Random Pics of Taft

He is just getting so BIG!

One of the many faces I see throughout the day.

The sleeping look...

I couldn't get him to stop crying one night and then I tried the "elephant" seat. That is what my kids call it since it has an elephant on it. I turned one the TV and this is what I got. A calm, but questioning baby. It only lasted about ten minutes, but was worth a try.

Then we have the smiles. These are what get me through the day and the colic at nights. I love this sweet boy. As I am posting this he is sitting here talkign to me.

It has been a long time since we have had a baby around here. I miss having one, but for some reason he wants to grow up way too fast to. I love you Taft! It is okay to stay little for awhile longer.

Brotherly Love

Bridger loves to hug and kiss Taft. He tries to help all of the time, but Taft is just too heavy. The love of two brothers, need I say more.

What do you get when you ask your kids for help with the laundry?

This......

Yes, both kids can fit in the dryer at one time. Every time I turned around they were in there. If you asked them what they were doing they would tell you they were gerbils. Silly kids! Got to love them.

Santa and Christmas

We made it to sit on Santa's lap. I think we may have even found the real Santa. Our kids always only ask for one thing and when Jacoy asked for a Little Pet Shop game Santa said, "and what else." She couldn't believe that he wanted to know what else.

Bridger asked Santa for a Wii and a box. He knew that a Wii came in a box so he thought he should ask for both. When he was done he came running over to us and said, "I did it. I got a Wii for us and a box. All I had to do was tell him. Let's go home." Christmas can be so magical. I loved his reaction.

Taft just slept.

The kids and their new Christmas Jammie's. They all got new slippers and jammies. They get to open their jammie's on Christmas Eve. They thought that it was funny that I wrapped a present for myself. I told them that if I didn't get me new slippers who else would. They were at a loss for words.

Opening presents is always fun.

I think that Taft hit the Jack Pot for only being a month and a half old.

We hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!

Grandma Jane

On our visit down south in December we were able to take a picture of Taft with his Great Grandma Jane.

Taft's Blessing & 2 months

At Taft's blessing I forgot to get a picture of him and his Dad who blessed him. So, I dressed him up in his blessing outfit and took his picture with his Dad. Aren't they so handsome. Well, this picture happens to be taken the day he turn two months old. We were able to bless him in Beaver on December 21, 2009. We were so blessed to have all of our family come. It has been quite awhile since all of Matt's family has been together. We were able to share this day with all nine of our nephews and our one niece, as well as Matt's sisters and their husband, his brother, his Mom, his Dad, and his Grandma Jane. We also had my Mom, my Dad, my sister, my Grandma Ann, my Grandpa Marshall, my Uncle Dave, my Aunt Cyd, and my cousin Preston.

Taft weighed a total of 13.5 pounds at his two month check up. What can I say, I must feed him heavy cream.

Here is our handsome boy. The orange striped socks were for Matt's Grandma Jane since orange is her favorite color.

Trying to get him to smile.

The smile!

Grandpa Pat holding Taft and calming him down while we were cleaning up. It amazes me how Taft will just sit and listen to my Dad talk. He has calmed him many times for me.

Dinner...
Our one and only niece, Kacie. She is so much fun.

We had family home evening together that night. Thanks Jamee for reading the story while I got the hot chocolate and donuts ready.

We had so much fun together that night and we loved spending every minute with our family. We hope that we can get together again sometime soon and spend more time with them.

Thanks everyone for coming and joining us. We love you all!

We will miss you Flash!

(Caution this isn't for the faint of heart)
What a way to start off the year. Last night our dog was brutally attacked. At first glance we thought it was done only by a person, but after hours at the vet hospital the conclusion was that it was a dog attack, but a person covered him in water after the attack. As soon as the sun goes down up here the temps drop even more and the water that was dumped or sprayed on him had started turning into ice.
Sadly Jacoy was the one to find him when he didn't come to her when she opened the back door. We tried to do everything for him. But all of the skin was ripped off his neck, his back leg muscle was torn so bad he couldn't use his leg(it just stopped working), and then with all of the other cuts and the cold water they couldn't save him.
Then we have animal control and the police saying they cannot believe what happened. Mean while things were just not adding up. The animal control officer came back by even though his shift was ending trying to look at a few more things. When he first talked to our neighbor they said their dogs were fine, but then when he went back over they had one dog whose head was wet. But then this 5 foot nothing neighbor came over to the officer and told him that her dog was attacked too and that she could ID the dog. She just didn't know what to do when it happened. She ID our neighbors dog and our neighbor got sited for one attack which is a class 2 mis. They took the dog and the neighbor said that they knew someone else that could ID that the dog killed their cat too a few months back. I am grateful that this lady came forward and I hope that they can get enough evidence to charge him with the death of our dog because his dog came into our yard and attacked and then one of them sprayed our dog with water. All I can do is call them cowards for not coming and saying anything to us.
We will really miss our dog and I knew that not much sleep was happening around our house last night. When Flash was first taken to the hospital Jacoy was crying hard and went and layed on her bed. Well, later I found that she was up there writing down her thoughts and on a teared filled page this is what she wrote:
Jan. 11, 2010
today Flash got hurt
me and my mom was crying
I love Flash I hope Flash would not die that was a good good good dog
(then later last night she added this line)
But he died I miss Flash

That is just heart breaking to me. We have also taught our kids that pray can help in many situations and the first thing that Bridger and Jacoy wanted to do was say a pray for him. Jacoy's consisted of her wanting Flash to come home and be ok. Bridger asked that Flash would be ok so that his sister wouldn't be so sad and cry so much. He is such a great brother. He still doesn't realize that Flash will not be here for him to play with. Reality will hit this week I am sure.

We will be driving 6 hours today to take Flash down to Grandpa's farm so that he can rest in peace. It is hard to loose such a good dog especially this way.

I can't believe he is five weeks!

Taft is officially one month old last week and five weeks yesterday. I can't believe it. Where has time gone. So, here are a few pictures of him over the last month. He is growing big fast. You would think I was feeding him pure heavy cream or something. At his 2 week appointment he was exactly one pound heavier! I think right now he is probably close to ten pounds. Yes, you heard me right, he is a chunk, BUT we love he. Matt has found out that he has another kid that is ticklish. These two pictures were taken at two weeks.

These were taken by Bridger. Taft wasn't so happy.

These two were taken on his one month birthday. His arm is up a lot. But look at that double chin.

Then we have the sleeping baby pose. He was trying to decided if the swing is a good place to sleep or not. He only likes it every once in awhile.

He is a very facial baby and has many expressions. He has started to smile when you talk to him, but then he gets a scowl. I wished I could get a picture of all of his many faces, but it doesn't happen when I am in reach of the camera. We all love him and are glad he is apart of our family.

My favorite time of year, BUT....

YES, I usually love this time of year. It isn't that I don't love it this year, but things are a little different. Traditions that we have been doing for the past seven years are different this year and I will tell you why.

Having a brand new baby in this season is great, but at the same time very difficult. Holiday shopping has proven to almost be the end of me. I have had to take many shopping trips with two or three kids, and still hide presents:) This in itself is problematic, but on top of that I am trying to keep kids healthy especially the new one. This is extremely hard because we have one in school. When she comes home she has to change and wash up, but still. Unfortunately he has gotten some sort of bug and I am just praying that it doesn't get worse. I am up all night with him and trying to make the best of things, but it is hard. I have been trying to keep him in the living room when he is having his fits so that when Matt is sleeping he can sleep. Matt, of course, is in finals this week and cannot wait until Friday at five when this semester is finally over and done. This is why he needs sleep when he can make it home. He isn't home yet tonight and he may not make it.

Tree: I feel like we missed out on getting our tree this year. We usually get it at Thanksgiving with my dad, whether we had Thanksgiving there or if we came from Matt's family. This year it did not happen. With the new baby we didn't go anywhere. We stayed home. Matt also had projects he needed to work on. So, we weren't able to go get the tree, but thanks to my dad, he brought us one up. The good thing is that it is up and was decorated with love by two of our kids. Really I didn't put the decorations on nor did they all get on.

Christmas Cards: Usually I have them out by now but oh no. It hasn't happen. I don't even have them. Unfortunately it may not happen this year. I am trying.

Family Pictures: We wanted to wait until the baby was born and since then we have been trying. I guess I will just have to get out the camera and do it myself. This may happen later than sooner:(

Temple Square: Since we have lived here we have tried to go every year. It usually is a success. This year I don't think it will happen. I think that we will try to take a drive by and look at the lights, but I don't think that we will be walking around.

Santa Claus: We usually have sat on his lap and the kids have told him their one request. Well, it hasn't happened yet. We went to the Coy's school to a Christmas party tonight, but in the end we left and gave up waiting for Santa. This was the worst Christmas party ever. I could go on about it but I will spare you. This is the goal for the rest of the week.

Basketball: Both kids are playing basketball which is great. I am coaching Bridger's team which is kind of hard with the new baby, but we are managing. I maybe shouldn't have taken this on yet but I did.

Christmas lights: Not happening. Sorry:( I just realize I cannot do it all. I feel bad because the kiddos really wanted them but I can't see it happening.

Treats for friends: May or may not happen.

House: Still for sell. Have had some showings which is hard because everything has to be in order, but I know that it has to be done. It is hard leaving and trying to find some place to go while there is a showing appointment. I am trying to be patient, but I can't wait until it is done. Not only are we showing the house, but also the trailer which has its own appointments.

Jobs: We are still trying to figure out where we will be in six months. We will be visiting some places come January and we will see what comes of that. I think this is one reason why this season has been so difficult because I know that we probably won't be in Utah during this time for the next few years. I am understanding that things are going to be extremely different and I just don't want to have our kids miss out on anything. I have been feeling really guilty on being able to do more. This is when I try to do too much and things are just not happening.

I guess that I am just a little overwhelmed and that the need to vent a little needs to happen. I don't know how all of these super moms do it. How do you get dinner on the table, kids homework done, baby fed (since I am the only one who can do that), diapers changed, dishes done, laundry done, kids bathed. grocery shopping done, holiday shopping done, and keep the house tidy and clean? I am lucky when part of the list gets done and even then I have to choose the most important things. I just count my blessings when I get us all up, fed, dressed, and out the door in the morning to get Coy to school on time. Maybe I need a time management class or maybe I should not be sitting here blogging but I am doing it while trying to keep a baby sleeping that should count for something, Right?!

I am Thankful.....

It is that time of year when I really take a look at the things that I am thankful for, but this year I have been really thinking about things in detail for the past couple of weeks. The Monday after Taft was born I was taking Jacoy to school and I was feeling a little stressed. We started off the week full steam ahead. Matt had to be back at school that day, and I now had three kids to get ready to be out the door with. This was my first time with 3 all alone....Aaaah! I think 3 kids made me more nervous then having two so close together. But the great thing was that we made it and we actually made it on time that day. Now the next day was another adventure...and we were two minutes late for school. Ugh. Our lives have been changing and will continue to change over the next 6 months and we will have great things to come.

I am thankful for Matt and everything he does for our family. He knew how stressful it was for me to be at the hospital and not be able to see Jacoy and Bridger while I was there. He was such a trooper. He stood by me through it all. At the hospital when I needed him, he was there doing anything and everything that I asked of him. I think that together we make a great team. He is getting anxious for school to be over, and them we have to start making the next decisions in our lives. Matt is an amazing person and together we can do anything. I love you Matt!

I am thankful for Jacoy. She is such a beautiful girl. She is my best little helper and she is so outgoing. I am glad that she is such a strong person. I am glad that she loves to learn and that she is so happy. She takes care of both of her brothers and loves them both.

I am thankful for Bridger. He definetly keeps me busy, but that is a good thing. He is trying to figure out where he fits in when helping with Taft. I am glad that he is healthy and happy. He really loves his sister and wants to give her everything. If you take him for a treat, he will either ask to get his sister one or he will save his and share it with her when we pick her up from school. He is a great kid.

I am thankful for Taft and that he is finally here. I am glad that he is healthy and growing strong. I cannot believe that he is two weeks old and has already gained a whole pound. He is a great eater. I just wished that his sleeping at night would improve just a little:) A girl can hope right?!

I am thankful for our families and the help that they have been.

I am thankful for this time of year, but I always feel that it goes too fast. I cannot believe that tomorrow is Thanksgiving and then will be Christmas.

Our lives will soon be changing more and more and we will try to keep updating and letting our family and friends know what will be happening. We have our new addition to our family and can't wait to see what else is in store for us.


Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!