Preston Michael Taylor

We were blessed with an early addition (4 weeks rather than the usual 3 weeks early) to our family on November 22, 2008 at 7:26 pm. Preston weighed 5 pounds 5 ounces and measured 18 1/2 inches long. He has dark brown wavy hair and dark eyes. He has long fingers and toes just like Ben and his siblings, and just like Natalie and Lincoln did he has skin rolls instead of chub rolls. He is so quiet and calm, he barely cries and when he does it's not too loud. He really reminds me of Natalie when she was a baby--quiet and easy going. He has a mixture of both Natalie and Lincoln in his face, so it will be fun to see what he looks like as he grows. He was totally healthy when he was born and went home on time with me. He does have a bit of reflux right now that he takes Zantac for, but he is so calm you would never know it was bothersome besides it gives him a little cough and stuffy nose at times.

As for the story I had gone to the doctor the Wed. before he was born and my blood pressure was up (no surprise this happens at the end of every pregnancy) and he adjusted my medication and wanted me to come back on Sat. for a blood pressure check. In between appointments I started having contractions on Thurs. which weren't that big of a deal just a little uncomfortable at times and not very regular. But my worst fear was that I would go into labor while Ben was at work in DC with no fast way home (he rides the train). Friday the contractions were more uncomfortable and that night pretty constant and close but nothing to get me to start timing them (I've never actually gone into labor on my own--I've always been induced); however, I didn't sleep great those 2 nights.
Anyway, Friday night I pack my bag for the hospital and Ben thinks I'm being a little hasty because things will be fine. (I knew we would be having a baby on Sat.) So on Sat. morning I don't feel great but I get on with the usual family life and have breakfast and shower and I even cut Ben and Lincoln's hair before my appointment. When I went to the doctor I was sitting there waiting and having contractions about every 2 minutes or so as I looked at the clock.
When the nurse took my blood pressure it was high of course and when the doctor checked me I was dilated to a 3 and 80% effaced and he sent me over to the hospital to deliver (he would be coming over shortly). So Ben forgot his cell phone and we couldn't call the Beatty's who we had previously talked to about either watching our kids that day while I delivered or coming over to our new house to play games, so we had to drive over and hope they were home.
Luckily we caught Troy right before he left and he graciously took Natalie and Lincoln and helped Ben give me a blessing before we went to the hospital. When I got to the hospital around 1:00 they gave me an IV and then I got to lay there for 2 hours waiting for the doctor and things to progress. The nurses told me I was having regular contractions on my own about every 1 1/2 to 2 minutes--more regular than any other patient in the hospital (basically I was already in labor so I probably would have been in the hospital soon anyway).
Finally they gave me an epidural, which they hoped would lower my blood pressure and thankfully it did so I didn't have to have magnesium (used to prevent seizures with high blood pressure--had it with Natalie don't recommend it to anyone and I begged not to have it with Lincoln and Preston and lucked out--the nurses told me it feels like the flu with a hangover--never had a hangover, but if that's what it's like I don't know why anyone would drink.
They started me on a little pitocin and then about 3o minutes later the doctor came in and broke my water and they turned off the pitocin because they didn't want to stress the baby out--my body was doing fine without it. So then we just had to wait until I dilated to a 10. Around 7 or a little after I was feeling pressure and not quite a 10 yet and they were thinking they might have to give me something to decrease my contractions because every time his head dropped down his heart rate
decreased so they didn't want him under stress for too long. Fortunately a few minutes later I was fully dilated and the doctor said I would have to hurry and push him out or he would have to help with his tools. Preston's head was turned the wrong way on the first push but then he flipped around himself and he was out on the next push. Too bad I had to sit around for 2 hours in the beginning because otherwise he would have been born in 5 hours like my other two instead of 7. Oh well, at least he was healthy. He has been such a joy to have in the family--he is our calm in the midst of a storm, and Natalie and Lincoln absolutely adore him.

Natalie holding Preston.

Natalie and Lincoln holding Preston.


Lincoln giving Preston a kiss.

Our family.

The Taylor boys.

Our (Soon to Be) New House

Ben has been bugging me to update our blog for a couple months now, but I just haven't gotten around to it. What might I be filling my time with, you might ask. Well, when we first got home from vacation this summer I was talking to lenders and looking at houses to buy with our realtor, now it's packing the house, taking care of the kids and being 31 weeks (7 almost 8 months) pregnant, and trying to keep up with a few other things on my plate when I'm not too tired.
So we found a house to buy about 20-25 miles south of where we currently live. It's gorgeous and in excellent condition (it was built in 2007). We had gone out to this area to look at a couple houses again and to show Ben one I had seen the previous day and our realtor said she had one more to look at when we were done with those three. When we walked in it was so clean and white and the entire house was wired for surround sound (Ben was in love) and it had a central vacuum and we really we just loved it. It had only been on the market as a foreclosure for a couple days and with it's amazing condition (and believe me I walked in enough houses, especially foreclosures that were not so great; our inspector was even amazed at the condition) and all 3 levels finished with a total of about 4500 square feet sitting on about .27 of an acre in a great neighborhood our realtor did not see it being on the market for long and thought we had better put in the first offer soon. We were so excited as we walked through the house again without the realtor (she had to leave) and then as we went out to pick peaches with the kids at an orchard and then drove home we decided what to offer and thought about what it would be like to live there with so much space and newness, but we really didn't think we would get it because it was a little higher than our price range and it just seemed too good to be true. So we put in our offer that Saturday evening on Labor day weekend and we countered a couple times through the week and then finally we came to an agreement on price and closing costs. Yeah!! We couldn't believe it!! Anyway, we are excited to be able to not be renting anymore come November 6 when we close and we can paint to our hearts' content (who knows how much we will be able to paint before our newest baby boy joins the family in late Nov. or early Dec.). We have been left with a clean palette and we are excited to add color (hopefully only to the walls and not the white carpets). We do know that going from a tiny 2 bedroom house to a huge 4 bedroom house we will have lots of empty space with no furniture to fill it, but we are excited to have the space with a baby on the way and two energetic kids who love to play. So here are some pictures I took of the house the day we walked through the first time.

Natalie's 3rd Birthday

Who can believe our little Natalie was once a 4 lb. 9 oz. baby? I cannot believe that 3 years have gone by and she's so big and so independent
and so in love with princesses. She speaks well, is potty-trained, still loves books, loves play-doh, and is a nice big sister.

I thought I better get this posted before too much more time goes by. We had a great vacation out west (I'll have to post pictures and stuff later) and were able to see lots of family and enjoy some special celebrations (Great Grandma Louine's 100th birthday and Benjamin & Raquel's wedding). We made it back to Virginia just in time to celebrate Natalie's 3rd birthday on July 30. Too bad when we came back our oven/stove didn't work, so I couldn't make a really cute cake, but I was able to borrow an oven that evening (thanks to the Francis family) and make a cute enough cake for our cutie pie. I guess the only real thing she requested was that is was pink, so I think I did just fine.

Natalie got 2 "princess" movies-Thumbelina and The Swan Princess, which have been a hit.

Lincoln helping Natalie unwrap her big gift.

They're just about done opening the tricycle.

Trying it out for size after Dad put it all together.


Riding bikes outside.

The pink cake with 3 flowers on it.

Our big 3 year old, Natalie.

An early birthday celebration in Idaho on our last night, shared with cousin Zana (their birthdays are 2 days apart).

Presents from Grandma & Grandpa Taylor--the dress up flapper dress and the princess high heel shoes. She loves both, especially the shoes which she wears daily.

The Verdict Is...

I had an ultrasound today and we found out we are having a boy. Natalie and Lincoln are excited to soon have a little brother to play with and hold (and actually just about everytime I would ask Natalie what she wanted or what she thought I was having she would say a brother). He's measuring average size and weighs about 13 oz. He looks great and is a wiggly little guy. So far everything is going well in my pregnancy.

And Then There Will Be 3

Too many people have been asking...so in case you were wondering or suspicious (I see those sidelong glances)... we are expecting another little one in the middle of December (I'm about 15 weeks, and no I haven't been hiding it, we've just not mentioned it to friends). So I'm guessing it will be in November around Thanksgiving, since I'm always induced 3 weeks early due to my health. It was a surprise, but we are excited to add another adorable child to our family. And just so you don't have to ask, I feel fine, but my blood pressure was elevated again due to my kidneys and I'm on medication for it and that's the treatment plan for me right now (no bed rest). Hopefully my kidneys hold up and my blood pressure stays down and most importantly the baby is healthy and strong. Keep us in your prayers.

Fun with Family

My brother, Brian, and his wife, Jocelyn, and 2 kids, Madelyn & Camden, came to visit D.C. since Brian has just started working for the FDIC and had a week of training. It was hot but really fun to spend time together and see some sights. We ate out way too much, but the kids absolutely had a blast playing together and it was really fun for Ben and I to talk to Brian and Jocelyn (especially since it was the FIRST time Ben and Jocelyn have met and she's been in the family for over 4 years). Too bad we don't live closer so the cousins could play more often. Here are some pictures of our adventures with the big highlights being Chesapeake Beach where the water is warm and shallow and Metro Richmond Zoo where you get to feed and pet some of the animals like the giraffes (plus we got in free because Brian and Jocelyn know the owners' son and wife from BYU).

Madelyn and Natalie holding hands in a parking garage on the way to dinner on the first night. They were fast friends.

Camden, Madelyn, and Natalie showing us their giraffe tongues.

Ben holding Camden and Lincoln in the Natural History Museum. Camden really liked Uncle Ben and Lincoln felt left out if he had to ride in the stroller while the other kids got to walk.
Mom, Natalie, and Lincoln riding the National Mall Carousel, which Ben always wanted to do growing up (Jocelyn, Maddy, and Camden are riding too, but not seen).
Natalie flying the plane at the Air and Space Museum.
Lincoln flying the plane. He didn't want to be left out of anything.
Camden and Natalie at the panda bear exhibit at the National Zoo. This statue is a favorite to pose with.
Everyone in the water at the beach except me and Lincoln. (Notice Ben's lean and trim physique--he's looking really good since he started working out--he's losing weight and gaining muscle!)
My kids and me playing in the sand.
We found a really warm stream flowing into the bay and the kids loved it. They kept laying down and played for a long time.
Doesn't the water just look inviting? The cousins are loving it!
Anne & Ben, a great looking couple!
Natalie relaxing in the water. She kept doing this and telling us she was washing her hair, too bad she doesn't look that relaxed in the bathtub when we are actually washing her hair.
Madelyn being a mermaid.
One of my favorite pictures--Natalie couldn't wait to get to the car to take her swimsuit off, so she just walked up the trail bare naked.
Here's what you get when you put 4 adults and 4 car seats in a 7 passenger minivan.
Lincoln, our little one year old who doesn't walk yet, climbing the fence like older cousin Camden. (He's been known to use Natalie's stool to climb up on top of the toilet seat and stand up to reach my lotions and body sprays on a shelf.)
Me feeding the giraffe by hand.
Natalie and Maddy up close and personal with the giraffes.
How cute are these boys? They both went their separate ways to get ready for bed and both came back with the same cute dinosaur pajamas, plus they both suck their thumb. What handsome little guys!
Lincoln wants to be "big" like Madelyn and Natalie and sit on the radiator.
Lincoln, Camden, Madelyn, and Natalie on their last day together.