How time flies...

Tomorrow is Kaylani's 6 month birthday, and I can't believe it. It boggles my mind that it's been 6 months already. I can remember every single thing we've done, or that she's done, in the last 6 months that it makes me feel like it can't be 6 months. I never thought that my memory would be good enough to remember 6 months of details. So why is it that every thing is so vividly clear in my head?

The simple answer would be that I remember everything because I've written it all down day by day right here. But even without re-reading previous posts, I can still tell you in vivid color about her first poop incident, or the first time she rolled over, or her first haircut. And while those are very specific incidences and milestones in her life, I can even remember back to a time before she was born. A time that happened exactly 6 months ago from right now.

It's 9pm right now and things don't seem that different from where we were 6 months ago. We're on the couch relaxing after a long day, and just catching up on some TV. 6 months ago I was wondering what my life was going to be like. Mommy was 4 days past her due date and I was anxious to meet my little girl. That part actually hasn't changed. Every day I'm still anxious to see my little girl. Right now, I'm watching TV with one eye and staring at our video monitor with my other because I can't get enough of her.

6 months ago, we went for a walk around the neighborhood to try and motivate Kaylani to come on out. 6 months ago we bought Montreal Chicken Spice because a co-worker told me that it would induce labor. 6 months ago we went to sleep as husband and wife and woke up 1 hour later to head to the hospital. Tonight, we'll go to sleep as Mommy and Daddy and really, really hope that we won't have to wake up in one hour, three hours, or even eight hours.

When we do wake up, it will be Kaylani's 6 month birthday and we'll have our normal monthly celebration, but possibly just a bit bigger. She's growing up way too fast in my opinion. Just think, she's 1/42nd of the way to turning 21! Yikes. Well anyways, I won't say Happy Birthday because that would be premature (unlike thinking about Kaylani turning 21 which is definitely warranted), but I will say Happy Fatherhood Friday since it's close enough! I'm sure it will be Friday by the time most of you read this so it's okay. Don't forget to check out the Dad-Blogs to read the other great Fatherhood Friday posts, as well as my Sports IllutraDad column. They're a great way to kick off the weekend...I promise!

The Birth Story of Kaylani Isabel Tam

Since today is Kaylani's 1 month birthday, I'm going to post Kaylani's birth story, written by our doula, Stella Nieves. We found Stella through a combination of a web search and a recommendation from our midwife, and knew she was the right person for us once we met her. Not only was she personable and friendly, but she also spoke fluent Spanish (being from Columbia). That was pretty important to me since I was convinced that 1 of 2 things was going to happen: either Brendalys was going to switch to Spanish mid-labor and I wouldn't know what she was saying (I read that it happens!), or she was going to constantly curse at me in Spanish and I wanted to make sure that I knew what she was calling me (neither happened). And as an added plus, Stella's also a licensed massage therapist at Hillsborough Massage. If you live in the area, I highly recommend a visit. Brendalys has gone 3 times and I've even gone once, and it was the best 90 minute nap I've ever taken!

Stella was great during the whole thing and gave us the support and love that we needed during the labor. She came to the hospital quickly, and at the perfect time since Brendalys was starting to waver on her pre-labor "no meds" feeling. But with her help, we got through the labor as natural as can be in a hospital, and I know I've said this a thousand times, but it was an amazing experience.

I thank God and my wife everyday for my beautiful daughter, and I thank all of you for allowing me to share our lives with you. Click here to read The Birth Story of Kaylani Isabel Tam.

The first 12 hours...

It's been half a day since my beautiful daughter was born, and they've been the best 12 hours of my life. I plan on writing about my experience during the birth and immediately after, but for now, I've posted pictures to our Picasa Web Album (use the link to the right for "Pictures!").

Enjoy the pictures for now, and I'll keep you updated once I can tear myself away from Kaylani's side long enough to write about her in all her glory.