Swim lessons!

We signed Peyton up for swim lessons at the Bountiful Rec center with his buddy Carson!
(side note-- totally the way to go! Having a friend made each of them more comfortable and gave me my best friend to chat with while the kids swam!)

It was an awesome 5 weeks for Peyton

Best buds- Carson and Peyton!
Click here for the awesome beach towel backpack tutorial I used to make the boys their own backpacks!

Ta Da! Now we're ready for summer!

In other news, Mark had shoulder surgery- yup- he's doing great!
But I had to share this pic of him "out cold" after surgery!
Just because :)



Love you honey!

Peyton turns 4

I'm quite behind on the blogging- I know.
We've been so busy with everyday life...

I wanted to share some of the fun from Peyton's awesome birthday party!
We went to Boondocks- mostly for convenience and fun, but it also turned out to be pretty affordable!
I didn't know I was starting a "cool creative cake" tradition when I made Peyton's first fun birthday cake, but apparently, that's what I did. Peyton was very excited about choosing his cake and helping mom decorate it. This year it was all about the "Rocket ships!"
After I had finished the cake, I was still looking at it critically and scowling- wanting to make it better... Peyton grabbed my hands and said "Mom, just stop! It's awesome!!"
So with that- who cares if it was really perfect- it was perfect to Peyton!






In an effort to make my life more difficult (but fun) I made every guest an "I'm a blast!" t-shirt and wrist bands!

Now, I know I'm partial because I'm his mother... but Peyton is truly the sweetest boy ever! All he wanted was to be with his friends, he was amazingly gracious and thankful, and by the end of the day- Mark and I were so overwhelmed with how amazing our 4 year old is! No tantrums, no crying- just pure joy at how awesome his birthday was!
And, at the end of the day, he said " Mom, next time it's Ryker's turn for a birthday!"
Ooooh, I just love this kid!

Peyton's gift from Mom and Dad was this amazing Wal-mart find- Rocket ship bike (did I stick with a theme or what!!?)

Peyton has been riding his bike non-stop!

We also got to bring cupcakes to Peyton's Preschool to celebrate his birthday- So I thought I would include a pic of how cute these little bugs turned out!
Again, Peyton got to choose! And he wanted bugs... so bugs is what he got!

New portraits-

Sometimes I go on "craft binges" - Last week was one of those times!
Anytime I can find cute ideas for little boys I jump right to it! (there are always ideas for little girls-)
We made all sorts of fun projects- until Mom was completely worn out!
I found these amazing tutorials for creative T-shirts here
Using a bleach pen, craft paint, embroidery floss, and freezer paper- my boys now have 4 new shirts each- all for only $30 TOTAL!
So we went and had portraits taken to showcase their super cute new T's. But, you know how it goes.... we got some cute pics at first and then after an outfit change- Ryker just couldn't take it any longer and just had to sit down and cry- so the portraits only showcase 1 shirt! But the few we got turned out pretty great!
Now that Ryker has some actual hair- I was so so so so happy to see that it is blonde super curls-just like Peyton! And Peyton turns 4 next month (holy moly!) so it was time for some updated pics anyway!

As a side note- the Rykster totally HATES flip flops, he cried for a good while after I put them on him, just pointing at his feet and wailing! I kept showing him Petyon's shoes (P.T. LOVES flip flops...) and saying "look! There just like your brother's!" until he finally calmed down...

Now I'm off to (finally) get some housework done! Can you say "Laundry!?"

When I get a chance I will blog some pictures of all the T's, and other super crafts that have kept us busy!

For your entertainment

Thought I would share some random fun pictures! I just can't get over Ryker's cute pot belly! And, yesterday at famous footwear Ryker made a new best friend... himself! He kept talking to himself in the mirror and giving himself kisses- it was super entertaining! Then when it was time to leave he looked in the mirror and said "ba bye!" to himself!!!
The last 2 pictures are of Peyton's new apron and matching chef's hat! Mark kept rolling his eyes while I was making them, and I just said- "well if you had given me a girl...."
Anyway- it's always a party at the Taggart place! My little men keep everything VERY exciting!

It's been a long week...

As I mentioned earlier- it's been a rough week. Peyton has/had been super sick starting about Saturday the 20th. He had high fevers and abdominal pain. Of course I made him "tough it out" for a few days thinking it was just a bug. Finally on Tuesday, we'd had enough! He was too sick. I will fast track through 3 pediatrician appointments on Tues, Wed, and Thurs. No one could really figure out what was wrong with my baby! He tested negative for Flu, Strep, ect...
On Thurs the pediatrician told us to take him up to Primary Children's Hospital for blood work and x-rays...
Again, long story short... His white blood cell count and CRP (inflammatory marker) were very elevated, with the high fevers and severe abdominal pain, all signs pointed towards Appendicitis. Mark and I were all prepared for surgery. But, a CT scan (this was torturous! They filled Peyton's bowls with contrast...) showed his appendix to be fine.
They sent us home.
Thursday night was hell.
MY BABY WAS SICK! He was in soooo much pain.
Mark and I took him right back to the ER.
Finally an X-ray series of his abdomen showed his intestines to be seriously enlarged. His upper intestines were so swollen they were pushing on his diaphragm and lungs.
Peyton was admitted with Gastroenteritis and an Ileus. Poor baby. The IV and meds helped a ton. We had to carry him back and forth to the bathroom, he was so weak. And, as strong of a gal as I am; I cried.

Peyton and his IV. Curious George got to be a patient too!

Finally, some rest! Not for Mom/ Dad though- we're exhausted!

The bright spot was Peyton got a lot of attention! We gave him whatever he wanted and we discovered Peyton LOVES LEGO'S. Mark is such a sucker (loving dad) He went right out and bought Peyton the most expensive LEGO set he could find. And Grandma Taggart made sure to get him lots of LEGO'S as well.

In other news... This weekend is Mark's and my 5 year anniversary. We had an amazing trip to San Fransisco planned and were very excited for some romance. Obviously, that didn't happen! But we both had all weekend off for the trip, so that was convenient!

I was telling one of the nurses that it was our anniversary and that we had missed our trip. She said "Oh, that's so sad. What were you 2 going to do in San Fransisco?"
It was late-
I replied, without thinking, "Have sex."

Of course this got passed around in nurses report and every new nurse teased us.

I'm sad we missed our trip. But seeing my amazing husband be such a loving father to our sick child, made me love him more. Kindness is the measure of a person. My husband is a sweetheart and was super attentive to me (and Peyton) for the whole stay. He even somehow found a pint of chocolate ice cream at 1-AM for me, after I causally mentioned/ freaked out for some chocolate to take my mind off all this crap!

Peyton funnies

So Peyton is in the hospital- more on that later... I just thought I should share some of the funny things he has been saying!

I should note that Peyton is OCD and also extremely obedient. When told to hold still he will. He has now been through 3 IV s, and held perfectly still for each one (just a few tears) He also thanks everyone who comes into his room :) Super cute.

So a nurse comes in and says "Peyton, I m going to give the straw in your arm a little drink."
Peyton responds "what?"
the nurse holds up a saline flush and Peyton says-
"Oh, you re going to flush my IV?"

He know too much...

He also knows to push his call light and he asked the nurse who came to check on him- "Will you check my temperature? I think
it s going up..."
To which she laughed!

Silly boy!

Peyton has also learned the name of his medications and will ask for them by name.
"I think it s time for more Toradol..."

It was recently time for more lab work and the nurse came in to draw his blood, Peyton started to cry and said "No, no nurses! I don t like nurses! Go away if you re a nurse!!"

(Thanks son... You know mom is a nurse- right??)

It has now officially been 7 days since Peyton has eaten anything. Every time the doctors come to check on him and ask if he needs something he asks for a donut!
To which the response is always "no."
After the last time, Peyton responded- "is that because I m NPO?"

Actually, it is.....

So there is a dose of cuteness courtesy of Peyton! Hopefully he feels better soon! And then maybe he can have that donut...

Explosion of crap-"literally"

Before I had children I never called in sick to work... there was no need. Even if I stayed up all night- I could still swing a 12 hour shift- no problem.
Then I became pregnant. I knew I would throw up, I knew I would be tired. But no one told me I wouldn't be able to handle it. And this, my friends is where it all began...
Now two kids later- I REALLY can't handle it. I'm, of course, tired all the time. My house is in varying stages of disarray, and my (gray) roots have grown out 2 inches because there is just no time for me to get my hair colored.
This week has been the cherry on top of the sundae of life as a parent. Ryker has RSV (possibly pneumonia) Crap...
Fevers at 104 for 4 straight days. Wont eat, just cries.
Peyton also has RSV, high fevers and NOW--- The Flu. Crap...
Vomit all over the house! The washer never stops. No one will eat anything. And of course all night long it's either "I want mama!" or "WAAAAA Mama!"
And then a few hours of fitful sleep in the rocker with a hot little feverish body smashed into me. And THEN- I'm supposed to get up, go to work and listen to women complain about how much they WANT to have a baby today! REALLY- change your mind people! Kids are too much work! (only slightly kidding here...)
Oh yeah- this week gets better. Our crapper exploded. (our toilet broke)
We kind of need this toilet with the sick kids and all- so.... ta da!

Not what I wanted to add to this crazy week- and definitely not what mark wanted to install for 8 straight hours-
Once upon a time I couldn't wait to grow up and be an adult. Have my own life and family...
But, Hindsight is 20/20 people. Because adult life and family is a lot of unforeseen expenses and hard work. Dang mortgage and kids...

The bathroom is still in disarray- and when I washed the bathroom rugs- for some strange reason (Karma?) one came out bleached white... and the other blue...
Hmmm... They both started out green.
I'm just going to leave them as they are; as a small daily reminder that life usually starts out one way and ends up completely different!

Let the good times roll!