Hot, Hot, Hot

It is August in Texas and it is so blazing hot these days.  We were hoping to go to Michigan this weekend but we just couldn't make it happen.  The flights were busy and we weren't able to be flexible on our days off from work.  

Matthew was walking outside on our back patio without any shoes on and it was only a matter of time before he was crying b/c his feet were on fire (he was on the wood deck).  Andy dipped his feet in the pool to cool them off.  Matthew loves to explore outside.  He walks along the side of the house and goes up and down the steps on the side.  He likes to hunt for Rusty's ball and says "bah" repeatedly.  

On Monday, Matthew was still feeling ill from the weekend so I stayed home with him.  We watched the backyardagans cartoon show at least 4 episodes.  Poor Matthew was not feeling well so I was doing whatever I could to boost his spirits.  He had a cough and a fever and he couldn't breathe out of his nose.  He went to the doctor and they gave him antibiotics.  He started feeling better on Tuesday morning.  On Thursday, I started feeling the same symptons - go figure.

Matthew was a hand full on Monday but he was so much better this weekend.  He was walking around and exploring like his usual, happy self.  On Friday night, we went to Celebration for dinner and Matthew did ok.  We took him out of his high chair after a while and he just stood there by the table until time to go.  He was just looking at everyone.  On Saturday, Andy took Matthew to the YMCA daycare while he worked out (for the first time).  I had a nice break so I got my nails done and ran a few errands- it was a much-needed break!  

Andy took Matthew on a bike ride despite the 100 deg heat - Matthew had the cutest rosy cheeks and had such a good time.  Our babysitter watched Matthew Saturday night and we enjoyed a nice dinner at Houston's and the movie - The Ugly Truth.  

On Sunday, we went to church and Matthew played in the nursery there.  He seems to have fun with the other kids.  We went to a diner for breakfast afterwards.  I took him to the nursing home and the residents were so happy to see him.  The last time we went there Matthew was not walking so they were very impressed when he was walking around.  One of the seniors had a birthday party and Matthew enjoyed playing with the balloons.  The old people just love him.  

One of Matthew's new things this week is crawling inside the stroller or wagon and saying "uhhh" to say that he wants a ride.  We give him little wagon rides around the house and he enjoys it.  But the stroller rides are usually outside and we like to wait until the end of the day when it's a little less hot out.  We are really looking forward to our vacation to Seattle/Portland area the week after next.  

Our good friend and neighbor, Gay, will be watching Matthew this week since his daycare is shut down for renovations.  She is such a lifesaver for watching Matthew.  I will make sure she takes lots of pictures for the blog post next week.

16 months old

Stella's birthday party

Matthew loved the sandbox at the birthday party

Yummy popsicle

Enjoying a popsicle on a hot, August Saturday

Matthew enjoying the toys at Stella's birthday party

Where does the time fly?  This week Andy went to Denver for work on Monday and then returned Thursday night.  On Monday night, Ana Paula came over to babysit after work because I had a volunteer meeting at the nursing home.  She's a great babysitter and we are so lucky to have her next door.   I enjoyed talking to my friends, Kimberly and Allison, afterwards about solid food, weening, and the crying-it-out-method.  I remember how hard those phases were and I'm so thankful that we have moved on to this stage at 16 months old.  It really is a nice stage.  Matthew has almost all of his teeth now (although he is still drooling for those last 4 teeth) so he doesn't fuss like he used to.  He sleeps through the night now - which is great!  And he eats regular food.  He likes to talk and that is fun to discern his words.  

I found out that Matthew's daycare would be closed for 2 weeks for renovations Aug 17-28.  It was a little stressful to figure out a game plan.  Andy & I were talking about taking a vacation so this sort of pushed us to take one week off during that time-frame.  The other week we were so lucky to have Gay volunteer.   She's a neighbor and good friend of ours and she watches kids all the time.  It will be nice to have her watch Matthew in our own home.  She is going to take him to the park with Dara's kids - one of them is Matthew's age.

On Friday night, we went out to an italian restaurant and Matthew enjoyed the spaghetti and meatballs.  The restaurant was full of older people and they all loved Matthew.  He was waving to people as he walked out of the restaurant.  On Saturday, we went to Stella's 2nd birthday party (neighbor).  Matthew had a good time but I think Andy & I had more fun.  Andy was jumping off the diving board in the pool and playing with the squirt guns.  Matthew had a great time in the sandbox and the pool.  The rest of the day was uneventful but fun- Andy mowed the lawn, we all got in the pool (including Rusty) and we grilled out.  

Matthew's favorite thing to do is to play ball with Rusty.  He throws this ball that lights up to Rusty.  He has more fun playing that game.  I'm sure he will play the same game with Sadie when we visit Lori in Arizona in the fall.

On Sunday, Matthew woke up with a cough and fever.  He was feeling bad most of the day.  We gave him tylenol just about every 4 hours.  We will take him to the doctor tomorrow to see what he needs to get over it.  We noticed a couple of kids in daycare with that same cough.  For the record, he was a bit of a challenge for me today.  He didn't nap very long and he was just feeling puny all day.  I would give him big hugs and kisses.  It reminded me of the challenging time when he was a baby.  But despite all the fussiness, we are grateful and blessed to have such a wonderful little toddler (we just wish we had family closer to help out).  

First stay at the Snider's

It was a relatively low-key week with no swim lessons to race to after daycare. But then on the weekend, I dropped him off with Nana and Papa Snider for the weekend. Andy went to Telluride for a work outing so I decided to drop Matthew off with the grandparents and then head to Chicago to visit some friends. I flew to Austin and then rolled Matthew across the security line so I didn't have to go out and come back in to catch my flight to ORD. Wish we got that one on video! Nana and Papa were excited to see him and Matthew didn't even cry when I told him goodbye.

He played with Nana, Papa, and Uncle Mike all weekend. It was hot so they spent most of the time indoors. Matthew explored around the house and walked in circles between the dining room, living room, and kitchen. They cooked lots of food for Matthew but he let them know when he didn't want something. He went to Target and ate some popcorn with Papa and had a grand ole' time. At bedtime, he was a little fussy so they put him to sleep in their bed and then moved him to the crib. He did really well. He would point at a ski picture and say "mama" and "dada" every now and then. And he had fun with Roxy, too. (Mike's long-haired dachshund)

On Sunday, I picked him up in Houston. He gave me a big hug and then he wanted to push his stroller around and explore. Some kids were playing with a ball nearby and he got excited and said "Bah"! He loves to play with balls. He was ready for a nap so he slept on the plane and he was the perfect traveler. We made it home around 4:30pm and he walked around the house and called for "dada". We got in the pool for a while and then when Andy and Rusty came home, Matthew got really excited. Andy gave him a big hug and then he wanted to play ball with Rusty.

One funny story that happened this week was when Andy was going through the bedtime routine. Andy said "JoAnna, don't forget Rusty is over at Tom & Nina's" in a loud voice since I was in our bedroom. Matthew then started calling for me "Nanna?", "nanna" for 4 or 5 times until I came into his room. I thought it was strange that he was calling me by this name b/c he always calls me "mama". I guess it was because Andy was calling me JoAnna and he was trying to say that. Too funny!

I will post pictures from the weekend in a day or two.

More Swim Lessons and Matthew's Trip to the Zoo

Matthew was enjoying the water

Matthew is hanging on to mama and his pizza while watching the elephants

Gorilla - Matthew just watched

Giraffe- Matthew liked to point and say "ba"

Matthew was speechless when he saw the elephants - you forget how big they are

Wells Fargo stage coach

Hippo

Matthew having fun  -see the giraffe in the background.  Matthew would point and say "bah"

Family picture with a zebra behind us

Matthew learned so much in the 2 weeks of swim lessons.  He can now jump in the pool and go under water when I count 1-2-3 and float on his back - with my help, of course.  He is still learning to kick his feet.  He loved the songs - hookey pookey, motor boat, and the goodbye song.  Matthew would be so tired after a full day of daycare and swim lessons.  He would yawn during the goodbye song and the others thought he was so cute.  The good thing is that now we know what to work on at home in our own pool.  

Matthew went to the zoo for the first time.  Andy & I took him to the Ft Worth Zoo and we have to admit that we also had a blast.  Matthew loved it.  He was pointing at the animals and talking in baby talk.   He said "Oh" and pointed with enthusiasm when he saw the penguins.  You could hear the penguins sqawking so that was something new for Matthew, too.  

We went through the Texas section of the zoo.  Matthew was already familiar with the Gulf Coast section because of our trips to S. Padre and the Corpus aquarium.    

Swimming Lessons

Matthew likes to play with his bucket

Matthew is fetching the toy in the water and learning how to kick at his swim lessons

It was 104 degrees this week so Matthew was always happy to get into the water

Matthew was not happy that I was out of the water

Matthew peeking through the fence

Matthew, the swimmer, is practicing his moves at home in our pool over the weekend

Ana Paula - Matthew's babysitter

Matthew started swimming lessons on Monday.  Andy was in DC for work and made it back just in time to watch.  Matthew was all smiles when he saw his Daddy and he was waving at him the whole time.  The swim lessons are at 5:45pm at the YMCA near our house and it makes for a long day for Matthew.  He went to bed early almost every night this week because he was so exhausted afterwards.  He was almost too tired to be there on Tuesday and fussed the entire time.  Andy was in the water with him and I was outside and he cried until I was out of sight (and even then).  Next time, Andy & I will both get in the water.  

On Thursday, it was my birthday so we all went to breakfast before work.  Matthew was a little confused to the change in the routine but he did well.  It was a nice treat.  And then we celebrated my birthday again on the weekend.   

On Friday, we went to a happy hour with some of my friends and then we went to dinner at Trulucks.  On Saturday, we started the day by walking to Starbucks.  It rained the night before and the weather cooled off from the 100+ temperature so we had to get out and enjoy it.  All this week, Matthew's new word is "Hot".  It was so cute because we would walk outside and he would say "hot".  After starbucks, we went to the post office to get Matthew's passport.  We don't have any trips planned but we want to get it just in case we decide to go to Canada for a long weekend.   At noon, I went to get a massage - one of my gifts from Andy.  It was so relaxing.

Ana Paula babysat for us 2 nights in a row.  He loves all the attention that she gives to him.  He was a little fussy during the day on Saturday with a runny nose but he was all giggles with Ana Paula.  We went out to eat with Taylor & Kristy to a restaurant in Oak Cliff - Bolsa.  It was delicious.

We had a lazy Sunday and just relaxed around the house.  The only outing was to Einstein Bagels for lunch.  Andy went to the grocery store and Lowe's and Home Depot.  I am so grateful that he does all the errands. 

During the week, Matthew's daycare also has a summer schedule to keep the kids entertained.  Matthew had a splash day where they played in baby pools in the hot heat (covered, of course) and one day they had the fire truck come up there.  Friday was pajama day so Matthew wore his pj's all day.  

We had a good weekend and now we are prepared for another week of work/daycare and swimming lessons afterwards!

Matthew is moving around at a quicker speed.  It seems like only a matter of seconds before you realize that he is into something else.  On Saturday, Matthew got into Rusty's dogfood.  He grabbed the bowl and dumped it out before we knew it.  I was on the phone and Andy had to resolve the situation (Matthew was fussing) so Andy explained that it was not appropriate and put him into time out on our red chair in the front room.  After I got off the phone, I peeked into the room and Matthew was just sitting there - like he knew he had done wrong.  I tried not to smile b/c he looked cute.  Then he got down and played and we didn't have a problem the rest of the time.

On Friday night, we went to dinner at Patrizio's and Matthew did not cooperate very well.  He wanted to walk around.  We tried taking turns getting up with Matthew until the meal came out but he just didn't want to be in that high chair.  

On Saturday morning (after Matthew had walked around a ton) we went to breakfast at Breadwinners with my bff Kelly and Danny.  Matthew was a little subdued but it worked out perfectly.  He was relaxed enough to sit still.  

Saturday night, Andy & I got our sitter and we went out to eat to at Hibiscus for our 5-year anniversary.  It was actually a couple of weeks ago but we didn't really get to celebrate it.  Our baby sitter, Ana Paula, lives across the street (literally) and she does a great job.  We are lucky to have her so close and she is so good with Matthew.  

On Sunday, Andy flew out to DC for work so Matthew and I went to Corpus Christi for the day.  It was my first day trip and I would say that it works quite well.  We didn't have to board Rusty, we didn't have to pack a bag, and we got to sleep in our own bed.  We went to the aquarium and Matthew loved looking at all the fish and just hanging out with Nana, Papa, and Uncle Mike.  We went to eat at Joe's crab shack on the gulf and Matthew liked pointing at the boats.

Eating crawfish and shrimp at Joe's Crab shack with my brother, Mike

Matthew and Papa checking out the boats in the Gulf

Matthew loved the popcorn

Matthew walked around the aquarium and was equally happy just to see other kids

Matthew watching the dolphins under water

Nana and Papa Snider overlooking the bay

Matthew's babysitter, Ana Paula

Matthew looking through Rusty's peephole

Matthew at breakfast with Kelly

15 Month Doctor Visit

Matthew went to the doctor this morning for his 15 month doctor visit. I scheduled the appointment for 7:30am in order to get the appointment done and get into work at a decent hour (9:30am). He woke up around 6:45am and I packed up breakfast for him to eat on the road. Matthew didn't eat any protein last night for dinner so I made him scrambled eggs this morning. By the time we made it to the appointment, he had eggs all over the place. But I feel better knowing that he had a good breakfast. I also gave him a few grapes while we were in the office to keep him preoccupied. He was a little hesitant around the doctor but smiled and waved at him and said "Hi!" The doctor said the next trip may not go so well because he will remember the shots.

He received 3 vaccines and as usual, he cried. He had a good health checkup. We have been very blessed. He has only been on antiobiotics once for a little fluid in the ears but other than that, he is usually healthy (at least during the office visits). His stats were the following:

Weight 22lbs 8 oz 20%

Height 30 in 25%

Head Circum 19 1/8 in 93%

Our usual response is "Is that all he weighs? He feels heavier than that".