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