Sunday March 06, 2005 Day at the Museum
Today was a free day at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and I decided to take full advantage. As I expected, the museum was packed. There were throngs of people in every exhibit other than Gems and Minerals (an exhibit I enjoy very much, by the way). Exhibits like Prehistoric Journey and Hall of Life were especially crowded. This made it difficult, as you might well imagine, to enjoy the exhibits in the manner in which I prefer - deliberate perusal of every item and its supporting information. It was fun, however, to see the multitude of children present enjoying an enriching educational experience.
During my visit, I made sure to check out the In Peace and Friendship: 100 Years of Indian Peace Medals (1776–1876) exhibition. This small, but interesting, exhibition is intended to serve as a complementary precursor to the upcoming Lewis & Clark: The National Bicentennial Exhibition, an exhibition to which I am looking forward with great anticipation. [click here for more information].
To complete my visit, I enjoyed a couple of films at the IMAX theater: Mystery of the Nile and a complementary showing of NASCAR - The IMAX Experience. Mystery of the Nile documents the first ever source-to-sea descent of the Nile, a 2003-4 expedition led by Lakewood, CO resident Pasquale Scaturro. NASCAR - The IMAX Experience provides an entertaining look at the United State's most popular spectator sport.
Since Tiffany and Caleb were still in Oklahoma today, I was unable to bring them along with me on this trip. I am hoping, though, to make it up to them by scheduling a return visit in the very near future.
( Mar 06 2005, 08:21:44 PM PST )
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Friday March 04, 2005 Day at the Zoo
Tiffany and Caleb are out of time visiting relatives in Oklahoma. Unfortunately, I was unable to join them and I am missing them both terribly.
On a more positive note, the weather in Denver was beautiful today so I decided to take a few hours off from work and visit the Denver Zoo.
On this particular trip, I decided to spend relatively less time at a few of my favorite exhibits - and Primate Panorama - in order to spend more time at exhibits relatively new to me - Tropical Discovery and Predator Ridge.
Tropical Discovery is designed to various aspects of a rainforest - waterfalls, caves, jungle ruins, a mangrove swamp, and a coral reef are all included in the humid exhibit. I was especially impressed by the giant arapaima and the world's largest indoor Komodo dragon habitat.
Predator Ridge, the zoo's latest exhibit, is very nice. Included in the exhibit, designed to be more naturalistic, are 14 species of African wildlife including lions, hyenas, porcupines, Kirk's dik diks, and crowned cranes. I was disappointed that the banded mongooses were hiding from view, but my disappointment was considerably assuaged by the juvenile African wild dogs that were only recently allowed on display.
( Mar 04 2005, 10:02:53 PM PST )
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Monday February 21, 2005 Two Week Checkup
Tiffany and Caleb have both now had their two week checkups. Both mother and baby are doing fine. Caleb is a bit underweight, but we expect that a bit of formula supplementation will turn that around quickly.
Other than with respect to his weight, Caleb is developing nicely. He continues to be extremely alert and his muscle control is impressive. I expect that he will be precocious in many ways, but that could just be the proud father in me showing through.
( Feb 21 2005, 12:15:09 PM PST )
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Saturday February 19, 2005 Caleb Likes Bach
To my great delight, Caleb seems to share my love for baroque music - Bach in particular. We have found that Bach's music has an almost immediate calming effect on him when he starts to get fussy. I recently purchased the Baby Einstein - Baby Bach CD and Caleb and I listen to it almost daily. His favorite tracks seem to be Minuet in G from the Anna Magdalena Notebooks; Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, BWV 147; and Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D, Air, BWV 1068.
My only complaint about the Baby Bach CD is that the arrangement could certainly be improved. For instance, I would prefer that the tracks got gradually less polyphonic and slower in tempo as the CD nears its end.
( Feb 19 2005, 11:57:18 PM PST )
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Saturday February 12, 2005 Visits from Family
A number of members from my immediate family were able to make the trip from southwest Missouri to visit my wife and me and our new son. To our great joy, my mother, father, stepmother, stepfather, and my youngest brother - along with his wife and daughter - were all able to spend some time with us. Tiffany and I are planning on reciprocating and heading to Missouri soon to introduce Caleb to the rest of the clan.
Caleb is very fortunate to have such a loving extended family.
( Feb 12 2005, 04:46:51 AM PST )
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Wednesday February 02, 2005 Home from the Hospital
Tiffany and Caleb were discharged from the hospital this afternoon. It is nice to get them home and settled. We have now added the one element that was markedly missing from our new home - the laughter (and occasionally the tears) of a child.
( Feb 02 2005, 04:05:37 PM PST )
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Monday January 31, 2005 A Taylor is Born
Caleb Gene Taylor was born today at 10:23 AM to Brandon Eugene Taylor and Tiffany Lynn Taylor. He weighed in at 7 pounds 11 ounces and measured 21 inches in length. Both grandmothers were on hand to greet the new arrival - Tiffany's mother was in the delivery room and my mother was waiting just outside.
For a number of years now, my foremost aspiration has been to become a father (I find it of utmost significance that God's first command to man was to "Be fruitful and multiply" Gen 1:28). Consequently, the fulfillment I experienced today was truly profound. I felt privileged and humbled to witness one of God's greatest miracles - the miracle of life - in a very immediate and personal way. I wish that I was more articulate so that I could adequately express the full extent of my joy. I suspect, however, that such a thing transcends the ability of anyone to reduce it to mere words.
The pride I felt in my wife and son while witnessing the birth far exceeded any pride resulting from any of my personal achievements. That being said, I believe I nearly dislocated my shoulder patting myself on the back for my role in the events leading up to today. :-)
Tiffany and I appreciate all of the well-wishes and congratulations from family, friends, and co-workers. Your support and sentiment have meant a lot to us.
( Jan 31 2005, 02:05:44 AM PST )
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Thursday January 27, 2005 Final Ultrasound
Tiffany and I went in for a final ultrasound today before Monday's delivery. Caleb's skull is measuring greater than 92mm so it looks like he will be ready.
The ultrasound technician gave us an estimated weight of 7 pounds.
( Jan 27 2005, 09:03:46 AM PST )
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Wednesday January 19, 2005 Last Prenatal Appointment
Tiffany and I just got back from our final prenatal appointment before Caleb's arrival. Everything appears to be going well and we look forward to a healthy delivery on the 31st.
( Jan 19 2005, 09:50:37 AM PST )
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Tuesday January 18, 2005 Nerd Score - 98
Why should knowing what James Maxwell - a man for which I have a tremendous amount of admiration - looks like and knowing that Mn is the chemical symbol for manganese make me nerdier than most? (Sadly enough, asking this question probably boosts my 'nerd score' even higher). I am not sure whether I should be proud or embarrassed. :-)
( Jan 18 2005, 09:01:39 PM PST ) Permalink Comments [0]
Saturday January 08, 2005 Another Shopping Trip
My wife and I embarked this afternoon upon (yet) another shopping spree for the baby we are expecting. This trip yielded, among other things: a changing pad for the changing table, a swing, receiving blankets, crib sheets, bottles, and bottle nipples. I am hoping that we are done for a while. If not, I am sure that my wife and mother-in-law will let me know. ;-) ( Jan 08 2005, 10:59:38 PM PST ) Permalink Comments [0]
Wednesday January 05, 2005 Shovelin' Snow
With the latest cold snap and concomitant snow storm here in Colorado, I have had an 'opportunity' to do a bit of snow shoveling. During said activity, I gained a true appreciation for two of the gifts I receoived this Christmas - flannel-lined blue jeans and a wool coat. Highly recommended!
( Jan 05 2005, 02:37:12 PM PST )
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Sunday January 02, 2005 Baby Furniture
I spent part of the day today assembling baby furniture - crib/bed, cradle, dresser, and changing table. Caleb isn't even born yet, and he already has more furniture than I did at any point during my college years. :-)
( Jan 02 2005, 08:13:24 PM PST )
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Friday December 31, 2004 Reflection, Renewal, and Resolution
I always find that this time of year is ideal for reflecting on the year about to end, renewing commitments to goals and principles, and resolving to make the coming year better than the last. 2004 was a great year for my wife and me - the conception of our son Caleb ensured that. His birth early next year will serve as a brilliant start to a year to which I look forward with great hope and anticipation.
Happy New Year, folks, and God bless!
( Dec 31 2004, 06:31:51 PM PST )
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Tuesday December 21, 2004 Prenatal Visit
Tiffany and I just got back from the doctor's office. Blessedly, the pregnancy continues to go well and the baby, from what we can tell, continues to be healthy. We are all ready for the baby to arrive, including the baby himself. Unfortunately for mommy, he has been signaling his readiness by kicking frequently and repeatedly.
( Dec 21 2004, 05:12:45 PM PST )
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