Happy Due Date, Kaitlyn!!!

Age of Lady Kaitlyn:  30 days

Family,

And a good afternoon to you from the Queen City, where Sammy the Bull is currently on the screened porch (which appears to be suffering from a wasp infestation, for the record - we've only found 2 so far, but those jokers are getting in somewhere) enjoying this simply FANTASTIC streak of weather.  It seems as though Charlotte may have skipped spring entirely, as we went from 40 and rainy to 80 and sunny almost overnight.  This guy is NOT complaining, as I was DESPERATE for some warmer weather.  It just means I'll have to work a little harder while jogging.

Team Taylor - party of 3.  We weren't expecting this photo
a month ago!

Physically I can tell I've gained a few pounds over the last month, which truth be told was inevitable given the lack of exercise and the quantity of food consumed.  These last few days, however, I've definitely felt a bit off.  I'm not sure if it's the "night shift" - waking up between 2-3 to give her a bottle, what we're eating or a combination of both, but the waking period between 10-12 for me has been rough lately.  It's tough to get out of bed much before 10, but I feel like the day is wasted if I don't (and my eating habits are certainly off kilter).  I've not had much fruit lately, either, which is probably contributing.  Regardless, with visitors and appointments dropping to nil over the next 4-5 weeks, this guy is DEFINITELY gonna start getting back in shape.  Jenny and I have a goal of at least 1 half marathon come this fall.  My next one will be my 25th, a milestone I am very proud of.  That being said, my times have certainly slipped over the last couple of years, and I want to get back into the 1:40's.  My last 1:40 race was Racefest in April of 2012, and my goal is that, beginning this fall, I'll be sub 1:45-1:47 for the next decade.  Kaitlyn - when you read this in 20 years' time, you can tell me how I fared. :-)

So today - April 10th - is a BIG day.  Today is the date that Kaitlyn was actually supposed to greet the world.  Now I'm conscious that only 1% or 5% or something like that of babies actually arrive on their due dates, but EVERYONE had told us that Kaitlyn would either be on time or late (as apparently your first one always is).  Obviously that wasn't the case for us, but you won't hear this guy complaining, as my life COULD NOT be any better than it is right now.  This past month has been such a journey, filled with so many new emotions I didn't know existed, filled with new levels of exhaustion I never thought attainable, filled with new discoveries, experiences, and life lessons about uber-critical things like:

1.  You'll never watch a sporting event in real-time ever again

2.  Having your wife topless around the house for hours at a time is a completely normal experience

3.  Regardless of lung size, children can generate some SERIOUS volume when they are hungry

4.  The best, most personal, sweetest photos you'll ever take will most likely never been seen by the outside world because your wife and your child are showing parts you don't want anyone else to see :-)

5.  It really isn't "about me" any more - I know that's often said, but there's a truth to that which cannot be ignored.  I am still learning on this one, and I have a 2013 goal to be a better husband as well as a very engaged, active father.  I need to constantly remember that the books I want to read, the shows I want to watch, and the miles I want to log are distant priorities compared to ensuring my child is eating right, sleeping right, has plenty of stimulation during "wake time," and feels secure.  Equally as important, I want to ensure wife muffin is happy, healthy, feels supported and loved (which she is more than anything), gets time for herself, and has a shoulder to lean on/cry on in the event things get tough.  Jenny has been SO AMAZING so far, rallying anytime to feed and comfort K, regardless of the hour or lack of sleep.  Again, I am humbled by her efforts and maternal instinct - just an amazing thing to watch.

Another milestone - the first successful usage of the pacifier in the crib.  Mobile, sleep sheep (making womb noises),
swaddle, pacifier, waterproof crib sheet, breathable bumpers, burp cloth, night light...whatever it takes, baby...

It's funny to think about life pre-baby, and it's funny to imagine what this past month would have been like had it just been the 2 of us.   Truth be told, we had nothing on the travel schedule, so I imagine a lot of things would have been the same - trips to VBGB, watching the NCAA tournament, walking around the neighborhood, etc.  That's why I think this past month has been a fairly seamless transition (well, as seamless as it can be to introduce a new carbon-based life form into your house for whom you are now COMPLETELY responsible), as we had some very low-key activities into which we were easily able to integrate K.  This was important for all parties involved, as I think it's critical that we as parents maintain as much of our contacts, schedule, and lifestyle as possible whilst at the same time looking out for the best interests of the Munchkin.  I definitely feel comfortable taking her out in public, walking her on the greenway, having her in a store, keeping her in the infant carrier, and all of those other things which a month ago seemed impossible.  It helps that she is an ANGEL baby (knock on wood!), and I hope that continues.

The cutest part of this whole experience?
The look of hope on Muffin Puffin's face
when she asked me, "Can we get it in white?"
Cutest.  Thing.  EVER.  I love you, angel bear!

Lastly, there was one big change that wouldn't have come about had we not had K so early - Muffin Puffin is now the proud owner of an i-Pad!  That's right, sports fans, it was time to introduce the iPad with retina display to the Taylor household.  K - by the time you read this, I'm sure the world will have moved WAY past tablets.  Just remember that mommy and daddy were cool and part of the "in" crowd once upon a time, ok? :-)

Ok, it's now time to sign off here and get back to thank you notes (which are almost done) and working on the Baby Book (so there will be another hard copy record of this amazing time).  Happy Due Date, Kaitlyn!  We're so, so, so glad that you decided to come early, as you've enriched our lives in more ways than you can possibly imagine.  Now let's work on getting you to focus your eyes and sleep with your head facing over your right shoulder so you don't have a flat spot on that cute little cranium.

Love,

Sam and Jenny