Getting to Know Our New Little Man

It's only been two weeks since Ashton made his way into our world and yet I find myself wondering what we ever did without him.  He's been a wonderful baby!  He has a very calm and pleasant demeanor and really only cries when he needs something.  He's sleeping okay - he's usually up every 2-3hrs but with a stomach the size of a walnut, what can you expect! :)

His one week check up with the pediatrician went great.  He gained 8 oz and got a clean bill of health from the doctor.  His next appointment will be on January 30th for his one month check up.  He also had his first bath, which he loved.  I was expecting lots of crying and squirming but he really seemed to like the water - yippee!  On day 8, his umbilical cord fell off.  I should clarify that when I say it 'fell off', Jeff did some assisting.  He swears it was hanging on by a thread!

We've had several visitors to meet the little man.  As I mentioned, my mom and sister both made the trip out while we were still in the hospital.  It was great to have them here and they were very helpful as I was getting back on my feet.  Next, Jeff's parents, Grandma Nat and Grandaddy, arrived on New Year's Day to meet Ashton, their first grandchild.  We had a very nice visit with them also - lots of time was spent cuddling and holding the little man.  And they even helped us take down our Christmas decorations!

Now, it's just the three of us and I'm happy to report that we're faring well! It's been a huge help having Jeff off and so nice for us to be able to spend time as a new family.  :)

Little angel

Aunt Erin

Watch cat

Ashton's first piece of mail

Grandma Nat

Grandaddy

Three generations of Taylor men

First Bath!

Grammy

Love,
K & J

Introducing Ashton Trex Taylor!!

On December 27, 2011 at 3:18am, we welcomed into the world Ashton Trex Taylor!  He's absolutely perfect and we couldn't be any happier to have him in our lives.  The story of his grand entrance went something like this...


The lead up to Christmas was busy as usual.  I was working up until the 23rd, Jeff worked on Christmas eve and then he and I spent a quiet Christmas in Cleveland given Baby T's pending arrival.  We went to church Christmas morning, came home, opened gifts, took some last minute belly pics (see previous post), watched movies and had a yummy dinner of ham and lobster mac and cheese. All in all, a very relaxing day.  Little did we know it would be our last day as a twosome...


At 10am the next morning, my water broke (fortunately while I was at home).  I called my Dr. and she told us to come into the hospital as soon as we were able.  The only challenge was that my car (with the car seat already installed) was in the shop and Jeff had an appointment to have an oil change for his car that morning.  We decided to stick to our original plan as I wasn't having any major contractions yet.  So, Jeff went on his way to deal with the cars and I decided to rest in bed, shower and oh yes, do my nails (I now see that this is slightly crazy/funny!?!)     


I also called my mom, who incidentally was already on her way driving out to Cleveland in anticipation of Baby T's arrival (what can I say, drive and he will come!).  In hindsight, I wish I had waited until we were at the hospital bc I'm sure the next 7 hours of her trip were harried knowing that I was going into labor.


In any event, we arrived at the hospital at 2pm on the 26th December.  Unfortunately, I was only 1cm dilated and told that I 'looked too comfortable' to be in active labor yet.  I attributed my calm demeanor to all of my prenatal yoga and thought positively that I was going to be one of those lucky women who breathed her way calmly and coolly through delivery, coming out a bit tired, but overall fairly unruffled.  Yes, I was that naive and blissfully optimistic. :)


There was talk of Pitocin to induce my contractions but I wanted to see how things would progress naturally.  So we kicked on the iPod, turned down the lights and I tried to relax while sitting on the birthing ball to get things moving.  After 3 hours though and very little progress, I was strongly urged to start Pitocin.  I ultimately agreed and things began to get intense VERY quickly. 

I was still holding out on pain meds as I didn't want to be confined to the bed for any longer than necessary.  I began walking the halls to try and speed things up and also distract myself.  The pain was getting worse though and I knew I was starting to reach my breaking point when I told Jeff to get 'his sweaty hand off me' (it was the pain talking! :D).  So, after about 12 hours, and at 6cm dilated, I decided I had had enough and opted for some pain relief (via an epidural).  OMG - heaven!  Why didn't I do that sooner?


Several hours later, I was told I was ready to push.  So, we cranked up the music, and I began pushing.  After 2 hours of pushing, at 3:18am, the little man made his way to into the world with Led Zeppelin piping in the background (don't ask me what song).  He weighed 6lbs 12oz and measured 20 1/4 inches long.

What a wonderful day!  It will definitely go down as one of the most memorable and best days of my life...after only 2 wks with Ashton, I can't remember what we ever did without him.  I'm so thankful that Jeff and my mom were by my side during such a special event - we are truly blessed!  

University Hospital, Cleveland, OH

First family photo

Proud papa

Grammy's in love. :)

  

Whew....I'm spent!

Sleeping beauty

Aunt Erin flew in to meet her new nephew and see us at the hospital!

Mommy's little peanut

Love that face!

Heading home outfit - thanks, Aunt Anna, for my hat and booties.

Leaving the hospital with our new baby boy

Love,

K & J

Stick a Fork in Me, I'm Done!

This week, I’m officially ready to go!  Overall, I’ve enjoyed being pregnant and have had very few complaints.  At 39 wks though, I am officially starting to feel LARGE and exceptionally emotional.  I actually cried this week watching How I Met Your Mother…and yes, I'm talking about the comedic sitcom.  Needless to say, not only are we very excited to meet our little man, but I’ll be excited to put on a pair of boots with relative ease and get back to my usual chipper self.

In honor of the past 39 wks, I’ve included some pics of the growing bump.  When I look back at the first couple ones, when I swore I was HUGE, I have to laugh.  I must have asked Jeff to take at least a dozen pics so that we could capture Baby T in all of his 15 week glory.  Fortunately, I’ve been blessed with a wonderful husband who humored me in those early days, pretending to see the invisible bump…. for this and many other gestures, I will always be thankful. 

Without further ado - Baby T...through the weeks!

Fiji, ~15wks



On my way to work, ~18wks




DE tailgating weekend, ~26 wks



At home in DE, ~26wks



At home in CLE, ~29wks

DE shower, ~32 wks



Thanksgiving Day, ~35wks






~39 weeks

~39 wks

Christmas Day (day before going into labor!), ~39 wks



Love,

K & J

Showered with Love, Cleveland Style

Last month, our friends in Cleveland hosted a co-ed baby shower to welcome Baby T and celebrate his pending arrival.  It was a fun night full of good friends, great food and lots of laughs.  We played a couple of funny games – guessing the circumference of my growing belly and drinking beer, or water in my case, out of bottles.  The second game was MUCH harder than it sounds for those of you who haven’t recently been bottle-fed. :)

We also had a couple special guests of honor – our good friend Andrea, who moved back to Switzerland last year, surprised us with an appearance.  We were touched beyond words to have her join us!  Also my mom was in town to help us with some last minute items so she was able to share in the fun also, which was great.   

Thank you again to the wonderful hosts for a fun night!

The gals!

Measuring the bump...

The winner - a pediatrician, is that an unfair advantage?

Cheers to Baby T!

Chug-a-lug

Story time - Go the F* to Sleep, a hilarious book

Because everyone needs a sippy cup....

Love,

K & J

Crazy Cat Lady

It wasn’t long ago that I was a self-professed ‘dog person’. When Jeff and I met five and a half years ago, the fact that he had two cats wasn’t exactly a selling point, in my mind anyway. Still, after a brief courting period (btwn the cats and I), I grew to love Boots and Precious. So when dear Precious went on to catnip-filled pastures and Boots seemed lonely, the logical answer seemed to add to our litter.

So, one year ago today, we adopted our fury baby, Aloysius, from the Animal Protective League. I can say with 100% certainty that Aloysius (or Alo as we call him) has stolen my heart and turned me into that Crazy Cat Lady. I like to think that Alo’s a dog trapped in a cat’s body but really he’s just a cool cat and we love him to bits.

How does all this tie back to Baby T’s pending arrival? Well, goodness, if we can fall so in love with a cat, I can only imagine how smitten we will be with our little guy! The countdown is officially on now that we are in December. Currently T – 28 days!!

First Day Home - So fun and playful!

A little ornery...

He's flexible too!

All grown up!