Taylor Rose
9:32 AM - Posted by Erin - 0 comments
Well - it's been a year.
They were right...
Everything has changed... but it's good change.
Change I wouldn't dare change if given the choice.
Sweet Taylor Rose.

Newborn - first week at home
Short on sleep, we were clueless and on cloud nine.
Today, we're still clueless, but I'm learning to trust my instincts and go with my gut.
Perhaps I'm tuning into my mother's intuition...


3 months
I will always remember precious 3 AM feedings and how I cherished the time as I transitioned into working again. I remember gummy grins, delightful giggles and feeling so special to witness those.


6 months
A personality is emerging... goofy like her parents... nerdy like her father (& mother)... active and adventurous like her family... joyful and thoughtful like herself.


9 months
More personality!
She's actually pretty funny. She's been known to fake coughs and make herself toot for attention. She giggles afterward watching us laugh (while trying NOT to laugh, of course).
Who taught her that??

She LOVES books... of any kind. Even Rob's scientific books of fish and reptiles. Pat the Bunny, Rainbow Fish to the Rescue, Where the Wild Things Are... and any other book we put in front of her.

12 months

She's also so sweet and affectionate. She'll cuddle up and suck her thumb when she's sleepy and lean in to lay her little punkin head on everything she loves...her stuffed fish, Daisy, her lovey, her book, her Daddy, her Mama, her grandparents, aunts, and uncles...

She's so loving towards people where ever she goes. Waving at adults, anxious to catch the eye of another kid, and flirting with anyone.

Quick to make us smile, we throw all caution to the wind and we delight in her.

I love you Taylor Rose, with more love than I ever thought I was capable of feeling.
I thank God for you daily.
Thank you for stretching me, shaking up my world, and growing my faith.
Thank you for loving me, needing me, and and wanting me to love you.
Our world changed with you, one year ago today at 10:33 AM - and I couldn't be more blessed.
Happy Birthday, Sweet T.


Spaghetti
9:26 AM - Posted by Erin - 0 comments
Mmmmm....

More please!

All done!!


Beach
9:38 PM - Posted by Erin - 0 comments
We spent the ENTIRE week last week at the beach with my family! I'll post more pictures from that trip when I have more time, but I wanted to put a few cute ones of Taylor discovering the beach. She LOVED it... she had no fear of the waves (like I expected)... and was so excited each time we crossed the dune bridge that led to the beach.




Wish I was still there...


Colorado
8:07 PM - Posted by Erin - 3 comments
Warning:  LONG blog post ahead, proceed with caution.

Rob and I have been going to Colorado together for YEARS... In fact, the first pictures we have are prints... with negatives... that I haven't scanned into the computer yet.  I think our first year was probably 1999... 

Colorado is where we tend to reconnect with God, nature, and each other.  We find it so fulfilling that each year we try to get others to join us.  Sometimes we're successful... other times it's just us (which works out great too).  Here's a quick history (at least where my pictures start!).


In 2005 it was just us and the dogs on the trip!  I think this was the trip where we camped for several days until the dogs popped the air mattress and we headed to a motel.


In 2006, we were fortunate enough to share the experience with the Johnston's and the Gallagher's... before kids... I'd love to do the trip now, as families! What do you say guys?!?


In 2007, Rob's fam - June (Rob's mom), Chris, and Michelle (and all their dogs) joined us!  We had five dogs and five people on that trip!  This is a picture of Chris helping Michelle take a typical Colorado bath.


In May of 2008, My siblings, Julie and John, joined us.
It's always something new in CO.  Snow!


In 2009, I was eight months pregnant.  So, Rob made it a guys trip.  And in case you're wondering, they're doing the Captain Morgan's pose on the side of a mountain.  Boys being boys.

This year... 2010... we were back.  In addition to Taylor, Rob, me, and the dogs - Julie, Jason (her new hubby) and June joined us!  

Rob drove up with everyone and EVERYTHING, and when he had camp set up and a couple CO days under his belt, Taylor and I flew up to meet him.  She did GREAT on the plane, by the way, charming everyone in the airport and sleeping/playing on the plane.  Surprised the heck out of me!

I feel like there's so much to tell... so I'll just hit the highlights... 

Taylor loves dirt... and running water... and cold weather... and dirt... and sticks... and sleeping in the tent... and dirt... you get the picture.


She fit right in - and even learned a few new tricks thanks to Aunt JuJuB - here's a high five!


We hiked to a couple peaks... Look at the newlyweds!  
I think we ended at an elevation around 12,500 feet and had lunch at the top.  (Although, I have to give major props to Jason and Rob who climbed to about 13,000 feet!)  
Rob's TOTALLY in his element in CO.  


Yes, I'm striking a pose on the top of a mountain.  It's kind of hard to tell scale here, but see those peaks behind me?!  Imagine I'm standing on top of one of them.  Yeah... now you see it!  Pretty intense!


Here is sweet June with our pups.  We all wore jackets - even the dogs.  It got down to the low 40's at night... probably mid 70's during the day.  Perfect!!
And June took care of Taylor at the campsite so we could hike!


The flower's were in bloom... doesn't it look like these daisy's are praising God?!   It's as if they can't help but reach up as high as they can with their faces turned to God, arms wide open!  I love it.  

These flowers remind me of Rob and me... wish we were still there.  See the resemblance?! 
If you're interested in joining us next time, just let us know! 
We'd be happy to show you the way to our favorite campsite, cook some dutch oven favorites for you, and discuss the meaning of life while the campfire burns down to ashes and the moonlight guides you to your tent!