The other day Austin and I were getting ready to go to the park. I went to set up the stroller at the bottom of the stairs. Now usually I just leave or door open and he walks down the stairs to me. Well, last Monday instead of walking out the door he rode out on his little tricycle. I started up the stairs just in time to see him turn to head down. Just then I started sprinting up the stairs to catch him. I made it just in time to get the back end of his tricycle in my eye and he made it down one stair. But as you can see that one stair made banged him up pretty good.
Most days I feel like a pretty okay Mom. That day I felt like the worst Mom in the world. It was so sad to see my little boy hurt so badly and not feel responsible. We just sat on the couch after and just snuggled and cried. Luckily Tagg is a pretty tough kid and bounced back pretty quickly.
The next few days you could see the real damage from the crash.
Right after the crash
Day 2
Day 3
Dan I celebrated out four year anniversary this weekend and had a great time. We started it off with a nice dinner and then went and say KA a cirque du Soleil show. I was in total aw... of what the performers were able to do, it was AMAZING! The best part of the night was being able to stay the night in the hotel without or little man. It was the first time that we have left him over night. And I am not gonna lie, it felt a little weird to not have him around.
On Saturday we got to spend the day with my sister Mickey and her roommate Kate. Who were our wonderful babysitters all weekend. We took them to see the Shark Reef and out to lunch. Then we ran home to get ready for the cougar football game. We meet up with a few of our friends from school and had a bast. The best part was that our tickets were in the UNLV student section. We were getting a load of crap from the UNLV fans during the first quarter, but they shut up after that. It must have been the fact that we ended up killing them, 59 to 12. It was so fun to be able to cheer for our amateur.
Just when I think I have parenting and Tagg's schedule all figured out it changes. Our latest change has come with replacing the crib with a toddler bed. Tagg was so excited when we set it up. He was jumping up and down; then he would run and and grab a stuffed animal and bringing it back to lay down with him in his new bed.The first night was a nightmare! Tagg cried and cried and pounded on the door for hours. Dan and I tried everything we knew how to do to calm him down and get him to sleep. Nothing worked! Tagg finally feel asleep about 10 pm. That night Dan and I went in to check on him. We found him alseep right next to the door, his bunny in one hand and blanket in the other. Needless to say we moved him back to bed.
The next two nights were a bit harry, but over all he has adjusted suprizingly fast. Tagg now just grabs his blanket and goes an layes on his bed when he is ready for naps. What can I say we have one cute and good little boy. Now Dan and I just have to adjust to him comming in to our room and waking us up in the morning.
The other morning I walked in and saw this. I guess we still have a bit more work to do, in getting Tagg to sleep the entire night in his bed.
Sorry that I have been so bad about keeping everyone up to speed the past few weeks. I thought about blogging about the six fun weeks we spent in Utah. But then I didn't want to bore anyone with stuff from two months ago. All I can is that it was so nice to be around so much family and enjoying old friends. But it sure is nice to have our little family together again.
Dan started school again on Monday, and is already swamped with homework and quizzes. He loved his time in Winnammucca, and is totally not excited to be back in school. Due to the extremely hot temperatures I have been spending a lot of time in side playing with Tagg and doing some deep fall cleaning.
I also just finish making a Halloween advent calender. It was a lot of fun and frustrating. The frustrating part was keeping Tagg from eating the glue, cutting with scissors and playing with the sewing machine. Because he has figured out how to get up on the table, nothing is safe now. So I was only able to work on my little project during his naps and at night. I really enjoyed making it but am so happy that it is DONE!
Today marks the first of six weeks that Dan and I will have to spend apart. As part of Dan's schooling he has to go and work with Physical Therapists. For different amounts of time over the coarse of his three years in physical therapy school. This is his first one of three affiliations he will be doing. Dan is currently working in Northern Nevada in a tiny town called Winamucka. For the past week I have heard nothing but how much he loves going to work and how fast the day goes. Sounds like he choose the right profession, hun?
Because his new apartment is the size of a shoe box, Tagg and I have moved to Utah for the next six weeks. We are living with my parents and my three younger siblings. And Tagg and I are sure getting spoiled! My sister Mickey said she wanted to ride her bike to work everyday, so that I could have her new car to go places. Which means she has to get up at 5:45 a.m every day!They are all so good to help and play with Tagg, and he sure is loving all the attention. And it has been so nice to hang out with my Sisters and Mom. But, we sure have been missing Dan. And we are so excited to see him next weekend.
For those of you who have spent time with Tagg, know that he goes LOVES dogs. So last night after while we were hauling all our groceries into our apartment Tagg saw two little Pomeranian's being walked. Of coarse he ran over and started playing with them. After playing with them for a while, we said good bye and started walking into the apartment. And thats when it happened...... he turned around, pointed to the dog's and said "doggie". It was so cute, and was no suprize that this was his first word (other than Mommy and Daddy). Because he has this little stuffed animal dog called Gizzy that goes everywhere with him; it was the first thing he really got attached to. Plus, as previously stated he loves dogs.
I love new babies! The new baby smell and the tiny little hands and feet just make me all warm and happy inside. Well, this past week Tagg and I got to stay with my sister Aubrey and her family. We went to help her so she could just worry about taking care of their third and newest little girl Candice. My sister and her hubby Ben make the CUTEST girls!
It was so fun to go and spend a week with them, even if we were all sick the entire time. Between wiping noses, coughs, trips to the doctor and being delirious from lack of sleep, my two older nieces kept us all laughing with their impressions of Pip from Disney's Enchanted. My two nieces Brooklyn and Alex were such great helpers not only in making us laugh but in taking care of Candice,Tagg and their Mom. One night I even got treated to a foot rub from Alex and got my hair and nails done by Brooklyn. Are they the best or what?
But,I have to say that my favorite parts of that week were; holding baby Candice, doing crafts with Alex and Brooklyn, and heart to hearts with Aubrey on the couch. I always love going to her house. I always leave inspired with new recipes, ways to organize and insights into how to be a better parent.
Aubrey and Candice
Tagg loved hanging out with his cozens, and just being one of the gang. Sometimes I feel like he gets so board just hanging out with me all day. And I feel a bit guilty that he doesn't have any siblings to play with. As you can see in this picture he just isn't sure what to with other kids during tub times. Thank's Walker fam for everything!
Brookyln, Tagg and Alex
That weekend we drove to Utah for my Grandpa Ottesen's wedding. My Grandma Dewey passed away 3 years ago last and March. He had been so lonely and sad until he met Margret (his new wife). It's almost like he has come back to life after meeting her. Now he has a spring in his step and is constantly smiling.
Margret and Grandpa
What an amazing experience it was to be there while they were married. It's hard to explain the feelings of love and joy that filled the room. I am so grateful that I was able to be there to witness this happy event. I am so happy for them both and can hardly wait to get to know Margret better.
Out side the temple after the wedding.
That is what I had to keep telling myself on Monday when I celebrated my 27th birthday. Turning 27 was really hard for me mostly because I don't feel that old. I guess playing peek a boo with a one year old just keeps you feelen' young .
Anyway it sure was a fun day. It was a beautiful day so Tagg and I went and had a picnic at the park. Then we came home and made ice cream cake. Tagg sure enjoyed helping me clean up the beaters. By the end of the cake process he was covered from head to toe and on a total sugar high.
When Dan got home from school he surprised me with a beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers, they were amazing! We jumped in the car and headed over to Geisha Steak House for dinner with Jenna and Steven. Geisha is just like Bennie Hanna but cheaper. It was blast to watch all the food and knives flying in the air. But the best part was the food,it was yummy! Then we came home for cake and games. And spared off our great friends Megan and Luke who were kind enough to watch Tagg for us so we could go to dinner.
It sure was hard turning 27, but when you get to eat yummy food and celebrate with family and great friends. It sure makes getting older a little easier to handle.
Dan and I with Jenna and Steven at Geisha Steak House
With in the past two weeks Tagg has just started cruisen' all over the place! He has the cutest little waddle. And he has definitely been enjoying his new found mobility, he just wants to go,go,go all the time!It sure has been fun to see him step out on his own. But it sure has created a new set of challenges for Dan and I. Sitting through church now is impossible, we usually end up roaming the halls for most of the meetings. Sorry that this video isn't vertical, it won't let me move it. Hopefully watching it sideways still gives you a view of our little walker.
Last Thursday we celebrated Austin's first birthday! For all of you who may not know turning one is a big deal. Mostly for the Mom of the one year old. It's a celebration that you both survived the past year! In spite of the two hour feedings, teething and never ending diaper changing. Now it's hard to imagine life without him and all of these day to day things. This last year has been more fun and full of laughs then we could have thought.
Tagg, Dan, Dan's Mom and Dad and nephew Issac
We also got to spend some time and the beach. Which was something I had been craving for months. That is to walk the beach, soak up some rays and search for shells as the waves wash over your feet. What can I say the beach is one of my happy places. Austin loved the beach.... eating it that is. Every shell and piece of sand when right in his mouth. This is a picture of me trying to keep the sand out of his mouth.
Brooklyn, Alex and Aubrey Singing on Christmas Eve 
My Sister Bo and her husband were so generous and brave letting our entire family come and stay with them. With all that family it sure made Christmas morning SO much fun! The twins were eating candies with the wrappers still on them, the other kids were tearing through presents left and right. My Dad was also taking kids on horse rides on his back. 
Jackson and Dad We have now settled back into normal life in Las Vegas. And have swapped our sweater for flip flops. We loved all the vacationing but, I have to admit that home has never felt so good. After being gone for two and half weeks.
