Happy New Years!

Party hard! But not TOO hard! You don't want to end up with your underwear on your head!

Rybolt up close and personal

I am NOT going to jinx it by writing that Rybolt has been a really easy baby so far. But he has! We had to take him to the doctor today because he has an eye infection. He doesn't seem to mind though.

Christmas part two

Just as the Garvins were leaving, the Millers were arriving! It was great! Aunt Susann made a wonderful Christmas dinner and Aunt Emilie brought enough sugar cookies to fill my sweet cravings! Baikal had a great time unwrapping gifts from Grandma Bookie and Grand Poobah. Matt and I had a great time unwrapping gifts too!

Christmas part one

Christmas day was spent with the Garvins and Renchers. Matt and I had christmas at our house and then went over to Aunt Courtney's for the second round of gifts. Around eating time, we loaded into the cars for a progressive Christmas dinner. First it was to Uncle Bill's condo for some delicious appetizers. Baikal loved looking at Bill's aquarium and watching the fish swim around. After our fill of shrimp bisque and bacon wrapped crackers (YUM!) we headed over to Aunt Courtney's for the main course: Julia Child's Beef Bourguignon (YUM!). Baikal and Rybolt were starting to get a bit fussy after all of the excitement, so we left a bit early to put them down for naps and set up the final destination of the progressive dinner: dessert at our house. We had an assortment of cookies, ice cream, and coffee to welcome our family as they came through the door. It was a wonderful Christmas! Little did Baikal know that she would get to experience it again two days later when the Millers came to town...part two to follow!

2008 is going to be a bigger and better blog!

I must have been really good this year, because I got a NEW fancy schmancy camera! My blog pictures are going to be bigger and better in 2008! We're talking a digital SLR people! No more shutter speed issues, no more delayed shots, no more blurry photos! Woohoo!!!!

Constant entertainment

One thing about having a two year old is that you are constantly having to entertain and constantly being entertained. With all of that entertainment, you would think we could have a two person show! Baikal made binoculars at school using old paper rolls. She decided to make binoculars out of her toast yesterday. She appropriately called it, "toast binoculars."



Baikal can also sing the "ABC" song. Follow this link Rybolt family blog to see her vocal debut!

News from the home front

Today is Baikal's birthday! She is two. Yesterday she made cupcakes to take to her preschool class. She seems really excited for her birthday. This morning we put two candles in her toast and sang her "Happy Birthday." She enjoyed it so much that she wanted us to do it again several times.
Yesterday Matt took Baikal to see Santa at Lenox mall. It went well. Baikal waited for 30 minutes and sat on Santa's lap without much protest. I didn't realize how much there is for a child to take in about the holidays. We have stockings, a manger, an advent wreath, a christmas tree, candy canes, and gifts under the tree. It is a lot of "Don't touch, just look" and "Wait." Again, Baikal seems to be taking it all in without much of a protest.





Rybolt spends his days and nights eating and sleeping. Here, he is showing off his favorite sleeping position.

Rybolt in his natural state

Rybolt is so cute! It is hard not just to stare at him all day.

Live Nativity

Baikal visited a live nativity today. There were sheep, cows, goats, and even a camel. She wasn't too sure about the camel.

St. Nicholas Dinner

Courtney and Mom Garvin took Baikal to the St. Nicholas dinner at our church. Baikal enjoyed watching the children's choir and meeting St. Nicholas. She especially liked taking off her shoes before the service only to find that they were filled with chocolates when she returned to get them.

Mom and Rybolt

Mom and Rybolt enjoying cuddle time.

More pictures

Already a baseball fan:




Erin is feeling great! But the photo of her was just removed due to a security breach. When she has applied makeup and is wearing something more appropriate, the photo will return.

First Pictures of Rybolt Baier Miller

Here are the first pictures of Rybolt:

Blogging at the hospital

Erin and I arrived at the hospital at about 9:20am. She has been preadmitted and we are just waiting on the Doctor to arrive in the surgery center.

11:28am update: Spinal Tap in 10 minutes. Waiting on the surgeon.

12:06pm: Still no news (unless walking to the coffee bar for an espresso is news). Waiting on the surgeon.

12:33pm: Erin just went into the surgical area. I'm in the recovery room. 10min for prep. 5min for Spinal injection. 15min for baby.

12:54: Is anyone else concerned about the macro impact of MBS/CDO writedowns. This wait is a killer.

1:27 Rybolt Baier Miller is here! 8lbs 3oz. Pictures will be up around 5pm.

2:17pm: In nursery with Rybolt. Erin in post-op recovery. Erin and Baby are both doing great.

4:08pm: In the suite with Erin and Rybolt. Courtney is visiting. Pictures soon.

Gavin Christopher Traylor

My college roomate, Laura, had her first baby on Monday. Gavin Christopher Traylor is a healthy 8 lb baby boy. Today after my pre-op visit, Matt and I visited the maternity center to see the Traylor family. I look forward to many play dates between Gavin and Rybolt. Matt and I are planning on having a special date night on Wednesday to have some quality alone time before baby Rybolt comes. So don't be worried if you call and no one picks up the phone! We'll be out at our favorite restaurant enjoying a baby-free night.

Pretty in Pink

List for one year olds

I have been pretty slack about my "lists for moms" suggestions over the past year. The main reason for this is that once baby starts walking, all bets are off. However, with the upcoming holiday season I find myself wondering, "What will make a good gift for Baikal now that she is 2?" Searching the internet and hounding my friends for recommendations, I decided to post what Baikal really played with over the past year. Hopefully, this list will be helpful for any of you looking to get a gift for a child from the 1-2 year range.

1. Stackable cups - I really like these from The First Years because you can teach colors and numbers with them (they are numbered on the bottom)
2. Wood Blocks
3. Ball toys - Baikal has really enjoyed this toy
4. Musical instruments
5. Board books - Heavy on the pictures, light on the text
6. Water/sand table - We used this everyday in the summer, until the state declared a ban on outdoor watering
7. Bubbles - Not all bubbles are created equal. Believe me, this bubble kit is worth the cost! These are the BEST bubbles, hands down.
8. DVD player - If you are looking for a high dollar item and you don't mind turning your kid into a zombie on long car rides, this has really saved Matt and I on several occasions. Get one that has a long battery so that you can use it in a car or plane.
9. Car seat - Around the first birthday, most babies have grown out of their car seat, but still need to be rear-facing. Our pediatrician recommended the Britax Marathon, which is a behemoth. It has been great, but pricey.
10. A red wagon - Always a classic.

Sugar, spice, and everything nice

Baikal has become really interested in helping out in the kitchen recently. Pretend cooking is of no interest, this girl wants to get her hands dirty. I think this is partly because they do a bit of baking with the kids at her preschool. Today we made chocolate chip cookies. Baikal's favorite parts are the mixing and the eating. When Matt came home from work, he took her and some of the cookies and made his way around the neighborhood to deliver some of them. Who wouldn't love some nice, warm, gooey cookies after a day's work?

Latest update on the next Miller baby

Everything is going well for little Miller. Next Tuesday I have my pre-op visit and the c-section is scheduled for the afternoon of the 6th, next Thursday! I am so excited to see our little boy! We have decided on the name Rybolt Baier Miller. Rybolt is my mother's maiden name, and Baier is a family name from Matt's father's side of the family.

Thanksgiving

We had a nice, relaxing Thanksgiving. We decided to buy our turkey and sides already prepared just in case we had to make a quick run to the hospital. It turned out to be a great idea, since we woke up this morning and we didn't have any power! It finally came back around 10:30 am. It was great to have Cousin Bill and Courtney come over to break bread with us. Baikal wasn't much interested in anything other than the rolls. After a nice meal, we rested a bit and then went on a walk through the park. We stopped at the playground for a bit, but it had turned really cold so we didn't stay too long.

Latest on the next Miller baby

I am in the final stretch! At my doctor appointment yesterday it was confirmed. Baby Miller is still doing great. The c-section is on for Dec. 6th, unless I go into labor before that date. Today I was officially given the OK to go off of the Terbutaline, but I decided to stay on it until after Thanksgiving. I want baby Miller to experience turkey from the inside.
Baikal is a bundle of joy. She has really expanded her vocabulary and now speaks in short sentences. She also loves to sing and dance, although sometimes I am not quite sure what song she is singing. She can use a fork, knife, spoon, and cup. Although she says, "Help with this?" if she is having trouble. Baikal is always on the move. This has made picture taking a difficult task, since my digital camera does not have an adjustable shutter speed.

Baby showers and other ramblings...

This weekend I got to attend the baby shower for my friend Laura. She is due on Dec. 10th with her first baby, a girl. We are both looking forward to seeing our little ones on the outside. Our husbands have already arranged the marriage between our two. I took some pictures of us, but luckily blogger gave me an error when I tried to upload them. I have been saved by a technical error! I am REALLY against pictures taken of pregnant ladies after the second trimester. Believe me, you do NOT want to remember those last months! Best to take pictures in the second trimester when your maternity clothes still fit and you face isn't all bloated.
Interestingly, I was able to upload this picture that Baikal took of her babysitter, just fine.




On a separate note, we are now out of all of the Halloween candy. Of course, we ran out of all of the "good stuff" a week ago, but eventually the rest of the bunch has made its way into either Baikal's stomach or our trash can. Halloween really made a big impact on Baikal. Occasionally, she will request to wear her Halloween costume or point to her candy bucket and say, "Happy Halloween." Just wait until she gets a load of Christmas!

Susann's wedding

Matt and Baikal had a wonderful weekend in Charleston for Susann and Shawn's wedding. I have been getting lots of pictures and even some video of the event. I only wish that I could have been there too!

Halloween and other news...

Baikal had a great time trick or treating this year with Courtney, Matt, and our neighbors Jeff and Katie. She got to wear Katie's costume from last year, a Cinderella princess dress. Her favorite candy turned out to be lollipops which she calls, "pop pops." After trick or treating, her sugar high resulted in a 30 minute dance session to the Footloose soundtrack. After some coaxing, I got her to eat some chicken and drink some milk before bedtime. Halloween was a big hit for Baikal.

In other news, my weekly doctor visit went well. They have scheduled the c-section for Dec. 6th and will take me off bedrest and meds on Nov. 21st. If I go into labor after Nov. 21st, they will go ahead with a c-section at that time.