The Caboose

This boy is the big 1 on Saturday!   Holy moly, we made it!  Made it through rsv.  Made it through sleep training.  Made it to being a big boy! I can't say that it was the easiest year of my life, but looking back it has been one of the most rewarding.  Even though Crew was a tough baby, I fell even in love with him over this last year. 

 The last month or so has been so fun with him.  He's eating good, feeling good, sleeping good, and becoming so pleasant!   He is crawling, and almost walking.   He can say mama, dada, dog, and bird (kind of:)).  He is finally starting to enjoy other people and is starting to show so much personality.  He loves to run and play chase.  Especially loves to dance.  This kid can head bang like no one's business.   It is one of my favorite things in the world.   You'll be trudging through Walmart getting groceries and you look over and there he is just rocking out in the baby seat.  

 He's definitely my biggest eater.  This kid loves his food.  Loves his sweets.  Loves his chicken, pulled pork, and anything else that you put in front of him.  He looks so similar to Milo's pictures from when he was 1.  The only difference is that Crew has a neck roll.  Milo weighed 18 pounds, and Crew weighs 22.   To be honest, I don't know how Crew isn't even fatter.   He can eat!

 He's still a mama's boy, and loves to hold my hand.   Pretty soon he won't want me to help him around, so I'm enjoying it for now.   Now that Crew can move, I swear he is one of the busiest babies I have ever seen.  He seriously never holds still.   I watch people at church, and they give their baby one book in the time that I go through every toy in the bag, stuff him with fruit snacks, use the bag as a hat, run laps around the chairs and pulls out both of my earrings and puts them in his mouth.   He is SO busy right now. 

 Crew LOVES dogs.  Loves his blanket.   Loves his brother and sister.  Steering wheels and cars.   Any kind of ball.... oh ya, and food:)

 I remember hearing the story of Sacajawea in college.   Did you know that while she lead the Lewis and Clarke expedition, she was pregnant?   She gave birth to a baby boy while on the voyage.   They say that she was such a strong force in the moral of the expedition.   Her baby boy was, "the pride and joy of the company".   I very much feel like that is what Crew is for our family.   We all baby him so much.   Even Tay just dotes and dotes on him.   We love it when he shakes his hands and smiles.   He is our baby- the pride and joy of our company.  I just love that mug!

Milo Kalai

 It must be nostalgic Tuesday or something because I'm getting all choked up looking at these photos.  This little man is about to start pre-school.  I can't believe it!  He is such a good boy.  Like I know that everyone likes their own kids, but he really is so good.  He has the most tender heart and is very emotionally aware.  

 This summer he chose to try out golf.  We were really pushing him toward soccer, but his little heart was set.  I called the golf course, and they said it was really for 6 and up, but that if I thought that he would follow directions, that he could try.   He was the cutest golfer I've ever seen.   He tried so hard, listened to his teacher, and rocked it.   His little arms are seriously just barely strong enough to swing that club around.  Chris and I were both so proud of him.   
Taya started gymnastics and was struggling.  She wanted to do it, but was unsure about going to class all by herself. . . So I sent Milo with her.  I never would have dreamed that the best thing for Milo would be to put him in a 3 year old girls gymnastics class.   Come to find out, he is awesome at listening to directions, and has the best form ever.   After 3 weeks they asked him to join their all-star team.   I thought it was hilarious.   I never really meant for him to excel at gymnastics... but whatever, he loves it and now Taya goes to class and loves it too.  I'm keeping them in the same class.  They are so cute out there doing their tricks together. 

 I would definitely describe Milo as an intellectual.  He seriously internalizes and thinks so deeply about things.   The other day he asked me who the oldest person that I know is.  I told him that his great-grandpa Charlie is 93, and that's the oldest person that I know.   He said, "wow, he's going to die."  I may have laughed out loud at this response and quickly reprimanded him with a, "but don't tell that to him."  Which was obviously followed by him asking, "why?"   I told him, "because that might make him feel sad.  If someone told you, you are going to die, would that make you happy?"  Then he says, "mom if someone told me that, I would be really happy.  I want to die because that means that I will be with Heavenly Father, and Jesus will give me all of the things that make me happy, like a cat mini-ex.   Plus when I live in heaven, then I will get to play with Logan and Austin (his friends that moved to Alabama) all the time." 

It is so nice to have him as the big brother.  He is such a good example to Taya and Crew.  He keeps everyone safe and happy.  Sometimes I think that it is a burden for him to have to be the oldest.  I know that there is a lot of expectation on him to be good and help out, but he really handles it so well.   He is such a stud.  I love it when he calls Crew, "little stinker" and gives him hugs.   Or when I catch him sneaking into Taya's room in the early morning so that they can lay in her bed and talk.   Ah man, I can't believe that he is almost 5- almost a school boy.  I honestly wish I could keep him home with me forever.   I will miss him too much while he's at school!

Taya's Tea

My beautiful Taya is officially 3! I let her choose what we did for her birthday party, and she decided that she wanted to have a fancy tea party.  I'm telling you-she is no ordinary 3 year old!  She wanted everyone to dress fancy and sip purple kool-aid.  And since Taya is queen, we all did just that.

pampered and primped with fancy sun glasses and toe painting. 

 Everyone came in costume or dressed up.  Tay was delighted.

I wish I had a better pic of her cupcakes.  They looked like high heel shoes, and they were adorable!  Thanks to aunt Chera for her help!

Taya peaked in one of the bags and caught a glimpse of this dress.  She was SO anxious to put it on, and since it was her birthday, we let her open it early and wear it for the party.  Melia and Analise gave it to her and she looked like such an angel in it.  These photos are blurry, but I don't care.  You should have seen her face when she came outside after changing into it.  She was so pleased with herself. Like seriously, she was just glowing. 

She has Chris eating out of the palm of her hand. 

I thought it was pretty awesome that she was all dressed up for the piñata. 

Then came present time.  Taya had made it very clear that she did not want any toys for her birthday.  All she wanted was clothes, shoes, and jewelry.  She said this for several weeks before the party, but I thought that once she got in the hot seat she would want dolls, barbies, etc... Nope!  But she tried on every outfit and shoe that people gave her.  She was so happy with seashell bracelets, tiaras, and sparkly red shoes.  She got spoiled rotten. 

Papa and grandma gave her this prom queen dress.  She insisted that we call her queen the rest of the night.   She would tell everyone, "Hallie is my princess, and I'm the queen." 

Um... If you can't tell, we all find so much joy in Taya.  She is a little firecracker and we are all more than a little obsessed.

 I hadn't planned on having Milo get Taya a gift, but he got it in his head that he wanted to give her a purple scooter for her birthday.  He was SO excited at the idea of it so that  they can ride together.   I couldn't tell him no-he was too adorable... So he got her a purple scooter.  He is the sweetest big brother.   I remember feeling so guilty when I was pregnant with Taya, because I knew a second child would detract from the attention that Milo gets, but honestly all of the time I think, "I don't know what Milo would do without Tay".  He just loves her, and she loves him.  He will always be her protector, and she will always be his number one fan.  She wants to be just like her big brother, and he adores her.  I love the relationship that these two have developed. 

While the other kids ran around and played crazy, Taya strutted around the backyard in her new clothes. 

Little girl in princess heaven sitting on her lute!

I honestly cannot explain the joy that Taya has brought to our family.  I can't believe that she is 3.  From the minute that she was born, she's had her own way of doing things.  I never imagined myself having a girly girl, but I wouldn't change a thing about her.  My soul absolutely finds happiness in her smile.  She gives the best hugs in the whole world, loves her spicy, and has the cutest raspy voice.  I make her promise me every night that we will always be best friends.  And honestly I pray that is the truth. No matter what, she can do no wrong in my eyes, and I'll love her forever.