Paul arrives!

Paul Warwick Taylor entered the world at 3:37 am weighing 7 lbs and 20 1/2 inches long. I was able to have another natural delivery, although Paul's birth was much calmer than Alice's. My water broke as I was waking from a nap at 4:30 in the afternoon on Wed the 28th. No contractions yet...calls made to Robert, our Doula, and all the grandparents were made. By the time Robert came home my contractions had begun and we began making final preps for the night ahead...overnight bag-check, MaMa here for Alice-check. Our Doula Lin arrived just after 9:00 and contractions were 4-5 min apart and lasting about 45 sec. I labored around the house and took a walk around the neighborhood with my "labor posse" watchin my every move! around 11:45 things started to get more serious and we called the doctor. We checked in around 12:15 and I was measured at 7 cm, 100% effaced and baby was engaged. I was attached to an IV to receive fluids and an antibiotic and the fetal monitor briefly...then I was free to wander again. Our Doula had our lights down low, some calming aromatherapy, and instruction for quiet voices and no talking policy during contractions to allow me to focus. I also had my ipod humming with some tunes from Sting. I didn't wander around long...I entered transition and was ready for pushing shortly after 3 am. The doctor announced "you have a boy" and it was a very surreal moment. I remember looking at Robert and seeing the huge grin appear across his face as he looked for the first time at his son. We named him Paul to honor my father and grandfather, and Warwick to honor Robert, his father and grandmother. Alice has grown into her role as sister quite nicely and is a big helper when it comes to Paul. Their first meeting was fraught with jealously and Paul was promptly removed from Mommy's arms so that Big Sis could claim her spot. By the second day she held his hand and kissed him. Now she protects him whenever other toddler friends want to touch her baby brother (my Paul!) and will run to get his paci when he cries. I can tell they are going to be a great team!

Okay, seriously it's been too long...

Alright, I know it's been almost a year...and I have had the best intentions. So obviously this post has some Pre-Paul photos on it. I love these pictures so much that I had to share them first... I think it was the hottest day in October when we shot these at Hampton Park. AND Alice was in a serious funk...thank you to my friend Melanie who shot us and captured some great Alice moments!

Hold that Tiger!

I Love this winter coat! It is so stinkin cute it makes your stomach turn! It actually has a tail that looks like it is wagging as she walks. Alice will actually ask to hold the coat so she can "pet" it, and says "saaahhft" (soft).

Cousins come to visit!

Alice's cousins Savannah and Tori came to Charleston! The girls had so much fun! Tori and Savannah took turns carrying Alice around the house and then chasing each other around. Talk about a three ring circus! I hope that the girls will spend a lot of time in Charleston this summer and we look forward to the day when they may be able to move here!

This is how much the dogs love Alice...

Believe it or not when we adopted Zeke and Zeus they were both very protective over their dinner bowls. We could not even pet them while they were eating, let alone put a hand inside the dish. Zeke was the one who freaked out once Alice started becoming mobile and actually growled and snapped at her once. Man, they have come a long way...

This is Zeke allowing Alice to put a ski glove in his dish while he is eating.

Alice now will take food out of their dishes and run around the house with it in her hands and fall down in giggle fits when the dogs chase after her trying to sniff out the goodies.

Zeke is the first one to go in to get Alice out of bed in the mornings and after naps. We can't go to bed at night without saying night-night to the dogs. They love her and she loves them!

Chili Cook-off

Several weeks ago we went over to the Ailstock's home for the Annual Chili Cook-Off. Their daughter Helena is 9 months older than Alice, they had a great time playing around while the adults sampled over 10 chilis. Can you say heartburn? They have got a HUGE backyard and there is nothing that Alice loves more than running around outside. Congrats to Charles for the all around winning chili...ingredients including coffee, chocolate and tequila. What's not to love?

Our Trip to Arlington

God Bless my Mama, that's all I have to say! I have wanted to go and visit my cousin Jenn in Arlington since she delivered her beautiful baby boy Grant before Thanksgiving. Well after much back and forth and comparing weekend plans I finally decided to go last weekend. My mom never passes up an opportunity to love on a baby, and thank goodness for that! Mom, Alice and I left on Thursday afternoon to break up the drive into 2 days. We had a great time visiting with Jenn, Grant and Greg. They are such a gorgeous new family! It made me truly nostalgic for those new baby days! Which is crazy because during those new baby days I remember thinking that women were nuts to wish for sleep deprivation, sore breasts and a hormonal rollercoaster ride! Nonetheless...I was longing for those days when all Alice wanted was to be asleep in my arms. Alice could not be tempted to nap in the car or elsewhere, I guess she feared missing something important. She was largely unimpressed with Grant and only worried about him when he was taking up important space in her Mommy or Grandma's arms. Grant is a looker and a Talker. He could definately hold his own in a conversation. He did some great cooing and snuggling. We ventured out on Saturday to the National Building Museum, they had a pretty cool set up for kids 2-6, a free building space with all kinds of blocks and a kids room with building themed toys. Alice enjoyed having Mommy chase her all throughout the gallery and knocking down every tower in sight. Jenn managed to get pooped on by the lone winged resident of the museum...Ha! It caught her right on the tail, what are the chances! It was so great to spend a little time with Jenn, we were both equally distracted by our children...such is life! I hope that we will be able to visit again soon! Pictures to come as soon as I can get them from Grandma's camera!