31 MONTHS...ONLY 10 MONTHS BEHIND IN POSTS...
Mom is ashamed of herself. She has let 10 months go by without posting my most wonderful accomplishments and stats. So, she decided that now is just a good as time as ever to pick up and start again.
Mom says I am amazing; all 39 inches, 38 pounds and size 10 feet of me! She is absolutely blown away each day as I reveal more and more of what I have learned from this world and all of its teachers. This morning I helped her recite the months of the year. Mom had no idea that I knew them. We sing songs and such at home, but I think I have to give credit to LMS for this one. We practice the calendar every morning at school.
I can count to 20 or higher independently and to 10 in Spanish if you count along with me. I know all of my colors of course...I have since I was 18 months old, but we are still battling the red and green issue. Mom still thinks that I may be color blind with those 2. She has asked the eye doc, but he can't test me until I recognize all my numerals 1-10 without mistake. He usually tests children in kindergarten...so until then, green is green and red is either or. I have learned to do so many things independently. I turn on and off lights, open cabinets or the fridge to get what I need and if I can't reach it then I just climb on top of my stool and reach. Mom realizes that this is a huge accomplishment in planning and resourcefulness, but she wants me to be VERY CAREFUL too! I am enjoying taking showers these days too. I like to squeege all the shower glass while mom soaps me up. I still scream a bit when it is time to rinse my hair, but whew! as long as the water is cold I am good to go. I do not like warm water! I am taking gymnastics and swimming lessons this summer and having a blast. I prefer gymnastics, but I am doing great in swimming too. My first day of lessons this summer is the first time I have ever put my ears in the water. I have always had infections or tubes and would not wear plugs so swim lessons are working for me. My teacher is Ms. Jennifer and she lays the law of the pool while really giving me the positive support I need. I am learning to reach and pull with my strokes, jump in and go under independently, walk the wall of the pool with my hands and feet and climb out, put my face in and go under, blow bubbles and take breaths and of course float on my back. Mom is amazed, but I still prefer gymnastics. I love to show off my flips around the house. When I first began I was galloping rather than jumping with 2 feet. I would always lead with my left foot. But, TA-DA! I can jump with my feet together now after my 5th lesson I got the hang of it. I even tried making big circles with my arms as I jump and I did it! Now I am practicing feet together and apart while jumping on the tramp. Again, I am told to be careful. I keep trying to flip on the bed and the couch and such. My favorite place to jump is of course on my bed. Dad keeps imaging me flying off, but I'm an expert these days...I have had 6 lessons now. I can front roll, back roll, log roll, put my legs in the straddle and pike positions, walk, roll and jump on the beam and flip on the bars and rings too. I absolutely love jumping off of the tramp into the foam pit. Mom tried it just the other day and thought she would never get out of there. Use your muscles mom! She had to dive for her sock too. Beginners! My favorite books are still those about animals, snakes and insects. I like to read stories, but I prefer informational books with real world pictures. Dad has plenty of Biology and Herpatology books to keep me busy. I have started pointing to the words while we read and I even tell the story or caption as we read. I have a great memory. I know that bats use echolocation to navigate and mimic their sounds while we read and I know that baby birds open their mouths for their moms to drop in worms and bugs to eat. My creative play is still surprising mom. I love to cook it up in my play kitchen and save everyone from illness as I am the best doc in town. I think it is great to go on a bear hunt around the house too. Mom tells me time and again that when I am in the bed we are safe. She wants to make sure that any fears or worked up anxiety from creative play is left behind at bed time. Not a bad idea. We get lanterns and flashlights and run away from the bear. We hide in the closet and look under the covers and under the bed too. I mainly just love screaming and running through the house only to jump under the covers and say "we're safe." Dad likes to kick it up a notch and turn into a monster, but even he knows that the bed is a safe place. I belly laugh the whole time and tell dad to do the jumps and voices again and again. Mom is usually saying "enough, enough" to that guy...she does not like scary stuff. Even on the playground I find ways to use creative play to entertain myself; of course I enjoy playing with someone most. I really use my "thinking brain" as mom calls it. Mom and dad asked me a question at the breakfast table the other day. I sat and stared for awhile then rested my chin on my hand and said, "hummmmm," then I ticked my finger up and down on my lip and said, "let me see...." I have lots of other phrases too like, "do you hear me?", "will you play with me?", "open your eyes, the sun is out...", "1,2,3... "(I learned that from Les and Emma), "Say Bye-Bye" that is everytime that mom is talking on the phone, "I'm sorry Mommy" and the famous toddler question, "WHY???" That one comes in 3's or more for each statement made. "Why, why mommy?, why....", "Help me please; this is hard to do," and "wait, not yet" or "not today okay, alright?" The toughest one to deal with is of course..."NO SCHOOL, NOT TODAY, I STAY HOME MOMMY! ALRIGHT? NO SCHOOL!" Needless to say I was signed up to attend 2 days a week at LMS this summer to preserve routine yet have spent most of my days in the arms of Mommy. I don't know what will happen come August, but I am happy for now spending my time with the woman who loves me the mostest!

TOKEN MALE!...
Mom and Mawmaws had a weekend away with the Alpha Chi sisters and their moms too. I got to join in the fun and excitement as a token male (the only other boy was just 2 months old.) WHEW! I kept mom busy too. I filled the swimming pool with water, water Emma's head--she did not much like that--and poured water in buckets and on others as requested. Emma was not so sure about me holding the hose. I think she knew I was plotting to soak her. I was very careful with Baby Charlie though. I made sure all the sprinkles steared clear of him. I would pause to pet his head or rub his back whenever he was near. I loved to walk down by the boat house and play outside, but inside is where all the goods were kept. Chex mix, juice boxes galore and toys I have never seen before. Emma has My Little Pony's, babies, a stroller and doll house and more. I had a hard time understanding that I had to share my boy stuff if she was going to share all the girly things with me. I wanted "all of them." Mom learned 2 important lessons on this trip. Girl time is great! And, one night get aways are better than 2 when the little snuggle bug is with you.

STICKER FACE!...
Mom and dad often call me stinker, but now I guess they will call me sticker face! I have a contagious silliness about me. I just love to laugh. If I think I can rope you into laughing along with me I will spare no expense. I have mom and dad rollin' even when they want to keep a straight face! So much for discipline. I learned from dad that if you keep them smiling or even better laughing you can get away with just about anything!

LUCKY JERSEY...
Everyone needs a lucky jersey and this is mine. I didn't care that it was 95 degrees and felt like 110. I wanted to wear my yellow jacket complete with hood. Mom had tried to hide it away in the closet a few times this summer, but I always catch a glimpse of it and pull it back out. I tell her "so cold, brrrrr...." What can she say? I love wearing my jacket.

BUBBLE BOY HEADS FOR THE SPRINKLER...
I am an expert bubble blower. I love to watch them fly overhead, chase them down, catch and pop them, but today was even more fun! After we decorated the driveway with chalk we got out the wiggly caterpillar sprinkler. I was pumped I couldn't wait to wear my goggles and dance around the front yard, but I wanted a partner. Mom was ready...IN PAJAMAS!...and ran right in with me. I'm sure our neighbors thought she had lost her mind dancing through the water, running in circles and screaming with me. I didn't even mind getting my hair wet. I would put my goggles down over my eyes run through, jump out, push up the goggles to take a look around and start all over again. It was the perfect summer morning with mom.



























Mom loves my "moo-stache." It is bright orange today...I drank Fanta, Fanta...don't ya want a Fanta, Fanta!

BAGEL HALO...
Mom always knew that I was her angel so this picture is the perfect representation of that. However, I quickly switched gears and put the bagel to my eye and exclaimed "I'm a pirate! RRRRRRR!" Boys will be boys!

GYMNASTICS!...
All my "no fear" moments led mom to believe that I would really enjoy gymnastics. I needed a place I could bounce and run and flip and flop with safety and structure. She was right! I love it! I have attended 4 lessons now and I am steadily becoming an expert. I love to volunteer to demonstrate how to walk the beam, or complete a forward roll. I love to hang from the rings, flip over my them and jump on the tramp. I am building confidence and learning new skills each lesson. This is something we will continue for months to come. Mommy and me classes will soon turn into toddler classes all on my own. Will mom be ready for the transition?

MY 3rd HAIRCUT!...
Mom finally got dad to give in...or maybe she just did not ask, but I needed a haircut. Summer is here and I was SOOOO HOT with all my curls. I had to get a trim. Except my trim turned into a major ordeal. I shed 3/4 of my locks and dad was in for a huge surprise. I am handsome as ever and enjoying the breeze through my hair these days. Mom is enjoying an ease in styling my curls and washing them too. Whew...why did we wait so long to tame the beautiful fro?



















Straight from the tub my curls are ready to roll!

JUST LIKE TO GOOD 'OL DAYS...
Summer is here! We have so much scheduled including play dates with my good friends and there mommy's too. Landon and I have the same birthday and Julia was born just 3 days after. I moms love to see how we are growing and changing and compare notes too. Landon is the first to have a sibling and so we have been playing at his house this month. Trying out all his toys has been loads of fun. I love his BBQ grill and pretend to cook up hotdogs for my friends. Okay, I admit it. I did chase Julia and pretend to throw hotdogs at her, but she ran away with my tongs so I think she deserved it! To say the least, the 3 of us have kept our moms very busy and oh so proud!

GOGGLES ARE GOOD!
I have been fighting mom for some extended time now about washing my hair in the tub. I have so much of it to begin with, but I DO NOT LIKE WATER IN MY EYES! Whew! It took mom awhile to figure that one out. She thought for the longest that I was worried about my ears, but now I have the words to explain it to her. Problem solved! Mom bought me goggles. We were successful! I didn't have to cry because the water ran right off. Now I can get over the anxiety and back to enjoying my bath. I love to scrub to dub and play in the tub. I practice swimming in there too. I can blow bubbles, make splashes and now wash my hair too. Mom allows me to rinse my hair now. I am in control of the water bucket. I pour it on my own head to rinse the suds. What a compromise! This Taylor Tot is happy!



















I tried out all my swimmy moves with the goggles. Mom had to remind me that big splashes are for the big pool.

I AM 2! DOT IS 20!...
Dot has reached his second decade. WHOA! We celebrated at Road House. I ate a bowl of tomatoes and a side of mashed potatoes. That is basically how my meals go these days. Odd and odder.
I sure do love my uncles. I pretend to call them on the phone often. I always ask them to come play with me. It is good to have someone so cool (ie not mom and dad) to look up to. "HABE BIRBAY DOT! LUD DU"

AND THE VERY NEXT DAY...
We celebrated Memorial day pool side. I was so hungry from my chex mix diet I ate a whole hamburger and could have consumed a whole cantelope too. The sun was out and we enjoyed every second of the cool water, rafts and pool toys. I showed off my swimming skills and jumped with NO FEAR! from the edge of the pool. I kicked my legs and walked the steps as I waited for the next ball or float (not always with a smile.) We were tired and Wes and I had just a bit of trouble sharing the balls and rings. I thought "Mine" was easy to understand, but I guess sharing is required! Mom and Aunt Carley think that Wes and I will appreciate these matching pictures when we get grown, but I'm not so sure. At least we both look handsome!

































Guess how many pictures we took to get just one? I tired all my poses to make mom smile too.

I SLEEP WHERE?
A camping we will go; a camping we will go; high-ho-the-dairy-o a camping we will go...AND WE WILL LIKE IT!
We had our first camping adventures in Bastrop, Texas. Mom, dad and I were so excited. Mom picked out the tent of her dreams and made big plans to cook and enjoy campfire meals. Luckily Aunt Carley and Uncle JJ have more experience and a bit more sense in these situations. They have the practice that mom and dad plan to acquire in the WINTER! Whew was it hot! Memorial weekend brought record highs and with that I had mud trails running down my little cheeks. Mom and dad said I have never been dirtier, but I did not mind. I would have rather stayed dirty than face the solar shower again. 2 showers a day was just too much spraying of water for me. I tried to tell them through my screaming and crying petition that DIRT DON'T HURT, but they forced me clean anyway...at least until my feet hit the sand again.
We enjoyed the outdoors, the stars overhead and the time with family away from the hustle of Houston. We could have done with out the swarms of flies and hornets though they were invading our space and we tried it all to rid ourselves of them. Finally the ranger had to fog the site while we went fishing. I borrowed worms from a fellow camper and I caught a fish! I was so proud! Uncle JJ turned it into bait :( but he came home with a string of catfish...our fish tacos for dinner that evening. YUM! Wesley and I were into it all except the food. We filled our bellies with juice boxes and chex mix as mom introduced Wes to the good 'ol M&M. Wesley and I raced match box cars, colored pictures outside and rode our bikes into every lump of dirt and sand we could find. We ran, we cried and we enjoyed it all including the water fights straight out of the cooler. We were soaked! We are looking forward to fall and our next big adventure in the cooler outdoors. As for mom and dad...they are working off the many campfire smores and have finally located the long lost scorpian, centipede thing that we found in the car. I guess the heat was good for something...it cooked the bug and mom found the remains under the floorboard mat. GO MOM!

TO MARKET, TO MARKET...
Lala loves the farmers market and dad and I got to tag along. We picked up fresh organic fruits and veggies and dried fruits too. My favorite is pineapple--YUM! I had a great day with the fam exploring the market and then the backyard garden of paridise and birds too.

MOM'S DESERVE A MOTHER'S DAY!...
Mom and Mawmaws began celebrating Mother's Day a day early this year. They got manicures and pedicures and massages too. Mom said it was just what she needed. But, Sunday morning she got an even better treat. I surprised her with a card signed just by me and another gift certificate for a moment of relaxation and pedicure. Then, we were off to breakfast at Papa's brunch buffet and then to the Museum of Natural Science and Rose gardens as a family. Mom enjoys these family days. She loves spending time with her 2 most important guys. It always makes her smile. The sunshine was out and it was HOT, but we got learned so much about dinos inside. Dinosaurs are some of my favorite things to read about. I loved seeing all of them up close. It was a special day for both of us.



























We all need time to stop and smell the roses!

RELEASING LADYBUGS...SPLAT!...
Mom and I love to work in the "Taylor Garden." We get out our gloves and tools and dig and plant. (If you drive by you will notice that most of the dirt is dried and clumpy and the flowers are probably brown, but that doesn't stop us from trying again and again and again.) This last trip to the garden center we found ladybugs in a bag. 1,750 of them to be exact. We (Mom) just had to get them. She felt like it was a great buy--$8.00 for a lovely introduction to bugs and nature. So, we brought them home and followed all the directions. We kept them in the fridge over night and the next evening we were ready for our release. We even invited my friend and neighbor Austin and his parents to join in the fun. Mom cut open the bag and began to set the little red dots free to fly. I did what came natural--SPLAT! Who would want bugs on them...what was mom thinking? SPLAT, SPLAT, STOMP, SPLAT, STOMP! Mom and dad tried to convince me that these were "good bugs" and that our garden needed them, but I did not need them on me. I continued to SPLAT and STOMP while everyone else scooped the bugs and dumped them onto the base of plants in the yard. Mom decided that we should probably pick up the lesson next year. Those ladybugs pinch esp. when they are working in teams. All I can say is mom didn't look to happy with a bug between her eyes, down her shirt or in her hair. So, Maybe SPLAT wasn't such a bad idea after all!

MUFFINS WITH MOM...
Mom was so excited! I invited her to muffins with mom at school. I was a bit reluctant and then a bit reserved as the breakfast was served in the primary building. I'm just not used to being in there with the big kids. After my 3rd attempt to enter the building we suceeded and breakfast was served. I got mom and me some delicious muffins and ate every bite. I washed it all down with white milk served from a dixie cup. Mom was able to chit-chat with some other moms and enjoy a few extra morning minutes with her best boy. It was a great morning together!

BIG BOY BIKE...
I have worked my way up to my 3rd bike...not a trike anymore. I have training wheels now. Mom and dad were convinced that this is what I needed and what do you know; you can find just about everything you need while shopping at Target. The words "please mommy" do the trick everytime. Mom and dad were so confused though. They did not know what size I would need. One box said up to 38 inches and the other 38-48 inches and look at me I am 38 inches. So, the big boy bike is just that...a bit too big, but I don't mind. Dad and I worked with all the tools and into the night to assemble this monster. I just had to try it out. When night time came we flicked on the garage lights and I rode in the light of the garage for awhile. I just couldn't get enough. I still need a bit of practice on pushing my pedals, but I am a big boy now. Watch out neighbors. I will be cruising the sidewalks sooner that you know.

I'M A BEBE TOO...

Aunt Meme, Uncle Mean and Ella came for a visit. Mom was so excited she got to pull out all of my baby toys and gear. I was excited too. I had no idea how much mom had hidden from me. Seeing Elda enjoy it made me wonder if I would still like it too. I had to try it all out. The saucer was a real hit! I bounced and played in that thing for at least 30 minutes too bad I looked like a monkey on a coconut (that's what daddeye says.) My knees were kneeling on the bottom of the saucer. I have really grown. I am up to 38 and a half inches and 38 pounds shoes included.
I was a gentleman to say the least. I shared so well and showed Elda all my favorite Houston spots and passtimes. What can I say...I'm in love (with Meme too!)

THESE ARE A FEW OF HIS FAV-OR-IT THINGS...
-Dinosaurs, their roars and esp. the T-Rex. He calls it by name and pretends to be it eating through things often
-Sharks--they always come with music--dun,dun...dun, dun. He has never seen Jaws, but he knows the jist of it.
-McDonald's-cheeseburgers, apple dippers and applejuice...he knows the arches
-The Sun. Reagan has cried all week when it goes to "sleep" because he knows that means bedtime for him too. He has even reasoned that he should not take naps because there is sun out...not a moon...stinker...so smart! What a joy though when he wakes to see the sunshine. The smile on his face is priceless as he points and cheers for the sunshine.
-Thomas the Train--train tables, books and movies. He knows the characters by name.
-"The big book"--this is Preston's zoology book from college--it is about 3 inches thick and weighs a ton. Not your typical bedtime story. Reagan wants to read about as many animals as he can before and after each nap and bedtime/wakeup. He will tell you which ones he has seen at the Houston Zoo and details he remembers from the previous times we read.
-Gymnastics-Reagan loves his new class. He likes the rings, doing rolls and jumping on the tramp. NO FEAR! He jumps from great heights (a few feet up) into the foam pit and climbs out to do it all again.
-Creative, dramatic play-Reagan loves to pretend. He will turn in cozy coop into a firecar by plopping his firemans hat on top or get a wadden of towels out of the kitchen drawer to host his own car wash. He puts lacing strings into pans in his kitchen to cook noodles and pretends to eat bugs like he has seen on Survivor Man or Bear Vs. Wild. He will grab his doctor bag and remove "bugs" from your belly and more. Great bed side manner though...he will bring you a pillow and a blanket and tell you when you are sick. :)
-Reagan loves basketball and soccer. He likes to play in the front yard. Yesterday, we had just walked outside to play when I heard the famous, "Mommy, What's that?" I looked down and Reagan had found a TINY baby bird that apparently had been pushed out of its nest. The birds beak was larger than its head when open. So sweet, so sad. Dad got home and took all precautions to get it back to its nest. Only too bad for baby, it got pushed out again. Reagan was so concerned about the bird. He drew pictures of it, told stories about it and looked out the window waiting for its mommy to get it. My 2 year old has an "old soul or bleeding heart" just like his mommy.
-Cherry yogurt, chocolate milk, berry bowls and just about any other fruit, white string cheese or yellow Nemo cheese and ravoili--this is basically a list of the foods he eats at home. However, we have recently added Nemo gummy fruits as a treat alongside chex mix and Diego drinkable yogurt. Yes, I am raising a very particular pallet, but the good news is that he likes the healthy foods!

WE HAVE DANCERS IN THE FAMILY...

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UNCLE DUSTY IS A DRIVER...
We celebrated Uncle Dusty's 16th birthday at Bucca and followed it up with chocolate cake and ice cream. I was loving every bite and tried to convince mom to let me have a second scoop; it didn't work, but it was worth a try when dad and Uncle Dusty were getting more. I sure hope I grow tall like the Taylor men...I won't be "wasted height" as dad says. I will shoot and score :)

TYLER TOTS IN LOVE...
Reagan and Ella take on Tyler in love at the zoo, the park and all the places in between. Reagan showed his soft side taking care of "bebe Elda." When she cried he would whisper "it's okay, okay...," put his finger to his lip or give her a paci. He patted her, covered her with her blanket and held her hand as we drove from here to there. What a sweet boy he is! Reagan and Elda forever :)

ME-HE-KO...AN AWESOME ADVENTURE!...
From beginning to end Mexico posed amazing opportunities for adventure, fun and play and of course exhaustion! I guess we should have expected that traveling internationally with a 2 year old would be an experience in itself, but WHOA! Keeping a routine was difficult at best, but Reagan had so much fun, as did we. It was so peaceful in all the hustle to enjoy it all. It is our dream to travel and fill Reagan's life with experiences like these. We were so blessed to have this opportunity. Thank you Aunt Kay and Uncle Al! Reagan is trooper! Poor baby did not eat dinner until 8 pm each evening. He would literally take a few bites and fall to the side, laying on my shoulder ASLEEP in that instant. He took it all in stride and appreciated all the newness of each day. He did not want to miss a moment so naps were pretty much forgotten for a week. We all got a bit too much sun leading to the extreme...sun poisoning for mom, but after a day of rest we were at it again. We saw ocean life and wild life up close to Reagan's amazement and played in the ocean and sand until we just could not hold our heads up any longer. We dined on food that made us all wish we could stay longer and slept in luxury each evening. The views are some that we will never forget, the sounds are those that we want to remember each night as we sleep. We can't wait for the next amazing adventure in travel.