Back to Buffalo

Yes, sadly our fun holiday trips have come to an end. We have made it back to the cold still wishing we were relaxing on the beach. Our Christmas break was spent with our families, we loved the time spent together and as always we were spoiled with great gifts.
On Christmas Eve John, Jude and I were able to make a quick trip to the Mesa Temple to see the Christmas Light Display. This is a great tradition that we have missed being in Buffalo.

This Christmas was Jude's First Christmas. He was spoiled by his grandparents, and was such a great traveler. He did great on the planes, and came home healthy!!
On Christmas night our family along with my family took a red eye flight to one of the virgin islands St. Croix. We enjoyed a wonderful family reunion, thanks to my grandma for the great Christmas present. For the next week we spent our time with my mom's wonderful family. The week was filled with rest, relaxation, sunsets, sunshine, and walks on the beach. We explored the island, took boat rides, snorkeled, scuba dove, ate yummy food, had game nights, and spent a day in St. Thomas. The beach was in our backyard, we spent our time relaxing in hammocks, on lawn chairs, and feeling the nice breeze. Jude loved it. The ocean just calmed him. Well, as you can see we had a great time and enjoy the pics.
One of the many beautiful views we experienced at St. Croix.
Cute pics of my Nephews Jackson and Caden. They had a blast on vacation.
My sister and her family relaxing on the Hammock.
Our family on the Hammock. John and Jude spent a lot of time together relaxing on the hammock.
A group of cousins and family did a discover scuba course and experienced a few dives. John joined them. John also did a night shipwreck dive!
Mom and sleeping Baby Jude on the Beach. I swear I want to move to the beach. The cool breeze, the warm weather, the sounds of the ocean totally put Jude in complete relaxation every time he was outside.We are now unfortunately back in Buffalo where none of those luxuries are found.
A Family picture taken in our backyard. We enjoyed the beautiful beach and look at our boy, he is not a newborn anymore.
Jackson all ready to go snorkeling, and giving us the thumbs up. Too bad he was a little to young otherwise he would have been in the water.
One night we went to see the Crab Races. Yes, you buy crabs and race them. First one to the outer circle wins!
Another beautiful view of the ocean.

John and Jude trying to catch a little sleep time at the airport on the red eye flights to St. Croix.

A few in the group getting together one night for some fun games.
A picture of the whole group who were lucky enough to experience a week on St. Croix.
Another nice view. We had an ocean front room, and this is what we witnessed all day from our patio.
Caden spent his time climbing palm trees.
Another nice view.
In St. Thomas John was flipping in the ocean, Casey did not have a swim suit at the moment but that did not stop him!
Happy New Years! My mom and dad getting ready to ring in the new year.
We stopped at the location in which Columbus landed on his second voyage.
Jude just relaxing on the beach, soaking up the sun, in the shade.

Jude is now 5 weeks, and a world traveler. He did so well every place we went, and now its time to get him used to his real home. He has grown so much. He loves his baths, he loves to be swaddled and to dance. He loves to smile. He is already getting so strong, he holds his head up great and is now standing up nice and strong when daddy is holding him. He loves to be held and can tell when I place him down. He loves to snuggle. We are loving every minute we have with him. We know he will continue to grow so fast.
I love these pictures that John took yesterday. Jude was just hanging out in the clean laundry! He looks so cute!

Jude playing with his new activity mat! He loves it. When the star plays music he looks right at it.

Christmas Vacation

We are enjoying our much needed Christmas Vacation back at home, in Arizona. I came down a week before John, while he stayed in Buffalo and finished finals. Jude and I stayed with my family while John was gone and then we are spending time with his family now until Christmas. Jude is growing and changing so much. We are loving the time that we have had to spend with family. Here are a few pictures that highlight our trip so far.

This picture is taken the night before I left to Arizona. We ventured out to the annual Christmas party here in buffalo with our dental friends. It was such a great night and Jude had a fun time at his first party!
Here is Jude and his cousin Jacob. Jacob is 3 months old, but so much bigger. It is weird to think that in just 3 months Jude is going to be that big! I want him to stay small forever. Check out their cute matching onesies.
Here are my nephews, Caden and jackson playing in the cupboards. They were having a blast in my parents new house!

This will be Jude's first Christmas. We had to take him to sit on Santa's lap.
Mommy and Jude in front of the Christmas tree in his cute outfit from Grandma Jones.
We had pictures taken of our new family before we left to Arizona. Here is one of the many favorites that we have.
John, his Brother jordan and his sister Ashley all looking at Jude.

John was able to bless Jude at my parents home on Sunday. It was such a great experience. Jude's outfit was made by his great grandmother,and the blanket was made by his Grandma Taylor. Thanks. And by the way, notice my short hair cut! I totally chopped it!
The Taylor family at the blessing.

A picture of our family, my parents, and my sister and her family at the blessing.
Here is a four Generation photo. My grandmother was able to make it down. This is my mother's mother.


As you can see we are having so much fun! I will try to update with more pics soon!

Happy Birthday

Today marked the 1 week birthday of our new son. This past week has been the most happiest time in our lives. We feel so blessed to be the parents of this amazing child. This past week we have enjoyed so many fun memories. Parties at 1am, and 4am, his first sponge bath, his first visit to the doctor, plenty of play time, making funny faces that crack us up, and just the quiet times when John and I look at him, admiring everything about him, and then realizing what we have created. It is truly a miracle. We are so grateful for this new life. We are loving every minute of it.

Just laying down looking so cute. Jude has found his fingers and he constantly loves to suck.

Here are a few pics that capture his first little sponge bath.


Looking clean after his little bath.

Check out Jude. He was totally cracking up while looking at his daddy.
This picture was taken today. Making him 1 week in this picture. Time sure has gone by so fast. I am trying to enjoy every single minute!

Introducing Jude Edwin Taylor

It's Official! We have picked a name. Our child will no longer be known as "Baby Taylor" or " Baby no-name." He shall be: Jude Edwin Taylor, we love it and it totally fits him. Jude, cause we love the name, and Edwin was John's father's middle name. Okay here are a few more pics of us at the hospital.

Here he is. This picture is great. He is still so fresh. He was so awake and alert for several hours after birth. Check out those big eyes!

Yeah! I am so glad Baby Jude made in time for Grandma and grandpa Jones to see him!
He is peeking out of his blanket. He is awake and happy a lot more than we thought.

John and I playing on the floor with our new love.

John and I with Jude and the wonderful midwife that delivered our baby.
One of my favorite pics of our little man.
Here is Grandma Taylor and Jude!

Finally!!

Here are some pics and some stats, Baby Taylor (who still does not have a name) was born at 4:02 am Saturday morning, the 29th of November after about 6 hours of labor. He weighed in at 8 lbs, 15.7 ozs and was 21 1/4 inches long. I, as the father of the baby watched as Sarah pushed and pushed this guys head and body out and am not kidding when I say that it pretty much defies physics how such a big object made it through such a small opening. Sarah's plan was to give birth "naturally" with out an epidural or pain meds, which she accomplished. This as well was an amazing thing. Enough chatting and on to the pics-

Moving on. . . .

Well, This past week we have decided to move on past waiting around for baby to come. We have spent days shopping at the wonderful outlet mall, they were having some great sales at great baby stores. We have baked, shopped, cleaned the house, watched movies and have gone out to dinner. John even cleaned my mom's teeth!
Baby is still moving around like crazy. On Friday we had an ultrasound, and he has plenty of fluid, and he looks healthy and happy. I have been having contractions, but nothing painful or regular.
Here are a few pics of us hanging out while baby is still inside. I am still growing, we measured by belly a week ago and I was 40 inches, this week I am 41 inches. I hope this baby isn't a ten pounder. . . . I will try to upload and scan in some ultrasound pics of baby. He looks kinda tight in there, and has BIG lips, I don't know where he got those! Will keep everyone posted on any news!
These pictures are of me at 40 weeks and 5 days!

Baby Taylor. . . Still NOT here!

Well, he is still here, just still in my belly. He must really be enjoying himself in there, he is still playful, and happy as can be. Us out here are the impatient ones. My mom and I are enjoying our time, keeping busy, shopping, decorating, and watching some movies. We are still hoping for a baby sometime soon, and will definitely keep everyone updated. Here is a picture of me on my due date.

Which day will be the DAY

Which day will be the DAY? Isn't that the question on your mind, well it is sure on our minds. Like Crazy. Tomorrow is my actual due date, and my mother comes in tomorrow night so it would be nice if something would happen soon. But we will see, it is all up to our little man. We are trying everything.

*Walks*Pineapple*Warm bubble baths*Foot massages

We will post pictures as soon as we have a new addition to the family.

On Friday night, it was craft night at our ward. I totally loved all the crafts, and just had to choose a few to make. I made some hair bows, and no I will not make my boy wear them, I am saving them for my girl. . . one day hopefully. I made some cute Christmas Chinese take out type gift boxes, and an envelope book.

Countdown! 7 days

On Saturday, I was spoiled with a baby shower from the ward. This ward is so great. I had a great time spending the afternoon with great ladies. Thanks! The baby was spoiled with several new cute little outfits.
We have the nursery all set up, minus the things on the walls. We still need to hang up pictures, clock etc. But we love to hang out in there, all we need now is the baby.
This picture was taken Saturday. Ready to pop, right.

John and I have been spending lots of time together with a movie on Friday night with friends, and Saturday night we spent trying to get a little Christmas shopping done. Sunday we enjoyed stake conference. And this morning well, we woke up to some snow on the ground! We love Buffalo!

Welcome November!

My first official week of NOT working. John is so silly to think I am going to do nothing all day. Cleaning the house, doing laundry, running errands, going to the gym (people are so impressed with me and my big belly at the gym), crafting, cooking, rearranging baby furniture, organizing baby stuff, doing school work, and trying to squeeze in some sleep! I am keeping very busy! And to be honest I have not really missed work much. . . SHHHHH.
I have been completing some crafts for our new child that will soon arrive, and one happens to be this little quilt. I bought the stuff for it back in young Womens but never completed it, so I thought now would be appropriate.

Also in baby news, the countdown is 11 more days. . . give or take a few. I have been feeling pretty well, just harder to move around with a HUGE belly, but other than that I am doing just fine. I LOVE to feel him move, people say the baby slows down towards the end, but mine is an active one, I swear some days he never sleeps, just constantly moving and kicking. I tell him to come out and play! Everywhere I go, I feel like I get the weirdest looks, hello people do you think pregnant people don't have to go to the store, and the bank and the mall?! I know I have a big belly sticking out. Anyway, we are excited and still prepping to get everything ready for his big arrival.
On Monday John brought home the Championship! I went and cheered him and the team on at their championship volleyball game and they WON! Yeah, I even got a t-shirt for being the team "manager," I think my Capri suns and orange slices were good luck before the big game!


On Tuesday night we ventured out to a UB Bulls game, it was going to be televised so we thought we would go. Besides feeling like a high school game, we had an enjoyable night.


It was perfect weather! I must say these nice days of high 60-70 degree weather are so so so beautiful and I want them to stay!

We will keep you updated on any baby news!