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| Happy Birthday, Nana! |
Later in the day, Graham took part in a Skype call with Pop Pop, who was enjoying a snowy day in Maryland.
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| Daddy and Graham talk with Pop Pop. |
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| Pop Pop is all smiles as he talks with Graham. |
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Grandparents Day
Nana and Papa returned to Nashville on Wednesday after spending a week of quality time with Graham and being a tremendous help around the house. Graham sent birthday wishes to Nana as she headed out on her drive home.
Later in the day, Graham took part in a Skype call with Pop Pop, who was enjoying a snowy day in Maryland.
It was a good day with the grandparents.
Later in the day, Graham took part in a Skype call with Pop Pop, who was enjoying a snowy day in Maryland.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Baby on Board
Welcome to The Daily TeleGraham, where our motto is "Baby Photos = More Readers."
Our world has changed, so why not our blog? New name (but same web address), new header image (to put the focus where it belongs), and new layout (just because). And no more log-in necessary.
Having started this site as a way to keep family and friends updated on our happenings since moving to North Carolina, we're now committed to keeping everyone posted on our new bundle of joy, Graham Patrick Taylor. Graham is lucky to have so many family and friends who love him; hopefully we can help them feel connected to this little one's life even when separated by the miles.
It's been amazing to see our child loved so immediately and so deeply by others simply because he exists. There's something instructive in that. Graham's entire life will be instructive, and we're excited about the learning we're going to do. Over time I hope to grow into the father he deserves. There's no question he'll make me a better man.
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| We're in this together. |
Having started this site as a way to keep family and friends updated on our happenings since moving to North Carolina, we're now committed to keeping everyone posted on our new bundle of joy, Graham Patrick Taylor. Graham is lucky to have so many family and friends who love him; hopefully we can help them feel connected to this little one's life even when separated by the miles.
It's been amazing to see our child loved so immediately and so deeply by others simply because he exists. There's something instructive in that. Graham's entire life will be instructive, and we're excited about the learning we're going to do. Over time I hope to grow into the father he deserves. There's no question he'll make me a better man.
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Monday, January 17, 2011
It's Go Time
It's a little after six o'clock in the evening as I write this. We're enjoying our final hours as a family of two before welcoming our little one into the world. We've been at Durham Regional Hospital since shortly after nine this morning. What a day. What an experience. Women are amazing.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Single Digits
It's hard to believe, but we're now only 9 days away from Bunky's due date of January 15th. [Insert "The Final Countdown" theme music here, which Matt so appropriately hummed as we left our doctor's appointment this week.]
The most common question I've gotten of late is "Are you ready?" Well, let me answer that in two ways: yes and no. Matt and I are ready in lots of ways. Hospital bag? Check. Car seat installed? Check. Bunky's room ready? Check. We're also ready to meet our son or daughter. These last 9 months have been a much-needed period of adjustment and preparation, but now, we're ready to know whether we have a boy or girl, know what he or she looks like, and begin our life as a family of three.
I would also say that we definitely are NOT ready in lots of ways. We're not ready for the sleepless nights (who is?), the adjustment to a completely new and unpredictable schedule, and the various other question marks that loom with such a major life change. I think you could give us another 9 months--heck, even 9 years--and we wouldn't be ready for what's about to happen. But I think that's the way it's supposed to be.
How are we spending our last few days as a DINK (Dual Income No Kids) couple? Well, we're doing a combination of baby prep and relaxing. When we're not running errands, cleaning the house, or checking a neglected item off of our to-do list, we're watching TV (sporting events, episodes of "The Office", etc.), playing Mario Kart, and reading. We've been told my multiple people to go to the movies as often as possible before kids, and although we've made it to Southpoint Cinemas recently, we certainly haven't heeded the advice to go often. Perhaps we'll be able to take in another flick or two this weekend provided that Bunky hasn't arrived.
No matter whether we have 24 more hours, 9 days, or 16 days to go, we know that the birth of our child will definitely be worth the wait.
The most common question I've gotten of late is "Are you ready?" Well, let me answer that in two ways: yes and no. Matt and I are ready in lots of ways. Hospital bag? Check. Car seat installed? Check. Bunky's room ready? Check. We're also ready to meet our son or daughter. These last 9 months have been a much-needed period of adjustment and preparation, but now, we're ready to know whether we have a boy or girl, know what he or she looks like, and begin our life as a family of three.
I would also say that we definitely are NOT ready in lots of ways. We're not ready for the sleepless nights (who is?), the adjustment to a completely new and unpredictable schedule, and the various other question marks that loom with such a major life change. I think you could give us another 9 months--heck, even 9 years--and we wouldn't be ready for what's about to happen. But I think that's the way it's supposed to be.
How are we spending our last few days as a DINK (Dual Income No Kids) couple? Well, we're doing a combination of baby prep and relaxing. When we're not running errands, cleaning the house, or checking a neglected item off of our to-do list, we're watching TV (sporting events, episodes of "The Office", etc.), playing Mario Kart, and reading. We've been told my multiple people to go to the movies as often as possible before kids, and although we've made it to Southpoint Cinemas recently, we certainly haven't heeded the advice to go often. Perhaps we'll be able to take in another flick or two this weekend provided that Bunky hasn't arrived.
No matter whether we have 24 more hours, 9 days, or 16 days to go, we know that the birth of our child will definitely be worth the wait.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Waiting on the World to Change
Only three more days until the calendar page flips to January. Time flies when you're having fun...or getting ready to have a baby. Matt and I can't believe that we get to meet our Bunky in just three weeks (or less...hopefully not more!).
December has been a blur, which is the main reason why we haven't provided many baby-related updates on the blog. So, allow me to catch you up:
36 weeks, 6 days...what a belly!
A family photo in Bunky's room. My mom and dad came in early December to pitch in on baby- and house-related projects such as washing Bunky's clothes and painting our hallway. Boy, were they a HUGE help!
Celebrating Bunky's diving abilities, a new head down position, and a canceled C-section.
The hospital bag...a work in progress.
Pardon the computer terminology, but Matt and I now feel like we're in "Standby" mode. We're just waiting for Bunky to come along and start up our new family. We're nervous, to be sure, but we're looking forward to meeting our little one far more than we're scared about the challenges that lie ahead (and we know there will be plenty).
We can't even begin to wrap our brains around what it will be like to see that sweet face, hold those little hands, and kiss those precious feet. Perhaps that's how it's supposed to be, though...we can't picture those things now because they will be far better than we can imagine. So Bunky, please know that mommy and daddy are waiting for you to change our world...for the better.
December has been a blur, which is the main reason why we haven't provided many baby-related updates on the blog. So, allow me to catch you up:
- We have sailed into the home stretch; I'm now at 37 weeks and counting!
- In early December, Bunky was in a breech position. Feeling that it was highly unlikely that the baby would turn before delivery, the doctor scheduled me for a C-section on January 6th.
- In mid-December, we visited the doctor to find that Bunky had turned into head down position. The doctor was as shocked as we were and responded to the news by canceling the C-section. Matt and I responded by having celebratory doughnuts. Our due date responded by returning to its original schedule: January 15th.
- We made some final preparations for Bunky's arrival: installing the car seat, washing the clothes that will be needed in the first few days (thanks, Mom!), attending a four-part childbirth class, and packing the hospital bags.
36 weeks, 6 days...what a belly!
A family photo in Bunky's room. My mom and dad came in early December to pitch in on baby- and house-related projects such as washing Bunky's clothes and painting our hallway. Boy, were they a HUGE help!
Celebrating Bunky's diving abilities, a new head down position, and a canceled C-section.
The hospital bag...a work in progress.Pardon the computer terminology, but Matt and I now feel like we're in "Standby" mode. We're just waiting for Bunky to come along and start up our new family. We're nervous, to be sure, but we're looking forward to meeting our little one far more than we're scared about the challenges that lie ahead (and we know there will be plenty).
We can't even begin to wrap our brains around what it will be like to see that sweet face, hold those little hands, and kiss those precious feet. Perhaps that's how it's supposed to be, though...we can't picture those things now because they will be far better than we can imagine. So Bunky, please know that mommy and daddy are waiting for you to change our world...for the better.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
A letter to my soon-to-be ex ... Sleep.
Dear Sleep,
We've had a good run, you and I, but it's over between us.
Naturally you're going to have some questions as to why I'm ending things, so I'll be honest. There's someone else in my life. Well, not yet, but soon. It's not fair, I know, but I have to make a choice. I can't give you both equal attention.
I thought we'd be together forever. Sometimes it seemed I could never get enough of you. Inevitably, I took you for granted. I neglected your needs. I ran out on you. But you were always there for me, day or night.
I still love you. Now that we're ending things, I realize I love you more than I even knew. Hopefully you'll find it in your heart to forgive me. Maybe we can even hang out again sometimes. But I know it'll never be like it once was. I'm going to miss you.
Love,
-Matt
We've had a good run, you and I, but it's over between us.
Naturally you're going to have some questions as to why I'm ending things, so I'll be honest. There's someone else in my life. Well, not yet, but soon. It's not fair, I know, but I have to make a choice. I can't give you both equal attention.
I thought we'd be together forever. Sometimes it seemed I could never get enough of you. Inevitably, I took you for granted. I neglected your needs. I ran out on you. But you were always there for me, day or night.
I still love you. Now that we're ending things, I realize I love you more than I even knew. Hopefully you'll find it in your heart to forgive me. Maybe we can even hang out again sometimes. But I know it'll never be like it once was. I'm going to miss you.
Love,
-Matt
Monday, December 6, 2010
The Countdown Begins: One Month to Go!
If plans stay the way they are right now, Matt and I will meet our son or daughter exactly one month from today. Wow!
Although my due date is technically January 15th, our little one is currently in a transverse/breech position (head up and body across the belly). Because of a certain condition I have, it is not extremely likely that the baby will move between now and my due date. And if he or she doesn't move, the safest delivery method will be through c-section. Given my situation, the doctors feel that it's best to deliver the baby around 39 weeks instead of having me wait the full 40 weeks.
So, I'm tentatively scheduled for a c-section on January 6, 2011. If the baby turns and assumes the head down position between now and then, my surgery will be canceled. If he or she stays put, then we'll likely be parents one month from today. That reality is almost overwhelming.
Matt and I are both excited to expand to a family of three. We've both wanted this experience, and we're one month away from it happening. The next few weeks will be filled with anticipation that will be unlike any I've ever experienced, so I'm going to try to soak every moment of it in.
Let the final countdown begin!
Although my due date is technically January 15th, our little one is currently in a transverse/breech position (head up and body across the belly). Because of a certain condition I have, it is not extremely likely that the baby will move between now and my due date. And if he or she doesn't move, the safest delivery method will be through c-section. Given my situation, the doctors feel that it's best to deliver the baby around 39 weeks instead of having me wait the full 40 weeks.
So, I'm tentatively scheduled for a c-section on January 6, 2011. If the baby turns and assumes the head down position between now and then, my surgery will be canceled. If he or she stays put, then we'll likely be parents one month from today. That reality is almost overwhelming.
Matt and I are both excited to expand to a family of three. We've both wanted this experience, and we're one month away from it happening. The next few weeks will be filled with anticipation that will be unlike any I've ever experienced, so I'm going to try to soak every moment of it in.
Let the final countdown begin!