January in Texas

Giggling with Daddy

About a week ago, the weather was freezing.  This week, we experienced 70 degree weather - That's a Texas winter for you!   I was struggling to find clothes for Matthew that would not be too hot.  Most of his 2T clothing are winter clothes.  Matthew had a good week.  On Monday, Andy took him to the doctor for a follow up appointment and everything checked out well.  Ms. Krystal said that Matthew is talking more in school.  They gave him a ride in the red wagon and he was waving and blowing kisses to all the teachers and kids.  The teachers thought Matthew was so cute and they had a big smile telling Andy the story.  

In the mornings, Matthew watches his backyardagans while eating breakfast.  He will play a little before going to school with daddy in the big SUV.  He likes sitting up high because he can see everything.  He points and says "Truck" as they pass by trucks.  In the evenings, he is usually hungry so we feed him right away.  He gets to watch another backyardagan episode during dinner.  Then, he's ready to play.  "Mama, come, choo choo"  I usually eat my dinner while sitting in his little chair next to his train set.  He doesn't like to play alone too much.  And that's fine with us because we enjoy spending time with him.  

We tried to go out to dinner on Friday night to Fernando's, but it was crowded and Matthew was hungry so we just went home.  We were a little disappointed to eat in but that's how it goes these days.  On Saturday, Matthew was up at 6:30am like clock work.  We played hard and I took him for a walk at 9am because he was bored already.  Andy took Matthew to the YMCA to the daycare while he worked out.  Matthew loved playing with the other kids.  I went to the mall and enjoyed shopping by myself (the first in a really long time!)  Then, Matthew and I visited my friend, Patricia, and her new baby, Lucas.  Matthew just looked at the baby and said "baby".  He wasn't quite sure what to think about it all.  He enjoyed playing with their dog, Oliver.  While I was holding Lucas, Matthew was getting jealous of my attention.  He started testing me by touching this glass decoration when I told him not to.  Patricia picked him up and gave him some attention and then he was happy.  

We went to dinner with Kimberly, Jeff, and James (4 months younger than Matthew).  We ate at 5pm to make sure we were done by the boys bedtime.  We tried a new place, Victor Tangos, and recommend it.  I was impressed that Matthew made it through dinner.  There was so much going on that Matthew was watching the bartender shaking drinks and just people watching.  On Sunday, I slept in while Andy got up with Matthew- that was nice.  Then we ate breakfast at Angelas.  Matthew took a long nap and then  I took him to volunteer at the senior citizen home. The old people love Matthew and enjoy seeing him grow up.  He was a little shy at first.  Matthew was in a great mood the entire weekend.    

    

Happy Birthday Andy

Matthew is getting taller

Matthew's favorite - Puzzles

Playing catch with Daddy

Having fun in the covers

Matthew looked like a janitor because he had the overalls and he was using the broom

Andy's birthday was Tuesday so we celebrated it on Saturday by going out to eat at Andy's favorite restaurant - Bob's Steak house.  Ana Paula watched Matthew Sat night.  She speaks spanish to him (at our request) and he was disagreeing with her on a few words.  She would say "Luna" for moon and Matthew would say "No, Moon"

Matthew can put together most of his puzzles by himself.  He likes to play with balls and sweep the floor, too.  When he is in my bathroom, he will take my jewelry out of my jewelry box and then put it back.  He found another zippered pouch with odds and ends and he enjoyed taking each piece out and putting it all back when he is done.  He likes to throw things away in the trash - most of the time it really belongs there but sometimes we have to fish things out of the trash.

Andy took him to the park on Saturday and Matthew burned lots of energy going down the slide and swinging on the swing.  We are glad that the weather warmed up so Matthew can enjoy the outdoors.  He loves going outside and even says "outside".

We let him watch his DVD player in the mornings and he usually gets up at 6:30am and requests his show - The Backyardagans - by saying "Back"  

New Words: What Happened?

Matthew is speaking more words every day.  He can form sentences but you have to listen hard to realize he is actually saying something intelligently.  He started saying "Uh-oh, What Happened?"  It's the cutest thing.  I guess I say "What Happened?" after he says Uh-oh.  

Ms Krystal, his teacher at school, has been impressed with it, too.  She thinks he is getting ready to be potty trained so she started introducing him to the potty this week.  They don't want to rush into potty-training but they introduce it when they feel the kid is ready.  

Matthew will pull on my pant legs and say "Mama, come, choo choo" to tell me to come into his playroom and play with his train.  Andy thinks it's funny.

Over the weekend, Ana Paula babysat for us while Andy and I went to the Cowboys game.  We had a great time, especially since the Cowboys won.  The temperature was in the 30's and it seems that we encountered another sinus cold on Sunday.  Andy and I had it worse than Matthew with a sore throat and cough.  We feel like we are constantly sick!  Matthew has a molar coming in the bottom left.  He was fussy Saturday and would not take a nap (longer than 30 minutes).  Once I realized his tooth was cutting into the gum, I gave him some tylenol and he was in a much better mood.  Only 2 more molars left to go after this one!

We bought an SUV.  After our Christmas experience, we decided to get a more comfortable ride for Matthew and Rusty to enjoy some road trips.  On Saturday, we drove it around and Matthew watched Sesame Street on the DVD with headphones.  He loved it!

Happy 2010!

Matthew's new toy train set

Dallas replica at the train exhibit

Matthew watching the trains

For New Years, we went out to a Greek restaurant with Taylor and Kristy.  We ate a casual but delicious dinner and then we went to a party where we rang in the new year.   But at 12:01 we were ready to head home and get some sleep because we knew our toddlers would get us up bright and early.

Andy and I made a long to-do list so we have been trying to get things accomplished around the house.  We put together Matthew's Christmas gift - the train set.  He loves it.  Every day he wants to play with "Choo Choo"  Of course, it only keeps him occupied for 5 - 10 minutes but he still likes it.  Before we put the train together, I took Matthew to see the train exhibit at Northpark mall.  He didn't really smile because he was so serious watching all the trains.

Andy's New Year Resolution is usually the same every year- Be Healthy - work out and eat right.  He is super-motivated this year because he has his 20-year high school reunion.  My resolution is to have a positive attitude and seek the good in a situation as well as transition to a new job within AA.  I am on a rotational program so I will be moving around in the company in April.  I also promised Andy that I would track our financials at the end of the year so I plan to complete that in 2010!

As I look back at 2009, I remember the important events and trips:

• We enjoyed watching Matthew grow from a 9 month old baby to a toddler (1-yr birthday in March, baptism in June)
• Matthew took swimming lessons for 2 weeks in July
• We celebrated Papa Snider's 60th birthday in Austin
• We took a family vacation to Vail, Colorado in Aug
• We traveled to Michigan for Easter, 4th of July, and the weekend prior to Thanksgiving to visit family
• We helped Aunt Lori settle in Scottsdale with a couple of trips
• We visited Albuquerque during the balloon festival
  
• We celebrated Christmas in Victoria

We made so many great memories in 2009.  Matthew is getting a lot harder to travel with now that he is more mobile and demanding.  While we may not travel as much in the new year, we hope that 2010 will be even better!