on becoming a mom

Here is another masterpiece by Jalene. Like I've said before, this gal's got talent.

www.jtaylorphotography.com

Being a mother is such a joy. I know that I've only experienced it for a few weeks, but I still feel how much of a privilege it is to be entrusted with such a special little spirit. Yesterday when I was holding Beck while he fussed for food, I had the strongest impression that this is my calling in life. Motherhood is my mission. I've always known that I wanted to be a mother, I've always believed that there was no greater calling. Some people come to earth to accomplish insurmountable tasks and that is how they leave their mark. I know that I don't have anything grand to contribute to mankind to be remembered for, and that is okay. My mission is to raise children who can leave their mark on this planet...whatever that mark may be. My mission is to nurture, to love and to teach my children how to succeed in this life. To teach them to be kind to others; to know that they are a son/daughter of a Heavenly Father who is watching over them with love; to help them help others reach their potential; to surround them with love. I couldn't be happier to accept this calling. I know that motherhood will be hard most of the time, and I'm going to be figuring out how to do it as I go along. Luckily I've grown up with an amazing mom who prepared me very well for this time in my life. I hope I can follow in her footsteps in raising my kids.

Love letters from Beck

Dear Momma and Daddy,

Thanks for waking up with me 3 times every night. Thanks for waking me up every now and then so I can play. Mom, thanks for feeding me every 2 hours for an hour even though it hurts really bad. I love your kisses and morning snuggles. Dad, I love the funny songs you make up and sing to me every day.

Love, Beck

Dear Mima Enzler,

You really saved the day when you and Papa came last weekend. I wish you could have held me more but next time I won't be under those dumb lights. Mom and Dad sure loved the help and dinners that you made for them! I am having so much fun being dressed up in all the knitted outfits you made for me. I miss you and can't wait until we get to hang out again.

Love, Beck

Dear Papa Enzler,

Thanks for being so cool so I can have a cool middle name. I LOVE the cradle you so lovingly made for me. I esspecially like that it rocks me to sleep. You might not realize it, but I can feel the love that was put into it as you hand crafted it. Miss you,

Love, Beck

Dear cousin Jen,

I sure love the beautiful quilt and cradle bumpers that you made for my cradle. I love the soft blanket so much that I peed all over it the first time I snuggled in it! Don't worry though, Mom and Grandma cleaned it up and its as good as new. I can't wait to meet all my second cousins in person!

Love, Beck

Dear Aunts and Uncles,

I love having so many cool people around me all the time. You have each helped hold me when I needed snuggling. I'm sorry I had jaundice when you all came to see me last weekend. All I wanted to do was be held and cuddled by you but instead I had to stay in those dumb lights. Our sleepovers sure were fun though. Mom and Dad say you saved their lives by taking shifts with me at night. Because you were there, my eyes were safe and sound and you kept those goggles on me so well. Can't wait until we get to play next time!

Love, Beck

P.S. Kaela and Lincoln were so wonderful to take night shifts with me, but Garrett and Jalene REALLY earned big points for staying up...can't wait until you're officially my aunt and uncle!

Dear Grandma and Grandpa Taylor,

Mom and Dad have told me how much you've helped them out lately. You were such great nurses to Mommy when her ankles were sprained. You have brought them dinners, driven me and mommy to all of our doctor appointents, watched me under the billi rubin lights, not to mention all the holding and snuggling we've gotten in. I sure love you guys and hope to see you as much as possible before you move to Oklahoma in July.

Love, Beck

Dear friends and family that I haven't met yet,

I can feel your love from all over the country. Thanks for all of your well wishes and prayers. I can't wait to meet you soon!!

Love, Beck

Surprise! Welcome Beck James Taylor

Once again, life shows me that I can't plan everything...and once again, I am reminded that Heavenly Father's plan is much better than mine anyway.

First the pics of our new edition, details of his arrival to come! Chase and I happily welcomed a brand new member of our family on Monday March 1, 2010

He weighed 6 lb 10 oz
20 inches
Proud new father (Chase couldn't stop beaming)

born at 10:00 am, 6 lb 10 oz 20 inches

Welcome to the world!!!

Beck James Taylor
We are pretty biased, but we think the is the cutest thing that we've ever seen. I can't even tell you how wonderful it is to have this little guy around. It is a lot of work yes, but we just can't stop staring at him!

On our way home from the hospital

Its funny but your whole world changes when you bring a baby into your family. It was less than a week ago that it was just me and Chase living our life. We were preparing to bring our baby into the world yes, but you just have no idea how your perspective changes once that new little spirit enters into the world.

For those who are curious, here is the gist of our experience bringing Beck into the world. It seems like its always an adventure with us! Quick background details... Chase's work benefits kick in March 1 at midnight. We've known this the whole pregnancy, but I really wasn't very worried about it since I wasn't due for a week and a half after that. Most first babies come late anyway right? I had my 38 week check up last Friday and my blood pressure was sort of high. It had been high for a few weeks but I didn't have any other danger symptoms of pre eclampsia so I wasn't concerned. It surprised me at this appointment when the doctor was all of the sudden acting like it was a big deal. In my mind, I still had 2 weeks (at least) until this baby came and I felt fine so there was nothing to worry about. They did some blood work and sent me home without much other fuss. A few hours later I get a call from the nurse saying

1. My blood pressure is to high

2. I can't get an epideral because my blood platelets are too low

3. I need to deliver the baby tonight, and she asked me what time I wanted to come in.

As you can imagine, I am FREAKING OUT right now on this phone call. All I can do is stutter that I needed to check my schedule to see when we can come in (Did I really think I could say I couldn't give birth because I had plans?!!) In my head I'm thinking:

1. I can't have him tonight, the bathroom is dirty.

2. I can't give birth naturally, I haven't prepared!

3. This baby will cost us THOUSANDS more dollars if I have him before March 1.

4. Wait, did she say NO EPIDERAL???!!!!!

To make a long story short, they agreed to let me go on complete bedrest from that moment on and monitor me closely to try to wait to deliver until March 1. So Sunday March 1 at 12:01 Chase and I checked into the hospital and they induced me. Labor went well and everyone is happy and recovering well. Now that it is all said and done, I can't imagine not having Beck in our lives for a few weeks still.

I wrote all about the details of our labor and birth experience but decided that I'd rather not post it for the whole world to see. It was such an incredible and special experience that I would be happy to tell about if anyone wants to chat about in person or on the phone.

life moves onward

Before the long recap of our last month, I have to show you these great pictures that my talented future sister-in-law took for us. We just love how these turned out and are proud to be connected to such real talent! Check out her blog here.

Sometimes life moves so fast its hard to keep up! Chase is plugging away at NAI-Utah enjoying his job and learning lots about the big kid world of commercial real estate. We have been anxiously counting down the days for our sweet little boy's arrival. Two weeks! I can't even believe it is coming so quickly. Here is a recap: We moved out of the Taylor's basement and into a cute little apartment that we are frantically trying to make into a home in time to welcome him home.

We are officially a one car family. Our trusty "gold car" that I've driven since I was fifteen has caused us a lot of stress lately. After putting $1000 when it broke down on the freeway, it broke down 2 weeks later. UGH. Luckily I only had a couple weeks of work left and now Chase just takes the car to work and I am stuck at home.

I was so anxious to be done working at Franklin Covey so I could get busy readying our house for our new arrival. Like I said in my last post, I had a "To Do" list the size of Texas and I was planning on running full speed until it was all done. shopping, cleaning, organizing, unpacking...on and on and on. I'm thinking I was too stubborn to be told to slow down though so I was forced to. I want to blame it on the unbalance and softened ligaments of being pregnant but really I was just a clutz and rolled my ankle coming down a small flight of stairs. I tried to catch myself with my other ankle and missed the last 3 stairs and sprained both ankles. Who sprains TWO ankles at a time, while being 8.5 months pregnant?!! I guess just me! I have alternated using crutches (holy painful!) and scooting around the Taylor's house on an office chair. I am just blessed that I have a wonderful Mother-in-law that so willingly took care of me the last few weeks. Here are a few silly pics of me getting around. I'll spare you the picture of my ankle eight days after the injury. Its still pretty nasty, swollen and purple.

37 weeks pregnant

Despite the craziness, life keeps moving on! Here is a forecast of the exciting things in the next few months.

March 11 BABY BOY DUE!!!!!

June 5-I am gaining a very sweet and talented new sister-in-law when Lincoln and Jalene get married.

July 1 Taylors are leaving to serve as Mission Presidents in the Oklahoma City, OK mission! I have no doubt that they will be amazing out there in the mission field-I'm just really gonna miss them here!

August 21 Kaela and Garrett are getting married! wahoo!!! We love you two!!!!!

October 1 Jade and Kyle are having their second baby! Another cousin for our baby!

So many fun changes for our families. My sister-in-law Dara put a sweet update about all of their siblings on her blog. I thought it was a great idea. I need to get myself organized and update on everyone-

Can't resist that urge...

I've heard it hits sometime in the third trimester-that "nesting" urge. I know what it feels like now. There is something about creating a warm, safe place to welcome your new baby into that is too powerful to resist.

I've got a "To Do" list the size of Texas. I wish FranklinCovey would hurry up and tell me that my temporary position is over so I can get to work preparing a home for our little boy!
(Ok, I take that back. I need to work as long as I can. Thanks FranklinCovey!)

Here is a quick recap of the last few weeks.

-Baby Taylor is growing as he should and his little kicks are not so little anymore.

-The doctor told me to eat more ice cream (this was after I told her that I eat 3-4 bowls a week)

-Chase continues to show me how great of a Dad he is going to be

-My wonderful in-laws just got called as MISSION PRESIDENTS!!

(We are THRILLED for them, but we are still mourning the fact that they will be away for 3 yrs)

-I turned 24 years old. I'm an oldy old, I know.

-We packed a ton of fun into a weekend in Boise-ie Outback Steakhouse, movies, Baby showers, family time... thanks again guys, I love you!

-I gained 5 lbs in 2 weeks. whew, that was hard work...thanks, ice cream!!

32 weeks.

Don't worry, Kaela's is a pillow.

I had to include this picture to show you how excited Chase is to have this baby. I caught him cooing and tickling Penny like a baby a few months ago.

Welcoming 2010

(30 weeks pregnant, banging pots and pans to welcome the new year)

This is the "white house". We lived here for the first 2 years of our marriage. This house holds a very special place in our hearts. It was here that we began our lives together. We moved in because of the charm that a house build in 1890 has, but loved it because of the memories made here. We weren't initially aware that the three other couples that shared the house would become lifelong friends, the kind that you can't find just anywhere.

For the third year in a row, we reunited the white house gang for a New Years Eve party. Although we live across the country from eachother now, it is always just like the good old days when we get together.

Chase, "Boonie" and Jordan are the biggest goofballs


Jenny and Jude, me and baby boy, Jenn and Carter

This is the first time we've gotten together that kids were in the picture!

I wish that my computer wasn't packed up in storage because I would love to put up a bunch of pictures of the white house gang over the years. The only couple that is missing is Chelsi and Dave Firmage who were in Disney Land during this party. We really missed you guys!!



Driving home from Logan on Saturday, I got teary eyed as Chase and I talked about how special these friends are. We shared such a special time of life together and had so much fun over the years. We love you guys!

Its the most wonderful time of the year!

Does anyone else find this yucky pressure to make sure your posts are captivating, well written, not too self-centered, and full of cute pictures? I don't like it. I'm pretty sure my posts are normally none of those things, but I still put off updating for too long and then I end up throwing something up so I can keep a record of it. I'm going to try harder not to care. Anyway, back to business :)

Christmas

This was the first year where our families (most of them) were close enough together that we could split up the holiday. We still missed Kyle, Jade, Tayler, Bri, Matt, and Dara, but at least we were able to have some Taylor and Enzler flavor at the same time.

Christmas eve was spent with the Taylors eating a delicious fondue buffet. ...delicous and so much fun! In the evening we cuddled up around the tree in our matching PJ's and each shared something we love about our Savior. It was the perfect way to keep ourselves focused on what Christmas is really all about.

After exchanging gifts in the morning and feeling so spoiled and loved by the Taylors, we drove to Park City to spend the rest of the day at the INCREDIBLE condo that Tiffini and John rented. Mom, Dad, and Kaela were already there waiting for us to join the party. We sat around the fire and read Santa's letter to the Enzler's family and exchanged gifts lovingly picked out for eachother.

There is something so special about Christmas and how it brings family's closer together. Even when you can't be with all of those that you love in person, you can still strenthen the bonds with eachother as you talk on the phone. Hopefully next year it will be in person!