Little Turtle Sandbox Needs an Upgrade

Matthew is a tall boy. In fact, he towers over some of the three year olds that we know. He is quickly outgrowing the turtle sandbox we have in the back yard, so grandpa said he wants to build him a new sandbox this month. By the end of the month, Matthew and his friends will have a 4' x 8' sandbox to drive their trucks in. Thanks grandpa!! We love you soooooooooooooooo much!!

Terrific Twos

One of the best things about Matthew's age is the way he is now able to express himself. He will often ask for things by saying please, and respond with a thank you. He also makes several requests throughout the day for hugs, and kisses. Lately he will grab a book or two, crawl onto our lap and say "hold you" which means hold me, and "cuddle Matthew." I think God supplies us with these moments to balance out the trying two year old moments. Matthew is such a smart cookie, and he has already discovered ways to get what he wants by wearing down mom and dad with temper tantrums. It's amazing how persuasive a screaming two year old can be. It reminds me of how we approach God sometimes, kicking and screaming when we don't get our way and blaming him when we feel crummy. I know I have acted this way toward God in my life. Thank goodness He has even more patience than we do, and it reminds me to make sure to fill my life with more quiet "cuddle" moments with Jesus...and maybe it will help Him have even more patience with me.

Speaking of God, this has been a year of testing my faith like no other time has been. I don't blog too much about Matthew's peanut allergy, but it is always on the front of our minds. I want to keep Matthew safe, like any parent would, but feel overwhelmed at times that a peanut could threaten his life and stop his breathing in moments. You never realize how many things in this world contain peanuts until you are told to avoid them at all costs. It has been a daily struggle for me to put Matthew's life in God's hands and just do the best we can to keep him safe. (Truthfully, Greg does a much better job than I do at trusting God.) I get a little overwhelmed sometimes, and am a bit overprotective. All prayers that God would completely heal Matthew of this allergy are appreciated, and for me to stay grounded and not become a hovering over-protective parent in the meantime would help too :-) Thanks for reading our blog...I'll be updating all our posts for the month today...so stay tuned.

Welcome Spring!!

A Day With Thomas ( last Saturday)

Peanut Allergy Support Group

Tonight I went to my very first Peanut Allergy Support Group meeting. It was so nice to meet other moms in the area that have the same concerns and hurdles that come with this life long - life threatening allergy. I am looking forward to learning all the ways I can make Matthew's childhood as normal as possible, while keeping him safe. I am also a "knowledge is power" kind of gal, so when I can get together with others that have already researched this allergy, it saves me time that I could spend playing with my cute lil' peanut!! (Pun intended :-)

I follow this wonderful blog www.peanutallergykid.com that has really helped me get a handle on things. It was the writer of this blog that leads this support group! What a lifeline!! Thanks Robyn if you are reading this!! You are my peanut angel!!

Anyhow, there is a 5 minute video I have a link to, that explains all about making life safe for a kid with a peanut allergy. Since everyone reading this blog has an interest in Matthew's safety and well-being, I thought I might post it here for you to watch. www.thenuttyvideo.com

Take care, and thanks for loving us!!

Long time...no post :-(

Well first let me mention that I always thought I would be better at keeping this updated. It seems that life with an active toddler really does take up a lot of free time after-all!! Matthew is growing up wonderfully!! He is so funny and charming. It is great fun to hear him try out new words every day. I love the way he sounds when he says puddles (the name we gave his favorite stuffed doggie friend) and the way he says beans. He calls the garage the escoorage. He calls a sucker an uhsker, a muffin - a fuffin, his soothie (pacifier) is a see see and chapstick - lips!! He said his first sentence last night, and it was "no more monkeys jumpin on bed!" When I greet him in the morning, he smiles and says "good morning sunshine...(which I was saying to him each morning for a while)" He looks for Sierra first thing each morning and says "g'mornin See-a-saw!" and gives her a big hug *which she tolorates nicely.) He then loads his stuffed animals into his high-chair and says "snack!!" He now wants to shove them in by his side when he sits down to eat!He knows every Thomas the train by name, even when they look identical to me! He lays on the floor and talks to their faces. Then he lines them all up and sometimes stacks them on top of each other like blocks. Every time we have a friend come over, he takes their hand to show them his room. Sometimes when we play, I use a chipmunk puppet, and Matthew will take the hand of the chimpmuck and lead the puppet (with me attached) into his room. He is hilarious, and the joy of our days!! He is growing up way too fast though!! Here are some photos of the past few weeks, though we don't have many from Easter. We tried to sneak a few in, but watching him in non-childproofed homes makes for a busy afternoon :-)

A Day at Chuck-E-Cheese

Grandpa and I took Matthew to Chuck-E-Cheese last week. He is really getting to an age where he can enjoy himself with all the other kids running around. He is becoming fearless on slides and climbing things. In fact...Corina and I took him to McDonalds play place this week and he climbed up all by himself through the tunnels and down the swirly slide. He is growing up so fast! It is so much fun at this age to take him places and watch him explore all these new adventures!

Sticks and Stones

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Greg's parents live in a more rural area with a creek that runs along the house and behind. There is an abundance of fun adventures awaiting Matthew when he visits. Lately his favorite thing to do is to throw sticks and stones into the creek from the bridge. He loves watching the water carry each of them away, and the sploosh noise they make as they fall in. The bridge is only a few feet from the water, and grandpa holds on tight. According to grandpa, Matthew can throw about 100 sticks without getting tired. He does fall asleep about 10 minutes into our ride home each visit though. What a special time they have together!!

Balloon Fun

Who says you need to spend a lot of money to entertain a two year old? Grandma bought Matthew this smiley helium balloon last week and surprised him with it when he came for a visit. He was entertained for at least 20 minutes.

It's official!!

We are approved and able to be selected for adoption once again! Here is a link to our letter on the Bethany Website from which the birth-parents may select us to parent their child :-) http://www.bethany.org/A55798/bethanyWWW.nsf/0/8C054FEEA1B8BBC385257582007B1A97

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.