Taggart Craig - Happy Half (2 months, 1 week and 2 days late!)

Taken July 26, 2015

Dear Tagg,

Happy Half, Tagg...plus two months. But hey, who's counting? Who? ME!! I am. I'm constantly torn between taking the time to document everything and actually spending time with you and Holland. But today, my little buddy, you and your sister are sleeping, and I don't have any work to do, so I'm finally getting a few things down so you and I can always remember them.

If I had to describe you in one word it would be HAPPY. Above everything else, you truly are a happy little person. If you cry, it doesn't last too long and then a smile quickly spreads across your face. You are easy going, funny, timid at times, and then shockingly brave other times (you drove your little four-wheeler out the back door and down the steps a couple weeks ago), you adore Holland and will 9 times out of 10 do exactly what she wants you to do. More and more you are learning to have an opinion (and make it known), but like your dad, you really are easy going and a kind of go-with-the-flow kind of guy. I love that about both of you!

A typical morning for you lately is waking around 6:30-7:00 a.m. and quietly walking into our room and standing by my side of the bed until I feel/hear you there. You always want me to lift you into my bed with me and snuggle, but that usually lasts all of two seconds before you are saying, "I want cereal." After eating, you'll then come snuggle with me for a bit until Holland wakes up. You often want to wake her up, but I quickly stop you from doing that. If she takes too long, you often get bored and want to head outside to play in the backyard. Then, without fail, she'll finally be up and eating her breakfast and you'll start pulling on her arm saying, "Come outside with me, Holland." After breakfast, you and Holland either go to the gym with Daddy (occasionally Mom will come as well), or you go and do something fun with Mommy and Holland - like going to Classic, the aquarium, Thanksgiving Point, play dates at the park or splash pad, or sometimes just going for a walk or playing in the yard. And on really fun days, we spend time with Grandma and Grandpa at their house or ours.

You have been a stinker the past several weeks with your naps, and with going to bed at night. It's driving me crazy! You used to be the best little sleeper and would go to bed so easily. Then, you learned how to climb out of your crib...and then how to open doors. Ugh! So, often times, we have to put you back in your bed 4-5 times before you fall asleep, or sit and rock you until you fall asleep. Hopefully you'll get back to to being a good sleeper again. Well, I guess you haven't changed your sleep per say, just your process for getting to sleep. You still take a 2 1/2 - 3 1/2 hour nap each day and sleep about 10 hours each night. You go down for a nap around 1-2 p.m. (depending on how many times you climb out of your bed) and between 8-9 p.m. each night (we used to be really strict about bed time...and then Summer happened!)

Things you LOVE lately:

• Puppy
• all kinds of little play cars (hot wheels) and trucks
• Trains! Reading about, playing with, watching videos about, riding on...
• Cars (the movie), especially Lightening McQueen
• Cars pullups
• The Kindle (to watch Cars)
• Your bike - you want to ride it constantly!
• Grandpa Charlie!
• Being nakey (You always yell, "I'm nakey boy!"
• Swimming/splashing at the pool or splash pad
• Cereal, grapes, Nutella on graham crackers, rice, and milk
• Being outside
• The aquarium
• Being tickeled
• Wiping off Momma's kisses (you think it is so funny, and then you ask for "one more" and so on...)
• Pushing (not riding in) the shopping cart
• Your sister, Holland!
• Your "Carson Shoes" (little black Crocks, we have no idea why you call them that)

Things you say lately:

• I love Grandpa Charlie!
• Yep.
• Um...sure. 
• Okee dokee dokee
• Again.
• That's not very nice!
• Because (your response to most "why" questions.)
• Poop. Toot.
• Will you jump me? (meaning, will you catch me when I jump?)
• That's silly.
• Where's Holland?
• Can I hold you?
• Holy mackerel!
• I all done sleeping...I waked up!
• I want cereal.
• This is a mess. (Wonder where he's heard that? ha!)
• Can I hold your hand, Momma?
• Put me in my bed. (This used to mean: I'm super tired and would like to go to sleep now. It now means: See ya in two, suckas!)

 You have started doing a lot of "boy things" that, quite honestly, crack me up (and some that infuriate me at the same time): biting, spitting, saying "poop", knocking things over just to do it, running as though you are a race car, galloping from place to place, making sound effects, taking things away from Holland just to get a reaction, kicking... Boy, oh boy, oh boy! You are fun and a handful!

You currently weigh 26 lbs and are 2'11" tall. Your hair is light blonde, especially from the Summer sun, and your eyes are still sparkling blue. People comment on your eyes a lot! It's a Pace trait for sure. One of the first things I noticed about your Daddy is his eyes! You have the best smile, give the meanest glare and have the best laugh that has a growling undertone - your laugh alone makes me laugh!

I love you little man, and I cannot believe that you are creeping up on being THREE! It's true...time flies!

Love,

Momma

P.S. These pictures of you are ADORABLE! They were taken in April, just a month before your half birthday.

The Princess Train

I found out in April that The Heber Valley Railroad (aka Heber Creeper) was doing a Princess Train. It was right around Holland's birthday so I thought it would be fun to invite several of her friends and their mom's to join us. Sadly, it was already sole out. However, they had another one scheduled....but not until July 14. It was a LONG wait for a little girl, but it made it so exciting when the day finally arrived!

Holland started out in her Anna (non-coronation) dress, but then she Anna was wearing her coronation dress so we ran to the bathroom to change. We had brought an extra dress for Siena, but ended up using it ourselves for several wardrobe changes. It was so fun to watch Holland's excitement.

Sarah Grace Barber and Holland

Holland and Grace Oldham

All of the princesses: Bostyn, Sarah Grace, Grace, Aria, Siena, Holland, Caroline, Hannah and Eliza

Elsa looks haggard here, but she really did look better in person.

  

Each little princess was given a cupcake and pink lemonade while riding the train. On top of the cupcake was a little ballet slipper ring. The girls loved it!

Holland loved buying candy (Starbursts) from the train's concessions car - she even shared a piece with each of her friends.

When Elsa, Anna and Cinderella first got onto our train car the girls were mesmerized. It was the best thing to witness!!! Holland's face lit up and she had a perma-grin the rest of the time. It was a moment where I thought, "Ya...this is totally worth it!"

The Ice Princess - Holland's 1st Dance Recital

Holland was in her first-ever dance recital last night and she loved it! She dances at the Utah Dance Arts Center and their performance was held at Kingsbury Hall on the University of Utah Campus. This dance studio only does one recital a year, and after watching this one I know why. It was honestly the best recital I had ever been to! It was a full-on, legitimate production.

Holland and her class, taught by Shauna Williams, were reindeer. The entire production, although titled "The Ice Princess", was based on the movie "Frozen." Holland's number was to the song, Reindeers Are Better Than People. They came out holding a rope led by Sven and then Kristoff was on stage with them as well. It was adorable...and typical of a dance number by 3- and 4-year old's. Some kids all bunched at one end of the rope. Some kids spinning when they should be jumping. Some kids not exiting the stage when they were supposed to. ADORABLE!

We were not allowed to video or photograph during the recital, as we had to pay for a professional DVD of the recital (which we don't get until September!), so I'll attach a small clip from the dress-rehearsal. I tried to take a better one, but apparently I was hitting record when I wanted to pause and pause when I wanted to record. Ugh

During the production, the dancers were all kept in rooms backstage. Holland said it was fun, the snacks were really good, and that there was some creepy stick that kept making them laugh. What? I have no idea! Taggart actually sat through the majority of the two-hours. I was impressed! My parents, Cheryl and Ashley also came to support Holland. We didn't get any pics with Cheryl and Ashley because they arrived just as it was starting and had to leave immediately after. But we are so happy that they came!

When I picked up Holland from the waiting area and brought her over to the grass where everyone else was waiting, Taggart ran up to Holland at full speed, practically tackled her and then said, "Here ya go, Holland." and then gave her this bouquet of purple flowers we had brought for her. He was so excited to give them to her, and Holland was so excited to get them. They hugged and I loved it! Wish I could have captured the exact moment that it happened...but this picture below is what I captured right after the exchange.

 

 

 

Holland with her post-dance 'Purple Sprinkle Cookie she requested.

In the waiting area.

Aria and Siena Glover ~ Bostyn Baxter ~ Holland Pace

Getting ready. The first time I put makeup on her for the group photo, she looked in the mirror and exclaimed, "I LOVE ME! I want to look like this forever, Momma!"

 

Me and Sheri

Besties with our tiny dancers.

Little Miss is FOUR

AGE 4 - STATS

Height: 41.8 in (3 ft. 5.8 in) - 90th percentile

Weight: 32.6 lbs - 25th percentile

With your favorite dolls that you have had since birth: Purple Baby and Pink Baby (obviously)

 Dear Holland,

You have been counting down the weeks and days until you turn four, and it's finally here! You love telling people that you are FOUR! And, just hearing you say "I'm four!" makes me shake my head in total and complete disbelief that four years have really gone by so fast. Four - Four - Four...it's mind-boggling!

But, it's official and I'm so happy and excited for you, because, as you say, you are now a "Big Girl." You get yourself dressed every morning (and pick out your own outfits - which some days are really, um, creative), including snaps, most buttons, zippers, and buckles. You make your own bed, and you do it surprisingly really neat - in fact, sometimes I have to double check that daddy didn't help you. You like to help put the silverware away and occasionally set the table. You love to help me with the laundry - putting the clothes in the washer, adding the detergent, fabric softener and dryer sheets, and pushing the buttons to turn it on, as well as helping with the folding. Thanks to Grandma Lucy for teaching you, you are really good at folding towels, washcloths, pajamas and pants!

You love to be outside! Riding bikes, going for walks, digging in the dirt and just hanging out with Daddy while he works on bikes in the garage. You and Tagg play so well together and could literally play in the yard together for a good hour or more.

Dressing up is for sure your latest hobby! You now have several dress-up dresses that you change in and out of, some days several times an hour. You not only like to dress up, but you like to be called by the name of the character of your choice, even if you don't have the dress-up of that character. For instance, you often go by "Skye" from Paw Patrol, Rapunzel, Anna & Elsa from Frozen, and Cinderella is a new favorite since seeing the movie. But you usually don't stop at what you are to be referred to at any given moment, you also assign me, Daddy and Tagg a character name as well - my least favorite is when I end up being Cinderella's step-mother, or, as you call it, the "mean mom" of Rapunzel.

Your mind is a serious sponge these days. You learn things so quickly! You would do ABCmouse.com (an online preschool program) all day if we would let you, and you're mastering the mouse so it's fun to watch you navigate the program on your own. We also have a few school workbooks that you and I work on regularly - you've already completed the preschool and kindergarten books and are now working on the 1st grade workbook. Granted, you haven't mastered everything in each of the first two books, but you are definitely trying and eager to learn.

Dance! You really love your ballet/tap dance class at Utah Dance Arts Center, located at 9150 South 1300 East in Sandy, UT. Your teacher, Miss Shauna, is so great...she's even willing to go along with your name changes (character of the day) when you inform her. You seem to gravitate toward ballet, as we find you practicing your arabesque and plies constantly. You also love to practice skipping, and you've really come a long way! We find you practicing your shuffle steps now and then, and your favorite thing is to ask me "Is this correct?" as you show me examples of different shuffle steps, obviously mimicking what Miss Shauna says in class. I love it!

It's fun that Sheri's girls, Siena and Aria are in your dance class as well, because it means that Sheri and I know that at least once a week we get to see each other for an hour. You've become really great friends with another little girl in your class, Bostyn Baxter, and we do play dates with her now and then. Just recently, your best little neighborhood/church friend, Hannah Crofts, has also joined your dance class. I'm hoping you remain friends with these little girls forever!! In fact, I've signed you up to continue dancing next year with some of these girls and will continue to do so as long as you keep loving it. I just want you to do what you love and what keeps you eager to learn!

If we would let you, you would probably go to Grandma Lucy's and Grandpa Charlie's house every day. You and Tagg both love spending time with them and beg for "dates" with them regularly. The best part is that they love you just as much as you love them! Recently when we were driving to their house you said, "Momma, when can we live right by Grandma and Grandpa?" Even though we are just about an hour away, I totally get that it would be amazing if we were to live a lot closer!

In January you moved from the Nursery to Primary and are now a Sunbeam. At first you were not too happy about it, but the fact that I was in the presidency made your transition a bit easier. But then, in February, I was released and you were back to square one with wanting to go to Nursery instead. However, the past several weeks you have stopped talking about Nursery and have been excited about going to class with your friends. Of course, Hannah Crofts is in your class, as well as Caroline Sadler. And, Sarah Grace Barber (you've been friends for a while, since she is my friend's daughter) just moved in and you are so happy about that. The four of you are just the cutest together!

You are funny Holland, and I wish that more people could see that side of you, but I also kind of like that you reserve your true self for those you love. In public you are shy and reserved. However, at home you are all about being silly and making us laugh. You have this funny little move where you shake your booty and it always makes us laugh.You love to preform Frozen while listening to the soundtrack. You make Taggart laugh more than anyone and it's obvious that he adores you! You often tell me that you and Tagg are best friends and that you are going to marry him in the temple one day. You will probably change your mind about the marrying him one day, but I do hope that you two will be best friends forever!

Holland, one of the funniest things you do is make up words and give them definitions, or use words you've heard but define them in your own way. It's so funny! The other day you said I was being "so cemetery." When I asked what that meant, you said, "It means you are being really rude and not waiting for me." Gotcha. I'll try really hard to not be "cemetery" any more.

Daddy and I love you so much and hope that you will always be eager to learn and to bring happiness to those around you.

Love,

Momma

 

Tagg is Two

Dear Tagg,

Two - Two - Two! I cannot believe you are TWO!!! You are for sure my favorite two-year old boy in the entire world. I love how you snuggle with me, call me Momma, tease your sister and believe that everything is "mine" lately. You really can be a stinker and throw the biggest fits we've ever seen. You've by far surpassed Holland's two-year-old version of the "throw-yourself-on-the-ground-and scream" talent. It's infuriating and hysterical. But at the same time, all you have to do is smile that toothy grin of yours and I'm a puddle, unable to do anything but scoop you up and kiss you all over.

Your giggle is low and scratchy sounding, which I adore. Your little voice is so cute as you talk, talk, talk all day long. Your favorite words are "mine", "Thomas", "Lightening", "No", "Yes", "puppy", "train", "truck", "vacuum", "Daddy", "Nahnee", "juice", "treat", "cereal", "milk", "show", and "How 'bout..." You make Holland (aka Nahnee) laugh, scream, cry and hug & kiss you several times every day. You two are definitely lovers and haters. In fact, in the morning when you two sit on the couch to watch a "show" you freak if she is touching your blanket one second and the next you are both snuggled together and laughing. Speaking of shows, your favorites to watch are Thomas the Tank Engine, Cars (Lightening McQueen) and Chuggington.

You are an average eater and pretty willing to try most things. Meat is still not a favorite, but at least you've tried chicken and ground beef. You love yogurt, graham crackers, grapes, apples, apple sauce, Goldfish crackers, marshmallows and cereal.

You aren't big on brushing your teeth, but you are getting better - thanks to "Thomas" toothpaste. You and Holland for sure share a love of the tub and shower. And, you would probably stay in either for hours if we would let you.We have to limit your baths though because you are huge stinker who loves to jump up and splash down on your bottom making a huge wave of water. You also think it is super funny to get out and run around the house and then jump back in. W a t e r  e v e r y w h e r e!!!

It is cute to watch you play. You get all the way on the ground to push a car, truck or train along the floor. You definitely prefer to be outside and right by Daddy's side, mowing the lawn, watching him work on bikes, or just playing. We took you to wAIRhouse (a trampoline park) for yours and Daddy's birthday and I'm pretty sure you would like to live there. You've now been talking about the "tramp'leen park" for a week. I tried to convince Daddy that we should get a tramp, but he's not on board with that idea. We'll definitely be taking you back to "jump" soon! Your all-time FAVORITE "toy" lately is the vacuum. You are borderline obsessed! You push it around, want it turned on, ask where it is, and you've even hugged it good-night a time or two. We laugh pretty hard.

You love to be read to and you love to finish the sentences as we read to you. Your favorite books are Little Blue Truck, Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, What do you love?, any Thomas the Tank Engine book, and Digger, Dozer, Dumper. You like to have your blanket over you and a cup of milk in hand. You are a really great sleeper most days and snuggle up with your puppy before you fall asleep. It's adorable!

You are not in love with nursery at church, but you are willing to go most Sundays. I'm not sure what is going to happen come January when Holland goes to Primary because I'm sure it's a comfort for you to have your big sister in there with you. I'm sure you'll figure it out though and love it.

Your personality is beyond little - it's BOOMING and BLOOMING and I'm pretty sure, little man, you are going to do great things in this world. Your sparkly eyes and sweet smile are definitely going to break a heart or two, but your tenderness and amazingly funny nature is going to make you a million friends everywhere you go.

Stay little just a bit longer and keep snuggling with me, please!

I love you!

~Momma

Two Year Stats

Weight: 24 lb. 3 oz. (20th %)

Height:  34.8 inches (50th %)

Watching you grow this past year, in pictures...

Tagg - Twenty Months

Dear Tagg,

As I look at you right now I can hardly believe that you are a month older than Holland was the day you were born. She was still so tiny when we brought you home. She adored you from the beginning (who wouldn't though?) and I'm so grateful that the two of you are so close in age and are such cute little buddies. I hope the two of you will always be friends!

At 12 Months

Weight: 13 lb. 13 oz. (25th %)

Height: 25 in. (50th %)

Head Circumference: 43.2 cm (75th %)

At 15 Months

Weight: 19 lb. 13 oz. (5th %)

Height: 31 in. (10th %)

Head Circumference: 18.8 in. (75th %)

At 18 Months

Weight: 21 lb. 14 oz. (25th %)

Height: 32 in. (20th %)

Head Circumference: 19.3 in. (90th %)

At your 12 month check-up I discussed with the doctor my concern that you weren't yet really talking. You had said "Dada" "Daddy" and "Hi", but you hadn't really said them in relation to anything, so I think you were just merely trying out sounds and babbling. Dr. Michelle Chamberlain said that I shouldn't worry, but that if you weren't talking by your 15 month appointment we could discuss some interventions to help you.

On Sunday, February 23, I was getting you dressed and as I put on your socks you said, "Socks." All drawn out and emphasizing the "S". I was so excited! I kept making you say it over and over and over. Daddy was out of town so we called him to share your new word. Grandma Lucy was staying with us while Daddy was gone...she and I thought it was the cutest thing ever that you knew the word 'Socks.' From that point on your vocabulary exploded. The next word you learned was "Outside." You now say all kinds of things, and about every 3-4 days you say a new word.

You are a really good eater, most days. Last month we were out to eat and you grabbed an entire burger out of my hands and pounded down about half of it. You love grapes, noodles, fruit snacks, cereal and milk. Every morning you bring us the entire Costco size box of Goldfish for you to snack on before breakfast. The box is half your size!

I stopped nursing you on April Fools Day this year when you were 17 months old....but it was no joke. I had planned to stop when you turned one, but well, that didn't happen. You transitioned straight to a sippy cup and even though you weren't really big on drinking much cows milk, you were really good about weaning. Just recently, like in the past few weeks, you've started asking for milk and drinking about two cups a day.

You love, love, love to be outside. Any time the door is open you run out as fast as you can and when we try to get you to come back in and sometimes turns ugly. This past month you've started throwing yourself on the ground and crying when you don't get what you want. It's so cute...NOT! But it is pretty funny. I sometimes have to walk away so that you won't see me laughing at your temper tantrum.

When outside you are usually found riding your three wheeler or Holland's scooter (even though it's way too big for you), pushing around your dump truck or lawn mower, playing with cars, digging in the dirt, or getting as wet as possible. You also love to be pushed in the swing. In fact, if Holland is swinging you always want to get in the swing too, and that sometimes turns into one of those temper tantrums I mentioned above.

Your hair has definitely lost all hints of those dark locks you were born with. You are truly a blond hair blue eyed little heart breaker. I look at you and just gush...I cannot believe how darn cute you are. Your smile brightens my day and your laugh is completely contagious. I love to watch Holland when she sees you being silly. She cracks up and then the two of you just laugh and laugh and laugh. You are very aware of the fact that you are funny and you have this sly look about you at times when you are trying to get attention. I'm a sucker for your personality!

Your favorite books recently are Railroad Toad, Thomas the Tank Engine, Goodnight Moon, Little Blue Truck, and Trains. You are really good about sitting still and listening to about three stories in a row. You can be found a few times a day in the living room sitting by the fireplace just flipping through books. You've started saying "Show" when you want to watch TV, and then you specify "Mouse" so that I'll turn it to Mickey Mouse Club House. You also say "Usic" when you want music turned on. You often climb up and pound on the piano. I really hope you'll still want to do that when we put you in Piano lessons.

Tagg, you are a cuddly baby. I love it! Sometimes you grab on to my neck and snuggle into my chest and I feel like you and I are one. It's like you've just melted right into me. At these moments I don't want you to get any bigger, I don't want you to grow up. But then I remember that every age has precious moments and I'm definitely looking forward to many more new moments with you that I know I'm going to love and cherish.

You started nursery when you turned 18 months and there have only been a few times that you haven't wanted to go. I think it's helpful that your big sister is in there with you. I think it's so cute when you and Holland come walking out of nursery together with your coloring pages all proud and excited to show them to me and Daddy.

You are down to one nap, but it's generally between 2.5 - 3 hours. You go to bed for the night about 7:30 pm and have been waking up around 6:00 am (ugh!). You were sleeping until 7:15 am, but two vacations in a row messed up your schedule a bit. I'm really, really, really hoping I can get you back on track so we can all get one more precious hour of sleep each night. Wishful thinking perhaps, but whatever it takes baby.

Buddy, it's so fun to listen to you speak lately. I love to see if I can get you to say things. Lately I've been telling you to repeat after me as I say: "I." "Love." And then either "Mommy", or "Daddy" or "Holland", and occasionally "to poop." You now say "I" and then as soon as I say "love" you immediately jump straight to "DADDY!" Little stinker. You also like to count. When I say "one" you then say "two" and then I say "three" and then next you always say "SIX!" So funny! You like to recite colors as well. You don't associate the names with the actual colors yet, but I can hear you walking around reciting "Lello. Geen. Blue." quite often. It's stinkin' cute!

Well, my little man, I love you so so so much!! Please stay cute, funny, sweet and cuddly...forever.

Love you.

~Momma

 

 

Happy Half-Birthday to Tagg and Daddy!

First day of nursery

 

"Flop-Flops" from Gma Lucy and Gpa Charlie

 

Found mom's lipstick - naughty!

That notorious hamburger

 

Taken today! Happy 20 Months, Taggart Craig!!