Say Cheese!

We are now convinced that Taylor's smiles are for real, not just a bit of indigestion. :) Especially right after he eats, he is just Mr. Smiley. It is so fun to watch his whole face light up! He has these little dimples under his eyes when he smiles really big, and usually he has a big open mouth as well. The lights and music from his bouncy chair seem to have brought out the most smiles recently. But he also likes it when I kiss his cheeks. Our little guy is growing up! 6 weeks today in fact. I can't believe it. Time is just flying. Before we know it he'll be rolling over, and we'll wonder where the time went. Anyway, here is Mr. Smiley himself.

I Will Survive

The dreaded day has arrived. I have returned to work. Monday was my first night back, and it came with many tears. My little baby had not even turned 5 weeks, and I had to leave him! I got many hugs and words of encouragement from my co-workers, which was nice. My mom (Taylor's Nana) was with him from when I left till midnight, then Jason came home from work and did the rest of the evening feedings. Thankfully work was busy, so it kept me distracted. But I did call home a few times to check in and just hear his breathing. Dad did a great job on his first night doing all the feedings. I came home and found Taylor asleep on Jason's chest and Jason crashed out. So I crawled into bed and joined the party. I was glad to only be scheduled for Monday night, and didn't have to be back till Thursday and Friday night, so Taylor and I had a few days to catch up on our cuddling. It was hard to leave him again tonight, but a little easier than the first time. Hopefully each time will get easier. And I'm glad that Jason and Taylor can have their bonding time together. I think I will survive my return to work.

1 Month Old!

I can't believe Taylor is 1 month old! The time has just flown. Every morning Jason and I look at him and are convinced he grew overnight. I measured him today and he is 22 inches long, 3 more than when he was born. He is so much more alert, and will give us an occasional smile (which is probably just a gas bubble, but we like to think its because of something we did). He loves baths, and likes reading books. We are just having a blast with him, and are enjoying every single moment of parenthood.

Well, we just got back from a week in San Diego, and what a crazy week it was. The first few days were filled with activities for my younger sister Mary's wedding. First off, the line for airport security was longer than we planned, and we nearly missed the plane. We made a run for it, and just barely made it to the gate in time. Thankfully, Taylor was an angel the whole flight. I joined in for a little bit of the bachelorette party Thursday night while Taylor hung out with Jason. Then Friday it was brunch with the bridesmaids, rehearsal, and the rehearsal dinner. The running around was getting to Taylor, and he threw a bit of a fit at the dinner. We ended up having to leave early, and of course he crashed on the way home. Because we'd been late to every wedding activity, I made sure to get a head start on Saturday. Up at 7:30, I started packing the bags and laying out everything we'd need. Miraculously, we made it on time! The wedding was great, and almost everything went smoothly. Other than the bride tearing her train on the way down the isle, communion left in the paper bag and juice can, and the bells not tolling as the bride and groom walked down the isle, all was perfect. Taylor slept through the whole thing in the front row with Jason. At the reception, he crashed after a bottle and didn't wake up till the night was almost over. We got a dance in as a three some, ate some cake, toasted the bride and groom, and sent them on their way to Bora Bora. All in all, it was a wonderful wedding, and Mary couldn't have looked more beautiful.

Sunday through Wednesday we made the rounds all over San Diego visiting family and friends. Taylor did well, as long as he was fed on time. :) But he had a great time getting to know his "cousins" Evan and Abbey, playing at Mission Bay, meeting great-grandma and grandpa, going to dessert, and playing at the pool. By Wednesday we were wiped out, but very sad to be leaving everyone in San Diego. We did miss our flight on the way home, so we spent a few hours in the airport. Boy is it hard to be on time when you have a baby! Anyway, we are home now and trying to get adjusted back to life in Seattle. Most of our time has been spent in bed trying to catch up on sleep, but we've been able to get a little unpacking done. So, here's a few pictures of our time in San Diego.

The boys

Taylor and Uncle Rob

Crashed out at the wedding

Taylor with Aunt Mary

Chillin' at the pool

Jason with Evan and Matt

Me and Taylor relaxing in the shade

Taylor with Great-Grandma and Grandpa Riley

The whole gang at Extraordinary Desserts

The boys in their matching hats

Lounging in the tub

Splish Splash, Taylor's Taking A Bath!

Here's a few bath picts of our little man. We are headed out to San Diego this morning for a week, so these picts will have to tide everyone over till then. But I'm sure we'll have lots of great photos to share when we get back. And to everyone in San Diego, here we come!!!

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.