A Baby Story....the arrival of
Taylor Renée cont'd....

On early Tuesday morning, Radona's Heparin lock had infiltrated. The site was inflamed and painful. They removed it and tried to start another one but failed twice. It hurt so bad that I jumped in and said "NO MORE!", then Radona seconded that motion. Enough was more than enough, and there was no sense in adding more pain to this whole ordeal, MOST ESPECIALLY after she was starting to feel better. So, they switched her to oral antibiotics. Things were pretty good that day. The gas pains were rough but not nearly as bad as anything I went through. These guys know how to take care of their patients (three docs in practice together)!!! They were dosing Radona up in preparation for the horrible gas right after surgery! I was amazed!!!!! With all of my surgeries, I just suffered :-( Anyway, needless to say, she didn't go home that day, either. She had started breaking out in a rash Monday after starting the antibiotic, but they weren't sure if it was the IV drug or if it was the oral drug. By Tuesday morning, she was itching like mad and broke out a lot more. Dr. B and Dr. H, as well as the RNP, made morning rounds, and all was well.

Things went fairly well that day. Radona did a lot of walking, but she was still pretty sore :-( At one point, the nursery nurse took Taylor to the nursery for her PKU and her special photo session, so we changed her into her "going home dress", and I took some pics. We ended up having another bad experience that afternoon. Another patient was brought in (we were alone till then), and the noise was unbearable. One of her kids was stomping around in a cirlce nonstop with boots on, the other two were yelling, plus she had several adults in her room, two of whom were really filthy and sweaty. One of the nurses talked to them, but it did no good. If any of that wasn't enough, this really dirty, disgusting, and smelly man goes to visit her. I could NOT believe this when I saw it. He came straight from work (covered in black from head to toe)...like this had been an emergency. To think he did not care one iota about the mothers and their newborns really ticked me and Renée off badly. The whole room smelled of him, and I got out some Lysol antibacterial spray and dosed up the room with him in it. I really should have opened my mouth and said something, but I didn't. My actions spoke loud enough. He left immediately after! Finally, things were quiet, and just when Radona was trying to sleep, in come three more people with little toddlers, making tons of noise. That did it. Radona demanded to go home. So, I went down to the nurse's desk and asked if there was a private room. There wasn't. So, I told the head nurse that Radona wanted to leave. A few minutes later, the nurse came in and said she had a private room. Yay :-) I went down and paid the extra money for it, and we moved immediately.

The private room was so much nicer and quieter :-) I wish I had done that before Taylor was born, but.....we were right across from the nursery in the other room and didn't have that kind of problem till the roommate arrived. I really felt sorry for her, cause it wasn't her fault. She was really nice! She had a normal delivery (4th kid), so she didn't know what it was like to have a cesarean section, and the stuff going on didn't bother her. Believe me, I know what it's like to have a section, and anything and everything bothers you :-(

I snapped more pictures of Taylor -- this one is priceless. I stood on the chair to take it :-) We seemed to sleep better in this room....it was just so peaceful. Wednesday morning, Dr. H. came in and checked Radona's rash and was going to give her some more medicine. He also said we could go home :-) Dr. M. came in later on and ordered a steroid shot, and we got ready to leave.

We left LCMH around 12:30 and went to get Radona's prescriptions filled before coming home. When we arrived home, we had a houseful waiting on us :-) Nanny Renée and Francie, my mom and stepdad and my kids, Nanny Joy, Lisa, Monica, Josh, their baby Jada, Tj (Monica's brother), and one of Radona's friends, Becky, and her kids. We had company in and out for a while. That night, Annette (another friend of Radona's) and Paran Dave came by. We all watched the video from the hospital and laughed ourselves silly over it. Aunt Daryth was so cute holding Taylor for the first time :-) Check out Aunt Amity and Aunt Holli, too :-) I have yet to get Uncle Jeremy's picture while holding Taylor (finally got one)! I will, soon! Nanny Renée gave Radona and Taylor a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

On Thursday, the 20th, my aunt Jean came to see her great-great niece :-) Taylor loves her swing :-) Renée and Francie came over, and we went out all day...to eat at Richard's, shopping at Wal-Mart, shopping at the mall I (we bought little gold diaper pins with gold balls and a January child on it in honor of Taylor, and I also got Taylor a beautiful pink blanket that has a patch on it that says 2000 reasons to love me on it), and then came back here, where I made an okra gumbo with sausage, shrimp, and chicken. I snapped pics of Renée eating the "gumbo bitch's" gumbo *lol*

On Friday, the 21st, Renée and Francie came by for a few hours before they left for home :-( It was sad, but I refused to cry, as I know she will be back real soon -- when we have Taylor christened :-) So much went on during the time Renée was here, and nothing really went as we planned (does it ever?!), but all in all, it was wonderful meeting Renée face to face (I look like hell right here -- no sleep for a week *ugh*), and I think we had a great time, despite being so anxious for the big arrival, so tired after the big arrival, and etc :-) I really thought I would have been nervous as hell, but I wasn't. I felt like we had always been around each other, and it was great. I hope she felt as comfortable around me as I did around her. Believe me, she saw me at my absolute worse, and she didn't run away *lol* I couldn't stop crying for the first few days of the hospital stay. My emotions were in high gear :-) I can't wait till Renée comes back :-)

Aunt Holli is sooooo proud of her new baby niece :-)

After Renée and Francie left, we went to the bank, and we passed them on the street on our way back. I honked and waved, but I don't think AreKay saw me *grin* She was going to visit her mawmaw again and should be home tomorrow. I can't wait to hear from her via e-mail :-)

Yesterday, the 22nd, we all took off for Lake Charles, cause I had to go back and get the matching bib, bootees, and cap for Taylor's 2000 blanket, plus I got my mom (greatgranny) a pin like mine, Renée's, and Radona's. We walked the mall, and shopped like mad -- for clothes and such. I also bought me a new waterbed :-) Taylor slept the entire time we were gone, except to take two bottles. She is such a sweet baby girl :-) She is getting more and more alert, so she tends to stay awake for about an hour twice a day, and she is just too sweet. KNOCK ON WOOD, she doesn't have colic and rarely cries :-) She loves her crib mobile and stares at it. I also bought her a crib light (Pooh, of course), and she will stare at it like crazy :-)

I have to go back to work tomorrow (the 24th), and I am sooo sad about that, but I *have* to *grin* This "vacation" went by way too fast :-( But......I will still steal every chance I can with Taylor and continue spoiling her rotten :-) Nanny Joy and Great-granny are coming over today, so I need to get moving. I will update again soon. I have more pics to scan and more to get developed. See ya soon!!!!

January 29, 2000: It's hard to believe what has gone on in the last two weeks. When I think back and realize how fast things happened, it's mind-boggling. Taylor will be two weeks old tomorrow, and I can't imagine her not having been in our lives before then. It just seems so natural that she is in our family and all. What a doll she is!!!!! She is my heart and soul :-) She has her mawmaw wrapped around her little finger sooooo tight that I can't breathe *lol* My week back to work went fairly well. I did cry Monday morning while holding Taylor, but once I got to work, it wasn't too bad on keeping my focus on my work. I had a picture with me and looked at it all day long. Radona did well on her own, so I felt pretty comfortable. That child is truly amazing.....to have gone through what she did, end up having a cesarean, and then bouncing back so fast. I am really proud of her :-) And, she has been a really great new mommy :-)

Taylor had a checkup yesterday, and all is well. I really think they missed her true length at the hospital....she measured 21 1/2 inches yesterday, and I just have a really hard time believing that she grew a whole inch in just 12 days *grin* She weighed in at 9 pounds.....which is an 11 ounce gain from her discharge weight of 8 pounds 5 ounces :-) She is thriving real well :-) I can't begin to explain how I feel about Taylor Renée :-) She's special, no doubt about it. She has me completely taken in -- heart and soul, and I think she knows it *grin* I love cuddling her, feeding her, changing her, and just watching her with her mama or watching her aunts and uncle dote over her. I love how she looks at me -- like she knows who I am :-) If I move out of her sight, she turns her little face to find me and just stares into my eyes :-) I still get goosebumps and tear up when I hold her.

It all just seems so "natural" and like Taylor has been here forever :-) I really love this little girl more than words can say, and needless to say, I think she's the most beautiful baby girl I have ever seen :-) To top that off, she's beyond excellent. Knock on wood again! Still no colic! She's really not even fussy, EXCEPT when she doesn't get her bottle fast enough *lol* I'm listening to her stir right now....over the monitor. She should be waking soon for a bottle. I should be fast asleep in my warm bed (it's soooo cold here), but.....I keep hoping she'll wake up before I get too sleepy *grin*

It takes us hours to grocery shop or shop in general now that Taylor is here.....everyone stops us. Last night, we ran into "Aunt Becky", who saw Taylor for the first time, and she reacted just like I did when I saw her grandson for the first time....broke right down and cried! It's so hard to believe our babies are mommies and we are grandmommies :-) Then again, it seems so fitting to have such a special title -- we are pretty grand, even if I do say so myself :-)

It's bottle time......see yall later :-)

February 3, 2000: Well, Taylie's "hospital pictures" arrived today, and we are as disappointed as we can possibly be (the scan looks MUCH better than the original). For starters, the nurse who dressed her put her headband on upside down and crooked (the rose and bow go on the side and not in front) and did not "fix her dress"--it's all bunched up :-( Secondly, Taylor's eyes are practically shut. Thirdly, the picture is way too light and is all washed out. And, last but not least, Taylor's hair is sticking straight up on top :-( If it weren't for that precious face, these pictures would be returned pronto. I also bought key chains with "Taylor" written in script on them (in pink) and an "I LOVE GRANDMA" frame with Taylor's name and birthdate on it. Well, the pictures that are supposed to go in these items are way too big, so they will have to be cut to fit and taped so they won't fall out/slide. I'm extremely disappointed over all of this! This is the same company who took the nursery photos for my last three kids, and those pictures are priceless....they were excellent. To think I spent twice as much money on these photos and items than on my own kids only to have these pictures be so HORRIBLE just breaks my heart :-( As soon as I can swing it, I will take Taylor in for a professional sitting where we can pick our own photos and such. Oh well, at least we have all the pictures Nanny Renée and I took, which are MUCH better any way *grin*

February 4, 2000: Here are more pictures of Taylor....taken by me :-)

February 27, 2000: Here are yet more pictures of Taylor...candid snaps and professional :-)

March 24, 2000: Taylor had her first shots today (three of them) but did extremely well. Bless her heart. She is now 22 3/4 inches long and weighs 11 pounds 3 ounces :-) Our little angel :-) She is developmentally on schedule and growing extremely well. She smiles almost all the time and can sit for long periods of time in her saucer or walker and loves it :-) When placed on her belly, she actually pushes up with her arms and holds her head completely up the whole time and just looks around. She is also trying to turn over and will rock from side to side :-) Time is passing way too fast, though......way too fast!!!!

May 26, 2000: Taylor had her second series of shots today (three more), and as before, she did so well. I'm really shocked at how well she takes "pain"!!!! Those shots just don't seem to bother her! She is now 24 5/8 inches long and weighs 14 pounds even (I guessed it right on the money!!). She is growing so fast and doing so much! She rolls nonstop, tries to sit up on her own, stands up in her walker and walks foward, pulls herself up in her walker or saucer, tries to get on all fours, but the butt goes up without her head *lol*, and she babbles nonstop. After her checkup, we got her ears pierced, so she had a really rough day. She did not take that as well, though. I bought her a pair of pretty 3 mm CZ 14k gold earrings, and they look really good on her :-) Once she calmed down from the initial piercing, she was great, and she didn't seem to be in pain at all. I can't believe how fast time has passed. She is already four and a half months old, and yet, it seems like she just came into our lives. Before I can turn around, she'll be going to school. More soon.....

July 2, 2000: Every day that passes seems to be better and better. I just can't get enough of this precious little angel I fondly call "Tater Tot" -- don't ask me why I call her that, as I have no idea :-) Taylor is now 5 1/2 months old and has grown sooooo much it's unreal. She sits up for a while, she tries to stand up on her own, she gets on her her feet and hands with her butt up in the air (soooo cute), and she scoots on her hands and knees like mad. She takes "steps" occasionally, so it won't be long before she is crawling all over the place. She is something else, no doubt, and she is definitely her mawmaw's pride and joy :-) She is such a happy and sweet baby -- the best I've ever been around, and I'm not just saying that cause I'm biased *grin* She really is the best :-)

July 21, 2000: Taylor had her six month check up today, and all is well. She is now 16 pounds 4 ounces and 26 5/8 inches tall. She crawls now and is always on the move....she can sit up but refuses to stay. She wants to "go" all the time :-) She had to get a finger stick today, as well as one immunization, so she was not happy about that. Poor baby :-( After the initial "pain", though, she is just fine and has not had any side effects from the shots :-) She is still such a sweet angel :-) She broke my heart one day during the week when I left for work...she "followed me" into the hall (in her walker) and cried when I walked out the door :-( She's "mawmaw's baby", and her mom gets so mad when Taylor throws herself towards me and won't leave my arms :-) I, of course, LOVE that :-) I need to scan some new snapshots we have taken......TTYL.

October 20, 2000: Taylor turned nine months old on Monday -- how time has just flown!!! She had a checkup today and is 19 pounds and 29 3/4 inches tall. She is as precious as the day is long and such a loving baby. She is always hugging and kissing. Within the past few weeks, she has gotten really brave and stands alone. During the week, she took her first step alone, and last night, I witnessed her taking two steps alone. If you let her hold a finger, she will walk for ya, and that is too cute :-) My guess is that she will be walking on her own real soon. She's absolutely adorable!!!!! One day during the week, Taylor really broke my heart. I was trying to leave for work, and she wouldn't let me :-( I remember having to leave my kids crying as I went to work, and it hurts just as much having to leave my grandbaby crying :-( Taylor is mawmaw's angel and will always have my heart wrapped around her little finger :-)

October 22, 2000: As of this evening, Taylor is WALKING :-) She was standing by the saucer, and her aunt Daryth said "Come here". Taylor turned and walked five steps to her. After that, she kept walking from her mama to her aunt (at least three feet in distance), and since we were all so excited, she would burst out laughing when she was done :-) She's nine months and six days old!!!!! Whew.....our little one is growing up way too fast, but she's soooooo precious :-)

December 8, 2000: Time seems to get away from me these days, but nobody needs to wonder why *grin* Christmas is almost here, and it's extra special this year with my precious grandbabies in our lives :-) Taylor is still growing in leaps and bounds, running all over the place, and she's saying words like mad now - like puppy, bye-bye, mawmaw, mama, dog, baby, hi, and hi there. She still as precious as the day is long and such a joy to be around :-) I still can't believe she is part of me and is such a huge part of my life :-) She's definitely my little angel girl :-)

January 4, 2001: Wow....where has the past year gone? I can't believe our little Tater Tot is about to turn one year old!!!!! What a year this has been, too. She is still my angel and my sweetheart!!!!! She's sooooo smart and just seems to be growing up way too fast. She is off her bottle now (since Monday) and is doing so well. She's just too cute!!!!! We're gonna have a small birthday party for her either on the 13th or the 20th. I bought her the cutest white and pink rocking horse (wooden), and I can't wait to see how she reacts. She had a blast at Christmas with all of her toys and clothes :-) I think she was really overwhelmed with it all, and, of course, she didn't understand it all, but she still had fun :-) I hope her birthday is great for her :-)

January 12, 2001: Taylor had a checkup at the Health Unit Wednesday morning -- she's 20 pounds 8 ounces and is 29 1/2 inches tall :-) She goes to the doctor next Friday for her one year checkup and FOUR immunizations :-( I am not looking forward to that at all :-( I look back on the past year and can't believe how fast it has flown. It's sad that it has gone by so fast and that my sweet baby girl is growing up :-( She's spoiled rotten to me and I love it :-) If she hears my voice, she starts screaming for me :-) She can say "mawmaw", but she calls me "mama". I guess it's easier for her to say LOL When you ask her where "mawmaw" is, she points and/or turns to me, so she knows just who I am :-) We're going to have her birthday party on the 21st, and I can't wait. I bought her a Pooh busy bee toy to add to her horse. Radona and Aaron bought all the decorations last night, and all we need to do now is order her cake :-)

January 29, 2001: Taylor's first birthday has come and gone, and wow....I still can't believe how fast this year has gone by. We had her party on the 21st, but, bless her heart, she didn't feel good :-( She got four shots on the 19th, and they made her feel miserable :-( The party was fun, though, and she got tons of stuff. I made
a birthday page for her with pics of her party :-) She's feeling lots better now and loves playing with all of her goodies :-) She's mawmaw's angel baby girl, and I love her more than I ever dreamed I could :-)

February 17, 2001: Taylor, like her cousin, has been sick. She went to the doctor on the 14th and was diagnosed with an upper respiratory infection and bilateral ear infections. The doctor was even surprised over the latter, as Taylor was NOT running a high fever, listless, or not wanting to eat. She was just cranky real bad and running a low grade temperature, and I just suspected something was going on. In retrospect, I am glad I told my girls to take their babies in. God only knows what could have ended up happening had they not!!!! Taylor is on Augmentin and Panfil G and is doing much better. She did get checked again in the ER when she was tested for RSV, and her right ear was more infected than the left, but she sure doesn't act like they hurt or anything. I can't remember how much she weighs now, but it was over 20 pounds, and she is 32 1/2 inches tall :-)

April 28, 2001: Taylor is growing in leaps and bounds!!!! I can't believe how "grown up" she seems, even though she is only 15 months old. She is into anything and everything!!! Last check up, she was 22 pounds and still in the 32 1/2 inches tall range. She babbles more than she talks actual words, but she's so cute. She'll say something to us and knows what she is saying, but we have no idea LOL She loves dancing and playing outside, especially in the pool or on the swing set. I just added a few new pics on her photo pages!!! She will always be my little angel :-)

August 19, 2001: This precious angel is now 19 months old and acts like she's 10. She is 32" tall and weighs 23 pounds. She talks so much and is like a little parrot, repeating just about everything she hears! She is almost always calling "mawmaw" and immediately runs to my bedroom when she wakes up in the morning if I'm not in the kitchen or the den already. If my door is closed, she will beat on it and demand to see me :-) When I'm at work, she is totally lost and doesn't know why I'm not there for her. A few weeks back, I cracked up one day at work. My cell phone rang, and all I hear is Taylor screaming and crying, and when I asked her what was wrong, she immediately shut up and said "Mawmaw". Then her mother tells me that Taylor had picked up her phone and said "Mawmaw", and when Radona didn't respond immediately, Taylor screamed "Mawmaw" again and brought her the phone. She wanted to talk to me! I had to laugh, saying "It's pretty bad that my granddaughter thinks I'm a phone" LOL We are always cracking up at this child. She's a mess and a half. You really should see her "dancing". It's a riot. She just stands there with her butt sticking out, bounces up and down, and she has this grin on her face that is a riot! She is into EVERYTHING and more. Last night, she made us crack up by walking on all fours like an ape! God only knows what she was thinking/doing, but it was hilarious! She has my heart and soul wrapped around her little finger, and she knows it :-)

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