Good days

This parenting thing is a serious deal.  It can be hard with lots of ups and downs and figuring things out, and then just when you start thinking you're getting the hang of it, something changes and you're back to figuring it out once again.  

But some days (a lot of days) as parents are really, really good.  You have moments where you realize that despite the sleepless nights and tantrums, and hair falling out and endless messes, that you wouldn't want to be doing anything else in the world.  You realize you are the luckiest person in the entire world to spend your days with these little ones who really are the greatest people you've ever known.

We've had lots of good days around here (and yes, lots of tough ones too), but this day sticks out in my mind as just a really good day.  Maddie had been working hard on potty training and filling out her sticker chart.  She was doing really well, and the deal was she had to have her chart filled up and be potty trained and she could pick any toy that she wanted from the Disney Store.  She finished her chart and we had a rare Saturday afternoon where we didn't have much going on so we decided to let Maddie get her toy.  She was beyond excited.  She picked a Rapunzel animator doll immediately when she walked in.  She had been talking about getting a Brave doll but as soon as she saw Rapunzel there was no changing her mind (and believe me, we tried - she already has 2 other Rapunzel dolls).  She gave the cashier her potty chart in exchange for her doll and we were off.  She was thrilled!

We went to Kneader's after to grab a quick dinner and Maddie was on cloud nine - and pretty proud of herself I think (and we were proud of her too).  She kept saying "This is the most perfect doll" while hugging and kissing her Rapunzel.  Life was good for her.  In between bites of her soup, sitting across from us, she stopped and looked at us and said "Hey guys, you are the best family ever!"  I teared up right there and she went on eating.  (Maybe it's easy to be the best family ever - buy your girl a doll right?).  We spent the rest of the night walking around city creek and shopping and watching the fountains.   It was such a simple thing but Josh and I kept saying as we drove home  and the rest of the night how much fun we had with our two babes and how this parenting thing is pretty awesome.

A name and a blessing.

Our sweet Beckham James Taylor was blessed on July 7.  It was such a perfect day for our little family and Josh gave Beckham an incredible blessing that we will love forever.  We blessed Beckham at my parent's home wearing the same blue and white nike's that Josh was blessed in.  We sure feel blessed to have this perfect little boy as part of our family.  It's impossible to think of our family now without realizing the huge part the Beckham is, and always has been.  We've had many tender and special experiences with this little babe so far and he has already taught me more than I could ever have imagined.

Beckham is the sweetest, most easy-going, happy baby.  I've been spoiled beyond reason by his calm and constant temperament.  He slept through the night early on and continues to sleep 11-15 hours a night, with one early to mid-morning feeding, amazing boy.  He has made this rough transition to 2 as easy as he possible could for this new mama.

Being a mother is the greatest gift.  I often sit as I feed Beckham or play with Maddie and feel completely humbled and overwhelmed with gratitude for these two precious little ones.  Gosh, we are lucky!

Family Pictures

Gear yourself up for an overload of our latest family pictures - done by Christian's amazing girlfriend, Lauren Hedin.  Maddie wasn't feeling totally up for cooperating with pictures but pulls off a pretty cute serious face.  

aaaaand my personal favorite:

Talk about bad parenting!

We love breaks from summer sales

A couple weeks ago Josh and I were lucky enough to spend the week with his family visiting Palmyra.  It was a much needed and very welcomed break and we were more than excited to show of our little Maddie girl (because we think she's perfect).  First off, can I say that Palmyra is gorgeous, and not exactly what I had pictured.  It was such a quiet, peaceful, still little town full of farmland, houses with big porches, and a lot of green.

One morning Mads woke up a little early so we headed out a morning walk.

The Sacred Grove - so green and so pretty.

 Our little fam at the Smith farm with the Palmyra temple in the background.  It was way past this little girl's bedtime and she was an angel thank goodness.

Hill Cumorah with a happy girl

 

 The last few days we spent up in the Niagara falls area.  The falls + Whirlpool Jet Boats + outlet shopping = fun days.

This little girl crashed on the flight home.  She was such a trooper to let us drag her around pretty much everywhere foregoing naptimes/ bedtimes/ any of her normal routine.  I realized she totally loves being around people.  Sad for her considering she's now back to hanging out with just Mom all day.

Such a fun trip, and a great way to say farewell to Elder Mikey who heads off for his mission to Taiwan on Wednesday.  A huge thanks to our wonderful Taylor fam!