Dancing Queeeeen

Miss Morgan had her prom this weekend. She went with her friend Dznan (I have no idea if I'm spelling it right, she constantly tells me I dont even say it right...but anyway..he was super nice and cute) and Zoe (who I enjoy calling "Zoelicious") and Zoes boyfriend Luke! She said they had a good time. The girls looked beautiful as always, and those boys sure know how to clean up well!!
Also here are some pictures from Iyanna's 1st birthday! (My cousin Tyanne and her husband Marcus' little girl!) It was so cute, she had a good time. I can't wait for Eli to have his birthday party(s) there! Enjoyyyyy!


Auntie Morgan and Elijah Brycen


Zoe and Morgan before prom.




Eliiiiii


Morgan and her date


Eli taking a napppy nap.


Zoe and her mama Simone!






The girls and their dates!


being silly!!


zoe and luke


Sisters....I am so pale...buh!


Princess Morgan with Mom and Dad


Morgan and Nana


with these girls....never a dull moment :)


Iyannas Birthday!!!


so stinking cute!!


Eli letting me eat @ ChuckECheese!:)


the best family picture I could get of the birthday girl and her mommy and daddy!


Iyanna and her Uncle Douglas!




Little Daddy's Girl! (Iyanna and Marcus)




Eli paaaasssed out after a looong weekend! :)


Until next time......
....hope all is well!

xoxo
Tay

"A Cousins Tribute"

My 15 year old cousin Hannah wrote this poem about Bryce for her Speech class. Her teacher liked it so much that she made her read it again to another class of her peers. She since posted it on Facebook and I got to read it. I must say....I knew Hannah was an amazing writer. . .but this tops it--hands down.


Hannah is very, very talented in music, writing songs, playing anything by ear, an amazing singer (who made the Gospel choir at NC for next year!!!!!) and her list goes on. She is going to make lots of money one day...but for now is making us so incredibly proud, and providing us with endless entertainment of her talents.


Please enjoy...but I'll warn you, its very sad...and made me cry. Gooood tears though. Bryce would be so incredibly proud....


*and note she said it touched 40 people.....I'm thinking there will be a lot more than 40 people influenced by this poem :)


I wrote this for my cousin Bryce... and i actually made my teacher cry in the middle of it. She asked me to perform it in another class of just random people. This poem touched 40 lives. i believe Bryce helped me write this...and i know he was looking down on me when i performed it.


It was a hot June sunny day
A door broke open, threw the dreams away
And God forbid, I don’t know what to say
And the pain I’ve been through every day.

I can’t imagine you’re really gone
From a man who doesn’t know what he has done?
From a family who has held on oh so strong
All for one and one for all.

All the happiness, all the pride
Has all turned up, twisted bones and spine
And all we do now is sit down and cry.
All we could do is just say goodbye.

It wasn’t your fault, don’t get me wrong
Now you’re in the ground, where you don’t belong.
And I love to be happy, but I’m still singing the sad song.
About you, Bryce, Why did you have to die so young?

I will never forget that bright summer day
Where one man’s decision threw your life away.
Where he was drugged, under achieved.

Who knew this is how your life should be,
I remember placing a hand on your head.
While you lay there silent, all cold and dead.
In the white chapel, white casket and pews.
I still can’t believe the one who died was you.

I remember singing an old gospel hymn
And now my life is dreary, all cold and dim
I believe “ Only the good die young”
We’re still all for one and one for all.

I am sitting here thinking ‘Why are you gone?
Why have you gone away?
Why can’t you save my heart anymore?
On this very tragic day?

One night you answered in my dreams
At the foot of my bed.
“Hannah it’s okay I’m here.” you said
And carefully touched my head.

I think about you every day.
Everyday of the year
And if I start crying because you are gone
Wipe away my tears.

I know you’re looking down on me
Through good times and bad
And I am smiling at the sun
You are the best that I’ve ever had.

awesome job Hannah Banana :) Love you!!!

[[pictures of morgans prom coming soon! :)]]

xoxoxo
Tay

Eli's 1st Easter

I have to tell you this might be the cutest thing ever...although I'm a bit bias! :) This is Zach's cousin Karly playing with Eli on Easter. She started sticking her tongue out at him, and he did it right back to her. He was the BEST little boy on Easter. We had an awesome day!! We went to my Nana's for lunch, then headed to Zachs Grandparents for dinner. We are so lucky to have such awesome families! Eli got tons of presents from everyone...and Zach got some shirts, and I got a gift certificate to Zach and I's fav restaurant!



Eli is doing great. We had a rough Monday (after being held alllll day sunday, he had difficulty understanding that I needed a shower) and Tuesday, but we soon figured out we had a little "pooping problem" but we got it all cleaned out!!! (HE will loooove me for telling everyone that when he's like 10. hahaha) He is holding his head up on his own and loooooooves "daddy and me time." Overall he is just the happiest baby in the world.

Here are some pictures from Easter:

So serious!


Eli with Pooh and Zachs Easter basket




"looks good mom"


my new favorite picture


hehehe


with his cool new shades from Zachs mom.


Danielleeeee Raine! :) We celebrated her birthday! :)


Brother and sister......Danielle and Cam


Me hiding easter eggs at my Nana's. hilarious.


Hannah, Cam, Adam, Payton, Danielle and Morgan.....


We ended our day with our best...Steph, Corey and Carter Bean :)


Eli was tired of all of the picture taking...but heres our first "family picture" since the day we left the hospital almost 9 weeks ago...yikes!



And if you were wondering, Mom and Morgan (and all of MOrgans friends) made it back from Mexico in one piece. I missed them soooooo much, and had moms day planned when they got back! hahaha! I hate it when they go away....but it makes it better when they come back!

xoxo
Tay

missing mommy

So...the other day I asked myself...is it normal that I am 25 years old with a child of my own and I STILL miss my mom terribly when she goes out of town?! ugh! Its been a heck of a time. For the last 8 weeks I saw her everyday with the exception of 2 days I think....and even then working with her I saw her almost everyday before Eli was born, and I haven't seen her for like 5 days. I feel like I'm dying. hahaha! She took Morgan and a few of her friends to Cabo Mexico for their Senior Spring Break. We have been texting a bit, and she has been emailing to, so I have talked to her a little, but it still stinks not being able to call her 10 times a day if I need to. They have having sooo much fun though! I'm so glad they got to go.
I especially needed her today when Eli got his shots. He was the HAPPIEST little boy you have ever seen the entire Dr. visit, then BAM the most horrible look on his face and the most terrible scream I have ever heard, came out of his cute little mouth. I cuddled him for a few minutes and he calmed down and he's been a little fussy, with a few random outbursts of cries, but mostly hes been sleeping....for now. When he was in the NICU he was poked and proded so much, we weren't sure how he would react, b/c in the hospital it was weird, he hardly reacted at all....but yeah...he sure feels pain. Pooooor poooor baby. Payton was a big help and sat in the back seat with Eli (she didnt get to go on spring break...how rude?! hehe) and held his hand and talked to him until he fell asleep. She is a wonderful Aunt!! Thanks for all of your help Payton! :)
With mom out of town, that means I'm working more, and Eli isn't going with his Mimi when I work. Luckily we have the cutest baby ever and everyone wants to watch him!! Zachs mom took the entire week off and Eli spent the night with Zachs parents and he got to spend the entire day with Zachs mom on Monday and some on Tuesday afternoon! Today and tomorrow my Nana and Payton are watching Eli and Friday I'm off and get to spend the whole day with him!!! :) Mom and Morgan get back on Friday late late, so I can't wait to see them on Saturday!! Me and Eli might just have to wake up early for that.
Also...just an update! Mr. Eli has been sleeping "through the night." He goes anywhere from 6 to 8 hours a night. Sometimes its not exactly the 6 to 8 hours I would like, but it sure makes me happy!! :) We are so lucky to have such a good baby (most of the time..hehehe)

On a "lighter" note, I was watching Oprah the other day (which I rarely do anymore b/c her shows are really headed downhill...in MY opinion) and she was doing a show on the truths about motherhood. It was hilarious, and so so true. I thought I was totally crazy thinking and feeling the way I do sometimes, but these women were on it. It was so funny. One of them I found hilarious, has a blog...that actually is how she and her family make a living (wouldn't that be amazing??? would write on this thing everyday 5 times a day if I could make a living doing it!). I just wanted to share it with anyone that wanted the truth, and humor about parenting and life in general. Her website is http://www.dooce.com/.

Here are a few pictures. I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter...I promise to have some pictures posted of Mr. Eli and his first Easter.


I love this little picture...even if he does have a little boooooger in his nosey :)


Eli and his favorite box of wipes!!


cuddling with my boy and his pooh after his shots :(


he just loooves his pooh!


And lastly...Eli's pictures are up and edited..I am so pleased with the way they turned out! :) If you want to see them all just go to Corys website at http://www.footprintsofgrace.com/. Then go into the website (the far left picture of the little baby..that looks like Eli, but isn't him. hehehe) Then at the top find the "Proofing" link, click on it and the password is "eli" in all little letters. Its a slideshow with the pictures! I can't wait to get them back!! :)

Hellllo!

ugh! I just wrote a really long post and it disappeared!! Frustration...like I have hours in a day to do this business!!!
Anyways...Sorry I haven't been as great with my posts, but I'd be lying to you if I said I would try to keep it up better! haha! We are so busy, and if we aren't busy running around, we really enjoy vegging out and watching our little man grow.
Eli is doing awesome! He is just the happiest little man! He is getting so big, and even wore his first pair of shoes yesterday to our WINDY day trip to the park! Steph and Corey only live a little less than a mile away from me, so we have been frequenting their house. Its so much fun to have someone to relate to! Its just crazy how your mentality changes once becoming a parent! And I must say, I am amazed everyday at how wonderful of a daddy Zach is! We (me and eli) sure are lucky! :)
We have been around visiting everyone and even took a trip to Edinburg with Zachs mom and Grandma! They got Eli the cutest outfits ever!! :) So thankful! :)
Eli smiles 85% of the time, and even kind of laughs outloud. He is such a blessing, we just can't get enough of him!
I am back to work, and its not so bad! He is either with my mom or Zach...so its not so scary! I dont know HOW people leave their kids at babysitters, I would be a crying, ridiculous mess!! I hope to find a "real job" soon...I've been applying, but haven't had any luck. SO if you know anyone that needs a great, wonderful, dependable, smiling employee...I'm your woman! ::smiles::

Here are some recent pictures...the little guy is starting to wake up from his nappy nap! :)


Eli with his cousin Danielle, Auntie Payton and Cousin Hannah.


I just love this picture!


my pukin!


Eli's first pair of Osh Kosh jeans from Zachs mom, thanks so much!!! (who I call Ginga...but she isn't too hip on it. teehee) So stinking adorable!


happy boy


such a ham! :)


This picture makes me laugh so much. so funny. hes like "mom, seriously, more pictures?"


cell phone quality boo on the next 2 pictures. but this is Eli before and after the park....asleep, and still asleeeep :) and his first pair of shoes!! a present from carter!




Carter and Eli's first trip to the park.


Carter!!! (Steph and Coreys little boy...he is 8 weeks, to the day, older than Eli)
It was a bit windy and chillier than we expected! oooops.


Miss Olivia. Tonya and Steves little girl...borrowing Carters hat..


Carter Bean! :)


The "stroller gang" hehe. Eli, Carter and Olivia


Eli sleeeeeping. This is what he looked like the whole time at the park...and an hour after we got home! Silly boy missed his trip!


Me and Z! :) haaaappy happy. So proud of how far we have come!


I hope that everyone is doing well! :)
xoxo
Tay