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!

  

Merry Christmas!

Let me catch up on the prior week and Dec 20th weekend before I talk about our Christmas celebration.  The last posting talked about how we were all sick.  Well that continued through to the next week to make us sick 3 weeks in a row!  Matthew was getting worse so I took him to the doctor on Wednesday.  He had an ear infection and eye gunk in his eyes with a runny nose but no fever.  The dr prescribed antibiotics and eye drops so we started Matthew on that immediately.F  Fortunately, Matthew has not been sick too much so this is his 2nd time to take antibiotics.  On Thursday, Andy stayed home from work to tend to Matthew because he was still feeling puny.  Andy said that he was a good stay-at-home dad because he was going to the grocery store and playing with Matthew - it was a fun day for both of them.  I continued to feel worse and went to the doctor on Friday to get on antibiotics.  It seems like we had 2 different colds.

Over Dec 20th weekend, Andy & I went to the UT basketball game while Ana Paula babysat Matthew during the day.  It was nice to get out and do something for a change since we have been hermits with our sickness lately.  We raced home afterwards looking forward to spending some time with Matthew.  We bought a new stroller (the Bob)  so we have been taking Matthew out for walks and he loves it.  We went to breakfast with Matthew on Sat and that was the first time in a while.  We generally don't go out for dinner with Matthew because of the stage that he is in.  But on Monday, we were invited to eat with Taylor, Kristy, and Arden (2 yrs).  So we ate at Fernandos with them.  Matthew did pretty good.

We headed to Nanna and Papa Snider's on Wednesday.  Andy & I both worked and then we packed up the car and headed out of town by 6:30pm.  It was a 5 1/2 hour drive and Matthew cried 3 hours of the time.  He was over-tired and he just wouldn't fall asleep in the car seat.  He couldn't breathe very well out of his nose so he was frustrated with that.  And he wanted to sleep on his side so he kept fidgeting to get comfortable.  Andy & I just suffered through.  We tried to comfort Matthew but nothing worked.  We arrived shortly after midnight and we were happy to get some rest.  Matthew stayed in a crib in Nanna and Papa's room so that was nice to get a break.  Although, Rusty (our dog) was waking us up by whining every so often.  

On Thurs - Christmas Eve, Rusty seemed to be feeling worse throughout the day.  He didn't have much room in the SUV that we rented, so his hip was bothering him.  So on Christmas morning,  Andy took Rusty into the local vet to get it checked out.  Rusty was given a shot and he seemed to be without pain the rest of the trip.  

Matthew enjoyed seeing Aunt Lori and Uncle Mike and Nanna and Papa.  He didn't want to take his nap because he was afraid to miss something so he would go down around 1pm.  He played on the stairs, colored with crayons, ate, and played with Papa's toy train.   We took him to the park and he loved playing on the slide and running around.

On Sunday, we drove back to Dallas and Matthew did really well in the car.  He didn't cry at all.  He watched his DVD of Elmo and slept a little and looked out the window at the cows.  He was pretty exhausted from all the activity.  When we arrived in Dallas, we found a little snow on the ground.  We opened more presents from the Bruce's, the Durkin's, and Nana (Matthew's great grandma) and celebrated Christmas with just us 3.  Matthew loved all his presents and he was getting really good at opening packages by the 3rd or 4th time.  

We are so blessed with good health and loving family.  We wish you all a Merry Christmas!    

  

 

The past 2 weekends

Over December 5th weekend we had Nanna, Papa, and Mike come into town to babysit.  They arrived Friday night but too late to see Matthew before bedtime.  When Matthew woke up Saturday morning, we took him to their room and he was surprised to see them.  The weather was cold so we stayed inside mostly.  Andy and Papa hung the Christmas lights outside while Mike and Nanna were busy entertaining Matthew and replacing batteries in all the toys.  Uncle Mike was giving Matthew wagon rides around the house and even outside - Matthew loved it!  

We played several rounds of Scrabble while they were in town.  Mike has become quite the player.  On Saturday, we went to my work holiday party and on Sunday, Andy and I enjoyed a nice breakfast by ourselves while they watched Matthew at home.  Matthew didn't seem to be feeling right so they offered to stay home and we took them up on it!  Andy took them to the airport around noon while Matthew was taking a nap.  When he woke up, he was looking for everyone but they were gone.  

It was at this point that I started feeling sick.  All of a sudden, I couldn't breathe through my nose and it turned into a sinus cold that lasted an entire week!  Matthew and Andy had the same cold.  It was a rough week for all of us.  Matthew was fussy after daycare and he was plugged up with sinus issues. He woke up at 5:15 am one morning and couldn't go back to sleep so we just got up with him (unwillingly).  I went to bed early every night and wanted to sleep even longer.  On Thursday, I had a bad sinus headache and I was so tired that I took a day off from work and slept all day.  Thankfully, Andy took Matthew to daycare because I just needed rest.  

Ms. Krystal says "Mr. Matthew liked playing with playdough and using the cookie cutters.  I'm so happy to have sweet, sweet Matthew in my class!" They read Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What do you hear? and Matthew loves it.  He eats everything at daycare, including veggies that he will not eat at home.

We had an uneventful weekend because of our family sickness.  On Friday, we were supposed to enjoy the christmas lights in a carriage ride with some friends but we cancelled on that.  Andy was supposed to run in the White Rock Marathon in the relay race but cancelled on that.  And we bailed on a Cowboys game watching party on Sunday.  We are feeling better now and we are ready to tackle another work week.

Matthew going down the steps at the park near our house

He loves the playground

Nanna and Papa playing Scrabble

Papa playing peek-a-boo with Matthew

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!