Taryn, Tayla and Gavin: The kiddos

So Wednesday was Tayla's half birthday, yay! That's right she is officially old enough to go to nursery and I couldn't be more excited! She turned 18 months Wednesday and Gavin turned 3 months Thursday. My babies are growing up too fast! Yesterday we went to the Dr. and Tayla weighs 25 pounds 15 ounces, she is now up to the 70th percentile and Nate is so proud of her:) She is 34 1/2 inches tall meaning is is more than half of me and she is in the 95th percentile! As for Gavin, well it wasn't an appointment for him but we snuck him on the scale anyway and I was so excited that he hit 11 pounds. I was so proud of my growing boy thinking that for sure he wouldn't still be the smallest baby of all the babies born (despite the fact that he is the oldest) then I came home and looked at the growth chart; well if I fudge it a little bit I can say he is in the 5th percentile, yes that is correct, no I did not forget any numbers. *SIGH* Oh well I'm sure he'll catch up someday:)

Some things about Tayla:

Tayla as always just keeps me entertained all day. I love her to pieces. She is talking a lot,each day more and more becomes understandable, some of her everyday phrases are: "Where did it do?" "I don't know" "Hi there baby Gavin" "Oh sick!" "That's icky!" "More milk?""Come here Zeke!" "This way" and lots more. Anytime an airplane flies near our house she screams "airplane!" and signs it too. It amazes me because she usually will spot them and show me before I can even hear it. She's calls Nate "Naaay!" which he absolutely hates so I have been trying extra hard to remember to call him Dad around her. She loves to take care of Gavin and has started to get very protective of him if there are other kids around him, it's really cute:) She has gotten very good at saying and signing please when she wants something. She loves to play with balls and gets very excited when she sees one. She has recently discovered rocks and is constantly bringing me handfuls of rocks when we play outside. She loves to put on shoes and socks (of any size) and is always finding some and bringing them to me saying "shoes? socks?". She has also become my "big helper" From recent posts your all know that everything I do she wants to do so naturally she tried very hard to be Gavin and Zach's "mommy". I have gotten in the habit of trying to do most chores while she is sleeping because for example when I do laundry she has to put everything in the dryer herself; I hand it to her and then she reaches in and places it nicely in the dryer if I try to hurry it along and put some in too she will take it out and then put it back in herself. She also proudly says "bless you!" anytime someone sneezes. There is so much more I could say but I'm sure none of you care even half as much as I do. I love her tons and don't know what my life would be without her with me everyday.

A little about Gavin:

Gavin doesn't do quite so much:) He is basically sleeping through the night but I'm still hoping for a couple more hours. He's been going to bed at 7:30 and will always sleep until 5:00, we're working on making it longer and the last couple of nights he has slept until 6:30. It makes me very happy but my goal is 8:30....we'll see:) He keeps me laughing all day because I'll leave him in a room by himself and go take care of Tayla or do laundry or something in another room and I can often hear him just laughing and talking like crazy! I have no idea what he finds so funny but I love it that he does. He is such a happy content baby I am amazed every day. He's started blowing bubbles and he thinks bouncing on your knee is really funny and of course he still loves to play pat-a-cake. Bathtime is by far his favorite time of the day. I usually wait until he's starting to get cranky because he is tired hungry and ready for bed but it never fails to make him forget all that and just have fun. He goes crazy in the tub kicking and splashing and squealing with delight. Last night I decided to see how long he would play thinking for sure he would eventually stop, well after 30 mins when the water was half gone, not so warm and he was still going strong I decided it was enough! I took some videos but I'm still working out how to post the without totally screwing up my whole web design, hopefully I'll get it soon... I love him so much and love how perfectly he fits in our lives. His presence gives me daily so much hope and faith for the future. I need his sweet spirit in my life.

It's hard to remember life before I was a mom. Being a mom has totally consumed my life and changed my identity. Many look at that as a negative but I wouldn't ever have it any other way! I've never had a better, more fulfilling and satisfying job. They are my world and I would do absolutely anything for them. I remember growing up and my mom always telling me how much she loved me, she would always tell me that I have no clue how much and that I never would until I had kids of my own. I hate to say it but wow was she ever right! Now I know. I love their sweet innocent spirits. I am so proud that Heavenly Father has so much trust in me to take care of these two. I know that my Heavenly Father has an incredible amount of love for me to give me such an important job and two wonderful kids. Everytime I see them growing a little part of me is sad, time passes so quickly, but another part of me is so excited to move onto the next stage of teaching them and taking care of them, there are so many wonderful things in the world that I get to teach them and show them. I am so thankful to be a mom, I hope that I never take it for granted. It is my identity, it is who I am, it's who I want to be, and I am so proud of it!