Memories

I got this off of Deb's blog. I had seen it on several others, but didn't feel inclined to participate. Guess I changed my mind.

Here are the directions-

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together (OK-you can share memories of Jon too). It can be any memory that you can think of, doesn't matter.

2. Re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments. Or if you don't feel like commenting you can email me if you have my email address.

Politics

"Only 78 days left until election day."

Jon and I have spent many late nights discussing politics, particularly the presidential election. Our thoughts on the matter are pretty much summed up here (Jon watched it so many times that he has the song memorized...):

http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/HujcrDCepyvu0ohO

We both just keep asking, "Are these really the two best candidates that the U.S. has to offer?"

Extra Pics

So I go through phases where I haven't been posting, but I've still been taking too many pictures. None of them are related, but I'd like to get them posted so that I feel caught up...for one day at least!

When Taelyn sleeps, she gets carried away with her arms. They flail and wake her up. For that reason, whenever we put her down at night or for a nap, she has to be swaddled. I just thought this picture looked sweet. This is the first (and only) bottle I have fed her. We were at the ward BBQ and the other option wasn't convenient. I had to get a picture because she is actually holding the bottle up on her own. Her knuckles were turning white, but it is pretty good for a girl who is still working on getting those hands to do what she wants them to.
2 weekends ago we went down to Kirstine and Dan's (Jon's sister and husband). Ella sure likes Taelyn. She had to get her blanket and duck (because Taelyn had her bear) and lay down too. It was pretty cute!
Taelyn loves her bear. [Shhh...we have temporarily misplaced it and are trying to keep her from noticing!]. I don't know if you can tell from the picture, but she is eating his ear. Poor bear. The top of his head gets pretty soggy. I like this pic because you can get a feel for how long her hair is. The pink spot isn't a bald spot, her hair is just swept to the side right there...for now anyway. Before she was born, I decided I would cut her hair before I allowed her to get a bald spot. Now I just frown when I notice the hair getting rubbed off a little more. I don't think I could bring myself to cut it.
She loves to play on our bed. That is where she first rolled over. It is the funniest thing to watch. She puts both legs straight up in the air then allows them to fall to the side, causing her whole body to rotate. Once on her side, she buries her face in the blanket until she can get her body to roll to her stomach. Funny thing is that she hates being on her stomach. Once she gets to this point, she gets really upset. We usually roll her back onto her back. She just repeats the process. Only once has she gotten back onto her back without our help.
This is her talking face. She sure is vocal. We love it...even when her cooing wakes us up in the middle of the night.She is so smiley. I absolutely love it. Everyone comments on how good natured she is. She is very alert and happy. But watch out, when she gets hungry she only gives me 3 minutes to start feeding her before she tries to let all the neighbors know that she is being abused!

Day Care at my Work

SO IT FINALLY HAPPENED!!

That's right, I finally got the call to let me know that they were going to get an opening. Actually, I got the call on July 21st. They let me know that they could get Taelyn in on August 11th. I'm glad they could get me in so soon. The lady that was watching Taelyn for July agreed to watch her the first week of August. Unfortunately, or fortunately-depending on how you look at it, she had her baby on the 4th (5 weeks early-both mother and baby are doing fine). Jon took the 4th off to watch Taelyn, and I took the 5th-8th off. If we hadn't heard from the day care yet, I don't know what we would have done. Knowing that we only had to make it through 1 week made it manageable.

Anyway, yesterday was our first day. It was SO nice! I was able to go down on both my breaks to feed her. During lunch I brought her up to my office, fed her and played with her for the full hour. Before I was driving to the Jacobson's during lunch, but only had 1/2 an hour that I was actually able to spend with Taelyn.

It was funny. The first break yesterday, I went to go feed her. When I walked in, it took me a few minutes to get her attention. She was too busy staring at another baby that was sitting near where she was laying on a mat. It was her first real encounter with other babies.

She is the youngest down there. There are two other little girls that were born in April. Its funny to compare size to the other babies. They all seem so short! [I measured the other day. She was 25 1/2 inches. That's 4 inches in 3 months!] And comparatively, she doesn't have much chub on her...yet.

Lizard Baby

Taelyn loves her tongue. In fact, I think it is her favorite body part. Jon says it is because she is half lizard. Here are a few pictures of her and her tongue that we have taken over the last 3 months. Some of them have poor lighting, bad angle, etc...but it gets the point across.

CAST Event

Yesterday was the 2008 Cast Event. CAST stands for "Catch a Special Thrill", and yearly volunteers and sponsors provide an opportunity for handicapped children to go out on boats and fish. They get to keep the pole and tackle box, as well as what ever they catch. After the fishing, a lunch is provided, and all of the children are awarded medals and individual plaques.

This is the 3rd year we have volunteered. It is something that we look forward to each summer. I must admit, the day before we wish we didn't have to leave the apartment between 5 and 5:30 the next morning...but once it is over, we both agree it is well worth it.

We first got involved as a service opportunity through the UofU ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) Student Chapter. Now that I have graduated, we participate through the ASCE YMF (Younger Member Forum). Thanks Jenni, for first getting us involved!! (And thanks to Jon for allowing me to volunteer us for various events on a more-than-you-would-like-it-to-be basis!)

Photo Shoot

We decided to do our own photo shoot of little Tae. Just going to post a few of our favorites. These were taken at 2 months, and she refused to smile. Now that she is responding more to us, we may have to try it again.

Dye Reunion #1

My dad's family does 2 reunions a summer. The first is in July and only includes my grandpa and the 3 generation after. The second is on Labor Day weekend and is more extended with grandpa's siblings and their posterity. Both reunions have always been something I look forward to every year.

While at Red Fleet for the first reunion, I took my camera anticipating taking many pictures...I didn't. But I did get the 2 most important pictures. Taelyn's 4-generation picture and a picture with her and Grandpa. I'm going to get another 4-generation pic at the next reunion so that she is setting up and without the pacifier. I'll take it the first day so that my hair is actually done...I wonder if there is an angle that would look a little more flattering? I look huge in the first one, and Taelyn looks like she has NO hair on top in the second one!