Tae's First Halloween

Unfortunately, we are moving, so I didn't have a chance to even think about dressing up this year.

Fortunately, we had the skirt and cape from Ella's first Halloween, so Taelyn could dress up.

Unfortunately, between work and moving, we have been putting in 17+ hours every day this week.

Fortunately, tomorrow is Saturday.

Unfortunately, the apartment still has some things in it.

Fortunately, it should only take one more trip to get everything out.

Unfortunately, we have to be completely moved out and have the apartment cleaned by tonight.

Fortunately, Jenni, shown tickling Taelyn in the last picture, has volunteered to watch Taelyn. [THANKS JENNI!!]

Thanks Terri!

Taelyn has several really cute summer dresses (passed down from Ella-thanks Kirk!). With the weather turning cold, they don't quite work alone. Just wanted to say thanks to Terri for the sweaters. With tights and the sweaters (white, pink, purple and blue) we can keep using them.

I have had several people tell me how cute the sweaters are and ask where I got them. I let them know that they were knitted by a lady I met on my mission. I think that I need to start using Jon's response though... When the YW told him how cute Taelyn looked and how much they liked the sweater, he said "Yup, it was knitted by a blind lady!". They thought that was even cooler.

Thanks for the sweaters, Terri. They are so cute. I'll post pictures of the other sweaters once I get pictures.

(and yes, Taelyn is setting up on her own in this picture. She only stays up 2-3 minutes, though!)

Fun Tag

I've been double tagged thanks to Darla and Jenni! Guess that means I really have to do it.

1. Go to your pictures

2. Upload 4th picture of 4th folder

3. Post.

4. Tag 4 of your friends.

Truck came over 2 weeks ago to have me take some pics so that he could update his myspace page.

And I'll tag...Aun, Deb, Lauren and Julie (sorry guys-I gave into the peer pressure!)

Breastfeeding: Is this the end?

As a expectant mother, I had so many plans and ideas of how various things were going to be. Over the past 5 1/2 months, I have learned that some of these plans were ambitious, impossible and in some cases, foolish. I had not expected breastfeeding to fall into this category. Yet here I am. I had anticipated how I would go about weaning Taelyn. I had crazy ideas of the excitement I would feel when we hit this point. I had planned to wait until she turned one, or started biting me, which ever came first. Never would I have expected her to be done with me before I was ready to be done myself. Funny, everything else runs on her schedule, I just didn't expect this to follow suit.

Producing isn't the problem. I think it is more related to letdown. I don't feel super stressed, but for some reason, it is taking me longer than it used to. She is also giving me less time than she used to. After approximately 3 sucks, if she isn't instantly rewarded, she starts screaming (trust me, screaming is the right word). She is then too upset to continue trying. The more I try to force her to try again, the harder she screams. I feel frustrated, discouraged, and even...broken...
Feelings aside, this leaves me with one decision. Pump or use formula? I know which takes less time, but don't want to base my decision on which is easiest for me. Is breast milk really better than formula once we reach this point? Am I going to be hurting my baby by not feeding her breast milk? Hey Dad, maybe I'll pump and sell my milk to Ben & Jerry's!! Um...maybe not...

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Let me clarify. Thought on pumping vs. formula at 5 1/2 months, not on Ben & Jerry's using breast milk instead of cows milk, would be best!

A Conversation from Our Trip Home

Me: We can't leave until Taleyn's clothes are dry.

Mom: I might have something she can wear.

Me: Isn't that for Christmas?

Mom: Maybe.

Taryn: Can I dress her?

Me: Sure.

Taryn: How do I do this?

Me: Usually you start by putting her legs in the leg holes...

Taryn: What do I do now?

Me: Now you pull them up over her bum. How do you put your pants on?

Aunt Lori's Book

So I have wanted to do more reading...but just haven't been motivated. Between Taelyn, Jon (and the time I spend tutoring him for his math) and our illnesses (just starting week 2 of being sick as a family) I just haven't made time these last few months. Being that this is the last month at our current address, I probably won't have much time within the next 4 weeks either. So why am I posting? Because I think I just found motivation to read a book. In fact, I think I'll go buy it on the way home from work. Why? Because Aunt Lori talked about her new book at the Woodland reunion we had back in August. I just heard it advertised on the radio (I listen while at work). I'm excited to see what she has compiled from the firesides she has given. I'll let you know what my thoughts are after I finish it.

Happy Birthday Sis!

Taryn,

I find it hard to believe that it has been 16 years since you were born. It hardly seems that long. I remember when I found out mom was pregnant with you. I was telling mom about some present that one of my friends got for her birthday. She told me I was getting something better. I started guessing. A box turtle? Better. A horse? Better. A baby sister?! I still stand by my belief that I prayed you into existence. I wanted a little sister more than anything. I want you to know that I couldn't have gotten a better one. I'm so grateful for the relationship we have.

Mag, this post is for you.

First I want to share 16 memories I have of you. These won't be in any particular order. Just fun memories I have.

1. I remember fights my senior year of high school. You always ended them with "I can't wait for you to go to college!" Without fail, 4 minutes later you would come back in tears to let me know that you didn't want me to leave.
2. I remember driving to Salt Lake with you and mom when we got stuck in the snow. You were about 5, I think. We waited for a long time and no one was driving by. A lady came in a truck and instead of helping us, she turned around and went home. Mom was worried. You asked me if we could say a prayer. While mom was trying to get us out, you and I prayed. 5 minutes later 4 trucks showed up at the same time and all the guys stopped and pushed the car back on the road. Remember the toothless guy throwing the snowball at the windshield and smiling and waving as mom got back in the car? Your faith has always impressed me.
3. On that note, remember when Jet was born? We didn't know if he was going to live. You asked dad to give him a blessing. I hope you always remember the power of prayer and the priesthood.
4. Remember eating my chili burger when we were in Oregon because it was too spicy for me?
5. How about the time that we went to Disney Land. You were so upset that you were too short to go on the fun rides. No matter what I said, I couldn't convince you that Colton and Truck were lying when they said they could stretch you. I don't remember how long you let one of them pull on your hands and the other on your feet while mom and dad were gone.
6. There were several times that we talked dad into letting us get kittens. You always managed to talk me into sneaking them into our bedroom after mom and dad went to sleep.
7. I wanted to do something special for your 10th birthday because I was going into the MTC 1 1/2 weeks later, but I had to work that day. I had Colton check you out of school and bring you to the golf course. I pulled some strings to get you a golf cart so that he could take you out on the back 9 while I made you both lunch.
8. Remember when you were talking about your best birthday ever being when Colton took you to the golf course. Yah, still bitter. That was so my idea-and I even paid for it!
9. I'll always remember the 'pet fight' at the Brady's. We had gone to have dinner at Shay's parents' house before Colton and Shay got married. Before we left, we were standing out front visiting. That is when it came out that dad shot Bubba, Nala ate your bunny, dad stepped on the kitten, etc. You were in tears, Colton was upset, mom was in trouble, and dad was the bad guy. Not the best way to show the Brady's that their daughter was marrying into a good family! Jon thought it was hilarious!
10. I remember how upset you were when Jessie threw a fit in the arena when you were trying out for Neola Rodeo Princess. You felt like you had done so bad. In actuality, you were amazing. You handled it so well. You made her calm down and you finished running the pattern. You are an amazing horseman (woman).
11. I called from the airport when I was on the way to North Carolina. You wouldn't believe mom when she kept trying to tell you that I really didn't need the rundown of what had happened on Smallville the night before.
12. The cutest thing ever was right after I got married and you asked me when I was going to move home for the summer.
13. One of my favorites was taking you with when my friends went to Vernal to see one of the new Star Wars episodes. You insisted on dressing up with us. Ty carried you around all night on his back and called you his Padawan learner.
14. Oh the nic-names! Remember when I called you 'booger eater' just to show Colton that you had so many nic-names that you would answer to anything. I was right. Because mom didn't like me calling you that, I started calling you Fred. When that didn't fly, we went to Mag and Maggie (I think I still owe you several quarters for calling you Magpie). The funny thing is that you never got mad about any of the names I called you.
15. Remember the BYU-I sweatshirt I gave you. You wore it everywhere. My favorite was when you insisted on wearing it over your off-white dress when you came up for my graduation.
16. I know it was only a month ago, but I loved taking the trip with you to the Tabi store. Which one? All of them. We were enjoying talking to each other so much that even on the last trip, we forgot to get everything we were supposed to.

I'll wrap this up with a photo highlight. Now these aren't all of my favorites, just 16 that I have taken. Let me know if there are any you have questions about.

Oh, and my one bit of advice for you would be to remember that dad is a smart guy. You probably won't believe that during this phase of your life (I didn't), but he is. Always follow his counsel. I promise you will be happier if you do.

I love you, Mag. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!