Matthew's Baptism

 Last Sunday was a very special day for our family as Matthew was baptized in our church. We were very blessed that his Mimi and Dee were there to celebrate with us. We also appreciated having Mimi there to help keep Mason occupied through the church service (he normally goes to the church nursery). He did as well as to be expected for a 2 year old and was very proud to stand with us during the ceremony. Matthew was not too crazy about the water on his head and attempted to squirm his way out of it. He then proceeded to give the entire congregation a 'What the heck just happened?' look, which was pretty funny. Luckily the baptism was at the beginning of the church service because both boys fell asleep by the end.

Mason with his Mimi before church

 

This is the sweetest picture!

Proud Grandparents

Best family shot we could get

Leopard Baby

Or Leper Baby. Take your pick. We had quite a scare last Sunday when Matthew woke up with a few red spots all over his body. At first, I thought it was bug bites from being outside all day Saturday. But then we could literally see them spreading and noticed his hands and feet swelling. A quick call to the pediatrician's 24 hour nurse line (I LOVE our pediatrician) and we were on our way to the urgent care clinic. They quickly diagnosed him with an allergic reaction the amoxicillian he had been taking for an ear infection (who knew it can take a week for that kind of reaction?).  Luckily, it did not affect his breathing at all, so it looks more serious than it was. The swelling was the only thing that seemed to bother him (especially at night - it's been a long week). These pictures were on Tuesday (day 3) when it really peaked.  He actually went to daycare like that (with a doctor's note that he was not contagious). He woke up Wednesday virtually hive free, so at least it was quick!

He's so cute - even covered in hives!

Sweet brother trying to make him feel better :-)

Baby Proofing 102

Who me? A troublemaker?

We baby proofed the house when Mason started crawling (at 13 mos), but it is proving to be child's play (pun intended) for our Mr. Mischief Matthew. He is into everything! I often put him in a room full of toys, yet he will go straight for the ONE thing he shouldn't be getting into. He is already pulling up and starting to cruise (at 8 mos) and has already had a few bruises on his face to prove it. He is one very determined little guy. We may have to borrow the nickname of 'honey-badger' from our good friend Ashley Rueckel. It doesn't matter how many times you pull him away from something (usually it's an electrical cord - he's OBSESSED with them), he goes right back to it and will figure out some way to get what he wants.

Another thing we are struggling with is sharing. Mason loves his little brother...  as long as he doesn't touch HIS stuff. This wasn't really a problem until Matthew started crawling. And getting into everything. Now I constantly hear 'MINE!' and 'BABY GOT MY TOY!'. We're trying to encourage Mason to share, but so far, not a lot of progress. Mason knows the 5 things that Matthew got for Christmas, so he will bring all of them to Matthew and take away any of 'his' toys. Those are the only things Matthew is allowed to play with.

We are now using the pack-n-play as a confinement play area. No cords he can get to!

In any room, he goes straight for the electrical cords. We're going to have to go back to the dark ages.

This was waiting for me after church one Sunday. Bumped his head pulling up in the nursery.

A favorite at playtime - pulling brother in the mini-wagon.

This is one of Matthew's toys that he is allowed to play with.

Cute picture of daddy and Mason riding the train at the zoo today. We're enjoying a beautiful warm January weekend!

Merry Christmas 2012!

I can't believe it's almost 2013! We had a great Christmas and I want to share a few pictures from our fun and busy December. I tried to plan one family outing every weekend and I hope we started some traditions that we can continue over the years. This year we had brunch with Santa at a local restaurant. It was a huge hit and Mason loved Santa. I can't believe in his 3 Christmases, we have never had a crying picture with Santa! And Matthew enjoyed it too. Another day we went to ride the Riches (now Macy's) Pink Pig. This is an Atlanta tradition and it's really nothing more than a pig shaped train, but Mason loved it (except for the 1.5 hour wait). I'm sure we'll add to these traditions as the boys get older. We spent the weekend before Christmas with my family on the farm. The boys had a blast as usual. And we were VERY excited to find out on Christmas that we will have a new sister-in-law/aunt and niece/cousin joining our family! Lamar and Brittney are engaged and we can't wait for the wedding next year. Mason and Breanna have a great time playing together and act like cousins already (i.e. fight over toys :-)

We spent Christmas Eve and day at our house. It was so much fun this year since Mason is starting to get it. Unfortunately the 'Santa threats' didn't really help with his behavior yet, but he loved the tree and I think he understood about Santa and Jesus' birthday. Mimi gave him a toy nativity set and he loved to put Jesus and the animals in the stable and would even sing Happy Birthday. When we asked him what he wanted from Santa, all we could get out of him was a 'Mickey Car'. He got that and quite a few other things. The other night we asked him what Christmas was about. He thought for a minute and finally said 'The Tree!!'. Then we asked him whose birthday we celebrate on Christmas and he correctly answered 'Jesus'. I can't wait until next year!

Chunk's first Christmas!

Matthew's class in the DCA Christmas Program.  He's the adorable king - 3rd from the left.

And Mason's class doing a nativity scene. He's the shepherd in green (behind Jesus)

Santa's little helper

His bib says 'Whatever Santa doesn't bring, Grandma will'. So true :-)

Mason and Breanna playing together after opening A LOT of gifts

Breanna showing Mason how to drive his new Jeep!

Matthew would make a pretty girl, dontcha think?

Sweet brothers on Christmas eve

The aftermath on Christmas morning!

Mason with his 'big Buzz' from Santa (he already has a little Buzz)

Mason's version of a nativity scene. Lions, giraffes, a nurse and a circus dog. Why not?

 We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season with their families and loved ones!

More Santa fun!

Santa visited the boys' school last week and I wanted to share the pictures. Mason did great and you can tell how excited he is for Santa this year!

Mason with Santa - 2 1/2 years old

Matthew looks as big as Mason! (7 mos old)

Happy Holidays!

As if the rest of the year hasn't flown by fast enough, it seems like this fall has been warp speed.  We're trying to get ready for the holidays and all I want for Christmas is a healthy family!  It's strange that ever since Matthew started daycare, the rest of the family has been sick.  I guess it's good that the baby has stayed well, but Mason has had some sort of cold or sinus infection for a few months.  We're on round 2 of antiobiotics and it seems to be working.  And then me, Chris and Mason all had the stomach bug from hell over the Thanksgiving break.  No turkey for this house.  Yuck.

I finally ordered our family Christmas card and I won't share the photo here, but I will share a few of the 'runner-ups'.  I already knew that getting a 2 1/2 year old and a 7 mos old to both sit still, look at the camera, and smile would take nothing short of a miracle.  After 3 weekends and 362 photos (I'm not kidding), I finally got one that will do.  It is not perfect, but it will be arriving at a mailbox near you in the next week or so.

And a MAJOR milestone for Matthew! Despite my efforts to stop it, he is officially a crawler! He took off last week and there is no stopping him now. It is a 'real' crawl (not the crab thing that Mason did). I'll try to get a video of him soon.

Post Thanksgiving photo shoot at the farm

Usually when you get a good smile from one of them, the other one is doing this.

My sweet boy checking out the horses.

At this point, Matthew was cold and over it.

Decorating the tree.  Matthew loves the lights.

Meeing Santa at breakfast!  Mason is really into Santa this year!  We've never had any Santa tears!

Bathtime fun and 6 months old!

Matthew is able to sit up enough that he can use the big bathtub under very careful supervision.  They LOVE taking baths together and I think Matthew is going to be another water baby like Mason.  He loves to splash and thinks it's hilarious when Mason splashes him.  Even when I think he's getting a little too rough.

This is fun!

I love bathtime!

And our sweet Matthew is 6 months old already!  He had his 6 month checkup last week and is a happy, healthy boy!  Well, except for a little fever from the vaccines that kept him home from school today.  Here are a few 6 month stats:

• Weighs 18.9 lbs (50-75%) and 27 inches (50-75%).  Slowing down, but still our little chunk
• Eats 3 baby food meals a day and about 5 bottles of breast milk/formula mixture.  He likes just about everything so far.  Sweet potatoes and bananas are favorites.
• Sleeping about 11 hours at night (7:30-6:30).  He's been sleeping better than big brother lately.
• He's already sitting up and attempting to crawl.  He does NOT like to stay still or be left alone
• He's doing great in daycare - he doesn't nap much (like brother), but he loves his teachers and is always happy when I pick him up.
• Current likes: his jumparoo, exersaucer, riding in the wagon, bathtime!

Happy 6 months sweet boy!  We love you!

And I thought I'd share this funny photo session.  Last week before church, we had a few minutes to spare (very rare), so I thought I'd attempt to get a some pictures of the boys dressed up in their cute outfits.  It is getting close to the holidays, so I'm already stressing about that oh so important Christmas Card photo.  My first attempt was an epic fail as you can see.  It is nearly impossible to get them both to stay still and look at the camera (let alone smile).  This is usually what I get.

Attempt #1 - cute Matthew, Mason??

Attempt #2 - OK Mason, that may be a bit much.  and you're scaring your brother.

I may have to get very creative with photoshop this year if I want them both together.  And here is a new album for Winter pictures:  https://picasaweb.google.com/chenretty/Winter2012#