1st Pumpkin Patch of the Season

I love this time of year and I really like pumpkin patches so since it was a nice day and Grant was off we figured let's get the pumpkin patch season started. This will be our first of many trips to pumpkin patches. We didn't get our carving pumpkin yet but we did get one small one for Matthew and one teeny tiny one for Molly (Matthew picked it out). Its also nice to go during the week when there aren't any crowds either.

This trip Matthew liked feeding the animals, that changes depending on the day.

Molly really enjoyed herself. She was awake for part of the time.

At this pumpkin patch you can actually pick up chicks. This year Matthew was able to catch some on his own, with a lot of guidance so no chicks got squeezed.

Getting to throw straw is always a favorite of Matthew's. Here he is acting like a bird in a nest.

Matthew, Mommy, Molly

Matthew, Daddy, Molly

Hockey

Matthew had his first time ice skating this past Friday. He is in a hockey tots class, once he can skate without help he gets to use a hockey stick and shoot goals. I loved the helmet, I thought he looked like a bobble head. He did pretty well for the first time out. They had him push a chair around and he even skated without the chair to an instructor a few times. There was some crying but in his defense he didn't have a nap and one time he got stuck against the boards with his chair and none of the coaches noticed him for a few minutes so he got frustrated. His class had like 16 kids and 6 instructors which wouldn't be so bad but there were like 7 kids who never skated before and needed individual attention. The coach said the class before Matthew's only has 8 kids so he said we can come to that one. I think this would be good because he wants that individual attention to help him. He said he wants to go back next week so that's a good sign

In his hockey equipment.

This is how he spent a lot of the time since he is just learning.

This was before he started. I think he looks a little nervous.

First time on ice.

The coach was amused because Matthew was doing his new thing where he sticks his tongue out all the time. The coach looked at us and stuck his tongue out and laughed.

Firsts in the First Week

First time in crib.

This pictures cracks me up because Matthew looks like a giant compared to Molly.

Matthew being a loving big brother.

First time in swing.

Our first walk was on Sunday. Thank you Grammy and Papa for the cool new wheels that are built for two. Matthew loves the new stroller.

Molly stayed awake the entire time.

Molly's first sponge bath.

She was very good and didn't really cry at all.

Keeping Busy

We've been a little more cooped up than usual for Matthew so he has been keeping busy. We've done Play Doh, art projects, puzzles, Legos, and more. Grant has taken him swimming, to Chuckie Cheese and tomorrow is Monkey Joes. I have hopes this weekend we will go out as a family to do something. (Having a baby when its still warm out is a lot different than having one in winter, we can actually go places).

Matthew loves to hold Molly. He did try to pick her up once and we quickly explained that he can't do that.

He absolutely loves her toes and is always playing with them. He is a great big brother and checks on her often.

Here is one of our art project times we got to play with markers. The new washable markers from Crayola are actually extremely washable. All the marker in this picture came off quite easily.

We do have some issues where he tries to go in her things. Here he is in the pack and play. He has also been in the swing and bouncy seat as well.

Here is the barn the three of us painted together. The other thing is one of the awesome towers that Matthew builds. He is very creative.

More Molly

We think that Molly looks a lot like Matthew, even the pediatrician they share told Grant that there are many features of Matthew that she sees in Molly. When I get the pictures out I will post one of each of them so you can see for yourself. My doctor told us that all babies are cute but she is beautiful.

She kind of looks like she is almost smiling here.

Please no more pictures!

More sleep, hopefully this means she will be a good sleeper at home too.

Enjoying the binky.

Doesn' t this look like a cozy way to sleep.

Our new family of four.

Taking a nice nap.

Finally on our way home. Yeah!!!

New Big Brother

We weren't sure how Matthew was going to like being a brother because someone new was coming into the house and taking some of the attention he is used to, but so far he loves it. Since we have been home we can't stop him from leaning in and kissing her. When she is sleeping he keeps checking on her and occasionally even remembers to stay some what quiet because she is asleep. He is being such a wonderful little guy.

Here he is at 5:30am the morning Molly was born, patiently waiting her arrival. He was extremely awake for that time of day, I wish the rest of us were.

Last time wearing his I'm Going to be a Big Brother shirt.

Checking out little Molly with Daddy.

Helping Mommy with Molly's first feeding.

Taking a peek at her little feet.

Here I think he is looking at her with amazement in his eyes.

He picked out a toy at Target for her so he gave it to her right after she was born. He was very proud of it.

Now he has on his Greatest Big Brother shirt that Molly gave him. So far he has been taking that saying very seriously.

Enjoying the bed that moves. He thought the hospital was loads of fun. Luckily, he only hit the call nurse button once the entire time.

Holding his little sister.

He has given her a million kisses since we got home today. He is really loving her so far.

He wanted to show Molly his big boy bed and lay with her in it. He gave them each a monkey as well.

Introducing... Molly!

She has finally arrived, a few days late, but on her own without being induced. I was glad she came on her own because I think the induction process would have taken a lot longer. We went to the hospital at 1:30am and she was born at 6:57am. This was a lot different of a process than Matthew. With Matthew we went in at 1:30 am and he wasn't born until 1:07pm. I guess our children like to start things up in the middle of the night.

Meet Molly

Monday, September 6, 2010

7 lbs 14 ounces (our "small" baby)

20 inches

6:57 am

To check out more pictures of her that they took at the hospital to to:

www.bellababyphotography.com

password:0906mollypaulsen

Phillips Zoo

Since it was actually a decent temperature today and still no baby we decided to do something fun with our day. We went to Phillips Zoo in Aurora. It was really nice and had some different animals.

Mommy & Matthew

There were three wolves to see, two white and one black. They were really close to the glass.

Matthew liked this tortoise, we kept following him around.

They had a reptile house with some neat alligators.

Mommy & Matthew

There were a lot of butterflies just flying around.

I managed to take this through two layers of chain link fencing. We have a camera with a great zoom. We really wanted Matthew to see this cougar because after the Kane County Cougars game he kept saying that cougars made quiet meow sounds like a house cat. We wanted him to see that they would make a roar because they are big cats.

Daddy & Matthew

Daddy & Matthew with a mastodon skull. There were different mastodon bones on display here because apparently in this area in the 1930's various bones were found from different mastodons.

He was a little hesitant about taking this picture.

Baby Update

So, for all of you who are keeping track, today is September 3rd and our little girl was due September 2nd, meaning she is now late. We had two doctor appointments today (yes, two), and at both someone made a comment. At the first, the nurse said "she was already acting like a girl, doing things on her own time," and the technician at the second doctor's office said, "she's just like a girl by making us wait." After both appointments, we learned that nothing has really changed, she does not seem to be ready to come on her own, and that she is healthy and doing fine. On Monday night, we go in to begin the inducing process, which apparently can take a while, so she will most likely come on Tuesday (keep your fingers crossed). She still could come on her own this weekend (doubtful though), so I guess we'll see. I'm just glad it has finally cooled off.