Plugging along

I'll be honest, I've tried to write a new post quite a few times & struggled to get through it. A few days after my last post about sweet Ruby Jane she returned home to her Heavenly Father. She was brave & strong & held on as long as she could, but her time had come & her parents knew it was time for her to go home. I'm still fighting back tears as I write this . . . which is why I've put it off for so long. Let me just say what I've learned through seeing this family go through this experience. I was taking my kids & the time I get to spend with them for granted. Life is precious & you never know what's around the next turn. Time goes by so quickly & I'm trying to think more about how I spend it & what kind of memories I want to have of this period of life. Will it be a flurry of tending to little kids wants & needs or will I remember frequent moments I stopped doing what I thought "needed" to be done & just slowed down with my kids? I'm still working on this, but it is on my mind constantly & I try to do better each day. I'm also so grateful to know that I can be with my family forever after this life, but I need to do my part & live worthy of that blessing. How different a feeling the death of a loved one becomes when we know that instead of being goodbye forever, it's simply a separation of time & we can be with them again. This doesn't take away the hurt, grief, & sadness we feel as we long for & miss our loved ones, but what a comfort to know that we will be reunited again after this life! I have been forever changed by this experience & little Ruby's influence is felt on in many hearts, but definitely in my family's. I was able to attend the celebration service they held for Ruby & was amazed by the experience. While we went intending to offer support & love, it was us who received the comfort, strength & support. I have never been more impressed by a family in their time of loss, it was something I will never forget. I hope you will continue to pray with me for this family, that their hearts will be comforted & they will feel of our love & support.

Now I'll share a few fun things going on around our house lately. Troy started a Tiny Tots preschool program & has LOVED it! I knew he would, I was the one hesitating letting go of my first born, but he's doing great. He was a little hesitant the very first day (which I was totally fine with), but has made friends, likes his teachers & looks forward to it. And since it's only 6 hours a week I'm doing ok too, haha!

Miss Lexie turned a year and a 1/2 and got to start going to nursery at church. Again I was a little nervous to let her take a "big girl"step, not knowing how she'd do, but our little independent love was totally fine. We walked her in, she went straight to the toys & never looked back! As a matter of fact her second week there she didn't even want to leave when it was over. She is too funny! Ever since she started walking months ago her personality has emerged & there's been no turning back. She lets you know what she wants (often involving food), & loves being with her big brother all the time. She runs with this bounce in her step that's hilarious, which makes her look like she's going much faster than she is & has been repeating tons of words lately, it's only a matter of time, yikes! She's definitely in the exploring stage, where she finds things around the house that aren't exactly my favorite "play things" & she likes to show she's in charge & makes you work to have her come when you call her. But she's still our sweet cuddle bug & after she wakes up will completely relax & cuddle with you for quite some time, so we love that!

Lastly we're excited to welcome baby #3 to our family this coming April 4th. I'm grateful for the blessing of another child & hopeful that now at 12 weeks I can start feeling better & be back to more like myself soon, (like today maybe :>)! I'm also grateful for patient kids who play really well together, while mommy hasn't been at her best, & a supportive husband & family who has stepped it up & helped me tons during the "fun" 1st trimester.

Prayers for Ruby

I've been very touched by the story of a little baby girl named Ruby & the journey of her & her family. She is a good friend of mines niece and is in desperate need of a liver transplant. Their faith and hope through the great pain and suffering of their child is truly inspirational. Theirs is a journey no family should have to go through and yet they've stood tall & let us peek into their world, see the ups and downs and be reminded yet again that the Savior is there with us each scary step ahead.

I hope you'll pray with me, for sweet Ruby Jane & the miracle she needs. Now is the time for her!

Her amazing moms blog is

http://aniandmatttaylor.blogspot.com/

where she's been telling us their story.

They've also asked each of us to learn about organ donation and sign up today, no more myths just facts.

http://donatelife.net/

Finally I end with her post dated August 1st titled "PERSPECTIVE". All mothers, or really just about everyone, should read this.

The old me thought I was tired and stressed out. The old me was unsatisfied with my clothes, my weight, and my ugly carpet. The old me dreaded hearing the babies cry over the monitor, too early in the morning. The old me was bored watching cartoons, and folding laundry. The old me hated making breakfast, and pour endless sippy's full of milk every day. The old me dreaded running errands with two kids to get in and out of car seats and into shopping carts. The old me did not think it was a big deal to spend a Saturday at the beach, or paddle boating around the lake. The old me was tired and grump from walking up the hill to our house from the lake. The old couldn't wait until nap time, when I could have some time to myself. The old me hated doing dishes, and checking the mail. The old me rushed bedtime and skipped pages in bedtime stories. The old me sang lullaby's quickly, and was relucted to sing, "just one more."

What was the old me thinking?!
My heart is literally aching right now to have my old life back, but with my new perspective. What I would give to have my whole family home on a rainy Sunday morning, making breakfast, and delivering chocolate milk on a fancy platter to my little Kate. I want to forget about the dirty dishes, and get down on the floor with my girls and play, play, and play. I would be thankful for that cheap carpet, because it beats none at all. I dream of the day that I get to wake up in my bed, and hear BOTH girls waking me up early in the morning. I will make them whatever they want for breakfast, and turn the music up loud and dance while I make their pancakes (because I know that is what Kate will want.) I will get them dressed and spend time gently combing and doing their hair, and breathing them in. I won't rush them. What is the rush about anyway? I'll load them in their carseats, and give them kisses while I buckled them in. I'll be happy listening to Disney songs as we drive to Target, or McDonald's, or the park. I'll chase them, and tickle them, and push them on the swings. We will spend our evenings playing outside, and cooking dinner together in the kitchen. Bath time will be long and drawn out, just like it should be. Bedtime will have lots of cuddling, and a few bedtime stories read slowly while doing the appropriate voices for Papa Bear, Mama Bear, Baby Bear, and Goldilocks. Matt and I will fall into bed exhausted together, and thank Heavenly Father for this new perspective on life and what is truly important and ask that we might be able to always remember.

http://aniandmatttaylor.blogspot.com/2011/08/perpective.html

Overdue is an understatement!

So I'm sure you've been there, you keep meaning to post about life & updates, then time passes. You now how more to blog about, plus what you haven't yet, then more time passes. As the pattern continues the list of "make-up" posts get longer & more outdated, you feel overwhelmed & a little guilty that you haven't done it . . . then more time passes.

So here we are, yes we are alive, yes we are having a good time of life, yes kids are growing too fast before our eyes & yes I am trying once again to get on this blog/journal bandwagon & be more regular about updating, because it is pretty fun to look back on & remember not only the pictures, but what we were thinking at the time.

So in an attempt at a "mini" re-cap here's the past few months, bear with me!

Valentines day picture

How they really felt about the photo-op

Me & my baby girl on her 1st birthday! We celebrated the

weekend before since we were out of town on the actual day.

My attempt at being "cutesy" for her party. Made the cupcake toppers

out of candy melts, saw the idea on one of the many blog sites I love

to stalk for ideas, haha.

Little Lexie's flower birthday cake.

Her first bites, really probably the first main experience with sugar.

It's been downhill since :)

"Why all the pictures mom?"

Not sure why we love to do this on 1st birthdays, but a fun tradition none the less.

New little nephew born, Tanner John, what a sweetie!

Had a girls weekend in good 'ol Socal with BYU Freshman gals.

We won't talk about how long ago that was (haha). Here we are

with tons of items from the "Friends" TV show set at the Warner

Bros studio. We got hooked up with quite the back stage tour,

we felt like celebrities. Then enjoyed spending time together

reminiscing & catching up the rest of the weekend, with no schedule!

Now I realize I'm posting about events in February & March,

like I said bear with me, more to follow!

3 years & 10 months

Well we've had a busy holiday season as have most of you I imagine, so in an attempt to get documented the latest happenings I'll start with the most notable. The kids growing of course! What can I say but I love these kids & they obviously are pretty fond of each other.

I love her look up at big brother Troy!

Smiles facing forward, sis is still working on her balance, but growing so fast!

Our handsome son turned 3 right before Christmas. I'll admit that in an attempt to make his birthday special, some of the Christmas festivities on the "list" just didn't happen this year. But he'd been excited about his birthday for a good while & it didn't disappoint.

Some of the silly smiles he's come up with lately when we say "cheese".

His new bike, now that he's a big boy!

A funny moment caught on film. Daddy trying to show Troy "how to" ride his bike & Troy not exactly into sharing quite yet on his bikes first voyage out when the rain had ceased for a bit.

Troy is at such a fun age. He's a great helper, though he's starting to get a bit too smart for some of my mommy tactics to allow choices, but still get the result intended. He loves to sing & learn new primary songs, if you see us in the car that's likely what we're doing. He has done great starting primary & even got potty trained with very little "drama" before his birthday.

So proud of our big boy!

Little sis is still smiley as ever. She's much more interactive & gets to where she's going though not because she's crawling, little stinker. She's definitely on her own time schedule, haha! She does great scooting around & gets there, just not as quickly.

Here she is "standing" ok leaning. She babbles lots & is excited about eating, especially munching with her gums- since teeth haven't appeared quite yet either.

Smiles with daddy, priceless!

(Love the nose scrunching!)

Our little angel Christmas morning.

Lexie is our laid back gal! Her personality is fitting with her milestone firsts coming a bit later than Troy, she's just cool with hanging. Plus she's got plenty of entertainment from her brother running around. She just recently is starting to sit up on her own from laying down, she's just on her back smiling up when I come to get her from bed. We still have the crib at the highest notch, since we don't have to worry about her doing much more than rolling around still. She's again just chill when you're holding her, so don't expect her to help much, she settles in & lets you do all the work, (you'd think my muscles would be much bigger)! She has stayed around the 95% for weight & 40% for height on her last 3 appointments- 4, 6 & 9 months. We've loved having our happy girl a part of our family & can't wait to see her continue to grow!

Quick photo shoot

Random fun photo shoot on a Friday morning! It's amazing the times they choose to be cooperative & others not so much. Gotta love the November attire, so hot we're still busting out the summer clothes!!

Love these kids.

My big eight month blue eyed girl!

Halloween 2010- "SUPER" family

Yes we had a superman theme . . . Mark was thrilled . . . he found out the morning of the party :) I figured I'd better take advantage & coordinate while Troy still didn't have a strong opinion about what costume he wanted, it was simple yet fun!

Friday evening we headed to the ward party at the church.

The SUPERMEN, so handsome!!

The SUPERGALS!

Troy with his cousin Dylan

Lexie with her cousin Reese

Don't they just look thrilled on their first Halloween!!

It was hard to contain their excitement at the party, haha!

Troy on the other hand had a blast!

Here he is on the cake walk (don't ask me where the tongue came from, that's a first).

He played tons of games, ran around with his cousin & friends, & got loads of candy.

What more could he ask for?!!

The next night we headed out to the Ulrich cousins ward party.

2nd night in a row making it double the fun & double the number of cousins!

Troy with Buzz & Woody (aka Carter & Logan)

The whole gang, do you see a theme?

Jessie with her strawberry sis, Superkids, Buzz times 2, Rex & Woody!

Lexie's other cousin close in age, Khloe

(4 months youger & yes practically an identical twin of her mom)

Lexie at 7 months (oops 7 1/2 almost 8)

Happy girl in her favorite sitting position!

Swimming in the September heat wave.

Enjoying a plum with grandpa.

Not as exciting rice cereal, but digging it a lot more these days.

If that's not comfortable sleeping I don't know what is!!

So my darling 2nd child is finally getting a post of her own. Sadly meant too at 6 months, started it at 7 & here we are almost to 8 months, gotta love life! She is still as sweet as ever! She is very content & chill, sits up great, but hasn't been too concerned to get anywhere other than what's within her "reach zone". She has a happy, huge smile that you're sure to see if you're around her for a few minutes, especially after a meal. She takes regular naps, though lately not very long ones, 1-2 hours or so. Ok I was probably spoiled by her brother & his mega naps, but still a mom can dream :) She gets to sleep well, wakes up once or twice a night, with an occasional through the night rest, but her contentment is the same either way. We like to say she is the perfect 2nd child, getting ample attention, but not expecting to be held all the time- thank you Lexie! She's held onto her blue eyes so far, I'm still waiting to see what will happen there. She likes to blow bubbles to communicate with us, mixing it up with occasional babble sounds. Then we all chime in to get her to say "mama" or "dada" & yes even "Troy, Troy" or "Troy boy". She has definitely grown quicker than Troy did, at her 4 & 6 month appointments she was in the 40% for height & 97% for weight, haha. At 6 months she weighed more than Troy did at a year, so we are loving our chunky rolls & adjusting too growing out of clothes much faster!! We are so happy to have this lovely girl in our family, she is such a joy & can't wait to continue to see all of her firsts in life!

This Magic Moment

Tonight the kids were in bed, but not quite asleep. Lexie started fussing a bit & Troy (who has been very good about being quiet during bed/nap time while sharing their room) started making some noise. We turned up the monitor to figure out what was going on to hear Troy singing, Old McDonald then I Love to See the Temple, to his sister . . . to help her calm down . . . which she does & they both fall asleep. It's nights like these you count your blessings, are grateful for the small things as a parent & can breathe a sigh that maybe you did something right today!

Summer wedding!

My handsome brother David & his stunning wife Tessa!

Welcome to the family!

Our happy family at the LA Temple.

(gotta love Troy's "smiley" face right now)

Dad & daughter, our little sunflower!

The men in my life!

The gals!

Cute cousins waiting for the couple to come out.

At the reception.

Tasty fingers

Mom & son, my handsome guy!

The original Ulrich sistas, don't we look related? Hmmm . . .

Some of the decor at the reception.

More decos

Yummy treats!