Plano Balloon Festival

The weather in Dallas is still hot but fall is just around the corner and we can't wait. On Friday, I had extensive blood testing done for gestational diabetes. I will find out the results next week. I am a healthy eater for the most part so I honestly don't know what changes I can make on that front. From what I know, it's nothing serious but just something to keep an eye on during pregnancy. And once the pregnancy is over, it supposedly goes away. We went out to eat on Friday night at our usual place, Fernandos. Matthew sat next to Andy and he was so smitten over daddy. He was giggling and enjoying the daddy lovin'. When Andy got up to leave, I noticed he had ketchup on his dress shirt and pants - that tells you how much Matthew was snuggling into Andy!

At school, Matthew moved up to the next class a couple of weeks ago. He loves his new teacher, Ms Leah. He has been eager to go to school this week with little or no crying - yeah!!!! We have to monitor his bm's and I frequently try to get him to eat prunes to keep him regular because it makes such an impact on his mood. After our dinner on Friday night, he had a big poop in his diaper and since my arms were all bruised from the testing, Andy cleaned it up. He put it in the toilet and then the toilet clogged so he had to get the plunger. I don't know how he was able to stand it - I almost gagged! I am so thankful that Andy is around to help out with these types of chores.

On Saturday morning, we went to the Plano hot air balloon festival. Matthew enjoyed seeing the balloons in the air. We took Rusty with us and everyone stopped us to ask "What type of dog is that?" Some people would say "I don't know whether to look at the balloons or look at your dog" As it started to get hotter, we were getting more annoyed because we could hardly take a couple of steps without people stopping us. What can we say, we have a celebrity dog!

Matthew and I went to the nursing home for a party shortly after the balloon festival. All the seniors loved seeing Matthew. They did an arts and crafts project with stickers and Matthew sat at the table and participated - he loved it!

Trip to visit Nana

Matthew and Aiden

My cousin James David and Uncle David

Matthew checking out the eagle

Matthew and Sasha

Matthew looking at the very tall trees

Nana pushing Matthew in the swing

Matthew at the fish tanks

The kids table

James David and Aiden

Matthew is giving Nana some of his popsicle

During September 10th weekend, Matthew and I headed to visit Nana in Little Rock, Arkansas. I picked up Matthew from daycare on Friday around 4pm and caught a 6pm flight. Matthew was in a good mood when I picked him up from school. He was excited to go to the airport. He thought we were going to Michigan since that is where we went the prior weekend. I told him that we were going to Arkansas - he didn't quite understand. Andy stayed behind since he had some work obligations on Saturday night. Matthew did well on the flight. The only problem is that he likes to take his shoes off and his feet are so stinky I can hardly stand it. I just hope the other passengers can't smell it.

As soon as we arrived at the LIT airport, Matthew was ready to run. We took the escalator down to the baggage claim and we saw Nana there waiting for us. I pointed out Nana to Matthew since it was almost a year ago since he last saw her. He gave her a big smile and ran up to her with a big hug. She was so excited.

We headed to her house and Matthew was chatty the entire 35 minute drive. He liked to sing "Old MacDonald had a farm" or "BINGO" but we replace the dog with RUSTY and he giggles every time. We pulled up to the house and Matthew was eager to check it out. Nana has 2 birds in a cage and they were making lots of noise so Matthew was curious about them. He also enjoyed seeing her small dog, Sasha. I gave him a bath and he went to sleep fairly easy after a few stories. He had his own room with a queen bed. There was a peacock painting on the wall that he liked to point and say "peacock". Nana also had some ceramic eggs in the corner and Matthew grabbed one and called it "eggbert" imitating a cartoon episode. I thought that was funny.

I thought Matthew may wake up in the middle of the night but thankfully, he didn't. He slept well and then woke up around 7:30am. He came into my room and talked about Nana's house. Nana gave him fruit loop cereal in the morning and he loved that. We got dressed fairly quickly and headed to the Nature Trail near Nana's house. Matthew was excited to get out and get going. He saw snakes, alligators, fish, and eagles (in cages/tanks). We took a walk in the woods on a pavement path and Matthew enjoyed the outdoors. The wind would rustle the leaves and he would ask, "what's that noise?" He was running ahead of us and enjoying walking along the bridges. He finally stopped because he was tired so I ended up carrying him back. The weather was mild but he was sweaty from all the running.

We went out to eat for lunch and Matthew enjoyed a pancake with scrambled eggs. The pancake was so good that Nana and I started eating some of Matthew's. We drove by Nana's beauty shop and ran a couple of errands. It started raining so we were getting sleepy and headed back home for a nap. When Matthew woke up from his nap a couple of hours later, there were kids running around. I took a nap next to Matthew so when he woke up he looked at me and gave me a big smile that he knew there was something fun going on outside the door. My Uncle David and cousins were there with their kids. One of the kids was 2 years old so Matthew enjoyed playing with him.

Nana cooked a big roast with all the fixin's and all the kids were sitting at the table eating it. Matthew sat down next to them and ate a few things off his plate without talking too much. Then they all headed outside to play on the swing set. He enjoyed sliding down the slide with them. After everyone left, Matthew ate a popsicle and then took a bath. He was quite talkative and running around the house without clothes on and jumping on the couch. Nana likes to watch the Gaither Gospel hour and Matthew was enjoying the music. He also found Nana's twizzlers so he was having a good ole time at great grandmas. He chatted with Nanna and Papa on the phone for a little while before heading to bed.

On Sunday, we went to church. Matthew actually fell off the queen bed at 5am so I ran in there and got him back to sleep. He wasn't hurt - just disoriented. Matthew went to the nursery and played with the other kids while I went to Nana's Sunday school class and church service. Matthew didn't even cry when I dropped him off. He was ready to play. After church, he was happy to see us. We went home and ate some more of that delicious roast before heading to the airport. Nana was so sad to see us leave because she gets lonely in her house by herself. She enjoyed our visit and Matthew had a good time, too.

We were hoping to make the 4pm flight but it filled up before we could get on so we ended up taking a 6:30pm. It was a long time to kill at the airport with a 2-year old by myself but I survived. I bought Matthew french fries from burger king and ice cream and we played with a ball by rolling it back and forth to each other. Matthew was a good traveler. He didn't fall asleep on the flight like I had hoped. We made it home around 8:30pm. Andy was watching the cowboys game on tv. Matthew asked about daddy a few times during the weekend but for the most part, he was happy as long as mama was around. Andy gave him a bath that night but Matthew was so exhausted from not napping well that he fussed the entire time. Andy finally calmed him down while reading a story. Andy stayed busy while we were gone but he said that he was lonely without us around. It was a quick weekend trip but it was good to visit Nana because I know the travel will be more challenging when #2 arrives.

Labor Day Weekend

We went to Michigan over Labor Day weekend. It was a quick trip but Matthew did well on the flights. He is starting to realize that every time we go on the airplane, we go some place fun. We talked about flying on the airplane on Thursday and Friday. So when we headed to the airport on Saturday, he was rearing to go. He would say "go to airport". He knows the drill at the security line and starts taking off his shoes in preparation.

The last time we were on a plane a lady gave Matthew a lollipop. So when we were up in the air he asked for a lollipop. He has a good memory! He watched his DVD's on the plane and then napped after we stopped at McDonald's in Detroit. Matthew calls it "old Macdonald's" from the song. Once we arrived at the Durkin's, Matthew woke up from his nap and headed straight for the toys. The weather was cool in the 60's and he enjoyed running outside and playing on the slide. Andy and I took a nap while they played because we were exhausted from the travel.

We went to Andy's 20-year high school reunion on Saturday night while Mimi watched Matthew. We could tell that Matthew was feeling more comfortable there because he didn't cry when we left - which he normally does when mama leaves him with a sitter. Andy enjoyed seeing all of his high school friends. A lot of them have access to Facebook so they already saw pictures of Matthew on that.

Matthew's nose is stopped up so he has been breathing out of his mouth at night. We think it's related to allergies because this is the ragweed season when Andy has the most trouble. Matthew actually slept pretty good at night and we were surprised in the morning when he didn't wake up Mama and Daddy but instead went into the kitchen and said "hi Papa Durkin". He was eating breakfast at the table like a big boy when we woke up.

We took Mimi out to breakfast for her birthday on Sunday and then headed to visit "Pa Bru". Matthew napped in the car and then when we pulled up to the house, he ran over and gave Pa Bru a big hug. He was all smiles. He went inside and headed straight for the toys (remembering where they were located). We ate some sloppy joes and then Matthew was ready to see the horses. Pa Bru took him on a four-wheeler ride to see the farm. Matthew was also happy to see Adam and Grandma Bruce. He said "hi Adam" when he arrived and gave Grandma Bruce a hug. We went to the club house and Matthew enjoyed playing with the golf balls and putters. Grandma Bruce took Matthew on a ride in the golf cart and he waved "bye mama". I was impressed with his independence.

We flew out Sunday evening and Matthew fell asleep on the plane. He was exhausted from such a short nap earlier that day. When we landed in Dallas, he kept sleeping. I carried him from the plane to the car and into the house without him waking up. We woke up Monday morning and he had lots of energy. I took him to the park to swing and play on the slide. Then we headed to toys r us to buy a sandbox. Matthew loves the toy store! He saw a fire truck that he would really like to have for Christmas. He's into any kind of construction trucks, tractors, fire trucks, police cars, etc.... We put the sandbox together and Matthew played in that for a little while. He swam in the pool and enjoyed seeing Rusty. He said "mama, miss Rusty?" and I said "yes, Matthew, I missed Rusty, Did you miss Rusty?" and he said "Matthew missed Rusty, throw ball".

Grand Cayman Vacation

Lounging at the beach

Say "Cheese"

After a dip in the pool

Fruit loops - Yummy

Building sand castles with Daddy

The coolest kid on the beach

Dinner at the Wharf

The Bruce Family

Matthew's daycare was closed on Friday so we decided to take our summer vacation and take Monday off as well. We went to the Grand Cayman Island and lounged around the ocean and pool. Matthew truly enjoyed this vacation since he just started using his goggles to explore under water in our home pool. The sand was white and the ocean was clear with lots of fish and a coral reef just off the beach. Matthew called the sand area his "sandbox". He enjoyed digging in the sand and filling up his bucket. He would get hot after a couple of hours in the sun so we would go to the hotel room and relax in the room and take our 2-hour nap before going back for more in the afternoon.

Matthew is quite the swimmer. He enjoyed swimming in the pool with Daddy. Daddy would act like a bull with Matthew on his shoulders and Matthew would love trying to not get bucked off. He would giggle and everyone in the pool would watch them. It was hilarious. Matthew would fetch his toy at the bottom of the pool. He also liked to swim back and forth to mama and daddy.

He was a little hesitant to walk on the sand with his barefeet at first and he was a little scared of the waves of the ocean. But during the second day, he quickly warmed up to the idea of the ocean. He would say "ocean" and point at the ocean and then say "pool" and point to the pool and do this 5 or 6 times. I think he called the ocean a pool at first and we corrected him so now he was aware of the difference.

He would watch the fish in the ocean. There were small schools of fish that would swim by and then there were medium sized fish around. Some people would touch the fish b/c they were so close. Matthew wasn't scared of the fish but he also didn't try to touch them. His eyes would burn in the ocean if water got into his goggles so he would talk about that a lot "eyes burn".

In the evening we would go to dinner. Matthew was a trooper and fully cooperated at dinner every night. One night we went to the Wharf for a nice dinner and we sat near the deck and Matthew fed some very, big tarp fish with bread from the table. That kept him entertained for the duration of dinner! We would get ice cream some nights after dinner and Matthew was in heaven hanging out with Mama and Daddy. He threw a few temper tantrums when we would try to get him to leave the pool but for the most part he was so pleasant to be around.

After we ate lunch one day, I took him back to the room. He was sleepy from swimming in the morning. He kind of gave me a loving look and I said "I love you, Matthew" and he said "I love you, Mama". My heart just melted. It was the first time he said that. After his nap, he was in the ocean with Daddy and Andy said "I love you, Matthew" and Matthew said "I love you, daddy". Andy really enjoyed hearing that as well.

Goggle Buddies

Matthew & Daddy are goggle buddies

Rusty likes to swim, too

Matthew is quite the swimmer. He is able to see so much better with his goggles on. He hardly comes up for air because he is so fascinated with looking at everything underwater. We dropped a toy in the pool (this ball) and Matthew went down to the bottom to get it. We had to push him down to get to the bottom but once he was down there he grabbed it and brought it up to the top. He was so excited.

When I got into the pool with him, my bathing suit was waving in the water. Matthew noticed while he was swimming to me that he could see my belly button. He comes up out of the water and says "mommy, belly button" and then quickly goes back under to check it out again. It was funny to see him so fascinated with things under the water.

Hot Hot Hot

This summer has been one of the hotest seasons. We try to stay cool by getting into the pool in the evenings after work and on the weekends. Andy had a busy week at work so we celebrated the closing of one of his deals by going out to dinner on Friday night. Matthew did OK during dinner. He woke up from 12 -2am on Thursday night so he was exhausted Friday. He cried the entire ride to the daycare in the morning because he was so sleepy. His teacher told me that he took a 3 hour nap! Unfortunately, Andy and I can't take 3-hour naps at work so we were really tired.

Matthew is still adjusting to his new bed and room. Almost every night he wakes up at midnight just like clock-work. Most of the time he just stays in his room and cries. We are not sure why he wakes up at these odd hours but we are hoping to nip it in the bud soon. Andy and I wake up tired but I think we are getting used to it.

We went out to dinner Saturday so Ana Paula came over to babysit. Matthew cried when she showed up but shortly after we left, he was in the best mood and laughing at everything she said. AP said Matthew was the most fun this time.

We made sure Matthew took naps around his scheduled nap time to keep him on schedule. He woke up at 3am on Saturday night and his nose was stopped up so I sat with him until he was able to get back to sleep (about 30 minutes). The next morning, Andy let me sleep in when Matthew woke up at 6am ready to eat and play. Andy just kept the coffee going to be able to keep up with Matthew. And last night (Sunday night), Matthew woke up around 3am crying for a while. He seems to be healthy and maybe this is just a pattern he is getting into.

Aside from all the sleepless nights, Matthew is a lot of fun to be around these days. He likes to shout the words to the nursery ryme "Pease porridge hot". And he likes to sing "skidamarinky-dink" by adding "I love mama" when I sing "I love Matthew". It will melt your heart. He will kiss your "bobos" if you have any. And he loves to giggle and say "I'm going to get you" while playing on the couch. Andy loves to put him on his shoulders and rough-house with him. The second Matthew gets into the pool, he gets a burst of energy. He LOVES the pool. He goes under water and swims for nearly 6 seconds at a time.

At night, we tell him that Mama and Daddy are so proud of him. He repeats it "daddy so proud of you", "swim to the steps", "big brother". I tell him that baby is in Mama's belly and Matthew says "No, baby in Matthew's belly". We drove to the bank on Saturday and when we took a turn we don't normally do, Matthew cries "no, this way". I'm not sure if he really knows directions but he seems to know where he is going. He does this in the stroller all the time when we don't turn down the street to go to the park.

Matthew is talking in more complete sentences. His teacher calls him "Mattakins" so sometimes Matthew will call himself Mattakins. It's cute.

Summer time at the pool

Riding the train at the mall

Having fun in the pool

Swim to daddy

MAB 2008 5-4-3-2-1 Blast-off

The weather is unbearably hot and the only way to enjoy the outdoors is to spend time in the pool. After work on Friday, we jumped in the pool and ordered a pizza. Matthew loved it! He was so exhausted when he went to bed that he feel asleep fairly easily in his toddler bed. The same thing happened on Saturday and Sunday. He is getting more familiar with his new room and he is able to fall asleep without any crying.

On Saturday, I took him to the Irving Mall while I got an oil change. We hung out at the Barnes and Noble and then played on the train and other coin operated rides. He didn't understand that it took quarters to operate so he wasn't begging me for money just yet. But I am sure he will quickly figure that out in years to come.

Arden came over on Sunday and he enjoyed swimming with her in the pool. Arden wanted to hold hands and jump in the pool. Matthew wasn't quite ready the first time but ended up jumping into the pool anyways. The second time he was ready and having fun. He was swimming in the pool for nearly 3 hours on Sunday!