Age of Baby T2: 5.5 weeks
Family,
And a good evening to you from the Queen City, where the Bull and Striker have MUCH to report.
Yes, you read that correctly, sports fans - TEAM TAYLOR IS EXPECTING!!!!! It's early days and I'm sure you have a million questions (well, you would have if you could actually access this post from the internet), and I don't want to get ahead of myself. Let's just say that "Raise Kids With the Taylors" is about to add a new cast member for the 3rd season - LOOK OUT SWEEPS, BABY!!!
So a bit of back story here - Jenny and I have been trying since November, and we are pretty sure we had a "close call" in there (we think we got pregnant on the first try but lost it - I remember posting about it). Well, I am happy to report that, after what can only be described as a "17 day shag fest," Team Taylor had the week of April 13th to just sit and wait, breathless with anticipation but confident that we'd done everything we could (quite literally) to conceive. On Saturday (the day I was flying out to London), Jenny took a pregnancy test. She would have been due to get her period that day, and so we felt there was a chance we'd know something. Well, sure enough - FAINT DOUBLE LINES!!! We were obviously a) thrilled, b) hopeful, and c) terrified something would go wrong (likely in that order), and we definitely didn't want to celebrate this early in the game. After all T2 was only 4 weeks at that point (the size of a poppy seed in case you're scoring), and you know how these things go.
Throughout the week JT would give me picture updates of the tests taken, and on Tuesday I got the "So I think I really might be pregnant" email (reminds me I need to save that) - WHA-WHAT!!!!! She tested on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday, and I arrived home on Friday VERY excited and hopeful. Saturday she then took another test, and there was no doubt about it - those lines weren't faint. Those lines were DARK. BOO-YOW, BABY!!!!! Team Taylor, Party of 4 - comin' at ya!
We're now 5.5 weeks into this, and truly no one (except Jill from the mommy's group) knows anything. We were over at the Wetzel's on Sunday, but luckily as no one was drinking, we were able to dodge a bullet there. My mom actually fished for information yesterday, but to date we've been able to deflect any questions. The good news is that, come Mother's Day, the secret will be out with our parents, and soon afterwards it will be out with Kim. Soon after that, we can go "Facebook" official. :-)
And so the blog now takes an interesting turn, as we're recording the stories and lives of both our children (first time I've ever typed that). For Jenny and I, there's no question that this is a dream come true. We have loved EVERY SINGLE SECOND of Kaitlyn's life, and the opportunity to experience it all over again and give Kaitlyn family that she'll carry with her long after we're gone is a blessing from God that is indescribable. When we set out on this journey and broke our lives into phases, the "35 to 40" window had us ideally having 2 kids, buying a house, and starting to pay down on our debts. We're 2.2 out of 3 so far, and I cannot put into words how blessed I feel right now. I must simply record that I feel this blessing is a gift from God, as has been this entire year - finding our church, making progress on some of our life goals, and now this. Truly I can say my cup runneth over.The good news is that Jenny is feeling great (no different in fact), and we're really hopeful that all will go smoothly. While we aren't screaming in celebration yet, we are conceding comments like "We're going to have a baby!" to one another within the quiet confines of the house, and the excitement (and relief) that we have this miracle growing inside her is just incredible. This go-around was tough on us emotionally, and I must confess I am breathing a heavy sigh of relief with each passing day.
T2 is now 5.5 weeks old - the size of a sesame seed. There's obviously not a lot to report at this point, but I can tell you that JT is officially off coffee (straight decaf), is now microwaving cold cuts, and has started her pre-natal vitamins. And let me tell you - she's never looked happier or more beautiful.
Now the above clearly made the past week exciting, but let's not forget the main star of this show who kicked off the entire party, as it was a GREAT week for her. SO MUCH to record in the life of the Munchkin, so let's get back amongst it, shall we?For Kaitlyn, this past week saw a TON of firsts. For starters, K started real toothpaste this week (15 April to be exact). She is now using "Minnie toothpaste" during the day (before nap) and then fluoride free "Elmo toothpaste" at night. Technically she's not supposed to swallow the real toothpaste, but luckily it's a light dose of "training fluoride," which means it's not harmful. It's actually REALLY cute to watch, as she sucks on it like it's the "other stuff," and you find yourself forcing her to brush more so that she can actually get some of it on her teeth. JT's bought her stools to help her get to the sink and spit, but spitting is very much a learned art (who knew?), and it will take some time. But she's a trooper and tries every day, so I'm confident we'll lick it soon.
On the 16th, K started another rite of passage - she became a Flintstone kid (10 million strong and growing!). K is supposed to get a half vitamin every day until she's 4, and let me tell you - SHE LOVES THESE THINGS. At every meal she asks for her vitamin - I think she'd eat 20 a day if we'd let her. TOO CUTE!On the 17th, we started another ritual - prayer before mealtime. Now I don't have this on video yet, but I can confirm that it is absolutely a MUST HAVE. Family, simply put - it is the sweetest thing EVER. K folds her hands just like me, bows her head (I've watched JT do it with her as well, and so I know she bows her head and keeps her eyes closed the whole time), and then recites "God is great" (as best she can, of course). And while she may not get all the words right, she is GREAT about saying "Amen!" I mean, it's like being at a Pentecostal service around our table. And the cutest part? She wants to do it over and over. Eventually I had to make her take bites of food before I'd reward her with another prayer - how cute is that?
Moving onto the week I was away, I am thrilled to report that K is practically 100% in the running department! She'd fallen at the Chik-fil-A playground earlier in the week and had injured her foot. Consequently, her progress on returning to normalcy in the walking department was a bit start and stop, and by the time I left she was barely putting any weight on it (JT told me about this Sunday). On Monday the 20th, however, K was already a ROCKET once again, running all over the house. I actually got to see it first hand because FINALLY after more than a year of not having FaceTime, it has returned to my operating system! Seriously - I cannot tell you how big a difference it made that week being able to see my girls. It really did change the entire experience (vs. just texting them). She's now running full steam and getting back to being able to jump. It's not quite there yet (and to be fair wasn't exactly textbook pre-break), but there's no question she's back to normal and getting stronger every day. SO GOOD to see, and JT and I are definitely breathing easier.
The week I was away also saw us receive GREAT news at the ENT - both tubes are now out, and K has fully functioning Eustachian tubes!!! We also got the doctor's bills from the break, and I'm happy to report that we won't have to mortgage the house to cover it. It actually wasn't bad at all - about $800 all in for the cast, doctor time, x-rays, and everything else. I mean, between these updates and JT learning she was pregnant, tell me last week wasn't incredible! I just can't believe I was overseas for all of it!
In other news, K continues to develop on so many fronts. We've started reminding her that she needs to sit with her legs forward or crossed ("criss-cross applesauce"), as apparently sitting back on your knees is detrimental to bone and joint development (who knew - certainly not this guy, so thank GOODNESS for my wife). I'm happy to report that K's already sitting better and almost always puts both legs forward without prompting. I knew everyone thinks their kid is a genius, and so I won't say that here (again). However, that child is a quick learner. THAT cannot be denied. 
She's also doing a better job undressing herself. She can now take her socks and shoes off, and usually with help she can get the pants off. Obviously the shirt will require a bit more time, but she's definitely making strides. She's also getting better at putting her pajamas on. The shirt typically can't be done unassisted, but the pants and socks are getting there. She's also starting to learn the alphabet now, and she's counting all the time. Jenny told me that, during K's most recent stint at Childwatch at NOMAD, Kaitlyn did a lot of counting for Brenda and Kathy. It should be noted that K is a celebrity now everywhere she goes. I saw her be recognized by the two instructors at the library, and everybody at NOMAD knows her and asks about her. She apparently plays with Maria the janitor and learns about the mop, plays with Brenda and Kathy, and there are about 700 other people who recognize her, look forward to her routines, and have been cheering for her throughout all these injuries. We are blessed.
Oh, and K FINALLY likes going to Church now. The secret? LOLLIPOPS. That's right, sports fans - I never would have thought the key to Christianity would be a "dum dum," but low and behold - K now practically RUNS into that daycare room. Too funny!
The last thing to note (aside from the fact that this child is now teething again - canines and 2 year molars are breaking through, and K has definitely had some irritable moments of late...but truth be told has been an angel and a trooper) started on the 27th. K is now doing headbutts and eskimo kisses. It's really, really, REALLY cute - especially the kisses of course. But hey - the headbutts aren't so bad either.In closing, I managed to spend some time this week committing the 12 month goals for Kaitlyn (really 10 months at this point) to paper. In a nutshell, things we hope to cross off this year (this is the prognostication so you can rate me later):
1. Crossing legs or sitting straight vs. on her knees
2. Stop thumb-sucking - I'll settle for just doing it less or only at night
3. Transition to a big girl bed
4. Completely eliminating the limp
5. Jumping again
6. Being able to dress herself
7. Being able to undress herself
8. potty trained
9. Spitting toothpaste
10. Nightly prayer
11. Transition to a new room
I know we've made progress on some of these items, and I'm confident we'll knock all of them off before K's 3 year. And no matter what - it's going to be a fun ride...and QUITE the adventure come December. :-)
Okay, that's all the news that's fit to print. I am the luckiest man alive! Chat soon!
Love,
Sam and Jenny
No comments:
Post a Comment