I used to be the dairy queen... :(

So, this morning started out in a very bad way...

I woke up around seven, and rolled over and loved on my sweet baby girl. Then I got up and used the bathroom. On my way back to the bed to get Taylor, I noticed Robbie had sent me a text saying to call him when I woke up. So I did. Robbie started the conversation with words you never like to hear, "I have some very bad news...". Trying to stay calm I said, "ok, what is it?". Robbie tells me that when he went into the garage to leave for work our breastmilk freezer was open and I had lost a good bit of my frozen breastmilk!!! We call it the breastmilk freezer because it stored only my frozen breastmilk. I had an entire upright freezer full of breastmilk. I was very upset. I probably should not have gotten as upset as I did, but I have so much emotion stored up in that milk. All the hard work I put into pumping it and saving it for Taylor. Thankfully, I'm still breastfeeding Taylor and the only time we used that milk was for her morning and night time oatmeal, but still. I loved the comfort all that milk brought me. Knowing that if something happend and Taylor stopped nursing or if I all of a sudden quit producing milk she would have enough to carry her well past her first birthday and right on into whole milk. On the positive, I didn't lose ALL of it. I still have a little less than half that stayed frozen. I probably don't have enough frozen to last until she's one, but I'll sure give her all I've got!!

I'm not a dad, but I have the best one!

It's fathers day! This year my husband is celebrating his very first fathers day. It's an honor and a privilege to be his wife and get to watch him father our baby girl. There is a very special bond that takes place between a daughter and her daddy. It can't always be explained, but it's there and it's awesome. The bond I have with my dad is no less awesome. In our house my dad was boss. My mom certainly had to discipline us, but if dad was called in to reinforce you'd better find somewhere to sit because he was going to tan your hide. I can honestly say I don't remember getting many (if any) spankings from my dad, which is more than I can say for my brothers, but I knew it was an option when mom said "Rebecca Leighanne if you don't mind me I'm going to tell your daddy". I'm the youngest of four children. I have three older brothers which also makes me the only girl. I tell no lie when I say that comes with it's perks. However, my three brothers paved the road to a very overprotective childhood for me. Thanks guys! Looking back on it, I'm thankful, but at the time I sure didn't see anything to be thankful for. My dad has a pretty different sense of humor. A sense of humor I love now, but as a kid of was quite embarrassed by it. I'll never forget the day my dad picked me up from middle school in a turquoise blue volkswagon beetle...it was VERY OLD and VERY UGLY! I think it backfired a lot and I don't remember there being any air. It wouldn't have surprised me one bit if we would have had to get out and push it all the way home. I was devistated that he would come get me in that "thing"! Every time I wold ask my dad "where's mom?" He would reply with "West, Texas". It would usually throw me into a crying fit!! He always knew how to get a rising out of me. Growing up my dad told jokes. His best were the "Little Red Moron" jokes. For example- Why did the little red moron carry hay to bed? He wanted to feed his night mares. haha! Or why did the little red moron take a ladder to school? He wanted to go to high school. haha! The list of these jokes goes on and on and on. We also never took a trip to the mountains without hearing the story of Fallin Rock. And a Sunday morning was never started without a VERY LOUD verse of "It's time to get up, it's time to get up, it's time to get up in the morning". I hated that song, but it's part of my childhood and my dad that I will never forget! My dad is a very strong man and he loves my momma! He's a lead by example kind of dad and I always know no matter what I can count on him. I love you with all my heart dad. Thanks for being awesome!

WAAAARRR EAGLE, HEY!

I LOVE Auburn football! So many of my childhood memories were made in the stadium watching Auburn play! An Auburn football game is the only place where it's acceptable to drink your coke even if it's got a fly in it :) It's either steaming hot or freezing cold, nowhere in between, but no matter what the temperature, there's no other place I'd rather be. Now that Taylor is here it will be so much fun making memories with her in Auburn! Listening to her yell War Eagle, hey! And hold those arms high screaming TOUCHDOWN AUBURN!! I can't wait. Since Gene Chizik was coming to Cullman for the Auburn banquet we knew we had to go. Start em early, right?!? There were a lot of people there and to put it nicely IT WAS HOT! However, Taylor got her first taste of what it's like to be a part of the Auburn family.


"Aubie, You're so pretty!!"

Great Friends

F L O R I D A

It seems like so long ago, but in May Taylor and I went to Florida to see some of my family. My brother, Matt, and his wife, Naomi, had another baby boy, Jonah Levi. I had not seen them since January and in my book that is way to long! Jacob is two and he melts my heart. He is the sweetest boy you will ever meet and I'm a sucker for just about anything he asks me for. I just know he is going to be a great big brother and teach Jonah to be just as sweet!



Florida was just as you'd expect...HOT!!! So how better to spend a hot afternoon than in the pool. Taylor had never been in the pool, but she LOVES taking a bath so I thought she wold love it. I was very right!


And of course you have to go to the pool in style...no pool wardrobe is complete without a nemo swim cap!

Along with her first plane ride and being in the pool for the first time, Taylor also went to the beach for the first time and ate sweet potatoes for the first time! Whew, what a trip this was for my baby girl!



We were on the go and making memories the entire time we were in Florida. Our camera's and phones were out all the time snapping shots of all the action. Taylor was very interested in Jacob and he sure did love his "Tyrie" (Taylor)


Naomi is a huge Dodgers fan so we had to support!!



We had such a great time in Florida! I just wish they lived in Cullman so our kids could grow up together! Maybe one day. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!!

TAYLOR WINS...(if you help us)

So, my daughter, Taylor, has been entered in a "Cutest Kid Contest" and I'm blogging to beg for your votes. Rachel McPhillips Photography is hosting the contest to advertise and gain a HUGE client base. I'm not one to advertise for a product or service unless I stand behind it 100%. We used her to take pictures of Taylor right after she came home from the hospital and she did a fantastic job. We were so impressed! She had wonderful ideas and really took her time with us.

I've gone round and round in my head trying to decide how to campaign for Taylor. Do I play the pity card and tell everyone how Taylor was born 10 weeks early and only weighed 2 pounds 10 ounces. She had to spend five weeks in the NICU. It was so hard not knowing if everything would turn out ok. Thankfully, everything is great. She is once special little girl and certainly the cutest kid alive! I don't think I should take that route though. Maybe I should play the "down economy" card and let everyone know what a financial blessing winning this contest would be towards capturing our only child grow up in pictures. No, I don't think I'll take that route either. Perhaps I should just post some pictures of Taylor so you can see for yourself that Taylor truly is BEAUTIFUL!

YES! I think that's the route I will take. So, below are some pictures taken by Rachel...seeing is believing, right?!?!


Now that you've seen pictures of the cutest kid ever, here's what you need to do:

1. Go to Facebook and become a fan (or like) Rachel McPhillip's Photography (http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/pages/Cullman-AL/Rachel-McPhillips-Photography/234373477720?ref=ts&ajaxpipe=1&__a=28)
2. Go to the "Cutest Kid Contest Photo Album" (http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/album.php?aid=180739&id=234373477720)
3. Go to Taylor's picture (the last one, #8) and hit the like button (http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/photo.php?pid=4698899&id=234373477720).
4. Tell everyone you know to follow steps 1-3. Even though other kids are cute, do NOT "like" their pictures.

Thank you for your votes. We'll let you know the results. Happy Voting!

Take that airplane!

It's been a long time since I've blogged...so sorry! However, I've been one busy little girl! I have lots of pictures and so much to tell about our trip, but for now this is the skinny on our travels.

We just got back from Florida on Sunday after being gone eleven days. Remember I was so very nervous about the trip?? I can gladly report my child was a jewel! On the trip to Florida the plane was packed. We boarded in A group and once on the plane I made my way to the very back of the plane. I'm usually a front row kind of girl, but not knowing how Taylor would behave and knowing I would have one of my ladies proudly displayed I thought it would be nice of me to head to the back. Once seated and buckled in Taylor got a little fussy. It was HOT on that plane, but once the plane got revved up and we started moving she settled down, nursed, and went right to sleep. She slept for about 50 minutes or so and then woke up as we were descending into Tampa. She cried for a few minutes, but I think it was because her ears were hurting. Poor baby, I would have cried too! There were several crying babies on this flight, and I'm happy to say mine was not the worst behaved...The same good news carries on to the flight home. We still boarded in A group and took the seats in the back, but this flight was only half full and we got to spread out a little. Taylor started nursing as soon as we sat down, fell asleep, and slept until we got off the plane. Thank you Lord for safe travels and a happy baby.

WOW!!

My what a busy week this has been! Where to start...At the beginning I guess!

First, my husband, Robbie, is changing jobs. Kind of scary, but only in a "fear of the unknown" kind of way. God is good and I'm a believer that if the good Lord brings you to it He will surely see you through it. Anyway, since the taking of this new position doesn't allow for a big family vacation this year, Robbie decided he would take a week off before starting the new job. He could relax, spend time with Taylor and I, and finish his "honey do" list. I must say, he did so much work around the house this week he almost needs a vacation from his vacation. Thanks honey!

Second, on Wednesday May 5, 2010 my brother, Matthew, and his wife, Naomi, welcomed another little boy into their family. Jonah Levi Taylor joined his big brothers Jamison and Jacob at 2:26pm weighing 6 pounds 2 ounces. He is precious and I can't wait to get to Florida and snuggle him! Speaking of going to Florida...I'm planning to make that hour and twenty minute flight this Wednesday. I'm beyond super nervous about it. I could quite possibly have that child that everyone talks about for weeks once they get off the plane. The child who screams the entire time!!! Don't say I didn't warn you. If your scheduled to be on that flight, bring your ear plugs or reschedule! Now, don't get me wrong. Taylor is a wonderful baby. Very happy and so precious. Usually she doesn't fuss unless she is sleepy, hungry, or has dirty pants. However, she is NOT a fan of sitting down or sitting still. She likes to be up and on the move. Some might say she is a social butterfly. Therefore, being confined and having to sit still on a plane may go over very badly. Everyone be in prayer for us on Wednesday!

Lastly, since Robbie was home this past week we decided we would do a mini vacation and get out of town for the night. I wanted to do some shopping, since after having the baby I have lost a fair amount of weight and I no longer have any clothes that fit. We went to Huntsville and spent the night at the Westin. It was so nice. We shopped in Huntsville and at Bridge Street all day on Friday. I got to eat lunch at ROSIES...I LOVE Rosies. Taylor was a trooper. She loves being outside and riding in her stroller and I couldn't have asked for her to do any better. We had a yummy supper at Smokehouse Grill and got a good nights sleep! Then this morning we got up, got ready, and met some great friends at Cheddar's to eat lunch! What a great way to end a great week! I'm so thankful for this week to spend with Robbie and Taylor, but I must admit I'm sad to see it end. Now it's back to work and the daily grind.