Kaitlyn's first (surprisingly!) Easter...

Age of Lady Kaitlyn:  21 Days

Family,

Happy Easter to you from the Queen City!  Lady Kaitlyn rolls 3 weeks of life officially tomorrow, and today finds her wearing her first ever bits of Easter attire.  Given that she's not even 7 pounds and isn't mobile just yet, I managed to dodge purchasing the "Easter dress" bullet this year, but that doesn't mean that K went without!  Case in point - check out these (too cute!) photos of our little one:

Wearing her first Easter bib (courtesy of Grammie):

Wearing her first embarrassing (yet adorable!) hand-stitched beanie (courtesy of Granny):

Tonight should be a fun one, with our friends Heather and VA coming over.  I expect it will be filled with basketball, good food, and a growler of Greenway IPA from Triple C Brewing (that one's a given since I've got it in my fridge :-)).

As for the broader parental commentary, life is certainly easier (and a bit more predictable) at 21 days in.  Team Taylor has managed a 30 minute walk with the stroller the last 2 days, and we might pull one off today (if the rain can hold off).  In terms of sleeping, Jenny and I have decided that sleeping apart is NO FUN, and so we're still doing the shifts but now taking them upstairs.  I slept the best I've slept in a week last night, and I now think my days of sleeping on the couch are done (unless I get into trouble with Jenny, of course... :-)).

Some things we learned this week:

1.  THE WHITE NOISE APP ON THE i-Phone IS THE GREATEST INVENTION EVER.  Like, in the history of EVER (maybe Taylor Swift could sing about this for me).  Seriously - Faith, THANK YOU!!!

2.  The vibrating bassinet is the SECOND greatest invention ever.  Granny, you were right - don't be afraid to use whatever's necessary to put the child down. :-)

3.  If she's not going to sleep, chances are it's not hunger - it's gas.  Burp her more frequently - and be prepared to be SHOWERED with stomach contents.  My poor, poor red Colombia zip-up fleece...

4.  Kanga care really does work.  I honestly think K recognizes me more now that we're doing skin-to-skin on a regular basis.  I know I've said it before, but I'll really miss that when it's gone...(sniffle)...

Thank you, Easter Bunny - bak, bak!

5.  As for me, I'm slowly becoming more comfortable with the realization that there will always be things around my child I can't control (how folks hold her, their "advice" on parenting, volume levels, etc), and I need to find ways to accept that and move on.  Jenny and I have been making conscious efforts to get out at least every other day to continue the socialization not only of Kaitlyn, but also of us.  It's been tougher and easier than expected all at the same time, but I harken back to 2 pieces of advice:

My best friend John:  "Push your limits every day."

Old School Cool:  "Get 'em on your schedule as soon as possible."

I think we're making progress on both fronts, but a new set of questions has already emerged for me.  Now it's a question of how long do we let her cry when she's upset, as it's that delicate balance of "she's a preemie" vs. "it's time to go Baby-wise!"  We've got several appointments and will get some "professional" advice this week, but as with so many other things, I truly believe it's a question of just watching and learning how she acts and cues to us.

Not a whole lot else to report on this last day of her birth month, but no complaints.  I'm as happy as I've ever been - life is good.  God is good.  My cup runneth over.

Love,

Sam and Jenny

The first bit of drama (and heredity) - the tongue tie...

Age of Lady Kaitlyn:  18 days

Family,

And a good afternoon to you all from the Queen City, where Kaitlyn has just met her last set of grandparents!  I'm very happy to report that dad and Alice (my stepmom) made the drive "over the mountain" yesterday to visit their grand-daughter for the first time, and I'm very, VERY happy to report that they came bearing LOADS of gifts. :-)  Seriously - presents rained down upon us from friends and family, and it's safe to say that little Kaitlyn won't have to worry about clothes for at least the next 6 months (and maybe the first 9 years considering that she STILL doesn't fit into any of the newborn clothes we have for her).

The Cain Mill Crew holding Kaitlyn for the first time

The visit was fantastic - just too short (as always).  Alice whipped up some white chili for dinner, some pancakes and sausage for brekkie (and those were Nuremburger sausages from TJ's - so guuuuuuuuuud...peppy cheekies :-)), and even some lemon lush for dessert last night!  We ate like kings, and it should be noted that we did make the traditional Trader Joe's run to stock them up on wine and Mission St. Blonde Ale!

And I would be horribly remiss if I didn't thank Alice SO MUCH for the absolutely ADORABLE hats she knitted for us.  She knitted several different wool beanies for Kaitlyn, and the photo shoot that ensued was nothing short of hilarious (I mean, it was no "Images by Faith" shoot, which was still one of the most amazing things I've ever watched, but still).  I mean check out the below photo - tell me that she's not the cutest thing EVER.

Alice's handiwork - a handmade beanie for Easter!  So cute...even if we had to practically bolt it to her head.

In other news, this week was a big one for Team Taylor as parents, as we had to deal with the first "painful" doctor's appointment.  Like her father, our first visit to the lactation consultant revealed that our little miracle was born with a type 1 (classic) tongue tie.  Whilst this was not affecting her breast feeding, the chance existed that it could affect her speech down the road.  Consequently, we visited an ENT to clip her tongue (after assurances that it was very low risk, would not affect - except to improve - breast feeding, and that there would be generally no pain for her).  Well, one out of three ain't bad...

Our doctor was absolutely fantastic (even if a Gator - KJ, I couldn't help but think of what your response would have been had your brought your firstborn to a man with a Gator tie and Gator pin on his lapel), and the good news is that the surgery (which truly was minor) was an absolute success.  However, the child SCREAMED BLOODY MURDER LIKE A RABID BANSHEE during the 2 minute procedure.  We weren't actually in the room, and the doctor assured us that a) she was very brave, and b) most of the screaming was from being restrained.  If that's the case, I WILL NEVER TRY AND RESTRAIN THIS CHILD EVER, as the sound effects were something from the Exorcism of Emily Rose...

The other hiccup was that, with her tongue now free and flopping, breast feeding actually did prove to be a challenge when we returned her to the breast 3 hours later.  I think it was scarier for us than her actually, as the look of concern and frustration on her face as she fought to get on the breast was really nothing shy of heartbreaking.  However, thanks in large part to Jenny's constant efforts to keep her latched (trying new positions, soothing her, massaging her, staying with it and ensuring everything was pointing in the right direction :-)), she did get back on the breast, and now everything seems to be back to normal (although sometimes it is a bit of a crap shoot as to whether or not she'll latch the first, second, or third time).

The key essentials for "kanga care":  water, an empty bladder, a reclining chair, and a ripping yarn of a book (check on all counts).  Laying with her like this is pretty much the best part of my day, and I already know I'll miss this when she's too big.

Couldn't resist - even if her face says it all...

I do also feel that I helped (says the proud papa), as we started another big Team Taylor parental milestone this week - the sleep shift.  I am on the first half of the evening, meaning I give Kaitlyn a bottle about 1 AM.  I do think the bottle helped her "re-learn" how to suck, as I was able to wedge (I know, I know...very delicate and loving) the nipple into her mouth, and eventually I believe that helped to push her tongue where it needed to be.  3 nights into the shift work, everything seems to be working, and as a father I am loving a) the bonding time I get with my daughter, and b) the fact that Jenny's now able to get 5-6 hours of consecutive sleep (I'm getting 4-5 hours as well, which does make a HUGE difference).  We're still waking her to feed, but we've adjusted the schedule slightly (more like every 3.5 hours vs. every 3 on the nose), and I think we're seeing better results (she's better rested, feeding longer, etc).  Also, based on a lot of what we've read, we're taking more time to burp her (and doing it more frequently).  I think this is paying off as well, but at present she's much, much fussier late at night, and it sounds like she's still trying to work up a lot of "gunk" from birth.  Regardless, I can say with certainty that the third week has been easier than the first, if for no other reason than we're not worried EVERY SINGLE SECOND about whether or not she's breathing or gaining weight.

This week's assignment for Team Taylor - getting Kaitlyn to lay on both sides of her head (to avoid flatness) and getting her to focus her eyes on the person holding her (and getting her to track the person's head moving without using voice cues or anything else).  Like every other challenge - BRING IT ON!

Dad and Alice - thank you SO MUCH for making the drive over.  It was SO GREAT to see you, and we had an absolute blast.  Kaitlyn has a wonderful family supporting her and looking out for her - she's a lucky girl.

Love,

Sam and Jenny

Life as a father - 2 weeks in...

Age of Lady Kaitlyn:  2 weeks

Family,

And a good afternoon to you from the Queen City, where the Mountain Fortress of Team Taylor is currently silent like glass - no NCAA Tournament games, no crying newborn, no engaged breast pump, no oven beeping - nothing.  Truth be told, the silence is almost deafening.  I think I can already begin to understand how empty the house must sound after the last child goes off to college - but luckily I don't have to think about that for a long time, as the pitter patter of little feet will hopefully grace these halls for years to come.

You can ask my mother, but I'm pretty sure she'll confirm
that I NEVER slept that well.  I do love daddy tummy time.

Two weeks have now passed.  That's 336 hours, only about 10 of which have been utilized for sleep.  At the time of writing, Jenny is napping upstairs, which is a good thing because my wife has been an absolute WARRIOR in taking care of this child.  Seriously - her dedication at feeding time is truly something to watch - the way she deals with the initial pain (which looks, well, AWFUL) and works so hard to keep Kaitlyn awake.  As an outside observer, it looks exactly the way God intended, and I feel so blessed to bear witness to it.

As for me, I am finding that each day I'm winding down earlier.  I have a good burst of energy starting about 9 AM, thanks largely in part to a shower (which I didn't manage today) and 2 cups of coffee, chased by some Mountain Dew in the afternoon.  Initially I was settling into my "sleep cycles" (I try to sleep during the 3 evening sets) about 1 AM, but the last 2 nights it's moved from 1 back to 11, and then last night it moved from 11 back to 9.  I think I'll "hard stop" it there - otherwise I'm gonna feel like my entire life is being spent in that master bedroom.

Muffin Puffin and the Munchkin with a little "kanga care."

The sleep deprivation is taking its toll on me, and the pistons DEFINITELY aren't firing like they used to (insert the standard donkapotamus "They used to fire?  Really?" joke here).  Case in point was last night, where I had this...let's call it a dream (or a hallucination) that Jenny had this body suit with tubes running from her nipples attached to the baby.  Long story short, she could go anywhere in the house, and the kid could feed, and twice I woke up and went to the bathroom thinking that I was actually carrying Kaitlyn into the bathroom to be closer to Jenny.  I ALSO returned to the bed twice to tell Jenny that she shouldn't sleep with Kaitlyn in the bed because it might suffocate her.  And whilst this is sage wisdom, it should be noted (as my wife so politely pointed out - especially considering I'd just roused her rom sleep) that the baby had NEVER LEFT THE BASSINET.  Oh, and I also woke up screaming from a nightmare where a bald lady was in our kitchen with an axe.  Apparently she'd used a  weimeraner to break into the house (the dog ran into the bedroom), and that's what alerted us to the fact that she'd by-passed the alarm.  I armed Jenny with a Phillips head screwdriver, and I had my fork from supper.  I mean seriously - THAT DREAM IS MY BRAIN CHECKING TO ENSURE EVERYTHING IS FUNCTIONING?  Clearly there's a breakdown in the equipment somewhere...

As for the little one, she has been AMAZING.  For starters, she's FINALLY gaining weight.  In fact, she's gone from just an ounce above "concern weight" 9 days ago to gaining more than an ounce a day!  Again, all the credit goes to Jenny, who's been engaged in a constant stream of feeding, burping, changing, swaddling, pumping - rinse-repeat.  I am so proud of that woman.

Kaitlyn did have a bit of a rough time today, as the poor girl had to have her tongue clipped (just like her father).  However, she was a rock star (yes, dad - she "gut divorced it"), and she even managed to have a solid feeding just an hour later (again, kudos to Jenny for keeping her awake, engaged, and latched despite the screaming).  Aside from that, it's amazing how quickly they change.  She can raise her head high (just not maintain or lower it), can squirm enough that we could almost call it a roll in training, is starting to develop some baby fat rolls (which are SO CUTE), has definitely found her voice, is quite adamant that her arms should NOT be swaddled (especially her left), has ever-lightening blue eyes, and is starting to focus more and more on the world around her.  Our next task as parents is to start encouraging her to focus on us and to follow our faces as we move them.  As I am LOVING staring into those ever-widening eyes, I'm very much looking forward to this task.

Grammie and Grand Pooh - fresh off a "brisk little 14 hour drive" from Port of Everglades to the QC.  Love you guys!!!

Also, she's managed to see a lot of family.  Grammie and Grand Pooh (my mom and stepdad) came by on their way back from a cruise (they specifically picked this cruise date because they were CERTAIN they would be home in time for the baby - the best laid plans...), and my dad and stepmom are coming later this week.  Kaitlyn's already seen Grandma and Grandpa Tacy, as well as Aunt Kim.  Throw in several different sets of friends, and we've been well fed and well attended to during our brief tenure as parents.  Jenny's mom actually spent the last 2+ days with us, tackling a shedload of cooking and cleaning.  Jan - please consider this a very heartfelt - THANK YOU.

The co-hosts of the Baby Shower (with Kim and Matt being)
the other co-hosts.  Who knew that just 2 weeks after that
shower they'd be welcoming the newborn...still not yet
to her due date.

As for the original, founding members of Team Taylor - we are hanging in there. :-)  Whilst the sleep is minimal, this magic carpet ride remains a source of happiness and excitement beyond my imagination.  The look on her face when she sleeps, watching Jenny nurse, holding those little feetsies, dressing her in the cute clothes, looking at our newborn pics - it's all SO INCREDIBLY WONDERFUL.  And I am happy to report that, despite all descriptions of the fatigue factor being accurate, I wouldn't trade a second of this special time and am in NO HURRY for it to go away, as this is time we will NEVER get back.

Jenny looks amazing (as always) - the picture of health and happiness.  The family has been great to help and check in (I even got a call from Nanny this past week!), and all is right with the world.  We are laughing and loving this time, and minus an almost squabble about whether or not to change a diaper before a first doctor appointment, we still haven't fought - knock on wood that continues (forever, that is - not just during this time).

Over the coming weeks we'll start testing our limits.  We've been out for 1 walk so far, and we'll make that a staple of our day once it gets warmer and she can start having "awake time."  I expect we'll have a dinner date out at some point, and there's already a VBGB run on the calendar in 2 weeks time!  The trick will be learning to understand when she's cold, starving, or overstimulated, and then figuring out a way to react on-site vs. retreating back to the Creek for sanctuary.  But I'm sure we'll get to all that - and I'm sure there will be some GREAT stories.

Happy two week birthday, Kaitlyn Elaine!  Mommy and daddy love you!!!!

Love,

Sam and Jenny

Meeting her fairy godmother...

Age of Lady Kaitlyn - 11 Days

Family,

And a good morning to you (at least I think, as days are running together in 3 hour segments at this point, and the bull is quickly wearing down) from the Queen City, where we have GOOD NEWS to report - KAITLYN IS GAINING WEIGHT!!!  That's right, sports fans, in a herculean display of intestinal fortitude, our little munchkin has added 3 ounces this week, raising her to 6.25 ounces (higher than he discharge weight).  Getting that confirmation yesterday was SUCH good news, as Jenny and I have been going balls to the wall on the hyper-aggressive feeding schedule to get her where she needs to be.  Kaitlyn, when you read this, I want it noted that your mother has been SIMPLY AMAZING when it comes to tending to you.  Your father has faded and passed out on several occasions during the feeding sessions, but your mother has fed, pumped, swaddled, you name it - you are one lucky little girl.

Yesterday was a truly unique experience - going into work for the first time as a father.  You see, since K's due date was 10 April, my entire team had assumed that mid-March would be totally fine for a handover workshop.  We'd invited folks from the UK (Y Parchedig), Costa Rica (the Puma), my boss from Dallas, and a host of other folks to work through my current role and hand out the responsibilities appropriately over a 3 day stretch.  But then someone decided to arrive early, meaning this guy was out on Pat leave.  Consequently, the 3 day session became a 4 hour brain dump, which took place yesterday afternoon.

It was so great to see everyone, but it was definitely weird to switch from saying things like "Did you just poopy for daddy?  Yay!!!!!" to saying things like, "Well tell him that is completely unacceptable and threaten to kick his teeth in if he tries that bull@#$# again."  I remember Hitman telling me once the importance of compartmentalization, and I completely understand it now.  That being said, the session was very productive, and I know the team is in great hands with the folks they have in place.  I am sure that observing me was pretty funny, however, as there were plenty of times when I just COULD NOT come up with the appropriate word to describe something (i.e. "contingency" coming out as "commission" and things like that - usually by the 4th attempt I either managed to spew out the correct word or just gave up entirely).

The highlight was afterwards, when my team threw me a surprise baby shower!  The funny part was that Jenny had been invited to this little Happy Hour a month ago, and what I hadn't realized at the time was that these cats had been planning this for 3 months - SO SWEET of them!  We received some GREAT stuff, with the highlights for me being "teething bling" and a handcrafted hammock from Costa Rica!  It was absolutely fantastic, and since JT couldn't make it, I picked up a growler for her so that we could celebrate as she opened the gifts again at home - simply a perfect evening and day.

Gratuitous baby photo - never too early to start 'em!

As to the title of the blog, this past weekend was AWESOME, as Kaitlyn got to meet her Aunt and Godmother!  Kim (or KJ as I call her - my sister-in-law) made the drive up from the ATL to meet her little niece, and Jenny's folks joined us as well on Saturday and Sunday (it was her dad's birthday on St. Patty's Day).  It was a simply fantastic weekend of eating (Jan's homemade broccoli casserole - so guuuuuuuuuuud - peppy cheekies), bonding, and fellowship (to say nothing of the Founder's Breakfast Stout my future brother-in-law sent me - I love that guy).

Less than 2 weeks in, Jenny and I both think that Kaitlyn looks a lot like KJ's baby photos, and so it will be really interesting to watch her grow in the coming weeks and months (hair color, eye color, etc).  I can already tell that she's not going to look like me, so she's a lucky girl in that regard at least. :-)

Today starts one of the biggest perks of March Paternity leave - MARCH MADNESS BABY!!!!!  Tip-off is in 1 hour and 22 minutes - GO SHOCKERS!!!!!!

Work family - thank you again SO MUCH for all of the gifts and for planning the celebration last night.    You are a wonderful group of colleagues, but more importantly - you are a wonderful group of friends. Thanks so much for thinking of us during this extra special time.

Love,

Sam and Jenny

Preserved for Posterity Part III - Team Taylor's hospital stay

Age of Lady Kaitlyn:  11 Days

Family,

And a good afternoon to you from the Queen City.  I'm conscious that, if you're reading this all in a clip, you've noticed that the blog goes in "fits and starts."  I'd like to lie and tell you that's deliberate, but the truth of the matter is that, at this point, I'm just trying to write whenever 2 things collide:  a) I have a spare moment between feedings and changings, and b) - I am awake/lucid enough for not only coherent thought but also constructing sentences.  Granted, something tells me I'll read this 6 months from now and chuckle at how incoherent my "brief periods of lucidity" were during this window, but hey - it's all about the story we have to tell (and however we can tell it), right?

The proud (and terrified) parents of Kaitlyn Elaine Taylor -
no real way to describe the emotions of knowing that a) mom
and baby are ok, b) that little bundle of joy is now yours, and
c) there is a new, uncharted depth of love you've just discovered.

This is a post I've been meaning to put together for some time, as the swirl of emotions and events that took place during our hospital stay where torrential in nature and speed, and even now trying to reconstruct everything that happened in chronological fashion will be a challenge.  I've gone through the photo archive in preparation (thank GOODNESS for digital photography, as I really want to take photos of this little girl every second to ensure I don't miss a thing - why do they grow so fast!?!?!), but to use the great quote from the movie "Great Expectations" (which was a horrible movie and even worse book for the record - sorry, Mrs. Ware):  "I'm not going to tell this story the way it happened.  I'm going to tell it the way I remember."

The first night can only be described as SURREAL.  I mean, think about it - you're in a hospital, which in and of itself is uncomfortable enough.  This guy is sleeping on a plastic couch that wouldn't have passed safety inspection in an Iraqi prison.  The room is 72 degrees, and with the adrenaline coursing through my veins, it feels like Death Valley in summer in the room.  At home I would strip down to my boxers, but since all of my boxers are 14 years old and have an exploded crotch, something tells me this is a bad idea since a staff of about 600 people walks in every 20 minutes to check something.

My wife is on a hospital bed in a state of euphoria and delirium.  Also, her breasts are out for an hour at a time every 3 hours, and a host of women I've never met watch her feed and touch parts of her body that, until 3 hours previous, were exclusively off limits to anyone other than me.  Oddly enough, none of this feels odd - it is AMAZING how everything COMPLETELY changes the second you have a child.

The Bible of room 838 - all the instructions
new parents, nurses, lab techs, and doctors
need to ensure little Kaitlyn stays healthy.

Oh, and there's the most surreal (yet tiniest) component- THERE IS A BABY IN A BASSINET IN THE ROOM WITH YOUR DNA.  Holy.  Cow.

You will always hear that no matter how much you read or prepare, parenting is 99.9% OJT.  I can now confirm THAT IS 100% TRUE.  Case in point - Sammy's first diaper change.

So here's the deal - coming into this hospital stay, there were 4 things I was worried about (gotta love how a guy's mind works):  a) the temperature of the house and how to keep the baby warm, b) how to clean lady parts (if the baby was a she), c) the temperature of the milk, and d) how to swaddle.  I didn't know how to change a diaper, but I thought "how hard can it be - I'll just watch the nurse."  Yeah, well, I didn't count on us being alone with the child for NINETY SECONDS before the nurse said, "Ok, you change her and I'll be back in a minute to check her."  Um, WHAT?

I am NOT joking - what came out of her was the same
primordial ooze the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles used
to become heroes in a half shell (Turtle Power).

So I open that diaper, and HOLY SHIT - literally.  For those that don't know, Baby's first "stool" is this black tar called menicotin, and it looks like something out of Resident Evil.  Now I had read about this, but given that K's stomach is the size of a marble, I just assumed that it would be no more than a smear in her diaper - HUGE MISTAKE.  It was EVERYWHERE.  But since I am now a father and must take care of this, I do what any dad does - dive right in.

2 seconds later there's poop on the blanket below her.  4 seconds later there's poop on my arm.  6 seconds later there's poop on the bassinet wall.  8 seconds later Kaitlyn is screaming.  10 seconds later I am frantically pressing the call button, begging for a nurse - good times.

We didn't get much sleep that night, but sleep is tricky when folks come in almost every hour to check Kaitlyn's vitals, Jenny's vitals, wake us for a feeding, deliver meds, make the rounds, you name it.  But honestly, we were so jacked up that night that it didn't matter (it should be noted that I no longer have that much adrenaline running through my veins - it's been replaced by coffee and Mountain Dew - and I'm ready to go at diaper changing like a spider monkey).  But I did get to do a fatherly duty and make the rounds telling folks:  "IT'S A GIRL!!!!!"  Also, on the walk (or ride in Jenny's case) to post partum, the hospital staff "turned the key" that plays Brahm's lullaby on the entire floor, signifying that a new baby has been born.  Hearing that music and knowing that was for our baby girl was certainly an emotional moment.

Sammy the Bull offering "kangaroo care" - and trying NOT
to fall asleep (FAIL).

The craziest part of all the notifications - my mother was on a cruise in the Panama canal, and so she was OUT OF THE COUNTRY when Jenny's water broke.  It broke my heart for her, as I knew she'd be devastated she missed it.  I honestly didn't know what to do, as I was afraid that, if I sent her an email, she'd hop off the boat in Panama City and fly home, and I didn't want her to miss her cruise.  However, I knew that I had to tell her, as I didn't want her hearing it from anyone but me.  So my best friend (Rice, henceforth known as the Hoffler) gave me the solution - send her an email with a newborn pic.  It was a stroke of genius, and when mom wrote back the next day I absolutely broke down in tears of joy.  While I didn't give her the news in the way she wanted, I still was able to show her how beautiful our little angel was (and was so relieved that she'd heard it from me first).

Proud grandparents - Grandma and Grandpa Tacy...and Sam
rocking the Benny Wilson Band "Plan B is for Beer" shirt - quality.

Tuesday in the hospital was a blur of friends and family, including Jenny's folks, Cuz Megan (one of the folks who hosted the shower), Jenny's friend Leigh, and our friend Jen (also a host of the shower).  Jen came bearing snacks, which at first we thought was just a nice gesture but later realized was ESSENTIAL FOR SURVIVAL since dinner was served at 5 PM but you're awake all night (and it should be noted that the baby daddy does NOT get food from the hospital - hurtful).  During this day we had a lot of kangaroo care (skin to skin care, where apparently we deepen bonds and transfer antibodies to the wee one), several lessons on breastfeeding and taking care of both mom and baby, and Kaitlyn passed several inspections (hearing, birth defects, etc).  The one that proved elusive was the car seat test, as she was unable to sit in the car seat for 90 minutes straight without her oxygen saturation levels dipping below 88% (NO IDEA what that really means, but she had to pass it before they would discharge us).  The highlight of the day was Kimiko (our nurse) swinging back into our room before our shift ended to tell us "You guys have really, really improved as parents in these 12 hours.  I am very proud of you."  At the time it felt like some of the highest praise we'd ever received in our lives.  Oh, and at about 1 AM a cop showed up in our room, as apparently Kaitlyn's low-jack had fallen off her ankle and had sent the floor into lockdown.  Luckily the cop didn't think that I'd scaled 8 floors and broken in through the window in an attempt to steal her, so all was well.

So we're clear on this one:  1.  We did NOT color-coordinate
so that our child would grow up to be an Arizona fan.  2.  I
did NOT realize Jenny's purse was on my shoulder (but damn)
I look good.  3.  Kaitlyn does NOT like beanies - especially
those with points that make her look like a member of the KKK.

Wednesday was a day of packing and hoping, as I was DESPERATE to get out of that hospital.  It wasn't just that I was sleeping on a bed of 10 penny nails - I just wanted to be at home with my family, starting out lives together in earnest.  Also, I knew that I wasn't eating right or drinking enough water, and just wanted to be back in my kitchen (read:  DORITOS) and on my furniture.  However, K still hadn't passed the car seat test (failed it a second time on Wednesday morning), and so we had one final shot at it around 3 PM before we would have to stay another night.  Luckily she passed, and we were discharged about 5 PM.

I then finished packing, had my car seat inspected (I PASSED FOR THE RECORD!!!!), and began loading the car.  Once it was all said and done, we said a tearful farewell to room 838 (it really was emotional, as this is where our life as a family of 3 began), picked up our final belongings, and walked to the nursery, where they snipped Kaitlyn's lowjack and we had our first family photo outside of the post partum room (you can't hide sexy - especially wearing your wife's purse).  It was then to the ground floor, where Sammy the Bull experienced another new first of fatherhood - putting your child in a car seat.

Now seriously, I know those of you without kids are all saying "how hard can it be?", but let me tell you - when your child is less than 6 pounds, can't hold her head up, and basically supports herself like a sack of potatoes, I can assure you that it is NOT easy.  Add in the facts that a) her clothes DO NOT fit her at all (seriously - it's like she's wearing a sleep sack), b) you can barely see a creature like that breathing in all those bundled layers, c) she failed the test twice of what you are about to do to her, and d) once you walk outside that hospital door, you are ON YOUR OWN, and you have a recipe for clumsy father fingers.  The good news is that, FINALLY, we managed to wedge her into the seat.  The better news is that we managed to lock the infant carrier into the car seat base.  And the best news - the car started.  But it was at THAT point, ladies and gentlemen, that Kaitlyn Elaine decided to first test her lungs in non-recycled air. HOLY COW.

The bug in the rug - snuggled in for the first
night at home (insert Phil Phillips singing).

Seriously - I know this girl might be a preemie, but HER LUNGS ARE FULLY FORMED.  She was screaming like a rabid banshee, and I was pretty much certain that a) her diaper was wet, b) she was hungry, c) she did NOT like being confined, and d) I would have a headache the size of Mongolia by the time we got home.  Oh, an I dropped the ticket when I tried to hand it to the attendant, further elongating the time the window was down and FREEZING WIND was whipping into my child's face - yes, folks:  FATHER OF THE YEAR.

But hey, we got her home, got her set up int he Bassinet, and actually got some sleep that first night (I think the exhaustion and emotion just overwhelmed us and sent us into a sleep coma - the CostCo mattress didn't hurt either :-)).

Okay, there it is - the recap of Team Taylor (now party of 3)'s time in the hospital, including the most harrowing drive home I've had since hitting my mom's car outside of East Ridge Middle School 31 days after receiving my license - sorry about that one mom - but at least I gave you a grand baby to make up for it!).

It's tournament time - GOOOOOOOOOO CRUSADERS!!!!!!

Love,

Sam and Jenny

To ensure it's preserved for posterity (part II) - the baby shower...

Age of Lady Kaitlyn:  9 days

Family,

And a good afternoon to you from the Queen City, where the flowers are in bloom, the sun is shining, and our little bundle of joy is PASSED OUT in the pack 'n play.  Day 2 of hyper feeding is going great, and since the mighty Volunteers tip off in the NIT in about 3 hours, all is right with the world. :-)

Kaitlyn has eaten like a champ today, and she's even had her fair share of kangaroo care.  She's also had her fair share of diaper changes, as this child CONTINUES TO BE CONSTANTLY THE SECOND I PULL HER DIRTY DIAPER AWAY.  I mean, are wet wipes just the "open sesame" equivalent for the female bladder?  Inquiring minds want to know...

Anyhoo, similar to the nursery prep blog, I wanted to ensure we had a record of our shower, which occurred on Saturday, 24 February - in a nick of time as fate would have it!  It was an ABSOLUTE BLAST, and I want to ensure the memories I have from it are committed to server.  In true "Sammy the  Bull wants to be Earnest Hemingway" fashion (aka "gritty, terse prose"), the bullet points of the experience:

1. Location - casa de Taylor (doubled as something of a house warming as well)

2.  Hosts - Kim (Jenny's sister and Kaitlyn's godmother) and Matt (my future brother-in-law), Jen and Matt  (Jen's my oldest friend in CLT, Matt's her new hubby), and Cuz (Jenny's cousin who lives here in CLT)

3.  Time of day:  3-6 PM

4.  Memories:

A.  Dad receiving the invite and calling me saying, "I'm not supposed to go to this, right?  I've never heard of a co-ed baby shower."  (Note - I then tell dad, "There will be beer."  Suddenly he thinks a co-ed baby shower is the best idea EVER.

B.  A hilarious trivia game in which dad announces to everyone that he's glad my friends are smart so they can tell when I'm bullshitting people - classic.

C.  Baby T's first Steelers onesie! (courtesy of the Hitman birthday crew)

D.  An AWESOME volunteer onesie!  (courtesy of Hitman and Shantan)

E.  Bob (Jenny's dad) guessing the baby's weight would be 13 pounds, 8 ounces (which would have been the largest child in the history of the state of North Carolina, for the record)

F.  Meeting Tadbit - the SCARIEST @#$#ING STUFFED FROG EVER.

G.  Kim listening to some YouTube video called "still can't feckin' run" about 37 times, cackling every single time (whilst Matt, Jenny, and I cackled watching her reactions)

H.  Gavin (a friend's kid) asking to play Wii, which I set up.  2 minutes later, he comes down to tell me that the batteries are out.  I replace them with the second controller, whose batteries ALSO fail 2 minutes later.  Luckily I am a veritable radio shack for batteries thanks to BJ's and CostCo, so we were able to "mitigate the issue."

J.  A cake that was TO DIE FOR - and then freezing the top rack for Baby T's arrival (which, speaking of, still needs to be eaten - it's sitting beside the Tangeray in the beer fridge in the garage).

K.  Seeing so many of our awesome, AMAZING friends, and realizing just how blessed we are to have so many amazing folks in our lives.

L.  Kale Chips...ok, no so much.

M.  The mozzarella/prosciutto wrap - my life has now changed forever.

The party favors for the event - Matt B would NOT appreciate me telling you that only the 3rd letter isn't capitalized.   

This cake was LIFE CHANGING - and we've still got that butter cream duck on top to devour.  Chuuuuuuubby ducky!!!!!!

All the friends and family from the shower (with Russ beside the lamp glowing like the angel Gabriel.  Then again, he does home brew and gives me a growler every 6 weeks or so, so he has achieved demigod status in my eyes) - such an amazing collection of my favorite people on earth.  It was so amazing to have so many wonderful family members present, just as it was great to have so many members of our work family (whom we've fought and bled with on 3 continents).

With the Tacy clan - Baby for us, wedding for Kim, and twins for the Tacy cousins - big year for the Tacy women!

I simply CANNOT tell you how much I'm looking forward to reading to my children...especially in a Jack Daniels hoodie.  

Trivia was HILARIOUS.  WHO KNEW Charlton Heston's son was baby Moses?  It really should have been Ron Howard...just sayin'...

Jenny's famous spiked poison punch (yes, it was that kind of party), which she STILL has yet to try (been pregnant all 4 times she's created this delicious little concoction) - soon enough, perfect pumpkin!  

It was an absolute BLAST, but those 3 hours FLEW by.  It was just like our wedding day - gone in a flash, but filled with laughter, love, and so many amazing memories.

KJ, Cuz, Verona, and your boys - thank you SO MUCH for making that shower such an amazing, perfect day.  I knew it would be a blast, but it was SO MUCH MORE than I could have ever hoped for.   We love you guys!

To all the family and friends who attended - thank you SO MUCH for sharing your Saturday and, more importantly, your lives with us.  Charlotte truly does feel like our home, and so much of that is because of the wonderful people we have in our circle of friends.

Chat soon!

Love,

Sam and Jenny

Just to make sure I have it committed to the archive - setting up the nursery...

Age of Lady Kaitlyn:  9 Days

Family,

Muffin Puffin dressed like an extra from "Contagion" before
Team Taylor and Team Tacy get cracking on painting.

And a good morning to you from the Queen City, where Team Taylor is exhausted but now fully functional (thanks to 2 AWESOME English muffins from Team Brothernides and our Keurig) and ready to tackle the day.  We have just reached the 24 hour mark in "Project Fatten Kaitlyn," and so far all parties are still accounted for and charging forward.  I will say that poor K is EXHAUSTED (at least that's how it looks to her papa) from all this new eating (more often each day and now with an extra bottle after the feed with Jenny), and you can actually hear her gasping for breath between each series of sucks.  As a father it kills me, because we're torn between a) letting her get the sleep she needs as a preemie and b) ensuring she's getting 480 ml's a milk each day.  That being said, she is definitely taking in additional calories, which is an absolute plus.  All other "bodily processes" are working - in fact, they are EPIC.  I mean seriously - HOW DOES SOMEONE WITH A STOMACH THE SIZE OF A MARBLE PRODUCE SUCH COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF WASTE?  One word for you sports fans - TOXIC.  But the sweetest poop in the world...I mean...

Today's post is actually the first in a series of "memory blogs" which I plan to intersperse over the course of the next month or so.  The memory posts are what I consider to be the "milestone moments" on the journey with Kaitlyn that I wasn't able to capture at the time.  Today's blog is the nursery - the project that took place over the weekend of January 4-6, and then later throughout Q1 as we rolled in the furniture.    The above shots are from that first weekend in January, where Jenny's folks rolled in and we spent all day Saturday (and a bit of Sunday) transforming the nursery from Carolina blue (don't worry - daddy plans to get that color back on the walls eventually) to Comforting, mine and Jenny's favorite color from our old condo.  

Jenny's dad is a math guru, and her mother is quite the planner.  Put them together, and you have a 2-man crew that comes in full steam with a purpose and knows exactly what needs to happen minute by minute.  I learned more about painting (and taping - WTF!  That takes eons!) in that 12 hour span than I ever thought possible, and the biggest learning that I took from the event was, in the event Team Tacy is out of town when we next need something painted - CALL A PROFESSIONAL CREW.  But with them there it went quick and looked amazing - thanks so much guys!

I mean, Da Vinci WISHES he had this type of artistic flare - how cute is my wife?  I love you, pumpkin!!!!

The Bull gets in on the act, painting for the first time since his mum allowed him to paint his closet when he was 7.    Not surprising, neither my form, stamina, attention span, or ability to paint in a straight line have improved in 3 decades.  Oh well, at least I wasn't painting robots this time...yet.  Also, check out Jan (Jenny's mom) in the background - props go to her for ALL of the edging in that room - the lady is a painter!

A few components for the nursery from Grammie and Grand Pooh (my mom and step dad) - the mobile, the lamp, the bumpers, and a blanket (as well as the other 97,000 things my mom has bought for the child, averaging about 47 purchases for every day of gestation.

The Tacy clan in action...and I'm sure Jenny's mother will HATE me for this.  But hey - it's all about the action shot, right?  And besides, we gave you a grand baby - you can't stay mad at me for too long...just saying'...

Over the course of January and February, we did a bit more work around getting the crib and some additional furniture in place.  And by additional furniture - HEEEEEELLLLLLLOOOOOOOO IKEA!!!!  That's right, baby - why pay $14,000 for Pottery Barn when you can pay $7.95 for an entire room of furniture at Sweden's Wal-mart.  We rocked over there in January (had the customary Swedish meatballs and Mountain Dew, of course, as shopping there will leave you FAMISHED), where we picked up a rickety (yet very stylish) bookcase and a stylish (yet less stable than VX poison gas in its string of pearls configuration) chest of drawers.  We then commenced with assembly, and as most folks will tell you, here are my observations:

Muffin Puffin starting to lay out the decorations that now adorn Kaitlyn's room.  Well, minus this curtain, because we don't yet have a valance on EITHER window.  Details - that's why they invented shutters...

CUTEST.  PHOTO.  EVER.  The proud mama-to-be thinking about bathing our child and then drying her with our "Dilly the Duck" towel, courtesy of Kim and Matt.

Um, don't let that smile fool you - it took OVER AN HOUR to get that top drawer in there, and that is SKIPPING what has now turned out to be a crucial step - bolting this little piece of particle board to the wall.  Currently if you pull on it, it tips over.  Details...I enjoy stuffed animals flying at me when I'm semi-conscious at 4 AM looking for another burp cloth.

T-Rowe - that is one SEXY glider - just sayin...

Sam installing the side rail...for the 3rd time...

Finished product - up to code!!!!  Jenny and I both cried when we heard the mobile play its lullaby.

1.  Don't think for a second you will be able to assemble the crib correctly the first time.  Or second.  Or third.  They are designed as labyrinths, with the sole goal of keeping that child imprisoned within.  Try as you may, you will make a mistake.  I mean, let's fact it - SuperMax prison facilities are easier to assemble, and even they have flaws.

2.  IKEA instructions use only pictures, and by pictures I mean some fat dude who is the Swedish equivalent of the Family Guy.  It all fits and it all works (as they say, "Happiness comes in a flat pack"), but ensure you a) dedicate 3 hours uninterrupted of your life, b) are prepared to have a few "unfinished edges" visible to the public, and c) have a six pack of Fat Tire handy.  Failure to comply with any of the above will leave you a broken individual with nothing but an addiction to meatballs and cheap glassware, making frequent trips to exit 43.

3.  All joking aside, there are few things more rewarding than sitting in your planned nursery with your soul mate and mother of your child, working together to make something for your future child.  It was not without its frustrations, but there were more than enough laughs and quality time spent together to more than make up for it.  As with so many things in life (including these incessant feedings), the journey is the destination, and often times that is what makes the memory that is so special in your heart.  I have no lie to tell - feeding Kaitlyn right now is BRUTAL, but seeing her sweet face when she's asleep, laughing with Jenny when we see "milk drunk coma" face, and knowing that I'm finally able to help feed her has been such an incredible experience.

It should be noted that, in the second week of Lady Kaitlyn's life, Team Taylor STILL has yet to procure a crib mattress.  That's about to change, however, as Team Taylor is about to rock BBB's website!  And speaking of, it's time to feed the rug rat and then hand the PC over to the missus for some long overdue shopping.

Chat soon!

Love,

Sam and Jenny

Absolutely, positively COVERED in shit...and couldn't be happier...

Age of Lady Kaitlyn:  8 days (Happy 1 week birthday!)

Family,

And a good evening to you from the Queen City, where we've just given the rugrat her second ever bath, and the only words to describe her father's efforts would be EPIC FAIL.  For starters, no sooner had the bath commenced (on a waterproof sheet on our bed), then K proceeded to empty THE FLOODGATES KNOWN AS HER BLADDER.  Seriously - this child has been alive 7 days and has peed on me EIGHT TIMES.  It's almost becoming a bond we share - I clean her, and then she sterilizes me.  Quality bonding - who needs kangaroo care when you've got potty humor?

I then moved her to the floor and placed her on a towel (as all father of the year candidates would do), where I proceeded to bathe her in what I thought was warm water.  As fate would have it, the Titanic actually sank in warmer water than I was using.  But I thought I had finally righted the ship when I put on body lotion, only to realize that I had coated the child in soap - AWESOME.  Luckily Muffin Puffin came in and saved the day.  Otherwise, poor Kaitlyn would still be screaming (and make no mistake about it - those lungs are fully formed).

So a VERY noteworthy experience to write about from Saturday:  the newborn photo shoot.  I'm sure anyone who finds this has probably heard of Anne Geddes, the gal who poses newborns into all sorts of hilarious poses.  Well, following the advice of Beka Rice, Team Taylor decided that photography was definitely going to be a spot where money would be spent to commemorate this special time.  Consequently we booked in for a newborn photo shoot.  In a word - WOW - truly one of the most hilarious and entertaining things I have EVER done.

So picture this - you rock up to the photo studio, where you promptly must breastfeed your child for 30 minutes.  Why do this, you ask?  Well, it's simple - so you can put them in a MILK COMA.  I mean, with Kaitlyn, her eyelids get heavy after about 5 minutes, and by 15 her arms are just lifeless.  The end result is that you have a six day old carbon based life form who is totally naked and PUTTY in the hands of a trained professional.

Our photographer was AMAZING, and the way she could control that child (who didn't stir for more than 2.5 hours post feeding) was just beyond description.  Funny poses, cute outfits, amazing, colors, a bit of photoshop magic, and a whole lot of other stuff (all proprietary, I'm sure) went into it, and Jenny and I cackled for the entire session.  Kaitlyn, however, clearly had seen enough of our foolishness, as she managed to pay me back in spades.

Just before the "daddy-daughter" pictures (where I take my shirt off and flex my ginormous muscles...and then the photog airbrushes in a six pack and a jailhouse tat that reads "I heard Muffin Puffin and the Munchkin"), K was starting to get fussy, so we took a break to feed.  Faith (the photog) suggests putting a diaper on her, but we opt for a burp cloth instead.  Faith goes ahead and puts a towel under here, which is a good thing, since about 45 seconds later she EXPLODES with an epic performance.  No problem - we have a good laugh, and then we put another towel down.  2 minutes later?  FIRE IN THE HOLE!!!!!  Yes - deuces wild.  Twice.

But she then lapses back into deep sleep, at which time we commence with the daddy-daughter session.  So I put her on my chest, bum between my nipples, and Faith counts down "3...2...1..." Kaitlyn clearly thought this meant something else, as she proceeds to BLAST FECES ONTO MY CHEST LIKE IT'S SPRAYING FROM A ROCKET LAUNCHER.  My chest hair was a mess of, well...you know.

So we clean me off, at which point we move to photo #2 - me holding her upright, bum in my palm.  Faith counts down "3...2...1..." at which point, Kaitlyn BLASTS FECES THROUGH MY FINGERS.  Seriously?  SERIOUSLY!?!?!?  The kid is a machine!

I laughed until I thought my ribs were broken, and on the whole those 3 hours COULD NOT have been more fun.  Can't wait to see the pics!

On other fronts, at present we can't get K to gain weight.  She's holding at 5 pounds & 15 ounces,  and so we've officially ratcheted up the feeding schedule.  It's rough for JT, as she's having to feed and pump, but so far she's been an amazing trooper and an even more amazing mother.  Honestly, could my wife be any more perfect?  As for me, I'm finally getting the chance to feed her, which is making me feel good because I feel like I'm contributing/helping to this most crucial of tasks.  We're on a strict 3 hour schedule at present, and Jenny's getting 90 minutes of sack time as I write this (I opted for food instead because, well, I'm fat).  We've got 2 doctor's appointments this week, as well as two next week to continue tracking progress, and all doctors seem very confident that we'll start moving in the right direction soon.  I'm not concerned either, as so far our child has been the very definition of resilient.  I am a proud papa. :-)

Love,

Sam and Jenny

A fun post - the time capsule...

Age of Lady Kaitlyn:  5 days

Family,

So I know that I just posted, but something I've been meaning to do is create the "time capsule" blog so that, when Kaitlyn reads this 30 years from now, she'll know what were the huge moments, people, and activities of 2013.  A lot of folks put this in Baby Books, and I will probably do that as well.  However, just so I have the record, some of the big ticket items that I can think of (written for Kaitlyn's benefit):

1.  Barack Obama was elected for his second term.  Yes, I did vote for him.  Yes, I am the only person at my company (and perhaps in the state) who did.  No, I have no regrets.

2.  There was a horrific school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, killing almost 30 children.  The NRA then demanded that armed guards be placed in all schools.  The topic raged for months.

3.  The DOW (stock market) hit it's all-time high the week before you were born (14.2K).  That's a good thing, as that's where your college fund is as I type this.

4.  LeBron James and the Miami Heat are the defending NBA champions and the team to beat, but Kobe Bryant is still the man. :-)

5.  Your Aunt Kim and Uncle Matt will get married later this year (July 13).

6.  Argo won best picture (it was really good).

7.  North Korea declared the armistice with South Korea invalid (by the time you read this, I don't even know if the country of North Korea will exist, but I shudder to think about the world and the implications if it doesn't).  Their leader, Kim Jong-un, has threatened to test missiles with the capability of striking the US mainland (Alaska), but the US doesn't believe the threat is viable at time of writing.

8.  Your parents will celebrate 1 year in the home you will grow up in.

9.  Your maternal grandmother (Grammie) successfully beat breast cancer.

10.  Private space companies and NASA have commenced drawing up plans for a manned mission to Mars, scheduled for take-off in 2018.

11.  US Airways and American Airlines merged (but it was really a US Airways takeover).

12.  The Baltimore Ravens won the SuperBowl in Ray Lewis' last season (filled with Deer Antler Spray).

13.  Lance Armstrong was stripped of his 7 Tour de France titles.

14.  Your parents will celebrate 7 years of marriage.

15.  Big musicians of the time:  Justin Bieber (HORRIBLE), Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift

16.  Big books of the time:  50 Shades of Grey, Killing Lincoln

17.  Big TV shows:  The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, Homeland, Dexter, House of Lies

18.  Your first cousins (no doubt Gator fans and UF grads by the time you read this) were born

19.  Your Aunt Pattie graduated high school

20.  Your cousin Zachary got married

21.  Alabama repeated as the NCAA college football champs (third time in four years)

22.  The Big East Athletic Conference dissolved into "the Catholic 7" (who took the Big East name) and the ACC - the C-7 took the Big East name, and the old Big East is still trying to confirm it's new nickname.  Update as of 10 April - the old "Big East" is now the AAC - the American Athletic Conference.  No doubt the name is a plan in advance to lure West Coast schools to compete in the conference (after Boise State and San Diego State opted NOT to join and decided to remain in the Mountain West Conference).

23.  There is uncertainty about the sustainability of the EURO as a consolidated currency for Europe.

24.  The country is experiencing an oil and gas boom as part of a new process called "fracking" (hydraulic fracturing).

25.  UNC-Charlotte played their first ever college football game.

26.  We elected a new Pope - Francis.  The previous pope retired - the first priest in over 600 years to do so.

27.  Syria is still embroiled in a Civil War that some believe has now claimed upwards of 50,000 lives.

I am sure there are 10,000 other items I could include, but these are at least a start. :-)

Side note - I have now realized that I have to make peace with the fact that I will NOT have as much time to crank out these blogs as I did in London or Singapore.  It's funny, as I KNOW I am writing this only for myself, Jenny, and Kaitlyn, but at present I still feel the need to try and make each post witty for a phantom reader population that doesn't know this site exists.  One of my 2013 goals - constantly prioritize as needed, and remember the original purpose of this site - record the moments as they pass...any way you can.

Love,

Sam and Jenny

So few days, so many changes...

Age of Lady Kaitlyn:  5 days

Family,

And a good afternoon to you from the Queen City, where Team Taylor is now settled back into the Mountain Fortress after our first foray out into the great wide world since becoming parents - Kaitlyn's first pediatrician appointment!  The appointment was set for 8:45 AM, and Team Taylor had laid out this EXQUISITE plan to ensure a) Kaitlyn was fed in time, b) the parents had plenty of time to change, and c) everything was packed and ready to go by 8:15.  It should be noted that our destination was a whopping 1.2 miles away, but the game plan was elaborate enough to travel around the world in 80 days without the use of airplanes. However, Team Taylor apparently forgot to share the game plan with our newest member, as she had other ideas.

My little Tarheel beside Rameses (which mom
refers to as "my little lamb" from college).  It's
a RAM!  The Tarheels are ferocious, damn it!

Last night was her first rough night sleeping (and granted we'd only had 3 other nights against which to compare, but details...), and Jenny and I were up all night worried that she wasn't getting enough air (she was hacking up phlegm all night - you're welcome for that image, and every breath was ragged).  I reckon I got a single hour of restless sleep at best, and you gotta love it when the alarm goes off and you grab every electronic device in an 8 block radius before realizing that it's the ALARM CLOCK that's actually ringing.  Two words:  BABY BRAIN.  I must give credit it wife muffin, as at one point she noticed the buildup, grabbed the squeeze-sucker thing, and began pulling snot out of K's nose.  I'm telling you, MY WIFE IS A NATURAL.  It's amazing to watch her maternal instincts just take over.  BEST.  WIFE.  EVER.

Despite a mad scramble, we were out the door by 8:20 (I think the bag packing scramble on delivery day prepared us for this), and we made it to the location by 8:30.  We filled out some paperwork, and by 9 AM we met our doctor (recommended by a friend - this gal was fantastic).  The good news:  Kaitlyn's very awake, super active, and those lungs are working fine (how do I know?  Because she SCREAMED BLOODY MURDER FOR 20 MINUTES DURING THE APPOINTMENT).  The bad news:  she's a wee bit jaundiced, and she's still losing weight.  However, as of 3 hours ago she's now on a strict 3 hour feeding/gorging schedule, and the Senior Members of Team Taylor are going to ensure this kid weighs over 6 lbs come Monday.

It's definitely still a unique experience writing our daughter's
name on forms and documents.  And yes, I'm well aware that
every photo you've seen (and most likely will see for the next
few weeks) features our daughter passed out.  I can assure you
it's not always like this. :-)

Looking back on her first 5 days of life, it is INCREDIBLE to see the changes that we're already seeing.  For example, within the last 24 hours her eyes have gone from deep, deep brown to a shade of blue, and for some reason her focus is constantly fixated to her left.  I'm not sure if she's seeing the Ghost from "3 Men and a Little Lady" in the corner or what, but there is definitely something that grabs her attention in that direction, regardless of what room/location we're in.

Some other early observations:

1.  She LOVES to have her hands free.  If you try to swaddle her, she will grunt and wiggle until those arms get free.  She will then PASS OUT.

2.  It's early, but my prediction (and Jenny's noticed it more than me) - this gal is gonna be left handed.  Middle Blockers of Mecklenburg County:  BEWARE.  Before her volleyball career takes flight, however, the target most in danger would be Jenny's breasts, as Kaitlyn wants to ensure she's got both hands on the prize before she latches (it is HILARIOUS!).

3.  She is a coo'er, grunter, and big time noise maker.  Seriously, watching her breastfeed is just about the cutest and most hilarious thing I've ever seen.  Picture a vuvuzela attached to the end of your wife's boob, and then picture that same vuvuzela alternating between sliding off your wife's breast and attacking it like a cheetah chasing a Wildebeest in the Serengetti grasslands.

4.  She is stronger than a bull moose.  Already she's able to raise her head (even if she can't control the landing), and getting her arms and legs into their slots in her onesies (which are about 19 times her current size given that she's a preemie) and keeping them there is about as easy as hiking Everest buck naked in mid winter without the aid of Tenzing Norgay (T-Bone - that was for you if you ever read this).

Our little snuggle bug in the hundred year
old bassinet made by my great-grandfather.

5.  She is a WONDERFUL, beautiful, perfect child.  Yes, she fights you when you change a diaper.  Yes, she refuses to be swaddled.  YES - she is absolutely perfect in every way.  Granted, I am a wee bit biased, but I am already so in love with this little snuggle bug that I just can't help myself.

We just finished our second marathon feeding session of the afternoon - props to Jenny for testing the theory that "ice cubes will ensure adequate stimulation to keep your child focused on the latch." :-)

Love,

Sam and Jenny

And suddenly...there were 3...

Team Taylor Countdown:  27 days until due date...oh - wait...

Family,

And a good afternoon to you from the Queen City.  Honestly, I CANNOT believe I am typing this, but the moment we've all been waiting for (and expected next month) has arrived.  That's right, sports fans - WE HAVE A DAUGHTER!!!!!  It feels SO SURREAL to type this, but may I present to you, for the first time in public:  Kaitlyn Elaine Taylor (the first :-))!!!!!!  She arrived 30 days early, weighing in at 6 pounds, 8 ounces (20 inches long).  But I am getting ahead of myself - let me give you the play by play of how this all went down...

First off, last weekend was PERFECT - we had Friday off, during which time we had lunch at Chik-fil-A, had a GREAT 60 minute massage, went to the movies (Argo - brilliantly done), went uptown for dinner (Fitzgeralds, where we had GREAT bleu cheese sliders and I found that OMB Copper isn't as bad as previously thought - but NOT worth $6 a pop), and then went to see Green Day's American Idiot at the Belk theater.  We PACKED it in - good thing!

Saturday and Sunday were busy with baby tasks, and by Sunday at 6:30, I was BUSHED and just wanted a beer.  Jenny, however, says, "We HAVE to do the Pack 'n Play."  I will be honest, I was a grumpy bugger about this, but we put it together.  THANK GOODNESS WE DID - MUFFIN, YOU ARE A GENIUS.

And now, to March 11th...also known as D-Day:

1 AM:  Jenny is snoring like a banshee.  Sammy the Bull is getting ZERO sleep but refuses to nudge his prego wife.

5:10 AM:  Jenny gets up to pee.

5:12 AM:  Jenny says, "Um, Sam...."  The silence that follows is deafening.

5:13 AM:  The bathroom floor is wet.  Very, very wet.  Helloooooooooooooo ruptured "bag of waters" (why the @#$# is it called waters?  There's only ONE water in there - just saying'...)

5:14 AM:  Sam realizes what is happening.  He is no longer sleepy.

5:15 AM:  Sam realizes he has about 94,000 items left on his to-do list pre-baby...which puts him SOL.

5:16 AM:  Sam looks at the "baby bag" he has packed and realizes that he's got a shedload of stuff for himself (books, PC, connections, etc.).  For his wife, however, what has he packed?  That's right - 2 PAIRS OF UNDERWEAR - FULL STOP.  Yes, I am nothing if not selfless in my dedication to others.

5:20 AM:  Jenny calls the hospital and tells them what's happening.

5:21 AM:  The hospital tells Jenny to drive to labor and delivery.

5:22 AM:  Sam lets off a string of expletives in an attempt to express his exuberance, excitement, and terror (not necessarily in that order).

6:00 AM:  Bag packed, Team Taylor runs out of the house.

6:01 AM:  Sam realizes he has left lights on.  Team Taylor decides to keep driving.

6:02 AM:  Jenny realizes that she has left her blood sugar checker.  Team Taylor decides to turn around.

6:05 AM:  Back to the house - I pull Katie my Lady into the garage.

6:12 AM:  We are on the road.

6:13 AM:  Not even Richard Petty on his best day could catch me.

6:30 AM:  Team Taylor arrives at Presbyterian Main.

6:35 AM:  Admitted into triage (with the look of collective deer in headlights)

6:40 AM:  Some lady feels Jenny's stomach.

6:41 AM:  Same lady says "You aren't leaving this hospital without a baby."

6:42 AM:  Rinse repeat on Sam's expletive display.

My perfect pumpkin - 9 hours before moving adding the
title of "mother" to an already impressive resume of best
friend, amazing wife, and soul mate.  I love you, muffin!!!

6:43 AM:  Since they are out of small and medium gowns, Jenny is placed in a gown large enough to cover the Red Army.  She walks down the hallway with robes flowing like the new Pope.

7 AM:  We check into our Labor and Delivery (L & D) room.

8 AM:  Contractions begin in earnest - irregular, and not painful.

8:30 AM:  JT and I begin walking around the floor to "allow gravity to help."  It doesn't.

9:15 AM:  Dilated 2 centimeters.

9:45 AM:  Next phase of walking to "allow gravity to help."  It does.

10:30 AM:  contractions are regular.  So is pain.

It is AMAZING how the heart rate goes up and down for
a baby - at this point, "Baby T" was anywhere from 175 to
112.  Doctors assured me that was good.

10:45 AM:  Pitocin is introduced to stimulate contractions.  She's at 3 centimeters.

11:00 AM:  Jenny climbs onto the birthing ball.  Contractions accelerate.  So does her discomfort and general dislike of me (but she's a trooper!).

11:05 AM:  First scream of pain.

11:06 AM:   First request for an epidural.

11:10 AM:  We are told we're 3rd in line for the epidural and still need the doctor's permission.  JT's stare could make Kim Jong-Un sign a peace agreement with South Korea.

11:25 AM:  Lots of pain and I feel as worthless as tits on a boar hog.

11:30 AM:  Epidural arrives.  Collective sigh of relief is breathed.

11:34 AM:  Epidural catheter is inserted into Jenny's back - the scream is something you'd only hear in Azkaban.

11:36 AM:  Peace.  All is right with the world.

12 PM:  Doctor says, "You'll deliver at 7 PM tonight.  I will be back in 2 hours."

2:25 PM:  Sam says, "I'm gonna go get lunch - will be back in 30 minutes."

2:30 PM:  Sam is walking to the register to pay for his lunch when Muffin Puffin calls him and says, "we are about to start pushing - I am 10 centimeters."

2:31 PM:  RINSE-REPEAT ON THE SWEARING

2:35 PM:  Sammy the Bull scarfs down food in 4 minutes and sprints back to L & D.

2:45 PM:  I am assigned the task of "holding the leg."

2:46 PM:  Jenny begins pushing.

2:55 PM:  I SEE THE HEAD.

3 PM:  Mirror in place, Jenny sees the head as well.  We are told to take a break and wait for the doctor.

3:02 PM:  I am asked if I'd like to cut the cord.  I say yes and realize THIS.  IS.  HAPPENING.

3:06 PM:  Jenny begins pushing in earnest - there is a large enough staff to treat the whole of North America in the room.

3:20 PM:  Round 2 on the pushing begins.  After 3 pushes, Baby's head is FULLY crowned.

3:30 PM:  Round 3 of pushing begins.

3:31 PM:  The head is fully out - AMAZING.

3:32 PM:  MY WHOLE WORLD CHANGES FOREVER.  Baby T SHOOTS out of Jenny (not joking) and the doctor catches her.

The moment that changed it all - my ladies, my life, my universe - all in this one picture.

3:32 PM:  Dr. says "It's a girl!"

3:32 PM:  Jenny and I begin sobbing uncontrollably.

3:32 PM:  Baby is on Jenny's chest.  I cut the cord and kiss my life.

3:35 PM:  They take Baby T (now Kaitlyn Elaine Taylor) to the table for assessment and cleaning.

3:45 PM:  She's clean and returned to Jenny.

3:52 PM:  Jenny and I have a moment's peace and we thank God for the most amazing miracle we've ever witnessed.

4:00 PM:  Jenny breastfeeds for the first time.  She is a COMPLETE natural and feeds for AN HOUR.

5:00 PM:  They take the baby for some cleaning.

5:30-45 PM (I honestly can't remember):  I am handed my daughter for the first time.

She's a Tarheel born, She's a Tarheel bred...

5:46 PM:  I tell her I love her for the first time.  My cup runneth over and I can't speak without crying.

7 PM:  We move into Post Partum recovery.

9 PM:  I realize I have to change the diapers and try to change my first.  Kaitlyn's bum is covered in enough of some tar like substance to feather every traitor from the Civil War.

9:01 PM:  I have smeared feces all over the blanket.

9:02 PM:  I have smeared feces all over the bassinet.

I mean...it was something out of the movie "Alien."  Just saying'...

9:03 PM:  I frantically call for a nurse.  I realize I am the worst father EVER.

9:05 PM:  Nurse enters, cackles at me, and changes the diaper.

9:06 PM:  I allow myself this one mistake before reporting myself to social services.

When I look at this, I can only thing of 2 things:  1 - this was
just about the happiest I've ever been.  2 - of all shirts, why
the #$@# did I wear my Golden Gophers t-shirt into the
delivery room?  GOOOOOO GOLDIE!!!!!!!

9:30 PM:  My life descends into a blur of happiness, thankfulness, gratefulness, and sleeplessness.

I'm sure some of those times might be a bit erroneous, but there you have it.  If someone were to ask "what's the best day of your life?" there are only 2 contenders - the day of Kaitlyn's birth and my wedding day.  To say that I was in shock would be the understatement of the century.  However, as I sit here typing this 4 days later, all I can think of is that I can no longer image my world without her in it.

I am going to follow this blog with a ton of others around my current emotions, Kaitlyn's amazing growth and learning, the days in the hospital, etc - but I at least wanted one blog that focused on the facts of the day as I remembered them.  I'm not sure if it all actually happened this way, but this is certainly how it was seared into my mind.

Kaitlyn - welcome to the planet!

Love,

Sam (and Jenny)