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.