Ready for Christmas

Over Thanksgiving weekend, I decided to spray paint the inside of our fireplace.  It was on our to-do list for 2 years!  I had to sand it before painting and the soot got EVERYWHERE!  We were cleaning it up for several days.  I learned my lesson - never mess with the fireplace and always put a sheet down to cover the entire room before doing anything with the fireplace.

On Saturday, we picked out a christmas tree.  The weather was in the mid-60's so Andy was actually in his shorts but as soon as we drove home, a cold front came in and it felt more like Christmas.  The tree was delivered on Sunday and when Matthew woke up from his nap, he saw the tree.  He sniffed it but he didn't seem to care too much that we had a tree in the house.  I decorated it once he went to sleep because I knew I couldn't get it done with him around. He's into everything and he is so fast.  

Matthew moved up to Ms. Krystal's class at the daycare where he is with 18 - 24 month olds.  Ms. Kelly cried during her last day with Matthew.  She wrote "Matthew, you are leaving a big hole in heart.  In these few months in my class you are really special for me and I'm so proud of you and happy to be part of your family.  Thanks for sharing this bright boy with me.  My sweet heart, I'll miss your smile and dance"  Matthew adjusted to the new classroom pretty good.  He was eating with a spoon and doing all the milestones required.  His friend, Liam, also moved up into the new class at the same time.  

Ms. Krystal calls him Matty and she writes "I gush over him all day"  They are reading "Biscuits Snowy day" and learning colors.  She says that he likes to sit by himself sometimes and look at books.  "I couldn't have asked for a child with a more calm and sweet demeanor!" 

On Wednesday, we had snow in Dallas before areas in the East Coast.  I saw it on the news earlier in the week but it was a small chance so we were surprised.  It was coming down pretty thick in the morning so Matthew and I walked outside and took a picture.  He wasn't sure what to think about it.  I tried to catch some for him but it would melt when it touched my hand.  He also stuck his hand out to imitate.  He saw snow before but he was much younger.  It is so exciting to get snow in Dallas, especially in December.  It gets us in the Christmas spirit.

This weekend we have my work holiday party so Nanna and Papa Snider are coming into town to babysit.  Matthew will be happy to have some company.  

The newly painted fireplace

Matthew in his Choo Choo Train sweater

Matthew sniffing the tree

He is swinging a floral ornament from the tree and he knows he is not supposed to that's why he has a big smile on his face

Wednesday, Dec 2nd Snow Falling in our Backyard

2009 Decorated Christmas Tree

Matthew sitting on the pumpkin on our front porch (we threw them away once we put our Christmas wreath on the door)

Matthew checking out the christmas decorations

Picking out the Christmas Tree with Daddy

Happy Thanksgiving

Wee!

Having fun on the playground near our house

Matthew made this turkey in his daycare class.

Snuggling with Papa Bruce after his nap

Checking out the apple tree on the Bruce's farm

Yum!

Matthew was fascinated with the horses

Matthew running down the hill at the park - it reminded us of the little house on the prairie tv show

Buffy, Papa Durkin, Matthew and Daddy

His hair was sticking straight up from the static

Balance beam with Daddy

Matthew went to Michigan last weekend to visit Grammy "Mimi", Papa Durkin and Grandma, Papa, and Adam Bruce.  I took a 6:40am flight on Friday with Matthew and met Andy in Detroit since Andy was already in Chicago for work.  It was a long flight and Matthew had his moments but we made it.  There was a point where I was standing up with Matthew in the back of the plane and he was crying and there was a loud hum of the engine and I was hoping that he would fall asleep but he just wouldn't relax.  I looked at my watch and there was 1 more hour to go!  I didn't know how I was going to make it but after I went back to my seat, Matthew stopped crying and I was able to distract him for the rest of the trip.

We visited family and Matthew enjoyed playing around the house, going to the park, walking around the Bruce's farm, and getting lots of attention.  He ate well and took good naps so he was in good spirits most of the time.  He was doing really well in his high chair and didn't throw too much food on the floor.  

Matthew said his first sentence while we were in Michigan. One night, Andy started tickling me and he said "Daddy's getting mama" and Matthew repeated it twice!  It was the cutest thing.

On Sunday, we headed back to Dallas and Matthew did OK on the flight.  We sat in the back and again Matthew did not sleep but at least I had Andy to help out.  As soon as we landed in Dallas, Matthew was running around everywhere - it's hard for a toddler to be trapped in the plane for 2 1/2 hours.  

Matthew had a nice Thanksgiving lunch on Monday where parents joined the kids.  I enjoyed visiting with Ms. Kelly and seeing Matthew during lunch.  He was a little nervous at first and had to sit on my lap for a while.  Then he warmed up and started showing me all of his books and even danced.  

We worked on Tuesday and Wednesday and Andy picked up Matthew early around 2:30pm.  We all went for a bike ride once I got home around 4pm.  Thanksgiving day was very similar to our Saturday routine -we didn't cook a turkey or anything.  But we went over to Andy's boss' house for a nice turkey dinner.  We are glad that Matthew cooperated!  

As we reflect on this year and our lives in general, we realize that we have so much to be thankful for!   We are grateful for our immediate and extended families and for our health.   May God bless you!

Terrible Two's are here: Matthew can get out of his crib

This week was one of the more challenging weeks with Matthew.  On Monday, I took Matthew to the doctor first thing in the morning.  He had 3 or 4 loose bowel movements a day that seemed to be getting worse.  He also had a runny nose that just wouldn't stop and he seemed more fussy than usual.  The doctor told me that he just had a virus and there was really nothing they could give him.  It was the peace of mind that made me feel better (this swine flue threat is weighing on my mind these days).  Andy and I also felt queasy with a painful pressure before bm's so this must be what Matthew was feeling.

He came home from daycare on Monday and he seemed fine up until the point that I diluted his juice with water.  He cried and threw a fit.  I put him in the high chair to feed him (typical routine) and he was kicking his legs in protest.  I forced the tray on top of him and he cried even more.  Andy even tried to console him by taking him outside and that didn't work.  He put him back in the high chair and we tried to ignore him through dinner (that's what the dr said to do).  

It seemed like 20 minutes and Matthew did not calm down.  I took him upstairs and put his pjs on and then took him on the balcony upstairs to finally get him to stop crying.  Our neighbors had a fire pit and Matthew got excited and started pointing to it.  He started giggling and smiling.  I felt bad he didn't eat anything for dinner, so I took him back downstairs and he ate everything just like there was nothing wrong with the high chair or food and he was saying "mama" in between bites.  After I put him to bed, I read the daycare update and I was surprised to hear that he only took an hour nap.  He usually takes a 1.5 to 2 hour nap from 12:30 - 2:30pm.  It sounds like he was probably over tired.

  

Throughout the week, Matthew was getting up at 6:15am (normally it's an hour later but I think he is still messed up from the time change) so he is getting an hour less sleep per night than normal.  He would have a bm before we even came running into his room to get him out of the crib in the mornings.  He woke up several times in the middle of the night but fell back asleep without us going into the room.  In the evenings, we put him in the high chair and he is throwing his fork in the floor and throwing food down.  We scold him and he stops for a while but we eventually have to remove the food from him.  Matthew is also teething with his back molars so that is adding to his fussy mood.  

As the week went on, he seemed to do better in his high chair.  We were almost thinking there was something wrong with our high chair.  In daycare, they have a table and chairs so maybe he likes that better.  On Friday, we tried to go to our usual spot for dinner (Fernandos) and once we got there, we decided that he was too fussy to eat out.  He was getting sleepy.  So we ordered the food to go and Matthew enjoyed his dinner in front of his favorite show (the Backyardagan's) in the comfort of his own home.  Andy and I have decided that we will not take him out to a restaurant until we feel that he can go without crying.  It's too embarrassing.  We try to ignore it but people start looking at us thinking "why aren't you guys doing anything?"  but if we ignore it then he will usually calm down.  One of us is usually carrying him around to wait for the food and then we have to eat it really quickly so it's no fun for us.  

On Saturday, we took Matthew to get a haircut (second time).  He did okay in the chair.  I had to hold him.  The weather was nice in the 70's so we took a long walk.  I hosted a baby shower so Andy took Matthew to the Dallas Aquarium.  Matthew enjoyed getting out but I think Andy was exhausted because he was trying to keep up with Matthew in a kid-crowded area.  We put Matthew to bed and I almost fell asleep while reading to Matthew.  I ended up in bed around 7:30pm!  

On Sunday, Matthew was up around 6:30am.  We discussed going out for breakfast but then we realized that he was fussy the last time we went to Angelas for breakfast and he also seemed fussy today.  Hopefully, we can go out to eat one of these days!  When we came home after church, Matthew was crying the entire trip home (because he was tired).  

He almost feel asleep when we were heading to church but we woke him up to go play in the nursery.  So, we put him in his crib after church.  He cried for a minute or so and the next thing I know, I hear a thump and then I hear him trying to turn the doornob.  He managed to get out of his crib!  He was smiling and in the best mood so we took him downstairs to play a while.  We were playing outside and then Matthew wanted to play with the water in the pool and his bucket.  I told him no but he didn't listen so then I take him inside and he cries.  I thought we could get some dried beans and put them in containers and that would be equally satisfying for him without getting wet.  He liked it but then he started throwing the beans everywhere testing my "no".   At this point, he was ready for a nap so we put him into his crib and he slept a couple of hours.  After the nap, he was in a good mood but he was into everything!

He still threw food on the floor during dinner time and received a stern warning.  Andy and I can definitely tell a difference in Matthew and his actions.  We are exhausted!  He has his cute moments and he is talking more each day.  I heard him say "F" when reading the alphabet book so he is picking it up.  I am so thankful that Andy is able to help me out.  I don't know how I could make it without a supportive husband.  

19 months old

Matthew is learning more each day. We can tell because he will surprise us by talking. Every night when Matthew is on the changing table, I ask him questions like "where are your eyes" and Matthew will point to his eyes. He knows head, hair, ears, nose, mouth, teeth, tongue, and toes (we are working on elbow, shoulders, and knees) This week he said mouth. It is fun to hear him say new words so then you know how much he retained. He also says phrases like "Where's Mama" or "What's this" and he says many things that we can not understand.

He has a book of baby signs and it is cute to watch him do the signs as he turns the page. I will have to get him on video. One page shows a baby and he will say "dedee" and then bend his arms next to his side and rock back and forth like a swaddling motion - so cute!

This weekend was relatively low key. During our Friday night dinner at Macaroni Grill, Matthew was fussy. I had to leave the table with him for a while until the food came. He seemed really tired. He refused to wear a big so he ended up having spaghetti all over his mouth and clothes. He loves spaghetti. On Saturday morning, he went to his first play date with James. We ate breakfast with my friend, Kimberly, and then Matthew played with James for a while. James was just learning to walk and he seemed more motivated to walk after he saw Matthew doing it.

There were times that Matthew would crawl into the stroller as a sign that he was ready for a walk. We took him to the park to play a couple of times. Matthew seemed to be more fussy this weekend because of some stomach issues. He cried more this weekend than most weekends because his teeth or stomach- something wasn't quite right. When I took him to the daycare on Monday, they asked "Does he ever cry? We never hear him cry?" I just chuckled. Andy and I think that's hilarious!

Happy Halloween

My little Teddy Bear

Pizza, yum!

Matthew's thinking "When can I get in the bounce house?"

Matthew loves the slide

Trick or Treat with neighbor, Eric

The trick-or-treat gang

Matthew and best bud, Rusty

Matthew enjoying the toys at the neighborhood party

Matthew played in the water on Sunday

Matthew and Dada

Weeee!

Matthew enjoyed swinging!

Matthew had a busy week with all the Halloween festivities.  Matthew went to Mama's work on Thursday and then to Dada's work on Friday.  Matthew came to American Airlines headquarters and he was in awe at all the planes in the building.  He would point and say "Ewww!"  with excitement.  Most of the festivities were over by the time I picked him up and took him into the office but Matthew enjoyed walking around the cubicles and meeting a couple of coworkers.  He took home lots of candy (although mama will only let him have the twizzlers).  

On Friday, Andy went to the daycare for the halloween parade.  Matthew was happy to see Dada.  Then they went to Andy's office where Matthew decorated a bag with other kids and ran around the office shutting doors.  We all met at our favorite mexican spot, Fernando's, for dinner and had one of those "pack up part of my dinner because Matthew is too tired to stay any longer"  Matthew was just exhausted.  

The weather was beautiful on Saturday after a rainy, cold week.  Matthew took an hour nap in the afternoon and at 5pm we went to the Briarwood Halloween party.  Matthew played with the toys and went down the slides.  We went trick-or-treating to a few neighbor's houses and then we went over to Taylor & Kristy's.  

It was nice to get an extra hour on Sunday but Matthew's still on the old schedule.  We ate breakfast at Angelas and Matthew ate quite a bit.  We went to church and Matthew played in the nursery.  He took a nap shortly after and then he watched the Cowboys game with Dada.   At one point he got into the stroller so we decided to take him to the park.  He has some teething pain this week due to his molars.  He has been done with teething for a while but all of a sudden, he is in a lot of pain, particularly at night.  We have been giving him Motrin to ease the pain but thankfully, he still sleeps through the night with no interruptions.