The First UT Basketball Game

Your Uncle Quinn's friend, Danny, plays with the University of Texas at Austin basketball team. He's red shirting so he was not playing; however, he gets four tickets per game for friends and family and your daddy was out to get them. I was excited that we got to go. I'm not much of a sports fan but I enjoy live sporting events. The atmosphere and excitement makes the game exhilarating whereas games on the television lose my interest quickly. It was fun to go back for a UT game too because of all of the songs and silly traditions that took us back to our years as Longhorn students - not that long ago but seems like FOREVER ago. I was excited to put you in some of the UT gear that I had gotten for you. I had you in a Longhorn onesie all day to prep and someone asked me at the store how old my son was! Oops! I guess I need to throw in some pink or a bow when I have you in your UT garb.

For the actual game, I had you in your UT jersey with tights and a bow. The bow was way too big for your little head so I only kept it on for the pictures. You are too cute and you rockstarred the basketball game. Everyone always seems so impressed with how much a trooper you are with adventures. You are easygoing and travel well. You never cry much and seem to be very go-with-the-flow. Your daddy and I feel like we can take you everywhere. Others ask if we need sitters so that we can go to dinner or a movie, but I feel very comfortable taking you everywhere still. You love the movies with me (you've been to Twilight and Parental Guidance - without incidence) and dinners with the whole family. The game was no exception. We got bright orange earplugs for you which were great since we sat right next to the band. The seats were fantastic and super close. The game was awesome and we beat North Carolina by nearly twenty points. You were such a lucky charm. You seemed very entertained and had a lock-on the big screen most of the night despite all of the live action. Daddy can't wait to bring you for another game!

The First Giggles

I've been waiting for giggles. Your buddy Maverick was a giggly machine when he came to visit. You , on the other hand, are a really quiet little girl. You seem to closely observe everything and only comment when you really want to say something. Your daddy and I try desperately to entertain you to work a smile out of you and we have been really bringing out the crazy to elicit a laugh. This week you starting letting out a subtle giggle here and there. For a while now, you made big dramatic gestures that you are going to laugh. Your mouth looks like it wants to laugh but there is no sound. It's super cute, but leaves you hanging. You are clearly entertained with how silly you get your parents to act but not impressed enough to let out a laugh. Daddy was teasing mommy with the promises of a laugh. He said all day long you were giggling for him, but I had not seen it yet. All of a sudden, you giggled when daddy was talking to you. We were both sitting in bed with you in between and I was almost brought to tears with how cute it was. I don't even remember what we were doing, but I wouldn't let your daddy stop. It was the cutest thing ever. Your little laugh was so adorable and I didn't want it to stop. Of course, it did. If nothing else, you are super consistent. When you are done, you are done. 

The Time Your Uncle Married Your Aunt

It is poor taste to outshine the bride on her wedding day, but it's not your fault since you can't help it. Today you got to be part of your Uncle Zach's wedding party as the honorary flower girl. You were super cute in your pink, frilly dress. As per usual, your daddy made us late - traffic didn't help either. We arrived last to the family pictures outside of the temple that afternoon. Your Uncle Zach had already married your new Aunt Maggie and everyone was on the temple grounds taking pictures. They all appeared to be waiting for us. I thought that we were meeting them there while they were still inside and we would have plenty of time to get you ready once we arrived; however, I was unpleasantly surprised that we were aiming to arrive when they were coming out and we were late for that. I was rushing to get you dressed once we arrived and daddy ran off to be in the pictures. They sent someone over to help me dress you because, as it turned out, they could care less about your daddy getting to the pictures, everyone - including the bride - wanted you to be there. It was starting to get chilly so I had tights and a sweater for you but they took you from me before I could put it on. All I could think about was how uncomfortable you must have been. I kept throwing a blanket on you between shots. They held you up in pictures like you were the baby of the happy couple - a little weird - but you made the day. Everyone who had not met you was thrilled to see you. The bride was beautiful and the couple was so happy, but you were pretty cute too. Right after pictures though I put you in your owl outfit. I didn't like you being uncomfortable. You will note later in life that I hardly ever had hair bows or frilly dresses on you despite your lack of hair and sometimes questionable gender based on appearances alone, but I was always more comfort over everything. Every time I put a bow on you, it left a mark, and I was not about to subject you to any pain just to make you look more like a girl - you were beautiful all by yourself and believe me that hair will eventually come in! The wedding reception was wonderful and you were a champ being passed around to family members all night without a fuss. You napped for about thirty minutes, but otherwise, you were up all night enjoying the party. 

The First Encounter with Santa

Today was an exciting day! You met Santa. He came all the way from the North Pole to meet with the best of the best here in Austin. I got you all decked out in your beautiful Christmas dress (given to you by your daddy's Uncle Sam and Aunt Stephanie). You were by the far the cutest kid in line, but where aren't you the cutest kid. It was a pretty quick wait despite multiple children being terrified and crying at the sight of Santa and others who were far to distracted to sit still long enough for a photo. They really know how to push people through the line quickly and you were no exception. While I knew that it would be a challenge to get a smile out of you, I was hopeful that I would at least have time to try, but they get you set up and snap and go. Santa thought you were too cute for just one photo though and suggestive we try again in a different position. You were not even phased by him. I think you were more intrigued by all of the pretty decorations and the random assortment of people staring at you. Fortunately, you looked at the camera (without a smile but with lots of cuteness) and we got a great first Christmas picture with Santa. We used the picture to make all sorts of gifts for us and your grandparents. Of all of the Santa pictures I saw this year, you were by far the best!

The First Rice Cereal Attempt

At the last doctor's visit, we were informed that we could give solids a try if we wanted. Dr. Wagner said there were no strong pros or cons to initiating solids, but that if we wanted to give it a try before six months, we could have at it. Of course, I was revved up for this. Not that I don't love being your main source of food, but adding in extra food supply definitely couldn't hurt since you are hungrier than ever these days. Daddy's a little more weary and is more on the no cons to not starting solids now either. Today, I decided it was go time regardless of how much longer daddy wanted to wait. I got you all set up in your chair and daddy took photos. You were so amazing. Of course, you had no clue what to do at first. The best picture we got was of you going for the whole bowl - my bad that I put it in a glass side dish. It was really cool to watch how quickly you could adapt though. Within minutes you really seemed to get the hang of it. You were going for the spoon and opening up for the food. But, it will take a lot more practice for both of us because while you seemed to be getting the process, the food was not staying in your mouth very well. That's the boxes fault though! The first rice cereal feeding is supposed to be 5 tablespoons of milk with 1 tablespoon of rice cereal. This essentially make rice flavored milk. I was giving it to your in a spoon and it was just leaking right back out. After a few bites, we decided to make it easier (for all of us!) and give the rest to you in a bottle. This way you still got a taste for it, but you also actually finished it too!

The Time Your Turned Four Months

Highlights this month: 

5) Sadly, back to the doctor for 4 month well child visit which included a bunch of shots - healthy as usual, growing great, still skinny-miss-mini and tall like daddy and you handled the shots like a trooper

4) You have wiggly-leg-syndrome - always moving

3) You are starting to get an itch for movement - I can tell you really want to start moving

2) You are really sleeping long stretches through the night - now we just need to get you in your bed

1) You are flipping over one way!

The Average Day with You

I had such a special experience with you today. I’m sure I’ll think so many moments are super special, but you are in such an awesome phase of your life right now that each day brings so many new, cool opportunities to enjoy sharing time with you. You are so cute when you wake up. You don’t really wake up completely. You keep your eyes closed and start stirring. I can tell that you aren’t ready to wake up, but I know your tummy must be making you uncomfortable so I feed you and you fall back into sleep. I stared at you for a while to make sure you are really sleepy – so cute. Then I lay you down with your daddy and the two of you professional sleepers knock out another few hours of sleep. I’m not the sleeper in the family so I’m up – despite the fact that I have to work the overnight shift later. I try to get a few more things done (television shows watched) before you wake up for good. Once you and your daddy come out, I light up! You are the cutest upon waking up. You smile so much. You just seem so happy to be up with us. We got to hang out together. I loved how you grabbed your feet. You have just recently discovered those toes and you are becoming increasingly interested in them. You babbled to yourself and really got a kick of the “other baby” in the mirror that was babbling back at you. Then, I swear, I got to hear your first little laugh. It was quick and sort of a half laugh like it was not finished. I’m assuming we will start hearing full giggles and laughs very soon as happy as you are and I just can’t wait. 

The Time You Started Talking to Mommy

You had been babbling for a while now, but there are some days when I just really feel like capturing the moment by writing down how it felt to experience these days with you. Today we had fun watching Yo Gabba Gabba, reading, tummy-timing, and sitting outside playing fetch with the dogs, but the real fun came for about thirty minutes in the evening when we just sat and talked to each other. I can’t wait for the nights when we sit up having real conversations, but these have got to be the cutest. You have long conversations with daddy it seems like all of the time, but it’s rare when I get to experience them too. We sat on the couch and while you laid there you looked at me and just started chatting. I would let you let it all out and watch your tongue just working so hard to get these babble words out. Then I would respond. At first, I tried to stick to the books and respond with real words, but after a while, I gave in – like daddy – and started mimicking your noises. You seemed to be pretty responsive to that. We went on for about fifteen minutes just going back and forth. Little moments like these remind me what an amazing miracle life is and how amazing your rapid development has been in such a short time. Each day you can do new things and I’m constantly in awe of you. At this end of this little session, I was prepping you to take a bath and I just stared at you. I looked up at your daddy and said “I can’t believe I made this”. It still blows my mind that you are here and that you are ours – and somehow you turned out so perfect in every way despite the two of us that made you. 

The First Thanksgiving

I used all of my PTO on maternity leave to have you so coming back to work I’ve actually had to work! Thanksgiving was the first holiday back and it actually landed on my shift so we would not be going home to Houston. Before you were born, your daddy and I would go to both of our houses for nearly every Thanksgiving. We had a couple of exceptions when one of our families would have Thanksgiving out of town at which time we would trade off and spend it with just one family. This Thanksgiving though we were celebrating as a little family of three since I had to work all day. Not only was it your first Thanksgiving but it was our first without our families too. Your daddy tasked me with getting a pecan pie and the turkey. Bad idea. I had made a pumpkin pie the day before because for some reason I thought it was your daddy’s favorite – turns out neither of us really like pumpkin pie. I went to Central Market to get a killer pecan pie and while I was there I decided that the turkey tasted awesome so I would get it from there. Silly mommy though I didn’t think to ask the man in the deli to cut it into thick slices and instead I ended up with two pounds of overpriced deli-thin sliced turkey. It tasted delicious but it certainly did not shout Thanksgiving turkey. I went ahead and picked up another pound at Rudy’s where daddy suggested getting it from in the first place which turned out to be a bit thicker for appearance purposes. That was my contribution. Daddy was not too happy with my meat selection but I think we both had ideas about what needed to be present for our first Thanksgiving together. While I was at work, you and daddy spent the day together and daddy prepped all of the food. I happened to get off work a little early and came home to help cook. Despite the look of the turkey and dad’s vat of sweet potatoes, our little dinner for two turned out great. Overall, it was quite successful and of course, you were the center of attention. We put you in your “First Thanksgiving” onesie which was a hand me down from a church member so it had some room to grow. I posted your picture and the entire family was in love. We were definitely lucky to have you and we both knew exactly what we were thankful for this Thanksgiving – a super amazing daughter. 

The Beginning of the End of Your Stationary Life

You had been teetering on the brink of a rollover for a week or so by now, but today was the big day. We went from one subtle flip after minutes of extensive effort to lightning flipping before our eyes. Your daddy and I thought it was pretty funny. We would lay you down on your play mat and turn away for a second and ta-da you were flipped before we turned back around. You were also quite adept at moving despite not being able to really move yet. You looked like you were swimming – pushing your tummy against the ground and paddling those arms and legs. You would start with a smile on your face which would quickly turn to frustration as you discovered you weren’t moving anywhere. You did have the spins down though. You started turning towards me or daddy to make sure you didn’t miss a beat. We could tell you were ready to move more and it occurred to us that this was the beginning of the end of our little stationary lady.

The Time You Put Two Fingers in Your Mouth

Your Grannie Jannie took us out to Kerbey Lane for a late dinner after daddy got done at work. You are a late night lady so you weren’t fazed by the time, but you were cute and entertaining. Most times when we have gone out to eat since we brought you home, you usually go to sleep. This time you were intent on hanging out and checking out the scene. Particularly tonight you started putting two of your fingers in your mouth. Super cute, but more importantly, you looked just like your Uncle Nicholas. Per Facebook, everyone knows someone that also had this particular sucking pattern, but I remember your Uncle Nicholas doing this for years when we were younger. I’ve seen you do this once before but it was so cute. We were lucky and we got a great shot of it too!

The Time You Turned Three Months Old

Highlights this month: 

5) You are really coming into your own this month

4) You continue to show awesome head control - which led to many cute pictures

3) You began showing a great afinity for your little fists

2) You didn't have to go to the doctor this month for shots! But I did have to take you because I thought you were sick - turns out you were just a little congested

1) All of these close up shots make you look so chubby. Relative to previous months, you are packing on the pounds; however, little miss string-bean, your Taylor height makes you still look super petite

The First Halloween

Despite the fact that we had literally just moved in the house and everything was still a little chaotic with me going back to work, I was super excited to be in our own home for our first Halloween together. I once bought a bag of candy for our third floor apartment just in case trick or treaters would be coming around - how silly of me. Perhaps in actuality, it was a ploy to buy candy for me and daddy with a rational explanation as to why we needed it. This year though I was certain that we would have costumed little ones stopping by since we were in a house so I stocked up on candy. You and I were dressed for passing out candy in our Longhorn gear. The first group came and it was a struggle to figure out how to give the candy out while also holding you to show you off. I mastered it mid-way through the endeavor. After closing the door, I readjusted and prepared for the next kids. Unfortunately, there were no next kids. That first group happened to also be the last group. So much for our first Halloween with a house - no trick or treaters any way. At least, we looked cute!

The Big Day Back

One of the hardest days of my life little one! I had the chance to feed you before I left. You weren’t quite awake yet – just your typical morning feeding – half asleep and half awake. You were so hard to put down. I wanted to stay and cuddle with you longer. I was almost late lingering. I did it though. I left you with daddy and headed to work. All day long I thought about you guys. Do you have enough milk, will daddy know what to do, or will you forget who I am? We had three months uninterrupted together but I was convinced I was just the lady who fed you and you weren’t going to recognize me when I came home after a 12 hour shift. It was a miserable shift. I came home though and you seemed perfectly content with daddy. I felt sad at first because it did seem like you didn’t need me, but ultimately, it made me so happy to know that I had a husband who I knew loved you so much that he could do just as good a job with you as me. You guys made it unscathed and I got my cuddling in that night. 

The Blessing and The Leaving

Boy was this a busy day. We knew that we were moving back this day but it wasn’t until last week that we knew where we were moving and where to for sure. We kept trying to initiate packing but we both thought it was going to be much easier than it turned out to be. We left most of our stuff in Austin in storage but we far underestimated the amount of stuff you had in Houston – lots of presents from all of the showers. We started packing Thursday but were interrupted by your Aunt Kristin’s wedding festivities. On Friday night we had the rehearsal dinner and then most of Saturday I was busy with her wedding. So here comes Sunday morning. We start to finish packing. It’s going but slowly – very slowly. Daddy and I also wanted to get your blessing done. This obviously was the last possible weekend to accomplish this in Houston. It was important to us to have your blessing with family especially since we knew we would be coming back to Austin to a new ward where we did not know anyone yet. Therefore, we had your blessing at 1PM in Houston. It was great. Your daddy was so nervous. He stayed up planning as he always does at the last minute. He put a lot of thought into what he said. He wanted it to be perfect and he was definitely nervous about the public speaking aspect. Your Taylor family was there including Zach and Maggie in from College Station and your GiGi came too. Your daddy did an amazing job. It was really special and you looked beautiful. You wore my christening gown. It may have been your Aunt Taryn’s but it makes a better story if it’s mine. 

Then we rushed home to pack up completely which ended up taking the rest of the night. We finally set sail and we got to Austin by midnight. We were finally at our first house – your third home. It was too late to see anything or really settle in at all. We pulled in the mattress in the living room and put on the sheets. We tried to turn on the air and one very chilly night later we realized that the gas had not been turned on yet and therefore no matter how much we wanted the heat on it wasn’t going to happen. We all snuggled up on the bed and I left really early in the morning for work. Our first night in our new home with our little bundled up bundle of joy. 

Discussions with Daddy

While mommy is busy reading parenting books and learning about your milestones from the pages of these books and the words of doctors, your daddy is getting firsthand experience observing your daily miracles. Daddy is telling me about your cute little cooing. Daddy told me that you were “talking” to him. He said that you looked at him and you started to make noises. Instead of doing what the books say about not using baby talk and articulating with you to encourage speech development, he mimics you and guess what? It worked! You talked to him for 20 minutes back and forth. You never cease to amaze us. Super cute and of course you are turning into a little genius that has us wrapped around your little fingers. This picture isn’t from until after we moved but it’s a cute representation of you and daddy’s time together.  

Back to Austin

Since our insurance is through mommy’s job, even when we lived in Houston for a while our plan was only good for Austin doctors. We knew this ahead of time, but it was still an adventure to get your prepped and ready to come to Austin for your follow up check up and first shots (scary!). I had been trying to come up to Austin with you several times before this because my bestie in Austin, Kelsey, had just given birth to your new buddy, Maverick, but this was the soonest that I could get to town. Daddy was also able to take off to come with us which was great because we ended up really needing the help! We started the morning off slowly and just barely left Houston in time to make it to Austin for your appointment. You were awesome for your second long drive. You slept all the way until the last five minutes then you were a bit fussy. We managed until we pulled up and I fed you while daddy ran ahead to let them know we were coming up. You were a rock star at the appointment too. You had aced all of your milestones and showed up all the other babies with sleeping through the night and being super chill and easy. The lady with the immunizations was hardcore and knocked out the shots real quick. I got a bit teary eyed when they first injected you but it was so quick and you cried so briefly. You were so strong and such a trooper. Next we grabbed some Torchy’s and headed to Kelsey’s to visit and meet Maverick. 

Not that we didn’t think you were an angel before, but daddy and I were really counting our blessings after meeting Maverick. Maverick is a crier and seemed like a handful. You looked at him like you were wondering what on earth he was doing with all of his crying. It was great to visit though. I missed my Austin friends and the opportunity to vent about parenting challenges with someone who understood and was experiencing it too. But again, more than anything, we learned how luck y we were to have such a great baby like you. You seemed so chill after having your shots we really thought we were lucking out with that too. We waited until Tim came home so you could see him again too. Both of them had come to the hospital to meet you when you were first born, but it was fun to see them see you again and get to meet their little one. You seemed to still be doing well so we decided to head back to Houston. About 30 minutes into the ride nearly three and a half hours after your appointment, you started bawling. I had never heard you cry – definitely not cry like this. My heart was aching for you and I started crying too. I made your daddy pull over and we got baby Tylenol at the nearest CVS. I cradled you in my arms and tried to soothe you by letting you eat but you were so uncomfortable. We broke more safety rules tonight. I’m such a hypocrite with all my safety education lessons at work! I held you in the ergobaby in the back seat for the rest of the ride to ease you to sleep and keep you comfortable. You went to sleep but I was giving you baby Tylenol as often as we were allowed to ensure that you were comfortable. We will have that ready to go for your next appointment don’t you worry!

Other highlights this month: 

5) We have spent your second month in Houston

4) We started get a lot more smiles out of your pretty face

3) You still sleep quite a bit of the day

2) You still definitely hate the laundry basket I make you take pictures in - I'm sorry!

1) You are really starting to show your adorable, chill personality - we love the little person you are becoming

The First Swim

You had such a cute swim suit it just asked to be used! It was not super warm outside but the fall was coming and we wouldn’t have too many more opportunities to use your suit before it was cold. By the next time that you could swim, I don’t know if this little suit would fit, but then again, it’s Texas so that day may come sooner than I think. The little suit was SO little. I thought there was no way that it was going to fit you, but I put it on and it was huge! You seem so much bigger than to me than when you were born so it amazes me how small you still are. We got into GiGi’s little pool in the backyard. Well, I started you off in the even littler pool first. You made such a shocked, scared face. Then, we got in together slowly into the bigger pool and you seemed to be okay with it when we were together. The books said that your stepping reflex would still be active in the water where you were weightless. I got to see it. It’s pretty funny to see you taking steps like you were ready to walk away from me despite the fact that you have several months before you get to that place again for real. It was a fun day, but it was still a little chilly. We swam for a little longer with your cousins, Berkley and Brett, but then we cuddled up in towels and finished up our fun first swim adventure. Can’t wait until it gets warmer again outside so we can try again.

The First Smile

You were born making cute little smirks. I thought that you weren’t supposed to smile until much later, but we got lucky with a cute smiling sweetheart straight from the womb. From then, you would smile in your sleep. It was so cute. I couldn’t wait until you really busted out a smile. Until this day, I thought I had seen your smile. Once I saw this one I knew that I hadn’t seen anything yet. Everyone told me that when you first smiled I would know and they were right. You were playing with GiGi downstairs at their house in front of the television. GiGi was cooing into your ear and then I heard her say get the camera. I looked at you and you had this big smile on your face. I ran to get the camera and sure enough I got one shot of it then you stopped. You are a bit camera shy so I was so excited that I even got a shot of your real first smile. Adorable. 

Bath Time for the Little Lady

Alright so it’s not your first bath. I promise that I’ve bathed you a few times since you were born. You don’t really get dirty yet anyway. I have been giving your little sponge baths occasionally on your changing table and a towel on the floor of the bathroom at the old apartment, but now we have more space and we busted out your snazzy Nemo bath at GiGi’s house. You were so chill. You didn’t cry or fuss even. You just laid back and enjoyed the water. You are going to be a little water bug, I know it. 

This was also the mark of your first month with us! Other highlights this month:

5) You obviously had your first real bath

4) We spent most of your first month at our old apartment in Austin

3) You kept mesmerizing us with your beautiful, big blue eyes

2) You made a laugh with your little t-rex arms that refused being swaddled

1) We have the most amazing baby ever!

The Move to Houston

We thought that you would be living in Houston longer of your life than even this, but it was time to go to GiGi and Pop Pop’s house for the duration of my maternity leave. Since you came three weeks early, we ended up staying in Austin longer with you than anticipated. We had about three weeks in the old apartment making it work with the limited baby clothing and equipment that we had. Daddy and I thought we did a pretty good job of taking care of you by ourselves, but even while in Austin we weren’t really by ourselves for more than a week. GiGi stayed with us for one week then Grannie Jannie and Sabita came up for a few days too. It was nice to come home to my parents though to help us transition into being parents ourselves. You had a blast getting to spend more time with your grandparents on both sides. I loved being back at home and visiting with high school friends like Bridget, Jill, and Dani. Daddy took a little time to adjust to living with his in-laws but quickly settled in and seemed to be comfortable too. It was very nice to take it easy and enjoy you surrounded by family and friends . It was a whirlwind experience and it flew by so quickly, but I loved it and I think you did too. Both of your grandmas though felt it was way too quick and missed you incredibly when we left to go back to Austin. 

The Arrival

You surprised us all with your early arrival. I was more than ready mentally and emotionally and physically for you to arrive, but logistically, we probably could have used another week or so. I had another week of work slated – which was funny because I did take off a week prior to your anticipated due date in anticipation of a possibly early arrival, but apparently that was not enough for you. I’ll claim it until the day I die, but I felt like something was going to happen… call it mother’s intuition. That Thursday, I called my supervisor to ask if I had an on-call person for my Friday overnight shift – just in case. She asked if I was okay and I said I was fine, but again just in case. That night, I laid in bed with my ipod app counting contractions – at least what I thought might be contractions. I was starting to get nervous. I kept thinking that I wasn’t going to know what labor was and that I wasn’t ready. Your daddy came into the room and thought I was being ridiculous sitting up awake at 3AM. I didn’t tell him what I was doing until later. I didn’t want to alert the media before I was sure. Whatever it was that I thought I was feeling, they stopped and were inconsistent anyway so I gave up counting and finally fell asleep. I was actually napping through the morning in preparation for my Friday night overnight shift when things really started to happen. It was 4:45PM when I was starting to wake up and get ready for work. I was still lying in bed when I felt a rush of water. Considering that I was lying down this felt strange and definitely not normal. I got up and went to the bathroom. I was pretty convinced that my water had broken but I was also in shock a little. I called the on-call doctor and spoke with the doctor who would later deliver you. She told me that at this stage in most women’s pregnancies it is not unusual for them to pee on themselves and think that their water is breaking. She asked if it was still happening and I wasn’t completely sure but I said that I didn’t think so – I was wrong by the way, it didn’t stop until after I delivered! She told me to go to work if I felt comfortable and then see how things went or if I just wanted to check to make sure, I could go to the hospital and get triaged. Ultimately, she said to tell my supervisor that I would be late, but that I would lately come in to work tonight. I called Cindy to ask for assistance and tell her that I would lately be in because I felt fine but that I might be a little late. Cindy told me to go to the hospital and not worry about coming in just in case. I called GiGi and told her. At this point, I was trying to remain super calm. I didn’t want to get too excited if it was a false alarm. GiGi thought I was being completely silly downplaying it and she’s the one who told me that you were definitely coming. GiGi was already making plans with Pop Pop to come to Austin. Daddy walked in at about 5PM. I had already repacked both of the hospital bags and was sitting on the couch waiting for him to arrive. He walked in, and I said, “Okay, it will probably just be a checkup but we need to go to the hospital – I think my water may have broken”. Daddy looks at me and says “How serious is this? Can I eat some ice cream first?” So instead of rushing to the hospital chaotically, I sat calmly on the couch while your daddy ate a bowl of ice cream and checked his email. Then we finally left for the hospital after taking out the dogs. We left the bags in the car because we didn’t want to be those people – the ones that came all ready to check in then had to go back home to wait longer. By the time we made it to the ER and were waiting, I had soaked through my second pair of pants. I was pretty embarrassed! The whole way over your daddy was saying that it was too early and that he didn’t think that it was really happening. Boy, did we show him! We finally got up to triage and the nurse placed a piece of litmus-looking paper on my pants and said “Yes that’s your water breaking, let’s move you into a room – you’re not going home now!” I looked at your daddy and said “Told you!” We got checked into our nice big room to wait for you to arrive. They told us that they like to see babies delivered within 24 hours of the water breaking to avoid the chance for infection so the clock had started. I couldn’t feel any contractions and had no pain so they had to hook me up to monitors to watch my contractions and your heartbeat. It was always exciting to hear your fast little heartbeat. My natural birth plan was slowly fading away, however, because once they attached me to all of the monitors even with the plug-free versions it was difficult to walk around without them falling off. The nurse checked me out and it looked like it was still going to be a while. The nurse told us that the doctor wanted me to get some sleep and that we would check me out in the morning. I told them that I was ready for an overnight shift so I was not tired at all. They gave me a sleeping pill so that I could prep for the hard work of the morning. Even with a sleeping pill, I only slept about four hours. I was so excited. Daddy, true to form, slept without a problem even on his little cot. The morning came around and at 6AM the nurse informed me that without more progress that the doctor was recommending Pitocin to kick start the labor into hyperdrive due to our ticking countdown. We agreed despite hearing that once Pitocin kicks in that it is a lot harder to stick with the natural birth plan as the pain is more significant than natural labor typically that we would try to keep with it without the epidural. But, I went from zero on the pain scale to over 10 within 10 minutes once the Pitocin drip started, and doing it without pain medication was starting to look like an epic challenge. I did my deep breathing through about four hours of intense contractions every minute or so. Daddy was sitting across the room still in shock that this was even happening and GiGi was at bedside holding my hand through contractions. I started becoming a little tearful with each contraction. Now, I wasn’t crying – not by a long shot, but I was also starting to believe that I wasn’t capable of this. The nurse came back in and told us that you weren’t likely to be making your grand appearance until after dinner… mind you it was about 10ish in the morning. I didn’t think that I could make it another hour much less until after dinner. I started to whine about it a bit to your grandmother and father. Everyone was telling me to consider getting the epidural. I felt like I was letting you and the nurse that had been so gung-ho about natural childbirth down. Eventually… after about ten minutes… I decided that I was going to cave and I said heck yeah to the epidural. The doctor came in with the medicine and all of the horror stories I heard about the big giant needle and the pain of it went out the window. I didn’t see the needle but it was quick and painless. I asked them to keep it on the lowest dose. It kicked in fast and the subtle pain that I was starting to feel – even that was gone. Awesome! The doctor checked me out just after the epidural and it turns out that I was already 8 cm… probably could have made it naturally at that point, but I gave in before I knew! Within 30 minutes, the doctor came in and said it looks like we are ready to start pushing. I was shocked. We went from after dinner to thirty minutes later. Your daddy was taking a restroom break and I was afraid he wouldn’t make it back in time. Your Pop Pop was also still in the room. I kicked him out fast and told him to find daddy quick. Just in time, daddy came in and ran to his spot at the top of the bed where he didn’t have to see anything too graphic and he held my head. The doctor even asked if he wanted to hold my foot at one point but he was too nervous and uninterested in that front row seat so he kept his hand on my shoulder and head and his eyes to the wall. GiGi was taking pictures and holding my foot for the doctor. It only took about ten minutes of pushing and there you were. I didn’t even have time to get emotional. It happened so much faster than me or your daddy anticipated and it was so much easier than I thought too. I was chill with no crying or screaming or breaking your father’s hand like on the movies. It was such a sweet, peaceful entry into the world. I got to hold you immediately. 



You were so tiny and crying. It was the most amazing experience and surreal moment of my life. It was beautiful. Daddy cut your umbilical cord and kept taking pictures and video of you as they cleaned you up. The cleaned me up quick and cut the medications on me. I felt great within 15-20 minutes and was walking around by myself. I didn’t feel out of it or weak or anything. The epidural didn’t have much of a lasting impression and I assumed it was due to the fact that I didn’t have to be on it long. I got you back shortly thereafter and you fed for the first time. You were a rock star from the start with that. We were the only ones in the labor and delivery unit that weekend so we got lots of special attention. You, me, and daddy spent a lot of alone time at the hospital, but your Uncle Zach came into town to watch the dogs and meet you so your daddy left occasionally too and it was just you and me. GiGi and Pop Pop stuck around to introduce themselves to you but then they went back to Houston and GiGi came back up later. Those moments with you alone with just you and me were very special. I memorized your face and features. You were so cuddly in the swaddle but you were also so alert when you woke up. I think you were studying me as much as I was studying you. Daddy loved holding you too. He found a position that he really liked to hold you in and he almost wouldn’t let me have you back sometimes. Daddy even took on diaper duty already and though his first diaper was aided by doctor’s gloves, he fell into a daddy routine with you instantaneously. You just fit right into our lives like it was always meant to be. You had a lot of hospital visitors in the days to follow including: Aunt Taryn, Uncle Chris, Uncle Chance, Uncle Nicholas, your cousins, Berkley and Brett, and friends like Kelsey and Tim, and Sarah Stanley and her mother. Everyone thought you were beautiful and of course I shared it pretty quickly on Facebook so the world could start adoring you too. We stayed at the hospital for three days with no complications. You were very healthy and you scored perfect on every test. The nurse said that she had been there for 13 years and she had only seen two other babies score a perfect 10 on their Apgar score. You also dominated the hearing test in a few short minutes when it can sometimes take up to thirty minutes for babies to pass that. What did we expect, we knew you were going to be a little genius right off the bat. Beautiful and brainy! Then it was time to take you home. Nervous? Yes. Ready? Somewhat. Elated? Definitely, without a doubt. 

The First Few Weeks

Your surprise early arrival gave us the opportunity to stay in Austin with you a little longer than we had anticipated. We had mentally been prepared to live here about two weeks with you to get through to the first doctor visit, but the extra week caught us by surprise. I wasn’t even done officially with the work I was scheduled for yet. We had to make a run to get diapers and wipes and bust out some of the clothes that we happened to keep in Austin. I only thought we would need a few outfits and you ended up rotating a few outfits over and over again. Don’t worry that will all be fixed when we go to Houston and you find out that you in fact have tons and tons of clothes. Daddy and I were scared to leave the hospital with you because it would be a lot more real than it felt. It still felt surreal. Fortunately, GiGi came back up and helped us transition. You were so easy and so chill that it wasn’t at all what I expected. Sure I woke up lots during the night two or three times to feed you but I already didn’t sleep well or much so that didn’t phase me. GiGi helped out with holding you a little during the day so I could do things at home. I ended up feeling more like I was hosting GiGi than really needing help but it sure felt nice to have your grandma there in case I panicked. I think she really enjoyed sharing your first moments with you too. After that first week, your Taylor family came to meet you too. They were in St. John when you were born and we had to deliver the good news via phone. They were disappointed to be late but they were thrilled to meet you when they did. Grannie Jannie and Aunt Sabita stayed a few days later than the rest of the family. Your first photo shoot was orchestrated by your Taylor grandmother. We went to Hobby Lobby and stocked up on background fabrics and props. You were a great photo subject for a good two hours but then the new mommy in me couldn’t handle your subtle cues of annoyance due to all of the fiddling with you anymore and I called it. We got some super cute pictures from it though and below is the one that we used for your birth announcement. Beautiful. 

Everyone thought so. Finally, we had a few days with just us. GiGi took your brothers to Houston so it was really just us. Your daddy and I really enjoyed those early moments. We started a bad habit, though, of having you snuggle to sleep with me instead of in your crib. We only had the pack-n-play in Austin and you had issues with acid reflux so you weren’t comfortable sleeping on your back. I couldn’t bear hearing you cry – it was so much harder than I imagined having to listen to you uncomfortable. You weren’t really even crying much but I just knew you wouldn’t even make a single noise if I held you so I did. I held you all the time. I never wanted to put you down. I didn’t even want to sleep. I just wanted to stare at you all the time. I was sold on you, and your daddy’s heart was melted by you too. 

The Celebrations and Commemorations

You were showered with love on many occasions. My best friend here in Austin, Kelsey Edwards, offered to throw a shower with Mandy Krutsinger, and then you also had one in Houston thrown by Camille, Ms. Gretchen, . 

Both events were awesome. In Houston, lots of old family friends and high school friends came to celebrate you. We got a ridiculous amount of stuff. The theme was favorite books so many people brought their favorites for you. We also got the stroller set from your Taylor grandparents so that we super nice. In Austin, the set up and decorations were gorgeous and we got lots of great stuff from my friends at work and church. GiGi got you the revamped rocking chair, made a pillow, and got the bedding set for your crib. We had so much stuff for you, but the best part was being with a lot of people that I don’t get to see often enough and celebrating this new part of my life – waiting for you to make your debut. 

While I was in Houston, GiGi and I went out to take maternity pictures. I may have been a little too gutsy standing up on waterfalls while 37 weeks pregnant but they turned out pretty cute. We had to stuff my tummy and lay on pillows at some points to make my stomach look as pregnant as I was. Fortunately, you didn’t take up a lot of space and between you and the gestational diabetes and throwing up, I hadn’t gained much weight at all. In the nick of time, daddy and I also went out in Austin with Uncle Chance and took couple’s maternity pictures too. It was all business with your dad and I was pretty tired on my feet by this time marching around south Congress looking for photo opportunities, but they also turned out pretty cute. We got them taken just before you came so it was great timing on our part and yours!