Taylorisms

Fifty years from now, when Taylor is finally able to start dating, she will ponder marriage and children and wonder about the things that she did as a baby.  Here are some of those things that make Taylor unique.

She has become fascinated with her fist.  She still can't figure out how to get them in her mouth, but she is trying. 

When it is awake time, she likes to be held facing outwards, preferably bouncing as you walk.  When its sleepy time, she likes to be held facing inwards, preferably patting (more like beating) her back as you walk around.  If you are still and she hasn't been asleep that long, she will wake up.  If you don't wait long enough to lay her down, she will wake up.  If you don't do it just right, she will wake up.

She sleeps swaddled at night in her Kiddopotamus. 

If she is in a good mood and you touch her chin, she might just smile for you.

It makes her very mad to yawn.

She has developed a fake cry that is simply meant to convey frustration.  It is more like a whimper than a cry.  When she cries the real cry, there will be no doubt. 

She's not really a fan of getting to sleep when we are ready to go to sleep.  That has been awesome for us by the way!

She's thinks its awesome to poop and pee so mommy or daddy will change her diaper and then when the diaper comes off to really squirt a big one out.

She likes to lay on her play mat for approximately 4.5 revolutions of the songs medley.  After that, it becomes boring. 

She loves to take a bath.  I mean loves it.  If she could scream with excitement, she would.  She shows us she is excited by pottying in the bathtub.  The below picture was pre-potty.

Taylor's First Walk

The first five weeks of Taylor's life were spent in the hospital.  It was a big day when finally were able to bring her home.  We bundled her up really tight since it was November and made the 30 second transfer to the car.  That has been the extent of her outdoor journey.  Car transfers to Paw-Paw and Gammy's house and back and car transfers from Papa and Mama-Bo's house and back.  Oh, and I can't forget the Doctor's visits.  With all that time in the great outdoors, she is a regular Jeremiah Johnson.

Don't get us wrong, we wanted to take her outside more, but this winter has been harsh for us warm-weather Alabamians.  Whenever we were ready to take a walk outside with her, it looked a little similar to this.  We weren't willing to risk it.  Although she is almost 4 months old, she is gestationally only about 1.5 months old. 

Fortunately, after months of cold weather, the heavens smiled on our little town in Alabama and we were able to attempt our first walk.  It was still a little chilly so Rebecca bundled her up in what has to be the cutest outfit on the face of the planet.  Don't believe me, check it out for yourself.

 We got out the stroller and set off on our trip around the neighborhood.  Rebecca took a picture to commemorate the occasion:

 Taylor had a great time.  She looked around and smiled. 

We took her in after only one loop around the neighborhood though as her face was getting a little chilly.  Hopefully when she gets bigger I'll be able to take her on some hikes at a park up the road.  If she's anything like her daddy, she'll love it!

Taylor's Cup Runneth Over

When we found out that Rebecca was pregnant, we sought the advice of friends and family concerning the battle between formula and breastmilk.  We were highly encouraged to breast feed if at all possible (sometimes it's not).  As we were told, breast feeding provides nutrition that your baby just can't get with formula.  Rebecca's breast feeding guru, Sarah Hinson (whose blog you can find here and here) told her about the numerous benefits.  Did you know that when Rebecca holds Taylor, Taylor's germs get on Rebecca?  That sounds pretty yuck, but God has a plan for that yuck.  Rebecca's body picks up on those germs and works to make antibodies to fight those germs and then delivers those to Taylor at the next feeding.  Isn't God's plan awesome?

Initially, we were very concerned about Taylor getting enough milk.  As you might remember, Taylor was in the hospital the first five weeks of her life.  Rebecca stressed herself out trying to get enough breastmilk to feed Taylor.  We even put a picture of Taylor beside the bed because that can stimulate breastmilk production.  Initally, Taylor was only taking about three CC's each feeding (doctor's orders, by the way, there are about 30 CC's in one ounce).  Rebecca would pump and pump to deliver just enough for Taylor to have at her next feeding.  Then she would pump and pump again, just barely having enough to cover the next feeding.  It was a constant concern for us.  As soon as Rebecca got one or two extra CC's, the doctor would increase Taylor's feeds starting our worries all over again.

We finally got to point where having enough for each feed was not a problem.  Now we have a different problem: Where to store it!

Note that this is a full size deep freeze specially packed over the course of 2.5 hours (by yours truly) to maximize breastmilk storage. 

Sleepless Nights

Taylor is doing awesome!  She is growing every week right on track.  At this last Monday's weigh-in, she was up to 7 lbs 13 oz.  Daddy made a spreadsheet (nerdy I know, but helpful) to track her weight and make sure she is progressing well.

She has her days and nights mixed up and is keeping Mommy and Daddy awake a large portion of night (mainly Mommy because Daddy doesn't have the right parts).  We're not complaining though.  She is truly a blessing from God.  As the quote on her wall says, it is hard to believe we have been given such a big miracle for such a little girl. 

She is also not taking a bottle well which presents problems for Kim on the one to two days a week that Rebecca works.  Pray that Taylor will be able to take the bottle while Mommy is away at work.  We're working with her nightly in hopes she will make the transition quickly.  She really prefers the alternative and lets be honest, who can blame her? (Daddy typing) 

That's the update for this week.  I'll leave you with a picture of that beautiful baby.  Look at those cheeks!