Saturday, January 9, 2010
Friday, January 8, 2010
While You Were Cooking
Sometimes, Matthew's naptime comes in unusual places...
Dinner needs to get on the table because there is a hungry toddler on the loose.
"Blur"
Fortunately, Matthew is learning to fall asleep in his swing.
He swings and naps while Michael eats his dinner, and I prepare dinner for the grown-ups.
Sometimes, there's a little fall-out.
Dinner needs to get on the table because there is a hungry toddler on the loose.
"Blur"
Fortunately, Matthew is learning to fall asleep in his swing.
He swings and naps while Michael eats his dinner, and I prepare dinner for the grown-ups.
Sometimes, there's a little fall-out.
(raw French Fry, in case you are wondering!)
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Where a Kid Can Be a Kid....
During our vacation, we took Michael on a little adventure.
First, we went to PetCo.
Why PetCo?
To see the animals of course!!
Now before you go accusing us of being too low-budget, cheap-skate, or hill-billy ("C'mon, Ma! Load up the brood! We got ourselves a family vacation to the pet store!")....keep in mind that you never know what will captivate a toddler of 1.5 years. And before we paid $$ for the zoo, we wanted to know how interested Michael would be in it all.
Aside from the two kitty cats there, Michael was much less interested in the fish or birds or the mice than walking up and down the dog food aisles.
So, we're going wait a few more months on the zoo.
After PetCo, we upscaled it a bit and went to Chuck E. Cheese and had a total blast!!
Michael was SO well-behaved.
No whining, no fits, and perfect table manners!
And he loved the rides....
...the big wheels...
..was a little unsure about the big rat hanging around....
...but LOVED the merry-go-round...
...and thought the little lights on top were his favorite thing ever.
"Moon!"
Matthew had fun hanging out, looking forward to next New Years when he gets to join in!
We didn't visit the huge puppet show, and were sorely disappointed there was no ball pit...
...but we had a great time!
First, we went to PetCo.
Why PetCo?
To see the animals of course!!
Now before you go accusing us of being too low-budget, cheap-skate, or hill-billy ("C'mon, Ma! Load up the brood! We got ourselves a family vacation to the pet store!")....keep in mind that you never know what will captivate a toddler of 1.5 years. And before we paid $$ for the zoo, we wanted to know how interested Michael would be in it all.
Aside from the two kitty cats there, Michael was much less interested in the fish or birds or the mice than walking up and down the dog food aisles.
So, we're going wait a few more months on the zoo.
After PetCo, we upscaled it a bit and went to Chuck E. Cheese and had a total blast!!
Michael was SO well-behaved.
No whining, no fits, and perfect table manners!
And he loved the rides....
...the big wheels...
..was a little unsure about the big rat hanging around....
...but LOVED the merry-go-round...
...and thought the little lights on top were his favorite thing ever.
"Moon!"
Matthew had fun hanging out, looking forward to next New Years when he gets to join in!
We didn't visit the huge puppet show, and were sorely disappointed there was no ball pit...
...but we had a great time!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
The Holidays
As the holiday season comes to a close, it's appropriate to post a little about our Christmas break.
We had a great time with family. First, we saw my parents on Christmas Eve, along with my Gramma and Papa, Uncle Larry, Aunt Nancy and my cousins...it was so much fun to see everyone! (so sorry I didn't snap any pictures!)
We then headed to home base (the Covina Barbers) to spend Christmas and the day after Christmas with them. We have to reschedule some time with the Gilmores since my Grammy wasn't feeling well.
We had a great time with the Barbers and the kids had a great time with Mumma, Papa, aunts, uncle, and second cousins.
Baby Michael had an endless supply of people to play with
(the only pictures I have with Georgie...and it's kind of a cool picture!)
and give him presents:
and Matthew was never without a set of arms to cuddle him.
We had a great time with everyone, we thank you for everything...and can't wait to do it again!
Monday, January 4, 2010
1.5 Years
This month, Michael turns 1.5 years old.
And what a busy little boy with lots of things going on!
I'll try to categorize:
Eating:
Michael's eating is doing well, though he seems to be going through a picky streak with his lunch/dinner favorite foods being: chicken nuggests, grilled cheese, and well, that's about it! Well, not just that, but for the most part, those are the most reliable foods. Everything else is totally hit and miss.
However, I have learned from my sister that "it's all about the show." So to get him to eat some sandwiches, I'll stick straws in little circular rounds of bread covered with sunbutter (peanut butter made of sunflower seeds since peanuts are not on the kosher list yet) and jelly. Will he touch them any other time? No. But will he eat them if a straw is sticking out of it like a toothpick? You bet.
He also likes to eat with utensils, which is both awesome, but also a little bit more difficult. You see, he is determined to eat with a fork and spoon. Before, he was content to use his hands, but now if he can't easily get it with a fork or spoon, he REQUIRES my help. It was actually easier before...but I suppose all on the way to good manners.
It is cute though. He asks for help whenever he needs assistance getting food on the fork or spoon.
"Hup, hup!!" He insists.
It's very cute. But teaching him to use utensils is one thing. Teaching him to ask for help is another. Teaching him to be patient while I help him is a whole other thing. It's all a work in progress for our growing little boy.
Vocabulary:
Michael's vocabulary seems to grow by leaps and bounds each day. He has a good ear and great at repeating sounds. But, there are tons of words that he not only repeats, but also knows.
Among the most prominent:
"Moon": He LOVES the moon. I don't know where the obsession began, but as with many of his obsessions ("on", "bow" (beatles), etc) it is constantly on his mind. He loves to go outside to see it, but often asks during the day when the moon isn't out. He likes Mommy and Daddy to draw the moon with crayons, and he points to the moon on his plate and in his books.
"Hi ____"
"Bye ____" Michael loves to say hello and goodbye to things. If he sees or hears a dog, he says hello and goodbye to it. He even will take his magnetic alphabet letters, hid them in a drawer and say "Bye E!" Way cute.
The cutest, though is "Hi Mommy!" "Bye Mommy!" "Hi Daddy!" "Bye Daddy!" Melts my heart every time!
Walking
Michael is a great walker...it's hard to imagine a time when he wasn't walking. He also spins in circles whenever we say "round and round and round and round." When he gets particularly excited, he'll even get close to a little run!
Michael is a true joy in every way. He has personality in abundance, and like most toddlers, is learning how to express all his personality in all the right ways, but the learning process itself is a real treasure to watch and it's an honor to be the parents of this little guy and in charge of forming that personality.
And what a busy little boy with lots of things going on!
I'll try to categorize:
Eating:
Michael's eating is doing well, though he seems to be going through a picky streak with his lunch/dinner favorite foods being: chicken nuggests, grilled cheese, and well, that's about it! Well, not just that, but for the most part, those are the most reliable foods. Everything else is totally hit and miss.
However, I have learned from my sister that "it's all about the show." So to get him to eat some sandwiches, I'll stick straws in little circular rounds of bread covered with sunbutter (peanut butter made of sunflower seeds since peanuts are not on the kosher list yet) and jelly. Will he touch them any other time? No. But will he eat them if a straw is sticking out of it like a toothpick? You bet.
He also likes to eat with utensils, which is both awesome, but also a little bit more difficult. You see, he is determined to eat with a fork and spoon. Before, he was content to use his hands, but now if he can't easily get it with a fork or spoon, he REQUIRES my help. It was actually easier before...but I suppose all on the way to good manners.
It is cute though. He asks for help whenever he needs assistance getting food on the fork or spoon.
"Hup, hup!!" He insists.
It's very cute. But teaching him to use utensils is one thing. Teaching him to ask for help is another. Teaching him to be patient while I help him is a whole other thing. It's all a work in progress for our growing little boy.
Vocabulary:
Michael's vocabulary seems to grow by leaps and bounds each day. He has a good ear and great at repeating sounds. But, there are tons of words that he not only repeats, but also knows.
Among the most prominent:
"Moon": He LOVES the moon. I don't know where the obsession began, but as with many of his obsessions ("on", "bow" (beatles), etc) it is constantly on his mind. He loves to go outside to see it, but often asks during the day when the moon isn't out. He likes Mommy and Daddy to draw the moon with crayons, and he points to the moon on his plate and in his books.
"Hi ____"
"Bye ____" Michael loves to say hello and goodbye to things. If he sees or hears a dog, he says hello and goodbye to it. He even will take his magnetic alphabet letters, hid them in a drawer and say "Bye E!" Way cute.
The cutest, though is "Hi Mommy!" "Bye Mommy!" "Hi Daddy!" "Bye Daddy!" Melts my heart every time!
Walking
Michael is a great walker...it's hard to imagine a time when he wasn't walking. He also spins in circles whenever we say "round and round and round and round." When he gets particularly excited, he'll even get close to a little run!
Michael is a true joy in every way. He has personality in abundance, and like most toddlers, is learning how to express all his personality in all the right ways, but the learning process itself is a real treasure to watch and it's an honor to be the parents of this little guy and in charge of forming that personality.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Catching Up...
It's been a while, so here are some updates.
For today, I'll do Matthew:
Matthew has been getting so big!
001.jpg)
He has been cooing, laughing, and smiling SO MUCH!! Though Matthew has had a bit of a cold so his coos and cries are a little hoarse and raspy sounding. It's sad, but also kinda cute.
His sleep is AWESOME! He wakes up only once at night, and one time didn't wake up until 5am, then went back to sleep for another 1.5 hours! He is a championship napper taking two or three hour naps at a time. It is a little tricky getting him relaxed enough with Michael running around, but once I get him down, he stays down.
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There have been times this week when I've been napping at the same time as Matthew while Michael Sr runs after Michael Jr...and Matthew has woken up, made a little noise, then looks at me and sees me lying in bed. He shifts around in his bed (the car seat) and has a look on his face like, "Oh good! It's still naptime!" and he closes his eyes and goes back to sleep.
That all being said, he is spending a good deal more time awake and interactive. He likes to watch his brother and just soaks up attention. He is starting to enjoy little toys, and loves the mobile.
"Mamoo" is still his official name and is used around here quite a bit more than "Matthew." It just seems to suit him. Michael says it all the time, sometmes it is the first word Michael says in the morning...even before "On." Michael will ask about Mamoo if he doesn't see him because he is napping and will announce "Mamoo!" and go bounding down the hall when he hears Matthew cry when he wakes up from a nap.
Matthew is very gentle, very trusting, and very docile. He doesn't cry much, and even when he does, it is less "demanding" and more like "Help me!" He has such a sweet disposition and is the family's little treasure. Thinking about what his experience in like in this family, he must think his main job is to sit there and be kissed. He gets smothered from everyone, especially little Michael. He LOVES to rub his head against Matthew's hair and give him very slobbery kisses.
He's our little boy and we're so blessed to have him in our lives!
More updates on the rest of the fam this week!
For today, I'll do Matthew:
Matthew has been getting so big!
001.jpg)
He has been cooing, laughing, and smiling SO MUCH!! Though Matthew has had a bit of a cold so his coos and cries are a little hoarse and raspy sounding. It's sad, but also kinda cute.
His sleep is AWESOME! He wakes up only once at night, and one time didn't wake up until 5am, then went back to sleep for another 1.5 hours! He is a championship napper taking two or three hour naps at a time. It is a little tricky getting him relaxed enough with Michael running around, but once I get him down, he stays down.
.jpg)
There have been times this week when I've been napping at the same time as Matthew while Michael Sr runs after Michael Jr...and Matthew has woken up, made a little noise, then looks at me and sees me lying in bed. He shifts around in his bed (the car seat) and has a look on his face like, "Oh good! It's still naptime!" and he closes his eyes and goes back to sleep.
That all being said, he is spending a good deal more time awake and interactive. He likes to watch his brother and just soaks up attention. He is starting to enjoy little toys, and loves the mobile.
"Mamoo" is still his official name and is used around here quite a bit more than "Matthew." It just seems to suit him. Michael says it all the time, sometmes it is the first word Michael says in the morning...even before "On." Michael will ask about Mamoo if he doesn't see him because he is napping and will announce "Mamoo!" and go bounding down the hall when he hears Matthew cry when he wakes up from a nap.
Matthew is very gentle, very trusting, and very docile. He doesn't cry much, and even when he does, it is less "demanding" and more like "Help me!" He has such a sweet disposition and is the family's little treasure. Thinking about what his experience in like in this family, he must think his main job is to sit there and be kissed. He gets smothered from everyone, especially little Michael. He LOVES to rub his head against Matthew's hair and give him very slobbery kisses.
He's our little boy and we're so blessed to have him in our lives!
More updates on the rest of the fam this week!
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