The Calm AFTER the Storm

     Wow!! What can be said here. The day of your birth was exhausting for everyone.  The "hectic"excitement is over, now we are all just excited.  All  I can say is GOD was thinking amazing thoughts when he invented babies, especially grandbabies. You are perfect.

   
     You, mom and dad stayed at the hospital for 48 hours until your release into your new life at home. The pediatrician had checked you out many times and all was good. With the exception of ONE little heart murmur, which never was an issue, you were 100% ready to go home.

      I was working on Wednesday morning and got a picture text from mom. It was a picture of you in your car seat heading home. How exciting. I guess dad finally figured out how to get the seat in the car. I don't know how people do it with all of this complicated equipment anymore. :) I stopped by the bank to make a deposit and your Aunt Natalie showed me an email with a picture of you in your outfit ready to go home. Mom had sent it out to our home email and I hadn't seen it yet. It was very cute!! 

     I was a nervous wreck thinking about you arriving home and Tyson and Allie going crazy and maybe being rough. They are your dogs that mom and dad have that will definately have to be second best now. Mom knew I was concerned and called me to tell me all was good. Allie took a sniff, checked you out, and dad gave her a new bone. Life was good for her. Tyson, I guess, didn't want anything to do with his bone, layed down beside you and didn't want to leave your side. I guess you have a new bodyguard. Your mom said he was definately crazy about you already. Allie is the Dingo on the right below and Tyson is the boxer.

    Aunt Natalie took some really cute pictures and did some nice editing of them. I fell in love immediately with a black and white close up of you with your sparkling eyes. I immediately said "I want and 8X10 of that for my living room". One day later, it was done and in a black frame and hanging where I can see you every day. AWESOME and thatnks Natalie and Grandma Beth for that gift.

We are making a trip to see you at your home tonight. Taking dinner to mom and dad and coming to see how you have adjusted to your new home and your protective dogs.  It will be nice to see YOU in your room that everyone worked hard to prepare for you. There is now a sense of completeness that I'm sure mom and dad feel having you home finally.  See you tonight around supper time. Love you Taylor!!!! 

Taylor Elizabeth Zickafoose Nov.8, 2001 Welcome

     When the world beats you down and keeps kicking, God has a way of making it all better.  He did just that for me and my family yesterday.  One of the greatest experiences and gifts he gives us is the birth of a newborn baby. My first grandchild was born at 12:44 in the afternoon to Jessica an Matt Zickafoose. Welcome to our world Taylor!!! What a gift you are.

     Your mom called us about 11:30 pm on Nov 7th and said that they were on there way to the hospital. Her contractions were 2 minutes apart and the strongest she has had yet. Mom said she would have Dad call us and let us know if things were progressing. A little while later Dad called and said they were keeping her and were going to observe her for progress.  We had a feeling that they could send her home and that this was just another false alarm.  A few hours passed as I got a few catnaps and grandma couldn't sleep. The phone rang again, it was Dad saying Mom wanted us to come. This was it. We were dressed and on the road for our 1 hour drive at 5 a.m.  
  We arrived at the hospital about 6 a.m. and Dad was waiting outside. I think there was a lot of relief that the calvary had arrive cuz Mom was wanting "her Mom" for comfort. When we got in the room the nurse told us Mom was 4 centimeters and still under observation but they did have her on a pain killer.
     At 7, the nurses scheduled changed and you got the sweetest nurse (Amber) and the entire atmosphere changed. A positive outlook, parents relaxing more and we knew we were on our way. She communicated with the doctor and around 7:40 they gave your mom and epideral shot and said she was having you today. Texting and phone calls began as your mom rested in her bed. 
     The Doctor soon arrived and examine mom. He checked her and she was about 5 cm so he broke her water and said "we are committed now. We are having this baby." Excitement was even greater and we were preparing within hours to seeing you.  The wait was very long however as mom and dad grew more anxious. Great grandparents Jackie and Larry, Aunt Natalie, and Jason a friend of Matt's were waiting anxiously as well.   Around 11:30 everyone was kicked out except the participating cast members, Mom, Dad and Grandma Beth. I was on the list to go in in emergency.. whatever that meant. ( never needed  I guess haha).
     AT 12:44 God's gift to us arrived. YOU TAYLOR ARE PERFECT!!!!

Having FUN waiting :)

     Well things have slowed down this past week after a few days of anxiety setting in.  Mom went a day without contractions and seems to be progressing as Dr.'s think she should.  It's like the calm before the storm kinda sorta.  She's losing her mucous plug which is another indication of an 8-9 month time period. Mom's cousin Brittany has her google handy and looks all of this up for me.

     We are having fun through this time period of waiting for your arrival.  I send texts to mom asking "is it time yet?".  Your dad is making calls and testing the grandparents to see what their response time is.  Your grandma  Zickafoose failed the test and didn't return his call for 3 hours. He told her she is off of the call list. haha. Yeah right, Dad, like your Mom still isn't going to be the first person you call???  Everytime the phone rings and the caller I.D. pops up with mom and dad's phone number, I like to answer like I'm in a panic...... "Is Taylor on the way?"  Anyway, It's ALL GOOD.

     I take time to pray daily now for God's protection for you and Mom during your arrival.  I also pray that HE will take you under his wing for a lifetime of good health. But most of all I praise and thank him for the blessing you will be to me, grandpa!!  See ya this month Taylor.