July 4th Colorado Style

We spent the fourth of July in Colorado and it was really fun! The town put on a lot of games that people could compete in for prizes and of course we tried most of them along with my brother Michael and his wife April, my brother Mark, my sister Brooke and my cousin's wife Nikki while my parents watched us and the kids play in the sand castle building area. So let's see we participated in the bathtub derby where Ben and I teamed up to push a bathtub filled with water and a girl about 50 yards which we did pretty well for time but didn't place. We then did the tricycle race which was awesome! We had to wear a life jacket in case you went off the sidewalk into the river on a sharp turn and a helmet. I raced my brother Mark and smoked him right at the start, Ben raced someone in the community and beat her, Michael and April raced and he pulled it out in the end, and Brooke raced Nikki and won. Everyone looked hilarious on those trikes and everyone got a t-shirt that said all we got was the lousy shirt with a picture of a trike on it. Next we did the creeper race where Ben and I raced for time. I sat on the creeper and had to put on a bandanna, hat and gloves before Ben could push me down and around a cone and back. I'm not going to lie it was a little scary going that fast with Ben pushing me on a mechanic's scooter on asphalt but fun too! The girl's signed up to do a tug of war but it wasn't even organized chaos so we did it once and left-too many kids just jumping in and doing it. We also did an egg toss which Ben and I were the 4th place team-not too shabby! The last race we did was the carry your own wife race. Ben gave me a piggy back and ran down to a hospital bed and pushed me back--he almost tripped and I was about to jump off (we had already seen several guys trip or drop their wives) but he caught himself and pulled me on tighter and we didn't biff it--we could have learned some more tricks to the race had we been near the end instead of the beginning but oh well. My sister got to go on a free helicopter ride which the rest of would have had to pay but she knew someone. We also saw some crazy boys doing motocross jumping for show--they must be fearless. The last and most participated event was the big 5,000 ping pong ball drop. The helicopter dropped all the balls that had numbers on them into the crowd and it was a free for all. We then had to stand in an unbelievably long line (2 1/2 hours) to redeem our balls for coupons and prizes to merchants around town. We got 17 balls altogether and really there were only a few that were worthwhile but good memories. Of course we topped of the day with a great fireworks show with the family! I'm so happy we live in a free country! Of course this is the day everyone celebrates my brother Benjamin's birthday too.

Two Years Old

Lincoln had his birthday on May 21. I really can't believe Lincoln is 2--it just seems like he was born, of course he wasn't that was Preston 6 months ago!! (Where does time go?) Lincoln is changing so fast! He's such a cute little boy and growing up so fast. He copies Natalie all the time--he watches her for cues as to how to react--pretty funny, usually, he even talks about going potty on the toilet and sits on it (hopefully he'll learn soon). He is talking more and more, loves to call Grandpa, sleeps in a big boy bed, loves trains, cars and airplanes and bugs, runs and jumps all the time, loves books and playing with Natalie and Preston. He is our passionate child when it comes to his opinions, meaning he does have some intense temper tantrums, but he is so loving always giving hugs and kisses, especially to Preston. He loves nursery, helping clean, especially when he spills something, and being with Dad. He can make Preston laugh without doing anything except give him kisses--too cute. Which reminds me he is a big tease (wonder where he gets that, Ben?)--he's famous for coming to give you a nice gentle kiss on the cheek and giving a blow kiss and laughing or grabbing something of Natalie's and running away while laughing as she chases after screaming or the all boy approach of grabbing her and tackling her and wrestling her; he does have some good moves that have Ben and I looking at each other surprised--we may have a future state champ wrestler on our hands (look out Mark and Benj--maybe we'll have you give him some tips!).

So his birthday was fun--we don't do parties for our kids as of yet--maybe when they're older. We do a small family celebration. I made him an awesome train cake that he absolutely loved!! Natalie helped by watching me decorate it during his nap and when he woke up he was so excited saying, "choo choo" and trying to touch it and then going to the silverware drawer and getting a spoon because he wanted to eat it.
He wasn't happy when I told him we had to wait for Dad and promptly put it in the pantry (which has a door knob lock) so he couldn't get to it.
We had some pizza for dinner and then sang to Lincoln and he blew out the candles in one try (awesome!) and then opened presents, Natalie was his assistant and was so excited to open the presents (she even knew what it was because we bought it together on our girl's night out when Ben took Lincoln to the Fathers and Sons camp out which they didn't actually find and came home but that's another story.
He got a wooden train set from IKEA, which he totally loves (as do Natalie and Preston, oh yeah, I think it's pretty fun myself as I'm the one who sets it up)!!!














He also got Thomas the Train underwear and a Thomas movie--which he loves. A success for gifts. He looks too cute in his big boy choo choo undies--hope he gets to wear them all day soon!

We love you Lincoln Benjamin!!

Lessons I Learned as a Boy

I remember my mom telling a story like this in family home evening and also in sharing time in primary when she was in the primary presidency (possibly the very same one) when I was younger and I've never forgotten it. Hearing it from President Hinckley and watching it enacted touched me again and thought it was worth sharing. There are so many little things we can do to bless others, even those we do not know. It seems like it is so much easier to tease and be hurtful, especially through sarcasm, but it is just as easy to be loving and kind and lift someone up--we never know what someone's circumstances are or what they are feeling inside--so many times we do not see the true feelings of someone (even if they seem to laugh it off and take it in stride they may truly be hurt inside). We should take a few moments of thought before we speak or act. Let's try to uplift everyone we come in contact with and be Christlike in our words and actions.

Early Signs of Autism

April is Autism Awareness Month and I'm posting this because I have a great friend, Melanie, who has an autistic son and she cares enough to inform other parents of the early signs.

Watch for the Red Flags of Autism

(The following red flags may indicate a child is at risk for atypical development, and is in need of an immediate evaluation.)

In clinical terms, there are a few “absolute indicators,” often referred to as “red flags,” that indicate that a child should be evaluated. For a parent, these are the “red flags” that your child should be screened to ensure that he/she is on the right developmental path. If your baby shows any of these signs, please ask your pediatrician or family practitioner for an immediate evaluation:



•No big smiles or other warm, joyful expressions by six months or thereafter
•No back-and-forth sharing of sounds, smiles, or other facial expressions by nine months or thereafter
•No babbling by 12 months
•No back-and-forth gestures, such as pointing, showing, reaching, or waving by 12 months
•No words by 16 months
•No two-word meaningful phrases (without imitating or repeating) by 24 months
•Any loss of speech or babbling or social skills at any age
*This information has been provided by First Signs, Inc. ©2001-2005. Reprinted with permission. For more information about recognizing the early signs of developmental and behavioral disorders, please visit http://www.firstsigns.org or the Centers for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov/actearly.

Create

I just love this!! I've watched it over and over, not to mention it was my favorite talk in the General Relief Society Meeting in September 2008.

Preston Michael Taylor

We were blessed with an early addition (4 weeks rather than the usual 3 weeks early) to our family on November 22, 2008 at 7:26 pm. Preston weighed 5 pounds 5 ounces and measured 18 1/2 inches long. He has dark brown wavy hair and dark eyes. He has long fingers and toes just like Ben and his siblings, and just like Natalie and Lincoln did he has skin rolls instead of chub rolls. He is so quiet and calm, he barely cries and when he does it's not too loud. He really reminds me of Natalie when she was a baby--quiet and easy going. He has a mixture of both Natalie and Lincoln in his face, so it will be fun to see what he looks like as he grows. He was totally healthy when he was born and went home on time with me. He does have a bit of reflux right now that he takes Zantac for, but he is so calm you would never know it was bothersome besides it gives him a little cough and stuffy nose at times.

As for the story I had gone to the doctor the Wed. before he was born and my blood pressure was up (no surprise this happens at the end of every pregnancy) and he adjusted my medication and wanted me to come back on Sat. for a blood pressure check. In between appointments I started having contractions on Thurs. which weren't that big of a deal just a little uncomfortable at times and not very regular. But my worst fear was that I would go into labor while Ben was at work in DC with no fast way home (he rides the train). Friday the contractions were more uncomfortable and that night pretty constant and close but nothing to get me to start timing them (I've never actually gone into labor on my own--I've always been induced); however, I didn't sleep great those 2 nights.
Anyway, Friday night I pack my bag for the hospital and Ben thinks I'm being a little hasty because things will be fine. (I knew we would be having a baby on Sat.) So on Sat. morning I don't feel great but I get on with the usual family life and have breakfast and shower and I even cut Ben and Lincoln's hair before my appointment. When I went to the doctor I was sitting there waiting and having contractions about every 2 minutes or so as I looked at the clock.
When the nurse took my blood pressure it was high of course and when the doctor checked me I was dilated to a 3 and 80% effaced and he sent me over to the hospital to deliver (he would be coming over shortly). So Ben forgot his cell phone and we couldn't call the Beatty's who we had previously talked to about either watching our kids that day while I delivered or coming over to our new house to play games, so we had to drive over and hope they were home.
Luckily we caught Troy right before he left and he graciously took Natalie and Lincoln and helped Ben give me a blessing before we went to the hospital. When I got to the hospital around 1:00 they gave me an IV and then I got to lay there for 2 hours waiting for the doctor and things to progress. The nurses told me I was having regular contractions on my own about every 1 1/2 to 2 minutes--more regular than any other patient in the hospital (basically I was already in labor so I probably would have been in the hospital soon anyway).
Finally they gave me an epidural, which they hoped would lower my blood pressure and thankfully it did so I didn't have to have magnesium (used to prevent seizures with high blood pressure--had it with Natalie don't recommend it to anyone and I begged not to have it with Lincoln and Preston and lucked out--the nurses told me it feels like the flu with a hangover--never had a hangover, but if that's what it's like I don't know why anyone would drink.
They started me on a little pitocin and then about 3o minutes later the doctor came in and broke my water and they turned off the pitocin because they didn't want to stress the baby out--my body was doing fine without it. So then we just had to wait until I dilated to a 10. Around 7 or a little after I was feeling pressure and not quite a 10 yet and they were thinking they might have to give me something to decrease my contractions because every time his head dropped down his heart rate
decreased so they didn't want him under stress for too long. Fortunately a few minutes later I was fully dilated and the doctor said I would have to hurry and push him out or he would have to help with his tools. Preston's head was turned the wrong way on the first push but then he flipped around himself and he was out on the next push. Too bad I had to sit around for 2 hours in the beginning because otherwise he would have been born in 5 hours like my other two instead of 7. Oh well, at least he was healthy. He has been such a joy to have in the family--he is our calm in the midst of a storm, and Natalie and Lincoln absolutely adore him.

Natalie holding Preston.

Natalie and Lincoln holding Preston.


Lincoln giving Preston a kiss.

Our family.

The Taylor boys.

Our (Soon to Be) New House

Ben has been bugging me to update our blog for a couple months now, but I just haven't gotten around to it. What might I be filling my time with, you might ask. Well, when we first got home from vacation this summer I was talking to lenders and looking at houses to buy with our realtor, now it's packing the house, taking care of the kids and being 31 weeks (7 almost 8 months) pregnant, and trying to keep up with a few other things on my plate when I'm not too tired.
So we found a house to buy about 20-25 miles south of where we currently live. It's gorgeous and in excellent condition (it was built in 2007). We had gone out to this area to look at a couple houses again and to show Ben one I had seen the previous day and our realtor said she had one more to look at when we were done with those three. When we walked in it was so clean and white and the entire house was wired for surround sound (Ben was in love) and it had a central vacuum and we really we just loved it. It had only been on the market as a foreclosure for a couple days and with it's amazing condition (and believe me I walked in enough houses, especially foreclosures that were not so great; our inspector was even amazed at the condition) and all 3 levels finished with a total of about 4500 square feet sitting on about .27 of an acre in a great neighborhood our realtor did not see it being on the market for long and thought we had better put in the first offer soon. We were so excited as we walked through the house again without the realtor (she had to leave) and then as we went out to pick peaches with the kids at an orchard and then drove home we decided what to offer and thought about what it would be like to live there with so much space and newness, but we really didn't think we would get it because it was a little higher than our price range and it just seemed too good to be true. So we put in our offer that Saturday evening on Labor day weekend and we countered a couple times through the week and then finally we came to an agreement on price and closing costs. Yeah!! We couldn't believe it!! Anyway, we are excited to be able to not be renting anymore come November 6 when we close and we can paint to our hearts' content (who knows how much we will be able to paint before our newest baby boy joins the family in late Nov. or early Dec.). We have been left with a clean palette and we are excited to add color (hopefully only to the walls and not the white carpets). We do know that going from a tiny 2 bedroom house to a huge 4 bedroom house we will have lots of empty space with no furniture to fill it, but we are excited to have the space with a baby on the way and two energetic kids who love to play. So here are some pictures I took of the house the day we walked through the first time.