What's New!

So many of you may be wondering where all of my photos are... here's the problem (which is always my problem).... I don't have a lot of space on my computer and what little space I do have is already taken up by pictures. We are in the process of putting them on an additional hard-drive but I don't have the "know how" to do it perfectly the way I want to and without loosing all of my pictures. Plus... I'm buying a bigger computer here in the near future, so I will be figuring out all of my pictures on that. But at the moment it won't even let me upload any pictures and I'm very frustrated.... so hang in there, but I have a lot that I want to put on.

Moving on... Updates with us (without photos):

Dane: 4 months old: Rolling over and GIGGLING, GIGGLING, GIGGLING!!!! He is so darn cute. All you have to do is look at him and he smiles and laughs. He is sooo patient when Zoe "kisses" him (aka-licks) his face, pokes, prods and rolls on top of him. I literally have to protect his life everyday. She means well and just wants to play with him constantly, but despite her rough housing, he absolutely loves her. She can get him to stop crying and smile most of the time. He is sleeping better than I expected him to after all the moving and changes we have been through. He is sleeping about 2 hours in the morning and 2-3 in the afternoon, with an additional 1 hour or so nap in the late afternoon/early evening. He goes to bed at 7:30 and doesn't eat until 4 or 5 in the morning... he's doing great! His little personality is coming out and is proving to be quite the little comedian. I really do think that he will be the calm one in the family with inserts of comic relief. I just love him so much and can't get enough of him.

Zoe: 22 months old: Taking swimming Lessons, blowing bubbles under water, and pretty much the pool Queen. She can't get enough of the Arizona sun and requests upon waking up to "go bye" ....which basically means anywhere outside of the house. She is loving everything that AZ offers, including the splash pads, mall parks, a bigger home to run in, and her new little friends. Recently going "Pa-eee" aka "Potty" is very fascinating for her and has me put her on the toilet whenever she thinks she needs to go...(which is every hour). However, today is the first time she actually peed on the toilet and didn't just sit there. She's learning to read (aka-- recognize words) slowly but surely. She has a new favorite sesame street character.. "Abby," but I don't think this new love will rival Elmo or Tinkerbell her all time faves. She is feisty but lovable. I can't get enough of her enthusiasm for life, but would love it if she took longer naps for me. She's such a sweet heart.

Amber: Also enjoying my new home and AZ weather. Although hot, it's NOT humid, and I love my new heated pool, parks, malls, ward and friends. I'm slowly but surely adjusting to our new environment and loving that I don't have to drive 20 minutes to get groceries, Del Taco (a family favorite--which I couldn't go to in Philly), or Costco. Everything is pretty close to our house and I think we only have a few more boxes to unpack. I'm getting used to waking up early (which for me is anywhere from 5-6 these days). Which you can't help because the sun comes out at 5am. I'm enjoying all the little playgroups that I can take my kids to, and watching them grow. Although it seems it is always a balancing act, I am sorta getting the hang of it now and am settling into a routine. I have a million and one projects I'm working on, but am enjoying the process. It's great to see Taylor as a "Doctor" now and I have found that his "on-call" shifts and long hours, aren't as bad as we anticipated. However, it is only a month into his job, I have a feeling that we will be able to get through his residency without freaking out because he's gone all the time. It really isn't that bad yet, and I think if it does get "bad" we are ready for it.

Taylor: Sleep deprived, but ecstatic to be a "Doctor!!" He gets about an average of 5-6 hours a night, and takes about 1-2 call shifts a week (which is a 30-36 hour non stop shift). However, he doesn't come home and sleep because he'd rather work on a project on the house or get more settled in with this or that. He takes time out when he comes home to go to the pool with us, eat dinner, and even help do the dishes. He is super Daddy when he walks through the door because he doesn't take a break, but jumps right into the role he has of Hubbie and Daddy. The kids adore him and light up when he comes home. We've been having fun dragging him to the Water park that is near by and organizing the home.

To sum things up -- we are all adjusting well and to Taylor's intern year. Come and visit if you are in the area or need a reason to get out and vacation... we have lots to do here and plenty of space for you!!