Finally moving forward!

Collin has finally figured out how to move forward! For weeks now he has been just pushing himself backwards (and getting frustrated) but now he can get to the things he wants instead of getting further away! The funny thing about it- is that he gets up on his tip toes- in the push-up position- he then pushes off with his toes- rolls onto his tummy and then back up again. It is the cutest thing to watch. There are times when he does a normal cross crawl- I think he is figuring out that it is an easier way to get around compared to his worm crawl!

Collin just had his 9 month check-up. It seems that the Taylor kids will continue to stay at the top of the charts! He is 29 inches long (90%) 24lbs 12oz (95%), I can't remember the circumfrence of his head- but I do know that it is in the 95%. He is just a big kid! He is starting to like his solids a bit more- it took a couple months of trying to get him convinced that it's really a good thing! We love our sweet little guy- our "Mitter" (mister). Mike's addition: we really call him "Mitter Von Schnitterpants". :)

I caught a glimpse today of what Collin is in for with is sister Samantha. We were watching Enchanted and Samantha wanted me to play the part of Edward- and her play Giselle. She wanted me to catch her as she fell and then say the exact words that they say in the movie. Boy is Collin in trouble!

Fun Easter weekend (even in 20 degree weather)

(Sorry for some repeat pictures- I'm still figuring this program out!)
We just had a very fun weekend filled with a lot of activities. It started Saturday morning with the SAA (Student Advocate Association, an organization for the spouses of the med students) Easter Egg Hunt. It was bitter cold- but Samantha was really excited- so we just bundled up and hunted as fast as we could! After the hunt- Samantha had her first primary activity! They talked about Genealogy, they made a family tree by using their hands and finger paints. They decorated their own journals and learned the primary song "Family History" She had a great time! It was funny because at one of the stations- they were playing a game and they were trying to get the kids to say Grandpa- so they asked them- who was their daddy's dad? (did that make sense?) And Samantha blurted out Mike! Which she was right- it is her grandpa's name- but they were going for the general answer!
Sunday morning we woke up to a little bit of snow- it was so not Eastery (I know that's not a word) Samantha was so excited to see what the "Rabbit" brought her. I had made a church bag for her and a picture frame of little pictures of Jesus with the words to the primary song "I Feel My Saviors Love" in the middle for both kids. Of course all my hard work was quickly over shadowed by the movie "Enchanted" and a chocolate bunny! Mike wonders why I go through all the hard work- full well knowing that it won't be as appreciated as I'd hope (by no fault of Samantha). I guess it all comes down to the fact that I enjoy projects!
We went to church and had a really good meeting- a nice reminder of why we really celebrate Easter.
After church we had dinner with our Missouri family- the Perry's and Flanagan's. The kids had another Easter egg hunt- and just had fun playing together. All in all it was a great weekend.

Pictures of our Trip!

"Meet me in St. Louis"

Well it seems our wonderful quarter break has come to an end. We had so much fun- and the time went by much too fast. Left Monday morning for St. Louis. We stopped in Columbia which is about halfway to St. Louis. Columbia is the closest big city to our small town . We had lunch at Chuck E Cheese's- Samantha's favorite place. Both she and Collin had a blast! I was able to stop at a craft store (something that we lack here) and then we headed out east to St. Louis! We stayed in a suburb of St. Louis- Chesterfield- which is about 30 min. away. We got there about 5-ish- we checked into the hotel and then went and had dinner. We stopped by the mall- to see if there were any Easter clothes for the kids. We all didn't last too long- we were all at the point- ready for bed!

The next day we tried to do a little more shopping, we had lunch and then decided to try out the Science Museum. It was pretty cool- (especially since it was free) Samantha liked the dinosaur exhibit- but expected them to truly come alive like Night at the Museum (she watched it with her uncle Russell) Overall- it was too old for Samantha to really enjoy it- so we decided to head back.

Our last day there we wanted to spend it at the St. Louis Zoo. It is rated the #1 free zoo in the US- which we could see why! It was amazing! First off the weather was perfect- no need for jackets and it wasn't too hot. They have so many animals-and the cool ones at that. It really puts the Hogal Zoo to shame. The penguin exhibit was probably the neatest thing there. They had several different breeds- and when you walked into the room- they were right there- so close to where we were standing!

Samantha's favorite animal was the Camel of all things! I think it had something to do with the fact that she has been watching Aladdin quite a bit these days!

After the zoo we headed back home I have to be honest- I came to realize how much I appreciate the small town we live in (never thought I'd be saying that). Mike was on the waiting list last year at St. Louis University- so we very well could have ended up there- the place was huge and a bit scary- so I've come to appreciate the sleepy ol' town we call home. We really loved our mini-vacation- and are so grateful to Grandpa and Grandma Taylor for getting us the hotel rooms and for Grandpa and Grandma Mower for providing a little spending money!

The rest of the week we've spent cleaning, organizing, changing the kids rooms around and just enjoying having Mike home. We sure are going to miss him tomorrow when reality begins!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIKE!!!!!!

Today is Mikes 29th birthday! I just want him to know how much I love him and how grateful I am for him in my life. He is a loving husband and father- and I know that he would do anything and everything for us. I am so grateful for how hard he works in school-and I know that he will be the best in whatever he chooses to do. He is so talented in so many areas- but is incredibly humble- so no one really knows all that he can do. I personally would be lost without him.

We love Daddy and Mike! Happy Birthday!!!

GUK!

Collin has said his first word! So maybe it's not a real word- but he loves to say it! He actually started with just saying "Ga" and he said that for a couple weeks- then he moved onto the "K" sound- "ka". He now has put both sounds together- and you have GUK! It's the cutest thing- he says it as though you totally know what he is saying. Collin is just the sweetest little guy. Definitely a momma's boy (makes sense since for the most part I am all he has!) He loves to giggle- and loves to just watch Samantha (who has no problem performing) It has been so fun to watch as he has developed and grown so quickly. He is not crawling yet- it seems that body mass is the issue! Although he is a pretty strong guy- he holds himself in the push-up (on tip-toes) for awhile. He just can't seem to move forward! One of these days!

Future Doctor??

Last night I threw out my back and I woke up in a lot of pain. So my sweet husband came home between his finals to work on my back. He brought home a table so that he could do it properly. Well as soon as he started Samantha left and the room and quickyly returned with all of her doctoring tools (I'm sure that is not the correct terminology)! She started taking my blood pressure, my temprature, listening to my heart and of course checking my reflexes! She has the biggest heart and was so concerned for me! After she "helped" me she wanted to check out Mike- whose blood pressure we were told was 248! She also wanted to look the part- so she got dressed in her doctor gear and sunday shoes! There's no one quite like our little Samantha. While I am on the subject of her- there is something about the letter B. I'm not quite sure where it came from but she has started adding the letter to a few of her words. For example we have been listening to the soundtrack of "B-chanted" watching the movie "B-laddin" and last night during her bath- she wanted to lay back and asked for something to put over her eyes so she could "B-elax" Some days I just don't know what I am going to do with her!