Unbelievably...my sister was due with all three of these boys on the exact same day! They don't all have the same birthdays, but all of them are just a couple weeks apart. This post is for Robbie, Jacob and Brady. Happy Birthday, little guys. It would take so much more than my simple words to tell you how much I love you, how much becoming an aunt changed my life, how much I love your mom, and how very special you are to me. I hope you always know how much your Auntie CoCo loves you.
to the mom who has taught me everything: you have raised three beautiful children while grieving your fourth. Your strength and your love is a testament. It's all for them...that's what we said. And it's never been more worth it.
Happy Birthday to Brady Taylor, Jacob Bailey, and Robert Paul IV
(Katie and Carter love you too!
Not to digress, but when I was little I was convinced that I wanted to have 14 children. I told everyone, and truthfully I think I really believed it. My sister on the other hand had high academic dreams and pursuits and said children would wait. That's when our little Robbie-Roo came as a sweet surprise her junior year of college. Knowing what I know now about our medical issues and problems, I look at these kids and I am always amazed. They're here. They're ours. We are the luckiest.
Lily, we will never forget you, and your abscense is felt...like a hole left in our family. I'm not sure I'll ever undertand why you had to go so suddenly, but I know that you look down on us and you are happy. I imagine your dark hair and precocious smile telling us to bottle our tears. Because you are happy...in a way we could never imagine. We miss you, sweet one.
Robert Paul IV
September 3, 1999
Robbie, when you were a baby you didn't really like anyone to hold you. Quite frankly, actually, you did a lot of crying. (I'm sure you'll want to tackle me for this later) :) When I found out that I was an aunt, I was actually finishing basketball practice at Taylor. I rushed home to my dorm room, took a shower as fast as I could and found any way I could to make it home. When I finally walked into the hospital room, and Mel handed you to me, I was in utter amazement. What was this I was feeling? My heart grew that day...and I have loved you more and more every day since. I used to come to Purdue a lot when your mommy and daddy had class, (or just because I wanted to get out of the house) and baby-sit you. We would lay on the floor and play and I would marvel at your smiles. your coos. I remember these as some of the happiest moments of my life.
(Gryffindor scarves (from Harry Potter) that I made them for Christmas.
Don't you ever, ever, ever forget how much your mom loves you. Ever.
Robbie, you've always been the "big kid," and sometimes that has meant you had to check on the kids, break up little fights, hand someone a toy, etc. I'm sure at times this has annoyed you. Thank you for being such a wonderful cousin to Katie and Carter. As they get older and older you will be their role model. It's a big job, but I know you're up to it.
You are such a special kid, full of talents. You are smart and funny. You make friends easily, and you love sports. I nearly dropped dead when I found out you had a "girlfriend" but how could I be surprised with those eyes? I love you for so many reasons.
I love to watch you play sports! I'm so proud of all the hard work you put into your team.
So, my Buster-Brown...thank you for being my buddy and for showing me first what it means to be an aunt. I could have never imagined such joy.
I love you.
Jacob BaileyAugust 14, 2001
Jacob...oh my sweet, sweet Jake. The day you were born, I was still in college, but this time I was still home for the summer and in the waiting room ready to hear that you were here! I brought Robbie in with me so he could see his brand new little brother. He was a little bit apprehensive at first, but you two have become best buds (with only
the occasional fight...I can hear your mom laughing now).
Jakie, I tell your mom this all the time, but I think you were born with my heart. Now, I know that sounds silly...but so much of you is just like me. You are sweet and sensitive. You care about other people's needs and you love to make other people happy. Your mom says that I'm too easy on you...but you've always had a very big special place in my heart.
Oh, those eyes. You are going to be a heartbreaker, kid!
One of my favorite things about you, Jake (and there are a lot!) is the way you take care of your cousins. You are always willing to help, to play, to share. Katie and Carter love you, and your brothers, as if you were siblings. Your heart is so big sometimes I wonder how it fits in that little body! I hope you never lose that love and wonder.
I love your silliness, Jake. No matter how down I am feeling, hearing you always brings a smile to my face. I love it when your mom tells me stories about you....like when your rootbeer had a question at the dinner table! Eric and I are very glad that you had fun at the lake showing off your amazing fishing skills. Can you teach me? :)
It is so hard for Auntie CoCo to believe that you are already 8! Where has the time gone? I've loved you more every day! Don't change, Jake. Don't lose that silliness and that humor. It will keep you sane. Love your life...you make the people around you love it, too.
always my sweet lovie. You NEVER leave my house or let me leave yours without giving me a big kiss and hug. When you are 16, this better still be the case!
So, to my Mr. Bubbaroo-Head...thank you for just being YOU. I promise to love, support and cherish you every single day of your life. You are my sweet Jacob.
I love you.
Brady Taylor
July 28, 2003
my adorable Brady...the child that sparkles, the child that has changed our world. I'm so glad that the story of the sister who came before you will resonate in your heart because we will make sure that you always remember. When your mom was in labor with you, I was shaking, tears about to pour out of my eyelids, and I had my ear pressed so hard up against the wooden hospital door, just waiting to hear that cry. And when it came, I crumpled to the floor and just sobbed. You were a miracle, our miracle.
You've always been such a loving child...you love to have the things around you that are comfortable (like your thumb and your other hand to play with your hair or your Momma's hair). You don't like it at all when your routine gets changed, or someone puts your things out of order. You are incredibly brilliant...reading at 4, top of your class. The list could go on and on, but know, always know, how proud I am of you.
Right after you were born, Britch-Box, I found out that I was preggo with your cousin, Katie. At first you weren't quite sure what to think of her...you were used to being the baby of the family, but as you two have grown up together, you have become the best of friends. I love this picture of the two of you. I suppose you should get used to her blaming it all on you :)
Thank you, Brady, for loving my Katie, for being patient with her and sharing your toys. The love between you two is something I always hoped for.
I couldn't help but include this picture...it's definitely one of my favorites! You were a monkey this Halloween...you will always be my mokey!
I've always been so proud of you, and your brothers, for all your accomplishments. I know that you look up to your brothers and want to do all the things that they do...but remember that you can be anything you want. You are so special.
You are a miracle, and don't ever forget it. Your shirt says it all...you beat the odds, all of them. I remember watching you through those tiny walls of the incubator, not able to touch you, even hold your little hand, but I willed all the love I could through those walls. I know you felt it. I hope that all of your days you know how much I love you.
To Robbie, Jakie, Carter, Katie and Brady. Your mom and I have pledged everything we have to you. This is a promise we pledge to keep forever. You are our lives, our heartbeat.
So what does it mean to be an aunt? To love someone so much more than you love yourself.
Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man.
~Rabindranath Tagore
that is, until Katie accidentally bopped Carter on the head...he screamed like the world was ending...(oh, the melodrama)! Luckily, Katie was there with hugs and kisses (not staged, I promise!) and the tears dried up quickly. 
I am so lucky that they have this kind of love.
to the mom who has taught me everything: you have raised three beautiful children while grieving your fourth. Your strength and your love is a testament. It's all for them...that's what we said. And it's never been more worth it. 
Happy Birthday to Brady Taylor, Jacob Bailey, and Robert Paul IV
Not to digress, but when I was little I was convinced that I wanted to have 14 children. I told everyone, and truthfully I think I really believed it. My sister on the other hand had high academic dreams and pursuits and said children would wait. That's when our little Robbie-Roo came as a sweet surprise her junior year of college. Knowing what I know now about our medical issues and problems, I look at these kids and I am always amazed. They're here. They're ours. We are the luckiest.
Robbie, when you were a baby you didn't really like anyone to hold you. Quite frankly, actually, you did a lot of crying. (I'm sure you'll want to tackle me for this later) :) When I found out that I was an aunt, I was actually finishing basketball practice at Taylor. I rushed home to my dorm room, took a shower as fast as I could and found any way I could to make it home. When I finally walked into the hospital room, and Mel handed you to me, I was in utter amazement. What was this I was feeling? My heart grew that day...and I have loved you more and more every day since. I used to come to Purdue a lot when your mommy and daddy had class, (or just because I wanted to get out of the house) and baby-sit you. We would lay on the floor and play and I would marvel at your smiles. your coos. I remember these as some of the happiest moments of my life.
(Gryffindor scarves (from Harry Potter) that I made them for Christmas.
Don't you ever, ever, ever forget how much your mom loves you. Ever.
Robbie, you've always been the "big kid," and sometimes that has meant you had to check on the kids, break up little fights, hand someone a toy, etc. I'm sure at times this has annoyed you. Thank you for being such a wonderful cousin to Katie and Carter. As they get older and older you will be their role model. It's a big job, but I know you're up to it.
You are such a special kid, full of talents. You are smart and funny. You make friends easily, and you love sports. I nearly dropped dead when I found out you had a "girlfriend" but how could I be surprised with those eyes? I love you for so many reasons.
I love to watch you play sports! I'm so proud of all the hard work you put into your team.
So, my Buster-Brown...thank you for being my buddy and for showing me first what it means to be an aunt. I could have never imagined such joy.
Jacob...oh my sweet, sweet Jake. The day you were born, I was still in college, but this time I was still home for the summer and in the waiting room ready to hear that you were here! I brought Robbie in with me so he could see his brand new little brother. He was a little bit apprehensive at first, but you two have become best buds (with only the occasional fight...I can hear your mom laughing now).
Jakie, I tell your mom this all the time, but I think you were born with my heart. Now, I know that sounds silly...but so much of you is just like me. You are sweet and sensitive. You care about other people's needs and you love to make other people happy. Your mom says that I'm too easy on you...but you've always had a very big special place in my heart.
Oh, those eyes. You are going to be a heartbreaker, kid!
One of my favorite things about you, Jake (and there are a lot!) is the way you take care of your cousins. You are always willing to help, to play, to share. Katie and Carter love you, and your brothers, as if you were siblings. Your heart is so big sometimes I wonder how it fits in that little body! I hope you never lose that love and wonder.
I love your silliness, Jake. No matter how down I am feeling, hearing you always brings a smile to my face. I love it when your mom tells me stories about you....like when your rootbeer had a question at the dinner table! Eric and I are very glad that you had fun at the lake showing off your amazing fishing skills. Can you teach me? :)
It is so hard for Auntie CoCo to believe that you are already 8! Where has the time gone? I've loved you more every day! Don't change, Jake. Don't lose that silliness and that humor. It will keep you sane. Love your life...you make the people around you love it, too.
always my sweet lovie. You NEVER leave my house or let me leave yours without giving me a big kiss and hug. When you are 16, this better still be the case!
So, to my Mr. Bubbaroo-Head...thank you for just being YOU. I promise to love, support and cherish you every single day of your life. You are my sweet Jacob.
my adorable Brady...the child that sparkles, the child that has changed our world. I'm so glad that the story of the sister who came before you will resonate in your heart because we will make sure that you always remember. When your mom was in labor with you, I was shaking, tears about to pour out of my eyelids, and I had my ear pressed so hard up against the wooden hospital door, just waiting to hear that cry. And when it came, I crumpled to the floor and just sobbed. You were a miracle, our miracle.
You've always been such a loving child...you love to have the things around you that are comfortable (like your thumb and your other hand to play with your hair or your Momma's hair). You don't like it at all when your routine gets changed, or someone puts your things out of order. You are incredibly brilliant...reading at 4, top of your class. The list could go on and on, but know, always know, how proud I am of you.
Right after you were born, Britch-Box, I found out that I was preggo with your cousin, Katie. At first you weren't quite sure what to think of her...you were used to being the baby of the family, but as you two have grown up together, you have become the best of friends. I love this picture of the two of you. I suppose you should get used to her blaming it all on you :)
Thank you, Brady, for loving my Katie, for being patient with her and sharing your toys. The love between you two is something I always hoped for.
I couldn't help but include this picture...it's definitely one of my favorites! You were a monkey this Halloween...you will always be my mokey!
I've always been so proud of you, and your brothers, for all your accomplishments. I know that you look up to your brothers and want to do all the things that they do...but remember that you can be anything you want. You are so special.
You are a miracle, and don't ever forget it. Your shirt says it all...you beat the odds, all of them. I remember watching you through those tiny walls of the incubator, not able to touch you, even hold your little hand, but I willed all the love I could through those walls. I know you felt it. I hope that all of your days you know how much I love you.
The first exhibit the kids experienced was this adorable little orchard/scavenger hunt where they got to go around and collect vegetables, ride mini-tractors, clean a sheep, feel real sheep wool, pretend milk-a-cow...everything a kid could want. KJ was sporting her way cool Dora sunglasses on her pink and purple tractor (anyone else surprised she picked that one??)
Carter LOVED the tractor and wanted to keep going around and around and around. Wait until he gets to ride in Grandpa Dan's tractor!
next we were off to the sheep barn...where...
both kiddos took turns washing the pretend sheep
these pictures just make me laugh...KJ "milking a cow." Wow. I had a lot of questions to answer after that.
Carter wanted to play with it like it was a squirt gun, and kept trying to spray his sister. Hilarious!
could there be anything cuter?
KJ was most excited about the prospect of riding her first pony. I thought she would be too scared once we actually got there...but up she went, and she was smiles all the way through. Her pony's name was Copper (she still talks about him).
Mama Deb and Carter with "Oliver." So proud of my big boy for not being afraid!
the four of us making our way around the pony track
five dollars well spent!
next up was the racing pigs. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, you heard me correctly. The racing PIGS. The kids loved it, I could barely contain my laughter.
And they're off!
tired little legs
cute popcorn faces
KJ's first taste of cotton candy. I don't think she like the way it felt in her hands (she's always been a texture girl...just like her momma).
she took a little taste and decided....
I think you can just have it, Auntie Anne!
Carter on the other hand was lovin' it!
(we had to take the bag away before he actually turned into sugar)
This was probably KJ's second favorite exhibit...the Prairie Village where we got to see wood carvings, an old prairie store and even a band singing some good ol' hillbilly songs. Anne and her Joe helped Katie with this puzzle, which she could have stayed at for hours and hours. (This girl loves puzzles!) The pieces were very, very little but with Joe and Anne's help they made a little dent in the big puzzle. I'm proud of you KJ!
My big boy on a BIG tractor! You should have seen his face. This is three year old heaven.
(look at that tongue :) I swear each kid had to sit on EVERY tractor. Exhausting, but fun, nonetheless.
As the rain started to drizzle it was time to return the wagon and head home. (can you believe those legs!! They look like little stilts!).
