Alphabet Soup & Christmas Time Magic

Our home has become the spelling zone...which is sometimes comical, and sometimes tiring. Having a toddler around who listens to just about EVERY word that comes out of our mouths and then repeats just about EVERY word she hears can be dangerous! :) So we've resorted to spelling. Mostly, it's words that will create a tantrum or a "I want that" that we find ourselves spelling these days. And sentences that sound like, "It's getting close to B-E-D-T-I-M-E" take forever to get out...so we've resorted to a new form of communicating, and making up our own words. Like last night for example, it was just one of those nights where I needed some chocolate. Now if I were to voice this out loud, I would undoubtedly hear Sophia repeat, "I want some chocolate please. Chocolate please, Mommy." over and over. Yes, she uses manners, and yes she knows what chocolate is, but just because I needed to have it does not mean that she should. So...it goes something like this.. "Man, I could really go for some C-H-O-C..Oh, forget it, you know what I'm saying." And then the sneaking happens. Sneaking from a toddler? yes. Sad, but true. And we know that we've gotten into the habit of the spelling sentences when we have others spelling around us. Auntie Carly was over the other day and she was talking about going shopping recently, "So, I even checked R-O-S-S. Wait, I don't know why I just spelled that?"

And on top of the spelling of words that has letters floating around the Taylor home, we are constantly singing and playing with Sophia and trying to teach her new things. And like any toddler, we've got the ABC's...which she's not too fond of most days, (Or maybe it's my singing she's not so fond of...) and the games and books and songs that have letters in them...exposure. Everywhere! In fact, she'll sit in her crib in the morning, or bathtub at night and sing, "pqrst wxy" "pqrst wxy" "pqrst wxy sing with me" so we know she's taking some of it in.

And she amazes us every day. Every day it seems that she has something new to say, or she tries to imitate something she's seen, or she notices something new and tries her best to create a word for it. Peanut Butter right now is affectionately known as "Butterfly" in our home...So we don't think it's odd when she asks us for "butterfly and spoon please" at snack time. The only correlation we can make from that is the word "butter"..! But it's so stinking cute when she sees the PB out and asks "More butterfly please. Butterfly and jelly." :) How can she not melt your heart?

And with all of the Christmas decorations making their annual debut, Sophia's vocabulary is growing even more. It's adorable. She can tell us "Santa Claus", "Daddy did the lights on the house", "Grandpa did the lights on the house", "Snowman", Christmas Tree sounds a little funny: "Crickmac Tree" we read the story of the Christmas Angels every night and she's able to tell us who the characters are in the story; She knows Mary, Joseph, Angels and Baby Jesus, which sounds a little more like "Baby Cheezus". It's adorable. And I love that she's so into it all this year. SO different from last year.

We've started sharing so many of the Christmas traditions with her, and she's enjoying every one. As we introduce new things, we have low expectations for how it will be received by a toddler and every time, she exceeds our hopes. We think she's pretty amazing. With the never ending Christmas carols playing at home, she's picking up on songs and tells us, "Better watch out." "Santa Claus is coming town" She loves reindeer, snowmen, saying "H0-Ho-Ho" when she sees red hats and white beards, she loves the song "Jingle Bells"

And while the traditions keep happening, she keeps taking it all in. Last week we introduced her to our favorite Christmas movie, Polar Express, and she sat through the whole thing. For the first time ever, she sat on the couch and watched the whole movie. And if the ending didn't already make a certain one of us tear up a little last year...it did this year. :) I can't wait to experience all of these things with her in the many coming years. Christmas with a toddler is SO MUCH MORE magical.

We'll be sure to post pictures of the rest of Christmas and the fun events leading up to it later this week. We have a busy week ahead of us! Making cookies for Santa, finding carrots for Rudolph, going on our Christmas Lights Tour around town ( and making a special stop in Colusa to see Uncle Bill Sterk's winning house!!!), watching Polar Express one more time, and then the two big days, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day! Many, Many pictures to come!

Coming Soon

Updates on the Taylor's and our Christmas traditions coming soon!

As well as some updates on a sweet little someone we all love.
(Can you believe that next month she'll be TWO???!!!!)

Fall Happenings

Somehow, time is slipping away from us! Can you believe that there is less than 2 weeks until Thanksgiving already??! So crazy!

We have been so busy since Fall hit...though it felt like summer for so much of it, it's hard to remember all that we've been up to!

We were so lucky to visit Bishop's 2 times again this year! (and though I've already written about it, I found some more pics I wanted to share!) Sophia is so loved by both sets of her grandparents, and everyone wanted to experience her pumpkin hunting adventures. Here are some pics that I snagged off of Mae-Mae and Grandpa's camera, and I just can't stop admiring our little girl...and how she's seeming more and more not so "little" anymore

such a big girl carrying her own pumpkin!

We also took a mini-vaca down to Santa Cruz for a beautiful wedding for my cousin Dan and his (now wife!!!) Melinda! It was such a quick weekend, but it felt like a nice get-away. We went down early Saturday morning and had enough time to head down to the boardwalk for some fresh clam chowder on the pier and a stroll along the beach. The evening was beautiful. It was the perfect warm weather for the outdoor wedding in a redwood grove. So excited that we were able to spend the weekend celebrating such a fun couple! Congrats to Dan & Melinda, we love you guys! And extra special thanks to my hubby for taking care of Sophia during the ceremony...and enduring the new attitude that our toddler is taking on. (While Matthew took her out to the parking lot for a little "chat" about behavior in certain events, she looked at him and said, "Daddy...stop bugging me." I seriously couldn't believe that she had said it to him, until I heard it countless times that weekend! Oh man are we in trouble...!

Fun times at the photo-booth!

I especially like the glasses Carly is holding up for Baby Addison! :)

And then, Halloween...Our little munchkin was a dalmatian...though the whole I time I was making her costume I thought maybe she could double as a cow...add some udders???..you tell me! :)

She started off excited when I told her she could wear her "boops" She LOVES to put her boots on all by herself. So funny. But then some confusion set in. Why did she have to wear the costume? Why were we putting stuff on her face? Why did she have to eat an early dinner? Why were we driving around town in the evening visiting all the family? Why was this night different? And Why did people look different? I'm sure as she gets older she will gain some understanding and have fun with it...but in the meantime, what an odd evening for a toddler, right?!.

Pumpkin Patch, Round 2...

This fall seems to have had the Taylor Family pretty busy...Between upcoming events, and past events, I feel like October went by in a blur. But we were lucky enough to get two trips out to Bishop's Pumpkin Farm. Trip #2 to Bishop's Pumpkin Farm was with Matthew's family; Grandma Sue, Grandpa Whit and Auntie Lish (or as Sophia says now "Auntie Al"!) Since we'd just been out a few weeks prior, we were really hoping that Sophia would have some familiarity with the place, and the seriousnesss would disappear...but she does things her way. And we are quickly learning that sometimes that is the only way.

The little girl that is all smiles and funny as can be at home, is not the same girl we see in public at times. She becomes so reserved and cautious of all things, that sometimes it appears that she's not having a good time at all. This time, we experienced the same thing. Reservation around every corner. Though, both Grandpa Whit and Grandma Sue commented several times that her daddy was the same way; Cautious of all things new. Not that this is a bad thing. Infact, when she climbed up the stairs with Grandma Sue to go down the slide, I was secretly ok with her reservation to go down the slide, and took it at her own pace. It's almost that "Slow and Steady Wins the Race" kind of mentality...If she can do it on her own timing then we're good...but try and rush it, and helllllloooo meltdowns!

So here are a few pics of our day. And then the evening where she was comfortable back in her own home and loving on her daddy. I couldn't resist the mini-photoshoot that went on that evening! Her smiles and laughing just melted my heart! We just LOVE this girl very much, or as Sophia says, "Love You Much"

Sophia and her Daddy. She's slowly outgrowing the want for the stroller, and her independent side is coming out. She wants to be "walking" all the time now.

Here's that serious face I was talking about. Even when going down the slide. It kills us, because she is NEVER this serious at home. EVER.

Last year at this time...just started taking her first steps!

Oh my goodness how she's grown!!

Checking out the pumpkins carved into the train with Auntie Al and Grandma Sue

She and Grandpa were buddies this afternoon. Which I'm sure he didn't mind one bit!

Little Miss Independent all on her own...Grandpa asked her if she was going to get a pumpkin the night before we left, and she looked at him and said "Yep. Big!" I think she was really hunting for one!

And the Lego time, turned wresting match with Daddy. These are the smiles and silliness that we see at home. All the time. :)

Excuse the bad lighting...but her cheesy grins crack me up!

Sunday morning Football with Daddy. My newest favorite picture!
She's getting really good at cheering with her daddy, and puts her hands up to yell touchdown every time the crowd cheers! It's pretty funny!

So as you can see...Fall is well underway at the Taylor Home, though we are still waiting on that Fall weather to appear...send it our way anytime!

EXCITING NEWS!!! And...Pumpkin Patch With Mae Mae, Papa, Auntie Carly & Uncle

It's a Girl for Auntie Carly & Uncle Josh!!!

Yay! We are so excited for the two of them!
After 3 attempts at finding the sex, last Saturday was the big reveal! They came back from Sacramento with yummy pink cupcakes to tell us the news!

Here is Sophia enjoying the yummy pink treat with the soon-to-be Daddy & Mommy!!


And now for the Pumpkin Farm pics

Fall...I love this time of year. If only it would really feel like fall...

This weather is making me feel like it's still summer here in the valley.

Regardless of the crazy heat we're having, we had a fun Saturday out at Bishop's. Here are some pics of our day.

Beautiful Sunflowers

This face just about sums up our day...GRUMPY-GAL

Strolling through the sunflowers with Papa

Little Miss Independent wanted to walk by herself and I couldn't resist catching a glimps of those blonde locks of hair

On the Train
"Choo Choo"

Matthew being as patient as a Saint with Sophia

Picking out her own "Pun-kinc"

Finally making good on my promise for pictures

Summer is over and she finally decides to wear her sun hat...figures!

Enjoying her chair from Papa as she watches some sesame street

Cooking lessons start early...homemade pizza dough

Mac and Cheese Night
"Noodow and Chee"

Her new thing is putting on her shoes all by herself!

When did life get SO busy?!

Here are some updated pictures for you...

along with some big news in the Taylor home!!! We are going on 2 weeks of Sophia using the potty before bath time at night! 2 weeks of her initiating the big girl potty all on her own! :) I have feeling we'll be spending our Thanksgiving Break doing loads of laundry and picking out some big girl undies! Yay!

This was just after the 1st time she used the potty! There's a much cuter picture of her actually sitting on the potty with a giant grin...but for modesty's sake, we'll save that one for family eyes only! :)

The Day at the Doctor's

so...we know that family is going to be confused by this post, and maybe even hurt that they weren't told.. and we have to start by saying that we did not leave people out on purpose...we just wanted the facts before we shared everything. So we apologize in advance if feelings are hurt...we just didn't want others worrying as much as we were.

During my first week of school I experienced 3 separate situations where I was pretty certain Sophia was having a VERY mild seizure. It was the most scary thing we have experienced as parents. The very first episode was on Wednesday morning on our way out to the car. We were all packed up and ready to go. Just as most mornings, Sophia ran to the laundry room door and told me "hand" as we opened the door. I took her hand and lead her to the back door of the car. As I let go of her hand it dropped to her side and I looked at her. She had stopped walking and was staring up into the rafters in the garage. Only her eyes started to roll up to the right and quiver. Her body stayed standing, and she was unresponsive. For the longest 10 seconds of my life she did not respond to me calling her name. She did not make eye contact with me, and she did not move. When the episode was over she smiled up at me, as I asked her, "Sophia, say something." She was back to her chipper, happy old self. She sat down in her car seat and said "buckle" just as she tells me every morning. We sat in the garage talking for several minutes as I assessed her the best I could.



The next day, after school we were in our home office. I had just finished up with my first parent newsletter email for school. Sophia was roaming around the office, playing with Matthew's golf equipment and she asked for "baby" as she pointed to the computer. She LOVES to look at family pictures and name all of the people she loves. We had just finished looking at some older pictures of family (from looooong before she was born) and she was happily chatting to me. She turned around and started naming my facial features when she got still, her eyes looked up towards the right again and began to quiver. Just as it did the first time, my stomach felt like I was going to be sick. I had heard about things like this before, but didn't want to believe they were really happening to our little girl.


The third incident was the following day (3 episodes in 3 days). We were on our way to the grocery store to pick up milk and yogurt (2 things we HAVE to have in the house to have a happy girl!) when it happened again. Call me paranoid, but ever since the 1st episode I HAD to have her in my view. So even as I drove, I was watching every other second in my rear view mirror. (I know...not the best driving practice...) As we drove she was not as talkative as she normally is. She normally tells me every time she sees a bird "tweet, tweet" or a truck "twuck" or when I come to a red light, "sop" but this evening she was quiet. As I kept talking to her, I saw her head slowly fall forward, her chin to her chest. And again her eyes rolled forward and started shaking. By the time I had the car pulled over it was over. Every time, so short. But So Scary.



So, as quickly as these started, we made an appointment with our pediatrician. We saw him within the week and he agreed that they seemed like seizure activity. He assured us that they really are MUCH more common than people talk about. That their tiny little brains are on overload with all of the things they are learning, and that it is definitely something that we want to get checked further.



So this past week, we visited a neurologist in Sacramento for a consultation. The doctor we had was great. He was so good with keeping Sophia engaged throughout our entire adult conversation. He listened intently to the things we were describing. And although he agreed that they did sound like absence seizures, he mentioned that those didn't typically show up in children until the age of 3 or 4. So he did recommend getting an EEG done to see if there was any abnormal activity going on in that precious little brain of hers. So we didn't oppose. If there was any way we could get answers, and it wouldn't cause any harm to her, we were willing.

Luckily for us they were able to fit us into their schedule. In Roseville. So we made the trek back home, got Sophia some lunch and tried to put her down for a nap, knowing that the afternoon would be a long one. But, try as we did...she would not nap. Instead, she spent the hour and a half at home running around and getting her energy out. Which turns out, was a really good thing.

When we got down to Roseville, we were quickly taken care of. We were admitted and in the neurology department within 10 minutes. The EEG Technician we had was great with kids. She was so patient during the entire process of marking and placing the electrodes. The entire process took over an hour, and the whole time, she was talking to Sophia, reassuring her that she was not going to hurt her, and she even showed some of the steps to Sophia by doing them on my forehead. She was a trooper. Wrapped like a little burrito for over an hour, she cried during each new step, but was calmed by both Matthew and I. We thought ahead and had her blanket, her favorite Lala, and even a book to read to her. Thank goodness the bag of tricks worked. Once all the electrodes were on, the test began. Which was another 40 minutes. But Sophia stuck through it. She was getting restless but Matthew and I took turns talking to her, reassuring her that she was ok, that nothing was going to hurt, and that even though it was hard for her to understand, we wanted to make sure that she was healthy. Towards the end, she had about as much as she could take...she kept telling us, "all done...I'm stuck..." which was just breaking our hearts. But we stood there, praying over her and calming her for the last few minutes.

The next two days were the longest ever, as we waited to hear from the neurologist. I'll admit that I was that mom, and I called the office both days hoping to get the results. But I just had to know that we hadn't been forgotten or missed in the midst of some important medical information. And we weren't. On Wednesday, we got the most reassuring news. The doctor called and said that nothing showed up on the EEG that caused concern or looked out of the ordinary. He said it was fine. Even during the strobe effects that were done to purposefully induce seizure activity within the brain, nothing showed up! Answers to prayers. :)


We'll post updated pictures soon...we promise!

:) New Way To Stay Connected

Hi All! At the beginning of our blogging experience, we tried to set up a way for all of you to receive email notices when we had posted a new blog...

Well....That day has finally come! Thanks to Blogger, they created a new tool that does just that! All you have to do is enter your email address (to the right). All we have to do is keep blogging...

When we make a new post, you'll receive an email letting you know! :)

So, sign up! :)

Back In The Saddle Again

And....School's back in session.

I have to say that this summer was one of the best yet....Starting our summer off with the trip to Disney World, to spending all summer with our little LoveBug. I can't believe it's been over a month since we've updated the blog already! We're slacking!

So here are our Disney World pictures...from June! You would think I would have written about this at some point this summer. We both LOVE anything Disney, and we had the most AMAZING time! I was completely taken care of the whole time, thanks to my awesome hubby. The planner that I am did nothing to prepare for this trip! Believe it or not, I was busy with the end-of-school-year stuff and he took care of every detail..planning, booking, tickets, flights, reservations, all of it...I am one lucky girl for sure!

Matthew waiting for the boat to pick us up from our hotel and take us to Downtown Disney

First picture in the parks! Animal Kingdom

In front of the Tree of Life at Animal Kingdom

Matthew standing in front of Tower of Terror...no thank you...

Epcot

We met Mickey & Minnie...by mistake! We thought we were in line for a movie & it turns out we were in line for the meet & greet! Score!

And Handy Manny (Just for Sophia of course!)

Magic Kingdom
(My favorite...most Disney feel of all the parks!)

In person, this castle dwarfs the castle in Disney Land

We ended summer on a pretty busy note! After our week of camping, I think it took us two weeks to catch up on laundry! But the good news here is that Sophia is becoming quite the laundry sorter, and helper. If I give her a few wet socks, she will put them in the dryer for me, telling me "Lawnry" :) It really is adorable!

After spending the week outside (and inside the trailer covering from rain) I was going stir-crazy from the 2 weeks following camping. So, on a whim we decided to take a quick weekend trip to the San Francisco Zoo. Saturday night at church we asked Auntie Carly & Uncle Josh if they wanted to go with us. So we all packed up a picnic lunch early on the last Sunday of my vacation and off we went, with the intention of hitting the zoo in the morning and then going to Golden Gate Park for a picnic lunch. Driving into SF & over the Golden Gate was so foggy! Which was a welcome change from the 99'+ weather we'd been having.

Sophia and Matthew on the carousel

Sophia our "groundhog" exploring the tunnels

When we got to the zoo, we were shocked that it is literally ON the beach. And big! Right when we walked in we were able to watch the giraffes feeding. Sophia made it clear from the minute we were in the gate that she wanted to do some walking around. Forget the stroller. So she wandered with us for the majority of the day. Which really made it feel like she was growing up right before our eyes.

Being in the 95th percentile for height, she could be our little giraffe!

walking on the wall with Ti-Ta

Walking with Daddy

Watching the baby gorillas. "Baby"

We saw so many cool animals! It was such a fun day. In all, it took about three and a half hours to see everything...and that was with skipping the petting-zoo section this time...we were going on two hours and not a single minute of napping, so we figured we'd save that for next time when she's a little bit older...



After the zoo, we headed to Golden Gate park where we thought it would be fun to have a picnic lunch and then take some family pictures...But like most situations...our little toddler had other plans. She conked out the minute the car started moving. So lunch was quiet and peaceful, but there was no waking her for family pictures. :(

Exploring a turtle...don't worry, it's a fake one!

Carousel Ride

Watching the penguins with Daddy

Train Ride

The next few days were the last summer vacation days I had. We slept in (considering 7am is sleeping in at the Taylor home), played outside, blew more bubbles than we did all summer combined, finger painted, read books like crazy, watched every episode of Charlie and Lola that we own, danced to our Toddler Tunes CD "moo-zic"and then the best of all..

Her newest thing is cuddling with Matthew and I. And let me tell you...after months and months and months of her running around it is heaven. Seriously. She will walk up to us with her blanket and tell us, "cuddle." One piece of advice that I was given shortly after she was born was to enjoy every moment I was able to hold her. To enjoy even the late night wake-ups because there would be a day that I would miss them. And when I was waking up every 45 mins in the beginning, I'll admit, it was hard to believe that would happen. But it did. And now, I am so grateful to have this little love-bug who wants to cuddle again!

And to be honest, there is a little bit of relaxation that goes along with this cuddle time now! 10 months ago Sophia started walking...which we thought was an amazing feat for a 9 month old. As first time parents, we had NO CLUE that would mean being "on guard" from that moment on...catching tumbles in the beginning, blocking falls, detouring dangerous situations, baby gates to keep her out of the kitchen, no more emptying the dishwasher while she was awake, intercepting any dangerous item she was able to get to...all because she was mobile and could find ways to get into mischief. So now that we have a little downtime, we are soaking it up! Cuddles in bed on Saturday morning, cuddles on the couch in the evenings, all of it just amazing...

Which was just what I needed as I headed back to school.