Wordless Wednesday

Snow Angels

We had our first big snow of the year last week so of course Paige had to get out and play in it. She has seen lots of snow before, but this was the first time she could play in it and actually remember it. She was really funny and the cold didn't seem to bother her at all, even though her mittens wouldn't stay on and her nose was running all over the place.

Hanging out at Home

Here are just a few pictures of Paige and Collin hanging out at home. For the most part, we have settled into our new routine. Paige still seems to like her baby brother, although she does have her moments, especially when she says, "mommy put him down!"

Collin Matthew!!!

So, this update is only a little behind - one month to be exact, but hey, we have a newborn. Collin Matthew made an appearance on New Year's Day and the past month has been filled with lots of fun and a little sleep. Here's a little about his birth:



We had been scheduled to be induced on Friday, the 2nd, but Collin had a few plans of his own. My water broke at home on new year's eve right before midnight, so shortly thereafter we headed to the hospital. Here we go: About 6 hours later, it was time to push. But once again Collin had plans of his own and it became apparent he was not tolerating labor well. My dr also thought that he was probably laying on his side so pushing wasn't going to do much to get him out. The decision was made that it was time to do a C-section. It wasn't what we had planed or expected, but at 6:57am, Collin was welcomed kicking and screaming. Here he is getting to meet mommy for the first time:

And now daddy:

Matt was great through out the whole experience. He watched the whole birth and even took charge of diaper duty:

Paige loved coming to the hospital to visit her new baby brother.

Collin Matthew Wilder

Thursday, January 1, 2009

6:57am

7lbs 8.4oz

20.5 inches

On Sunday we were finally, headed home as a family of four:

Christmas

Christmas this year was quiet for us. As we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of Collin, most of the family decided to wait to visit once he decides to make his debut. It was however, no less special than any other year, as we filled the holiday with a few of our own traditions and lots of friends. We started by attending Christmas Services with some very good fiends of mine from high school, followed by cocktails in Old Town Alexandria (well cocktails for everyone but Paige and I). Once we got home, we decided that it would be a good idea to let Paige start opening some of her presents. The tree was full and they were mostly for her, as it was, it took us three days to get through them all.

Christmas morning brought new excitement. Paige knew that Santa had come to leave her presents, but got scared half way down the stairs. I think she thought that he was still in the house and wasn't too sure that she wanted to walk in on a stranger. Of course, once she discovered that there was no one there, she was overjoyed with everything she saw.

Santa was way too generous, he must have thought that she had been extra good this year.

Yes, that is a blue lolly pop that Paige managed to sneak out of her stocking before we had even had breakfast. Oh well, that's what Christmas is for. The only problem is that she had a blue mouth for the remainder of the morning.

After opening presents for the better half of the day. We had some other good friends of ours from college over for Christmas dinner. It was lots of fun and the food was delicious (I wish I could take all the credit, but Meredith and her mom helped out a lot!!!). Of course with all the excitement, I forgot to take pictures once they got here, but at least I got one of the table.

Since Christmas, Paige has had lots of fun playing with all her new toys. She definitely can't complain that she's bored or has nothing to do. Here she is painting with her new paints, and yes Popi, she did get a hair cut. Doesn't it look nice :)

Now that she is getting older, Paige got lots of games for Christmas. Matt and I both thought that this was a great educational activity that would be good for her, of course we forgot that we were the ones that would have to be playing the games with her all the time. It's only been two days since Christmas and I can't even tell you how many times we have played Candyland and Memory. This has to be my favorite though, here's Matt trying to figure out how to play her new Fancy Nancy game!!!

Lessons Learned: Part 2

Aunt Kendi came to visit for a few days after her finals before heading home to Dallas. The weather was really yucky, so we decided to take another stab at baking. This time the goal was to make Christmas cookies for Santa. It was a little more successful with two of us there to watch and help Paige, but as you can see the mess was just as big - if not bigger!

"I didn't make this mess..."

"Ok, yes I did!!!"

"But I promise that I didn't eat that cookie."

DC Sights

This month has brought lots of excitement and lots of visitors. Earlier this month, Matt's Dad and wife came to visit. It was the first time we have been able to get out and see some of the sights that DC has to offer as a family. It was a really cold day, but we were still able to see some of the highlights. Like the Capital:
We also spent some time at the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. Don't let the pretty blue sky fool you, we were freezing!

I'm not sure that Paige was as impressed by all the history. She had a really hard time standing still and just wanted to run all over the place. That would have been great, except for all the signs reminding you to, "please be quiet and respectful of the memorial". I guess, they don't expect you to bring your two-year old.