Happy 26!!

The love of my life turned twenty six and it wouldn't be complete unless I put tons of pictures of him up and wrote a little about him. Here is a little time line of Derek.

Just plain look'n good!

A Taylor will always find a way to play video games and take care of a baby.

Derek and Jane at his Sargent promotion.

When Derek and I were in mutual together one thing everyone knew about him was how much he loved candy...well that is still very true to this day. No need to make cookies or cakes when Derek can have pure sugar through peeps, sweet tarts, skittles, and anything else you can think of.

Derek Loves Loves Loves his little girl. Jane has made this whole man mush all together. I know he loves me, but there is something very sweet about their relationship.

Although he is only 26, Derek is getting patches of gray hairs. My solution is to start coloring his hair, but he would not hear of it. Becoming gray is distinguished and he will have it no other way.

Video games are his perfect way of relaxing. Friday night is his night to play as late as he wants, and then sleep in. Call it his little treat, but when the siblings are all on it is a little heaven on earth. The man needs a break sometime.

I am so thankful for this man. He has made me the happiest woman in the world and I can't wait to spend forever with him.

Happy Birthday Sweetie....we love you!

The Arizona Biltmore

For our anniversary (now almost a month ago) Derek planned a surprise getaway for a night. I told him I could only be gone one night from Jane. SO he decided to do it in style since we only had one night to get everything in. We kissed Jane good-bye and left her in the good care of my sisters. Much to my surprise we went to the Arizona Biltmore, a beautiful resort, for our special night. There were all the pictures they had on their website. I took our camera but when I turned it on the battery went dead. The first picture is of the lobby. This place was amazing. I almost felt out of place.

This is a picture of their super ridiculous fancy restaurant that we ate at for dinner. I wish I could have told you everything we ate, but I couldn't pronounce it let alone remember it. Derek had a steak and I had the pork loin. Then for dessert....

We ate this, a chocolate souffle! It really was amazing...and for $20 it should have been.

The next morning Derek scheduled us an outside couple massage under a cabana. It was the most relaxing thing we have ever done together. I was a little worried about the weather, but no need...the table was heated. We had a great breakfast and lunch at the resort too, the food was incredible here. Jane was teething the whole time we were gone so her wonderful aunts had to deal with a grumpy, sick baby the whole time. Bless their hearts because without them we couldn't have gone and it was a much needed break. It was nice for it to be just the two of us again....even if it was for just one night.

saying goodbyes

Tonight I went to the hospital to say my final good bye to my grandpa. He had a stroke right before Jane was born, and has never fully recovered. Today his heart stopped and after 29 minutes of cpr he finally came back, but even worse than he has been. It was so hard to say goodbye knowing that I would never see him again in this life. I wish he was able to see Jane before he leaves, but I asked him tonight to watch over the other ones until they come. Tonight I cried and held his hand, and wished that one more time he could give me a big bear hug. How I love the plan of salvation and knowing that I would see him again after I left the room. The tears are hard, but the Savior did so much for us that the pain becomes lighter. Tomorrow morning they are going to take him off the respirator and let him go. He was a good man, and will soon be in a much happier and healthier place. bye grandpa.

Four and counting....

Today Derek and I hit our FOUR year mark. We cannot believe how fast the time has gone by. You could say that I was one of those typical girls that day dreamed about my future husband when I was younger...little did I know that he was sitting a few rows behind me in church. I still laugh that Derek and I went to church, mutual, school, hung out on weekends, and went to volleyball games together and there was never anything more than friendship between us. It wasn't until he came home from his mission with a little taint of southern twang in his voice that I instantly became intrigued. It didn't take long for us to know it was forever. We dated a total of five weeks (and that is being generous) before we got engaged. Three months later we got hitched. What can I say..when it is right, it is right.

We are very excited tonight to share our special dinner with Jane. She has been so much fun this past month with her little personality developing. Next week we are actually leaving her for a night with my sisters for a little getaway. It is my first time leaving her and I am a little freaked out. I would love to tell you where we are going, but Derek has planned everything and he is not telling me a single detail.

Needless to say I am completely in love with this man. He has made me the happiest person in the world. I never would have put us together when we were younger, but now I could never imagine my life with out him. I guess Heavenly Father knew exactly what he was doing, and for that I am eternally grateful.

Oh and a special shout out to Bruce and Cherryl for letting us share our special day with them. You guys are amazing and have been such a good example for us!

add a little flavor???

Derek and I are trying to get Jane to take formula. She was been a spoiled breast fed baby her whole life, and now her mommy would like a break. I am attempting to only feed her three times a day, and supplement with formula and baby food for the rest of her feedings. Well, Jane can't stand her formula and we really need her to start taking it. Does anyone know any tricks??? I am not exactly sure what to do.

Look at those Chubs

Our little girl went to her nine month appointment. I cannot believe that it has already been none months. It has been the longest and fastest nine months of my life. Jane loves to walk everywhere; that is if she is holding my hands. If we set her on the floor to crawl she starts crying and usually doesn't stop until she is on her feet again. I am all for the early walking.

Look at those impressive chubs on her. I know it may not look like alot, but i have worked dang hard to get my baby that fat. I have decided that I probably have the fattiest milk, but you throw in Derek's metabolism and no one could gain weight.

Jane is just showing off her mad standing skills.

So Jane put up some impressive numbers, in her standards, if you compare her to any other baby her numbers look ridiculous.

Head: 17.5 cm (60%)
Height: 26.25 inches (10%)
Weight: 15 lbs 14 oz (6%)

We know she is little but her mom is short and dad is super skinny. She has her genes working against her. She will thank us someday though.

Playing with her daddy while we were waiting for the doctor.

As a treat for getting shots, Jane got a cookie at her Aunt Michelle's house. She loves her sugar.

...and the army goes rolling along

Derek's little brother Travis graduated from AT last month and we all headed down to Sierra Vista to go visit. I was presently surprised at how well Jane did on the trip down. I was a little nervous, because who likes a screaming baby. The picture above is Jane showing off her new face. She has been doing her "O" face for like a month now, she does it whenever she is excited or surprised. Awe, we love this little girl.

While waiting for Uncle Travis Jane had so much fun playing with her cousin Beckham. Beck didn't think is was so much fun, as you can tell by his face, he thought she was attacking him every time she got really excited. Take note of the special camo bow that I made Jane just for this special occasion. This girl really does have a bow for every outfit.

We ended up staying over night at the base between family day and the graduation. We really didn't feel the need to drive home three hours and then back the next day. Jane loved snuggling in mommy and daddy's bed in the morning.

Her special red, white, and blue outfit for the graduation. She always has one handy in her closet.

Derek, Michelle, Beckham, Travis, and Steve after the graduation. Is that not the cutest outfit that Beck is wearing. This family is definitely army strong!

Our little family.

This is the best hat for Jane, so true, so true!

All bundled up while we were walking to the airport to drop Travis off.

Jane and Uncle Travis playing.

We really did have a fun time all together. Travis is heading to California, and we are excited to go visit him this summer after Derek's training in Utah and his trip to Germany.

Jane also just turned nine months. She is getting so big! Her doctor appointment is this Friday and we are hoping she will hit 16 pounds. Still no teeth, and we are starting to get a little concerned.

The house is coming along, I am almost done painting downstairs and will post pictures soon.