Happy Birthday Jeremy!

We had a relaxing day, post traveling, celebrating Jeremy's birthday!



Micah pooped down Jeremy's leg to wish him a happy birthday.  It's all he has to give.



I made chicken parm.  It was yummy!



And a brownie cake with cream cheese frosting on the side.  I actually put 32 candles on the cake.



It was quite the fire show.  Jackson was excited because I let him light them.






Here he is with his birthday present, in non-Christmas paper.  It's a big deal to have non-Christmas paper when your birthday is in December.  I get it and expect the same for Atticus. :)



Here are 32 reasons we think Jeremy is awesome for his 32nd birthday!


Jackson:

1. He's fun
2. He likes to wrestle
3. He plays Pokemon cards with me.
4. He plays beyblades with me.
5. He teaches me how to put things together.

Providence:

6. He gives me kisses.
7. He takes me on bike rides.

Fynn:

8. He likes to wrestle with me!
9. He likes to fight!
10. He throws me up high!
11. He spins me around!
12. He takes me to Sonic to get drinks.
13. He takes me to McDonald's to get happy meals.

Atticus:

14. Go see airplanes.
15. Go see 5 big airplanes
16. Tap frog on daddy ipad
17. Watch Wonder pets.

Micah:

18. He didn't get mad when I pooped on his leg.
19. He delivered me.
20. He lets me sleep on his chest.

Mom:

21.  He forgives me for leaving the cabinets open.
22.  He is a great labor support person.
23.  We laugh our way through Modern Family together.
24.  He knows I can't watch scary movies and doesn't care.
25.  He loves playing with his kids.
26.  He doesn't care if the home isn't in order when he gets home from work.
27.  We have survived driving to both sides of the country and look forward to more family road trips together!
28.  He makes me laugh.
29.  He is slow to anger.
30.  He will watch The Twilight Saga with me and not complain.
31.  He works hard for our family (including sliding into the Guadalupe River tomorrow for a charity event).
32.  He is a wonderful partner to journey through life with!   

95 Months

Jackson turns 8 in one month.  Hmm...8 is big kid territory and a few short years away from puberty and underarm hair.  YIKES!  One of the things I love (and admittedly hate) about this age is that Jackson can verbally spar with us.  He can keep up with the wave of witty (or sarcastic) comments that sometimes come out of my mouth.  He also likes to be snooty when you are not super precise.  "But, mom, you didn't say...." Well, yes, but you know exactly what I was asking.



And isn't he turning into one handsome fellow?  He is so crazy tall.  He is going to pass me up before I know it.   I know I put way too much pressure on him, as my oldest.  I expect a lot from him in the help department.  He usually likes to help and has such a nurturing spirit.  He is going to be an amazing dad (although he says he is never getting married or having kids).



He has a very sticky memory.  He knows how to read.  His math skills are very good.  He can generally pick things up with very little instruction.  I love working with him in the education department.  He is usually always willing (except with writing).  I think, for the most part, he likes being home. 



My firstborn, yet again we are entering new territory with you.  Please be patient with us and we try to figure this new phase out!

Merry Christmas (and a rambling about shepherds)

I love the advent wreath.  We may have done all 5 candles tonight, but, we did them.


One of my favorite aspects of the wreath is the pink candle.   It's the candle of joy or the shepherd's candle.


 The shepherds had a dirty and stinky job.  They were snubbed by society.  The lived on the edge.  I often wonder if they questioned what their place or role was.  It was such an important job, tending sheep.  People relied on the sheep for food and clothing.  But, the shepherds, were not valued. 


But, despite what society thought of them, God chose to show His glory to them.  They were the first to witness the new King.  The lowly, the unimportant, the outcasts.  God didn't see them that way, though. 


It's a reminder that God is here for everyone.  He came for the sick and the hurting.   He came for the rich and the poor.  He came for those who were watching in the hills.  He loves everyone, and was willing to go to amazing lengths the heal the rift that had been created. 


Merry Christmas from the Taylors.


 

Christmasy Happenings

Here is a few of our Christmas happenings on Christmas Eve:


We went ice skating with girl scouts.  Actually, Jackson and Providence skated and I watched.  I don't ice skate, but lets blame my lack of grace on the ice on Micah.









Always just like big brother.



We also had Jeremy's Christmas party.  This year lacked a candy buffet and the dance floor was tiny, so the kids were bummed.  It was at a very nice place, though!

 



This is Atticus' face when the real train came by. 



And all the kids watching the train.



We actually got the tree up right after Micah's birth.  It's a good thing Jackson and Providence can hang ornaments.  And, I am not OCD about position.  Talk to me about stringing lights, though, and that's a whole 'nother ball game.





 

And we decorated a Christmas cookie tree that Emmy sent.

 

1 month!

Where has the time gone?  Yikes, one month has flown by!



At one month Micah is huge.  He is mostly 3-6 month clothing.  At 3 weeks he was 9.14, so I am guessing he is over 10 pounds now. 



We have even gotten a few sweet grins out of you!  It reminds me that there is a little personality about to blossom!  I can't wait to see what you are going to be like.





He's a strong little boy!  He likes to hold his head up and look around.  We will see how that unfolds.
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 He sleeps like he's supposed to.  He usually wakes up once or twice at night.  He is currently on his second cold, courtesy of big brothers and a sister.



Love you lots Micah! 


And here are our other one month olds.  I don't know who he looks like.  I will let you know around 2.  I have learned that newborns give way to very different looking toddlers. 





(Top left: Atticus, top right: Jackson, bottom left: Providence, bottom right: Fynn)

Smiles

Micah woke up at 5 today. Luckily, he greeted me with some real grins! Love this milestone!

Party Time!

Atticus birthday weekend was filled with fun!  We started with a celebration with GD, Ma, Brandon and Nanny. 






Hard at work opening packaging.



Wal-Mart had slim pickings for available birthday looking cakes/cupcakes.  It was a Christmas tree or princesses.  I did stick his favorite Wonder Pet, Ming Ming, on the cake.   I don't know what the face is for.





Blowing out candles is hard work!



On Saturday we headed to the airport.  The Fredricksburg airport is awesome, because you can walk on the runway and watch the planes take off and land.  You could walk right up to the planes.  You can also eat at the cute little diner.  The pictures are in the post below.


On Sunday we had his birthday cake and Jeremy put together his new car from Popi.  Putting the car together was hard work, especially with lots of little helpers.

 

 



The one in which he spits all over the cake.

 

And a little help from big bro.



Atticus decided plates are for the weak and ate out of the pan.  It is his birthday, after all.