Christmas

We have had a great Christmas time. It will take me a couple of days to get some pictures up but a run down is we headed to Canada with Makayla and Danniqa on Dec 17th. We all got there on one flight which was a close call because they almost didn't let two of us on because the weight of everyone and their baggage on the plane.

We played and played while in Canada, we went to Heritage Park for the "Once upon a Christmas." It was FREEZING but very fun. We went to a live nativity, wave pool, made cookies, watched cousins get a new puppy, played with the cousins a ton and just had a great time with Grandma, Rebecca, Brad and Kids. We love when we get to go up there and Karen can't remember for sure when was the last time Kev was up there close to Christmas so it was great. Then it was time to get home. Flying standby on the 23rd of December......not the smartest thing we ever did.

We first thought we were going to fly direct from Calgary to SLC, then we thought we could go from Calgary to St.Paul Minnesota, to SLC. We would be leaving on a flight at 8:00 in the morning. At 10 that night we looked at the flights and realized there would be no way we were going to get home. So we ended up throwing the girls and all of our stuff in Grandma's car at 10:30 at night, driving to Raymond, Grandma's house and sleeping. We got there at 1am. Then we drove 3 hours to Great Falls Montana and were able to catch a plane home. So we got there just in a very different route. Grandma was wonderful! The upside of that is we got to stop and see Grandma Mae, Kevin's grandma who is 93. It was great to see her for a moment.

Then Christmas Eve Kev and I spent the day with my family. We went to Tiny Tots and read storys and gave candy to some kids who have disabilities and don't have families around. Dashiel and Myles were not sure about it. It was fun to be with my family and we got to talk to Meredith, Zach and Royal on skype. Kevin had to work that night so I spent the night at my dad's.

We got Danniqa and Makayla later on Christmas, we did presents and then went to dinner with Grandpa Taylor and Grandma LeeOra. Overall it has been a great time with Family all month!

Merry Christmas and I love you all!
I promise to put some pictures on but not to many as soon as I can.

Sleep

It is 3 am and I am WIDE AWAKE! What is wrong with this picture. Yesterday I was not a happy camper because at 5:30am my neighbor decided that it would be a great time to use the snow blower, which went on for a half and hour. I couldn't get back to sleep. I think I slept for about 30 more minutes from 7:30-8. Tonight I went to bed at 10. Was sleeping great. Kevin came to bed at 2am. I got up to go to the bathroom and I couldn't go back to sleep. I laid there for an hour thinking of all the things I need to get done in order to leave for Canada Friday afternoon including work things. So after an hour of laying there I am now up, doing laundry and other things that need to get done. And more then anything wishing I was sound asleep in my bed.

Danniqa's Reading

We received this email yesterday:

Dear Parents

Your student in Mrs. Pehrson's reading group has just "graduated" from Reading Mastery 1 (kindergarten level) and is now in REading Mastery 2 (first grade level). This is an exciting accomplishment for this great bunch of readers, and we are very proud fo them. Please congratulate your child for all teh progress he/she has made this year. :) Thank you for all the reading you encourage at home adn for helping them reach this point. Congrats!

Stephanie Merrill

Danniqa of course had shared this great news with us earlier in the week. She was so excited to let us know about her great job reading. On Thursday we were at Sausha's house and I read the book "The Monster at the End of the Book" to Danniqa. As soon as I was done she wanted to read it. So then she sat down next to me and began reading. I was amazed! I only had to help her with a couple of words and if I had to help her she was able to use it again without help. She did such a great job we were all in awe. We are so proud of her and how good she is doing this year. Miss Danniqa Congratulations! You are doing so good in school. We are SO proud of you and love you so much! You are doing so great!
We love you
Dad and Megan

Hypnobirthing

So I am starting a hypnobirthing class that Kevin and I will be starting in January. Has anybody done hypnobirthing? Any thoughts on this?

Oh Baby

So I went to the doctor last Friday and the doctor was a little concerned about my blood pressure. It was a little higher then she liked and it didn't go down through the visit. So she wanted me to do a 24 hour urine sample and check my blood pressure through the week. So thanks Greg and LeeOra for lending me the blood pressure cuff that made my life easier.

I started my 24 sample on Sunday, first of all this is a PAIN! It was not a fun experience for me. After 23 hours I saw the end in sight. Only one more time of collection. And then when I went into my kitchen, because you have to keep the sample in the fridge, I found that at hour 23 I had not gotten the lid on the sample all of the way. It had leaked into the plasic ziplock that held it, unfortunately it wasn't a true ziplock. I was annoyed and threw it away in the garbage outside and headed out for the day. I stopped at the doctor's office and got a new container to start my sample again later that week. I got home that night and my house smelled a little funky. Kevin told me it was probably just the garbage and he would take it out. I said okay and head upstairs for the night. The next morning I headed downstairs and I still smelled the funk. My friend Heather called me at that time and I sat at the table and began to chat. As I looked over at the fridge I saw URINE ON MY FLOOR! I kind of freaked out. Sure enough the NOT ziplock bag had allowed the urine to leak out. There was urine all over the floor under my fridge, under the drawers in my fridge. I was so not a happy camper! I have cleaned up plenty of peoples urine but I have never had to clean up my own. So I did it all over later that week and made SURE the lid was all the way on everytime.

So I had a follow up with Dr. Laine today. My sample was great and there was no concerns with that. I gave her all of my blood pressure numbers and she said it was still a little high but not to high to do a medication. She wants me to keep taking my blood pressures and come back in three weeks. So everything is going well.

I got to hear my sweet babies heart beat again today! It is so AMAZING! I can't believe that it is really there. Dr. Laine said it sounds perfect.


PS.....Kevin didn't want me to share the urine story. Sorry love.

Christmas Concert

The girls had their Christmas Concert last night. Danniqa kept her arms folded the whole time and didn't do any of the action but she SANG! That is huge for her, she usually doesn't sing or covers her mouth. So we were really excited. Makayla's class played the recorder. I get that little kids learn how to play the recorder but they really aren't the prettiest sounding instrument. These aren't the best pictures. I really want to get a big expensive camera that I can take better, faster pictures on. But that cost to much money. Maybe someday :)

Temple Square Dec 1

On December 1st we took Danniqa to Temple Square to see the lights. It was cold but we had a lot of fun. She insisted that we also make sure that we go up to the Temple. So there is a picture of her up on the Temple.

Moms

As much as I love the holidays the last few years of the holiday season also has its downside. I miss my mom. This week especially, I miss my mom cause I am pregnant and want to talk to her, I missed my mom because I was sick and I just wanted my mom, and I missed my mom because it was Thanksgiving. But you miss your mom when she is gone. I have spoke to people whose mother has been gone for a long time and you always have moments where you miss them.

Today I found out that one of my dear friends lost her mother today and my heart BREAKS for her. We talked for a little while and she said I knew you would know how I feel. She asked "how did you do this?" I told her she didn't have a choice. That you get up and you function and you miss her but you keep going. People who haven't lost a parent don't really understand. They try to, they try and compare to grandparents or aunts and uncles that they have lost but unfortunately no one can understand unless they have a parent who has passed. And so you are grateful for those who are part of the club so that you have someone to talk to but you would never wish it upon anyone. Two people I know this week have lost their moms. I am SO sorry! For any of you out there who have lost a parent I am SO SORRY, and I get it. My sweet friend, my heart goes out to you. You will be fine, you will make it and you will miss her.

My relationship with my mom was not perfect. And I have lots of people who love me and support me. And I miss my mom!

Now that I am sitting in my bed crying......I am grateful that I am loved by many people and that I absolutely know I will see my mom again.

Thanksgiving

Today is Thanksgiving, and as I sit at home in my bed with the flu I have much to be grateful for. So I am going to list some of them. So if you don't want to know don't read :).

I am grateful for my sweet husband, who has taken very good care of me the last couple of days. I haven't had to get out of bed for anything other then the bathroom. He has feed me, brought me medicine. Got almost no sleep because he was taking me to the doctor and getting medicine. He is someone who gets me to laugh at myself, is patient when I am in crazy mood and loves me. I am seriously blessed when it comes to this man.

I am grateful for miss Danniqa. Kev went to get her for a while yesterday. He stopped at the store to get a few things and while he was getting a soda Danniqa reached into the drink cooler at the store and grabbed a bottle of water. Kev told her we have lots of water at home and her answer was "It's a present for Megan." Kev told her again we had some at home but she insisted on getting it because I was sick and I like water. She is a light and a joy in my life and I am so grateful for the sweet spirit she brings into our home.

My family. I am blessed to have an amazing family. For many years we have all lived really close together and in the last year Dustin and Sloane have moved away and now Zach and Meredith. Not having them close reminds me how lucky we were. But I am also excited for them. My family is truly amazing. They rally around when needed. Support, love and encourage. I am very blessed to have ALL of them in my life.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ. This makes everything, including the things already mentioned so much better. The gospel brings, peace, understanding and clarity to my life. I am indeed truly grateful that I was raised in the church and continue to have it in my life.

I am grateful for my Doctor, who I actually haven't even met yet. My first appointment was with the Nurse Practioner. However, as I was sick this week and called in they were amazing. The nurse I spoke to several times while they were figuring out what to do for me. And then my doctor actually called as well. I was grateful that I had access and resources to assist me and that they cared enough about this paranoid, first time, sick mommy to be.

I could keep going. I really am extremely blessed. I have a good job, AMAZING friend, a home to live in, time to play and resources to do so. I have a very blessed life. Though somedays I like to try and forget it. Today I am just grateful. All of you who bless my life THANK YOU! Thank you for being a part of my life nad blessing me. I love you all!

Really!

So not only will it be a really long time for us until the baby comes but you all get to join in the long journey. When I look at 209 days! holy cow! That looks like forever. But Kev just told me it will go fast.

So my sister Sausha was really sick when she was pregnant. I have been lucky and so far have not been to sick. Yesterday was actually the first time I have thrown up. So there was NO sympathy from her. I understand but it still was yucky. I am very grateful though that I am not at all any where close to how sick my sister was.

Danniqa lets us know that she wants a brother. She is excited because the next time we have an ultrasound she gets to go with us. Anyway that is the news today. I am excited, scared, feel good, feel sick, and am tired but everyone keeps telling me that it is totally worth it.

blog time

So many of you know this already but we are expecting Baby Taylor in June. We have a long time to go. I am ten weeks but I just can not keep it quiet. I have been telling everyone so I figured it was time to put it on here. I went to my first doctor's appointment last monday. They weren't able to find the heartbeat but I was asked if I wanted to be a part of a research project. If I wanted to be a part of the project I would able to have 3 extra ultrasounds. So on Thursday I got an ultrasound. Here it is.
I know it isn't much but you can see a baby in there. I am so excited. It is a long way from today but it will come. Danniqa is excited and wants a brother.

Danniqa's report card

Danniqa got all A+'s her first semester of school. She is doing so good.

Tired

Some days I just don't know how to balance it all. It didn't help today that all I wanted to do was go back to bed and get more sleep. I haven't been sleeping well. Then you add work, housekeeping.....which is apparently the bottom of the list if you look at my house, spending time with my favorite people - Kev and Danniqa and other members of my family, and some how I just don't usually manage to get it all done. I have this slight nagging feeling it isn't going to get any easier either :). But luckily I have an amazing husband who several days a week is really good about helping out when he is home. Still I really like my bed and am excited to go and say hello to it in a little while.

Busy Week

Three Parties in three days. I have to say that I am ready for the down day today.

On Oct 28th Legacy Prep Academy had there Fall Festival. We went all around with Danniqa and had a very enjoyable time. We also got to see some of Danniqa's recent art work.

On the 29th Kev's friends had a Halloween Party. We stopped by his parents first. I got a kiss from a Gorilla. I was suppose to be a giant banana but decided I didn't want to dress up.

On October 30 we had a party at Grandma & Grandpa Taylor's house. We had lots of fun doing pumpkins, cookies and eating.

Trick or Treating. Makayla was a watermelon and Danniqa was spiderman

I love the Princess boots on Spiderman

Thank you to the great amounts of rain, trick or treating occurred with an umbrella.

Cakes

The next day we celebrated Kevin's, Sausha's and Dash's birthdays together. Here is the cake I made for that. Do you like the Spider. I didn't get a picture after I put the eyes on....opps.

Kevin's Birthday

Kevin's Birthday was on Oct 23rd. He took that night off from work so that we could spend some time together. Here is the cake that Danniqa and I made for Dad.

He received some little gifts like this mask from the kids. His big present was tickets to the BYU-U of U game.

He also got this gun and was shooting himself in the face to see if it would stick.

Greg & LeeOra and Rusty & Marty came to help us celebrate. It was a good day.

3rd tooth

On Oct 19th Makayla lost her 3rd tooth. She has been working on this tooth for a while.

Makayla wanted me to tell everyone that she started to shake it and she grabbed a hold of the tooth but it didn't come out so she grabbed a hold again and she didn't feel anything underneath and she moved her fingers out and the tooth came out with her fingers. She was pretty excited. It has been a long time between the last ones and she has wanted to loss another one.

Danniqa took this picutre

Message to Dad

Danniqa wanted to write a message to Dad on our board. She needed a little help with the word You, This and Thank. However she would ask, what makes the i sound. When it was done this is what was there. I had to take a picture.

Rich & Famous

Danniqa and I were looking at things that she would possible like for Christmas. There are some things on sale now and I wanted to know for sure if she would like some things. She pointed to a big Barbie Doll house that was about $150. I told her no way crazy, I'm not rich and famous I can't afford that. She replied "I am!" And then she ran into the other room and came back in with her Princess piggy bank. I started laughing and told her there wasn't enough in there for it and she "Yes there is!" I just smiled and we moved on to look at other things.

pumpkin carving 10-13-10

We decided to carve our pumpkins and had a great time. I hate cleaning out pumpkins - hence the face. But otherwise it was fun.

Makayla gymnastics

Makayla started on the competition team this year at Flip's gymnastics. She was very excited adn nervous. Makayla had tons of there to support her.

Makayla did beam, floor, vault and bars. We didn't get a good picture of vault but here are some others.