Logan & Taylor are 11 months!

I cannot believe that in 1 month, my little baby boys will be 1 year old! I love being able to stay at home with them, and I enjoy every minute of it.

This month, Logan: 19 lb. 3 oz., 29 inches
- went to the swimming pool for the first time - and loved it
- went to the splash pads - and took some time to get comfortable
- went to the caroussel - and enjoyed it
- went down the slide all by himself - and was a little nervous

This month he also got really sick. Day 1-2, he threw up everything he ate. Day 3-5, he didn't eat anything but puffs and didn't drink anything but Pedialyte. Day 6-7, he started eating again, but he was still very weak and needy. I had never seen Logan so lethargic - it was scary.
This month he also feel asleep on the piano because he got so tired, and he got his diaper checked by Taylor after Taylor saw me doing it. I wish I had caught it on camera.
He also started doing these really high-pitched sounds, sometimes to complain and sometimes just for fun. He even lost his voice for a couple of days, but as soon as he got it back, he started doing these sounds again.
He eats just about anything, especially if he sees me or Billy eating it. He has had cheese, kiwis, apples, cantalopes, watermelons, peaches, bananas, strawberries, yogurt, cottage cheese, fruit tart, mashed potatoes, animal crackers, etc.
He still loves to snuggle, and I love it. He often comes up to me to rest his head on my lap, chest, on tummy, while sucking his thumb. It's his favorite.

This month, Taylor: 17 lb. 1 oz., 28 inches
- went to the swimming pool for the first time - and loved it
- went to the splash pads - and got comfortable right away
- went to the caroussel - and clung to Billy
- went down the slide all by himself - and had a blast
- got his first canine (top right)

This month he started pushing objects around the room, like DVDs, bottles, remote controls, books, etc. He also pushes balls around the room and chases them.
He almost consistently gives high fives, but mostly just to me.
He loves blowing raspberries on my tummy and pinching my belly button. Sometimes he also slaps my belly. He finds it hilarious.
He almost doesn't use his binkie anymore. We only bring it to church in case of emergencies - like meltdowns in the middle of Sacrament.
He still snuggles, but just a little. He is way too busy exploring and discovering the world around him. He is into everything now.
He is very adventurous with activities but not with food. It often takes him a few tries before he tastes something new and repeatedly eats it.
He almost never cries anymore. I often find out he is awake because I hear him talking, giggling, or cracking up.
He occasionally throws tantrums, where he arches his back and screams at the top of his lungs, and will not calm down for anything. He eventually calms himself down, though, after a few minutes. This usually happens if Logan has a toy that I do not allow Taylor to steal.
And he also likes to have 2 of everything. One bottle in each hand, one remote control in each hand, one ball in each hand, etc. Even at meal time he will NOT eat unless he has something in his hands. It has to be fun, too, or he won't eat. And it has to be rotated, too, because even the most fun toys get old and boring. I usually let him play with toys that he normally doesn't get to play with, like cookie cutters, straws, spatulas, knives (totally kidding on that last one), just anything to entertain and distract him while I feed him.

Splash Pads

Today a few friends and I took our kids to the Splash Pads. Logan took some time to warm up, but once he did, he was comfortable enough to crawl and stand in the water. Taylor is adventurous, and he did not waste any time; he went right in and started crawling and splashing.
They both had a blast, and I really enjoyed watching them play.

The MEN in my life

This Father's Day, I've been thinking a lot about the men in my life who have impacted my life and changed it for the best.

Clearly, these last 4 years, Billy has been THE most important man in my life. He is a wonderful husband, loving, dedicated, ambitious, hardworking, patient, responsible, funny, and SEXY =)
Then almost 1 year ago, Logan and Taylor came into our lives. I never knew life could be so wonderful and complete until they came along. I love them so much.

And then, of course, there's my dad. He has taught me so much, and still teaches me a lot. He is a wonderful example of patience and selflessness to me.

Billy's dad is also a wonderful example of love and compassion. He is always there to lend us a listening ear. He is the best father-in-law I could have hoped and dreamed to have.

Francois was like a second dad to me while I was growing up. His wife, Liliane, cared for me for many years, while my mom worked. And they became my family. Francois was loving, caring, and selfless. When we moved to the United States, it was them that I was sad to leave the most. Then in June 2006, after complications from an amputated toe, foot, then half-leg, and diabetes, he passed away. I was devastated that I hadn't been able to say goodbye, but relieved that I hadn't seen him suffering for the last year and a half. I will always remember him as my second dad. I think of him almost every day, and I hope that he is proud of everything I have accomplished. I love him and look forward to seeing him again some day.

Friends

We have been so blessed these last 2 years to have Billy's brother live a couple of doors down from us. Logan and Taylor have been able to play with their cousin, Kai, on a regular basis, and they have loved every minute of it. Unfortunately, they moved this past week. They are only about 15 minutes away now, but I hope we can still get together a bunch because the boys love their big cousin.

Logan and Taylor also love their girlfriend, Skylie. They follow her everywhere she goes and stare at her in awe. I guess she already knows how to impress boys. She sure has them wrapped around her little finger, that little cutie.

Father's Day!

A little less than a year ago, I watched Billy hold Logan and Taylor for the first time, and it was then that I realized I loved him even more than ever before. He is such a wonderful father and husband.



I think it's funny that Logan and Taylor already know what they can get away with. Like they know they can't just scratch my face, pinch my eyelids, and pull my hair. But they also know what they daddy lets them to all those things to him.

I am so grateful to know that our family is sealed for time and eternity. I love being a wife to my amazing husband and a mommy to my wonderful children.

In good health

Yesterday afternoon was a cool but nice day, so we all went on a family walk. As we walked past a group of elderly men in their workout clothes, I thought to myself, "I really hope that when I'm as old as these men are, I'll still be in good shape."

I have been really blessed these last 25 years. I haven't had very many health issues or concerns. These only problems that I've had to overcome over the years have been the following:
- I was born really small, but still in perfect health.
- I was allergic to mosquito bites. Whenever I got bit, redness, itchiness, and uncontrollable swelling occurred. This also happened when I got bit was a jellyfish.
- I had bad acne, which I am still dealing with occasionally.
- A few weeks after I had the boys, I lost a lot of blood, which had been accumulating for days, and had to be rushed to the ER. Click here for the whole story.

That's really all I can of. Not bad, uh? I'm in no way as fit as I was in my teenage and early adulthood years, but all things considered, I think I'm in decent shape. I'm definitely gonna have to keep it that way in order to keep up with my boys.

New trick

Okay, so it's not exactly a new trick, but a couple of weeks ago, Logan and Taylor started getting up in their cribs and talking to each other (instead of napping).

And I just think this picture is really funny because it looks like Taylor is visiting Logan in jail. Logan even has the sad look that any prisoner would have in a jail cell.

Projects - done! Now what?

Here are a few of my lastest crafts:

Taylor's birthday countdown poster

Logan's birthday countdown poster

Piggy banks with the boys' pictures (birth, 3 mo, 6 mo, 9 mo)

25 is old!

Last week we had a few rainy days, and we needed to get out of the apartment, so we went to the mall. As I was pushing my monster-stroller around Aeropostale and Wet Seal, it hit me - a month after my birthday - that I am 25! That's a quarter of a century!

As Logan and Taylor flirted with the teenagers shopping in the stores, I realized that maybe I was getting a little too old to be shopping where teenagers get their clothes. I am thankful they never gave me weird looks, too busy admiring my handsome little guys. But still, I think I'm going to start shopping when all the teenagers are in school because I am not ready to start buying my clothes from Walmart. No offense, anyone!

Spiritual moments... ruined!

This month, Billy is on an OB/GYN rotation and, let’s be honest, he pretty much hates it. He actually sort of enjoys the OB part of it, but really doesn’t like the GYN part. I am personally more than okay with him not wanting to specialize into OB/GYN. I think I would have a bit of a problem with my husband looking between the legs of 15-20 women a day, even if it is purely professional. This month, I am okay with this rotation because 95% of the women that he checks have STDs… not so fun.

So the other night, he came back from work, exhausted, and sat down at the table for dinner. This is how his prayer to bless the food went,
“Our Dear Heavenly Father, (…) And thank you for the opportunity that I have to look at nasty STDs all day. (…) And that I know I do not want to do this for the next 25-30 years. (…) Amen!”

I’m pretty sure I started cracking up at the “nasty STDs” part of the prayer, and couldn’t stop for a really long time. I just couldn’t help but laugh at his sarcasm. Too funny!




This past Sunday, the boys woke up around 6:15 a.m. When I heard them, I turned to Billy and said, “Happy Father’s Day, honey!” He said, “Thank you, babe!” turned, and went back to sleep.

After I fed Logan and Taylor, I went back to our room, with the boys and their presents and said, “Happy Father’s Day, daddy!” This time, he sat up and said, “Thank you, boys!”

At Sunday School, I was a little preoccupied, so I turned to Billy,
Me: “Honey, I’m surprised that no one bore their testimony about fathers in Sacrament today. You know, I’m actually starting to think that today’s not Father’s Day.”
Billy: “Let’s look it up.”
Me: “Honey’ we’re in church.”
Billy: “It’s only going to take a minute.” (looking on his I-phone) “Yep, you’re right, today is not Father’s Day. It’s on the 20th.”
Me: “Whoops! Well at least our dads will get their cards on time this year. Oh, and you already got your presents, you’re not getting any more on the 20th. Luv’ ya!