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".

Happy 4th of July 2009

Happy Independence Day!

Matthew with Grandma and Grandpa Bruce

Grandma and Matthew on the Bruce family golf course.

Papa Bruce, Uncle Adam, Daddy, and Matthew watching the Rodeo

Daddy and Matthew on Papa's tractor - Matthew is so fascinated with trucks and tractors.

Matthew smiling at Papa Bruce's horses.

Grandpa Durkin and Andy's UB at dinner. UB says "Matthew drinks like an irish man by the way Matthew swigs the sippy cup."  

Grammy Durkin is talking to Matthew at dinner.  

Matthew with Andy's Uncle Pat and Aunt Mary Helen

Matthew enjoyed the fire trucks at the 4th of July parade.  He was a little scared of the sirens.

Andy & I enjoying a mai tai while visiting with the family

Daddy and Matthew at Devil's Lake

Matthew playing in the sand at Devil's Lake

Matthew traveled to Michigan to see the family and celebrate the 4th of July.  We flew out on Thursday to start the long weekend with the Durkin's.  Matthew played in the sand at Devil's Lake Yacht Club.  Andy thought that was neat since he used to go there as a kid, too.  On Saturday, we headed to the Bruce's and Matthew enjoyed his first rodeo.  He also rode on the golf cart at the Bruce family golf course.  The weather was perfect at 75 degrees.  

Matthew is getting a little more stubborn with wanting to walk and he does not want to be picked up sometimes.  The good thing about him walking so much is it seems that he needs 2 naps lately.  One in the morning and another late afternoon.  Matthew is saying more words all the time.  He said "dog" this weekend and it's the first time I heard it.  He was playing with Pepper and Stanley at the Bruce's and he was jabbering up a storm.  His new thing is to throw a ball to Rusty and watch him chase it and he was trying to do the same with Pepper but she wouldn't do it.

Matthew was a trouper on the plane.  On the way there, he slept a little but he was mostly restless and our plane was delayed a little so that didn't help.  Andy had to stand up with Matthew to keep him from crying a few times.  Andy woke Matthew up from his nap at daycare when he picked him up so he was already fussy before we boarded the plane.  Matthew slept all night long at the Durkin's and Bruce's - What else could we ask for?!  And then Matthew slept about an hour on the flight home and he was in the best mood.  He didn't cry at all.  It seems that Matthew is learning the ropes with traveling - for now at least!

First trip to the beach

Matthew sitting in his lawn chair on the S Padre beach Matthew taking a nap under the umbrella. He was so tired
Matthew was a trouper on the flight and slept on the flight there and back Matthew and mama on the beach
Matthew and Daddy in the water

Technically, Matthew has already been to several beaches - Laguna and Maui. But he was too small to enjoy it before. This time, Matthew played in the sand and sat in the water. He loved it! The sun was hot and the cold water felt great. We kepts a t-shirt and hat on him as well as sunscreen to prevent him from getting sunburned - and it worked.

He would put the sand in his pail and carry it around on his arm. He liked to use his tools to pick up sand and throw it around. The sand was everywhere. Nanna and Papa Snider and Uncle Mike were there, too. They watched Matthew while Andy and I went to a wedding on Saturday night. It was my first night away from Matthew and he did pretty good. He was so tired that he went to sleep at his normal bedtime and slept all night long. We brought his music and blanket to help lull him to sleep. My parents ended up going to bed at 8pm, too!

It is tricky finding the right foods for Matthew while on the go. I was surprised when Matthew ate fish - he normally doesn't like it at home. We were eating it so maybe that influenced him. We brought chex mix and snacks to keep him covered between meals. We also had grapes on the beach and Matthew really liked those. Do you have any suggestions for healthy food options while traveling?

Happy Father's Day 2009

To all the dads out there - Happy Father's Day!

It takes a lot of work to be a parent and all the fathers deserve a day of appreciation. Andy helps me out in so many ways. He helps around the house with chores as well as helps with Matthew. He gets up in the middle of the night to console Matthew and he helps take and pick up Matthew from daycare- a BIG help! He does all the grocery shopping and cooking. He took Matthew to the mall for 3 hours one afternoon so I could host a tea luncheon at the house. He said they bonded during their father/son time together.

In the beginning, Matthew was tied to me because of the breast-feeding but now that he is weaned and he is getting older and more curious, he loves spending time with his daddy. He has a book that kids can feel daddy's scratchy face, and then Andy showed Matthew his scratchy face and Matthew said "Ohhh". It was so cute.

On Sunday, Matthew was baptized. The priest gave an excellent sermon and Matthew did pretty good. Andy and I kept trying to get Matthew to stay still and quiet. He cried a little but overall he was good. He just wanted to walk around. At one point the priest looked at Andy and said "Well if that's not your father then I don't know who is" and Andy's face turned red - it was funny. We had a luncheon at the house afterwards for family and a few friends.

Matthew and Papa Snider at the baptism this weekend
Matthew, Daddy, and Papa Durkin in Michigan at 6 months Matthew and Papa Bruce in Michigan at 6mos - Matthew resembles Papa Bruce the most
Cool dudes in Hawaii Oct 08
My favorite picture of Andy & Matthew. Snowmass, CO at 11 mos old