Taleah is 3 months old!

Wow, another months has flown by! This month has been so fun as we watch Taleah grow and develop her personality. At week 10 she started to smile and now she smiles at everyone and everything (she really loves the fan and the cabinets above her change table!) She also started to talk and can now carry on a lengthy conversation with me. Taleah has also started to laugh, although she is quite reserved as to what she thinks is worthy of her laughter. I know I say it every month, but I can't believe how much she has changed and grown. Look at the difference in the chair pictures! My baby is all grown up...not sure how I feel about that. Taleah has also started to give Ryan and I a break from the night feeding...she has even gone a few nights sleeping 6-7 hours!
ENJOY THE PICTURES!

Here is a fabulous video of Taleah talking to Mommy from her Princess Throne!

Deck the Halls

Tis the season, to be Jolly! I love Christmas and all the chaos that goes with it. I just wanted to show off the decor,for those that are far away and never get to see our holiday cheer. Thanks goes out to my sister Chandra, that helped me decorated Thanksgiving weekend to be ready for Taleah's blessing party. It was awesome to get everything out early and be able to enjoy it even longer. So if you are in the neighborhood, stop by for a cup of peppermint hot chocolate and some holiday cheer. (although we expect some caroling :).
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!

Taleah's Big Day

With lots of family on both sides here in town, we decided it would be the perfect time to bless Taleah. Grandma Kathy and Papa, Chandra and her boys were staying with us. Chandra was such a help with the decorating and Grandma Kathy is Super Woman with her abilities to pull off a great party.

The first miracle of the day was that Taleah's beautiful blessing dress fit her perfectly (10 days before it was too big) . We are so fortunate to have so much support of friends and family, Taleah was surrounded by lots of handsome men... who luckly didn't drop her with the slippery dress;) Ryan gave a beautiful blessing, he gave perfect advice and blessings that was truly meant for our little angel. I was told that Taleah was awake and staring at her Daddy the entire prayer, like she was listening intently to what he told her. And as always, no crying...she is the most perfect baby. I was overwhelmed with gratitude for my wonderful husband and father of my children, for the priesthood that he holds and honors. As I watched him with tears in his eyes hold his tiny daughter in his strong hands , she looked at him and smiled. I was in awe, how am I so blessed? I thank the Lord for all my blessings, my wonderful boys,my beautiful-miracle baby girl and my sweet husband.

We had a yummy lunch of Potato bar (thanks Grandma Kathy for the yummy Idaho potatoes), a wonderful salad and awesome casserole by Chandra, Pies from the Francoms and Muirs and a great apple crunch from Grandma Sylvia.
Yummy !

Taleah spent the day being loved and passed around. She was perfect...I think she liked the spotlight!

This is a picture I have titled "The Jeans". I hope that Taleah can live up to her namesakes! My Grandma Jean is and has always been my best friend and hero. As a child I felt honored when she wanted to be my "partner" on trips. I learned to listen to and respect her advice, and I always strive to make her proud of me. She would always ask my friends who their parents and grandparents were, and would always find some relative that she knew. I think she knows half of Davis county, and anyone with ties back to the Redmond area. There was no one I would rather name my daughter after, I am truly Grandma's girl! Also pictured is my wonderful Aunt Daryl, whose middle name is Jean. She is a fighter and recently conquered breast cancer. I am grateful for her, and the boys love their "MY DARYL".

My sister took some beautiful pictures of Taleah in her dress so that I could print them up...
the problem is I love them all, how will I choose!

Thanks to everyone who was with us and for the love and support!

Thanksgiving Weekend

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend this year. We had lots of family down from both side of the family. We were able to have two dinners one at Grandma's Sylvia's house with the Schuddes,McMurphys and the Warrs ... and then dessert at the Muirs with Grandma and PaPa Smith, Zundels,Francoms and Meitus. And then off to a little Black Friday shopping, thanks Christian for helping to get those BIG presents for the boys...they will LOVE them!
Of course, no Thanksgiving if complete without swimming with the cousins!
BURRRRR!

Because we will all be scattered this Christmas, we celebrated Christmas also! What fun it is to open Christmas presents early.

All the men folk went early one morning shooting. Ryan and Papa took my boys-with a lot of objections from Mommy- but they all had fun and did a lot of damage to the cases of pop they took. You could smell the testosterone when they pulled up and unloaded the trucks. I'm just glad everyone returned alive and with all their body parts ;) Thanks Papa for sharing your arsenal and teaching the boys gun safety (if there is such a thing)

We topped the weekend off with a drive around town looking at Christmas lights and ended up at the Temple lights. What a beautiful sight, and how nice it is to look at lights without freezing in the snow. (I love SLC Temple Square, but FREEZING!) The kids loved watching the Nativity and pointing out each piece. We loved having Chandra and her boys staying with us, Parker and Jordan were such helpers. They really liked showing Landon and Braden around. Thanks Grandma Kathy for all your help, we couldn't have done it without you!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE !

Taleah's Terrific Tenth Week

This week was a big week for Taleah, on her tenth week she

1- Started to social smile (and what a beautiful smile it is)!

2- Started to "talk" and coo

3- Started to laugh at Daddy and his silly noises!

4- Had her first big party day, on her blessing day.

Sorry they are blurry, she was totally moving...but you get the idea!

Mommy and Taleah were up late one night, everyone else was asleep. Mommy went in to change her and when I layed her down on the change pad, she began to coo and ohhh at the cabinets. It was so cute and sweet, I was a little sad everyone was asleep and missed her first "words". Then I went into the kitchen and found PaPa awake, then Taleah and and PaPa had wonderful conversation. I was one lucky Mommy, who had the camera out and ready for the big day (the blessing day) so I was able to catch Taleah's FIRST WORDS! I love how she has to work the words out from her toes up, she is working so hard to talk to us. I think the false starts are almost as cute as the actual words.

Video of her first "talking" sounds!

Here is a smile box with the rest of the videos.

Oh Christmas Tree

Our family tradition of picking out the Christmas Tree. We got a beautiful,perfect tree...we are ready for a wonderful season.

Taleah's First Flight

Eight weeks old and a pro at flying. Taleah did wonderful on her first flight to Salt Lake to meet all her extended family. She slept the whole way, I couldn't even wake her up to eat or suck her paci for the descent/ascent, AND no ear infections!  This is one amazing baby!!!!

We Love The Jubilee of Trees !

This year we had so much fun at the Jubilee of Trees. We saw Santa, the boys were sure to be very specific in asking for exactly what they wanted with details so Santa would be able to get them the right POWER WHEELS. (the had forgotten the letter they have been making for weeks) Parker was so sweet and was sure to ask for some toys for Taleah, since she couldn't ask herself ;)

We loved all the trees this year. Some favorites...Angry Birds, Candy land and Santa's Workshop. I loved the NICU tree (for obvious reasons...call me sentimental). They were all very beautiful, there are some very talented people in St. George!

The boys liked looking at the "NICU ROOM", I was able to show them the instruments that helped Taleah and tell them more about her experience. Remember they weren't here for most of the time, and they weren't allowed to come into the NICU. So this was a great teaching moment.

My most favorite Christmas present...Taleah! Although her shirt had a good idea too!

"ALL MOMMY WANTS FOR CHRISTMAS IS A SILENT NIGHT!"

Soccer Supporters

This season started out a little rough for us. The first games Mommy was on bed rest, the second games the boys missed because Baby Taleah had come so early and they went to Farmington with Grandma Kathy. The Third game Daddy, Grandma Kathy and Grandma Sylvia attended. Finally the 5th game Mommy and Taleah got to go, this was Taleah's first outing besides the doctors office. We also were lucky enough to have Grandma GG and Aunt Daryl visit and watch one our games. Thanks to everyone who love and support us in all that we do!
Thanks Grandma Kathy for all you do!

Grandma G.G and Aunt Daryl enjoying the games.

Taleah at the first of many big brother games, I'm sure ;)

Someday she may be as big as the ball !

THE Cheetahs

Jordan had an awesome season this year! Last year he told Jordan told his friend who had been knocked down while fighting for the ball "stay away from the ball it's SAFE", and he lived by that rule...he was fast and he ran up and down the field...just no where near the ball. This year not only did he go near the ball...HE WAS THE VIP OF HIS TEAM! He really grew and developed his skills, thanks to a great team,coach and a wonderful Daddy. Parker was his biggest fan, always there to cheer on his little brother and give advice. The last game Jordan scored 6 goals, the final score of that game 6-0 Cheetahs! When Jordan would score,it was not a big yell or fist pumping...he would simply give a bow with the most beautiful smile on his face. What a ham, he should be in theater...cutie! He also lived up to his team name, he was a super fast runner. Jordan loved playing, making friends and TREATS! If you want to relive the whole season with lots of cute pictures and videos, watch the smilebox.

WAY TO GO CHEETAHS !

Fire Breathing Dragons

Parker had so much fun this year playing soccer, he had a wonderful coach and an awesome team! They did VERY well nearly undefeated, and their skills were greatly improved. Parker learned to rely on his teammates and team work, although he made more than his share of goals. His friend Noah (whose parents are both collegiate soccer players and coaches) had amazing defense skills and then would pass the ball off to Parker (who was down the field) who could then score. I loved watching the boys cheer each other on, and work together. My favorite is watching them huddle up and strategize, Parker was good at calling huddle time. We also had the unique experience of playing against friends in the ward, as we have 11 boys his age they were spread out into three teams. We also got to play against Parker's best friend and team mate last year,Hunter. This was a great opportunity to learn sportsmanship and the boys were cute cheering on their friends on the other teams (although there was also a little trash talking...mostly by the Dads ;)

If you want to experience the whole season (with lots of videos) check out the smilebox!

This week we had an interesting and fun experience. I got a call from one of the organizers of the Jubilee of Trees, she asked if we would be willing to bring Taleah to be a VIP at the Chamber Luncheon. This year the NICU is the beneficiary of the Jubilee and they wanted the newest babies at the luncheon. They said bring her in her best white dress and you and her will be sitting at a table. I was excited to be able to give a little something back to the NICU that save my baby's life...and show off my beautiful baby. We had to do a little scrambling to find a white dress that fits ( her blessing dress is still a little big)...thanks to my great friend Keli and her cute daughter Whitney who let us barrow their gorgeous blessing dress. I looked all over to find the perfect hair piece , and then decided to make one myself. I think it turned out pretty well, if I do say so myself. (I'm sure glad I paid attention at the girls night we made flowers...even if I only had boys at the time) It was super fun to dress Taleah up, it was our first time in a beautiful princess dress ( I think I can get used to this! :) When we arrived we found a room full of Mommy's feeding and dressing their sweet little ones and trying to get them asleep.

When I asked why, they said the people in charge asked us to try to have the babies asleep...now I know why. We walked out to find this...gorgeous tables set up with beautiful pillows and blankets in the middle. This was their plan...

Sweet little babies as the center pieces! The center of our lives was now a centerpiece at the Jubilee of Trees. Amazing idea on paper, fun idea in reality. Taleah did amazing and slept so peaceful on her pillow...some of her friends had other ideas. Some were rolling off the pillows ( and into the place settings), I saw a little older one trying to grab the salt and pepper shakers! It was cute as the guests arrived, most were walking around looking at the "alive" babies like they were looking at the trees. One sweet little old lady ( a hundred if a day) almost had a heart attack when Taleah moved and she realized these little ones were "alive"!

We had a yummy lunch and a wonderful program, two Mommy's of NICU graduates and one of the amazing doctors that takes care of these precious tiny ones in the NICU. It was so good to hear the stories, although still so fresh in my mind...I spent the time crying as I watched my beautiful perfect little one sleep in the center of the table and had a sincerely grateful prayer in my heart. I can't even begin to express my gratitude to those Doctors and Nurses that saved my little Taleah, who were so supportive to Ryan and I. They made a terrifying, horrible experience bearable and a growing experience. The NICU is truly hallowed ground, I know that angels are there watching over everyone there. They guide the caregivers, they comfort the parents, protect and surround the little ones with comforting arms. When I saw this display of the a NICU room, I had a unexplainable urge to sit on "my chair" and nurse, or do skin-to-skin...luckily I was able to resist ;) There were lots of pictures of NICU graduates and some of their stories. We knew two of the "spotlighted" babies on the posters. Look for Taleah on the ceiling when you go!

Taleah and I are feeling much better than the last time we were sitting in a room like this. Thanks again to the amazing people at the NICU and for the Jubilee of Trees for this experience.

Taleah's first Santa Picture

Taleah is Two Months

Another month has flown by, and our little Taleah is 2 months old. We were so excited to see that she is now 9.2 lbs and has gone from the 1% to 13% for weight in a month! I can't believe how much she had grown, the pictures really show it all. She is even getting cute little rolls on her thighs ( cute now, not when she is 30!) she is even bigger than her little monkey friend :)

Taleah has finally started to be awake more and watches her brothers intently. The doctor asked if she is tracking her toys and I told him barely, but she is great at following her brothers voices and watching them. Toys are just not as interesting as her brothers. I love to listen to them talk and play with her. They often hurry to finish tasks so they can hold Taleah first. Parker and Jordan are THE BEST brothers around! At her 2 month check up, they were very upset that we were going to let them give her SHOTS. Parker tried to talk us out of it, and the quizzed the nurses as to why Taleah had to have shots. He was pacing the floor with worry,he covered his ears and turned away when she was crying. Jordan was right there between the nurse and Taleah, holding her little foot. When Taleah started to cry, I noticed that Jordan was also crying. What sweet tender boys, I think Taleah's shots were harder on them than on her. Although for a baby that never crys, she can sure let it loose when needed. When the little "waaa waaa" didn't work, she let out the loudest high pitched girl-shrill I have ever heard! But she did great, and really didn't have any side effects, not even a fever...wow what a little trooper we have.

Taleah is the light of all of our lives, I can't even remember not having her in our family. She is such a sweet little joy and truly the best baby on Earth. Taleah had an eventful month, she celebrated her first Halloween, went on her first airplane( to meet Papa, Aunt Amanda and Aunt Jessica) and just this last few days started to show off her beautiful smile.

WE LOVE THIS LITTLE ANGEL !!!

Our Halloween Haunts

HAPPY HALLOWEEN !!!


This year Halloween seemed to last for weeks, so we had lots of time to pack in maximum fun. We had tons of spooky fun at the Tonaquint Park party, we played games and enjoyed the beautiful surroundings. The boys wanted to wear different costumes and looked fabulous as a pirate and Spiderman, Taleah didn't feel the need to dress up so she was festive in a cute orange outfit, pumpkin hat and Halloween blanket.

They had so many cute "spooky" games and face painting.

Then we got to go to a fun Ward Halloween Carnival put on by the YM/YW. They did a great job, and the turn out was spectacular. We were trying to get a picture of Parker and Bailey (the bride) and cute little Audra had to be in the pictures...wow the women are already swarming! It must be the handsome Hans Solo outfit :) Ryan looked awesome in his Chewbacca outfit, leaving most people saying "who was that masked man". After frightening all the children, Ryan decided to remove the mask and try to make friends. Taleah stayed home with Aunt Julie, we are still trying to avoid crowds.

Friday was trick or treating at SKYWEST. The boys look forward to this all year, always asking if they can go in and get candy when we drop Daddy off (as if everyday all the cubicles are filled with treat buckets) We had a blast, collected two FULL pumpkins of candy and received LOTS of attention with our adorable Princess Leia (I mean Taleah) Everyone wanted to touch her, a little overwhelming for Mommy.

Carving pumpkins.
We ended up with a kitty, a scary witch and a spooky graveyard.
Jordan made the cute little witch hat at school and had been moving it around the house as a decoration for weeks, he insisted that it be on HIS pumpkin to complete the scary witch.

Finally the day of haunts had arrived. We started with a fabulous parade at Parker's school, all the kids paraded around the track so there was plenty of room for all the parents and spectators. What a great idea! My little Hans was the best looking kid around...I loved the manly strut he had in this costume :) It was fun to see all the kids and cute costumes.

Taleah Daddy and I spent the morning running car pools and watching parades, what a great morning. Here is Taleah bundled and ready for the fun.

Jordan's school had a spooky carnival with games and science experiments. Then they did a quick little program and topped it off with a trunk or treat with the parents. He insisted on being "Jake" the pirate, he said he had TWO "Tangled" girls he had to protect. What a little charmer, I think he is an extra handsome pirate.

Then we were off to the photographers for pictures ( I know crazy in the middle of this day. but it was the only time slot available) I really wanted a picture of my cute little crew, and I think it was totally worth it...the pictures are adorable!

Then off for a fun night of trick or treating. We have not done this with the boys, as the old neighborhood had a trunk or treat. They boys LOVED running from house to house , especially when we found our friends the Stums. It was so much fun to see everyone and walk around our great neighborhood. The weather was amazingly perfect, it couldn't have been a better night. Everyone kept stopping us to see Taleah and many of them took her picture, nowI know how the celebs feel ! I guess that's what happens when the you have the cutest baby in a huge Leia wig.

Here is the prizes that we won at the costume party. We hadn't planned on going and then at the last minute, threw on our costumes and went. They had a prize for the "BEST FAMILY" and we won, a $50 certificate for Pizza Factory! There was a lot of stiff competition, but I think Taleah pushed us over the top. Taleah also won the "CUTEST BABY". Parker kept winning the cake walk and the last time picked out these cute barrettes for his sister (what a sweet big brother)

All in all, a wonderfully successful Halloween season. I hope you all had a wonderful, spooky day. Now on to the next holiday season :)