A Thanksgiving filled with so many blessings...

Age of Lady Kaitlyn:  20 months and 21 days

Family,

And a good Tuesday afternoon to you from the Queen City, where the Bull is preparing to run 10 miles

"Guess who's going back to a bowl, daddy?
BIG ORANGE!!!!!"

and the Striker is with the munchkin at BJ's.  Another terrific week in the books, so let's get amongst it, shall we?

Special K doing what she does best:
stealing toys from the neighbor's garage.

This past week was Thanksgiving, and Team Taylor made the one hour drive down to South Carolina for the big day, spending Thursday and Friday with JT's folks.  As always, the food was INCREDIBLE, and I ate like a king.  I really make out like a bandit at the Tacy's, because neither of them eat enough to keep a bird alive - yet they cook enough to feed the Red Army.  BONUS, BABY!!!!

K of course LOVED her time with Nanny and Grandpa (as evidenced by the 185 decibel screaming session JT and I lived through as we left their house Saturday morning), and I'm happy to report that

"Let's go to Nanny and Grandpa's, mommy!"

she ate like a champ:  turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, croissants, ribs, barbecue, and even chicken wings!  The wings were of course a bit spicy, as evidenced by K's standard practice of trying to pull her taste buds off her tongue whenever we give her something with a little too much kick (picture trying to pull a hair off your tongue - it looks like that :-)).  She didn't sleep great the first night (and didn't nap at ALL on the Friday except for a bit in the stroller), but she was a champ throughout and had a blast running around the house - most of the time with a Santa hat on that COMPLETELY blocked her vision.  The highlight was when she crashed into the couch full speed and then bounced off it - cackling the whole time.  It's amazing to see how quickly she runs and how much stronger she's become while climbing now - that kid can pretty much pull herself onto any couch she sees.  Uh-oh... :-)

"My seat, Grandpa!!!"

Her favorite activity (ready for our "Parents of the Year" moment?) was walking up to the sewage pipe cap in their yard, cackling hysterically while looking at it, and then falling backwards into their grass - rinse/repeat this for about 30 minutes.  NOT JOKING.  It was too funny to watch - no idea what she found so amazing!

Saturday was a day of college football - Rivalry Saturday - and I will confess that I was somewhat of an absentee parent during the afternoon slate of games.  In my defense we still ran around the house, still played with balls, still fed our daughter, and still read to her constantly.  It's just that all the while I had an eye on the telly.  Yes, I will confess that I harbored some guilt about that.  But hey, THE VOLS WERE TRYING TO GET BACK INTO A BOWL!  I mean, that had to count for something. :-)

Sunday was Romp 'n Roll, and K was definitely still tired that morning (she's been taking awhile to settle at night now - same with the afternoon).  However, she put in a good 80 minutes of running around before heading back home to crash.  We hit the park in the afternoon, with the end result being quite the sleepy little munchkin by bedtime.

"Jiggle up and down, I'm a' ridin' on my pony..."

Thanksgiving dinner!!!  Num, Num!!!

In terms of development, K continues to assert her personality more and more - now in the form of trying to inflict pain upon her parents.  She's starting to dig those claws into our skin more and more (actually drew blood from JT today!), and so we're having to explain that "she shouldn't hurt mommy and daddy."  We haven't started disciplining her yet, but I feel certain that's on the horizon.  However, here's an example that showcases how we're not quite ready and that she can't quite tell right from wrong.  When she misbehaves in the high chair during feeding time, Jenny will pat her hand gently, tell her she's being a bad girl, and then explain why she shouldn't do something.  Well, after about 3 meals of this, K's next dinnertime found her once again throwing food onto the floor.  However, before Jenny could do anything, K slapped her own hand - with a smile wider than the Grand Canyon.  She was SO PROUD that she'd remembered to call herself a bad girl after purposely throwing food on the floor.  I mean, you want to tell her "bad girl," but she's so damn cute it's almost impossible - especially in moments like that.  However, on another occasion after JT told K that "she'd hurt mommy" (scratched her), K immediately came up to her and gave her a hug.  So we know some of it is getting through - it's just a question of how much (and how much does she truly understand consequences).

Nothing says Thanksgiving Day +1 like
a little 521 BBQ.

Proof that vision is highly overrated.

Another funny moment was when Jenny was talking about buying matching stockings for the family, and ten seconds later K runs in with my "Power T" stocking!  Did she know what we were talking about?  Hard to know, but apparently kids can learn 10 words a day right now (even if they can't say them back).  I just can't help but wonder how many of her 10 words a day are the 4 letter variety...and when they are going to manifest themselves...

Closing this post - Thanksgiving is obviously a time to reflect on all you have and how blessed you are.  It's something we should do every day but don't, and that's something I certainly want to be better about.  In looking at my life right now - amazing wife, healthy & happy kid, good friends, a house I enjoy coming home to, a job I like doing, health, family, a future filled with so much promise - I will quote my friend H when I say that "my cup truly runneth over."  I turned 37 this month, and I can

honestly say that I never thought 37 would be this good.  There was a great quote I read this past week:  "We try to teach our children about life, but children teach us what life is all about."  I think that's absolutely right, as the way in which my love for my wife and family has grown and the way my priorities have changed have all been such wonderful blessings, and a lot of that is down to becoming a father.  After returning from Singapore, I said that I was very much ready to settle down, and I meant that.  However, even after moving back to the states, buying a house in the burbs, and having a kid, I don't think my mind had fully adjusted to "the new normal" and what it meant to really put down roots, discover "the state I'm in," and "be where I was (or else you will miss your life, to finish the quote)."  I'm not saying I had wanderlust, because every single second I've been home has been incredible.  Instead, I'm saying that I don't think I've fully appreciated a) how amazing it is to be back home and b) how wonderful it is to really slow down and enjoy every day for the blessing that it is.  But in these past two weeks, I feel like something has clicked.  I'm now at that point where I am loving the minutia in whatever form it presents itself, and the somewhat slower pace has really felt comfortable.  If anything, it's been weird to NOT have an urge to travel and get on a plane, as that was such an integral part of life for JT and I for more than a decade.  Here's hoping this trend continues, as I'm loving every part of this new voyage of

K and her new friend Emmy in action.

discovery...even if I'm simply re-discovering the familiar.

I think some of this was sparked by a recent story I read on CNN about parents whose twins have Niemann-Pick Type C.  The story was heartbreaking, and their commitment to their children was amazing and deeply moving.  In reading about the disease and what it does to kids, thinking about what's left in the wake of that experience and loss, and then thinking about how blessed we are as a family, I was at first rattled (terrified it could happen to us) and then refocused - understanding that nothing is for certain and that every day should be lived (and enjoyed) to the fullest.  And as I enter the holiday season and start thinking about those New Year's resolutions, their story (and what it can teach all of us) will certainly be on my mind.

Lastly, a HUGE CONGRATS to Mindy and Craig Miller on the arrival of their newest bundle of joy - Seth Hedrick!  He arrived Monday, and we CAN'T WAIT to meet him and see how much Hayden has grown.  Love you all!

Okay, that's all the news that's fit to print.  Chat soon!

Love,

Sam and Jenny

Who says the sequel is never better? November Daddy Daycare Part II - a MUCH better experience...

Age of Lady Kaitlyn:  20 months and 13 days

Family,

"Kaitlyn, are you happy?"  "YES, DADDY!
Num, num!"

And a good Sunday afternoon to you from a rainy Queen City, where the Bull is watching the Lions and the Pats while the Munch sleeps upstairs.  What a great week, capped by a PERFECT weekend!  Let's get amongst it, shall we?

Pound for pound, this was really one of those golden weeks in the life of parents.  For starters, the Munch has shed much of her cold, and the copious amounts of mucus that was such a problem last week have all but subsided.  Sure, her nose is still running a bit, but what kid doesn't have a runny nose by this point in November (especially with the weather roller coaster we've been on).

Second, K's personality has been coming out more and more, and this week so a host of new phrases, games, and rituals.  Case in point - K LOVES piling up all her toys (animals, books, blocks, whatever) into a container right now.  And if it's not a container (the crib is a great example, as she loves to have all her stuffed animals brought to her in the mornings), then she'll make a big pile in the floor.  This kid can spend a good 20 minutes just moving stuff from place to place, only to take it back again.  The interesting part for me is that more and more she's learning how to entertain herself, and in those moments I get glimpses of how fleeting this time is where she wants to play with daddy.  Consequently I've been trying to make every second count, which has led to another new game - chase Kaitlyn for a hug. :-)

Kaitlyn has LOVED being chased lately, and it is INSANE how fast she's become!  She'll give me the

"Nana, is that you?"

look (complete with that smile and adorable dimple) that says, "Come get me, daddy!"  If I don't get up, I'll get a "Dada," coupled with the look and a few steps in the opposite direction.  And once "Daddy Dragon" gets up and starts chasing, the laughter comes fast and furious.  K will go round and round (and round!) the island in the kitchen, randomly throwing in detours to the other front rooms for good measure.  She loves it, and all the while I keep making noises so she knows I"m getting closer.  When I finally get to her, I say "I'm gonna get my hug" and then pick her up, usually turning her partially upside down while I get a kiss.  Love it!

Sittin' in a rocker, eatin' Betty Crocker...

I'm also back in K's good graces for the nighttime ritual, so she's back to letting me read.  Nighttime has actually become increasingly more wonderful in the past week or so, as K has changed her routine as well (in my favor).  Once I"m done reading to her, she slides off my lap and grabs 2 stuffed animals, which she then drops into the crib.  She instantly wants to go into the crib (but no longer says "night, night"), but she stands up the second you put her in.  I say, "Can I say night, night?", at which point she reaches up so I can lift her out of the crib.  She then instantly puts her head on my shoulder (TOO CUTE) and lays there as long as I will let her.  Let me tell you, as someone who knows this time is finite, that is pretty much THE BEST PART OF MY DAY.  I am trying to soak up every second of that and take it

all in, because who knows when that changes (too soon is the answer, regardless of when it actually does happen).  Until that day comes, however, Kaitlyn will have a welcome shoulder to lay on, helping to soothe her to sleep.

Those Crocs...TOO CUTE.  Thanks, Rice clan!

Another great one right now is that, whenever I go into K's room in the morning, she always wants to "sit in the breadbasket" and have daddy read to her.  I worked from home on Thursday, and since I didn't have meetings until later in the day, I went in with Jenny to see K when she woke up.  It's SO CUTE how she does it.  She hands me 5 or 6 books, gets a nice pile beside me, and then steps over my leg, smiles at me, and then backs into my chest.  She then sits down as close to me as possible.  So now when I say "sit in the breadbasket," she backs right up, puts her thumb in her mouth, and awaits her literary reward - LOVE THIS!

Life was great for Jenny this week as well, as NOMAD continues to be a blessing for us and working out great.  Both of us prefer all the facilities, but even more important is the fact that K LOVES the daycare!  Twice this week she actually cried because Jenny made her leave!  It's worked out so well for the whole family, and it's half the price and half the distance to boot!  I actually took K there on Saturday (Jenny's out of town this weekend) and got a great 90 minute workout in - you just can't beat it!



The weekend itself has been absolutely perfect.  Unlike Round 1 of Daddy daycare, this schedule was much more relaxed (and consequently much more successful).  Yesterday was NOMAD in the morning and then the park in the afternoon.  It was cold but clear, and K and I just got on great.  We had a terrific mixture of outside time, running around the house, and activities - all with a little Peppa thrown in to boot.  Plus K has eaten and slept GREAT all weekend - yesterday she was nowhere NEAR the fusspot she was last time.  Today has been great as well, as I FINALLY got the chance to go to Romp 'n Roll over in Harrisburg - so neat!  We had a good 80 minutes in there (can't be that for $10!), and K was in Heaven.  She went NON-STOP, so I'm thinking I'll have to wake her by 3 today (she was EXHAUSTED by the time she left - no complaints here!).  Baths have been easy, she's been a trooper, and it's just been a lot of fun.  Plus I taught her to say "All right!" today, and she's said it about 1,100 times (is definitely convinced it's what you're supposed to say before getting into the car :-)).

For my part, it's just been a good weekend to relax and refocus.  Thinking about 2015, my goals and
focus will revolve around "the 3 F's" - family, financials, and fitness.  I know it probably seems like I unload my thoughts on this blog every week, but this week has been a bit of a boon in terms of thinking about my future.  For starters, I decided this week that I'm not going to run a race in January or February.  Instead, I'm going to treat Huntersville as the last race on the calendar (and I've not even signed up for that yet) and then dial back some of my miles.  I am really enjoying running on the treadmill right now, and I want to avail of NOMAD and see what kind of shape I can really get in.  I want to start "bricking" - doing 2 sports every workout, and I want to keep all my runs under 1 hour.  I want to work on speed work and getting higher quality miles vs. quantity miles.  Plus I am just exhausted and want to ensure I can heal up my body.  Hopefully JT and I will be be 100% healthy in January and can then put some stuff on the calendar.  I'd love for her to get a "swim-cation" in for 2015 - I'm happy to stand on the beach with the Munchkin and cheer her on!

Last little bits for the Munch - she's started saying "Num, num!" whenever she sees a food that she likes.  It's cute, and it gets louder and louder if she thinks you "didn't hear her the first 28 times."  Also, whenever she sees a laundry basket, she'll start pulling out clothes, announcing whether the owner of each is Mama or Dada.  The funny part is that she places the accent on the First syllable, meaning we get "MA-ma" or "DA-da" at about 128 decibels whilst she goes through our knickers.

Ok, that's about all the news that's fit to print over here in Meck.  Speak to you soon - can't believe I got 2 posts done in 48 hours!

Love,

Sam and (fresh off watching the Head Ball Coach become bowl eligible yet again) Jenny

Something I thought I never see: a child who LOVES nose spray (that's right - I said NOSE SPRAY)...

Age of Lady Kaitlyn:  20 months and 10 days

Family,

Well, keeping pace with a Sunday schedule was clearly wishful thinking, and so let me bid you a

wonderful Friday afternoon from the Queen City, where the Bull has wrapped work and is now safely ensconced on the couch watching football while the Munchkin sleeps.  Wife Muffin is off with the girls  for a weekend (to watch football, no less!), and as I'm sitting here having an AFD, it feels like the perfect time to try and catch up on the week ending 11/16.

It was another great one for Team Taylor, albeit with a few rough patches along the way.  Monday was a tough one, as it marked the first time we've ever tried in-home care for K.  The bank has this fantastic program which gives you access to 25 days of in-home, personalized childcare at a ridiculous rate, and given that I was working and JT was still away, we decided to avail of it to see how it would go.  I am very happy to report that the caregiver was FANTASTIC - exceptionally well prepared, very friendly, and 100% dedicated to K the entire time she was there (8 hours!).  She even offered to help tidy the house, fold/put away clothes, and empty the dishwasher once K was down.

And just like that - K figures out how to
work the water fountain.  And suddenly
it looked like Lake Michigan on the sidewalk.

K, however, was NOT thrilled about seeing a new face - especially since we'd both been up since 6:45 playing.  The second the caregiver walked into the house, K's face instantly changed, and she was a heartbeat away from crying (the corners of her mouth turned down almost instantly).  As we'd just had a PERFECT Sunday and had spent the last 2.5 days together non-stop, we were finally back into a groove that had felt missing over the previous weeks.  And so when I started reviewing feeding schedules, pointing out toys, and (most especially) kneeling down to chat with K and explain what was about to happen, her sense of apprehension grew.

As I started walking away, she clung to my legs, and picking her up only led to her holding me that much tighter.  And when the caregiver said "come over here and sit with me" and pulled K off me, THAT.  CHILD.  SCREAMED.

Give the nanny a TON of credit.  K was very cold and fussy at first, but the lady was wonderful and persistent.  She gave K space, sang to her, played music constantly, and read lots of books to her.  And while K would still sprint to me anytime I came downstairs (which I tried to limit), she did ultimately loosen up.  So on the whole it was a success (and we had the afternoon outside to relax and hang out), but it was tough at the beginning.

It should also be noted that the Panther's played on the Monday, and K actually PICKED OUT THEIR JERSEY as the shirt of choice for the day.  We would always go through the ritual of selecting clothes, and normally she'd shake off the first 4 or 5 selections before settling on a winner.  Well, on Monday, she wanted NOTHING to do with any shirt except her Panthers gear - clearly the brainwashing has worked!  Now if they could just win a game...

Jenny got home Tuesday, and I was one tired bunny!  We'd had 2 good days and 2 rough days, and Tuesday was great (we ended on a high note with me even getting a run in over at NOMAD).  The rest of the week went by in a blur, and K had quite the stuffy nose most of the week.  We had to give her Advil and Benadryll several nights, and we even resorted to Children's Vaporub to try and loosen her up.  By the end of the week we'd resorted to saline spray, where we were treated to quite the hilarious realization - K LOVES THE STUFF!  Seriously - she CANNOT get enough nose spray.  And now she even knows that, once it's sprayed in, she's supposed to squeeze her nostrils together and move the saline around.  She can't quite blow her nose yet, but once she can LOOKOUT!  I really must try and get video of her face when she sees both the nose spray and the snot sucker - SO EXCITED!  She even gives the more sign once you spray her nose AND helps you steer the snot sucker into her nose (and holds for you no less) - LOVE THIS KID!

The weekend itself was great, as we had the Thunder Road half marathon and a quiet weekend at home.  The run went really well, and the weekend was nice and relaxing after that (and did I mention filet mingnon on Saturday night!).  Sunday was a hoot as well, as we had some of my work mates up for a cookout.  Two couples came over - both recent transplants (as of 2 weeks ago) from Costa Rica.  The afternoon was a blur of laughs, food, and stories in 2 languages - no complaints there!

Yikes! Who's the homeless guy stealing our iPad and
playing with our daughter.  Oh, wait...

In terms of development, the biggest milestone to report is that K has a new phrase:  "OH, WOW!!!!!!!"  She will say this nothing shy of 1,000 times at a clip if she gets going - SO CUTE.
Also, our neighbors have been kind enough to "loan" us their play lawnmower, and K is LOVING pushing that thing all around the cul-de-sac.  Also, K is starting to get the hang of the iPad.  I didn't realize that JT had been working on this with her, but she's starting to understand simple moves and commands on the children's games we've downloaded.  And while neither of us want her on it 24/7, we both agree she does need to have a grasp of technology and learn how to operate the tools of modern day society.  The key is just ensuring you cover the home button and protect the tablet with the world's largest otter box - then you're good to go. :-)

And lest I forget - we decorated for Christmas on Sunday!  K was in HEAVEN, saying "OH WOW!!!!!" every time daddy brought a box down from the attic.  She was DESPERATE to touch every ornament we had, and we've already had some close calls with her ripping ornaments off the tree.  JT did a very smart thing and gave her 3 soft ornaments, and nightly she's been working on walking K over to the tree and asking her to put the ornaments back on.  Usually 1 gets on, lasts about .00007 seconds, and then is yanked right back off the branch - fingers crossed all those breakable ornaments see 2015 and beyond. :-)

K did NOT like the stand-up Santa that we have in the house - was even a bit afraid of him at first I

"You step out of line and I will POP you - got it?"

think.  However, add in enough ornaments, bulbs, bags, and other bric-a-brac, and soon enough she was all over the place.  So far she's been pretty good about not touching things.  In fact, when she picked up a wooden tree and JT told her not to (quite amicably, I might add), K burst into tears.  She does still like to run around with a little "Joy" decoration (one my mom stitched), but other than that - I am hoping we're in the clear (he says shaking his head, knowing it's not true and hoping he didn't jinx himself).  JT and I are very glad we put the tree up so early this year, as we only have 2 full weekends together in the house to enjoy it before the New Year - crazy, eh?

I'm conscious this one's been pretty short, but as I've got another one to write in just 48 hours (if I can actually make a Sunday!), that should hold us over for now.  Speak soon!

Love,

Sam and Jenny

A weekend of (to quote Jack Johnson) "Sittin', wishin', thinkin'..."

Age of Lady Kaitlyn:  19 months and 29 days

Family,

And a good Sunday (yes, that's right - I actually said SUNDAY) evening to you from the Queen City,

where the Bull is fresh off a weekend of daddy day care and the munchkin is (I think) down for the count.  Mercifully this week's post is much lighter on content than the previous one, but I thought it best to make a start on it while I've got time a) between games and b) all to myself.  Let's get amongst it, shall we?

The week itself was great.  For starters, I think it's safe to say that the Munchkin's personality is definitely showing itself, and I absolutely LOVE IT.  To be clear- she KNOWS when she's breaking the rules.  However, rather than just open flaunt them, she goes to the point of no return and then says "uh-oh!"  Case in point - the stairs.  Case in point #2 - the way she ALWAYS stands up in the chair opposite her high chair.  She knows that she's not supposed to be on either one, but it doesn't stop her from getting to the point of disaster and then stopping (gratuitous cute little smirk in tow every time).  What's funny is that, even though we tell her know (and have become increasingly forceful in doing it), she continues to smile and laugh.  She thinks it's a game, which shows me that she's not yet grasped the concept of right and wrong (and by extension consequences and discipline).  And while I'm happy to delay the "introduction to discipline" for another few months, there is a reality that I worry she'll hurt herself because she doesn't realize the danger she's in.  Another case in point is out coffee table, as she's started climbing that now.  Seriously - take your eye off her for .000000001 seconds, and she'll be laying on top of it.  Luckily we've avoided tragedy to date, but it definitely concerns us.  And yes, I know that "kids fall."  However, falling while sitting or walking is one thing.  Falling off a raised surface is entirely another, and one that I'm keen to avoid if I can help it.

Back to personality - I never grow tired of hearing, "Your daughter is really well behaved.  She's so quiet."  It's funny, because I'm at the point I take it for granted and think that all kids are like this.  But even tonight - at dinner with my buddy Matt and his kid AJ - I realized that K really is an absolute ANGEL.  She doesn't cry out.  She doesn't scream.  In fact, more often than not she's totally silent.

Jenny's noticed it as well, especially at the library when other kids are bouncing around like Jack Russell Terriers.  I said early on that I thought she was going to be a Type B introvert, and I still think that will be the case.  She's absolutely an observer by nature.  Sure, she'll run hard and play hard.  However, she doesn't let much bother her (the actions of others anyway), and she's pretty chill most of the time.  I will be honest and say I don't like it when other kids push her around or take toys from her (especially since she never complains or fights back), but I'm conscious that this is part of the learning process, and so consequently I sit mum and try to encourage her to either a) protect what's hers or b) thank her for good sharing.  I think the reality is that (famous last words coming - please don't post these on Twitter) she's going to be a very perceptive, quiet young lady, who sees much and only speaks when she finds it a) relevant, b) appropriate, or c) necessary.  And as a father, I can say I'm thrilled - could I dare to hope to be so lucky as to have a child who - in this day and age of Go-Pro, Facebook, and phones and video every SECOND of our lives - is that self aware and understands moments that matter vs. moments that she either can't change or where she cannot add value?

I'm conscious I've had a few as I type this (first time all weekend, for the record - 5 AFD's before this), but it gets to the heart of the title of this blog and something I realized on my last run.  During the run, I was thinking about 2015 goals - some for me, some for the family - when it hit me.  My goals have become less about me and my achievement and more about a wish list for my family.  I started running through them, and the realization is that a lot of the goals now center around my ultimate goal when Jenny and I first saw Kaitlyn - I want to make her better than me.

You hear a lot of parents say "I want to give my kids the world.  I want to give my kids everything."  I will be honest - I DON'T.  And it's not because I'm cheap or selfish (although some might say that) - it's because that's not how I was raised, and I count myself SO FORTUNATE for my upbringing.  The lessons and experiences I had growing up with my family in East Tennessee undoubtedly shaped the person I am today, and that is an experience I want to replicate for Kaitlyn.  And please don't get me wrong - I never wanted for ANYTHING - my parents spent every dime they had on me.  Also, there was no question I was loved - every second of every day.  However, my parents were teachers in rural East TN and were divorced, and there's no question there are lessons learned there about choices, money, and family.  Now, sitting in a much more comfortable position than we all were a quarter century ago, it's easy to forget those lessons and just spend, spend, spend.  However, that's not who I am (same for Jenny, as her childhood was much the same), and I want K to understand choices, sacrifice, and saving.  It's a tall ask, and it gets taller every year.  However, I am committed to it, because those experiences shaped me and Jenny, and I am determined to craft the same trajectory for the Sneetch.  I really like the way Warren Buffet put it when talking about the financial legacy he'll leave to his children:  "I want them to have enough money that they can do anything but not so much money that they can do nothing."  Brilliant.

While I'm rambling and have a captive audience (which I'm fairly confident is just me at this point :-)), there are so many goals I have for Kaitlyn, and I truly don't feel they are any that "live vicariously through her."  For example - I would LOVE for her to enjoy swimming and have a desire to join a swim team.  I like swimming because you learn the value of a team sport while also having an individual component.  It's the same with running, which is why I hope she enjoys that.  A corollary to that is the hope of family vacations where the whole family is either running, swimming, both, or evening "tri"ing something different.   And it's not just that I want the family photo of us all crossing the line together.  It's that these individual sports offer a lifetime of health benefits and a lifestyle that I think is terrific - another reason I ALSO want her to learn golf.  I never played it growing up, and I'm TERRIBLE at it now.  However, golf isn't just a sport.  It's a social skill and a life skill, and females who can play invariably have a leg up in corporate America.  Consequently, I do hope she gets into it (and I will be enrolling her in lessons).

The same is true for skiing and volleyball.  The experiences, the mixture of individual vs. team, and the limited contact (unlike other sports) make injuries less likely (I'm conscious that skiing is a bit of an exception there) and make it a sport you can enjoy throughout your life.  The benefits are health, better mental preparation and focus, and a higher likelihood you'll meet someone who enjoys the things you do.  And yes, I realize I could be TOTALLY off the reservation with this, but hey, I'm a dad - I have to do what I can, right?

Another thing I've been very high on lately - finding something that Jenny and Kaitlyn can do together and LOVE.  As I watch K climbing on things, I have this fantasy that she and Jenny will really get into climbing together and start planning trips to do it.  JT was INCREDIBLE in Thailand - you should have seen her - TOTAL NATURAL.  If K has the same dexterity and strength, then they would be SO CUTE together at places like Inner Peaks, and it would be something special that few mother/daughters have.

Fluent in Spanish.  At least 3 continents crossed off before she's 18.  The college of her choice on an in-state pricing plan (or better).  There is SO MUCH I want for this kid.  I want her to study abroad.  I want her to find a sport she loves and play it until she no longer a) wants to or b) is able to (meaning through college).  I want her to at least try the piano and (hopefully) enjoy it.  I want her to be healthy all of her days - injury free and fearless when it comes to trying new things.  I want her to understand there's a "big 'ole world" out there and understand a) the part she plays in it and b) how lucky she was to be born an American citizen in the lottery of birth.  I want her to have great friends who aren't catty, laugh about boys more than they fight about them, and realize (as much as a young person can) how special youth is and how every day is meant to be lived out loud.

I want her to find a man who loves her as much as I love her mother - whose whole world is about the person who wakes up with and goes to bed with.  I want her to know wine and beer and understand that getting drunk is fine (and necessary) but that one must always be wary of their surroundings (which I wasn't).  I want her to understand that A's are great but B's are great too and oftentimes comes with a lot less stress.  I want her to know that she's loved.  I want her to know that she can do anything.  I want her to think fondly of her parents - they may not be the most tech savvy, but there's no question they love each other and would do anything for her.  I want her to believe she can do ANYTHING but that she doesn't have to do EVERYTHING.  I want her to always do what's right vs. what's popular.  I want her to date boys while realizing that the first 700 will only be dots on a radar at best.  I want a little signal or code with her that exists through high school - a way of saying, "I love you, daddy, and I will be careful," even though she doesn't verbalize it and no one in a crowd of 50 catches it but me and her.  In short, I want her to have the life she's dreamed of, and I want a front row seat.  Pretty deep for a 1 hour run, eh? :-)

Closing off on her personality and development, it's been amazing to watch her continue to grow.  For starters, this week she noticed her own reflection for the first time (at least on my watch).  Normally when I say "Where's Kaitlyn?" she points to herself.  This week, however, she was looking in the mirror and actually pointed to her reflection.  The smile was a mile wide.  She's been able to identify Jenny and I for quite some time, so to see her make this leap was exciting.

Also, she continues to move closer and closer to being full-on ready for potty training.  She's now saying "dipe dipe" about 5 minutes before she poops. Sometimes she even says it and then just lays down on the ground wherever she is - LOVE THIS KID!  Basically she gives us the warning, and then 3-5 minutes later squats down, gets quiet, and then stands back up.  Granted, once she's done that she's not as excited about the diaper change, but she's still been pretty good about it (more to come on that shortly).  She's even started walking to the bathroom once she says "dipe dipe" and tapping on the door.  I'm telling you - genius... :-)

In other news, Jenny and I joined a new gym this week - NOMAD.  We joined it because the pool is truly spectacular (they host regional and national meets), and the price was right!  The big question was how K would handle the "child watch" facility, but I'm thrilled to report that she really, really likes it!  We actually had her in there 4 times this week, and so far, so good.  Not sure if it's just a combination of a smaller space, fewer people, or her being a bit older, but it definitely has been a better experience for JT.  This is GREAT news, as I know Jenny was quite worried about how K would react.  She said it herself:  "working out now knowing that K is having fun and isn't screaming makes the entire workout much smoother."  Fingers crossed it continues!

Lastly, it should be noted that this past weekend was daddy daycare, as JT was out of town.  Her
parents came over on Friday, and Friday was uneventful (even an AFD for me).  Saturday, however, was REALLY tough.  In retrospect, I think I pushed K too hard too fast, as we headed out the door as soon as she woke up to go over to NOMAD, where I got a quick run in before heading to DPK.  She screamed bloody murder as I walked away (and clung to me before I was able to break away), but the staff said she was fine in less than a minute.  After that it was food in the car before checking out DPK - which was a MADHOUSE on a Saturday morning.  By the time I got her home, she was out of sorts, off schedule, and generally exhausted - so much so that we just hung out in the house for the rest of the day.

Sunday went at a much easier pace, and the results were MUCH better.  For a start, we kicked off the day slowly, with a good 45 minutes in her room reading books.  Then, once she told me she was hungry, we went downstairs and had a bit more food.  We then went for a walk and hit the park, where K walked to the bathroom, said the magic words, and then 5 minutes later gave me a proper 3 wiper to

contend with.  Luckily there was a changing table in the men's room, but MAN was it a mess.

After her nap (2+ hrs), I met my buddy Matt and his munchkin (AJ) at D-9 Brewing, where we had an absolute BLAST.  I will be honest - I was on the fence about going, as K had been so great all day and I was hesitant to rattle her again.  However, she seemed energized after the nap, and so we rolled over for a couple of pints.  There were tons of kids there, so it was actually a really fun afternoon.  We then rolled over to Duckworth's Tap room for dinner, where K was an angel and ate like a champ.  Lesson learned - let the day come to you, and don't push the wee one any harder than you have to.

So there you have it - another week in the books and a Father & daughter anxiously awaiting the return of Wife Muffin.  But I will say it's been great, as K and I have definitely bonded.  This time has been special to me, and I'm looking forward to having her to myself all day on Veteran's Day.

Okay, that's all the news that's fit to print.  Chat soon!

Love,

Sam (and Jenny from the beaches of Playa del Carmen)

Two weeks of memories, laughs, and milestones...

Age of Lady Kaitlyn:  19 months and 23 days

Family,

And a good Tuesday afternoon to you from the Queen City, where the Bull is desperately trying to get
caught up on life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and most importantly - this blog.  I'm conscious that's it's been 2 weeks since the last post, and for that all I can do is apologize.  Remember the statements I've made recently about defining my limits?  Well, that has happened again over the last few weeks, as the pace of life has just been through the rough.  Between weekend travel for fun and workweek travel as well, the last 14 days have been a blur, and I am now resigned to the fact that future posts might stretch to semi-monthly on a more frequent basis.  Luckily the craziest month of the year - October - is now behind us, and I'm hoping that November will be a much easier ride to glory.  But enough whining - we've got plenty to cover, so let's get amongst it, shall we?

For starters - THE SNEETCH IS GROWING.  I'm not sure if it's just her getting taller (which is

And just like that...the world changes.

happening I think, as she looks ENORMOUS in her crib), her motor skills improving (which is definitely true, as evidenced by the fact that she can now turn on her fan and turn off her humidifier as well as walk backwards at a pretty quick clip), or a combination of both, but the sneetch has ratcheted up her ability to "get into things" to a whole new level.  Case in point - SHE CAN NOW OPEN DOORS.

Jenny warned me that this was now possible while I was in London last week, but I didn't witness it in action until she closed the door and barricaded herself in the bathroom this weekend.  Luckily she didn't lock the door (but she very well could have), but all the same we've now progressed to the next stage of the child-proofing evolution - the door handle covers.  K has NOT been able to figure those out yet, but  I'm sure that's only bought us a few months.  All the same, we'll take it!

Going back 2 weeks ago, a lot has happened.  For starters, K had her 6 months ENT follow-up, and I'm thrilled to report that things look great.  The doctor was very pleased and said that everything was progressing nicely.  Sounds like the tubes are starting to move, which suggests that her Eustacian tubes are trending in the right direction.  We've got another appointment in 2015, by which time the tubes will have most likely popped out.

The week commencing on the 20th of October was a short one for us, but JT packed it in.  We had a free week's membership at Romp n Roll, and so JT and the Munch hit 'em up twice.  K really, REALLY loves that place now.  Part of it is definitely that her confidence and strength continue to bloom, allowing her to do more physically and utilize all the apparatuses available.  Case in point, she was ALL ABOUT the slide during one of the visits, constantly sliding into a pile of balls (too cute).  She also spent some quality time with Rompy, the facility's mascot.  Even when Rompy was hidden, he was no match for the super sleuthing powers of the little Munchkin. :-)

JT also hit the library with the Sneetch, and while she's still not super-excited about story time or song time, she is now starting to learn the moves to the various songs.  She loves "open/shut them" and "wheels on the bus" now:  "open shut" is a favorite during meal time, while "wheels" is a favorite during a "dipe dipe" change.  She basically does the "false start" sign, which is mommy and daddy's cue to start singing. :-)  In the car she's now clapping at (almost) the right time for "Happy and You Know It" - definitely starting to put things together!

"Quick, mommy - put all these in your bag and
we might be able to pay for this fiasco..."

K's new fascination - climbing on top of EVERYTHING.  Full Stop.

Apparently this kid steamrolled K last week.  Consequently,
we dressed her as a bruiser this go-around.

"MASQUERADE!!!!  Paper faces on parade..."

Jenny and I had the long awaited "Haunted Half and Boo to Brew Relay" on the 25th, so I had both Thursday and Friday off.  Team Taylor PACKED it in on this trip over the mountain, starting with seeing mom on Thursday - complete with a stop at IHOP along the way.  IHOP was hilarious, as it was  all decorated with ghosts and witches, all of which blew Kaitlyn's mind.  She kept looking at the cats, cobwebs, spiders, and skeletons, all the while trying to make the "whoooooooooo" sound that a ghost would make.  I must confess - it was pretty darn cute (biased, party of 1).

The day with mom and Steve was just FANTASTIC.  For starters, the weather was amazing.  Secondly, now that K's mobile, she LOVED running around their big yard, seeing the dogs and cats everywhere (7 cats, mind you).  She tried (and succeeded) at petting a few cats, but her "petting" largely consisted her her thumping their lower backs in an effort to stroke their fur.  The one exception was Graybel (the newest cat - DESPERATE for love), as he was constantly rubbing up against her and nearly knocking her off her feet!  K didn't quite know what to make of that one, but they seemed to get along fine. :-)  The highlight for K was DEFINITELY the scarecrow hanging from a tree, and K held court in the front yard, commanding each adult to spin it in turn.  Surprisingly enough, we were all only too happy to oblige. :-)

Littlefoot and K meet. :-)

This one is precious to me because getting
these 4 folks together in a picture is a rare
thing - treasure these photos, Munchkin,
as they are few and far between.

In the house was a true stroll down memory lane, as mom had pulled out all my stuffed animals from when I was a kid.  We're talking Care Bears, Little Foot, you name it.  Throw in a newly purchased Dumbo and about 35 new books to read, and you had a wee one who was in hog Heaven - so much fun.  All in all, it was a GREAT night, even if a) it went WAAAAAY too fast and b) K did NOT sleep very well (which was shocking considering that my mom had a brand new crib for her that was every bit as large as ours).  And a side note here - since returning home, K has completely FALLEN IN LOVE with Dumbo.  She now sleeps with him every night.  Even more interesting, she gets really emotional when we read the story to her.  For starters, she always stops on the page where the kids make fun of Dumbo and points to the kid missing a tooth.  You can tell that it really bothers her, almost as if she's sad for Dumbo.  Then, when you turn to the page where Dumbo's mom is holding him outside her cell, K gets even more emotional (went ballistic today before nap time).  But the levity from all this comes from how she tells Jenny and I she wants Dumbo, as she tries to do an elephant trumpet - HILARIOUS!  I didn't believe mom when she said that K was doing it, but K even raises her arm like it's a trunk and everything - LOVE THIS KID!

The next day was another whirlwind, as we had lunch with Dad and Alice before wandering over to Nanny's for the afternoon and evening.  The schedule worked out quite well, as we got a good 3-4 hours of dedicated time with Nanny before mom came over.  As Nanny hadn't seen her walking, she was AMAZED at how much bigger she'd become (put
me squarely in that camp every week!).   K loved running up and down the hill at Nanny's house, and she spent a good 15 minutes just circling the poles on her front porch.  All those slopes were great, as they wore her out! K slept much better that night, which was good since Saturday was D-Day for the race!

My mom and Nanny were saints on Saturday, keeping K so Jenny and I could spend the afternoon running the race and then hanging out at Rockin' the Hallows.  Uncle Benny was the Headliner, and it was a BLAST!  Nothing like hanging around with a celebrity - we even got a local restaurant to open the kitchen for us once Benny showed up - BONUS, BABY!!!!!  The race was at an odd time (3 PM), but it was great in that I got a chance to see dad for a bit and even have some time with Pattie who was in from MTSU.

Sunday was an early departure, as I had to catch a flight to

London that night.  The drive was (mercifully) super smooth, and I got home in time to unpack, repack, kiss my girls goodbye, and roll out the door.  What followed was an EXHAUSTING week in the Smoke for this guy, as well as a very busy one for the ladies in my life as well.  JT spent 3 days with her folks before heading home Wednesday night.  Thursday was the Romp n Roll Halloween Bash, and K was dressed as the cutest (if not happiest) fairy in the land!  Jenny said that it was really great, and I'm hoping that I'll be able to attend a few of these next year.

Pregame - NOT excited about the fairy costume.

"Um, mommy - not this guy again..."

K discovers the bounce house...and LOVES it.

I did at least make it home in time for Halloween on Friday, which was a HOOT (or should I say an oink).  K went as Peppa Pig (courtesy of the Rice clan), and the outfit was a hit!  K loved it (nowhere near as tight as last year) and actually kept it on this go-around.  She had a BLAST playing in the cul-de-sac.  And funnily enough, she kept pointing the moon in amazement.  JT and I chuckled at this, but then we realized that this was probably the first time K had ever seen the moon and actually known what it was, as normally she's in bed long before it rises.  She was up and down the Way's driveway for the better part of 2 hours (often pushing a toy lawn mower) and even walked along the street for a bit.  However, we didn't actually make it to any houses for trick-or-treating (not that we're complaining, as she clearly had a blast).  She actually didn't want to go in - even after falling forward on a chair and SLAMMING her head into the pavement.  She had a blue knot on her forehead the size of a golf ball, which was sub optimal considering that we had professional pictures planned the following morning at 10 AM.  However, she was none the worse for wear, and the knot was nothing some Clinique and photoshop couldn't fix!

"It's GO TIME, BABY!!!!"

CANDY!!!! Well, and used, plastic lawn mowers...

"So, um...do I just stand here and destroy the scare-bunny or what?"

All smiles, daddy!!!

The photo shoot was actually hilarious, as K was ALL ABOUT this oversized snowman which she kept wanting to run around with and hand to the photographer.  I think we got some great shots, and the lady seemed really sweet (and talented, as we saw some of the pics, which were just priceless).  That got us up and out for lunch with Dad and Alice (they'd come in for my birthday weekend), and the day went by in a blur of bad weather, great football, excellent food, family bonding, and beer - no complaints here!

The fam left early on Sunday, leaving me with my girls for my 37th birthday.  WOW - THIRTY-SEVEN.  Not sure where on EARTH that time went, but I can say that, 37 years in, I count myself blessed beyond measure.  The day itself was wonderful - I had a lot of time with my girls, was well taken care of, and even got a 10 mile run in.  But more importantly, the way I feel now is just SO GOOD.  Yes, work can be a bit stressful at times.

"Lean on me, when you're not strong..."

Yes, I'm not a huge fan of the commute (but understand the necessity).  But my goodness, what on earth do I have to complain about?  I have the most amazing wife and daughter anyone could ask for, I feel in the best shape I've been in for probably 5 years, and I am genuinely happy.  Slowly I'm coming to terms with the limits we've discussed (you can't work out 6 days a week, you shouldn't worry about race times, not everything will get crossed off your to-do list every month, etc), and I think that's helping.  I do think I've been snippy with Jenny as of late, and I know I need to do a much better job about always being a supportive, active partner.  That I will continue to monitor - call that a New Year's Resolution for 2015 and, well, forever. :-)

The other big news from the last 2 weeks - we've now got a potty for K!  That's right, sports fans - as s

I mean...does it really get much cuter than this?

he's showing interest, Team Taylor is considering starting potty training.  So far all we've done is have her sit on it and identify which potty is "mommy's potty" vs. "Kaitlyn's potty."  The funny part is that she LOVES sitting on it and thinks it's a toy.  It's in the shape of a duck (or "baba" as K would say), and she goes BALLISTIC when we close the door and won't let her sit on it - too cute.  Now I guess I have some learning to do, as I don't have the first clue what I need to do in terms of getting her to tell me "when she needs to go."  Always an adventure, my friends!

Okay, so I'm conscious that was a fairly quick whip through 2 weeks, and I apologize for both a) the delay in posting and b) the brevity of the writing.  However, I didn't want to let these notes and memories get stale, so I figured it better to be short and sweet at the expense of waxing profound, poetic, and philosophical. :-)

Speak to everyone next week!

Love,

Sam and Jenny