Before I get into our beautiful daughter Taytum, I want to start with me and my husband Tenny. I'm going to be annoying and go all the way back to when we met. I don't plan on anyone else reading this, so I don't feel bad, haha.
Tenny and I met at Snow College located in Ephraim, UT. (AKA the middle of no where!) I played on their softball team and Tenny was the star of their football team. While choosing what college to go to, I had really strong feelings to go to Snow. I never knew why, but I knew the Spirit was pointing me in that direction. I always thought to myself," Why in the world would I want to go to college there?" There is nothing to do and I heard nothing but bad things about their softball team. But whenever I would pray or try to decide where to go, Snow College was always the first to come to mind. I wasn't even offered a scholarship there.I listened to those feelings and went in the middle of August. I knew if I wasn't going for softball, I would be going for something else. Little did I know, it was to meet my future husband!
Tenny had a similar experience when deciding what college to go to. He initially was signed to play at the University of Utah to play football. He ended up not making grades and had to choose a junior college to go to. His family was pushing him to go to California where their football program was really well-known. But he admitted, for some reason he felt like he should go to Snow College.
I first saw Tenny at a school dance. My first thoughts of him was he was cute and could dance really good! I was completely shy and stayed my distance. He was the life of the party and seemed extremely outgoing and my first judgement of him was a "player". I knew for sure he was out of my league and wouldn't be interested in a shy, can't dance girl like me.
Him and his roommates came over to my apartment to hang out with my roommates all the time after that. Us two hardly ever talked, and if we did, it was him saying I laugh a lot or his jokingly saying "Go kill yourself". He was popular and knew all the girls liked him. But me being my hard to get self pretended to not be interested. I never went for the guy all the other girls liked, just because those guys usually know all the girls like him! And Tenny was definately that guy. All my roommates had the biggest crush on him. I never admitted it, but I did too. I know this sounds cheesy, but we both recall looking at eachother at random moments and smiling, almost like we were both hiding our feelings. He said he asked my roommates a few times if I liked him and if he should start "talking" to me. They would say no; one because they liked him and two I never talked about him with them.
One night, the night before me and my friend would be leaving to St. George for Thanksgiving break, I got a random text from an unkown number. The text read (he's going to kill me) "Do you think I'm ugly??" I asked my friend Amanda if she knew the number, and she said it was Tenny. I was secretly extremely excited. But what the heck do I say to a question like that? We ended up texting eachother all night.
He had to stay a few days after school was let out for football. I found out the next day his parents lived in Las Vegas. He said on his way down to Vegas, he wanted to hang out. Still judging him as a player, I didn't believe him. My judgements were right, and we didn't hang out on his way down. I still give him a hard time about it. A funny fact: I didn't even get ready when he said he was in town. I told him it was ok, but was secretly a little upset. He assured me we would hang out after Thanksgiving, and from his last bail, I didn't believe him. The day after Thanksgiving, to my suprise, we hung out. This is a funny connection, the same sister Fiti that motivated me to start a blog, was the place I met him at to hang out. He said his sister wasn't home so we could hang out there. For some reason, I was determined to let go of my shy urges to stay home and went. This was the first time we hung out just us two. Fiti came home after about a couple of hours. If I knew she would be coming home while I was there, I probably wouldn't have gone! I was so scared when she came through the door. We joke about it now, but she was a little mean! Tenny introduced me and I said hi as nicely and perky as I could and she paused at looked at me for a split second and under her breath said hi and continued to talk to Tenny. I was so scared she already hated me! Another funny fact: I forgot to pack my jeans from college, all I brought were sweats and my only jean mini skirt. I couldn't wear sweats to hang out with him the first time, so I had to wear the skirt, which probably gave the wrong first impression to Fiti :).
That night, I remember driving around together not knowing what to do. We went to Alberto's and he got a burrito. I was way to shy to eat in front of him, even though I was starving, I said I wasn't hungry; as my stomach was growling. It was late, and we were trying to figure out what to do. He had the idea of going to a park. We drove way out to the furthest park possible, one he said was really cool. We got there and just talked all night. And this was where we had our first kiss. We were there until about 4 in the morning. After this night, we were unseperatable. We've been together ever since. We kind of mark this day as our "Anniversary". Even though we weren't official boyfriend girlfriend yet, we were together all the time like we were. It only took a week in a half to make it official.
I remember after our fun vacation away from Snow College, I was scared he would stop talking to me once we got back to Ephraim. The night we both got to Snow, I met him at the Bell Tower, and we made it official. We had some hard challenges in our relationship that ended up just getting us closer together. Not everybody liked us being together, but we knew it was real. He tore down any walls I built up. He became my best friend. He was my first and last boyfriend, my first true best friend, my first everything. I never would have thought a boy could know so much about me. I was more comfortable with him than anyone else. At this point, this is when I knew I didn't go to Snow College for softball, but to finally meet Tenny.
I say finally because after getting to know eachother, we found out how many times we were so close to eachother, but never met. He lived in Hurricane his freshman year of high school, a fifteen minute drive from St. George. My travel team practiced all summer at Hurricane High school, while he was at football camp, honestly 100 yards away. The ONE practice I couldn't go to, he was dared to go talk to my team during a break. My team talked about it for weeks laughing at how funny and cute he was. I went to a football game in Hurricane my freshman year. He played varsity and I unknowingly was watching my future husband play! He knew a lot of people from Dixie, my high school. He came to a wrestling match at Dixie, where I got out of a class early to go watch. I probably watched one of his matches or at least saw him! But I don't remember. I had a softball tournament in Spanish Fork every year. One year, his nephew had a birthday party at the park right next to the complex we played at. There is a good chance we saw eachother! Those are just a few of the many times we crossed paths.
Our relationship has definately been an adventure, but I wouldn't trade it for anything!
First Palepoi Family Gathering (Baby Franny's Graduation June 2010)
My brother's Wedding Tenny's first Family Gathering March 2010
Thanksgiving in Las Vegas 2010
Christmas Party 2010
The fall semester of our sophomore year at Snow College, our lives changed. The beginning of October, I found out I was pregnant. This was one of the scariest moments of my life, but something I would never ever take back. It turned out to be the biggest blessing of my life. The day Taytum was born, July 15, was the greatest day of my life. Like I said, mine and Tenny's relationship went through many trials, but it never tore us apart, it only grew us closer together. This step in our lives was huge, but we were ready. I never knew I could love someone or something this much. I love her with all my heart; blesses me with her presence alone each day.
It was kind of a hard labor, she was turned the wrong way, and the doctor didn't think I would be able to push her out. When she came out, at 3 in the morning, they(Tenny, my sister, and mom) said that her face was priceless. They said it was the exact face someone would make after going through what she just went through. I was so tired and a little drugged up that I didn't realize I pushed her out. I was getting ready to push again when I realized and asked, "Is she out?" My sister said yes and I laid back down from fatigue. I didn't see, but Daddy was the first person she looked at. That's when I hear Tenny laughing. I was so tired I didn't say anything, but I was thinking in my head WHY ARE YOU LAUGHING?! I was a little mad :) That's when it got a little scary. She was having a hard time breathing, and some doctors had to be called in. I wasn't able to hold her right away like most moms, but I felt assured she was going to be ok. The moment they put her on my chest and I held her for the first time, was the greatest feeling; something I can explain in words. I didn't want to put her down. Me and Tenny had nothing but smiles on our faces. There was so much love for this little, not so little :), 9.7 lbs 21 inch baby.
Daddy and Taytum July 15, 2011
Daddy's Little Girl July 15, 2011
Two weeks old
Two weeks old
Two weeks old
Taytum's Blessing August 15 2011
Our family of three started our adventure in Saint George, with my parents. We spent the summer there, until Tenny had his sophomore football season at Snow in August. He hurt his knee the year before and had to sit out the season. We moved in with Tenny's friend and his family. He played football and him and his girlfriend also had a baby. We lived with them for a few months, until we got our own place. We went to every home game of Tenny's. It was really fun and Taytum did really good. She enjoyed being outside and watching Daddy play. We even went to an away game in Arizona with Aunty Cord and Uncle Malu. We joke about and question how I survived in Ephraim those few months. We didn't have cable or internet. So I stayed home all day with Taytum. I remember just waiting for Taytum to wake up from her naps because I would be so bored; I was sometimes tempted to wake her up so I could play with her! The highlight of our day would be going to Walmart! Funny huh. I took her on a lot of walks until it got too cold. At this apartment, Taytum learned to lift her arms and chest off of the floor and roll over. We went to St. George alot to visit Gramma and Papa. We spent Taytum's first Halloween there. She was a cow, the cutest cow EVER!
Taytum's Cow Costume on her first Halloween 2011
Taytum and daddy taking a nap September 2011
After her immunization shots September 2011
Daddy and Taytum taking a nap again:)
Cousin Lincoln's baby blessing September 2011
After one of daddy's games with Hawaii Fam visiting
First Halloween 2011
Taking a walk in Ephraim, October 2011
Nap Time
After one of Daddy's games.
After the football season, we were dying to get out of Ephraim. We decided to move up to Salt Lake City and Tenny would finish his schooling at Salt Lake Community College. We lived with Tenny's sister Sina. Taytum loved her cousins Fiti and Masen and their dog Tuko. Tenny's younger brother Daniel also stayed with Sina at the time. We had a lot of fun with all of them. Taytum learned to crawl and stand up while we lived at Sina's house. She was also learning to talk, saying mama and dadda. She could also say "Wassat?!" What's that :) It was the cutest thing ever! She would say it to everything.
Easter 2012
March 2012
February 2012
6 Month Pictures
6 Month Pictures
6 Months
At church Jan 2012
The first week of February 2012, Tenny made one of the biggest decisions he had to ever make. He was deciding what college he/we would be attending and playing football for the next two years. He narrowed down his choices to University of Utah, BYU, and Utah State. In the end, he decided the U. It wasn't my first choice, it was actually my last, but I trust him and he thought that it was the best decision. He has wanted to play for the U ever since he was a little boy, and now he is living his dream.
Signing Day Feb 2012
March 2012 Right Before Hawaii
<3 this..pretty much sums us up in one pic!
In March, we all went to Hawaii. This is where me and Tenny finally got married. It was an awesome ceremony and I will never forget it. Taytum was there to celebrate with us. We planned on getting married sooner, like a lot sooner, but couldn't agree on where and how and with people or just family, money, etc. You know the stress of planning a wedding, it's not easy! That's why Hawaii was perfect for us. It was very exclusive, intimate, and memorable. All thanks to his sister Nette for sending us out there! We had a blast and can't wait to go back.
3/22/2012
Tenny's face! 3/22/2012
In May, we had another suprise. I was expecting again! :) I was so excited! I knew everyone thought we were crazy to have two kids so close to eachother at such a young age, but being a mom is what I was meant to do. I love it and I want a big family! Why not start now? We found out he was a boy and we were even more excited! Tenny can't wait to have a little champ:)
In June, we moved into our own apartment in downtown Salt Lake. It was pretty scary, but really exciting! We live pretty close to campus, and right by the downtown life. At first I didn't like it. I wasn't used to the city. But now I love it. One thing I don't like is we can't walk around freely like we could in Ephraim or St. George.
Taytum had her first birthday in this apartment. On her actual birthday my parents and sister came up and we went to the zoo. It was small and fun. About two weeks later we had a combined birthday party with her cousin Lincoln at Segi's house in Spanish Fork. It was a blast and super cute. Taytum learned to walk the day of her birthday. Thats when she took her first two steps.
Taytum's Birthday at City Creek Mall
Taytum's 1st Birthday
Lincoln and Taytum's Birthday Party
1 Year Old
One Year Old
4th of July 2012
Kelsey's Wedding April 2012
At our new place :) June 2012
At the zoo August 2012
To bring us up to date with our little Taytum, I wanted to dedicate a section to just her :)
Taytum's First Words and Current Words:
Momma
Da Da
Hi
Wassdaatt?!
(dad's fault) shit
Daddy
Dog Woof Woof
Dat? (that)
noooo?
doo! (go)
sshh(With finger sign)
ball
Don't
Don't pes (please)
do away (go away)
Hey
Bye
den? (again)
ni ni (night night)
dooowww(down)
woooaaa
ooooo
anana (banana)
Taytum's Tricks
- Can point to: Bum Bum, Eyes, Nose, Mouth, Hair, Belly, and Puke (Bellybutton).
- Knows Baby Liam is in my belly( I think at least thinks my belly is called baby Liam or baby Brother) She pulls up my shirt and kisses my belly then pulls back down my shirt :)
- Laker Dance
- Says,"diiiiil (still)" wiwiwiwi (wiggle wiggle wiggle) from Yo Gabba Gabba. Hold Stiiiiiill....Wigggle wiggle wiggle :) (wiggles and holds still by leaning to the side)
- Says "Dooown" for Touchdown and puts her hands up like the touchdown sign.
- She signs that she is hungry (which is very often)
- When we say no, she thinks the thing she has or is touching is being yelled at, and says no no no to the object
- When we ask here "Where is _____?" She puts her hands up, leans over, and looks around the foot perimiter of where she is standing.
Taytum loves to go to daddy's football games. She has been to almost all of the home games and even some away games. We went to the one in Logan against Utah State, in Arizona against the Devils, and in Los Angeles against UCLA. She is daddy's number one fan. She likes to pick daddy up from practice. She always gets so excited and even knows the street we take to get him. Once we turn on the street she says Dada!? Then when she can see him coming to the car she screams with excitement and as soon as he opens the door she says HI DADA!! Taytum and daddy have their songs they like to dance to, they are Wade in Your Water, Cheerleader by OMI, and when she was really little he would sing Little Wayne's How to Love. Her latest funny saying she got from her daddy. "Oh shh" luckly its not the whole word!
UCLA game
UCLA game
UCLA game Rose Bowl
BYU game
First Sac
@Utah State
On Our way to Logan
I am almost 8 months pregnant with our little guy! We decided to name him Liam, we aren't sure of his middle name yet. Tenny wants Champ and I think that it's a little silly, but we will see. This pregnancy has been a lot different than my first one with Taytum. With Taytum I gained a whole nother person of weight and was pretty much sick throughout my whole pregnancy. This time around, I haven't gained as much weight, and hardly ever get sick. It also has been going to so much more quickly! It's crazy. I felt like it took FOREVER for Taytum to get here, and here I am only one month away of having Liam and I still forget I'm pregnant sometimes! I do admit, I do a little more than I should, but I think that is the reason for not gaining as much weight. I am so excited for our family of three to become a family of four! I can hardly wait.
This last weekend, me and Taytum went down to St. George to visit my mom and dad, sister, and my brother brock and his family. Hilary, Brock's wife just had their second son Greyson. Holding him got me so excited for Liam to get here. This was the last chance I could see him before I had my baby. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to see him, but luckly I got a chance. Taytum loves it down there, probably because she gets spoiled rotten. When we get home she has a hard time adjusting because she doesn't get all the attention like she does down there. She could get away with anything and have anything she wants when she's with her Gramma and Papa. She also loves their dog Boss. Everytime she hears him she says daa!! woof woof.
Tenny was in Washington to play the Huskies at the Seahawk Stadium. I wanted to go so bad, but I couldn't because I'm too pregnant and it was supposed to be really cold! So we watched it at my parents house. It's so fun watching him play, and it's crazy to watch him play on tv! Taytum loves watching football, she always claps when everyone else claps, and mimics our ooo oh shoot yells and screams like she knows whats going on. They ended up losing, but Tenny had a really good game. He had 6 tackles, 3 QB rushes, and a pass interuption! I'm so proud of him and all the hard work he does.
I think this is long enough for a first post! Haha, now that we are all caught up, I'll try to post some every week or two :)
