Go Rebels!

Last Sunday Taylor got to cheer on his dad's baseball team for the first time. The Rebels have had a rough season, but they put on quite a show this weekend with some good defense, great hits, and even a home run! Jason got his first hit into the outfield, so it was a big day. Taylor slept through most of it, but cheered in his sleep. Someday soon I'm sure I'll be sitting on the sidelines with Jason watching our little Taylor at his T-ball game.

2 Weeks Old and Growing Like A Weed

I can't believe it has already been two weeks! Time has just flown since little Taylor arrived. Every day I look at him he seems a little bigger, and it makes me sad because each day goes by too quickly. But we love how he is getting more alert and making some fun faces. At his last doctor appointment last Thursday, he had passed his birth weight, so I'm sure by now he is up in the 8 lb range.

We also had more visitors this week, which was fun. My older sister, Sarah, was in town with her fiance Mark. Taylor had fun getting to know his auntie and uncle for the first time. Though a little late, we made it to church this Sunday. Taylor just ate and slept, so he did very well. Some friends from high school also made it over for a visit. I've enjoyed the company in the evenings because Jason has had to work nights (3-11:30pm) the last two weeks.

What else can I say. Taylor is such a joy, and Jason and I can't get enough of him. He is so fun to cuddle with, and he gets at least 100 kisses a day. Jason loves reading to him, and Taylor just soaks it all up. We feel so blessed to have him in our lives and are loving every moment of parenthood so far, even the lack of sleep. :) Here's a few more pictures of our little angel in his own words.

"Um, I have a question. When is it time to eat again?"

"I love my fingers"

"Is this how you hold a cell phone?"

"This vibrating chair is so relaxing"

"Tummy time is so fun!"

"Mom and dad's bed is so comfortable!"

"Keep bouncing, dad. I'm just about to fall asleep"

"Nice to meet you, auntie Sarah and uncle Mark!"

"Grandpa, will you make sure my binky doesn't fall out?"

"I love my mommy's kisses!"

"...and I have a poppy diaper, and I'm hungry, and I'm tired..."

5 Days Old!

We've survived! 5 days at least. Actually, Taylor has been great. He eats every 2 to 2 1/2 hours, sleeps well in between, and has some awake time when he just loves to read books and have us talk to him. We went to his first pediatrician appointment Friday which went well. He was down to 7 lb 7 oz, which is normal to lose weight at first. Hopefully with the next one he'll be gaining again. With all the breast feeding he's doing, he should be gaining. :) I, on the other hand, am still sore and recovering. Jason has been great, making dinner and cleaning, and changing diapers. The heat has still been hard. By the afternoon our house is pretty warm, so we're just trying to stay cool. Thanks for all the calls from people. Sorry we haven't been the best at calling back. It is hard to squeeze in the time when Taylor eats every 2 hours. But we would love to have visitors, so give us a call and we'll try to set up a good time. Here are a few more picts for your viewing pleasure.


Hanging out with Nana



Our little burrito



Awake time




Loving our swing

The Last Few Days

Well, the past 2 days have been quite a whirlwind. At 3:45 am on July 10th, I woke up with some pretty good contractions. I started timing them, and by 5 am I knew that we needed to head to the hospital. By the time we walked out the door at 6 am, contractions were about 3-5 min apart and getting stronger.

We got to Overlake Hospital at 6:20 am, checked in, and then things really got moving. I had decided to try and do things El Naturale, so no epidural, IV, or narcotics. It was very intense, but Jason was awesome and was right by my side the entire time holding my hand, breathing with me, and letting me squeeze his hand as hard as I wanted. :) It was nice to not be stuck in bed, so I did lots of walking around, swaying, sitting in the jacuzzi tub, and rocking in a chair. I had a midwife through it all who was also very helpful and encouraging. I was ready to give up many times ("Show me the drugs!!!!!"), but my support team gave me the strength to make it through.

Then at 12:32 pm, after a very painful 6 hours, Taylor finally arrived! 7 lb 14 oz. Just a bit bigger than we were expecting. :) But he was perfect. 10 fingers and 10 toes, and a nice loud cry. He has been a joy since he arrived. Thankfully a great breast feeder, and very social his first 5 hours.

So now we are just settling in at home and trying to beat Seattle's unusual heat wave. Life has changed so much. It is hard to take it all in. But Jason and I are loving parenthood, and can't wait for all that is to come. Stay tuned for more picts. Thanks to all of you for your prayers and encouragement. We are excited for Taylor to me all our wonderful friends and family.

He's Finally Here!

Taylor Riley Jenkins

July 10, 2007 @ 12:32 pm

7lb 14 oz

19 inches

....And waiting....

For all you inquiring minds, I'm still pregnant. Yup, 40 weeks and 5 days today. I guess Taylor is taking after his parents who tend to show up late to things as well. I have another appointment today, so we'll see if we're making any progress. In the mean time, though, I've been enjoying Seattle's beautiful weather! Saturday morning we got up at the crack of dawn to go out wake boarding (well, Jason, not me). Then we napped, I laid out in the sun and tried to work on my tan, then it was back to wake boarding that evening and BBQing with the Sanders and Russells. Sunday was church, a nap, then out to Idylwood park with my parents to celebrate my dad's birthday! I made sure to do lots of jumping around as we played frisbee, and they made sure to always throw it out of my reach so I had to bend down and pick it up. I think I probably got about 100 squats in last night. So now we're back to another Monday. I'm running out of things to keep me busy. Hopefully soon I'll be busy keeping up with Taylor.

Still waiting

Well, Taylor decided not to have a fourth of July birthday. He's still just hanging out like he has no place to go. I, on the other hand, am trying anything and everything to make him come sooner rather than later. Its not that I'm terribly uncomfortable or anything. But the clock is now ticking on my 6 week maternity leave, and I want the most time with him that I can before I have to return to work. That and I'm in my little sister's wedding on August 4th, and I have to be able to fit in my bridesmaid dress (which is not going to get any bigger). At this point I'm not opposed to being induced.

But since he didn't come, we were able to get out and enjoy some of the festivities on the 4th. Jason worked that morning, and I slept in late and got a pedicure. Then after bumming around the house for a bit, we ventured over to some friend's from church who live on Lake Sammamish. We enjoyed some BBQ, watched all the kids jump in the bounce house and swim in the lake, and then once the sun went down, headed out on the boat and watched the fireworks right over our heads. The weather was the best Seattle had seen on the fourth of July in many, many years. High 80's, not a cloud in the sky, and a nice light breezy to keep things cool. It was a perfect day. Though I rather would have been at the hospital. :)