Our Trip to the Aquarium

Wednesday we ventured into the Aquarium in Boston with Nana which was actually Colin's first trip to Boston as well...we only got a little lost and when we got there the line for tickets is actually outside (should have ordered them online)...it is school vacation week so it was extremely busy, but Daddy waited in line while Nana, Mommy and Colin waited inside in the warm! Colin did well for the most part. We timed the trip pretty well too, in between naps. He loved standing on the ledge watching the fish go by in the big tank (can't really see the fish in the pictures) and Mommy freaked out when she was holding Colin and a huge shark swam by - it didn't even phase Colin! He especially liked the lights that lit up a long hallway on the second floor. After checking out every single light, all he wanted to do was run up and down the hallway which was fine because this hallway was empty and he had the freedom he was longing for. He doesn't like to be in his carriage much anymore and he doesn't like to hold hands when he walks-he is Mr. Independent which made for only some minor tantrums in the crowds of the Aquarium. He is so funny, he loved all the people and definitely thought he was a big boy walking around the Aquarium! The exhibits were cool, especially the penguins - they are showing Happy Feet at the IMAX...we had a great time and hope you enjoy the pictures!

Christmas Memories!

This picture was taken at about 4:00 - as you can see we are still in our pajamas!

Colin loves his new kitchen, table, and chairs!

I love this picture - Maddy is so grown up! Pretty soon she will be babysitting for us!

This picture is one that my mom takes every year. All the kids dressed up in front of the fireplace. She then gives each kid new pajamas, so soon the pretty dresses are off and the comfy pajamas are on!

Merry Christmas!

What a wonderful Christmas we had...It started out on Christmas Eve with our annual McAuliffe get together at Grammy and Grampy's house. It is always such an awesome time...five kids (9, 6, 5, 3, and 1) all who are anxiously awaiting the arrival of Santa that night...So we usually have some dinner and then the fun begins - presents. The kids were so funny, the minute they got to the house they were asking to have dinner (smart kids knew the presents came after dinner!) They were all so good and waited very patiently for the gifts. My brother started the night off with something the kids all listened very intently to "remember there are kids in this world who don't get any presents at all so be very thankful for what you have" and they certainly were. One of the funniest moments came when Sydney (age 3 and very much into princesses and the Barbie dancing princesses) opened a Dancing Princesses TV learn to dance pad from Grammy and Grampy - she screamed and all of a sudden ran down the hallway with the box in her hand! It was so funny, she was so excited she didn't know what to do! Colin did so good! He stayed up until 10:00 (bedtime is usually 7:30) and didn't cry at all...as long as he could turn the volume up and down on the DVD/CD player he was fine. He is still a little young to even understand presents, but he had fun anyway. His aunts, uncles, and grandparents were so generous and we can't thank you all enough! So we all went to sleep, late of course, and Colin woke up around 4:00 screaming and crying. I think he was dreaming because he wouldn't let me comfort him in his crib, so I just put his "mama's" back into bed with him and he fell back asleep... until about 6:00 - then Christmas morning began. Santa made a stop at our house of course and was very good to all of us! Colin would have been very happy with the Barney coloring book and crayons that were in his stocking, however he has had a lot of fun playing with all of his new toys...Christmas day was spent in our pajamas (as you can see from the pictures), playing, relaxing, and of course eating! We had a nice relaxing family day and I said to Ryan it is one of the only days in the year when we do absolutely nothing! It was great! So hopefully everyone had a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year to you all! Pictures to be posted tonight - we're off to the Boston Aquarium!

"He sees you when your sleeping...!"

So as you can tell from the date of my last entry, things have been kind of busy in the Snyder household. Every year I say I am going to get a head start on Christmas, but that never happens. And now with a very mobile 1 year old, shopping is even that much harder! But regardless of all that this time of year is always very special...So has anyone seen the new BMW commercial? It's my absolute favorite commercial right now. It starts with the home video of a little brother and sister who are opening gifts on Christmas morning. The boy opens a gift and begins screaming and jumping and so absolutely excited I never know whether to cry or laugh. The pure joy and excitement from this kid is so awesome! Keep your eye out for it! So last weekend we rigged up a tree...as you can see from the picture, it is a 3 foot tall tree resting on a small table. So far so good, no major accidents yet! And this weekend we went to a party that the North Reading police department puts on every year and has since I was probably two or three years old. This was the place that I always saw Santa and it blows my mind that this is year number two for Colin. Last year he just slept soundly in Santa's arms, this year he sat on his lap with his two cousins next to him and all was OK for about 2 minutes. He just kept looking up at the big white beard every time Santa said Ho, Ho, Ho...so then Mommy wanted a picture of just him with Santa. Yeah right, first there was the fake whine/cry and then when he realized that we were still waiting for the pictures to be taken, the real cry began...and Mommy rescued him from that big man! It is such a great party, the police department has Rudolph, Frosty, pizza, candy, coffee, and presents for every kid after they sit on Santa's lap..and it is all done by the police department for the town, no fee involved...thanks Uncle Michael! Unfortunately Mommy forgot the camera and the only pictures we have are from a polaroid. Grammy got some that hopefully we can post soon! So with one last week before the holiday, I am hoping Ryan and I can take a minute, take a deep breath and be thankful for what we have - a roof over our heads, food on the table, and a happy and healthy child! Love to all!

Soccer or Baseball????

That is now the question in our household since Colin has learned how to kick a ball (or sort of he just runs and moves his foot so the ball moves)...Mommy still plays and is a fan of soccer, yet Daddy is an enormous baseball fan...Pretty sure they are opposite seasons though??? Heck, maybe he will hate sports - as long as he is happy! This walking thing is amazing, he doesn't just walk now he runs around the house. It's like in a week they become so confident that walking is just not so cool anymore...Our weekend was spent Christmas shopping and decorating, pretty great overall...but the most exciting part was spent watching our niece Madeline perform in the Nutcracker. She performed with the Albany Berkshire Ballet Company at the Collins Center in Andover. She was a party girl and she was amazing...so graceful on stage! The Nutcracker is one of my favorite things at Christmas. We grew up watching my cousin Kristen perform in ballets with the Boston Ballet including the Nutcracker and it looks like Maddy is on her way! Unfortunately Colin and Daddy couldn't make it, maybe in a year or two Colin will be ready for the ballet!

Ouch!

So last night Colin and I were spending some quality time alone while Daddy was doing a home visit. So while I was going to the bathroom Colin was cruising the house (he is walking everywhere these days) when all of sudden I heard and partially saw a "boom". It was just him landing on the floor or so I thought. He began to cry and came right over to me, I picked him up, he rested his head on my shoulder, and he started to point at the pictures of family on the wall. So I thought no big deal, he didn't cry his typical hurt cry. After a minute I put him on the ground and he began to walk away. Colin then turned around and began to walk towards me when all of a sudden I saw it - the biggest egg on a forehead I have ever seen. When he fell he must have fell right into the spot where the two walls meet because the egg had a straight purple line through it. It took all I had not to dial 911 and completely freak out thinking he has a massive head injury, but of course he was still babbling away and acting fine. I picked him up and thankfully he let me put a cold face cloth and then some ice before his bath and bedtime. Of course I called my mother and she reassured me he would be OK, just to keep an eye on him. I know this is the first of many bumps and bruises, but it must never get any easier to see your child hurt. No matter how small the bruise or bump it still broke my heart and I wanted to make it disappear. I had to take pictures so Daddy could see...today on the car ride to Patty's he called it his doo-doo (still can't get that "b" sound!)!

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's hard to believe that we are already through with the "first" holidays with Colin...no more "My First" bibs! Thanksgiving was great. We celebrated at Grammy and Grampy's with the Matthews, Uncle Rob, and Uncle Ray, Nana, and then the McAuliffe's joined us for dessert. Earlier in the day Colin "helped" make the mashed potatoes with Daddy, very cute. He pretended to stir as best he could with the big wooden spoon and the bowl. Now one of his favorite things to do is walk around the house holding the spoon like he is a conductor of an orchestra. Mommy gave him a new bowl to use Sunday afternoon that he found makes a better hat than bowl! He is just too much. All of sudden he wants to walk everywhere which made for a crazy food shopping trip Saturday. He walked up and down the aisles of Stop and Shop and got very concerned when there was a can of tomato paste on the flooor instead of on the shelf where it belonged! During mass at my parents house on Thanksgiving Day my Uncle Rob asked us to reflect about what we are thankful for. I tried as best I could to think of everything in that one short moment which was very tough to do. We are just thankful for the life that we have, although sometimes things get tough, we really do have a wonderful life with many so many people that love us, but most of all we are so very thankful for our beautiful boy Colin! Happy Thanksgiving to all of our friends and family - we love you all!

Christmas is Coming!

So today we met up with Auntie Beth, Uncle Rob, Syd, and Sam and Grammy and Grampy and headed to the annual Haverhill Santa Parade. We have gone now since my sister moved to Groveland and it actually is a really good parade. Lots of marching bands, fire engines, bagpipes (mommy's favorite), and floats, but the best of all is Santa and Mrs. Claus. Last year we took Colin (see picture) and he was so tiny, this year he just wanted to get out of his stroller and march with the bands...we missed Auntie Kimmy, Uncle Michael, Maddy and Casey who were not able to come. Maddy has been very busy with her weekend rehearsals for the Nutcracker and Casey and Kim went to NYC!...So anyway there are a couple of pictures and boy how things change in a year!

Y.M.C.A....love to swim at the Y.M.C.A

Forgot to mention that Colin began swimming lessons on Friday at the local Y. It was great, kind of a short class for all the changing that is involved, but he loved it. We sang lots of songs and splashed around...he flirted with Kate (cute little girl) of course, but didn't really want to play catch with her, he wanted the ball all to himself! We have to keep working on that one!

We Love the Weekends!

This weekend was great. Friday night Mommy and Daddy celebrated their 2 year anniversary. Auntie Beth and cousins Sam and Sydney came over to babysit Colin so Mommy and Daddy could go to their favorite restaurant for dinner. Colin loved seeing his cousins and aunt and had a ton of fun! Mommy and Daddy had lots to eat, including 2 chocolate moulten lava cakes, and then they went for a martini at the martini bar downtown. It was great spending time together and having a dinner where we didn't have to pick something off of the floor every other minute -thanks Beth, Syd, and Sam! Saturday we did some errands and walked at the Loop, it was a beautiful day, and then we headed up to NH for Brodie's first birthday party. It was great getting together with everyone again! Colin loves Kelly's house (it's like a toy store!)...thanks Kelly and Dave! Sunday we literally stayed in pajamas all day. As my niece Maddy calls it and has since she was about 2, we had "jammy day"...we did some laundry, watched the Patriots lose, played all day, and cooked a big dinner. It was great...quality family time together...!

Hmmm...this is kind of funny

So there are so many different names for pacifiers - "ni-ni" (Cousin Sam and Sydney), "binky"(cousin Casey), "nuk", "ga-ga"(friend Hunter P.) - well Colin has decided over the past two days that he would like to call his "mama"! Isn't that hysterical and kind of ironic since I breastfed for 7 months! (hope that didn't offend anyone)...hoping it will pass, we are drilling the word "binky" into his head at least four times an hour and he will soon call me Mama and his pacifier his binky!

Mommy Guilt!

So Colin has decided that it's not OK for Mommy to leave the house if he is not coming too, and it's not OK for mommy to go upstairs or in the kitchen without him...Yesterday when I was leaving for work, he just cried and cried, pointing at me, saying "na-na-na" (that's Mama right now). Ryan booted me out the door after I gave him a kiss, telling me I would make it worse by prolonging the departure. Well needless to say I got into my car with tears coming down my face. And then last night I had a 5:30 staff meeting for my clinic job and he decided to do the same thing. Oh the guilt! I know every mother has experienced it and people tell you how awful it is, but until you experience it first hand you never really know how bad it can be! He obviously was OK two minutes after I left the house, but I kept thinking about it all day wondering if I had scarred him for life! I feel as though I am abandoning him...which I know I am not, but that's definitely how it feels. I am so grateful to be able to be home with him 2 days a week and I certainly have treasured every moment so far today...hopefully it will get better, I guess it's just a stage of development - normal right?????

I Love Candy!!!!

So Sunday the town of Haverhill did trick or treating. They usually do it the Saturday night before Halloween, but due to the nasty weather they postponed it. So Colin dressed up like Superman again and helped give out the candy for a little while. Then we bundled him up in the new wagon and headed out to hit a couple of houses (of course the houses where the dogs live!). We got home and waited for some more trick or treaters...Colin thought the candy bowl was for him and he loved to shake the boxes of Milk Duds (mommy's favorite!)...Happy Halloween! BOO!

The Monster Mash!

So Saturday afternoon Colin celebrated his first birthday with all of his family and friends. Despite the whipping winds and rain, it managed to turn out great! Ryan and Colin and I can't thank everyone enough for coming to celebrate with us...it means so much knowing he has so many people in his life that care for him and love him! It was a Halloween themed party, costumes and all! The kids and adults looked so cute! The only problem was that Ryan and I realized we didn't take a whole lot of pictures, not even a family picture of me, Ryan, and Colin - oh well...Thank you again everyone for all you did and especially for coming out in that horrible weather...we appreciate it tons!!!!

Walking Man!

So today, one day after he turned 1, Colin decided it was time to start walking. This morning Ryan happened to be videotaping with our digital camera Colin pushing a heavy wooden activity cube around the living room. As he got close to the dining room table he realized that his walking push toy was there, so he decided to let go of the cube and take four steps to the walking toy...and Ryan got it all on camera, his first official purposeful steps! Pretty soon he'll be asking for the keys to the car! Michael how do you upload videos???

Happy Birthday!

So Colin had a very exciting day. He woke up to Elmo balloons tied to his high chair and a dog-dog (stuffed of course) sitting on the tray. He came downstairs pointed immediately at the balloons and said "dog-dog"...it's very funny how he knows what dogs are - won't say mama, but will say dog! Anyhow, he had a party at school, very cute, and then cupcakes at home too! All of his cousins called and sang Happy Birthday and even Uncle Rob Matthews called on his way to work and sang too! I swear Colin knew something was up -he was very, very happy today and I think of course loved the attention! He is so cute! He actually took some steps alone today too...nothing big, maybe three quick steps before falling into my arms...what a day for Mommy and Daddy! What a day for Colin too, he opened some presents (well Mommy and Daddy opened them) and then was so ready for his "ba-ba" and blankie and especially his cribbie! He used to love snuggling with Mommy at bed time, but now it's his crib! Suprisingly Mommy did OK today, not too many tears, just thoughts of absolute amazement at how truly blessed we are to have him in our lives and how his smile melts my heart each and every time I see it!

One Day Left Until the Big 1!

So at this time last year I think I was throwing up the hospital lunch I ate...not to be gross or anything, but it feels like it was yesterday. I was in the middle of being induced, having contractions,and just focusing on the 12 on the clock and the tip of the sail on the painting of the sailboat in our hospital room -those were the two things I focused on while in the middle of contractions. What a long day that was - just about 17 hours! We made it through, thank god, and had a beautiful and healthy son, but my gosh it feels like yesterday! So tonight the plan is to make some cupcakes for school tomorrow. Patty our wonderful daycare provider throws him a party with all his friends and mommy put together goody bags for the older kids. He won't know what is going on, but I am sure he'll have fun! I am going to try and upload pics tonight...thanks for the help Michael R.!

Our blog continued...

So we had some trouble with our original blog, the blogger thought it was a spam blog! After a week I got fed up and decided to just create a new one. Since then, things have been busy. We have been getting ready for Colin's birthday, we participated in the Walk FAR for NAAR (Autism Research Fund Walk) which is always such a remarkable event, and we enjoyed a wonderful night at our friend Kelly and Dave's house. It was the annual bonfire - the Christmas tree is torched and we all sit around and watch it...all the kids went to bed so nicely and the mom's and dad's got to relax...it was such a nice night! Thanks for having us Kelly! Anyhow, we are counting down the days until Wednesday - the big day! Colin will be 1!!!!!! Oh yeah, how could I forget to post this...so I was just about to get into the shower and Ryan was downstairs and Colin was sleeping (or so we thought). When all of a sudden we heard a loud thud followed by screaming coming from Colin's room - yup, he fell out of the crib. I ran in, opened the door and didn't see him. I can't even tell you what that felt like. He was lying on his belly behind the rocking chair which is next to his crib. We think that he was trying to reach the edge of the chair and leaned over and fell out. I was shaking (and still am!), Ryan took him from me and he quieted down pretty quickly. We took his clothes off and looked for any bumps and bruises and didn't find any. We then immediately lowered the crib to its lowest setting and he is now fast asleep...What a scary moment, we are so lucky he is OK! I am going to try and upload pics tonight!