It's a five candle day!

Dear Riley,
I can't believe you are 5 today. It seems like we just brought you home, and now you converse with us like you are 30, and amaze me with the amount of knowledge you carry around.
You know everything there is to know about dinosaurs, StarWars, Ironman, and elephants. You yell at your dad and I when we say bad words and tell on us to the other when we do something naughty. You are the pickiest eater ever. Your favorite foods are fettuchini Alfredo, tacos, cheese crisps and popcorn chicken. Healthy I know. If it doesn't include cheese you can bet you don't like it. You requested cupcakes with no frosting for your birthday treat.....no frosting??
You will try anything but get easily frustrated when you can't do it perfectly on the first try, (wonder where he gets that from?) You love to sing, and you remember more songs than me probably. You are wicked smart at school. You are inquisitive. If you don't know what a word means you ask, and you never forget what we tell you. Infact you never forget anything. I have never met any other kid who is such a sponge.
You make me laugh every day. You are witty and always have to have the last word. You are kind and loving. You are such a good big brother. You can see how much you love your sister by the way you talk to her. You are tender hearted and don't like to see others in pain. Your listening skills could use some work, but when it comes to your thinking skills you are a pro.
I hope you know how much you are loved. You are at the center of our family. You are smart and strong and cute and funny and awesome in so many ways it would take me all night to tell you about it. Keep being yourself and dream bigger than big. You are my sunshine now and forever. Love you up to the moon and back!
Mom

Please pray for Raegan

Our sweet baby girl was hospitalized tonight with meningitis. Please pray for her and our family, that her recovery will be quick and she can come home soon. I know she has many guardian angels looking over her here on earth and in heaven. We are so grateful to all our family and friends for your help with Riley and for all you do for us. We are so blessed. I know we will make it through this but it makes it easier knowing we have all of you.

Raegan has a boyfriend.

I am pretty sure Shannon and I are destined to be not only fab friends, but in-laws as well. These two little cuties had their first meeting earlier this week. I could eat both of them right up.....no really I could. Raegan slept through all of the meeting, and Fisch was happily awake and enjoying being the star of the party. Cutest Kids Ever!!! I think so, and I am always right. Just ask me.

Raegan Lynnlee

Our little girl is Finally here.
Raegan Lynnlee Taylor
Born: November 9th 2010 at 7:52 am
Weighing 6lbs 3oz and 18 1/2 inches long.
We had a rough few days in the NICU trying to get her glucose levels where they needed to be, and close monitoring of her oxygen. We are all home now and doing great. Riley absolutely adores her. He helps with making her bottles, getting diapers and wipes, throwing out some of the less smelly diapers and giving her plenty of hugs and kisses.
Mat and I are a little sleep deprived, but with all the time it took to get her here a little less sleep seems a small price to pay. Its official- Taylor and Co Established 1999 is complete.

The bun in the oven is done!

No it has not been 20 days since my last post, but due to some technical difficulties, our princess is coming tomorrow.

20 days and counting!

To say we are on the countdown is an understatement. We have made a chain that we take a link off every night before bed to give Riley and idea of how close we really are to Raegan getting here. I have my nesting list that I happily cross a few items off each day. The Nursery is all but complete, and my Braxton Hicks contractions (which I did not have with Riley) send me into fits of pain at least 12 times a day. This kiddo can't get here soon enough, but for the sake of my planned baby sitters and Mat's time off I will consent to hoping she holds out for November 15th.
We haven't had any family pictures taken for a long time. Here are some recent ones so we can remember this special time as a family of three, patiently waiting for our fourth (and final) to arrive. Enjoy

Too much information

Riley has been fixated with helping Mat do everything in the babies room from painting to hanging the blinds and the ceiling fan. He has his own Handy Manny tools that he carts around the house and he is constantly asking if Handy Riley can fix anything for you. Last night we were watching T.V. and down he comes asking Handy Dad if he needs anything fixed. Mat pointed at me and told Riley that baby Raegan was kicking the crap out of me, and to see if I needed any help. So what does Riley do? He whips out his plastic saw and begins to preform a C-Section on me. To be perfectly honest my first reaction was one of shock. He has asked questions about how the baby will get out of my belly and I have tried to be as truthful as possible without scaring the you know what out of him, but I was nowhere prepared for this reenactment! After the initial shock wore off I looked at Mat and we just busted up laughing...what else can you do. After Raegan was safely extracted he used his handy pliers to sew me back up. It amazes me sometimes what a sponge he is. One thing is for sure he keeps us laughing all the time.

Thank you can I have another?

Rain falling outside + a cozy couch + a warm blanket + snuggling with my favorite 4 year old while watching a movie = a perfect afternoon.

From the mouth of babes.

Today when I picked Riley up from preschool we got the weekly news letter. Mrs Suzan wanted me to be sure and notice the quote on the side bar from none other than Ry Guy. It read.
Mrs Suzan, When I grow up I am going to marry Chantel. She is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.
Apparently Riley made said declaration with his hands to his heart in his most sincere voice. Chantel is a darling girl (woman) who is in his class this year. She was also in his class last year. She was in my group when we went on a field trip last year to the dinosaur museum, and I must say, he has good taste. He has to wait at least a few years though before we will let him mdate!

My funny kid

I have been meaning to type this on here for a while but I keep forgetting.
Mat had to take a trip to Long Island a few weeks ago and he always brings Riley back a surprise when he travels. While he was in Long Island he didn't have time to shop for a toy so he told Riley he would take him to get a toy when he got home. Riley was waiting eagerly by the door when Mat got home so he could march him right back out the door and to the store.
Riley is really into Star Wars right now. He has a light saber, and watches the movies constantly. When they got to the store he had his heart set on a storm trooper dart gun. Luckily they had one left and it was in the clearance bin (score) so they proceeded to the checkout to buy the coveted item. This is the conversation between Riley and the checkout clerk
Riley- hey lady, I have a light saber gun at home.
Clerk- Really? That's pretty cool. What color is it.
Riley- Its blue. And now I get a dart gun too.
Clerk- Your mom and dad must like you a lot.
Riley- Did you know I can cut off your head with my light saber?
Clerk- If you did that, it would be really hard for me to do my job.
Riley- Geez lady, it wouldn't really cut your head off, its just pretend.

Yep that's my kid. Luckily the clerk thought he was hilarious and didn't turn us in to the proper authorities. He is a crack up.