandwiches since we couldn't boil water without pulling out the camping gear.

We spent Christmas Day at Rob's parents' house... the dogs took a moment to relax a little, and we had some good food and good family time.

AND CHRISTMAS STAYED LATE... we spent the day after Christmas at my folks' house where we opened presents and had an enjoyable time hanging out with family. Aunt JuJuB and Taylor stayed cozy in the blanket when we all went outside to play with this goofy Hydrogen powered rocket that belongs to my dad (yes, he's a nerd too).

We had a really nice holiday... and I'm thinking Christmas is lingering even longer since Rob is on Christmas Break for the next week and I took the time off to hang at home with him and T. I love all the memories we made this year and can't wait till T really gets it... I'm thinking a birthday cake for Jesus is going to be a new tradition one of these years.

Going, GOING, GONE!

8:44 AM - Posted by Erin - 3 comments

Going...

...GOING...

...GONE!

Maybe she likes BEARCLAWS as much as her mama... yummy!

The Best Bad Dinner Ever

8:04 PM - Posted by Erin - 1 comments

We thought she'd fall asleep on the way to the restaurant... and she was ALMOST there. But ALMOST just ain't good enough. After work last night we decided to go out to eat... neither of us felt like cooking, and with our budget these days it's usually a nice treat to go out for dinner. I was looking forward to a quiet, intimate dinner with my husband and sleeping baby...

She was immediately squirmy... and before the ridiculously overpriced food arrived at the table I looked at Rob and said that maybe this wasn't a good idea. I was actually thinking that I would rather be at home cooking than dealing with an upset baby in a restaurant. I'm sure some of you have been there... Rob started eating - you know, the typical "eating in shifts" thing. I started doing my best to get T to sleep... she was so tired, but not giving in. Eventually, with Rob halfway through his meal and me two bites in, I decided I should take her outside where the white noise of traffic could help calm her. As I paced I looked back in the big window at my lonely husband and my cooling food. As soon as he finished, Rob came outside and took T. The extent of our "intimate conversation" over dinner happened at this point.

Erin: Are you finished eating?

Rob: Yup.

Erin: K.

I handed her off... and went in to eat my food... yes, it had cooled off, but I was too hungry to really care. I guess I had a quiet dinner after all. You know it's bad when the waitress tries to make you feel better by reminiscing about how she had "been there too."

But with the last few bites of my meal something changed. In the midst of this bad, very bad dining experience I felt my heart grow... sitting at the table looking out the same window I was looking into before, I saw my darling husband pacing with our baby girl... he glanced over, as if trying to catch my eye, and smiled. His smile melted my heart and caused all that tension to dissolve. And in the quietness of my lonely table with my empty plate, I watched him continue to pace and took a mental picture that I won't ever forget... our daughter had melted in his loving arms. I say that makes last night the BEST bad dinner ever.

Graceland

7:40 PM - Posted by Erin - 1 comments

During our trip to Memphis, Taylor and I got a chance to visit Graceland with the other gals in the family. Taylor seemed to enjoy most of the outing... except she started screaming while we were making our way through the trophy hall. Luckily she was just tired and went right to sleep.

The land and home were beautiful - it seems as though the house is kept in a time capsule - just the way it was when Elvis' "prescription drugs got the better of him."

I took a bunch of pictures of the inside, but because flashes weren't allowed they didn't turn out very well. Regardless, there was lots of shag carpeting (on both the floor and ceiling!), three tv's in one room (revolutionary at the time), purple and gold dining room chairs, Elvis' favorite white couch, and a fairly standard kitchen. In addition to the house we got to tour his airplanes and his automobile collection - all of which were pretty over the top!

This little car is from the movie "Blue Hawaii" which is the only Elvis flick I've seen... a romance with classic Elvis songs.

Here's his famous pink cadillac...

These are the clothes he and Pricilla were married in...

And here are a few of his more famous costumes.

Elvis is buried on site along with his parents and grandmother... there is also a plaque in honor of his twin brother (I didn't know he had a twin either) who was stillborn. Can you imagine if BOTH of them were entertainers?

All in all, I learned a lot about "The King" and enjoyed the tour (especially all the music!) - but I couldn't help but wonder about the number of people that came before me and wore the headset I was given without it being cleaned... go figure.

Turkey in Tennessee

7:43 PM - Posted by Erin - 0 comments

We did it! Our first major road trip with Taylor! We drove the 12-hour road trip to Memphis overnight and our little Tater Tot did wonderfully! We're so proud of her.

Our Thanksgiving vacation in Tennessee with Rob's grandparents was made complete because of the following highlights:

A very traditional southern Turkey Day meal with smoked turkey and mouthwatering side dishes! I totally think the sides make the meal!
Several desserts from scratch including multiple four layer cakes and pies. I have no shame in admitting that I had cake for breakfast one day... hey - Aunt Janet did it first and Grandmama did it second! When in Rome...
REAL autumn colors!!
Afternoon strolls while wearing fleece through the small southern town with plantation style homes and awesome Magnolia Trees.
Catching up with family we rarely see - Rob's older brother, Aaron and his family drove in from Wisconsin, and Rob's Aunt and cousins that live in Tennessee were all part of the festivities... I just wish I got more pictures of everyone!
Graceland! I know... checking out "Elvis the Pelvis" is not really a typical holiday activity, but I had never been there, and I couldn't pass up that opportunity...
Seeing the LOVE that Rob's Grandmama and Granddaddy have for little miss Taylor brought tears to my eyes.

I could go on and on... and here are a few of the highlight photos from the trip... there are TONS more, but they will have to wait for another time.

Here's Rob's mom, Michelle, and Chris.

Our little nephew, Adrian!! So stinkin' cute! He's showing off his rocks in this picture!

Rob's cousin's son, Donovan, was so adorable with Taylor... seriously... the sweetest thing ever! (Guys, he REALLY needs that baby sister!!)

The brothers... Rob, Chris, and Aaron. They just look related, don't they?!? Maybe it's the way they all have their hands in their pockets that make them look alike?!? :)

Here's Taylor's sweet Great-Grandmama. She and Taylor seemed to have a very special connection.

Little miss T all bundled up for our walk around town.

Our little family... we're still on a high from the joy and love we felt last week. I feel such an appreciation for Rob's grandparents. Not having my grandparents anymore really makes me cherish my time with Rob's. They treat me like their grand daughter and it feels like I've known them all my life. Soaking up the time with them was the ultimate highlight of the trip, and I can speak for Rob (and Taylor) when I say that we can't wait for our next trip to Tennessee!

How cute is this?!

7:45 PM - Posted by Erin - 2 comments

Morning Joy

4:35 PM - Posted by Erin - 1 comments

Psalm 30:5 - For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

I have so been enjoying the lazy mornings I get to spend with Taylor these days. This morning was like many of the others... Typically Rob leaves for work, although this morning he left early to go fishing, so it was just her and me. She woke me up around 6:45 to eat. If we have the time after filling her belly and changing her diaper we like to sit and talk to each other. I take it as a chance to really soak up her joy.

It never ceases to amaze me... the Bible tells us to have faith like little children - believing wholeheartedly in our God and His promises. Not that Taylor is old enough to have faith or know what it is, but I really think she might be wise beyond her years. Regardless of the previous day's events Taylor wakes up smiling these sweet little heart-melting smiles. Her complete, unadulterated joy reminds me that I should be joyful too - I have every reason to be joyful! Thanks to Jesus Christ, each morning holds new mercies and a second chance to get it right. Each sunrise is an unfailing reminder of God's faithfulness. Like Taylor, the birds sing God's praises with the dawn of each new day. Each of us has God's favor, and joy comes in the morning. Thank you, Daddy God, for all these things... and thank you for the precious gift of a daughter to remind me daily.

Halloween Festivities

10:02 AM - Posted by Erin - 2 comments

Well, we entered the holiday season in an effort to start a few traditions and have some fun! It started at the pumpkin patch on Friday. Too bad Taylor slept the whole time... at least I got a few pictures to commemorate the event!

We carved a pumpkin and roasted the seeds! And we had a couple costumes for T... the classic pumpkin - which she seemed to actually enjoy, and the not so classic hot dog - which she really hated! In fact, I had to recreate the photo op in the hot dog costume as she was in and out of it too quickly on Halloween!

I'm already looking forward to next year... I think I've already got her costume picked out! Perhaps something more homemade... and we're now officially into this holiday season!! Yay!!

Rollin' Rollin' Rollin'

10:54 AM - Posted by Erin - 1 comments

This weekend Taylor learned how to roll over (from her front to her back)... I caught one of her first attempts on video! I was trying to turn the camera on to catch her in the moment but I got it on a little too late - stick with the video and you'll see victory at the end! :) We've been hard pressed to get her to roll since then, but rest assured we aren't giving up!

(I apologize ahead of time for the quality of this video... the cameraman was a little shaky and there's a lot of other stuff going on in the room where T is rolling over... sorry for all the noise! Hopefully with all that said you'll still enjoy the video!)

Me? A cheerleader?

2:59 PM - Posted by Erin - 1 comments

I've been asked by several people in the past if I was a cheerleader growing up. The answer to that is a big no. Rob calls it a "bubbly" personality... perhaps I'm just excitable?? Regardless, my cheerleading tendencies were never needed more than today.

This is a picture of Taylor... very constipated! Bless her little heart... and her clinched fists, furrowed eyebrow, flared nostrils, and firm tummy.

After a visit to CVS, a pep talk to Taylor, and some hard work, Taylor is now resting peacefully.

I've never cheered so hard in my life encouraging her to push it out, push it out, WAAAAYYY out! And I've never celebrated poo like I did this afternoon. Ah the life of a mama...

I got some splainin' to do...

1:20 PM - Posted by Erin - 0 comments

Okay, the picture on this blog... the one you see at the top right corner... can you tell what it is?? Obviously some eyeballs... Give up? Okay... I'll tell you since I know you're all dying to know...

For Mother's Day this past May, Rob got me this awesome camera! It's an Olympus Stylus and is super tough... it even works under water! Rob and I were swimming several times this summer (thanks to the Prevost's!) and decided to try out the camera. Being pregnant during this past summer of RECORD BREAKING temperatures made the pool my favorite place! Here are a couple shots we captured with the new camera... Here's the infamous picture... bubbles and all.

Ok - had to do it. Here's a pic when I'm around 33 weeks pregnant! Thanks again to the Prevost's who let me swim at their pool and spare other onlookers this sight.