December 9, 2003: On Collin

(Part 2 of a 2 part series)
Allow me to introduce you to our boy, Collin:

Like his sister, Collin's name is significant. But unlike his sister, his name has significance in the family. His first name honors his paternal grandmother, whose maiden name is Collins. Wanting to distribute the honor equally, we decided to look for a name on the Boerner/Standaert side that worked well, and we found Francis, which is Collin's Uncle Paul's middle name, and his Gramps' confirmation name, too. It also call to mind Grandma Mirene's brother Frank. Coincidentally, Francis also has signifcance on the Claycomb side as well, since Pappy's middle name is Francis, and MomMom's mother and sister both got the name Frances (Frances Collins, in fact). So while Lilah's name honors the things her parents have in common, Collin's name honors the generations before them that helped bring them about.

But Collin occasionally gets turned into "Collie" which may contribute to his nickname "Puppy" or "Pup." The nickname may also dervive from the preponderance of cute clothes with small dogs on them--check your baby announcement for an example.

He, like his sister, is a genetic miracle, since he has features from so many places , it's hard to say he looks like any one person. He has his Grandma Mirene's nose, and his mommy's chin, his Daddy's wrinkly forehead and his MomMom's eye shape, and his Pappy's eye color (so far at least). His voice isn't as loud as his sister's, but he can be more persistent when he is fussy. He is VERY affectionate, and loves to be held, to the exclusion of takinig naps alone sometimes. Good thing he has a sister to nap with!

Since Collin was born a little small, we have been working on his comportment so he will appear more confident and more charismatic. Since his nursery has a fairy tale theme, we're trying to teach him how to be Prince Charming:


Both Collin and Lilah like to go out, but Collin seems especially attuned to it: he sleeps better after an outing, and he loves to be held by lots of people. Those who visited us in the hospital after his birth will remember how well he slept even as he was passed from person to person. This has remained true when people come over, and also when we go out. A recent trip to Costco found the pup in our arms greeting all the well wishers who walked by.

Collin also seems to like the outdoors. In fact this past weekend, he saw his first snow, and went out onto the balcony with daddy to look.

He is a sweet child, and there is no better feeling than when he falls asleep on my shoulder. I was initally afraid of having a boy, of raising him to feel too entitled to the blessings he's been given. But when he wakes up from a nap and stretches out that little hand, I want to fill it with the world.


Posted by claycomb at December 9, 2003 12:46 AM

Comments
Oh are these pictures fabulous!~! I am currently going through a bout of CollinandLilah withdrawal! (This may also explain their fussyness!) I can't wait to get them in my arms once again.
Much love,
Mom-Mom
Posted by: Mom-Mom at December 15, 2003 11:58 AM

I can't wait to get them into my arms....period!
This is not fare...Mom-Mom cheats.
Love,
Aunt Betsy
Posted by: Aunt Betsy at December 22, 2003 12:16 PM