It's A Girl!

On August 20,2006 at 8:50 A.M.
Kandis Taylor gave birth to a nineteen and one half inch, 7 pounds 1 ounce baby girl named Sydney Eman (A combination of the two grandmothers EM + AN) Taylor at Fairview Hospital.

The delivering nurse said, “In 13 years of work, I have never had someone smile during delivery.” And the miraculous process was performed without an epidural!
The final delivery process began on Friday, August 18th when Kandis became “unplugged” at work at approximately 3:30 P.M.
I picked her up from work at 4:00 P.M. and took her home.

At that point we were on the clock.

On Saturday, August 19th (That’s right the day of the Elyria Summer Blast) I had to be at South Park at 6:30 A.M. After the setup and a slow beginning marred by bad weather and potentially worsening weather, the event hit its stride by 1:00pm just about the time Bob and Kandis arrived. Kandis walked around, received a few predictions about the baby, and returned home.

The Summer Blast was a huge success and ended a 5:00 P.M.
After leaving the park I arrived home at approximately 6:00 P.M.
Kandis had a delicious dinner waiting for me at home. After dinner I decided to take a well needed shower and hit the sack early after a long day… the time was 8:00 P.M.
At 8:17 P.M. Kandis woke me up with the news that “maybe” her water broke.
Maybe?!
She wasn’t sure but when we went downstairs to the utility room…splash!
Her water had broken all over the floor.

The clock was ticking.

Kandis decided to take a nice hot shower before we left which agitated me a little ( a lot).
And we were on our way to Fairview Hospital.
We checked in and called family members at 10:00 P.M.
After completing the paperwork and being assigned a room, Kandis and I settled in at about 10:30 P.M.
Family members slowly arrived. A pitocin injection at midnight was scheduled to induce contractions.
And then the wait…

3:00 A.M. the “real” contractions began. And they were coming every 6 minutes, then 5 minutes, then 3 minutes.

Kandis was handling the pain pretty well until…THE BIG ONE! The first big contraction hit and the word “epidural” was blurted out. The nurse checked Kandis out… 3 centimeters and an epidural was not an option. But to reduce the pain the nurse prescribed some newbain (excuse the spelling) to ease the pain.
It worked…sort of.

Kandis championed through the storm.

5 o’clock, 6 o’clock, 7 o’clock.

Kandis continued to “blow” her way through the contractions.
Meanwhile next door another mother (obviously with no Lamaze class experienced) was screaming at the top of lungs. And I could only wish that someone had DROPPED HER CALL!

But anyway, Kandis was doing great and just when she felt that she was ready for an epidural we received the news. “It’s too late for an epidural. It’s time to push.”
Great joy. Kandis had done it and without an epidural. (Which she wanted to do anyway!)

The only problem was this…
It was 7:40 A.M. and my mother was not scheduled to arrive in Cleveland until 8:00 A.M. and since my dad went to pick her up from the airport I could only dread the thought of them both missing the birth of my first child.
But the nurse followed up her statement by informing us that for new parents the pushing process takes about 2 hours.

Saved. But now the clock was really ticking fast.

One hour later Kandis had again defied the odds again. She was ready to give one more big push for the baby. The delivering doctor and birthing buddy was called in.
The instructions were given and the push was made!

The clock had finally struck on August 20, 2006 at 8:50 A.M.

Kandis Taylor gave birth to a nineteen and one half inch, 7 pounds 1 ounce baby girl named Sydney Eman (A combination of the two grandmothers EM + AN) Taylor at Fairview Hospital.

To be continued at www.sydneytaylor.blogspot.com

2 - 1

2 People become 1 in marriage
2 Adults produce 1 baby
In 2 weeks – 1 day
Our family will become 2 parents – 1 child
And I can’t wait 2 bring home this 1 home

Knuckleball

I used to play baseball. Some would say that I was pretty good in my day, but anyway… the one thing that would drive me nuts would be to face a knuckleball pitcher. He would lob those slow pitches over the plate and as a batter you would want to swing as hard as you could to hit it out the park. I mean really, if I could hit a fastball, slider, or curveball, I should be able to hit a slow pitch. I would have plenty of time to see it coming, prepare my swing and hit it out of the park. Especially since I knew it was coming. But what makes a knuckleball unique is its awkward movement. Sometimes the ball would move up, down, or to the side. So when you missed the pitch, you looked and felt stupid because, like I said, you knew it was coming.

Yesterday was like a knuckleball, and I missed it badly. I looked and felt stupid because, like I said, I knew it was coming. Every piece of advice from books to friends to co-workers told me about those emotional days. It comes in slow, but it has movement just like a knuckleball. Up, down, and to the side, the day’s events “knuckleball”-ed its way towards me. It began with taking club members to shop with the Cleveland Indians players…Knuckleball moves up. The event was scheduled from 11:00am – 1:00pm. We left Dicks Sporting Goods at 1:30pm…Knuckleball moves down. We had a representative from the USGA visit the Club. She was scheduled to arrive at 4:00pm, but arrived at the Club at 1:30pm and decided to wait…knuckleball moves to the side. So when we arrived at the Club at around 2:05pm, the rep wanted to discuss our Junior Golf program, talk to kids and take photos. And who gives the Oberlin instructions?...that’s right, me! The session ended at 2:38pm, and after a quick question and answer session, I was leaving the Club at 2:43pm…knuckleball moves down. I sped out the parking lot and headed home. Estimated time of arrival…3:03pm a mere 3 minutes late…knuckleball moves up. Then I hit Route 90 west and….stop. Was it an accident or construction? I didn’t know.

The phone rings and it’s Kandis.
Kandis - “Where are you?”
Me – “I’m on 90. I’m on my way”
Kandis – “You were supposed to be here at 3:00”
Me – “I know Kandis. I’m on my way”
Click…knuckleball moves down.

Now I’m stressing out. I’m stuck in traffic, I’m late for the doctor’s appointment and then…Stop again. What is going on. Slowly we move. I decided to take a few camera phone pictures to show Kandis what is happening. One lane and merging traffic…knuckleball moves to the side.

Then another call...
Kandis – “Katt, where are you?!”
Me – “I’m stuck in traffic. I’m not moving!”
Kandis – “Why didn’t you tell me that before?!”
Me - “Because when I said I was on 90 the first thing you yelled was that I was supposed to be home by 3:00 like I didn’t know that!”
Kandis – “I’m going to the doctor’s office myself!”
Click… knuckleball moves down.

No way would she leave me. No way.
I drive on the shoulder, head up the ramp, turn toward my house, hit the garage door opener… no car. NO CAR!!!

She left me…Swing and a miss!

I was furious!
I started talking to myself, “O.K. Katt calm down. You knew a knuckleball was coming. You missed the pitch and you look and feel stupid because you knew it was coming. You’re nervous and excited about the baby, you had a long day, just calm down.”

Then Kandis comes home and says, “Hello Katt” as she walks up the stairs…knuckleball two.
I’m really mad now. And there I stayed. Two knuckleballs, two misses, and a long post.

And to know after all of these years, I still have problems handling a knuckleball.

Next Up...Baby

Oh my goodness, what a weekend of events.

Starting on Saturday, I attended the Boot Camp for New Dads. Sounds corny right? But it was very, VERY informative. The format of the day was “veteran” dads would “train” the new dads about “new dad’s” stuff. Just man to man. And when you get a group of men together talking about women, in-laws, and the joys of fatherhood it can only be a good time. And since it was “man to man” I have decided not to go into too many details. I will say this… I now have the confidence to tell people “no” when it comes to my baby. And I also value baby swings more.

After the Boot Camp, I went directly to the Lorain Party Center to prepare for the Shower. We all decorated the hall and finalized our plans for Sunday’s grand event.
And grand it was. I am not an expert when it comes to baby showers, but I must admit that this event was exceptional. All of the attendees commented on the event in a positive way and the generosity was overwhelming. We received soooooo much! The whole thing humbles me.

But let me talk a little about the event. Our family and friends really went beyond expectations. (Some however fell right in line with expectations) There was so many custom-made, hand carved, time-intensive items, that it would cost someone else a fortune to pull of a similar event. I’m just glad the God has blessed us with family and friends that were willing to take the time to do it all.

The custom and handmade Pooh items included:
- Cookies
- Suckers with Pooh attachments
- Gift Boxes
- Candy inside boxes
- Two cakes
- Programs
- Guestbook
- Table placements
- Gift baskets

And I’m sure I’m missing something, but you get the point. Not to mention all of the food, chocolate fountain, and punch. It was truly a blessing.
And Kandis was the queen of ball. She was sooooo happy. And that makes me soooooooooooooooo happy (extra oooooooo). It was another one of her dreams that came true.

God did it again.

Next up… the baby.

New Post Tonight

I am running late for work, but the excitement of the new post is overwhelming, so I decided to place a little preview now.
This past weekend was my Boot Camp for New Dads and the Baby Shower.
Additionally, our Church had it's Sunday School Record-Breaking Offering, I had a grant due by Monday, and I am planning the Elyria Summer Blast '06. (Yes a whole City-sponsored event). Not to mention that we are now in August!
How did it all go...
I will write a new post tonight to document it ALL!

But in the meantime, I did get a chance to post a couple of pictures from the Shower!

I gotta go!

Contraction Action

I can honestly say that my parents always stressed the importance of education in my life. I was surrounded by education. We had books, computers, and television. Yes, television. Back in the days, television actually provided quality daily educational programming.

Now as an adult, I appreciate those influential programs such as Zoom, Electric Company, Sesame Street, Mister Roger’s Neighborhood, Captain Kangaroo, and the cleverly inserted School House Rock. Yes, television. Nearly 30 years later I can still remember, “Conjunction Junction what’s your function?” Great stuff. And as a daddy-to be I want my child to be surrounded by education.
Don’t get me wrong…
I was raised with an appreciation,
and in some cases, forced participation
of the arts and recreation.
It wasn’t all just education.
And I can say this without hesitation.
(Influenced by Dr. Suess)

And last night I was there when Kandis experienced a couple of contractions. OOOOHHHH!

I wrote a song about it. Want to hear it? Here it goes. (Influenced by In Living Color)
(I guess not all television is good, is it?)

Chorus
Contraction Action
Birth Reaction
Getting the mommy ready for baby
Contraction Action
Birth Reaction
It’s almost time, so don’t go crazy

Verse One
You got a baby inside you that’s getting ready for play
The contractions you feel means it will be coming any day
What you feel my be painful, but it’s part of the plan
It’s easy for me to say because I’m just a man!

Now you understand!

Chorus
Contraction Action
Birth Reaction
Getting the mommy ready for baby
Contraction Action
Birth Reaction
It’s almost time, so don’t go crazy

Talking AD Lib (Influenced by “I’m Just a Bill”)
As your labor coach I must advise you that if 5 minute apart you feel the contractions,
It’s time for the doctor to spring into action.
I’ll get you the hospital quickly, despite any lawful infractions.
So we can get you there for the delivery or what I call baby extraction,
The labor may seem hard, but in the end satisfaction.
And just think of everyone’s reaction
to the beautiful new baby, instant attraction!

Chorus
Contraction Action
Birth Reaction
Getting the mommy ready for baby
Contraction Action
Birth Reaction
It’s almost time, so don’t go crazy

No More Lamaze Classes

Wednesday marked the end of Lamaze classes. I have to say that the sessions were more informative than I anticipated. The breathing techniques may or may not come in handy, but the massage techniques and getting an overall preview of what to expect was great. The miracle of child bearing is even greater when you learn of the full process. Plus, we learned a lot about what to expect after delivery,… or should I say, “post partum”? I know Kandis will be fine, but I must admit that the process is a little intimidating once you begin to think about the changes within the woman’s body. I’m just glad that men don’t have to deliver a baby!

We are currently using the relaxation techniques, massaging, and look forward to the labor process. Kandis surprised me during the class when she told me that she plans to have an all natural birth. She did give me a coded message for the epidural just in case.

As the time begins to wind down, we are both becoming more and more anxious. Dayle, who was giving me some advice throughout the pregnancy, has delivered her daughter and is home. That only means one thing…the baby will be here soon!