HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY MATTHEW

Oreo's

O-O-O-Ice Cold Milk and an OREO Cookie, They forever go together, What a Classic Combination, when a dark, delicious Cookie Meets an icy, cold sensation, like the one and only, Creamy, Crunchy, Choc-o-late, O-R-E-O!

Our Musical Wonder Dog

And just when you thought you have seen everything...along comes Sierra with Matthew's harmonica in her mouth. We will post the video that goes along with the photo soon...She actually sings along with the harmonica when we play it. She seemed to enjoy it, but after watching her run around the house with it clenched between her teeth, we are second-guessing her love for music. Maybe she was hoping to bury it deep in the back yard???

Staying Warm

Well, I know it feels like Spring around here this past week...but after living in Michigan over half my life, I know this is only temporary. When it does get cold again, Matthew knows how to stay warm :-) He has given Sierra some tough competition for the warmest spot in the house.

Living in Michigan Fall, Winter and Spring

Feels like forever....all this snow!!

Take that to the bank!

Matthew got his first piggy bank as a gift when he was just a few days old. He just discovered it's magic the other day when Grandpa emptied out his pockets of all their change and we showed Matthew how it works. He can now spend hours playing his piggy bank game.

Fun with hair goop!

For the love of Trains...

Matthew has now reached the age where he prefers some things over others. He sometimes wants milk...sometimes juice. He can use more and more words every day to communicate these things, and it has been such a joy to be a part of his learning process. One of the first things Matthew showed an affinity for was trains. We bought a Thomas video at a garage sale, and I think it has worn itself through. I think choo choo was among his first 10 words too. So, when Greg had some time off work between Christmas and New Year, we decided to take Matthew to see the trains at the Detroit Historical Museum. He was so excited to see the trains running on the giant tracks, and even more so when he recognized Thomas in the bunch. After we spent a good hour in the train room, we explored the rest of the museum, and Matthew enjoyed pressing all the buttons on all the displays. I thing he would be a good composer, because he seems to love mixing and matching different sounds all at once in a symphony of music. He can push a button so fast, it sounds like an old Run-DMC rap mix. Sorry I have no video of this wonderful masterpiece, but we did catch some cute photos.

We're back...

I know...it's been a while. No excuses for the first part of January, but the last 10 days has been 100% due to this awful virus that made it's way into our home. It was bad enough to even take Greg out of commission for a few days. So, with me carrying the final leg of the battle, I think we are all finally well enough again to get back to normal living, and I will try to catch up on my blogging. I'll start with this super cute photo of Matthew sleeping his way to recovery last week. I'm going to spare you the photos of Greg and I recovering ;-)

Christmas time 2008

Christmas seemed to last for weeks this year with all the wonderful friends and family to share the season with. We did miss seeing Nana and Papa this year, but we will make up for lost time this summer on the beach :-) Matthew really enjoyed all the company and of course the presents. He seems to play with everything in rotation each day. He is always taking Noah out of the Ark and putting him in the wheelchair on his Fischer Price bus though. It's very cute! Thanks to everyone for all the outpouring of love for our son (and us too)...we may need a bigger house will all these new toys (lol). Here are some photos of our Christmas week. Happy New Year!!

Life with Matthew

These past few weeks, Matthew has been full of hugs, kisses and cuddles. He is growing up so fast, and it really seems like he has made a great jump in how he interacts with the world around him over this past month. He wakes up each day and looks for Sierra first thing...then he tries to lie with her in front of the heating vent. Sierra must really love Matthew to share her precious spot in front of the heater! We also have had a bunch of snowy days lately. Greg and I have enjoyed watching him rediscover snow this year. He loves to play outdoors, and does not seem bothered one bit by the cold. Greg has had a week off from work, and he and Matthew will disappear for 40 minutes at a time to play in the snow. They even went to the park this week to play on the swings. We are still waiting for that good Michigan packing snow to make our first snowman!! Finally, we have a Rembrandt on our hands. Matthew loves anything artistic. He calls his markers "ha has" and paper "aper" He loves to draw circles and dots, and when he is finished, he says "M...M...M..." until I write his name at the top with him. I think one of his favorite gifts this Christmas is his Magna Doodle. He draws on that toy from morning to night. He loves the magnets, and can even ask for them by name!

Congratulations Greg!!

Greg has been working on a medical video about Fibromyalgia through MCCI over the past three months. We attended the DVD release event earlier this month, and they surprised him by honoring him with an award for "Excellence in Video Production." I am so proud of the man I married!! Greg is such a hard worker! As he was presented with the award, the client praised him for his dedication and his compassion as he worked with the patients and doctors to make this DVD a reality. Greg loves his job, and feels blessed that he is able to work on projects that can change lives so dramatically, like this project and the Rescue Mission series. Way to go Greg!!

Ferndale's Winter Festival

A few weeks ago, we ventured out into the cold to see what the Ferndale Winter Festival was all about. We met up with some friends along the way. As it turned out, we missed most of the excitement during Matthew's nap time, but managed to take in a hay ride through town, and catch an interesting fire juggling show (in hindsight...not exactly something you want your children to see.) So, after about 20 seconds of the light show, we headed out to dinner. It was great to see our friends, and their kids are the cutest things ever!!

I LOVE my tricycle!

Back in the fall, Greg's sister Kim came for a visit. She had a special surprise in store for Matthew. She had purchased a used tricycle from a garage sale, and completely refurbished it! It is now a beautiful chrome set of wheels, with a personalized license plate and a shiny horn. Now, the horn is our favorite part, but Matthew is a bit frightened by it, so for now... he rides without it. Don't worry though Aunt Kim...it's in a safe place, and will make a comeback this summer for sure.

Merry Christmas

As the weeks go by, I find I am forgetting to take pictures. Maybe it is because it is so much busier at his age now. At any rate, we are going to start keeping the camera in the kitchen this new year (call it my personal new year resolution.) Maybe if it's right there, it will be used more?? We had over 100 photos per month the first 15 months or so...now they are getting more sparse. I can see now why most people have so many more photos of their first child!! Speaking of multiple children...we finished all our paperwork for our next adoption, and are half way done with our photo scrapbooks. We should be approved and ready to go in mid-January to early February!! We'll be sure to keep everyone posted. I'll have Christmas photos soon after the holiday too...I promise.