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Sunday, January 31, 2010

Picture Disaster!

Poor Taylor - you would have thought we were torturing her today!  We went to Trenda's for Taylor's 3 month photo shoot (6littlefeet.com) and it did NOT turn out very well!  She was perfectly cute and smiley in her fuzzy white sweater and  pink ruffly pants for about 10 minutes.  Then the crying started.  We tried a diaper change and an outfit change, to her pink polka dot bodysuit and courdoury dress - that didn't work.  I think we tried for about 45 minutes before giving up.  Trenda did manage to get 97 pictures, but we'll probably end up going back for a second try.  Oh well!  Guess she can't be perfect 100% of the time!

Last night we went to Jason & Leslie's for Jason's birthday party.  And, she was a perfect angel!  Meghan and Heather could not belive how good she was.  She just sat on their laps looking cute all night - no fussing!  It was a fun night out with friends and Taylor was definitely the center of attention.

The Grammy's are on tonight.  Crock pot is full of chili.  Loaf of bread in the oven.  YUMMY!  Happy Sunday!

Friday, January 29, 2010

3 months old!

Taylor turned 3 months old yesterday!  She celebrated by hanging out with Daddy all day and Mommy took a 1/2 day.  Then, a big trip to Target!  We have been wanting to get a bookshelf for her room and saw one in their ad a few weeks ago.  So, we got it!  We also went a little crazy in the book aisle and got her 7 new books, I think.  Reading books to Taylor has quickly become one of our favorite things to do.  We try to read her a few throughout the day and one at bedtime while she is having her bottle.  Typically I feed her and Zack reads to her.  I truly cherish those special moments as a family.  It's hard to believe that just a few months ago, we might have been going out with friends at that time.  Now I can't imagine being anywhere else in the world!

Here is her 3 month elephant picture from last night!
















She also took her first nap in her crib yesterday.  She usually will just nod off in her swing or bouncy seat for naps, but we decided to try the crib.  She fussed for a few minutes, but quickly fell asleep.  Overall, it was a success!

Taylor had her first Tuesday with Grandpa this week.  It was a little hectic getting everything ready to leave the house by 7:00 am that morning, but we made it!  I was up at 5:30 am just to make it to work by 8:30!  Whew!  Taylor had a fun day with Grandpa - she pooped twice for him :)  YES!  It's so nice to know that she will be with family - either Daddy or Grandpa - and it definitely makes it a little bit easier on me.

Zack & Taylor came to visit Mommy at work today during lunchtime.  We went to Costco for a little shopping and a little lunch.  Then, we went into the office.  Everyone thought Taylor was SO cute - of course!  She got to visit with all of Mommy's work friends and then it was a short afternoon before I got to come home!  She is snoozing in the swing right now, looking so peaceful.  It's almost bath time!  Another one of my new favorite activities :)

We have Jason Towler's birthday gathering tomorrow night, where we get to debut Taylor to some of our friends, and then we have Taylor's 3 month pictures on Sunday with Ms. Trenda.  It's so nice to know a photographer!  Can't wait to get her all dolled up!

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Back To Work :(

This week marked the end of my maternity leave.  It has been a really difficult few days.  Well, actually a few weeks....seeing as I have been a wreck for about the last 3 weeks.  Tuesday night (the night before the big day back) we spent some quality family time.  It was a bath night, and we read Taylor a couple of books.  I gave her the bedtime bottle and was crying the whole time.  I didn't want to put her in her crib, even though she was asleep.  I just didn't want to let her go. 

Wednesday morning came and was just as horrible.  Taylor wasn't even awake by the time I had to leave (7 am) so I didn't even get to hold her :(  I stood at her crib, holding her hand, crying for about 5 minutes.  I finally got myself together enough to leave the house.  When I got to work, everyone was coming up to me saying "Welcome Back - how are you doing?"  Each time someone would ask me, I would well up!  It was ridiculous!  The first day seemed to go fairly quickly (given the circumstances) and as soon as I got home I grabbed Taylor and started sobbing...again!  I checked the caller ID and I only called 9 times :)  Not including the times Zack called me!  Zack has been a big help and support.  He sent me a couple of cell phone pics of what she was doing and put up with my million questions.  He told me he even called her Stinkerbug (my nickname for her) and told her which Sesame Street character was on her diaper at every diaper change (a silly thing I do).  I don't know what I would do without that man!

Days 2 & 3 were slightly easier.  It just really makes me appreciate the time I get to spend with her more.  There have been tears each day, but less and less.  I still can't help but start crying when I come home and get to hold her!  She is still a champion sleeper.  Thursday night she went to bed around 10pm and Zack called me at the office at 9:30 saying she was still sleeping!  Ugh, this is tough!

Today Taylor made the move into Size 2 diapers.  She is getting so big!  We went on an adventure to David's Bridal today to try on bridesmaid dresses with Meghan and the rest of the bridal party.  Taylor was such a hit in that store full of women :)  We went to lunch afterwards at Applebee's and she was an angel.  She did not make a peep the whole time.  I feel so blessed & lucky to have such a happy & healthy baby! 

Here's a few new pics.  Love the cheeks :)

















Monday, January 18, 2010

Big girl!

Taylor is officially able to sit in her bumbo seat now.  She loves it!  She has loved sitting up and seeing all the action for a while now, and this is the perfect way to do it!  Plus, she looks super cute in it :)  She is also really talking a lot now - she sits and babbles all the time.  We took lots of video of her this weekend!

This week marks the end of my maternity leave and the start of work again :(  I'm dreading having to be away from my little stinkerbug!  I know she'll be in good hands though.  I am just ready to have the anticipation of Wednesday over and done with!

We had a pretty low-key weekend.  Taylor and I went on our first grocery shopping trip together on Saturday.  She was pretty good - except when  I was trying to check out.  Oh well!  I'll take that!  Zack & I watched the Golden Globes last night - woohoo!  We also watched a bunch of playoff football (sans the Packers, unfortunately!).  Taylor had a bottle at 6:15 last night, which is normal.  She fell asleep around 9:30.  We woke her up at 11 to have her bedtime bottle, but she was NOT waking up!  She only took 2 ounces and then passed right out again.  She didn't wake up until 8:30 am!  It was definitely the longest she has gone without a full bottle.  We are blessed!

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Welcome!

This is my first attempt at documenting our life and creating a little bit of history for the Stephens family!  I decided to start this blog as a way to capture the everyday moments and memories of life with our new baby girl.  I think it will be a great supplement to her baby book and scrapbook!


Taylor is chilling in her swing as I type this.  She absolutely LOVES the swing and I think she would stay in it all day if we let her.  It is great for Mom & Dad as it allows us to get stuff done during the day (like brusing teeth and showering!).  


Last Monday we had Taylor's 2 month check up.  She weighed in at 12 lbs 4 ozs and measured 22.5" long.  Her weight is in the 75th percentile and 50th for height.  She received 3 shots and 1 oral vaccination.  The first shot in the right thigh just seemed to surprise her.  The 2nd & 3rd shots in the left thigh got her screaming!  Mom cried just as much :(  But, a little Tylenol and some band-aids later and she was back to her normal self.  She was a little fussier than normal that night, but no fever or major meltdowns!


Taylor is such a good sleeper!  Zack & I definitely feel blessed for that!  Last night, she went to bed around 10:15 pm and woke up this morning at 7:45 am.  I am definitely going to miss sleeping in and taking naps when I go back to work!


The countdown for back to work is T - 7 days :(  The past 11 weeks of maternity leave with my baby girl have gone by WAY too fast!  It is so amazing being here with her everyday and seeing the differences as the days go by.  I am going to miss her tremenduously when I go back to work!! 


That's all for now - onto play time :)