1 Year Old! Happy Birthday Taylor Poppy!

It was a big week in the land of Taylor Poppy.  We had all 8 grandparents in town for the big occasion.  Taylor loved it! We had a nice chill week at home and what turned out to be a big bang of a birthday party at the end of the week.  We hung out and relaxed in the beautiful weather by the pool.  Come Saturday the day of Taylor's birthday the weather turned cold and we decided to have the party inside.  It was a packed house.

Taylor's 1 year appointment:
Height: 27 inches (4 %)
Weight: 17 lbs (4 %)
Head Circumference: 44 cm (33 %)
Still No Teeth

She is right on track. Since birth she has quadrupled her weight and grown 10 inches.

This is our last Taylor Poppy blog.  I hope you enjoyed it.  If you want to keep up with us I'll update our family blog once a month at http://goteamshaw.blogspot.com. You can sign up for emails the same way on that site

Pictures from the week.

Taylor Poppy's 1st Birthday Party pictures here.



To Our Dear Sweet Girl,

Our big 1 year old! I love the little girl you are turning into.  Words can not express how much we love you and all you do.  It has been amazing to watch you grow. You are so fun and its really neat to watch you learn.  It's been so cute seeing you learn to blow kisses in your own little way this last week. And give kisses when we ask you too.  You are learning affection and being silly.  I think you've had the silly part down for a while, the affection and cuddleing part is becoming more prevalent. That I'm thankful for.  For a short time I was worried you wouldn't be a snuggler. But you are turning into quiet the cuddler and I just love soaking up every minute you'll cuddle with me.  It is so sweet.

I love how silly you are, I think this is one of my favorite things about you! One of your favorite things to do to entertain us crinkle up your nose. Then you laugh and do it again.  We have numourus photos of this. You make so many funny faces. You started sticking your tongue out like a little lizard. You think this is kind of funny too.  You also do this roll and flop maneuver then look at us and smile. You also love blowing bubbles and making zerbert sounds with your lips.

We have many names for you. Mostly we call you Taylor Poppy, Poppy, baby boo, little boo boo, pumpkin spice, love bug, tay tay and sweet pea. 

Even though you started out so small you have always been super healthy.  For this I am very thankful.  I haven't had to take you to the doctor once for being sick.  You are a tough girl! 

It's fun to watch you discover.  You can move at a pretty good pace.  You crawl on all fours and get faster by the day.  You can climb up the stairs in our house from the 1st to the 3rd floor with ease. You haven't figured out how to go down them yet, but we'll work on it.  You will pull yourself up to standing at your walker and push it around.  You are rather pleased with your mobility.  You are up & down and on & off the couch in a blink of an eye. You like pull all the books off my book shelve every day. You love to play peek-a-boo and find a game out of unloading the dryer or basket of bibs.    

You are very social. When you see other people you are so curious as to what they are doing and saying.  You watch strangers and if they get close enough you offer a high five as a greeting. Then you try to have a conversation with them in your own little way. 

You are loud! hahaha...You say ma-ma (finally!) and dada.  You make lots of other sounds.  You can sign 'milk' and 'fan' and are working on 'all-done' & 'more'.  When we ask you to clap and wave hi or good-bye you will.   

You love music. Anytime you hear a piano playing you stop what you're doing and look to find the source of the music. You will 'sing' along to the music while in your car seat. Daddy says you like hippy music.  You like to dance.  You shake your hands and move your booty to the sound of music when standing at your walker. 

You are a GREAT eater! You like almost everything. Your favorites are mama's pesto pizza, artichoke, blueberries, salmon, spinach, chicken, cheese, avocado and the list goes on. You drink from a straw and a sippy cup no problem.  

I love the way you will lay back on us and read a book at night before you go to bed.  You enjoy flipping the pages, point and look at us to tell you what it is.  You are so sweet when you go to sleep,  now (those first 7+ months were a test).  Mostly mom needed some training.  You are amazing at going to bed now & going down for a nap.  You don't even make a peep.  I love how you lay your head on my chest and close your eyes as we sing to you before we lay you in your crib.  

I fall more in love with you every minute we spend together.  I can't believe one whole year has already flown by. We feel so lucky to have you in our lives. 

You have brought a joy into my life I never knew existed. We love you more than you will ever know... (until you have kids), 
Love, 
Mama & Papa

51 Weeks Old!

Happy Halloween!

Another fun filled week in Arizona! From one end of the state to the other. Last weekend we went to Page and spent time with the family.  We met up with my dad there. We had some nice visits with the Bucks & the Slaters. Taylor loves playing with her cousins too.  She really makes herself at home where ever she is and will crawl, play or nap just about anywhere.  We enjoyed spending time with my dad, aunts & uncles we can never get enough of it.  It's always so nice to be home in Page. 

Back to Phoenix. Grandma brought over a little early birthday present and Taylor showed off her pull-up skills. We had our monthly cousin lunch this week.  Next month's cousin lunch will have a new addition... baby Elliott.  We are anxiously awaiting his arrival.

Next off to Tucson we went for OZ's change of command ceremony. Taylor spent time helping daddy work and laughing with the Milners.  She had more cousin time playing in Tucson. Then we packed it up and headed back to Phoenix to prepare for her big shin-dig this weekend. 

Click here for pictures from this week. 

We'll see you next week for my sweet girl's 1st birthday!

Meg.

50 Weeks Old!

Taylor's days at home consist of waking up, having breakfast, playing with toys, patty-cake, maybe a swim although the weather is starting to get a little colder, lunch, a nap, maybe two, running errands with mom, dinner, relax time, bath, reading and bed.  But who are we kidding, we're hardly home. 

This week we were off to Chicago to celebrate our friend Louis Popp's wedding.  We enjoyed the long weekend with OZ and the beautiful Chicago fall weather. Taylor met new friends, Popp's niece & nephew, Brook & Lincoln.  It was fun for them to get to play together. Taylor danced the night away at the reception and enjoyed delicious food all weekend long. It was a great trip and we look forward to getting back out there.  

Once back home we were all tuckered out.  Taylor is climbing and crawling up a storm.  She can navigate up the stairs with ease, it's the plopping down I worry about. She loves to unpack the suitcase or anything for that matter. OZ likes to think of it as how she helps.  She's a lot of fun and keeping me on my toes.  

Only 2 more weeks... 

Click here for pictures from this week. 

Meg.

49 Weeks Old!

Playing catch up.  Look at this girl go... and go... and go... she is a crawling machine.  It was a family week.  We started out in Sedona. Taylor has a great time playing with Grandpa.  She had her first pancake... (yes Lisa, we fed her dough! haha) She enjoyed listening to Hayden read, then tried to do some reading of her own.  One of her favorite things to do in my room is to pull all my books off the bottom book shelve.  The other is to pull my shoes out in my closet.  

Saturday was my cousin Genny's baby shower.  Taylor (just like the rest of us) can't wait for her new cousin Elliott to get here.  A family dinner outing and game of big booty while we waited for our table was just what this girl needed to wear her out.  Sunday we had brunch with Uncle Poppy & Gomes. As you'll see in the pictures a very intense game of patty-cake pursued.  Then off to my cousin Brad's to see my cousin Sam & her little Ayden while they were in town.  Taylor loved playing with Ayden.  And I don't think I'm letting the cat out of the bag at this point... one more cousin soon to come!!! :)  Last but not least a little Macayo's with Grandma to finish off the week.  

Only a couple more weeks left before this girl turns the big ONE!

Click here for pictures from the week. 

More to come soon. 

Meg. 

48 Weeks Old!

Our sweet girl is getting so big.  She's very social, loves to interact with others.  She'll mimic sounds and facial expressions for as long as one will sit and play with her.  She's making motorboat sounds and laughing. She will bump noggins with you as a sign of affection. Taylor likes to play with her toys, crawl around chasing momma and new this week ... she can clap. She will even do it on command.  She's got a mean crawl on all 4's. She's enjoying tons of new foods like grilled asparagus, artichokes, salmon, cauliflower, hollandaise.

We had a busy weekend. OZ came home from Virginia this weekend. We all hung out with our friends  that were in town Holly, Ike, Steph and Gunni came to visit. We went swimming and bbq'ed. Taylor loves seeing other kids and watching Gunni run around and swim. Taylor can't wait to be able to keep up with him.  She is starting to navigate the stairs.  She can pull herself up a stair or two. We hung out with Holly & Kelly for a few. They introduced Taylor to cotton candy.  Funny that she wasn't a fan. We drove to Tucson for a wedding. My cousin Debra got married and Taylor enjoyed the bubble blowing.  

This week we went to Dewey to see our friends Randal & Trisha before they moved back east to Maryland. We had a nice lunch, a nice little hike, and enjoyed a beautiful afternoon.  Then onward to Sedona to visit Grandpa & Marilyn. Taylor played blocks, looked at pictures and entertained us playing with Grandpa.  

Also new this week she will wave good-bye.  There may have been a possible mama in there this week. And OZ thinks she's learning German since she will say, Nine, repeatedly. Bye-bye for now. 

Click here for pictures from this week. 

See you in a week, 

Meg.

47 Weeks Old!

This is a Shaw baby! You can tell by that cute little chin, dimples and jaw line. 

It's been a nice week at home filled with friends and family.  

For pictures from this week click here.

• Taylor played with her little friend Cameron.  They had a great time sharing toys and crawling up and down the nap nanny onto the couch.  We went to 2 farmers markets with the Cranks on Saturday and picked up some delicious veggies and cheese.   
• We had our friends the Surakus's in town, which always includes a trip to Oregano's with a crew and some sort of house project for Randal.  This visit was no exception.  We walked down to Oreganos for a wonderful dinner, had a nice walk across the bridge on Tempe Town Lake, a swim to cool down in the evening and Shawbucks coffee in the morning (ok it's a blend of Surakus girls coffee method, with honey - thank-you Marilyn, and Nespresso steamed & frothed half & half - thank-you Nancy) and a garage project to end the weekend.  Thank-you guys for visiting! 
• We had 2 cousin lunches, lucky us! We did our monthly lunch with Timmy & Ryan and a follow up lunch with Timmy, Lonnie & Jason at Garcia's.  
• We stopped by my mom's for an afternoon and Taylor crawled all over the house. She had a great time playing with Grandma who gave her lots of paper to crinkle and toys to play with. 
• To end the week the Marr's arrived! Yahoo! Taylor so badly wants to chase & follow Gunni all over, he's just so quick. And very protective! He doesn't want the baby to get hurt.
• We started reading Dr. Seuss's, One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish.  Taylor gets a kick out of it when I say that, rhyme fast, and she loves flipping through the pages.  She giggles through it. 

Still no 'ma ma ma ma'.  If I ask Taylor to, "Say Mama", she says "Dada".  She gets very excited to see dada on the phone.  She wants to eat what ever I am eating and do what ever I am doing.  If it's folding the laundry, she wants to unfold, make the bed, she wants to unmake the bed, put clothes in the dryer, she wants to take them out of the dryer.  She either feels like she's helping or 'cool, I get to play with this too'. She's a very funny little girl.  I love when she laughs. It's the best thing on earth. 

For pictures from this week click here.

Off for another 7 fun days! OZ gets home today! Yay!

Meg

46 Weeks Old!

We spent the first half of the week in Virginia with OZ.  We'd never been to Virginia so we decided to check it out.  We checked out the Battlefield at Petersburg which is adjacent to where OZ is staying at Fort Lee. We looked at the canons and walked through the visitors center to view some of the Civil War history.  OZ was excited to take us for a Wawa sandwich (sort of like a subway).  We checked out the Museum of the Confederacy and the Confederate White House.  We drove down Monument Ave to see the monuments/statues in the middle of the street of Grant & Lee and Arthur Ash. Taylor popped a little tooth on the bottom this week, which probably is the reason for our longest night ever with her while we were in Virginia.  We took a nice drive through the country passing many peanut farms on our way to Newport News.  On the way back we drove through Williamsburg and stopped for dinner.  We wish we would have spent the day there.  Maybe one day we'll get back. 

Made it back to Phoenix to a flooded garage.  Thank-God for my cousin Michael! He turned off the water and replaced the water expansion tank... and while he was at it, hooked up the water softener.  Yep, he's Amazing!

It's great to be home.  Now we're just ready for Papa to be home with us. Soon. 

See you next week.  Click here for pictures from the week. 

Meg.

45 Weeks Old!

Taylor is getting big and independent.  Her personality is really starting to come through.  She likes to do things on her own.  Now that she is mobile she wants to crawl every where.  Taylor is very vocal and loud.  She likes to tell us how she feels about everything.  Usually with a big smile.  She's super active, always squirming and twisting.  She wants to be a part of whatever I am doing.  She is currently twisting around in my lap trying to type on the computer.  

This week Taylor found her tongue, sticking it out like a lizard is her new trick.  She also started climbing stairs with vengeance. She loves to eat big kid food, but we're trying to stick with more blended foods.  Plus the squeeze tubes of pureed fruits and veggies are so easy to travel with and she can feed them to herself.  She ate everything this week from sweet peppers, onions, Uncle BJ's delicious tomatoes, every thing from Aunt Kristy's garden, nibbled on some pizza, loved some mashed potatoes, and even tried a sip of miso soup.  

She enjoys the outdoors.  Loves the fresh air.  We played out side at Aunt Kristy's & Uncle BJ's.  Enjoyed meals outside and just relaxing.  She takes a second to warm up to animals, but then is very intrigued by them.  

We ended the week landing in Virginia to see OZ! We were very excited to see him!  We missed him a lot.  

There are a ton of pictures from this week with cousins & family in Oregon.  Click here to enjoy. 

See ya next week, 

Meg. 

44 Weeks Old!

This week in pictures will show you:

New Accomplishments:

Taylor is pulling herself up on the furniture.  You will even see our brave girl climbing her nap nanny effortlessly to get up on the couch.  Figured out how to roll over and out of her bouncy chair and use it as a walker.  

Loads of new foods:

Taylor likes oranges / tangelos. She likes a little something sweet. She loves to feed herself and is very excited to do so.  Taylor has learned to grab Cheerios out of the little snack cup. Taylor tried pesto pizza crust and loves it! She has quite the palate.  She tried some Mexican food with Grandpa and PF Changs chinese food with Grandma.  She also tried trout and shrimp. Yum yum!

Visitors & Trips:

We drove up to Sedona to saw my dad & Marilyn for a night.  Taylor enjoys playing with them and relaxing around their house.  Kelly Milner came in for a night before he and OZ headed out to Virginia. We were all able to have a nice dinner together.  Tonight we landed in Portland.  Off to spend more time with family.  We had dinner and hung out with OZ's Grandma Leona & Mom.  We are now at OZ's brother Walt & Hallie's and heading to Pendleton Oregon tomorrow to meet up with more family. 

Taylor was still feeling a little funky at the beginning of the week.  So there were extra snuggles in momma's bed for her in the morning.  Where she would proceed to fall back asleep.  She was also able to watch the big magic box (the t.v.) and zone out a little on some baby development channel.  It was cute how she would giggle at the peek-a-boo show. 

Off for another fun 7 more days. 

Click here for pictures from this week. 

Meg.

43 Weeks Old!

Taylor's 2 new tricks this week: Give kisses & High Five! 

This week Taylor:

• tried pizza & chocolate (loved both. ok... she licked chocolate and gnawed a little on the pizza crust, but it still counts right?)
• went to Flounder's draft & played with Tressie & Brock
• fed the turtle at Uncle Poppy's
• had dinner with Eddie & Ellen 
• had a bit of a growth spurt.

Taylor is becoming a quick little crawler.  She can really move from place to place I can walk into the kitchen, turn around and there she is following right behind me.  

She likes to talk (really loudly).  She likes to feed herself with both hands.  She uses her little pinchers to grab Cheerios and put them in her mouth.  She had her first fever this week, nothing too exciting, it just made her a little more cuddly and sleepy than usual.  She's back to her old self already.  I thought it might be teething, but still no teeth in sight.  She can high five on command, but we're not clapping on her own just yet.  She does love when you help her clap.  Patty-cake and peek-a-boo (where's Taylor) are 2 of her favorite games. When we talk to OZ on the phone. She smiles at his voice and in a whisper says, "dada", its very sweet. 

See you in 7 more days!  Click here for pictures from this week.

Meg.

42 Weeks Old!

As you can see morning yoga is paying off!  

Click here to see pictures from this week!

In this week's pictures you'll see Taylor:

• attended a double surprise party, a bridal shower and Thanksgiving. Last year we had an early surprise Thanksgiving for my sister before she left for London, so we decided to do the same thing this year and combine it with a surprise bridal shower for cousin Debra. 
• A quick stop in at Mesa Corporate to visit Uncle Poppy, Jonathan & Mrs. Amber.  As Mesa newest flight attendant, she sat through some serious training in Uncle Poppy's office. 
• helping everyone with their picks at her first fantasy football draft.  She donned her ASU cheerleading outfit for the first time! Lots of pictures of her helping everyone out.  
• out at Macayo's wishing Corbin a Happy Birthday & visiting with her favorite Wanstens, Matty & Amber. 
• eating chicken like a big girl. 
• hanging with cousin Kellen
• playing & saying good-bye to Aunt Fuzz.
• and girls lunch out with Ms TC. 

Taylor's newest thing is to crinkle her nose with a big cheesy smile.  She will often do it in response to us doing it to her. She took her first big tumble of our bed. Luckly landing right on a pillow.  She is a pretty tough girl. She likes being airplaned. She thinks it is hilarious if we hold her up and put her on top of our head.  It results in a guaranteed giggle. 

Click here to see pictures from this week of Taylor visiting with everyone. 

More to come next week.  
Meg. 

41 Weeks Old!

It was another great week with the family.  We all went to Sedona to surprise my dad for his birthday. 

Click here to see the pictures from this week.

It was a fantastic surprise and a wonderful weekend, filled games and good times.  The first annual All Pro Mikey's (mini) Golf tournament went off with out a hitch.  Taylor spent time going from arms to arms of everyone in the family.  She loved it.  She had a great time. She didn't want to miss a thing.  We spent time down by Oak Creek at  Tlaquepaque and lots of time just hanging out on the back porch playing Rummikub & Blokus. 
It was a quiet week back home.  We tried new foods, did I mention this girl loves avocado. She enjoying feeding herself.  It's a long process, but she really enjoys it.  She's drinking out of a sippy cup regularly.  Peek-a-boo is one of her favorite games. Throughout the day she happily sings her coos & makes her little talking sounds, and often quite load.  This girl wants to be heard.  She is moving at a pretty good pace and quite impressed with herself and her mobility.  If I don't buckle her into her bouncy chair on the floor, she will quickly turn over and crawl out legs first to the floor.  She's also pulling herself up on to her knees, not quite to her feet yet.  but soon I'm sure.  
Taylor enjoys her nightly bath, splish splashing and playing with her rubber ducky. Then off to bed.  

Now it's off to bed for me.  
Until next week. 

Meg.

40 Weeks Old!

Ok, I'm playing a little catch-up.  It's been a busy month.  Taylor had her 9 month check up last week.  She's a whopping 16 pounds.  Growing cuter with every pound!

Click here for lots of adorable pictures.

Last week we were in Enterprise, Oregon. We arrived in the middle of the night and Taylor was awoken in the morning by lots of cutie cousins. It was a house full of people at Papa Shaw's. 25 total, 23 staying there.  OZ's siblings, spouses & all their kids. There were people everywhere, but it was a ton of fun. 

Kristy brought tie-dye and all the kids made tie-dye shirts... (and a onesie for Taylor).   

We spent a couple of days at Wallowa Lake.

In the evening we walked down to Terminal Gravity, the brewery at the bottom of Papa Shaw's hill. Delicious eats and a great beers. They have tables outside and the weather was great. 

Back to the lake the next day for some canoeing, paddle boarding, floating and napping. 

Went to TG that evening with the Hermans, Played a bunch of Mexican Train dominos.

On the way home we stopped to see OZ's brother Joe & the kids. Then off to see his Grandparents and of course play some Pinochle!! Loved it.  Great Grandma & Grandpa love seeing Taylor.  Grandpa gets a big kick out of saying her name and her looking up at him.  

Taylor did great on her flights.  She's definitely becoming more active.  She scoots and moves all day.  She's starting to use her pincher finger to pick up cheerios and food, followed by grabbing her sippy cup for a drink of water to wash it down with. What a big girl. 

Until Next week... 

Meg. 

39 Weeks Old!

Click here for photos from this week.

So we're already on the road again an I haven't even posted the blog from last week.
Currently we are driving from Boise, ID to Enterprise, OR at 3:30am.  We'll be here for 5 days. But more to come on that next week. Back to Maryland ...
Last week ended with us arriving in Maryland for a long awaited visit with the Kules fam. Loved every minute of it. Soaking up all the amazing tid bits of information from the smooth running household of Operation Kules.

In the pictures you'll see Taylor:

Listening intently to Jillian reading her chapter books. 

Apparently the Olympics have the same affect on Ryan as they do on Taylor Poppy. 

A gaggle of kids skyping good morning to the Surakus'

Taylor trying to keep up with speedy Liv, dance party with Jillian & sharing a baby smooch with big boy Evan! 

We made our way back to PHX  made our way to the Harris's for some delicious ribs. (add that to Taylor's firsts.) While there Abby & Hanna taught Taylor the fun of dress-up. Very fun. 

Tried lemon sorbet with Papa, which by the way is also the first "word" Taylor understands. I can ask Taylor, "Where's Papa?" and she will look over at his picture. 

Spent time with Grandma showing her the new silly face Taylor likes to make by crinkling her nose. 

And lastly ending the week spending time with the Pappaioanous in from Carmel, Indy.  They love them some Taylor Poppy and she has no qualms about entertaining them with her endless smiles. 

Off we go. Until next week. 

Meg. 

38 Weeks Old!

Click here for this weeks photos!

This week Taylor:

• started the week with a belated family birthday party (super cute photos of Taylor and Kellen!  Taylor could not take her eyes off of Kellen- he made her laugh the whole time and she was quite smitten with him)
• attended Kenley's baby shower (Taylor loved hanging out with all the ladies.  We were very happy to spend time with Kenley, Artemis & Jamie- Taylor was soaking up all their love and always looks forward to spending time with these girls!)
• helped Momma and Papa celebrate our wedding anniversary (7 years!)
• fell asleep watching the Olympics with Daddy
• watched Mommy's first attempt at curling ribbon for making hair bows (I'm prepping in advance for when she finally grows more hair!!)
• tried meat for the first time (a trophy elk Daddy hunted out of the Kaibab National Forest! She has already developed a taste for backstrap and can't wait for more.  Good thing, because there's lots of elk in her future!!)
• went out to lunch with Grandma at Macayo's
• caught her 19th flight to Maryland to see our good friends the Kules.  (More photos to come next week of our fun here in the East!  We've only been here for one day, but Taylor is really enjoying watching the Kules kids (especially 13 month old Evan) and seems to think they are pretty cool!
• is expanding her sense of taste.  New foods (in addition to the elk!) are chicken, apple sauce, broccoli and a little bit of cheese sauce.

More to come in 7 days!  Have a great week!

37 Weeks Old!

Feeding ourselves is a highlight of most days for Taylor Poppy. This usually results in peaches, mangos, spinach or whatever she is eating behind her ears and in her hair.  Amongst feeding herself Taylor is also drinking from a sippy cup and crawling all over the place.  And she is speedy!

This week we did more of the usual.  Grocery shopping and traveling.  :)  Taylor is social butterfly.  Loves talking up a storm.  She hung out with her big fans the Vazquezs & went swimming. Then we took a trip to Prescott to see my dearest friend Dana & family.  It was so great seeing her and everyone else.  We had such a great visit.  Next stop Sedona to hang out with my dad for the day.  Taylor really started to catch on to peek-a-boo.  Then back to Phoenix for a quick family get together for my cousin's birthday where Taylor was able to play a little with her cousin Ayden!  So cute together!

Click here for this week's pictures.  Until next week.
Meg.

36 Weeks Old!

Off to Colorado for a lovely week with friends.  Taylor enjoyed playing with the kids while OZ & I enjoyed hanging out with friends.  Taylor may have thought the biggest event this week was her eating an entire peach or apricot for breakfast or going on her first bike ride. But the biggest event this week was Taylor's sleep training!  We made it over the hump thanks to my dearest friends Karyn & Katie. Taylor probably didn't think that while in Colorado she'd be doing sleep training, but she did, and aced it like a champ.  She's skipping a night feeding and sleeping right through it.  It's amazing! Taylor was a sweet baby girl this week.  She swam in the pool, played in the park, enjoyed the Colorado weather on the Schrom's back patio and strolled with our friend Holly. Life is good.  

Enjoy the pictures from this week here.

Meg.

35 Weeks Old!

Eight months old! This girl is getting sooo big! We started off the week with getting fun pictures taken  by our friend Sarah. There are a few she sent me in the pics this week and more to come.
Taylor is a social butterfly. We had a busy week of play dates and swimming. She absolutely loves watching other kids and babies.  It's as if she knows these are her people.
We try to get a little outside time in the cooler part of each day. Taylor loves watching the planes, she'll see one flying and follows it across the sky.  I enjoy just watching her look around and check everything out.  She likes to watch birds as we walk around Tempe Town Lake.  She enjoys being read to, or just eating the books.  haha.  She has a quick hand and goes to grab just about anything in reach.  Then straight to the mouth usually.
She talks to the baby in the mirror and can spend time just gabbing away.  I love the way she watches my mouth as I sing to her or repeat sounds.  It's as if she's really studying how my lips are moving.  Then tries to repeat the sound.

Off to pack.  We enjoyed the week home, but now we're heading to Colorado.  (Taylor's 10th state. ;)
Until next week.  Here are the pictures from this week.

Enjoy,
Meg.

34 Weeks Old!

Another great fun-filled week.  We visited with friends & family. Grandma Cathy came to visit, so we took a road trip to Sedona, the Grand Canyon & Flagstaff.  Taylor took her first dip in Oak Creek as well.

Some of the big news this week...Taylor is getting up on all fours and starting to crawl.  She can lift her body and reach real hard for something she wants and push with her toes to move forward a little.  I fear Speedy Gonzales crawling is just around the corner. She's already getting into as much as she can. She is so curious.  Loves being outside and looking around.  Taylor spent her first 4th of July in the pool honing her swimming skills, then out to watch fireworks at our friends Kelly & Jose's.  Taylor watched the fireworks in awe.  She would even let out a giggle after some.

Taylor finds the baby in the mirror hilarious. She grabs for the camera when she sees herself in it.  She also has a cute admiration for babies and kids.  Taylor recognizes babies/kids vs. adults. She gets a big smile as if she wants to meet and talk to them.  She's so social.

She recognizes when it's time to eat when I grab her bib.  She loves mangos and cantaloupe.  She can almost sit up on her own.  I sit her up and she'll last for half a minute before tipping over.

Last night she was staring at our pictures of OZ & I.  I grabbed the 8x10 I have framed in our room and she would pat OZ's face, then look at me as if to say, "That's my papa!" This morning when we woke up she saw the picture and was trying to get to it across the bed.  So cute.

She is still sleeping in bed with me, which contributes to mama not getting very good sleep. She was in the bassinet, but I moved it out of our room when we got her crib.  We're working on getting familiar with the crib and her room.  Spending more time in there and napping in the crib.  Also hoping to cut out the middle of the night feeding soon.  Wish us luck.

Until next week. Click here for pictures from this week.
Meg.

33 Weeks Old!

Cousin Cousin Cousin Time! We spent most the week in Portland with the fam. Taylor absolutely Loves watching her cousins! And they love her right back.  You will see in this week's pictures loads of cousin time.  Brett & Ty showing her their grandpa poses, Abby & Ally being great baby sitters.  And everyone asking her if she "wants 50% more cash?" Uncle BJ even had a special message for OZ from Taylor. She spent time with both Grandma & Grandpa.  We were even able to squeeze in some friend time at the Grand Lodge with the Hermans. Then it was off to Vegas... well at least the airport.  We were in and out.  Soon enough we will get some real Vegas time.

Some highlights of life so far:
She's eating lots of fruits & vegetables. She likes watermelon, apricots, apples peaches, plums, surprising how much she likes spinach. She likes peas, carrots and sweet potato. We tried blueberries & mango this week too.
She is still nursing about 7 times a day.  She gets a little distracted sometimes.
3 things seem to really startle her, velcro, coughing and sneezing.
She is trying really hard to sit up on her own.  She looks like she's doing an intense stomach crunch.
She's rolling and scooting to get to toys.  She definitely has motivation behind her movement. Crawling is in our near future.
Taylor has been to 9 states.
Laughing can always be incited from floating a blanket over her face.
She weighs just over 14 pounds. (according to the Wii Fit)
She gets a giggle out of glass elevators watching the outside go up or down.
For the most part is a pretty easy going baby.  She will go to just about anyone, but prefers mom & dad when she's getting tired.
She still loves to be read at night.

Taylor Poppy, I can't believe how big you are.  It seems like just a minute ago you were so little and squishy and in a blink of an eye you're already becoming a little girl.

Lots of fun pictures from this week here.

Until next week.
Meg.

32 Weeks Old!

A week at home ... sort of.  I think Taylor looks like the E-trade baby when she tries to escape her Bumbo.  I just need her to learn to say 'frowned upon'.
She looks so tiny in her crib, but so big when I hold her in my arms.  She is a rolling machine these days.  Shimmying back and forth to get toys.

This week we grilled out with friends a couple of nights. Taylor was loved and doted upon. We swam the days we were home.  She really wants to be a part of the action.  If we're playing cards she wants to be on blanket next to us. If I'm baking she wants to be at my feet.  We had our first Father's Day.  Taylor & I made OZ treats.  You'll see she enjoyed giving her papa his gift.  We did a quick day trip up to Sedona to have dinner with my dad & Marilyn.  Marilyn made a yummy chocolate cake for the Fathers.  mmm mmm.  We enjoyed just sitting outside in the nice cool weather.

We ended the week by popping up to Portland to see the cousins.  Taylor is racking up the frequent flyer miles.  She looks so big sitting in her airplane chair.  Taylor was super excited to see her cousins.  She is completely entertained by watching them run all over.  More pictures to come next week of our time in Portland with the fam.

For pictures from this week click here.
Meg.

31 Weeks Old!

Talking up a storm!  Taylor loves to tell stories... She has found her voice and makes all sorts of sounds... da, ah, ga, hi, bla, bla and it usually ends in a phhhwww.  It's been a nice week at home.  Taylor is rolling everywhere! She reaches and rolls to get toys. All while she's talking to them of course.  She has just rolled about 5 feet while I type this.  It's a back and forth roll that shimmies her backwards mostly.

We spend a little time in the pool each day.  She loves to float on her back and if I hold her under her arms and pull her around the pool she will kick her legs behind her.  We're only out there for a few minutes each day, but it's just enough to wear her out, come in, rinse off and time for a nap.  She often sleeps with her eyes slightly open just like her mom, but there is no denying she is her papa's child.  She looks more and more like OZ everyday.

Taylor is eating peaches and plums.  We're going to try bananas again, but so far, the first few times they haven't been a hit.  She makes a face and spits them out.  She's getting bigger and stronger and happier.  We're hoping for hair one day.  My child is still bald.  Cute as a button, but when is this girl going to get some hair?!

Off we run.  Until next week.  Click here for pictures from this week.
Meg.

30 Weeks Old!

As my mom's cousin Faye would say... "Will somebody please pay this girl some attention! She clearly is neglected." Well what can I say besides we are soo lucky!  Taylor Poppy went from one end of the country to the other and back this week.  She doesn't seem to mind too much me packing her from here to there.  Although it is nice to be home and back in her familiar environment & back to a good schedule.  We went from home to Sonoma, California back to home to Charlotte, NC to Birmingham, AL and back to home this week.  This girl is earning her wings.

It was our friend Jonathan's birthday, so we all headed up to Sonoma for the weekend. While in Sonoma Taylor drank a lot of the 'house white'.  She went swimming for the first time and enjoyed floating in the pool.  I'm sure she was a contributing factor to the multiple cases of wine that were ordered that weekend.

We returned home for a day then off to Alabama with my mom, more family for Taylor to meet.  It was time for Taylor to learn to play Aggravation & Euchre.  And who better to teach her than my Great Aunt Esther.   Who also taught us how to make our new favorite brandy slushes.  We can't wait to go back.

Taylor's little personality is growing bigger.  She's smiles really big when we say hi to her.  She's starting to play a little game of when we say hi, she'll smile & burry her face in one of our shoulders.  She's thrown out a few more giggles and started multiple rolls.  She's talking up a storm with a handful of new sounds.  She is more and more curious about everything she sees.  It's cute to watch her notice and follow cars going by.  She even noticed a couple of planes taking off and would watch them fly off into the air.
Taylor Poppy loves to make the scene.  If there are people around she wants to be in the middle of it all. She wants to eat and drink anything we are eating & drinking. And is constantly grabbing at what ever is in our hands.  She can drink out of a glass and loves to hold the glass herself.  She's my little independent girl.

Click here for loads of cute pictures from this week.

Meg.

Hanging with Uncle Pat...

Hey Folks....it is me... Taylor talking...... look here....I get to be with the amazing Uncle Pat !  Boy, this was a special day for me.  Mom says,  he is the smartest one in the whole damned tribe.  And he hasn’t even been arrested for anything immoral in a few years now. (that was just some waitress from Hooters,  ya know how those girls are ......  charges never stuck anyway).

    If you are wondering about this look on my face...?  It is because I am trying very hard to make this wonderful uncle....the only one I have not pooped on today.  (that’s not easy,  ya know?).  Am trying to save this pant load for my Grandpa Wilbur.  Gee.....  there is a place a girl would really like to crap !

    Ya know.... I must really love my “Uncle P “   or...why else would I have had my hair done like his?  Ya gotta love it !!!!  One more thing..........My Uncle P says.... if I be good and eat all my veggies..... someday I will be bigger than a Wal-Mart watermelon.  Not going to change the hair style though.

    Well.... that’s it for the moment.....need to get back to reading the gospel.......  (according to Uncle  P...)  Luv you all..........T. P.   ..p.s ....hurry up and get here Grandpa Wilbur.... I can’t hold this load forever...........


(Guest Blogged by the one & only Uncle Pat)

29 Weeks Old!

A Fantastic Week.  A milestone I've been waiting for.... She laughed!  We were in Page at my Uncle Mike's, OZ was waving a blanket over her and he got a little giggle out of her. She's repeated it a few times now.  I absolutely love it!!

She's started rolling over more.  She rolled over for the second time while we were in Page over the weekend.  And has started to repeat the process.  

OZ is gone during the week and over the weekend we try to get as much in as possible.  Or do something fun. This weekend we went to Page and spent time with my family. It was lots of fun.  We hung out with cousins and visited. There are many 'Meetings of the Minds' pictures. Taylor and her little cousins look as if they are plotting a plan to rule the world.  Or at least how they are going to drive us crazy entertain us in the future. Taylor is a great traveler.  She did fantastic on the trip.  Another happy note my sister returned home from college for the summer.  She was excited to see baby Taylor again, it's been 4 months. 

Click here for the pictures from this week.  Enjoy!

Meg.

28 Weeks Old!

Taylor had a fun filled week.  We celebrated my birthday with friends & family, went to a National Guard event at Talking Stick Resort, went to the Griesbecks wedding, and tried sweet potatoes, although she was more interested in eating her bib that the sweet potato. 

In the pictures this week you'll see we spent some time with my dad.  Who is so handy and helpful, while he was here we hung some sun blocking curtains in Taylor Booty's room. Making it nice and dark for nap time. At Olive & Ivy with friends & family Taylor played with her friend Chance.  I love the little conversation the two of them have going on.  She did great at the Griesbeck wedding & reception, despite being out so late. She enjoyed the gathering and time with the Griesbecks.  We hope Tressie teaches her to dance with enthusiasm like hers. 

My little cutie booty is trying so hard to crawl she can taste it... almost literally... she sees something and wants to put it in her mouth, that seems to be what motivates her to move forward.  She has all the right moves, she just needs to coordinate them.  She's also a little drooling a ton. I suppose teeth may be on their way. Besides wanting to put everything in her mouth, she also wants to sit and stand.  If I move her to a new position, sitting or standing, she stops everything and looks around to see what it looks like from that vantage point.  She's soaking it all in.  

Until next week.  Click here for pictures from this week.

Meg.

27 Weeks Old!

Oh my sweet little traveling baby.  We were on the road again this week.  Our little Poppy has been a trooper.  Slept right through both flights.

This week....
Taylor met more cousins.
Rolled over for the first time.
Enjoyed a little time around the campfire.
Looks like she is ready to drink out of a cup.
Worked on her hunter safety.
Tried her hand in playing a little pinochle.
And had a couple more successful plane rides.

Her 6 month check-up showed us she's becoming a little chunck-a-muncka!  All her hair on the back of her head has been rubbed off, we are patiently waiting for it to grow back.

The big news this week... drum roll please...  she rolled over.  While we were visiting OZ's Grandma & Grandpa in Oregon, right in front of all 4 of us as we stood around looking at her, she rolled over. She's yet to repeat the performance. We're waiting...   She entertained us for hours of cooing and bubble blowing.  Great Grandma Ruth & Great Grandpa Sam were happy to just have her hang out with us while we played cards. She really lights up a room.  It was nice to see OZ's dad while we were there too. Taylor met more cousins this week in Boise.  We went to the Saturday Market in Eagle and found a cute little owl beanie. Taylor enjoyed a little campfire time. And looks like she is ready to drink out of a cup.  But tap the breaks little girl.  One thing at a time.  She can sit up with props or lean on her belly.  Things are a changin' around here.

Enjoy the pictures!

Meg

26 Weeks Old!

6 Months Old! I can hardly believe it.  It really flies by! It seems like there is a bunch of new feats coming with this age.  She can practically sit up on her own, she needs a little support on each side, and sometimes she just tries to eat her toes, but it's there.  While sitting, she will often arch her back trying as hard as she can to push herself up on her feet. Have I mentioned how much she loves standing?  Once standing, she is so curious to look around. Still no rolling over.  She can roll up on one side, back to her back and up on the other side, but not completely over.  She likes her tummy time too.  She so desperately wants to crawl.  This kid, I tell ya is a mover.  She is just dying to go places. (Shopping, I'm sure!) When we lay her on her tummy she will do anything to move forward.  She can get her little legs to push her forward, but then her arms get to her sides and she hasn't quite figured out how to move them back in front of her.  She will bury her face down to see if that helps, but nope, arms are still at her side.  We will move them forward for her and she'll push herself forward again, but then there she is stuck with her arms at her sides.  She'll figure it out, all to soon I suppose.  :) She is one big growing girl.  We had her 6 month check-up today. 

Weight : 13 lbs

Height: 23 inches

Head Circumfrence: 41 cm

Doc said he was very impressed with her development.  She's right on track and all caught up.  He said her motor skills, feeding & brian development are all looking great. He said she'll probably just be a bit on the tiny side. I think she's par for the course.  She's 6 months and wearing 6 month old cloths.  I can't believe how much she is growing.

We went to Portland this week and squeezed in about as much as we could.  Taylor was great once again on the plane rides.  I time her eating right before take off and it seems to work.  She played in the seat next to me most the plane ride home.  The pressure doesn't seem to bother her ears.  She was sucking on her pacifier on the decent into PHX and I think her ears popped at one point based on the look she gave me, but she didn't make peep.  Let's hope & pray this keeps up.  

1st stop in Portland was to see Grandma Cathy & make the office tour.  Of course Grandma loves showing off her adorable baby to everyone at the office.  Next pit stop at Jill's.  Perfect timing for Taylor to have a blowout and quick bath in her sink.  Thanks Jill ~ wink! Next up, a wonderful visit with our friends the Hermans! The kids, Lily, Addie & Bryson put on a show for us.  Lily loved on little Taylor Poppy as much as she could.  She wanted to hold her, play with her, dress her in her ball cap.  She was very sweet with her.  Jenny & Lawrence are old pros at this baby stuff.  I love just soaking them in.  It was, as always, was too short of a visit.  Next stop off to see the cousins! But not before blowout #2.  Only this time I was caught with only a couple wipes and unfortunately one of my favorite little outfits for Taylor was now going in the trash.  A quick pit stop into Target for a new outfit & wipes and we were back on the road. We came to Portland for Ally Maggs 1st Communion, but poor Ally got sick the night before, she was a trooper thou. And fortunately we came out unscathed. We still were able to spend time with Nan & Pop & cousins and had a wonderful visit. Aunt MaryBeth demonstrated how Taylor is about as big as her wine glass, (Francesca). Colton & Abby, Taylor's cousins, love them some baby Taylor and baby Taylor loves them right back.  I wish I could attach their video entertaining her.  I'll have to figure out how to do that. We stayed with my sister-in-law Lisa, where Taylor would constantly try to mimic Ty Ty's faces.  They were very cute together.  We went to Sydney's basketball game and Taylor slept right through the whole thing.  I thought my arm was going to fall off. Did I mention how heavy this girl is getting? Wow! We had quick visits with the Orneals' and Grandma Leona. There's never enough time when we're there.  

In the Pictures this week you'll see Taylor's adorable butt shot and loads of time with cousins & friends. 

Enjoy!

Meg.

25 Weeks Old!

This week Taylor gets snuggley.  She's such a little sweetheart.  At the end of the day she'll sit on my lap, lean back and let me rub her belly & rock her until she falls asleep.  I just love it.  We visited with friends this week. Uncle Chonie tried to tell her how cool it is to almost be done with school. Taylor gave Uncle Poppy the surprising news, he was shocked... as seen in the pictures.  Taylor went to Uncle Michael's to help him get some work done.  Then took a little dip in the pool. When we got back home she decided to start working out on her bikini body with her little rattle weights.  She was very pleased with her results, so she slipped on her glamorous shades (which she could not get enough of, she was tickled seeing herself in them) and went to dinner with our good friends the Kules brothers.
She seems to really observant this week.  She loves looking around and seems mezmerized at new environments.  OZ also tried to get Taylor to crawl.  She would even put her face down in the blanket and try to move forward using her forehead and legs. She's sitting with a pillow props around her, but still no rolling over.
Click here for pictures from this week.

We're off to Portland.  We'll see you next week.
Meg.

24 Weeks Old!

My little Bashas' baby! :)  Loves her deer meat!
Another fun, busy week full of visitors & friends.  She's growing so fast. I can't believe it.
This week: She's loving tummy time.  We practiced crawling.  She seems to like it. Today she started zerberting raspberries with her lips. And smiles when we do it to her.  She will also watch our lips and try to imitate what we do when blowing kisses.  She loves when we repeat sounds to her. Her facial expressions are still hilarious, I caught a couple of them in this week's pictures.

I'd love to know what her little baby dreams are about. She sometimes makes faces while she's sleeping.  I caught a picture of her smiling in her sleep.  In pictures this week you'll see Taylor had loads of grandma loving, met more cousins Kim & Nicole & baby Lark (pictures to come).  Lark is my cousin Jami's little girl.  Jamie and I are 3 months apart and Lark is 5 months older than Taylor. They just moved back from Belgium. We've been anxiously awaiting getting these littles together.  Taylor spent time with Aunts & Uncles & family in from Wisconsin too.  She went to her friend Tressie's birthday party.  She visited with Mary Megan in from Thailand.  We had a family dinner at my mom's cousins Lois & Dan.  Dan rocked Taylor for a good hour in the rocking chair.  Taylor is not a big snuggler, she's more of an observer. As Dan rocked her she just sat observing and taking it all in.

Each week is getting better and better.  I love her more and more and can't wait to see what the next week brings.  See you all next week.
Meg.
Click here to see the pictures from this week.

23 Weeks Old!

Taylor has a few new tricks.  Speaking with her eyebrows is the best one. She is also standing, twisting her body, tooting, and listening to her voice.  One of her favorite things to do is stand.  If you hold her up, she would love to stand all day.  OZ loves to show how strong she is and can practically stand on her own with just a little assistance in balancing.  She does have really strong little legs.  OZ thinks she would be the 'strong arm' man in the circus. She can twist her body like a churro.  She'll bury her face into the ground and tries to kick her little legs over.  This usually leads to a little tooting from the twisting. haha.  She has a big voice to go with her growing feet and hands.  She loves to grab her toes and roll around.  She's super active, loves to kick her legs, flail her arms and talk up a storm. She has her crawling position down and will grab at the blanket to try and pull herself forward. Still my favorite moments are when she's calm, sweet and snuggling in to sleep on my shoulder.  We spent some time outside by the pool, loving the fresh air, hoping the great weather will last longer.  We loved our visits this week with old friends and new friends.  Taylor is a very vocal, busy, active little baby and we just love her to pieces! 

For pictures from this week click here. 

Meg.

THE SKY WAS FALLING

It is with tremendous regret that I must inform you all of my unconsolable sadness.  As some of you may know, I was recently retained as a public relations specialist for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.  Earlier today I am sure you were waiting with baited breath to witness the spectacular delivery into orbit of the observation satellite that was in fact named after me - the "Glorious Taylor Poppy Shaw Global Observation Satellite."  Instead of celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the birthday of Kil Il sung, the launch was more or less like trying to shoot pool with a rope.

I am sure many of you are just as distraught as me over this obvious act of sabotage by either Japanese conspirators or an act of terrorism by the late Harlan Sanders and his explosive concoction of 11 herbs and spices.  I simply cannot put into words the sadness that I am feeling.  I have attached a photo to share with you my angst -- feel my pain!!!

The only thing that is getting me through these troubling times is the nearly full season of Duck Dynasty that I have recorded on the DVR.  I urge you all to keep the faith for the DPRK, I know you all look forward to the day when you can spend your spring break enjoying all the sights of Pyongyang, home of the 234th largest ball of twine and one of the worlds most active museums of torture, second only to Guantanamo - hopefully.

Well Meg keeps distracting me with milk and OZ is just pacing back and forth mumbling incoherently about the prospects of the Bears this season in a state of consternation.  My only hope is that if I just cry long enough and loud enough one of you out there will step up and get me a real drink and teach me how to send these updates myself.

Well I think I just dropped a present for my folks so I am going to warm up the vocal chords for a little concert.  Keep the faith.

My unconsolable screaming has been kindly translated by Uncle Poppy - Guest Blogger. . .  who was under the influence of my mind splitting screaming and drinks that he was hoping would drown them out, which apparently only limited effect. . .