Back and better than ever - my girls are home!!!!

Age of Lady Kaitlyn:  21 months and 8 days

Family,

And a good Friday afternoon to you from the Queen City, where the Bull and Striker are frantically

K LOVES this hat - she wants to wear it to bed.

trying to cross off all the "to-do's" before Christmas break starts.  For my part, I've just wrapped the last "must do" for work, and I can already feel the stress slipping away and sliding off me.  But hey, plenty to cover for this blog, so let's get amongst it, shall we?

First and foremost, let me happily affirm that the Bull is in MUCH  better spirits for this post than the previous one.  In fact, I think writing the last post truly helped me make piece with the event - dare I say the loss - and between that cathartic experience, a good run to clear my head, and - most importantly - having my girls back home, I am in a much, much better place.  If anything, I feel that my spirit is once again renewed, and I feel much more focused on making every second count with Jenny and Kaitlyn and ensuring a) they know how much I love them and b) that I can make as many memories as possible.


Most of last week was something akin to an out of body experience, as Jenny was in Florida with Kaitlyn while I was living the life of a bachelor back here.  Add in the fact that it was race week (which means no booze and an odd sleeping schedule due to nerves), and you have a guy who slept worse than normal, only to wake up to a silent house and on some days go to bed without having spoken to another human in person.  I was so desperate for normalcy that I slept with Kaitlyn's monitor on so I could at least have the familiar light pattern in the bed room (even if it focused on an empty crib).

As is the case with my work trips, I spent last week watching my daughter grow up in pictures.  And as is also always the case, Jenny was terrific to send me photos of K throughout the day.  I just cannot say enough how much these pictures always pick me up - especially when work is grinding me down.  Seeing the smile on her face and reading Jenny's captions is without question the highlight of my day when they aren't around, and given how tough the last couple of weeks have been, they were absolute lifesavers.

Jenny said that K was an angel in both directions on the flight.  The flight down wasn't full, and so K even had her own seat.  JT did say that the rental car was a bit of a hassle (particularly the car seat), but on the whole the trip was smooth and sounded terrific.  K ate like a champ - she started the trip with Italian sausage with lemon yogurt dessert! - the entire time, and I'm pleased to report that she added many new dishes to her taste bud repertoire.  She got a chance to go to the Tampa Zoo as well, and the photos were GREAT!  I think she really loved it, and I wish we had a zoo in Charlotte.  That being said, we've got lots of nice things here as well, so I'm not complaining - let's just say I'm looking forward to taking her up to Asheboro for a visit to the North Carolina Zoological park. :-)  Some of the highlights from Tampa:

"In reviewing the map, I think we should kick off our campaign of world dominance here..."

"Um, those goldfish sure look yummy..."

"This depiction of an apple is FASCINATING."

"BECAUSE YOU SHOULD ALWAYS EAT TOPLESS!!!!"

K loves her some Kona...even after the lickfest that occurred 4 seconds after this was taken.

Too cute...

Our little AD PI in training meeting Alphie.

The first half of the trip was down in Tampa with Sarah, Steve, and the twins, and I think they all got on like peas in a pod.  I think K and Mac are a little more of the same temperament, so needless to say we'll all have to make sure Malin isn't the "instigator" when they get older.  That being said, the photos of the three of them were PRICELESS.  K can even say "Mac Mac" and "Mae Mae" now, and she can point to both of them when asked who is who - too cute!  For me, it's thrilling to see them starting to get to know each other, and I know we're committed to ensuring they all grow up together.  Of course, if the end result is K saying she wants to go to Gainesville for college, then we could have some family drama.  However, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. :-)  Oh, and did I mention that Steve taught K how to headbutt?  No comment...except to say that K LOVES IT NOW.  Awesome...

The second half of the week was spent up in Orlando, dividing time between Jenny's college friends Katie and Julie.  JT said it was great to see K in action in a different environment here, as K loved the older kids toys.  We've learned a lot about "the science of play" and the importance of the right types of toys lately, and I'm very keen to see what we get at Christmas.  I'm thinking we'll have to augment some of the gifts with other toys that we've seen K play with (and enjoy), but I also want to be

JT, Katie, and Julie look at little different than
 the photo I've seen on JT's 21st birthday...

cognizant that we don't want a million new toys in the house come January 1.  Largely it takes the form of cars, trucks, or "compound activities," whereby you do something and then watch the cause and effect of further motion/transaction.  And yes, I realize that all of this might sound crazy, but as I think about 2015 and all the big milestones coming up - potty training, changing rooms, moving to a big girl bed, starting daycare, etc - I can't help but start to think about what I have to do in order to set each of these activities up for success (and can't help wondering if I coasted too much in 2014 and sat on my laurels :-)).

#Chargeon!

K and JT got home Tuesday afternoon, and words CANNOT EXPRESS how happy I was to see them.  K has been all about daddy lately, and I have LOVED THAT.  I will say it was tough on my Wednesday and Thursday since I was uptown and barely saw her either day, but we've managed to play a bit today and will for the next 9, so I take a lot of solace in that.  I've had so many hugs lately, and the smile I get from her right now is just beyond anything any man deserves. :-)  I will say that, as per standard, it's INSANE the changes that have already taken place with her in the week we were apart.  "Bath" is definitely a new word in the vocabulary, and you can tell that her syllables are definitely getting closer to describing what she's looking at.  She's taking stairs without my help now (just keeping a hand on the wall), and she's even gotten much better at using the i-Pad!  We spent about 10 minutes using it, and she gets the concepts of swiping, the home button, pushing buttons to see things move, and is even working on the "hand contraction" whereby the app closes and it goes to the home screen - CRAZY!  I was especially floored when she picked up her toothbrush Tuesday night and said "Elmo" out of the blue - WHAT!?!?!?!!?  Apparently she's a huge Elmo fan now - Grand Pooh will be quite excited to hear that based on a recent acquisition...:-)


The rest of this week has flown, and JT's been a ROCK STAR getting things crossed off the list.  She even made it to Mindy's house yesterday (yep - she's back in CLT!) to see their new munchkin Seth.  Hayden was thrilled to see Kaitlyn and tried to hug her about 5,011 times.  K, however, was NOT as impressed and never responded with an embrace.  In fact, she actually just usually ended up running away and calling for "mama." :-)

Okay, I know that was a lot, but I wanted to get this done and dusted ahead of leaving for the Tacy's tomorrow.  The next post will be December 29th or thereabouts, as we'll be away for Christmas all new week, splitting time between South Carolina and Tennessee.  Hard to believe there's only 1 more post left in 2014!

That's all the news that's fit to print - Merry Christmas!

Love,

Sam and Jenny

Another crack at Santa - another epic fail...

Age of Lady Kaitlyn:  20 months and 29 days

Family,

And a good Tuesday evening to you from the Queen City, where the Bull is HOME ALONE living the life of a bachelor while his girls are down in the Sunshine state for the week.  I'm happy to report

"Rachel Ray ain't got NUTHIN' on me!"

that Muffin and Munchkin touched down safely at TPA this afternoon and are now safely ensconced at Casa de Markham.  I got a chance to FaceTime with them, and K was LOVING some stuffed shells, Italian sausage, and even dessert!  Don't get used to that, Munchkin!

Another week is in the books, and the milestones continue to fall as K develops so rapidly.  For starters, there is no surface in this house she cannot reach at this point, as she continues to remind us by bringing our phones, papers, cards, picture frames - you name it - to us when she grabs them.  I will say it's very cute when she grabs one of our phones, as she'll say either "Mama" or "Dada" depending on whose phone she's claimed, and then she'll hold it up to her ear as she walks it to us.  All the same, we need to be a bit more careful going forward, as she can also reach things like the iPad, which are not quite as conducive to being carried by little fingers.

"Ooooh - Pirate Island!!!!  Wake up, Grandpa Pig!"

For me, this week marked the first time I've noticed that her attention span is longer.  While she still can only entertain herself for very short periods (which I'm not complaining about, as I'm loving playing with her), you can definitely tell that she's now able to focus longer on certain activities.  A case in point is Peppa, as she can now make it through an entire 5 minute snippet without going onto another activity (and sometimes even two :-).  What's even cuter is the fact that, when you put Peppa on, she climbs right up on the couch into daddy's spot, puts her thumb in her mouth, and waits patiently for the show to start.  When she does see Peppa, there's always a huge grin (dimple in tow) while she looks at you, breathless with excitement, but then it's back to focusing on the telly.


K's also starting to like the bath more now.  She wants to spend more time in there, and when you start singing "Row, row, row your boat," she begins splashing like a Marlin caught on a hook - HILARIOUS!  She's finally at the point that she'll stay in and play after bathing is done, and she's even now started trying to climb back INTO the bathtub after we pull her out.  She used to sit quietly in my lap, but those days are OVER.  Instead, she'll take her wet body and hug me instantly, clinging to me (and soaking my shirt) while she tries to climb back in so she can play some more with her rubber duckies (or "baba's" as she still calls them).

4 words:  Rhodes Scholar in training.

This week she also climbed into her car seat for the first time.  I've not seen it yet, but JT's now seen her do it twice.  I thought I'd get a glimpse this morning, but all she wanted to do was sit in the back left seat and ask for food.  Oh well, I'm sure I'll see it in time. :-)  I AM, however, pleased to report that I think she likes daddy again right now, as she's been calling for me more and more (as well as offering me more hugs).  This week has seen a resurgence of "Da-DEEEEEE," hearkening back to the days when she first started talking and babbling.  And on that front, she's actually been babbling a lot more lately.  I feel a language explosion is imminent, but the babbling is pretty darn cute in the interim.  I can confirm that she's added "down" and "olive" to her vocabulary, and she's definitely understanding more and more complex commands as we speak them to her.

Why spend $$$ on toys?  K can spend hours
being entertained by her infant bath sponge.

Another change I've noticed is that she currently prefers paper-page books to board books.  I'm sure a bit of it is the newness, as we've read her almost exclusively board books to date.  However, I think the primary driver is her desire to turn the thinner pages, as she's paying less attention to the story and more attention to ensuring that she turns every page (and believe me, she KNOWS when she's skipped one).  She's also (FINALLY!) started stacking the blocks instead of just knocking them over.  Now granted, her record so far for stacking is a whopping 2 blocks, but she and I are having a lot of fun playing with them, and her desire to put ANYTHING on top of something else is definitely a move in the right direction. :-)


There are 2 new rituals at present.  The first is that, whenever there's a pause during feeding or she knows I'm looking, she'll either do the itsy-bitsy spider fingers or the "false start" motion, which is code for "Time to sing Wheels on the Bus!"  Jenny and I probably sang that 5,011 times this week.  If you need a refresher on all the verses (there are 9 I'm aware of), just let me know - I can ROCK all of them.  The second ritual is at NOMAD, where she always has to make one trip up the stairs, down past the cardio room, and then down the back staircase before departing.  The folks there are starting to recognize us (LOVE THAT PLACE!) and know when "the climb" is coming, which I find quite cute.  K is also continuing to love NOMAD's Childwatch.  Each day is a little easier, and the ladies there know which toys she likes and are great about bringing them out the second she enters the room (making it easier for JT to exit stage left :-)).

Two other K notes for the weekend.  The first is that we went to visit Santa again - same guy, same location...and same result.  K was SUPER HAPPY entering the place.  In fact, she's been saying "Ho Ho Ho" all week.  She recognizes the Santa in our house, and she didn't seem freaked out in line to meet him. However, the second it was our turn - A. SWITCH. FLIPPED.  First off, K did NOT want to let go of mommy.  And then, when we tried to put her in Santa's lap, well...I think the photos pretty much describe it:

That being said, as soon as she was done, she was an angel.  She even pointed back at him and kept saying "Ho Ho Ho!"  There were two other photo stops in the room, and K was even treated to her first sugar cookie and sucker (both of which she LOVED - "Num, num!").  So Santa's clearly not a favorite yet, but something tells me it's only a matter of time!

The other item was a cookout on Sunday with one of Jenny's
new friends from the mommy meet-up group.  They have a daughter almost exactly K's age, and you can tell that they recognize each other.  I actually think they will get on great when they get a bit older, but right now they're still trying to learn how to share with each other. :-)  The interesting thing to me is that K's always the one having things taken from her vs. doing the taking, and she always takes it in stride.  I will say however that recently she's taken a bit more offense and it has upset her - but not to the point she's ready to throw a punch. :-) She actually tried the technique of securing a monkey and

I'm happy to report that K is getting much
better (meaning gentler) with the ornaments.

handing it to daddy, but I didn't protect it for long, trying to show her that she needs to both share and guard what's hers.  It's tough, as I'm not sure how to teach that.  Medidate and do more research on best practices, I must...

Wrapping this blog, I would be remiss if I didn't record another important chain of events that transpired this week.  This blog is entitled "Raise Kids With the Taylors," and the implication there is obviously that Team Taylor would like more than one should the good Lord bless us with such fortune.  Last month we started trying for #2, and after some potential indicators (cramps in odd places, JT being a day late), we tried a pregnancy test on Monday.  While it was thin and faint, there was no question - we had 2 lines.  Same thing on Tuesday - 2 lines.  There was no doubt about it, sports fans - Team Taylor was pregnant!  We were in shock that it had actually worked out of the gate and couldn't believe it.  We were so excited in fact that we started planning how we'd tell people over Christmas.

JT had a regular OB-GYN appointment on Wednesday, but the test came back negative.  We found this odd, but as this was consistent with the last time (when JT had foot surgery), we didn't think much of it.  JT was an ANIMAL doing research, trying to figure out which tests were the best to take in terms of detecting HCG (Readers - let me just say that I've learned SO MUCH about home pregnancy tests in the last week that I think I could be a QA Tester for EPT), and she picked up several different brands to compare (as each can detect different levels and concentrations). We had a positive test again at home on both Thursday and Friday, and we just knew that this past Monday (yesterday) we'd get the dark blue line we'd been waiting for - consistent with the previous pregnancy.

All of that changed on Saturday when Jenny didn't feel well.  For starters, the test that morning was negative.  She then felt off all day.  She felt better on Sunday, but again the test was negative.  And then something else happened - JT started cramping and spotting.  I will save all the details, but suffice it to say that Sunday evening and night especially were quite rough for JT, and at that point it became quite apparent to us what had happened - we'd lost the baby.  It feels weird to type it that way, and I actually just spent the last minute starting at the PC thinking of the noun to use - zygote?  Embryo?  Fertilized egg?  It?  But in the end, it was a baby - a potential Team Taylor baby, and just like that it was gone.

Now look, I don't want anyone reading this thinking I'm sitting at home going "Woe is me."  It was extremely early, this kind of thing happens all the time, and people obviously go through MUCH worse  than losing the potential child this early (we're talking 4 weeks).  However, it has taken me longer to process this than I expected, and yesterday was a rough one for me.  I told myself on Sunday I was fine, but by Monday morning I knew that wasn't the case and knew this whole thing would be easier if I admitted to myself that I was upset and a little sad.  It's the expectation, you see - the excitement that you rush to of thinking about telling folks, the nesting, the things you do to minimize the impact to K and ensure she knows that she's loved as much as she always was - it that build-up that gets the adrenaline racing and the endorphins pumping.  And then, when you suddenly realize you aren't on the clock and you don't need to being cleaning out the spare room, ordering a "big girl bed" quite yet, looking into day care, etc. - that's what gets you:  the come down.  Sunday and Monday I waswandering around aimlessly it felt like, desperate for to-do's and tasks.  I'm better now, but the task list I've given myself during Bachelor week is a testament to the fact that I'm not quite back to full speed just yet.  I know everything happens for a reason, and as I've always said - K was such a miracle that I feel blessed beyond measure no matter what happens.  But I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little sad at work on Monday, and especially laying in bed with Jenny last night.

Okay, so there you have it - the good, the bad, and the unexpected for Team Taylor this week.  It's all part of life's rich pageant, and all I can say is bring on the next round and bring home my girls!  Speak soon!

Love,

Sam and (probably having a little wine or a chocolate stout in Valrico) Jenny  

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)