Introducing...

...the newest edition to the Taylor family, born at 4:46 am on Thursday, 25 Februray 2010, measuring 22 inches long and weighing in at a healthy 8 pounds 10 ounces.......ISAAC WILLIAM TAYLOR!!! 

I figure most of you who are reading this probably knew all that, but I always wanted to introduce someone public-address-announcer-style.  For those who we haven't had a chance to share more details here:

• Annalee was induced into labor late in the morning on Wednesday. It was long and arduous, but Annalee was amazing. The whole process just reinforced what I always knew: Annalee is SuperWoman!  I've never seen  in person such determination and shear will under such difficult circumstances.

• Isaac is a big boy (more evidence to mom's superhero credentials) that is perfect in every way (I know I'm biased, but I will argue this point with anyone).  He was really alert right after he was born, looking around and listening to what was going on. He's been eating and sleeping and crying and pooping as he should.
• As you can see in the pictures, Isaac has a full head of dark hair.  I know that with newborns that it probably will fall out, but I think he's already in the top 2 or 3 for scalp coverage when stacked up against many of the Taylor men in my immediate family. 
• Last night was a long one. He didn't really cry a whole lot during the day yesterday, but through the night he decided to continually do his screech-owl impersonation. It's pretty good, so mom and dad are running on fumes sleep-wise. From what I'm told, it comes with the territory.
• Annalee's parents have been around all week and have been a tremendous help with keeping Annalee busy and calm in those last few days of pregnancy, in the delivery room, running errands, walking Marvin, and so much more.  They have been invaluable. Thank you Grandma G and Papaw Sam.

• All our friends and family have been fantastic with their gifts, well-wishes and the help we have and will continue to receive through this transition into parenthood.  We can't thank you enough.

That's probably enough for now. I know Annalee has bunch she wants to share when she's feeling up to it.  And I also know Isaac is excited to meet all of you.

Forty weeks and one day...

Good morning everyone! We are still pregnant today. Yesterday we went to the doctor, and she sent us over to the hospital to have a stress test, monitor my blood pressure, and draw some blood. Everything was good. We are now dilated 4 centimeters and having irregular contractions. Our little guy is quite the mover and shaker. He seems to be quite comfortable where he is, so we shall see when he decides to come out!

And we wait...

Tomorrow is the due date. There have been a few times in the past few days when we wondered if things were going to start happening, but nothing that lasted very long. So at the very least it looks like our little guy will be here no earlier than the due date. The question is how much longer will he wait?  In addition to suspected but mistaken progress, Annalee has in the last few days stated for the first time that she's ready to not be pregnant anymore. Time seems as though it has slowed to a crawl in the last couple weeks. Hopefully we won't have to wait very much longer.

Be sure to vote in the two polls at the right for when the baby will be born, how much he will weigh, and how long he will be. I've set them to stay open until midnight on Monday.

Thirty-nine weeks and counting...

Tomorrow marks 39 weeks of pregnancy for me. It is hard to believe that it is almost time to meet this little guy. He has already been showered with love and gifts from our colleagues. Both of the schools hosted baby showers for us. We were overwhelmed with all the gifts, great food, and friendship that was shared. I am dilated two centimeters, and we are monitoring my blood pressure daily. We shall see what this week brings!