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| Copyright Tamara Taylor 2006. All rights reserved. |
October 4, 2005 3:47 pm
William Mark Taylor
| William 9 Months to 1 Year |
Well, you can sure tell that my life has gone from busy to
CHAOTIC in the last few months as this little guy has
figured out the whole mobility thing. It seems like ages since
I have updated his website. I will attempt to bring you up to
date on the latest and greatest developments on this little
character as he dozes on a pillow on my lap. It seems that
these moments of quiet and stillness are few and far
between, so let's take advantage and catch up, shall we?
Now where did we leave off? Oh yes, I was crying because
my baby was growing up. Well, it seems that my baby is not
so much a baby anymore, but becoming more of a busy,
independent little boy each and every day. He is still a
bundle of sunshine and dimples, but add in a good dose of
mischevious spirit (hmmm, wonder where he gets that
from?) I have a feeling the ride of parenthood is about to get
a whole lot more interesting. :)c
CHAOTIC in the last few months as this little guy has
figured out the whole mobility thing. It seems like ages since
I have updated his website. I will attempt to bring you up to
date on the latest and greatest developments on this little
character as he dozes on a pillow on my lap. It seems that
these moments of quiet and stillness are few and far
between, so let's take advantage and catch up, shall we?
Now where did we leave off? Oh yes, I was crying because
my baby was growing up. Well, it seems that my baby is not
so much a baby anymore, but becoming more of a busy,
independent little boy each and every day. He is still a
bundle of sunshine and dimples, but add in a good dose of
mischevious spirit (hmmm, wonder where he gets that
from?) I have a feeling the ride of parenthood is about to get
a whole lot more interesting. :)c
| First Camping Trip |
During the summer we somehow thought it would be a good idea (and FUN!) to drive 13 hours through the
mountains with William, my parents and Great Grandma (aka "G.G.") to attend a wedding in Quesnel, BC. Well, I
can tell you now, it wasn't such a bright idea. Perhaps the problem wasn't so much the idea, but rather, the
execution. You see, we drove the entire way in one day. Torture, eh? We arrived in Prince George, BC in the
middle of the night. We were all exhausted and ready to collapse in our beds in the holiday trailer.We'd heard that
Walmart allows you to park your trailers in their parking lot for free. But where might the Walmart be? We
searched in vain, then stopped at a 7-11 for directions. My Dad asked a drunk homeless man, who, as it turns
out, did not have a very good sense of direction. Finally after driving for what seems like eternity we stumbled
upon Walmart. We spent the night in the Walmart parking lot, then quickly dressed for the wedding in the morning.
Nothing like dressing for a formal event in a trailer in a Walmart parking lot!
mountains with William, my parents and Great Grandma (aka "G.G.") to attend a wedding in Quesnel, BC. Well, I
can tell you now, it wasn't such a bright idea. Perhaps the problem wasn't so much the idea, but rather, the
execution. You see, we drove the entire way in one day. Torture, eh? We arrived in Prince George, BC in the
middle of the night. We were all exhausted and ready to collapse in our beds in the holiday trailer.We'd heard that
Walmart allows you to park your trailers in their parking lot for free. But where might the Walmart be? We
searched in vain, then stopped at a 7-11 for directions. My Dad asked a drunk homeless man, who, as it turns
out, did not have a very good sense of direction. Finally after driving for what seems like eternity we stumbled
upon Walmart. We spent the night in the Walmart parking lot, then quickly dressed for the wedding in the morning.
Nothing like dressing for a formal event in a trailer in a Walmart parking lot!
The wedding was beautiful,
although BC was a lot
warmer than what we were
used to. I am sure my blood
was the same temperature as
liquid hot magma by
mid-afternoon. We parked
the trailer out at our relative's
farm and enjoyed the
reception, dance and a visit
that lasted a few days. In the
picture to the left the flower
girl is attempting to coerce
poor innocent Will into
drinking some bubble
solution. I will have to have a
talk with him about resisting
peer pressure. You can see
my giant maternal hand
hovering overhead and ready
to swoop in at the first sign of
danger.
although BC was a lot
warmer than what we were
used to. I am sure my blood
was the same temperature as
liquid hot magma by
mid-afternoon. We parked
the trailer out at our relative's
farm and enjoyed the
reception, dance and a visit
that lasted a few days. In the
picture to the left the flower
girl is attempting to coerce
poor innocent Will into
drinking some bubble
solution. I will have to have a
talk with him about resisting
peer pressure. You can see
my giant maternal hand
hovering overhead and ready
to swoop in at the first sign of
danger.
Following the wedding weekend we headed back east, but at a more leisurely pace. I thought this may be
preferable to the 13 hour marathon trip, but I could be wrong. You see, somewhere along the way we picked up
a few "visitors" - some friendly little rodents. They moved into our trailer. This would be no big deal, except we
were travelling with my Mom who is officially the Human Most Terrified of Rodents. Once she caught wind of
our little buddies she refused to sleep until their carcasses were vapourized. Picture us removing EVERYTHING
from the trailer at 5 am while she sits in the truck. It looked like a liquidation garage sale in the campground. We
drove into Jasper and purchased 28 mousetraps. There was literally a mousetrap every foot in that trailer. We set
the traps and went into town for breakfast. A few hours later we returned to find one mouse in the clutches of
death in the trap. Dad went to go check the other traps and somehow the little varmint managed to escape.
Ahhhh, the war raged on. Finally we were able to recapture the stealthy mouse and peace was restored.
preferable to the 13 hour marathon trip, but I could be wrong. You see, somewhere along the way we picked up
a few "visitors" - some friendly little rodents. They moved into our trailer. This would be no big deal, except we
were travelling with my Mom who is officially the Human Most Terrified of Rodents. Once she caught wind of
our little buddies she refused to sleep until their carcasses were vapourized. Picture us removing EVERYTHING
from the trailer at 5 am while she sits in the truck. It looked like a liquidation garage sale in the campground. We
drove into Jasper and purchased 28 mousetraps. There was literally a mousetrap every foot in that trailer. We set
the traps and went into town for breakfast. A few hours later we returned to find one mouse in the clutches of
death in the trap. Dad went to go check the other traps and somehow the little varmint managed to escape.
Ahhhh, the war raged on. Finally we were able to recapture the stealthy mouse and peace was restored.
This should be titled "National Lampoon's Camping
Vacation". Here Will is enjoying the first leg of the
vacation with his grandparents and great Grandma
Watermelon at Mount Robson Park. Ahhh, yes, smile
now, people. Things are about to get a lot more
interesting.
Vacation". Here Will is enjoying the first leg of the
vacation with his grandparents and great Grandma
Watermelon at Mount Robson Park. Ahhh, yes, smile
now, people. Things are about to get a lot more
interesting.
Here we are enjoying ourselves, but don't let the smiles fool you. We are running on no sleep, slowly being
worn down by the rodents and their sleep deprivation tactics. On the left my Dad, Will and I look majestic
at the Athabasca Falls. On the right Will samples his first bit of hot chocolate. What are grandparents for?
worn down by the rodents and their sleep deprivation tactics. On the left my Dad, Will and I look majestic
at the Athabasca Falls. On the right Will samples his first bit of hot chocolate. What are grandparents for?
You may think this harrowing tale is
about to improve. I am sorry to
disapoint you. Our next mistake was
taking Will on a hike. We received
some terrible advice from a local guide
that a certain hiking trail was "good for
kids". Apparently we misunderstood.
He must have been talking about
mountain goat kids or something. So
there we are, miles from civilization,
hiking up jagged cliffs with Will
sleeping peacefully in his stroller. As
you can see we formed a team to
carry the stroller along the more
challenging areas. Will was the lucky
one. He slept the entire time and will
thankfully have no memory of the
traumatizing experience of mountian
climbing before he was even a year
old.
about to improve. I am sorry to
disapoint you. Our next mistake was
taking Will on a hike. We received
some terrible advice from a local guide
that a certain hiking trail was "good for
kids". Apparently we misunderstood.
He must have been talking about
mountain goat kids or something. So
there we are, miles from civilization,
hiking up jagged cliffs with Will
sleeping peacefully in his stroller. As
you can see we formed a team to
carry the stroller along the more
challenging areas. Will was the lucky
one. He slept the entire time and will
thankfully have no memory of the
traumatizing experience of mountian
climbing before he was even a year
old.
Oh, but look at the view when we
completed our hike!! That was worth
it...right?? Right??
completed our hike!! That was worth
it...right?? Right??
So how does this story end?? Well, around Day #10 my dear old G.G. and I couldn't stand another minute.
Between the rodents, the never ending road trip, the harrowing mountain-goat hikes and trying to contain a busy
crawler who kept putting bees and rocks in his mouth, we had hit our limit. I snuck away and called Mark,
begging and pleading for him to drive up to Jasper to rescue us from the clutches of my strange parents who, for
some odd reason, seem to really enjoy this camping stuff. Alas! Freedom! Civilization! God bless you, Mark.
Between the rodents, the never ending road trip, the harrowing mountain-goat hikes and trying to contain a busy
crawler who kept putting bees and rocks in his mouth, we had hit our limit. I snuck away and called Mark,
begging and pleading for him to drive up to Jasper to rescue us from the clutches of my strange parents who, for
some odd reason, seem to really enjoy this camping stuff. Alas! Freedom! Civilization! God bless you, Mark.
| Will's First Love |
Love broadsided lil Will this summer, and it wasn't a leggy
blond. For Will the colours of love are green and yellow.
After returning home from our hellish camping trip we made
yet another long journey. This time we went to Eastend,
SK for Mark's 10 year high school reunion. Grandma and
Pop Pops unveiled the Holy Grail of Awesome
Grandparent Toys...a John Deer Gator. This little baby has
a rumbling motor that vibrates, and a manly ditty that any
little boy can groove to. It truly was love at first sight. Will
climbed aboard that bad boy and never looked back. In
fact, I think Mark secretly wished it was his size. The day
Will met his Gator was also the day he discovered his inner
motor noise, you know, the one all little boys come
standard with. He's been using it ever since, to emphasize
the revving engine when I get the truck stuck in the mud in
the pasture, or to add a little pizazz to my expert shopping
cart handling in the grocery store. This Gator is the gift that
keeps on giving. Oh yes, and did we mention that the theme
song is now engrained in our memories for all eternity??
"Its time to go so I'll catch ya later, gotta get to work
on my John Deer Gator, dee dee dah".
blond. For Will the colours of love are green and yellow.
After returning home from our hellish camping trip we made
yet another long journey. This time we went to Eastend,
SK for Mark's 10 year high school reunion. Grandma and
Pop Pops unveiled the Holy Grail of Awesome
Grandparent Toys...a John Deer Gator. This little baby has
a rumbling motor that vibrates, and a manly ditty that any
little boy can groove to. It truly was love at first sight. Will
climbed aboard that bad boy and never looked back. In
fact, I think Mark secretly wished it was his size. The day
Will met his Gator was also the day he discovered his inner
motor noise, you know, the one all little boys come
standard with. He's been using it ever since, to emphasize
the revving engine when I get the truck stuck in the mud in
the pasture, or to add a little pizazz to my expert shopping
cart handling in the grocery store. This Gator is the gift that
keeps on giving. Oh yes, and did we mention that the theme
song is now engrained in our memories for all eternity??
"Its time to go so I'll catch ya later, gotta get to work
on my John Deer Gator, dee dee dah".
| Walking |
Will took his first step on August 25th at a horse clinic I was attending. It was a glorious moment in which Mark
and I cheered and clapped, congratulating Will on progressing from rolling, to crawling, to driving (his Gator of
course) to walking. What a glorious day!! Oh, what we didn't know at the time was that life was about to get a
whooooooole lot crazier. If only we'd known what was in store for us when this little man got his wheels under him
perhaps we would have been groaning rather than cheering at that first step!! The following pictures were recently
released from the crime scene files after the case was solved as to who was shredding the toilet paper with mad
abandon. The poor dogs took the blame, but no more!!
and I cheered and clapped, congratulating Will on progressing from rolling, to crawling, to driving (his Gator of
course) to walking. What a glorious day!! Oh, what we didn't know at the time was that life was about to get a
whooooooole lot crazier. If only we'd known what was in store for us when this little man got his wheels under him
perhaps we would have been groaning rather than cheering at that first step!! The following pictures were recently
released from the crime scene files after the case was solved as to who was shredding the toilet paper with mad
abandon. The poor dogs took the blame, but no more!!
Uh oh, busted...look innocent...pretend you
don't know what is going on...someone else
must have put that toilet paper in your
hands...
don't know what is going on...someone else
must have put that toilet paper in your
hands...
HA! Who am I kidding?? heh heh heh This is
fun and I'm LOVING it!! ha ha! These dimples
give me away every time.
fun and I'm LOVING it!! ha ha! These dimples
give me away every time.
I'm all done, Mommy!! I love you! You're
not upset are you?? Oh, I am just too cute
for words and you and I both know it, so
lets just forget that little toilet paper
incident and move on. What do you say?
not upset are you?? Oh, I am just too cute
for words and you and I both know it, so
lets just forget that little toilet paper
incident and move on. What do you say?
Boy, this is hard work! I'd better sit down
so I can properly scrunch this around. La
dee dah, scrunch, scrunch. This is sheer
determination!
so I can properly scrunch this around. La
dee dah, scrunch, scrunch. This is sheer
determination!
Oh, what a lovely ripping noise it makes as
I tear it to smithereens!! Such a satisfying
riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiip!
I tear it to smithereens!! Such a satisfying
riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiip!
| Why God Made Toddlers Cute |
How could you resist a face like that? Yes, I'll
admit there are times when Will is doing something
in a very toddleresque and I'll be at a complete
loss, yet the most dominant thought in my mind is
"MAN ALIVE, IS THAT KID CUTE!" LOL
admit there are times when Will is doing something
in a very toddleresque and I'll be at a complete
loss, yet the most dominant thought in my mind is
"MAN ALIVE, IS THAT KID CUTE!" LOL
| One Big Happy Family |
Here we are, all clean, dressed and smiling all at once. That is indeed a rare event that calls for a commemorative
picture! LOL We posed with our dogs Vito and Luke on the left. Rev was running around in total dork fashion
with his tennis ball at the time, but we did manage to catch a picture of the elusive Rev as we walked through the
woods, hand in hand. And yes, Will is the little one in the middle, but it won't be long before he's as big as us!
picture! LOL We posed with our dogs Vito and Luke on the left. Rev was running around in total dork fashion
with his tennis ball at the time, but we did manage to catch a picture of the elusive Rev as we walked through the
woods, hand in hand. And yes, Will is the little one in the middle, but it won't be long before he's as big as us!
I am one year old now! I have a brand new website where you can keep up
with all of my latest adventures. All ya gotta do is Click here!
with all of my latest adventures. All ya gotta do is Click here!
Here is Will in all of
his glory. Did I
mentione he finally got
over his "I'm not
going to eat solids!"
phase. Now he will
happily gobble down
anything solid, just so
long as it is comprised
of black licorice. He
especially enjoys it if
he can get it nice and
mushy, then rub it all
over his face and the
carpet. Now that is
absorbing nutrition
through the process of
osmosis!
his glory. Did I
mentione he finally got
over his "I'm not
going to eat solids!"
phase. Now he will
happily gobble down
anything solid, just so
long as it is comprised
of black licorice. He
especially enjoys it if
he can get it nice and
mushy, then rub it all
over his face and the
carpet. Now that is
absorbing nutrition
through the process of
osmosis!