The First Three Months

On November 15th, 2007 the world changed, as it had for us twice before. We were at the hospital by nine to prep for a scheduled C-section and bring our third baby into the world. My bag was packed with your first outfit, my heart was full of a roller coaster of emotion- excitement, fear, happiness and worry. What would you be like? Would you look like me, or him, or both? Would everything go smoothly and would you arrive with everything where it was supposed to be?

The hours passed really slowly and I was ready to do the operation myself by the time they wheeled me into the operating room. It seemed to fly after that and at 11:19 AM, Taylor Madison was finally out of the womb and into the world. You were our smallest baby, at 6 lbs 12 ounces, and the second in line height wise at 20 inches. You also made your opinion known immediately, and your daddy's second words about you were 100% true. "She's a lot louder then the other kids were at birth." But he was charmed, it was obvious. Even in my drugged haze, I could see the way he followed you with his eyes and I think that came with age and time, that utter fascination he's had for you since day one. He fell in love with you immediately, and so did I. I couldn't wait to hold you, spend time with you.


That's the thing I have always hated about having C-sections: I couldn't hold any of you for some time after you were born. And even when I could, those first moments are slightly blurred by pain, and the sleepiness & nausea from the medications. I swear, it was the medication, so don't take it personally that on your first night, I threw up every time I got to hold you. It really wasn't you. Honest.




Coming home was an adventure, but it smoothed out once the hormones, lack of sleep and adjusting to a new person ironed itself out. Your brother and sister went crazy for you and the spoiling of the baby began. :) Other than your hatred of sleep... and bassinets, cribs or other flat surfaces... you are a pretty mellow kid. You took to us pretty easily, and seem to be a good mix of your brother and sister as an infant (meaning you don't hate everyone on the planet, but you aren't sooooo easy going it seems like you're toking the cheeba all day either).



You are very opinionated, and already seem to know that when Mom points that camera at you, it's time to be a superstar. (See below). You smile easily and with your whole being- the room lights up with every grin. Honest to God I've never seen a kid smile like you. Your whole body moves and you try to hard to laugh. Mainly at your Daddy, who now spends tons of his spare time doing silly things to get that smile. Usually I'm falling over laughing at him, and then joining in to get your eyes to light up. All of us compete with talking to you, and you're now having "conversation" with us. You squeal and coo (and squawk if no one's talking to you) and your little mouth moves when we talk, like you're trying to imitate us.



I don't think there's ever been a more entertained kid on the planet. But, for us, it's almost like the first time again. It had been almost six years since we'd had a baby in the house, and you'd be surprised how much Mom and Dad forgot (or blocked out) about you tiny ones. The not sleeping thing. The projectile crapping thing. And the screaming... dear God the screaming... (sometimes, not from you.) But we are also older, and more patient, and there's no one telling us what to do. Or not to do.


You are a lot of things to us. Our last baby, our youngest- the one who will always be labeled "the baby". You are the little sister, the little monster that even gets Jake to sit and talk softly, showing you things patiently. You smiled first for your big sister, and seek her out any time you hear her voice. You love us all without question, but you adore your sister. You brought us all to a new place, showed us some things we never would have known. About ourselves, about each other and about life.


I don't think any of us were ready for you, Miss Taylor, and all you encompass. If there's ever been a baby who has brought more love into the hearts of those around her, I've never heard. We are all crazy, head over heels for you, and you know it. (Don't let the innocent looks fool you.)

You have reminded me of all that's so right with the world, and reminded me not to blink, because it goes so fast. Too fast. And I watch you, like I watch them, and now I think the same thing when I look at you ...


Slow down... please, slow down...