Our Boys Arrive and We Get to See Rome Italy

Dresden Arrives

 Here's my buddy just getting to Heidelberg. Look how cute he is with his McQueen suitcase. Grandpa Taylor said they got a lot of looks with him pulling this through the airport.

 I didn't want to let go of him.

Even though this picture doesn't do the moment justice, I had to post it to remember how sweet he was with his little sister. He walked up to her and said "Hi Stelli" and gave her a kiss on her forehead. Almost brought a tear to my eye. 

Even though it was extremely hard for me to be without my sweet little Dresden it made things a lot easier for my house hunting here in Germany. I was so grateful he was in good hands with his Daddy, his Nanny and Bopa, Aunt Kristen, Grandpa Taylor and our sweet friend/ neighbor Emily Covey and her darling son Stephen. I was so grateful Emily sent me these cute pictures when she did because it came on a day that I was really missing him. 

To Roma Italia

Here we are at the Hauptbahnhof waiting for our bus to take us to the Frankfurt Hahn Airport. Too bad we couldn't have just stayed in here the whole time. The light sprinkle that welcomed us turned into a down pour when we were getting on the bus.

Dresden gets to try his first pretzel in Germany. He loved it!

Stelli, I don't think you know how amazing your Aunt Bethy is. You will soon find out!

Here we are after we finally got on the bus. All of our shoes, clothes, and hair were soaked. My 100 Euro was also soaked too, so much so that the driver looked at it in disgust.

We finally made it to the Hotel 5 min. from the Frankfurt Hahn Airport. This was really helpful seeing as our flight was at 6:30am.

Here we are on the airplane to Rome. The kids did fantastic! I'm so grateful for how good of travelers they have been.

We made it to Rome! Yipee! Once we got there we caught a shuttle bus to take us to the Termini (main Train Station). So this is Stelli with her awesome Aunt Kaylee who was SO SO SO helpful this crazy trip. I couldn't have done it without her.

Once at the Termini Station we went down 6 escalators. We then reached the Underground Subway. After four stops we got off and came to this train. As you can see there wasn't any sort of ramp so we had to lift all the luggage and the strollers up in it. That was adventurous. 

We were all so tired after the long adventure starting at 4:30 am. A nap was very much needed. 

Here we are at the Flaminio Bungalow Park at our little Trailor House. That place had the nicest community bath house. It had mosaic tiled walls, a private place for children with minuture toilets and sinks, and awesome blow dryers.

Here we are about ready to take off on another adventure traveling to the Termini Station.

Once at the station, Grandma and Grandpa Taylor took Dresden and Smith and most of the luggage on a train to Terni where they would meet up with Uncle David and his family. 

After they took off we headed to the Vatican. The Sistine Chapel was the most beautiful site I have ever seen. I could've stayed in there for hours and hours looking up at the beautiful work done by Leonardo di Vinci himself.

Here we are at St. Peter's Cathedral. They were holding mass while we were there so not only did we have the beautiful filtered light shining in on this beautiful building, but we had some beautiful music.

 To the left is an old prayer bench, I believe. To the right is a famous painting of the theologians. 

 Left: Sculpture that inspired Di' Vinci. Right: Me and Stelli in St. Peter's Square where the Pope speaks.

Daddy Surprises Us

 After the beautiful sites I was surprised by my sweet sweet husband. I hadn't expected him until the following week, but he was so good to me and met me in Rome. I had to double take because I didn't think it was real. Bryce didn't know it either, so it was a surprise for him too. 

 

Around 10:45pm we arrived in Terni where David and his Cousin Gabriella met us and took us to this beautiful, dream of a place Bed and Breakfast, La porta della Valnerina.

I loved this old wash basin station thing that was in our families room.

  

This is only part of one of the many sweets this place had. I loved the original wall they were able to preserve from the original building. 

At the B&B they had a little waterfall with a couple pools that Dresden is posing next too. Such a wonderful retreat from the crazy traveling we previously had experienced. 

David's nice brother Emmanuella took us to one of the highest waterfalls in the world.

 Here we are at David and Kristen's ring ceremony. We had a delicious, traditional 5 course meal and we didn't get back until about 1:30am. It was so fun. Below is a fun (I assume a traditional) game they play with the bride and groom where they ask them questions and they have to hold up whomever's shoe they think the question pertains to. They try to have hold up the same shoe so as to show how compatible they are. They did really well!

 The next day we went to church and then came back to just relax and hang out with their family. David's sweet family cooked us some delicious Italian food and brought out Bachu Ball (I think that's how it's spelled).

It was Father's Day that Sunday. What a fun Father's Day to spend in Italy. 

Left: Kristen and David let off a Chinese candle. Right: Our last family picture before everyone starts parting their ways. Dave and Kaylee left that night. I was sad to see Dresden say good bye to his Grandpa Taylor (his best buddy), but I'm glad it won't be too long til they can meet again.

 The next day Tamer, Scott, I, Dresden and Smith went to see the Colloseum. It was amazing.

 After we stayed the night in a hotel near the Rome Champino airport we woke up flew home and then caught our bus back to Heidelberg. It was amazing how comfortable I felt landing on German soil. I loved this picture of Dresden and his Grandma Tamera. I know he will miss her as well. 

In conclusion, after all the sweat and muscles we built up from this trip, it was well worth it. We saw some wonderful things, made some new friends and got to see how wonderful Italians and their culture can be. I would love to go back some day when our kids can really understand where they are. They were such troopers though and I would take them anywhere if the could travel like this. What a wonderful first adventure during our time here in Europe. 

The End.

We made it to Deustchland

Well little Estelle I couldn't have asked for a better baby while making this long 12 hour flight to Germany. You were an angel. Perhaps you could see how much mommy was struggling with all the bags, you and the stroller (I felt like I needed two more arms at least) and decided to give mommy a break. You slept the entire time: the 4 hours to NY and the 8 to Frankfurt with the exception of mommy waking you to feed you and put you in your PJ's (of which you went right back to sleep after that). Although I don't really want to fly without your daddy again I couldn't have had a better partner on this long trek. I am so so so so blessed! We were so blessed to have a sweet lady that was a passenger help us put your stroller together in NY and nice German man and airport worker help us in Frankfurt. We got to go right up to the front of the line for our passports and didn't have to wait in line and the airport worker helped take our bags right up to Grandma Tamera. There were certainly a lot of prayers coming our way because I don't think things could have gone any smoother. Mommy also was surrounded by all German citizens on the flight to Frankfurt and so she got to get a head start on speaking German. They all were so nice and made me feel really confident in my Germany. The older couple to our left constantly told me to have them help me if I needed it and the cute African who immigrated to Germany and had awesome fro hair held you while I got our bags down. When we landed and you were looking at the nice Germans (one the African lady) you just smiled and smiled. They said you were excited to be in Germany. I think so. I'm excited to have you here with me while we try to find a home for us even though I miss Daddy and Dresden terribly. I dedicate this Post to you Stelli.

 <-- This little outfit was given to you by Glen and Tawnya (some of mommy's family friends)

Estelle's Blessing and Mother's d

Mother's Day, what a wonderful day to bless Estelle. We had a wonderful sacrament  meeting celebrating motherhood. A fellow neighbor and her sweet daughters who we've taught in CTR 7 and sunbeams sang an adorable song and the youth speaker did a great job. I don't remember exactly what he spoke on but I do remember what the other two spoke on. The other two were Jake and Jenni, and awesome awesome couple who lived in our neighborhood. He told the kids in the congregation to tell their mom's they love her and how important that is. She gave a quote from Marjorie Hinkley I think I better post it. (So well put- Especially the part where she says "I REALLY LIVED"). 

“I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails.

I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp.

I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children.

I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden.

I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder.

I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived.” 

Scott did a fantastic job again. Our little children are so blessed to have father who honors his priesthood and can give them blessings. Although they might not remember this particular blessing they will remember the feeling they will get when he blesses them with other things. I however remember the feeling I got as he blessed our little girl. I truly felt the love of the spirit. I know that Estelle is a special spirit. Scott said how her calming spirit will give me strength. He also said something to the fact that my love for her will radiate through her. This little girl has been and will be such a blessing to our lives just like her big brother has been. Dresden and Estelle, your father and I are so grateful Heavenly Father has allowed us to be guardians and teachers through this life. We love you!

Aunt Kristen and Uncle David Are Sealed

We're so excited for Aunt Kristen and Uncle David. They were sealed in the beautiful Salt Lake Temple May 2nd 2012. We're excited to be there for their ring ceremony in Italy.

Happy Spring! Happy Birthday Mommy! Happy Easter!

Happy Spring!

After walking outside in our back yard and seeing the beautiful daffodils that I hopefully planted last year I was so so so excited for the Spring. As the days continued and the other plants I'd planted started coming back again I got even more excited because I thought some of them were dead. Even though our backyard is really little I love coming out and enjoying the beautiful trees and landscaping. I'm excited when we have a more permanent home and I can landscape a lot more and enjoy the life plants bring.

Happy Birthday Mommy!

My birthday this year was wonderful. Scott took me out to a new and really fun Thai restaurant where I ate my favorite, Pad Ki Mao (I think that's how you spell it) and we got to laugh at the cute old lady cutting beans in the corner and the lady who kept subtracting numbers when she was figuring out our bill. We then went to a cute little bakery called The Sweet Tooth Fairy where I picked out a Strawberry Lemonade cupcake (that was delicious) and drove up to the look out where you begin the hike to the Y (the place Scott brought me our first Valentines while we waited to be seated at Bombay house). When we got up there he got out of the car and I could hear him in the back trying to do something (I later discover trying to light a match without the little strip thing). He had taken the cupcake and brought a candle and lit it. He sang me Happy Birthday. To finish off the night we went to get one of my favorites, Juice Press Smoothies and we returned home to our sweet friend Mary who agreed to babysit for us. What a wonderful Birthday! Thank you Mr. Taylor for making my Birthday wonderful! Thank you Mom and Dad for taking me out to another fav, The Cheesecake Factory, and thank you Tamera and Dave for the delicious Pasta dish, your gift and another fav, Banana Creme Pie! 

Happy Easter!
This Easter was even more fun now that Dresden is a little older. I tried explaining to Dresden what Easter as really about, I don't think he really grasped it. Perhaps he did though. He is such smart little boy. I am reminded of that everyday. The day was wonderful. We woke up and found our Easter baskets. Dresden was most excited about the Thomas the Train fruit snacks. I think Scott's favorite thing was his pink tie and my favorite were the absolutely scrumpcious Apple Crumb muffins Scott got up early to make (Mr. Taylor is such a sweetie). We then got dressed for church. This part was one of the funnest things for me. I loved trying hard to have us all look colorful and matching for our Easter Sunday at church. We had a great time at church. We talked with our sunbeams about the Christ's Resurrection and then went on an Easter egg hunt. I enjoyed talking about what Easter is really all about. I gained a greater appreciation for my Savior and I hope in some way the kids were able to as well. On our way to the Taylor's we stopped and said Hi to my parents because they had unexpectedly gotten back early from their camping trip (which I was sad to miss but figured taking a one month old wouldn't have been as much fun as I would've liked). At the Taylor's we went on their traditional and very generous (giving away money) Easter egg hunt and celebrated my birthday. It truly was a beautiful day.

Estelle-Our Little Star

One Day Old

Estelle is only a month old and I'm finally blogging about our beautiful new addition. First, I must explain why I for one am so excited we got the little girl we were hoping for. Prior to hiking the 10 miles down to Havasupi and cliff jumping into the beautiful water I was hoping to have gotten pregnant the first month we tried, but when the test I took right before the hike came back negative, I was a little sad. Fortunately for me the stars in Havasupai were so phenomenal, I was able to make a wish on one of the many falling stars that we could have a baby. After taking a second test about a week later we realized that we indeed were pregnant. Estelle (which means Star in Latin) fell into our family about 9 months later. Heavenly Father responded to my little prayer so when we came across Iliana which means "The Lord Responded" in Hebrew, we had to make that part of her name. She definitely fell from the heavens a bit unexpectedly and rather quickly. Her delivery was significantly shorter than Dresden's and boy was I glad.

Estelle's Birth Timeline

1. Friday before her birth, I got checked by the nurse midwives and I had gone up one inch dilation from the week before and was a 3.5. (I was thrilled because to get to a 2 with Dresden it almost took 24 hours of pretty strong contractions).
2. Monday (day of her birth) I woke up at 6:30am and realized my water had broke. I text my midwife/doula and she said she would be there by 10:30.
3. I then took a walk with Izzy and enjoyed the beautiful sunny day.
4. Came home made a delicious fruit smoothie (my fav), got Dresden fed and called Tamera to have her come get him (about 10am).
5. 10:30- Tamera got there and contractions were just beginning to get strong enough to where I had to focus.
6. 11am- Midwife got there and checked me and I was a 7.5
7. 12pm- Other Midwife and apprentice got there and set up the tub* in the kids room.
8. Around 12:30-12:45pm I got in the tub and had about 4-5 contractions in the tub and then was told I needed only 2 more contractions and I could push. I realized that even if I wanted to go to the hospital at this point it wasn't going to happen.
9. Two contractions later, I was told to push.
10. As far as I can remember I pushed about 3/4 pushes and our "little star" (caught by her daddy) was here. Because her cord was short, was wrapped around her neck and ended up tearing she needed a little help breathing and had some bruising. But she was here all 8lb 9oz 20 inches of her. :-)

*The tub was a horse trough that had a padded blanket placed inside and then a thick plastic lined it and it was duct taped.

One Day Old

Even though there were a few times I thought "What am I thinking? Why don't I have drugs?" I was so glad I was blessed to have the peaceful and calm home birth I ultimately wanted. The only thing that could've made it better would've been to have a pediatrician check her out right after. We were so blessed that things went so well. I told myself that whether I went to the hospital or stayed home depended on how I felt (I had packed a hospital bag and a homebirth kit). With how quickly everything went and the fact that I felt so good with how things were going I just had to proceed with a home birth. Boy was I glad. I loved delivering her naturally even though it was some one of the most challenging thing I've ever done, it was well worth it.

 I realize now that I probably should've been more frightened than I was the fact that she didn't come out screaming and looking a normal color, but I'd like to think that Heavenly Father and his angels were there in that very room comforting me and making me feel confident that everything was going to be okay. I was so grateful for the wonderful Midwives (Sherri Price and Roxanna Mauer) who were experienced enough (only witnessing a cord tearing 3 or so times in their long midwife career) to assist Estelle with her first few minutes that were a bit difficult. I am so so so so grateful that Estelle was so strong and made it through her unexpected and difficult delivery. 

When Dresden saw her for the first time, I don't think he quite understood what was going on, we had him to climb up on the bed with us and asked him to sing "Happy Birthday" to his new baby sister. He agreed and as we sat in our bed together as a family and sang to our new little blessing, I felt the spirit so strongly. I felt so loved by my Heavenly Father that he would bless us with such wonderful children. I also felt stronger desire to help my children love one another. I just felt that Dresden was going to love and take care of his little sister. Even though I never had a big brother, I can just imagine how wonderful it is to have another protector in this crazy world. We tried making a new little sister not seem too crazy by taking a suggestion we received by a fellow ward member. We were suggested to get him a present and say that it was from her. To this day he still remembers it, in fact, the other night he mentioned that she gave him "trucks" and I told him it was because she loved him. His response was "Thank you Estelle". I am the luckiest girl in the world! Welcome to the world Estelle! You have been blessed to be born in the covenant and to be loved by sooo.... many people. 

 Two Days Old

Pictures of the first two months