All dressed up!

Taylor and I got bored (or I did) and so I decided to try on some of his dress up clothes. He didn't seem to enjoy the whole idea but he did look so grown up!



Taylor has learned that he can point. He points now to tell you where to go and when. He also says, "HI!" in a really high pitched voice. Here is his signature point.

He finally just layed back in surrender, I took the clue that our photo shoot was done!

Shnooki Albertson

I bought Taylor a push walker a few months ago, and he insists on pushing it backwards. I think he wants to be able to push the musical buttons, while walking, but it makes for the funniest walking kid ever. Everytime I turn the walker around for him to hold the handle and push, he manages to turn it backwards and continue walking while trying to manipulate all the buttons. He no longer needs the assistance of a walker but still enjoys hobbling along pushing that toy with him. Here is my little schnooki...



And here is Riley stealing the walker and making a run for it.

11 months

Mr. Taylor is now 11 months! I can't believe we will be celebrating his first birthday next month. What a delight it has been to revisit all of the baby stages and compare the two boys as they grow. Besides Taylor's health issues, he is an extremely happy, active baby. He has a new found love for trash cans. Something about them, he just can't resist pulling them down, and sorting through all the neat things inside. Seriously hide your trash cans!!! Tay is slowly walking more and more on his own but really likes me to be within close reach still. When Riley is napping and Taylor is not, Taylor will casually make his way to Riley's bedroom door, and pound as hard as he can, brotherly love.

To celebrate Tay's 11 month birthday we took him swimming for the first time. I knew he would like it, because he loves baths. We got in the pool, and Taylor did a face first dive into the water he was so excited. He then found that trying to eat my bathing suit was pretty amusing. After eating my suit for a while he got really adventurous and was walking through the shallow end all by himself. Riley was like a fish, and loved every second of it. Here is the one picture I got before I was told by the lifeguard that there is no photography at the YMCA! Who would have known??? Blah... I told him I was going to take a picture of my childs' first time swimming. The 16 year old lifeguard slowly walked away!

New Project....check!

One thing that I have always admired about my mom is that she is very creative and crafty. She can sew and fix almost everything. Growing up she always made our halloween costumes, bedroom curtains, and she has made both the boys numerous handmade things. That being said, I think I got an itch to try to get creative and start a new project. Ever since I bought Taylor's crib set, I started to dislike it more and more each day. It was the modern uptown set, and I was having trouble finding anything babyish to match. Finally I decided it was time to get a new crib set and start all over. I chose a cute animal safari crib set, with many colors and animals. I painted wood letters for a wall decoration and found some matching wall art at the thrift store. I headed to Michaels to get some more ideas and found some paint and safari animals. I painted an old wall shelf and added some animals and wala, my very first artsy project!!!




Oh yeah, I also got new curtains and a new lamp at Target, both of which were on clearance. During this new redecorating kick, Matt has slowly noticed the transformation of Taylor's room. I didn't really feel the need to tell him that I was going to do it, because we all know men and what the response would have been! I realize that Taylor and Matt might not get much satisfaction out of the new nursery but it feels wonderful to me.



I am a person who has to try really hard to be creative and artistic, so my first time I think I did alright! Now I am dreaming of a sewing machine, but we don't need to mention that to Matt quite yet!!!!

Valentines Day Party

Riley celebrated Valentines Day at school this week. They painted Valentines bags and each kid brought Valentines for each classmate. Riley was bummed that Leo, his best friend at school was not there. Riley still enjoyed himself, even though all the kids didn't understand what Valentines Day meant. Of course I had to be the dorky mom to go and buy a Valentines Day shirt for Riley to wear, but he did look handsome.

Come home Tay, I miss having a little love bug!

My little Taylor is stuck in the hospital, with some RSV. Those not familiar with the virus, it is common, but can be very dangerous in infants. Taylor has ha chronic respiratory problems since he was born. He has good days and bad days, but has struggled with wheezing, coughing, and even low oxygen levels. He is in good hands down at the University of Minnesota, and they are currently changing his therapy to ignite a positive response. It is really going to be a trial and error to try to find the correct medicine to let him live a comfortable life. Riley is feeling better and has improved his wheezing and ear infections. He has now had enough ear infections in one year to meet the criteria for the removal of his adnoids and placement of tubes in this ears. That means another surgery, and another hospital stay. I never dreamed that having children would land me in the hospital so many times, so early on. Riley has already undergone two significant surgeries, and two other hospitalizations so he is a pro. Taylor is starting to get really antsy in his little hospital crib, and is clawing at his door to go explore the rest of the unit. Because he is in isolation he can't visit the play room or interact with other kids on the floor. I also want to thank everybody who has stepped in to help out this last week. Auntie Nikki and Christine have been eagerly trying to help anyway they can, and that really means a lot to all of us. We are lucky to have you two in our lives. My parents have pretty much adopted Riley on the weekends, to allow Matt and I to be with Taylor, go home and shower, and get some work in. You two have helped out in so many ways, we can't thank you enough. Riley has been touring MN. via the light rail for most of the weekend (can we say spoiled much!). Now we must all send strength and prayers to my big Tay Tay, so he can break out of the hospital and head to Old Country Buffet!

Can you guess who is two and a half?

Riley is in the prime of his terrible two's. It took me about 30 minutes to get him into the doctors' office last week, and about 20 minutes to leave Target. Today I told Riley I would be right back, because I was running out to grab the mail. He replied, "Wait momma I have to give you a kiss!" This made up for all of those times when I thought I was going to lose my cool. We will get you through this Ry, you are almost three!

Painting Party

One of Riley's all-time favorite things to do around the house is finger paint. I usually offer to do it with him at least once a week. We are all sick, so I thought I would invite poor Taylor to join in on the fun. Fun is exactly what we had! Here is our final masterpiece.


Notice the large amount of paint on the floor that just happened to miss the paper. After about an hour of sloshing around paint, I threw the boys in the tub to clean up. Afterwards I let them try on their brand new monogramed shark robes.

Riley vs. Taylor the differences!

When I was preggo with Taylor, I often wondered what the differences would be of the boys. I daydreamed about how they would be best buds, and be co-pilots in life. I also wondered how their personalities would differ. As Taylor comes into his own, I have started to notice the differences. Riley has always been cautious, analytical, and social. He is a ham to say the least. Riley loves to dance, loves music, and loves to be dramatic. Riley doesn't like to cuddle much, and seems to like some independence. Taylor is a doer. he is not cautious, and has no fear. He is also the silent instigator. I have caught him pulling Riley's hair, biting him, and hitting him. Taylor is my little cuddle bug. He loves to have human contact, and makes sure he gets his "service" at all times. He tends to do before think. Riley is a sleeper, Taylor not so much! The one thing they have in common is that they both love to eat, eat, eat.

Recent;y, among other issues both boys have decided that the sun outside is unbearable, while riding in the car. So I went out and bought some car riding hats, to help block the sun. Both boys also have custom fit sunglasses, which they refuse to wear. Here are their new hats!!