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!!

Taylor Reunion 2014

Even though I'm not a fan of camping (and it's ALWAYS camping) I love the Taylor Reunion. It's fun to reconnect and relax with those I love. Plus, there are always those Taylor activities that you never want to miss: The Auction, Uncle Adrian's Store, and the Candy Canon!

This past week, Wednesday through Saturday was spent up Hobble Creek Canyon, but we slept at my parents' house and would head up the canyon each morning. Tagg napped great in my parents' motor home and Holland enjoyed a three day break from napping (Argh!)

My mom's oldest brother's family was in charge this year, and they did a great job. Mainly is was my cousin Grant and his family that did the major work. The theme was "Honoring Those Who Serve." Each family was given a branch of the military. We got the Navy, since my dad was a Navy Seabee. He even has the tattoo to prove it, but Shhhh, don't tell him I told you.

These anchor t-shirts were a last-minute idea of mine. I grabbed a few grey t-shirts and painted the anchor on with fabric paint. I think they turned out pretty cute!

 

The kids were seriously in heaven playing outside. All. Day. Long! Riding bikes, swinging, and getting as wet and dirty as possible.

Jaxon ~ Holland ~ Zackary

 

Uncle Shane made getting wet even more fun!

Shane took Holland down to the river for the Rubber Duckie Race. He said that as soon as they got there Holland declared, "I want to do that!" Meaning, she wanted to get in the river. And so she did. And she loved it!!

Side Note: Tyler won the Rubber Duckie Race, even though he wasn't there. And, Holland's duck got stuck in the weeds upstream and never crossed the finish line. Life was not OK until that darn duck was found.

This is how Holland and Tagg did the "Forced March" one morning...

My mom is the cutest!

And now for just a few other random shots...of the people I call my FAMILY. Love them. Kind of stinks that I didn't get a picture of everyone that was there...hey...Uncle Adrian...I need that picture of our entire family!!!

Holland loved the water fight...until she herself got squirted. It's all fun getting others wet, right? But when they do the same to you...TEARS! She was also excited about the Candy Cannon, but as you can see, the launch of the candy each time was spent with her fingers in her ears. She is VERY sensitive to noise...sheesh!

We really had a great time...and are already excited for Taylor Reunion 2016!

Girl cousins and the best friends to have!

 

Me and my Magpie

My dad on the bike Maggie won the highest bid for at the Kids Auction.

Cookies for dinner? Yep!

She loves him!

This was taken after Tyler went for a bike ride up the canyon. He took a wrong turn...and didn't get back until an hour and a half after he said I should expect him!

Uncle Adrian ~ My mom ~ Aunt Florence ~ Uncle Myron (Aun Beth wasn't able to make it)

See! She really, really loves him!

Christopher ~ Tagg