Motor Skill Mania!!!!

Age of Lady Kaitlyn:  6 months and 27 days

Family,

Nothing beats peas, baby!!!

And a good Monday evening to you from the Queen City, where my wife is currently getting ripped in 30 and (NO JOKE) jogging around the island in the kitchen.  I don't really know how to respond to what I'm seeing right now - but she sure is hot. :-)

This week was a BLUR for Team Taylor, but it was packed with milestones yet again!  It is AMAZING how alert Kaitlyn has become over the last few days.  Over the past weeks and months she's become progressively more alert and inquisitive, but this weekend has witnessed an explosion of activity!  This past weekend saw her roll over twice from her tummy, and she's made HUGE strides in the sitting department (wow - that wasn't really meant to be a pun, but whatever).  On Thursday I sat her up in the crib, and she was legitimately able to sit there for 90-120 seconds without any assistance from me.  She's now able to push herself back up when she falls forward, which means she's learned to "negotiate the breast milk belly" as our Peds would say.  And where she was previously lunging all over the place, she's now much more in control.

EGAD!  Why are the Vols wearing gray?

On the tummy time front, it is AMAZING the difference now.  She no longer gets tired.  In fact, she not only keeps her head up during tummy time, but she is now pushing herself up more and more.  Today was a new record - she was basically pulling up into Cobra - WOW!

You caught me - I AM little bunny Foo Foo.

Another VERY exciting development for us is that she's largely stopped tilting her head to one side when she's unsupported.  We'd noticed this several weeks ago, but last week one of the teachers at the daycare mentioned it as well.  I have to give Ms. Arriva all the credit in the world, as she instantly put her on "baby physical therapy," and it is CRAZY how dramatically things have improved.  During the day, every toy K reached for was on her left side, so that she had to look that way.  The teacher also did stretches to work out the sore muscle, and she even put her on her side to sleep (which is how she now naps - usually with her right arm slung over her face - too cute :-)).  She also told us to support her neck in the infant carrier and stroller, and we've started that.  The results, I am THRILLED to say, have been almost instantaneous - now it's up to us to keep monitoring her progress.  She definitely has the neck strength now, so we'll just ensure we're keeping her looking in both directions.

Wife Muffin getting "ripped in 30" - Munch,
your mom has traded in laps in a pool for
trying to turn her arms into a helicopter -
it's the ultimate sacrifice! :-)

In the food department, we've now added carrots to the regime, and she LOVES them.  Seriously - she finished an ENTIRE JAR tonight, and there was basically NOTHING on her bib.  I mean, her mother and father dog carrots like it's nothing on a nightly basis, so perhaps it was something in the breast milk.  Stay tuned, as green beans are the next food on the docket. :-)  I will say that, after trimming down pre-starting solids, the munch is starting to put a little weight back on.  She's getting her little rolls back, and she is SOOOOOOOOOO CUTE - peppy cheekies.

But I would be remiss if I didn't highlight one tough aspect of the week - leaving Gateway Academy daycare.  After a short 4 week stint there, Team Taylor had to say farewell to the staff, who are some of the nicest and most wonderful people on the planet.  I honestly can't say enough good things about the entire crew, and the best part was watching K's face light up each morning when she saw her teacher.  They called her "love love," and I heard more than once that she gave the best hugs.  It was tough saying goodbye, and they gave us a very nice farewell note that now resides in K's baby chest.  I'll talk more about daycare in the next blog (coming on JT's birthday next Sunday), but for now let me say THANK YOU, members of the Gateway Academy team.  You were terrific, and I can't thank you enough for how you looked after our little girl.

But in happy news, 2 events to report from this week.  First off - THE CONDO WENT UNDER CONTRACT ON FRIDAY!!!!!  After 90 or so days on the market, Team Taylor got a solid offer and accepted after a brief negotiation.  We close in less than a month!  Fingers crossed it all works out!  And whilst we are obviously THRILLED to be selling it (as that was the goal of putting it on the market!), we both definitely got a wee bit sad when thinking that the place we called home for half a decade and owned for 8 years was about to pass to someone else.  It was the first place we ever owned together, the first place we returned to as husband and wife, and the place that allowed us to live our dream of traveling overseas for so many years.  We have a TON of fond memories of "the way station," and I hope the new owners have as many wonderful adventures as we did whilst calling that place home.

The twins on their 3 month (quarter year)
birthday - Steve bought pumpkin pie to
celebrate, and the girls were gussied up.

Lastly, Sammy the Bull played hooky this weekend and actually flew down solo to Florida, where I crossed off a bucket list item - seeing a game in the Swamp.  That's right, sports fans, this guy even donned Gator Orange and Blue to watch the Gators beat the Hogs in an SEC showdown.  I went with cousin Steve, and it was an absolute BLAST.  And whilst my exploits aren't the focus of this blog, they can be included when I get to see family - ESPECIALLY THE TWINS!!!  It's amazing what a difference 6 weeks has made.  They are holding their heads up much better, the are growing like weeds, and one of them is even sleeping through the night (Malin - McKinley is still getting up 2-3x per night).  I only got to see them a few hours, but it was fantastic, and got some GREAT pics.

I know that was a quick one given how much happened and how many accomplishments there were to record.  However time is precious, and this guy's gotta get some food before bottle preparation begins!

Love,

Sam and Jenny

5 AM starts and feet eating - the journey of parenthood cranks up another notch...

Age of Lady Kaitlyn:  6 months and 18 days

Family,

Party Rock is in the house tonight...

And a good Sunday afternoon to you from the Queen City, where the Munchkin is PASSED OUT in the infant carrier on the couch as I type this.  Now into her third straight week with congestion, this weekend has seen the first appearance of yellow snot (yes, you're welcome for that visual) and more consistent use of the Nose Frida.  Granted, I still have a slight fear we're rattling her brain case with each usage, but the results (and the grossness factor of a A BILLION GILLION BASQUILLION) are undeniable, as she does breathe much easier (and sleep better) on the process completes.  The munch has also developed the CUTEST snore in the history of snores (I'm listening to it now - absolute music in my ears).  But I digress - let's recap the week, shall we?

An emotional start to every day - my 2 girls getting
their cuddles in before the work day kicks off.

And yes - that is my daughter ATTACHED
to my face.  VERY hygienic.

I come to you today as one TIRED individual.  Now first off, let's give Muffin Puffin all the credit in the world, as for the past 3 weeks she's woken up like a champ at 5 AM, pumped, gotten ready, and rolled out the door by 6:15 (after giving the munch a hug and kiss).  Sammy the Bull, however, has been quite content to lay in bed until 5:45, soaking up the sounds of silence and milking every last second of sleep before grabbing a quick shower and rousing K.  This week, however, the Bull decided to get up at 5 AM with JT, the idea being I could log a quick 2-2.5 miles in the morning before commencing the day.  Basically I was breaking my own rule - I'd told myself that, when Jenny went back to work, I would NOT try to run at 5 AM but instead would go for lunch time jogs.  However, as work has been (and I fear will consistently be) crazy and non-stop during the day lately, afternoon jogs were just not in the cards.  Consequently, I've been left with little choice but to get up early and pound the pavement for 20 minutes.  I'm only logging 2-2.1 miles in each clip, but no complaints from this guy - it's less wear & tear on my body, I am still getting some exercise, and it definitely gets the blood pumping in the morning!  In fact, the great part is that, by the time I fire up my laptop at 7:30, I've already had 2.5 hours of "me time" - the jog, getting ready, feeding the munchkin, and the drive to & from daycare.  Hard to complain about that!  Although I would be remiss if I didn't say that the new bedtime (9:15-10 PM) has been an adjustment.  I can't remember the last time I didn't see the end of a Sunday night or Monday night football game!  But hey - no complaints:  welcome to the new world order. :-)  Bring it on!

College photo #1:  GO KNIGHTS!  SO CLOSE to a victory of the Gamecocks this weekend.

Oh, and it should ALSO be noted that my wife continues to be more and more the beast of the East.  Now not only is she getting up at 5, pumping twice, working a full day, commuting uptown, and taking care of K in the evening, but she's also added a 30 minute workout to the daily routine!  That's right, sports fans - Jenny has now started the Jillian Michael's "Ripped in 30" program, which means that every night at 7:30 she can be seen running in place in the living room, throwing around weights and doing enough crunches on a nightly basis to put me in the hospital for a month.  She's doing this 4 nights a week AND then running on the weekends.  She's wasting away, I tell you!  I've told her that I'm going to mandate she eat 3 pizzas a week just to keep the calorie count even - talk about one hot mama (literally)!

Despite feeling a bit tired, the week has been absolutely FANTASTIC.  Munch Munch has had 2 BIG milestones this week.  First off - she's now finally eating her feet!  It was totally unexpected, but I had her on the changing table and suddenly WHA-BAM - the toes were being consumed voraciously. :-)  It should be noted that, despite her newfound love of eating her own feet, she does NOT like it when daddy stalks her with a camera to try and capture a photo.  In fact - quite the opposite.  The second she sees me walking her way with the iPhone, she instantly drops the foot and gives me the "not today, homey!" look.  Too cute.  But hey - eventually she does get distracted, as evidenced by the fact I do have a photo of the occasion. :-)

Also, we started veggies!  On Saturday we introduced the munch to peas, and can I just say WOW - that girl LOVES peas.  I mean, maybe she was a Brit in a past life, because she DEVOURED A QUARTER JAR like it was nothing.  I mean, seriously - WHO LIKES PEAS?  But as my mother said - if all you'd had was breast milk for the past 6+ months, you'd like peas as well.  Hard to argue with that logic...

College mascot #2 - GO VOLS.  But to quote one of my
buddies - "Dude, your man pajamas = epic fail."

The munch is actually doing much, MUCH better at eating her Oatmeal as well.  She had 4 tablespoons on Sunday, and she CRUSHED IT.  She now knows to open her mouth in advance of the spoon, and as long as the consistency is there, she will chew it before swallowing.  It has been really amazing to watch her learn this so quickly - such an adventure!

College #3:  GO HEELS!!!!  But seriously - 55-31 to ECU?

On item we are now having to monitor is that she very often has her head cocked to one side, regardless of whether she's in the bumbo, on the playmat, or (most noticeably) in the stroller.  Our daycare teacher says that she thinks she's got a sore muscle, so daddy's gonna have to start working overtime on that.  She's told us to keep all of her toys on one side so that she always has to reach for them, so we'll be implementing that practice ASAP.

As for the weekend itself, it was just perfect.  The weather was phenomenal, I got the chance to run, we watched some football, and we even FINALLY bought our dining room chairs (and bench!).  We had our first Hawthorne's pizza in quite a while, and we even made it out to Cracker Barrel on Sunday to meet my buddy Noel, his wife Erin, and their 6 month old son Walker.  It was great catching up with him, and the highlight was when K and Walker noticed each other and held hands!  Too bloody cute.

Nobody does it like mama does it!

K definitely woke up earlier than normal both days, so we've taken that as a sign that she's getting hungrier and consequently needs more solids.  We're ramping it up according to the instructions, and I do think it's helping.  She also slept basically ZERO this weekend (aside from the 11-12 hour sleeps during the night, of course), and I was shocked that she was even able to function.  Now that being said, she was definitely "Kicky Kickerson" by the end of the day.  But Jenny has this AMAZING ability to calm her instantly at night before bed.  Every time she puts her down, she instantly finds her thumb and then passes out - no drama.  No crying.  No fussing.  AWESOME.  

Jenny also has the ability to make her laugh like NO OTHER.  I actually hadn't heard her laugh until this week, but when Jenny starts tickling her and blowing on her belly, she just cackles.  Other people have tried this same routine, but she's not fooled - nobody does it like her mama. :-)

Stop lookin' at boys, K - we've talked about this...

Okay, this guy is gonna call it a wrap.  Chat with you next week, where I expect to have loads of stories about new foods and new discoveries!

Love,

Sam and Jenny

Solids and snot suckers - the making of a perfect family weekend...

Age of Lady Kaitlyn:  6 months and 11 days

Family,

And a good Sunday afternoon to you from the Queen City, where the Bull, Striker, and Munchkin have just bid fare well to Grand-Nanny and Grammie.  Talk about an amazing weekend!  But I get ahead of myself - let's wind it back to Sunday, when the Bull left you just 2 hours before heading to Charlotte-Douglas for his flight to Sao Paulo.

For my part, the work week was very productive but a BLUR of activity.  11 hour days, meetings in 3 languages, and a string of taxis, espressos, catered lunches, payroll discussions, and heavy dinners made 3 days pass very quick, leaving me scrambling at 3 PM on Wednesday for my cab to the airport.  The airport itself was an adventure, and let's just say between flight delays, security checks, and a connection in Rio, the Bull BARELY made it home in time.  But as I sat down on that flight at 10 PM on Wednesday night, I could NOT have been happier, as I was headed home to all 5 of my girls (K, Wife Muffin, my mom, Nanny, and Katie the Corolla :-)).

Grammie giving K her daily dose of literature.

As usual, my wife was an IRON WOMAN, getting up at 4:45 so that she could get ready between 5-6 before rousing the munchkin, changing and feeding her, and then dropping her at daycare before kicking off a full workday.  Her mom came on Sunday and again on Tuesday, provided some welcome help with  daycare prep (i.e. bottle washing, formula mixing, etc) and with bath time.  I was surprised to learn that, due to being SUPER stopped up with a small cold/sinus infection, the munch actually woke up in the middle of the night for the first time if 4 months on the Sunday whilst I was flying to Brazil.  Apparently she just needed a bit more food, and after that she settled.  She woke up again on Tuesday night, but this time she was able to put herself back down.  Also, my mom and grandmother (Nanny) arrived on Wednesday night, as originally I'd thought I'd be in SP during different days AND we wanted K to have a few days outside of daycare.

Now JT had warned me about how stuffed up the Munch was, but nothing really prepared me for it until I saw it first hand on Thursday.  I landed at 6:40, was in the care by 7:20, and rolled back to the house about 7:55.  I walked in to find the Munch had just woken up, so I started feeding her right after lotion and an outfit change.  Well, all I can say is that it was HEARTBREAKING to watch the feeding session, as poor Kaitlyn couldn't breathe AT ALL when she started to suck on the bottle.  Since she couldn't eat, she started to get upset, meaning that she went for her comfort mechanism - her left thumb.  However, when she tried to suck her thumb for relief, she again realized that she couldn't breathe through her nose, meaning that she was now starving, stuffed up, AND unable to soothe herself.  The only word to best describe this was....MELTDOWN.

The Munch and the Nan - sooooo cute.

The munch's new sleeping posture - but
only for naps.  The big sleep is still on her
back - for now...

It took a good 30 minutes to calm the munch, during which time she cried harder than I had ever seen her.  As a guy fresh off 3 days speaking another language and 2 red-eyes in 4 days, I was NOT ready for this.  However, we did manage to get her calm, and eventually we managed to clean out her nose enough to finish the feed.  How did we clean her nose, you ask?  Well, let me introduce you to the GROSSEST THING YOU WILL EVER LOVE - the Swedish Nose-frida snot sucker.  In a word - WOW.

So here's the deal for those of you who've never seen it.  Basically you have a tube you put at the tip of the baby's nose, and this tip has a few plastic filters between your mouth and hers.  The rest of the contraption is just one big tube, with the other end being a tip you put IN YOUR MOUTH.  Directions for instruction?  Really simple - SUCK REAL HARD.  The result?  Snots comes FLYING out of your child's nose and pulled into the vortex of the central plastic tube.  Seriously - it is DISGUSTING, but it WORKS, as instantly the Munch was breathing better.  Now granted, I was pretty sure we were slowing rattling her brain with the sucking, but repeated reviews have confirmed that no, we are not in fact ripping brain matter out of our daughter's cranium.  Insert enormous sigh of relief here. :-)

The Nose Frida Snot Sucker - I mean, the
looks on all faces pretty much sums it up.
JT's lung capacity had me pretty worried our
daughter would soon lose her front cerebral
cortex.

There were 2 meltdowns that day, and I will confess that the Bull was rattled and NOT ready for his daughter being so frustrated.  However, by the end of the day, the munch was exhausted, and all was well.  However, this day had it's own VERY special highlight - THE MUNCH STARTED SOLIDS!!!!  That's right, sports fans - the Munch had her first ever tablespoon of oatmeal cereal on Thursday, September 19th.  It was HILARIOUS!  Seriously - at first she didn't know WHAT to make of it, but we really do think that she enjoyed it.  And YES - she was wearing 97% of it on her bib and face when it was over, but I think we can safely confirm that there's no "texture aversion" to this must basic human gruel (1 part dried infant oatmeal, 4 parts breast milk).   K's seeing other food changes as well now, as this week we finally started introducing a mixture of formula and breast milk into the bottles.  We started the week with 5 oz of breast milk and 2 oz of formula, but we've already increased the formula to 3 oz per bottle.  In terms of brand, so far Similac seems to agree with her, but for us it's been the adjustment of her now eating less with each feed and eating less frequently (pure breast milk metabolizes faster, so we're having to figure out how to modify her schedule and ensure she still gets at least 24 ounces of milk/formula within her 11.5-12 hour waking schedule).  JT's even gonna try only pumping twice today, which would be a huge win for her if she could drop the afternoon session going forward.  Stay tuned next week... :-)

And so the journey begins - K's first bite of solids.

Look at that game face!  This stuff is the JAM - bring it on!

Journey's end - with about .00001% consumed and ingested.

Thursday was another big one for K, as she had four - count 'em, FOUR - shots at the doctor.  She had the standard 3 vaccines for a 6 month old, plus we also administered her flu primer.  She was a ROCK STAR,  not even crying after the first injection!  She whined for a second on shots 2 and 4, but the nurse was great (lightning fast) and K is tough as nails, so the end result was a quick trip to the doctor and K back in time for her nap.  This kid really is amazing.

The weekend itself was just PERFECT.  K rolled quite a bit, rolling on her side and then mostly over (still can't duck that shoulder) during each of her naps.  She's felt much better over the weekend, and once the work week was over I was able to relax a lot more and enjoy the time with the family.  Steve (aka Grand Pooh) even made the drive over the mountain on Saturday, so we really did have the whole gang here!  Nanny and mom cooked every meal for us (we literally did NOTHING), cleaning up after each session, watching the munch while we did some other errands, and washing clothes to get the place spic and span before they left.  It was GREAT, and just having the chance to unwind and relax was a blessing after the week we'd had.

Tomorrow is back to the grind stone, but Team Taylor has recorded several good sleeps, had plenty of good food, and even managed some exercise over the last couple of days, all of which has been MOST welcome.  Also, the munch is feeling better (in truth, I'm the one feeling rough now), which certainly makes us breathe easier (no pun intended).

I will say that, as I'm still recovering from the trip to South America, I think it's safe to say that my days of instantly bouncing back from travel might be over.  It's not that I haven't managed to get some sleep, as I have.  I think it's more that, in the new world order, there are always things to be done, and just sitting around and sleeping in is officially NOT an option for the foreseeable future.  That means be VERY careful about over-extending or over planning, as finding recovery time is much more difficult than it used to be.  That being said, I am sitting here like a knot on a log at present counting down the minutes until the Panthers kick off, so I can't REALLY say I don't have that much free time or opportunities to recuperate. :-)

Mom, Nanny, Steve, Jan - thank you all SO MUCH for the help this week and for coming to visit us and the Munch.  As always, it was SO GREAT to have family around - it just goes too fast!  See you all soon!

Love,

Sam and Jenny

The Munchkin's first week at Daycare...

Age of Lady Kaitlyn:  6 months and 4 days

Family,

Possum Kingdom here we come!

And a good Sunday afternoon to you from the Queen City, where Team Taylor has LOVED some much needed and highly anticipated quiet family time this weekend.  Alas, it will end too soon for this humble bard, as a flight to the Southern Cone is calling me.  Before I make my stage, however, I did want to at least recap the week, which has been a tough one emotionally for Team Taylor - K's first week at daycare and Jenny's return to work.

First, the good news:

1.  Jenny really likes her job and the people she works with.   Her manager is terrific and very understanding of her situation, and most of the folks sitting with her also have young children and are focused on a solid work/life balance. I can't say enough how happy I am about that, as I'm sure that has made and will continue to make the transition easier.

2.  After a tough first day, K seems to be adjusting nicely to her surroundings at Daycare.  She already seems to recognize the other kids and the teachers, and she's actually adjusted her schedule quite nicely to a routine that fits for all parties.

3.  Whilst the house is insanely silent, I also have found peace and a balance in this early going.  Selfishly I've been very lucky, as I now get even more bonding time with Kaitlyn.  I get to wake her and feed her in the morning, and I take her to daycare prior to kicking off my day.  My team has been terrific about managing around my 6-7:30 AM "blackout period," and being with her (even if she's a bit fussy) is obviously a great way to start the day.

Now, the tough part:

1.  I don't want to speak for the missus, but I think it's safe to say that she misses her morning and afternoon time with Kaitlyn terribly.  She's been an absolutely trooper, but I know she's worried that Kaitlyn is going to forget who her mommy is.  Whilst I know this isn't the case (Kaitlyn still lights up like a Christmas tree when she sees her, and she doesn't hug anybody the way she hugs her mom), it's still obviously tough for her to see someone else spending 9 hours a day with her.  The part that kills me is that I can't do anything to help ease the pain - not an easy predicament for someone who's a self-proclaimed "fixer!"

The Infant room - where the magic happens...

2.  The schedule is now much more regimented and demanding.  The day starts at 5:45 and goes non-stop until about 9 PM, with a 30 minute "decompression break" in there at some point around dinnertime.  Now I know this will get easier (in fact, it already has in terms of managing one's time), but that was a big adjustment, and I definitely find myself less rested (despite getting in bed before 10 PM every night - those Monday Night Football games are a thing of the past).

3.  The agony of the balance - work vs. family:  this isn't a cliche - this is ABSOLUTELY true.  How does one balance the needs of the family with the demands of work?  Our managers and teammates have been TERRIFIC, but there's still a guilt that you ultimately can't avoid.  I don't know that we (or anyone) will ever figure that one out, but I like advice from one of my friends:  "Wherever you are at that moment, be there 100%.  It's not a science, and you have to give yourself credit for what you do right as well as what you do wrong."  Personally, I think we're doing ok at present, but it's still been a draining week emotionally and mentally, especially knowing that I'll be out of town for a bit next week.  

The schedule has been:

5:45 - wakeup and shower

6 - wake up the munchkin, 5 min of tummy time

6:05-6:15 - lotion, diaper change, outfit change

6:15-6:35 - feed while JT pumps and gets ready

6:35-6:45 - burp and a little playtime

6:45-7 - Pack-up and get out the door

7:15 - arrive at Daycare

Daycare is a place called Gateway Academy, and they've been terrific so far - very patient with us as we learn the ropes (no shoes in the infant room, always wash your hands upon entry, breast milk in a sealed bag, etc).  We really like the teachers, and I've been happily surprised to find them always engaged with Kaitlyn upon my arrival - either singing to her, talking to her on the playmat, or something else.

Day 1 was tough for her, but I think it was because she was SO tired.  She'd gone to bed at her normal time, but she work up at 6 AM, an hour earlier than normal.  By Day 2, however, she was already a rockstar, logging 2 solid naps and building out a terrific schedule.  Days 3-5 were just as good, but an interesting change has already transpired - it seems as though K wants to drop her last nap of the day (usually around 4-5:15), because she's consistently waking up at daycare between 1-1:30 and staying awake until bedtime (between 6:45-7).  Part of it is the noise at daycare - the teachers told us that anytime another child makes a loud noise or a child cries, K always wakes up (which we always expected).  However, some of it is, I think, the Munchkin just continuing to grow up!  And whilst she is VERY tired by the time her head hits the pillow for the evening, she's nowhere near as fussy as I thought she'd be.  Plus she will usually manage a quick cat nap in the infant carrier on the drive home from Daycare, so again - I can't complain.


Day 5 featured more than just wrapping the first week of daycare - THE MUNCHKIN HAD HER 6 MONTH APPOINTMENT!  I am VERY pleased and proud to say that all went well.  We did get yelled at for not yet starting her on solid foods, but that's on the schedule for the immediate future (aka some time later this week).  In terms of motor skills, coordination, and physical inspection, everything seemed right on track, and we were told that we have a very healthy, happy girl.  THAT, ladies and gentleman, is all any mother and father could ever want to hear. :-)

In terms of the statistics, the munchkin is now 16 pounds and 5 ounces, putting her in the 50th percentile for weight.  Oddly enough, she's now down to just the 12th percentile for height, coming in at 24.5 inches.  But the biggest announcement is that her little bone head is now in the 25th percentile!  Oh, yeah - feel the brain power, baby!!!

Check out my new high chair!

Oh, and as if there wasn't ENOUGH in this post already, how's this for a milestone - THE MUNCH ROLLED OVER ON THURSDAY!!!!!!  That's right, sports fans - Kaitlyn Elaine Taylor has crossed off another BIG milestone!  She was in her crib, and we had literally JUST LOOKED AWAY for a second before Jenny said, "It sure went quiet."  Well, she went to check the monitor again (I had walked upstairs), and then she suddenly comes pounding up the stairs saying "I think she just rolled over."  well, we bounded in there like we were rescuing her from the zombie apocalypse, only to find her quite calm, checking out the new view of the world.  We flipped her back over, and, well - SHE STARTED SCREAMING LIKE A BANSHEE.  But soon enough she was calm, and we've not yet had a repeat performance.  However, that girl is ALL OVER her crib, so it's only a matter of time.  Her favorite activity now is sliding all the way to the top of the crib and falling asleep once her head's squarely in the corner - too cute.

Working on "sitties" - we're almost there!
Well, until K falls over and crashes into our
ankles - how does she always find the one spot
she should NOT crash into?

The weekend itself has been amazing.  Friday night we went to a party at Hitman's house, where we had an absolute blast and stayed over in his attached 2 bedroom apartment (talk about a KILLER view - that place feels like a vacation home!), and we spent Saturday watching football and going for a walk in the PERFECT weather.  It was the Munch's first time facing forward in our B.O.B. and she loved it - so much more for her to see and do.  And now that we finally have the BOB's tires inflating, pushing her uphill is even manageable (of course, not having the infant carrier in there - about 15-20 lbs - certainly helps as well!).

Oh, and I would be remiss if I didn't mark a win for the ages and Kaitlyn's roll in it.  After being lifetime 0-7 vs. the Big Ten, the UCF Golden Knights had a win for the ages in Happy Valley last night, knocking off the Penn State Nittany Lions 34-31 in a classic before a near capacity crowd of almost 100,000 people!  Big win for the program, baby!  Now let's see if they can repeat it in Columbia, SC, next weekend.  We'll be doing our part here in the Queen City, as K will be wearing what we've officially decided is her lucky Knights outfit!  This was the outfit she was wearing (while passed out, but details) when the Knights shocked Penn State - I feel a tradition brewing!

U-C-F!  Let's goooooooo Knights!

Okay, I know this one was long, but WOW - what a week.  6 months of age, the 6 month dr. appt, a great weekend, AND the start of daycare.  No two ways about it - Jenny and I are SPENT emotionally, mentally, and physically.  That being said, we now know what to expect, and the new routine is already forming.  Jenny's down to 3 pumps a day (and amazingly, her body has figured that out and started producing more at each session - the human body really is a miracle).

Lastly, I would be remiss if I didn't brag on my wife for how she's handled this week.  Emotionally, she's had to do the impossible and trust our daughter to total strangers.  Mentally, she's had to begin work in a new role with new activities and new challenges, all with her trainer starting a 2 week vacation tomorrow.  Physically she's now getting up at 5 AM every day, working a full day, pumping 3 times, managing household chores, AND continuing to spend quality time with our baby girl.    No other way to say it - Mother of the Year.

Okay, this guy is gonna watch the Panthers for a bit and get something to eat before the Munch wakes up.  Sammy the Bull flies to Sao Paulo in 4 hours, so he wants to get all the quality time in he can ahead of saying farewell.

Chat soon!

Love,

Sam and Jenny

Lady Kaitlyn rolls 6 months

Age of Lady Kaitlyn:  6 months on the nose!

Family,

And a good afternoon to you on this special mid-week edition of RKWTT, where the Bull is reporting a BIG milestone - THE MUNCH IS 6 MONTHS!!!!  WOW - seriously, where on EARTH has the time gone?  My dad said it will this morning when I sent him a recent photo:  "She's really getting that little girl look now."  And I will also quote KJ's comment on the Michelin baby photo:  "Look at that smile!  #cutest thing ever." :-)

There is NO QUESTION our daughter is rapidly growing up before our eyes.  Tummy time is now a breeze - again thanks to the incredible efforts and dedication of my wife.  K can now hold her head up as long as she wants and never complains.  In fact, yesterday I was exhausted from playing a peek-a-boo game with her in the crib and she never lowered her head once - AMAZING!

Somebody's finally found both feet!!!

She's almost sitting, has found both feet, and is definitely close to teething.  Some of the rashes she's carried for the previous few months are subsiding, thanks largely in part to her getting a bit taller and slimmer.  She can stand on mommy and daddy with little help, is capable of raising herself up when she  wobbles a bit in the sitting position, and is quite the talker now (or babbler, should I say).  Her eyes are starting to predict where something will be, and I think she's even starting to respond to her name.  Granted, she has about 60 of them, and since anyone would respond if you shouted at them long enough, I can't verify this fact.  However, you get my point - she's growing up fast.

With such a pensive gaze, she MUST be my child...but only
if she's thinking - could we dip this horse in hot sauce?

We have her 6 month appointment on Friday, and I will be curious to see where she stacks up on all the percentages.  I think she's definitely grown some and trimmed down a bit, and I'm thinking her head will still be in the bottom quartile (no complaints on any of those fronts!).  And I'm sure we'll get dinged for not having started solid foods yet, but honestly - that just feels like a bridge too far right now, especially since she's still sleeping through the night and can't sit up on her own.  I think we'll be there by the end of the month, but I'm really in no hurry on that, especially given that I'll have work trips and will be out of town for a few days each of the next 2 weeks.  Luckily we're gonna get some grandparent support for Muffin Puffin - that will make a HUGE difference.

And whilst there will be a bigger post about it during the week in review, I can confirm that Team Taylor has survived 3 days worth of daycare.  Having Team Taylor (party of 3) in 3 different locations is DEFINITELY an adjustment, and I think yesterday (Tuesday) was the worst for everyone.  Monday was such a rapid fire of activity that we didn't have a chance to think about anything, and there was still this feeling of "oh, it's just for today."  It definitely sunk in on Tuesday, and that was tough for everyone.  That being said, K was RESILIENT on Tuesday, getting in 2 terrific naps and elongating her feeding schedule PERFECTLY to allow for 2 bottles at daycare and then a quick nap at casa de Taylor before the final feed.

U-C-F - Let's Gooooooooo Knights!  Look at the newest Glycerin!

I don't want to spoil the first week of daycare recap, so I'll shut up now.  Suffice it to say that we're surviving - baby probably better than parents. But then again, something tells me that's true of EVERY set of parents during this first week of separation.

Okay - more to come later this week.  Chat soon.

Love,

Sam and Jenny

And so a new chapter begins - my girls leave the house...

Age of Lady Kaitlyn:  2 days shy of 6 months

Family,

And a good Sunday evening to you from the Queen City, where the's no denying that a cloud of sadness, anxiety, and apprehension are hanging over the Taylor household.  The reason?  After 6 months of being under the same roof, life as Team Taylor (party of 3) knows it will change tomorrow in two ways.  For starters, Jenny will start her new job with her new team.  And whilst we're both very excited about this, the corollary associated with it is a truth we haven't wanted to think about but no longer have a choice - the Munchkin starts daycare tomorrow.

Now don't get us wrong - we LOVE the daycare we've chosen.  The people seem great, the curriculum (YES, daycare programs have curricula now) looks excellent, the facilities are secure, the environment is clean, and there's no denying the benefits of socialization at an early age.  That being said, there's also no denying the truth that NOBODY will look after your children like you will.  I think that's the part that worries us, but more importantly it's the part that bothers and scares us, as we want to be the people interacting with her all day, every day - encouraging her to sit up, roll over, speak, and take her first steps.  Knowing that won't be our reality (in the immediate near term, at least) and that we'll be outsourcing child care 8-9 hours a day beginning tomorrow is proving a tough pill for Team Taylor to swallow, and this weekend has not been without its tears.

Look at that head control!  Wife Muffin's incessant dedication to Tummy Time has paid off!

Jenny has been an absolute trooper through this period, and I know it's tough for her right now.  Every day for the past six months she's fed, clothed, changed, coached, sang to, danced for, and looked over Kaitlyn.  The way K smiles when she sees JT or when she hears her voice is AMAZING - it's a smile that can melt a room, and certainly one that melts my heart.  I think tomorrow will be tougher for her because she's done SO MUCH for K in these 6 months - tummy time, building a schedule, keeping her stimulated and challenged - and my heart breaks at the thought of not being able to comfort her or

ensure her that everything will be ok.  And don't get me wrong - we both know that the new job will be terrific, filled with new challenges and good people.  However, there's no escaping the fact that, if we could do it, she would stay at home with K.  In that regard I feel I've let us down a bit, as I always thought we could live on one income.  To have the harsh reality hit you that, at present it's not possible, was a rather humbling blow (and certainly has done nothing to improve our spirits in the run-up to starting day care).  I haven't cracked yet, but I think it will hit me when I walk her into that daycare for the first time tomorrow (Jenny dropped her for a half day on Friday to get her acclimated and to confirm the protocols once we start this week, but I still haven't visited this spot).

Not sure how many of these we'll have left, but
we'll do it as long as we can.

As for the weekend itself, it has been terrific.  We've barely left the house in an effort to soak up every possible second with Special K.  We've rocked her longer (and more often) than normal, we've sang songs extra times, we've read new books, and most importantly - we've held each other longer and tighter.  In our heads we KNOW everything will be fine, but as the sun dips below the horizon and the moon rises on this late summer evening, it certainly does feel as though the inevitable has happened, closing 1 EPIC 6 month chapter in our lives and ushering us into a great unknown filled with greater financial stability but certainly less time to focus on our biggest priorities as a family.  However, as my mother has said many a time when speaking of visiting me:  "It's not about quantity - it's about quality."  Well trust me, sports fans - from here on out, we'll make EVERY second count.

For anyone who happens upon this page on Sunday, September 8, 2013 - think about us tomorrow morning.

For anyone reading this years after the fact - here's hoping we have a good chuckle about this post some day.

Either way - wish us luck.  All three of us. :-)

Love,

Sam and Jenny

A trip for the ages - Team Taylor goes to the Left Coast...

Age of Lady Kaitlyn:  5 months and 3+ weeks

Family,

The Munchkin was an ANGEL on the plane -
check her out just taking in the sights...and
recycled air...

And a good evening to you from the Queen City, where the Bull is laid up due to the world's most bizarre foot pain.  I woke up yesterday unable to put any weight on my foot, and unfortunately it's not improved much today.  I'm going to give it through the weekend to see if it improves, after which time this guy has GOT to make a trip to the doctor.  But I will count myself fortunate, as this injury (if you can call it that) occurred at the end, rather than the beginning, of one of Team Taylor's best trips in a long time.

So a bit of back story - several years ago my buddy Chuck and his wife Catherine (Cat as we call her) moved out to Seattle, Washington.  Chuck is one of my best friends and absolute FAVORITE people on earth, and we'd been talking about getting out for a visit forever since returning from Singapore.  Also, we hadn't seen each other in 3.5 years (since the ash cloud in London), and so JT and I were extra keen to make it work.  Add in the fact that they now have a 1 year old daughter, and, well, what better time to fly across country than when you've got a baby in tow, eh? :-)


Team Taylor used our companion tickets for this one, getting Kaitlyn a seat on the flight.  In retrospect, this was money WELL SPENT.  For starters, we had a row to ourselves.  Secondly, when she was calm and could rest, mommy and daddy got a break.  Third, it's just amazing how much that extra bit of space helps.

The Bull and Munchkin arriving at Sea-Tac - with ZERO
naps to report between them...

All week we'd been worried about how the munchkin would fare on the flight and with the time zone.  Well, whilst it's no surprise to my mother (and really not to us truth be told), she was a DREAM baby.  She was awake almost the entire time, but she almost never cried, kept herself very content, and most notably did not decide to have a blowout on the flight.  That being said - she did have a blowout at the house SECONDS BEFORE WE LEFT, so we counted ourselves VERY lucky.

The flight was smooth, and we arrived on time at noon in the Pac North West.  Now it's no secret that JT and I love the West, and we certainly hope that K does as well (she'll have no choice as many times as we're gonna drag her out there).  If we can guarantee the fun we had this last trip, well - I'd say she could be the generation of Taylors who crosses the Mississippi.

Bathing the Michelin baby...

Thursday was a blast - visiting with CP and Cat, checking out their AMAZING craftsman home in Ballard, having a drink at Chuck's Hop Shop (an absolute RIOT for the record), and spending some time with our other friends Ryan and Shannon.  We ate like kings (they are both quite the cooks, and the food is all natural, which made it even tastier).  We were a bit scared upon arrival, as just 36 hours before the flight, CP had informed us that Archer (their 1 year old daughter) had just been diagnosed with hand, foot, and mouth.  However, Cat kept that place scrubbed, and we took extra steps to keep the kids separated.  So far, so good - fingers crossed.

What most amazed me was that Kaitlyn INSTANTLY adjusted to West Coast time.  She stayed awake for almost 16 straight hours, had 1 extra feed, and then just CRASHED at 7:15 PM - EXACTLY when she would go down at home.  It is just amazing to me how resilient kids are.  We then tucked into some of the best burgers I've ever had, I tasted my first Alaskan Amber on the West Coast in 8 years, and we enjoyed the perfect crispness of a Washington summer evening - all was right with the world.

The gang strolling Bainbridge island like a scene from Reservoir Dogs...

K's first boat ride - a commuter ferry that
reminded us SO MUCH of traveling from
Manly to Sydney.

This photo captures everything...except the
sound of a stroller crashing against the wall...

Friday started a run of fantastic days with perfect weather, plenty of sun, great food, and EXCEPTIONAL beer. :-)  JT and I had visited Seattle before (engaged in '05), but this trip highlighted another reason why we like that place so much - you can visit a hundred times and never repeat activities.  Friday's trip was Bainbridge Island, and it was SO MUCH FUN.  The ferry was something out of a Sydney postcard.  The meal (complete with local beer) was exceptional.  The winery, whilst not spectacular, was still great (picture random techno, a strange assortment of humans, a Simpsons chess set, and a stroller falling over - sans baby - and silencing the bar).  And we topped it off in SOLID form, getting some ice cream at Cat's favorite establishment.  We made it back over about 3 hours late for Archer's nap, but at least Archer (and CP) got some sleep in the car on the ride back across the water.  I couldn't stop looking at the view - SO AMAZING.  Dinner that night was delish - salad with a side of salad - and we crashed about 11.

Saturday was a day for the ages, if for no other reason than it was the start of college football, baby!!!  We rolled out to Woodinville, home to 125 tasting rooms scattered in a small area (as well as the home of Red Hook Brewing).  We hit 3 wineries, and the stuff was DELICIOUS.  We even had a fantastic picnic at one of them, buying a bottle of the local Syrah and knocking it back whilst our little munchkin slept.  It was AMAZING how good a traveler she was - I just can't say enough good things about my child.  I know, I know...but seriously - she is PERFECT.

Archer about half a second before realizing she was out of string cheese...

I think our fave spot was JM, and we picked up a pair of bottles there for the rest of the weekend (we bought a di Stephano as well).  We then rolled home for naps (which I didn't take but was the exception - had a Ranier Beer instead), after which time the babysitter came over and we went out for a night on the town, baby!  We were only out until 12:30, but we hit a pair of AMAZING bars and had a GREAT dinner.  Again, the munchkin went down without a peep, and she slept great on the ground floor with the noise machine blasting away.  The house felt so good in the evenings with a light breeze blowing through - it was CRAZY the transformation from 5 PM (hottest time of the day in Seattle) until 7:30 PM (when the wind kicks up).

Sunday was another great one, starting with the one stop we had on our itinerary - Gas Works Park.  We strolled around with the munchkin in the Bob, and she was GREAT (see a pattern here?).  This trip marked two big firsts - Sammy's first time using the Bjorn, and K's first time facing out in a stroller.  Let me tell you - Bob is the way to go!  And Kaitlyn seemed to love it - I know she absolutely enjoyed the way it laid all the way back like a hammock - that child slept like a ROCK anytime we stopped.  We then wandered over to the Fremont market, where we took in some great food, dodged some yellow jackets, and enjoyed a gorgeous day.  Chuck then walked us along the sound and the lake (and past some RIDICULOUS boat houses) over to one of the featured attractions of the day - the Fremont Street Brewery!  MAN, you talk about some good stuff - that summer ale was GREAT.  The cask of rosemary, honey, and lemon, however, was, well...DONKEY TRASH.  But hey - had to try it!

Pretty sure it's only a matter of time before
Social Services drops by for a visit...

We then rolled over to the best brewery in town - Ruebens.  This place was AMAZING, and we tried basically everything they had on offer.  We then rolled over to Hillard's, where we tucked into hemp beer and ate fried oysters the size of your fist - SO GUUUUUUUUUUD.  I mean seriously - it's hard to eat much better than we did on this trip.  Fresh food, tasty wine, cold brew - it was just perfect.

Monday was filled with lookouts, great meals, and a 3 mile walk around Green Lake.  I'd also jogged 4 miles that day, and when coupled with a mile walk pushing the stroller, I think I now know why my foot feels as though a serrated blade is cutting through it.  But it was all worth it, as that day was just fantabulous.  Plus we had another unexpected highlight - getting to visit Amazon HQ!  We saw some amazing views from their rooftop decks.  I mean seriously - who needs the Space Needle - just sit there and have a beer!

We ordered in pizza that night, and I could already feel the frumpies descending.  We had stopped at Chuck's Hop Shop for a few final pints (chocolate oatmeal stout), and we consumed the last bottle of wine and the rest of our brew purchases with some pizza, courtesy of the Powell family.  It was then off to bed before the Tuesday whirlwind of packing, pumping, and running out the door to catch out flight.  We landed in the QC at 9 PM, exhausted but with huge smiles on our faces, as we'd just lived 5 of the best days I've had in a long time.

K and Daddy say "Welcome to the Gun Show!!!!!"

I would be remiss if I didn't mention that a note of sadness definitely crept into the Bull on the flight back.  As I sat on that plane, my daughter asleep on my chest and my wife resting on my shoulder, there was the unmistakable sensation that this was it - the last great adventure of a chapter of our lives about to close.  We have great news in that Jenny got a job offer and will start on Monday.  But that also means that this shared existence we've had for the last 6 months, with the Bull, Striker, and Munchkin all under the same roof, ends officially in 4 days.  And whilst I know it has to happen and am so, so, SO grateful for the time we've had, I am really, really, really gonna miss not hearing the "Animal Cracker" song and hearing the jumperoo going during my workday.  Come on, lottery!!!

But at the same time, I cannot in ANY WAY complain.  I have my soul mate as a companion, our daughter continues to grow and be healthy.  We are happy at the day care we've chosen.  We have two jobs,  which will make a lot of things easier and will help us live out many other dreams that we have - international travel with Kaitlyn, being able to balance retirement with expenses - you name it.  And

there's also the truth that this is just the first of many chapters which will close (the second if you count my return to work), but the conforting fact is that each closure means a new chapter is opening, and you come into that chapter armed with more confidence, experience, and love than you had the last go-around.  That counts for a lot - bring it on. :-)

I realize I am getting ahead of myself, as a lot of these comments were planned for this weekend's blog. But hey, I'm here and they're on my mind - so I wanted them out there.

CP, Cat, and Archer - thank you all SO MUCH for everything.  You were such wonderful hosts, and we are SO HAPPY that your lives are going so well.  I can't say enough how proud I am of what you guys have accomplished and how terrific you are as a family.  We're already looking forward to the next trip.  The girls can tackle each other next time!

Love,

Sam and Jenny