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