Big Boy!!

Tate is 2 weeks old today! It doesn't seem like it's been 2 weeks since he came into the world...feels like yesterday! Oh, he is such an awesome little guy and we're soo in love with him.
We had an appointment today. He is now 6 lbs 10 oz and 19 3/4 in! Dr. Nau was very impressed considering he's gained over a pound since leaving the hospital. He said that whatever we're doing must be right, because he's gaining weight! That made this mama feel relieved!
This afternoon we just stayed in Ames and ran some errands! He just went along and didn't make a peep. We then went to Okoboji Grill to see some of our friends...the "regulars"! It was fun for everyone to see him! He then proceeded to pee on himself so we came right home. We got home at about 6:30 and I gave him a quick bath in the bathroom sink. I got him in a new outfit and prepared to feed him..as I picked him up he soaked through his second outfit- on the back! HOW? I have NO idea how...little boys can do wonders! Now this evening Blair just went in to change him and he peed on himself again! HA! Thats 3 outfits in like 3 hours! haha!
Last night Aunt Nell took pictures of Tate! I can't wait to see them...I think there are going to be some great ones! She's good at what she does and has LOTS of creative ideas! We tried to get some with Kayson and Tate but Kayson wasn't really having it. We tried a few times, but didn't want to push it too much. The funny part is- Kayson WAS willing to sit by Tate for a few minutes when he discovered that Tate had "boobies"...haha! So funny!

Alright, I'll post more pictures soon! I have to get some uploaded and promise to do that tomorrow!

Tate, Bubba, Peter, Buddy, Tater, Little Man....

He's here! Tate Martin Taylor was born on January 14, 2011 at 1:16 a.m. He was 6 lbs 8 oz and 19 inches.  He came via c-section because he was simply 'stuck' and wasn't going to come on his own. Even though the whole process was long, I'm already beginning to forget that! We're so in love with him!
He's developed lots of nick names and we keep adding more to the list! His real name however was something that we've been talking about for quite awhile now. I liked the meaning of the name Tate, which is 'cheerful one'. We both think 'Tate Taylor' just sounds like a stud. Martin is after his grandpa Siemers. I think Grandpa Siemers was very proud of this.
I'm just now opening my computer for the first time to blog and upload some pictures...I've just been too content spending every mintue with my new little family that I haven't had to distract myself with these things like I did when we were waiting for him.

We are so blessed. I'll write more details again soon, but for now I'll just add some pictures. Check out our little man...

Grandpa and Grandma Taylor



Grandpa and Grandma Siemers



Great Grandpa and Grandma Taylor



Beautiful baby in blue



The BIG cousin Kayson! I have a feeling these two are going to be great buddies! Kayson even gave him a kiss.
Tate is going to look up to his big cousin forever! We can't wait to see them interact! We need a picture of Aunt Nell and Uncle Ryan with Tate!

Aunt Nell!!

How precious is this? Uncle Ryan and Buster!

Going home

haha..Mommy gave me a mohawk!





Com'on Baby Boy!

We're ready! Baby Taylor can come anytime! :) I thought maybe if I sat and wrote a blog entry that he'd get the hint. haha!

I'm still feeling great and have a lot of energy, for the most part! I headed back to school today and enjoyed seeing the kiddos. One of the girls said to me, "Mrs. Taylor, I'm so glad you're back. I mean, I wanted you to have the baby, but I'm just happy to see you." That was at 8 am, and a great thing to hear on my first day back. Most of them really are sweet!  They were soo full of energy and had so many things to share about their break.

I can honestly say we're officially ready. We were struggling with the car seat bases, but my good friend (who is a police officer) told me to take the car seat to the police station and they'd install the base for us. We went to Ames tonight and got that taken care of. I feel much better about it...that thing isn't going anywhere!

Ok, here's a quick peak at some nursery pictures. We have a lot of great wall hangings, but most of them give his name away! I'll post the whole thing when he gets here!

Crib...

Bookshelf/storage...

Dresser/changing table...

These individual pictures just don't justify the whole room. I can't wait to share the whole thing!

It's precious!

I hope my next entry I'm sharing pictures of Baby Tay with you! :)

Have a super week everyone!!

Love,

Mart

Christmas Fun...

We had a wonderful Christmas! This year, we stayed around Nevada and my family came to us. My family arrived at our house on Christmas Eve, just in time for mass. After church, we came home and had a big dinner and spent time opening gifts and chatting. Here are some pictures...



There is a tree behind us...we're just too big! haha!

My Parents!

This is where Marc planted himself for the evening!


We all agreed that next Christmas is going to be MUCH different with Baby Taylor around! We're so excited for that!


On Christmas Day, we enjoyed a big breakfast and lunch and then just lounged around the house with my family. Later in the afternoon, we headed to Ryan and Janelle's for the Taylor Christmas. We opened gifts and had a big dinner!!
Uncle Blair had soo much fun with Kayson. The two of them played and put new toys together! :)

It was a great Christmas! We had lots and lots of GREAT food! We're so thankful for our families!

Now we're just enjoying break- lounging, cleaning, and meeting up with some friends...oh, and waiting for baby!





Happy Holidays!

Well the holidays are quickly approaching! I can't believe it's Christmas time. I've been looking so forward to this Christmas. I think it has something to do with the break that comes along with it! :) This year will be a little different for us because we can't travel more than 30 minutes away, since we're getting close to baby time!! My parents and brother are coming to share Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with us. We're very excited that my brother, Marc, can make it. He and his girlfriend live in Arizona, so he has some traveling to do. It's our tradition to just eat, eat, eat! We always have lots of snacks during the day and our famous Christmas supper is steak and crab legs. YUM! We've been doing that now since Blair's been in the family...and it's a big hit! We'll go to Christmas Eve mass at our church in Nevada.
Christmas day we'll head to Ryan and Janelle's and have Christmas dinner and open gifts with the three of them and Mike and Jean Ann. Kayson, Blair's nephew, makes it so much fun. We love watching him open presents...and since he shares a birthday with Jesus he gets LOTS of them on Christmas. I believe Jean Ann is preparing a yummy Christmas dinner, so we're looking forward to that.
Now lets just pray that the weather bypasses us. I worry about our families being on the icky roads.

As far as Baby Tay goes.....We're at 37 weeks, the room is ready, diapers are stocked, bag is partially packed....he can come anytime!
I've still been feeling great, besides some back pain in the evenings. Dr. Gessner says that he's 'petite' and she's guessing we're going to have a 7 pound bundle of joy! We're getting so excited and can't wait to meet this little man!


Merry Christmas everyone! May God bless you ALL this holiday season. Safe travels!

35 weeks!

We're getting closer and closer! 35 weeks!! Someone told me today that I looked like I was going to explode..haha! Little do they know that I have a good 5 weeks left. Everyone comments on this big ol' belly!

Baby Tay's room is finished! My dear friend, Beth, sent me an Uppercase Living saying that I have to put on the wall yet..but after that I'll post pictures! My mom came this past weekend to help me with some last details. She is one excited grandma-to-be. I don't know how many times she opened his dresser drawers to pull out his little clothes or shoes. It's soo cute! The three of us worked on hanging some decorations on the walls.  My mom and I even put his name up, but Blair says were going to have to cover it up because we can't give it away! It just looks soooo cute in there! :) I love just going in there in the evenings to read in the glider rocker! I'm sooo ready....:)

We got our tree up and we're all ready for Christmas! We even got most of our shopping done! The nesting is continuing..I've been cleaning and organzing...driving the hubby NUTS!

Anyways...I don't have too much to say this evening, but I'll share a picture!

So very Thankful!

Well, I was sitting here tonight thinking about all the things I have to be thankful for! I have an amazing husband--I love him more than I can say. Tonight, I was taking a bath and he brought me in a new loofa that he picked up at Walmart today, and while I relaxed he folded laundry! Now thats a pretty amazing man--remembers that I needed a new loofa! What a guy!
I have an active baby boy growing inside of me!! I'm going to be a MAMA! I've wanted nothing more than to be a mom since I was a tiny girl.
I have awesome parents, a feisty brother, and the best in-laws. Also, I have lots of other loving family members. Family is everything!
I have the best friends anyone could ask for.
I have a warm, cozy house.
I have a job, and in this world today I couldn't be more thankful for that.
I am healthy and so are my loved ones.
Last, but certainly not least, I have a relationship with God.

Life is pretty amazing...thats A LOT to be thankful for!

I wish everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving!!

Love,
Mart