#1 Grandchild

This is Grandma and Grandpa's first grandchild. Needless to say, Matilda is their favorite granddaughter.

From iPhone to in person

On August 4th at 4am I called my folks to let them know that their granddaughter had arrived.

Today my parents arrive in person to meet Matilda.

3 weeks old

Happy three weeks, Matilda.
To many more strolls with your Dad.

Uncle Josha & Aunt Jen

Uncle Josha and Aunt Jen came to visit their niece this week. We all went for a walk to the dog beach. On the walk back, Josha and Jen demonstrated how to qualify for the Olympics. If Matilda could talk, she would say, "Happy Birthday, Uncle Josha."

Pinky

Mati prefers a pinky to a pacifier.

Grandma Smart

The first grandparent to visit!  More coming next week (along with an aunt and uncle).

Poses

The first one is a good stretch after waking up.  The second is a nice meditation, followed by a close-up in the third.

Sleeping Matilda

Sweet dreams.

Auntie Tiff & Uncle Shaun

Sunday night Aunt Tiff and Uncle Shaun came over for dinner. Besides enjoying my delicious cooking, they were entertained by Matilda's many expressions and noises.

2 weeks old

Happy 2nd week, Matilda! For your 1/26nd birthday we've continued to give you unconditional love, change your diapers and feed you.  The cookie dough is for dad.

But wait, there's more! A fresh new look for this blog; we've updated the template, made it a bit wider to show off the photos better and removed the useless navigation bar from the top of the page.

Shots for mom and dad

Whooping cough shots for mom and dad.  They leave your arm sore, but nice decorations for arms.

It's on the wall

"Matthew, it's on the wall." I was hoping to let Matt sleep but I had a bit of a surprise while changing Matilda's diaper. Or she had a surprise for me that decorated the wall. She is our little artist.

No pics to share of her artwork although a cute one of her sleeping.

Happy anniversary!

Today we celebrate our two year anniversary. Auntie Jen points out that the second anniversary traditionally represents cotton. Our gift to each other is a beautiful baby swaddled in cotton.

She also noted that the modern day second anniversary representation is china. How appropriate that the Olympics are in China.

What a perfect wedding anniversary.

1 week old

We took Matilda on a walk for her 1/52nd birthday, which tired us out.

Awards ceremony

The first 7-day 500m sleep event is over (minutes, not meters), and here are the podium finishes:

1. Gold: Matilda.  She's an excellent sleeper and sets a new WR.
2. Silver: Matt.  Dad's doing well, but way behind the rookie in 1st place.
3. Bronze: The television.  Yes, it has a sleep mode.  At least that's what the power standby is... sort of.
4. DNF: Kristin.  A trooper, but she really hasn't finished the sleep race, yet.

What a difference a week makes

Last week at this time I was in labor sitting on a birth ball and breathing through each contraction. Matt was a great coach.

The two of us left for the hospital about an hour after taking this photo, 13 hours well into labor with frequent, intense contractions.

One week later, we are a family of three. My belly (most of it at least) has been replaced by our daughter.

Tomorrow we will celebrate her one week birthday. What a difference a week makes.

Happy dad & uncle

Matilda is just a few days old and already she has a younger cousin.

Congratulations and welcome to the world, Maxwell. Good luck with your two older brothers.

Also best of luck to Max's parents as they are now outnumbered with three boys.

Matt's a happy uncle.

Olympic beginnings

I appreciate Matilda's timing in letting me watch the Beijing Olympics while I'm on paternity leave. Look carefully at this photo, and I think you'll agree that this was the right scale to weigh her on. Check out the cone head, too!

Becoming Matilda Cole Smart

While thinking about names for our daughter, my sister Jen (now Auntie Jen,) suggested Matilda. Matt and I added it to our top three names. I loved the name as it would give our daughter some choice in whether she would like to be a Matilda, Tilda, or Mati. In addition, it's close to being named after her father, Matt versus Mati.

Cole is a family name and comes from Matt's grandmother's maiden name. Smart is pretty obvious. She can use an abacus with her eyes closed. Thus, Matilda Cole Smart.

A good eater

On our first office visit to Matilda's pediatrician, we learned that she has already gained weight. Seems like she is a good eater just like her folks.

She also seems to be a good sleeper although it is probably too early to tell.

Hiccups

Homecoming

We're home!  Our cozy San Francisco apartment has a new tenant, and I'm sure she'll start crying when she sees her share of the rent.

The second night was interesting because Matilda figured out she wasn't going back inside Kristin's warm, cozy belly.  This is usual with newborns, but it doesn't make it any easier.  You try spending 9 months in a warm bath then go outside for two days in the cold air.  Once again the staff was excellent and helped all three of us get through the night and early morning.

Day 2

Matilda's favorite game so far is to act hungry and then fall asleep when given to mom for breast feeding.  Hours of excitement!

We go home tomorrow after our stay here at CPMC.  The staff has been wonderful and has helped us with diapering, swaddling, bathing and breast feeding.  Our OB and pediatrician have been excellent, too.

Matilda Cole Smart

Happy Birthday, Happy Mother's Day and Happy Father's Day on August 4, 2008.

Matilda Cole Smart came to us at 3:41am PDT in San Francisco, CA weighing 7 lbs., 11 oz. at a length of 20 in.