Dear Matthew,
Where has the year gone? It feels like just yesterday you were sleeping in the blue basinet next to the chair in the living room while life went on all around you. You were, for the most part, a relaxed infant and really only got fussy if you were hungry (haven’t changed much since). You would lay and soak it all in, especially big brother.
Now, when you have kids and look back at the pictures and stories of your first year of life, don’t be mad. Wait until you have multiple children and you will understand. I am that second child next to your Uncle Brent. Your Grammie had a hard time remembering details about me too. But I understand now. I write this blog (albeit, less often that I would like but am going to put out best efforts in the coming year) to serve as a baby book or at least the resource to make a hard cover baby book one day. And hopefully to give you boys a glimpse into life when you were small.
For some reason, I have a hard time letting go of the idea that you are not an infant anymore. When you do something that has logic or purpose behind it or is physically challenging, it blows me away. I forget that you are starting to make sense of the world and to understand and manipulate what is going on all around you.
For 6 months (give or take) I worked during your first year, however, our lives are both about to change, as I am staying home full time as of now. I could not be more blessed and excited to get this opportunity. I look forward most to having more alone time with you. Although I cherish the time when all of us are together, John is having some struggles right now between sharing with you and helping you to grow up. He just wants to be able to play with you uninhibited by your lack of understanding and coordination. One day, my dears, one day too soon.
If I had to pick one word for your personality as of today, it would be relaxed. However, if you are hungry, WATCH OUT, as it literally comes to blows as you smack your mouth and my mouth with an open hand, which I think is your version of “eat” in sign language that we have been working on. You could hardly notice when John snatches things from you, as it has been happening all your life (although the last week or so, I think I see a change in this pattern). You will let anyone hold you, especially if I am not in the room. You never went through a separating anxiety phase. When you fall and get hurt, you fuss for a second, but then it is over. Your overall attitude is a little shorter, but even when you were/are teething I can hardly tell (outside the immense drool).
Your face and the expressions you have, make life worth living! Your favorite thing right now is to scrunch up your nose and squint your eyes. You do this to either make me laugh or it is the sign that you are trying to get worked up and mad about something, but it is not all that important to you. It makes me laugh EVERY time. The sad face you have when you really are upset about something could quite possibly be the most heart wrenching look I have ever seen. It feels like I can see your heart breaking and then the tears come, I kid you not, so sad! When you get mad or just want a little drama, you throw yourself on the floor face first and waller around a bit, every now and again you will tilt your head to the side with cheek on the floor to make sure I am looking. We ignore this one quite a bit and it stops as quick as it started. Another favorite is the “am I getting away with this” look. It is pretty blank for the most part, a very innocent look. I get this when you are headed for the unlocked gate at the stairs or reaching something on top of the table or climbing on something new, or thinking you have escaped out the front door (I let him do this when I get the mail). As you begin the “forbidden” task you pause and look back at me, almost to say “I am going to do it anyway, but I really want your permission first”. (side note: Grandparents that are freaking out right now about my parenting skills, I see all of these things and this in no way should freak you out. Your grandsons are safe)
It was hard to imagine having a second child and how we were going to share the love. However, it is so true and there is no better way to say than our hearts grew just for you. You have made this family and this world better just by being in it. I miss you when you sleep and look forward to that smiling face peeking over the crib every morning. You are my sunshine (my very early sunshine, but my sunshine none-the-less). The words “I love you” can not explain a parent’s love for a child, but know that you boys are forever on my heart and mind. KISS!
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Happy FIRST Birthday Week (Matthew Edition): Milestones
A few milestones and memories throughout the year (in no particular order)
Walking: took your first real steps right at 11 months, but just last Saturday (1 week shy of your birthday) you figured it out and now you walk everywhere.
Foods: You nursed like a champ for 9 months. I got super sick and had to take some medication that was not good for you. As I was debating switching you to formula anyway, I took the opportunity to stop. You switched to formula without any issues.
We started solids at 4 months and you have been a champion eater ever since. You will really eat almost anything I put on your plate. You devour the fruit first, but get around to the rest eventually. Some of your regulars: scrambled eggs with cheese, yogurt with pureed fruit, grilled cheese sandwhich with deli meat, meat loaf, ham and cheese baked in crescent rolls (thanks Aunt Abbey), oatmeal with brown sugar and cinnamon. fruit, shredded cheese, avacado (sometimes), mac and cheese, cut up hot dog, chicken fingers. (hmmm...not seeing a lot of veggies on here, maybe I need to overhaul our meals)
Sleeping: I can not remember when you slept through the night, but I think it depends on individual definition of "the night". You woke up at 5:00am for the longest time and would have a bottle and go back to sleep until 8 or so. Nowadays, you are my little alarm clock between 6:00 and 6:30. Once I put you down at night I do not hear from you AT ALL until morning, thank you my dear, thank you.
You nap 2 times a day right now, but are starting the transition into one. Your first nap is around 9:30 (give or take 30 minutes) and will be anywhere from 2 to 3 hours. Your second nap is around 3:30 and is usually only 45 minutes or so. You go down with smiles on nap #1, but fight that second nap pretty consistently.
Talking: hmmmm? I could argue that you have a sound that comes out everytime you see Bailee and it starts with a D, but pretty sure you are not talking yet.
Teeth: You have 4 right now and have since probably 9 months or so. I think you are finally cutting a 5th and possibly more.
Favorite things and activities: Shaking things (toys with rattles, containers with stuff, etc.) always puts a smile on your face, and we always say good morning and goodnight to a few select bears (sleep bear, pooh bear, Mr. Bear and Giggle), but other than that, you really have no vices. You enjoy Peek-a-boo and putting things into and out of a bucket/container/basket/etc. and of course a little game of stick your tounge out (Thanks Da). Climbing on and off something is pretty addicting to you (little red chair, Johns blue floor pillow/chair, pillows, the couch when I let you, the stairs, etc.). You have not really discovered the absolute wonder of outside, due to safety and weather, but Spring is around the corner and I think you will love it.
Walking: took your first real steps right at 11 months, but just last Saturday (1 week shy of your birthday) you figured it out and now you walk everywhere.
Foods: You nursed like a champ for 9 months. I got super sick and had to take some medication that was not good for you. As I was debating switching you to formula anyway, I took the opportunity to stop. You switched to formula without any issues.
We started solids at 4 months and you have been a champion eater ever since. You will really eat almost anything I put on your plate. You devour the fruit first, but get around to the rest eventually. Some of your regulars: scrambled eggs with cheese, yogurt with pureed fruit, grilled cheese sandwhich with deli meat, meat loaf, ham and cheese baked in crescent rolls (thanks Aunt Abbey), oatmeal with brown sugar and cinnamon. fruit, shredded cheese, avacado (sometimes), mac and cheese, cut up hot dog, chicken fingers. (hmmm...not seeing a lot of veggies on here, maybe I need to overhaul our meals)
Sleeping: I can not remember when you slept through the night, but I think it depends on individual definition of "the night". You woke up at 5:00am for the longest time and would have a bottle and go back to sleep until 8 or so. Nowadays, you are my little alarm clock between 6:00 and 6:30. Once I put you down at night I do not hear from you AT ALL until morning, thank you my dear, thank you.
You nap 2 times a day right now, but are starting the transition into one. Your first nap is around 9:30 (give or take 30 minutes) and will be anywhere from 2 to 3 hours. Your second nap is around 3:30 and is usually only 45 minutes or so. You go down with smiles on nap #1, but fight that second nap pretty consistently.
Talking: hmmmm? I could argue that you have a sound that comes out everytime you see Bailee and it starts with a D, but pretty sure you are not talking yet.
Teeth: You have 4 right now and have since probably 9 months or so. I think you are finally cutting a 5th and possibly more.
Favorite things and activities: Shaking things (toys with rattles, containers with stuff, etc.) always puts a smile on your face, and we always say good morning and goodnight to a few select bears (sleep bear, pooh bear, Mr. Bear and Giggle), but other than that, you really have no vices. You enjoy Peek-a-boo and putting things into and out of a bucket/container/basket/etc. and of course a little game of stick your tounge out (Thanks Da). Climbing on and off something is pretty addicting to you (little red chair, Johns blue floor pillow/chair, pillows, the couch when I let you, the stairs, etc.). You have not really discovered the absolute wonder of outside, due to safety and weather, but Spring is around the corner and I think you will love it.
Friday, March 9, 2012
Happy FIRST Birthday Week (Matthew Edition): A Year in Pictures
March 2011
April 2011
May 2011
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June 2011
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July 2011
August 2011
September 2011
October 2011
November 2011
December 2011
January 2012
February 2012
March 2012
April 2011
May 2011
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June 2011
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July 2011
August 2011
September 2011
October 2011
November 2011
December 2011
January 2012
February 2012
March 2012
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Happy FIRST Birthday week (Matthew): When I picture you....
When I picture you at one year old....
I picture you holding anything that remotely looks like a phone to your ear and smiling.
I picture you stumbling towards me with hands in the air and giggling all the while.
I picture all the thousands of dimples in your sweet naked bum.
I picture you in a diaper and your pudgy belly leading the way.
I picture the scrunch in your nose when you try to make me laugh.
I picture the separation in your two front teeth, just like John had.
I picture you waving your arms like a duck when you want picked up or the food is not coming fast enough.
I picture cuddling in my lap while you drink your bottles.
I picture you playing with John in the living room.
I picture you bolting to the stairs if the gate is open, and looking back at me periodically to see if I am going to come close it.
I picture the kissing noise you make with your lips.
I picture the inevitable struggle on the changing table (grrrrrrr...).
I picture the speed crawl that your turn on when you hear the bath tub, and then trying to climb in fully clothed.
I picture all of the safety hazards everywhere we go and the wheels turning in your head on how you plan on climbing in, on or out of something.
I picture the serious look on your face instantly turn into a smile as you watch the coffee maker in action and then the coffee finally comes out (I feel the same way about coffee).
I picture you in the sock basket in the laundry room floor.
I picture you squeezing your little fist together almost violently when you are signing milk.
I picture your chubby face and that precious dimple in your cheek.
I picture the smiling face and jibber jabber coming from the crib when I come get you in the morning.
I picture you snuggled up in my neck as you are drifting off to sleep.
I picture you holding anything that remotely looks like a phone to your ear and smiling.
I picture you stumbling towards me with hands in the air and giggling all the while.
I picture all the thousands of dimples in your sweet naked bum.
I picture you in a diaper and your pudgy belly leading the way.
I picture the scrunch in your nose when you try to make me laugh.
I picture the separation in your two front teeth, just like John had.
I picture you waving your arms like a duck when you want picked up or the food is not coming fast enough.
I picture cuddling in my lap while you drink your bottles.
I picture you playing with John in the living room.
I picture you bolting to the stairs if the gate is open, and looking back at me periodically to see if I am going to come close it.
I picture the kissing noise you make with your lips.
I picture the inevitable struggle on the changing table (grrrrrrr...).
I picture the speed crawl that your turn on when you hear the bath tub, and then trying to climb in fully clothed.
I picture all of the safety hazards everywhere we go and the wheels turning in your head on how you plan on climbing in, on or out of something.
I picture the serious look on your face instantly turn into a smile as you watch the coffee maker in action and then the coffee finally comes out (I feel the same way about coffee).
I picture you in the sock basket in the laundry room floor.
I picture you squeezing your little fist together almost violently when you are signing milk.
I picture your chubby face and that precious dimple in your cheek.
I picture the smiling face and jibber jabber coming from the crib when I come get you in the morning.
I picture you snuggled up in my neck as you are drifting off to sleep.
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