2015 part two

So the first half started with a plummet and plateaued as we dealt with Sean coming and going with work. 

July

Since Sean couldn't stay home, we went to him. Matthew went on his first plane ride; I rented my first rental car and drove it without getting lost. We explored a lot of the area around us and were grateful  just to see Sean at night. We also got to celebrate his birthday with him out of state. 

August 

We tried to establish some normalcy with having Sean home every week day and weekend. It was weird not having to drive to the airport every week or so. 

September 

Matthew, Grandma and I traveled to visit Aunt Amanda. We had a great time going to a drive through zoo, checking out where Uncle Billy works, visiting downtown and just hanging out. 

We also watched cousin Kenzie at her first gymnastics meet of the season. Matthew wanted to get out on the mat with her. 

October

This was a pumpkin filled month. We picked  u out one at a pumpkin patch, went to Seaworld twice for their party. We also went to our first neighborhood party. 

 

We trick or treated around our block. Matthew was good until there was a haunted house. Then he wanted to go bye bye. 

November 

The start of the incline to the roller coaster. We went on our first family cruise! It was a blast, but a totally different experience than our previous cruises. Matthew loved dancing on the lido deck, riding the elevators and climbing the stairs. His favorite food at dinner was the fruit cocktail and he loved the fuss the waiters made over him. I danced with him on formal night as he loved the band. We went to Key West and explored for a couple of hours. For the Bahamas we just got off to get our picture. 

We had a sneaking suspicion that our first cruise as a family of three was actually as a family of four and we confirmed that after the cruise was over. Baby was due in July right around Sean's birthday. Our appointment wasn't until December so we had to wait another month. 

We also celebrated our friend's baby shower as she prepares to welcome a baby GIRL! Those are a rarity around here. Then it was time for Thanksgiving. Matthew played with his cousins on Thursday and then did Thanksgiving with my family on Friday. He wore his big brother shirt to share the good news for my parents. It was a much smaller Thanksgiving on my side as it was our first without Grandpa and Grandma spent it with her other daughters. 

On a spiritual note, our church spent the last half of October and all of this month in devoted prayer and fasting. I focused on the hurt I still had with God about our first miscarriage. Yes, for those counting, my miscarriage happened on Jan. 22, 2013 and Matthew was 18 months at the  time. But I had gone on at a superficial level with him since he had allowed me to suffer. I finally was at peace about the loss of our first baby. 

December 

We peaked and plummeted and had little blips of happy during this month. The month started with our visit to our new OB. My previous one was switching to older women problems and I hadn't really been attached to him anyway. This new one was awesome. He chatted with us, got my full history and told us we would get an ultrasound soon and then another one at 11-12 weeks. Woohoo! And in a surprise from God, we had an ultrasound scheduled that day. Such a blessing. We saw our baby and the heartbeat and we got three pictures! 

In the waiting room before we were called in

Our baby!

We told Sean's side of the family and told  the ladies of girls' night our good news. Then we prepared for a trip to Ft. Lauderdale as Sean had a conference we could go to. But first we would let Matthew spend his first night at Grandma & Poppy's house. Not gonna lie, I cried at the thought of him waking up without me. That was a first for both of us. But we survived and picked up one child and dropped the other (fur) child off.

Oh, Ft. Lauderdale. I went pregnant and came back with an empty womb. We were fortunate to know it was coming. We prayed and said good bye and I sang    Jesus loves you.  I introduced the baby to the family in Heaven - silly, but I was more reassuring myself that our baby wasn't alone. I am so thankful that I have pictures of our baby, proof that our baby existed even if it was only 8 weeks. 

Then we had the holidays and doctor appointment and bloodwork, where I nearly fainted. Matthew redeemed the holidays with simple joys over "ights," his presents and his smile, hugs, hand holding and laughter even when I was crying. He was a little bit into the paper this year, a step up from last year. 

My inlaws gifted us with Disney passes, much to my surprise. 

We used our seaworld passes before they expired. And we hosted Christmas at our new house for the first time. It went well. 

Now the holidays are over. I'm still processing all the lost dreams for next year - no birthday baby for Sean, this Christmas wasn't Matthew's last as an only child, the fears that Matthew may have been our only healthy pregnancy- but I am in a better place spiritually than last time. Praying God's blessing over 2016, especially for a healthy, full term pregnancy with a living baby in 2017 it seems. 

2015 - a roller coaster part one

It's that time again, another year has gone. And to be honest, this year has been a tough one. I'm praying for less of a turbulent ride, but I have learned that God is in the boat with us through all storms. And so here it is, our year in review:

January 

We sold our first home. After being on the market for a couple of months, we were glad to have sold it. We moved into apartments and became avid house hunters. We also did a joint 80th birthday celebration for my grandparents as my Grandpa had turned 80 on Christmas and my Grandma turned 80 in March.  My Grandpa had shared his lung cancer diagnosis with us on Christmas Day so that year ended rough and 2015 started the same as we anticipated only a couple more months with Grandpa. He arrived with his wife and all 4 children at Texas de Brazil by limo and we joined him there. It was the calm before the storm. 

February 

Sean spent 3 weeks in Seattle, 3 straight weeks. That meant Matthew had to man up for his first Valentine's Day. We went on a date to chick fil a and then to his first baseball game. It was chilly so we left after the first inning. 

He visited his Grandpa and received a set of engraved silver spoons. 

And then Grandpa went to Heaven on Feb 24th. His funeral was on Friday, the 27th, and we got to spend time with family remembering him. The very next day Matthew competed in the inaugural crawl race at UCF's basketball game and won $200. Not too shabby. 

March

We started off the month visiting Grandma to celebrate her 80th birthday. She gave back her birthday balloon, which was very kind as Matthew loved it. 

At the end of the month we visited Sarasota. We went to the beach, visited a garden where flamingoes walked freely around and fed them, & checked out an Amish restaurant. 

Most exciting event of the month: Matthew took his first steps! He walked in his bedroom at our apartment. Very exciting, but what a game changer.  

April

Matthew's last first before his birthday. He went on his first Easter egg hunt. He crawled to his basket on Easter morning and then we went to sunrise serviced. 

We celebrated my first birthday as a momma. Sean and I went out to lunch and walked around furniture store, because we had a contract on a house! We were saying adios to apartment life and getting a backyard for our Coco girl!

 

May

Our 6th anniversary and our baby's first birthday! We had a ball themed party, featuring all of Matthew's stats. He loved the balloons and his favorite present was the vacuum. He didn't open anything.  But he liked his cake and he definitely had the hang of it on his actual birthday. 

   

Last year we celebrated our anniversary by bringing Matthew home. This year we went to see Beauty & the Beast as a play. Oh and we moved into our new home. 

June

We celebrated our first holiday in our new home, Father's Day. We were just glad Sean was home for it. June started the summer of travel and Matthew and I were alone for almost every week. Not fun but we had some weekends together. 

2014 in Review

 I honestly don't remember much before baby boy arrived but I'll give it a go. 

January 

This month marked 1 year since we found out we miscarried. 

February 

We took one last trip just the two of us to Clearwater beach. It was a short trip but we enjoyed walking around the state park and the beach area. This was also the last month that I worked full time due to the start of March accident.  

March 

 The month began in chaos as we retuned from our trip only to have the Sentra be hit and put to rest. This accident required me to go to the hospital by ambulance. It was the first time I prayed for baby boy specifically by name. We listened to his heart beat for 6 hours and while there were some minor contractions, all was well. Sean had to travel on business so I stayed at my mom and dads house. This was the month that Matthew boy was showered  in presents. 

April 

The month of baby boy's arrival based on his due date. With each doctor's visit I was promised that he would arrive early. April after all is the month of diamonds and who doesn't Love diamonds. But no dice. We celebrated my birthday by going to a ballet. We saw Carmen and both decided that we aren't ballet people.  We assembled his crib and got things ready as we waited. 

May

A new month of pregnancy but also the month when I delivered our baby boy. What a game changer. After nearly a week in the hospital we brought him home on our 5th anniversary. Two days later I celebrated Mother's Day in a whole new way. Matthew got me a necklace with his  name, birth stone and birthdate in it. At the end of the month Matthew met his uncle billy and aunt Amanda. 

June 

 The first time we went to church was on Father's Day. Matthew got Sean a quiver with the Bible verse written on the outside of it. 

July 

Matthew went on his first road trip to see his grandparents for the 4th of July. He slept through the fireworks just like he is sleeping through them now while I write this on New Year's Eve. It was Sean's first birthday as a dad and Matthew gave him a personalized picture puzzle. We celebrated his birthday throughout the month on prime days since he had a prime birthday. 

August 

Matthew went to his first birthday party. He also met his great aunt Debbie and one of his cousins. 

September 

This was a month we praise God for Matthews flat nose. We had to take him to an ophthalmologist to see if he was cross eyed. It turns out a flat nose can cause the same effect as cross eyed. We were thankful that all we needed to do was watch his nose grow and that we didn't have to worry about patches and surgeries. He totally rocked the paper sunglasses

October

Matthew tried food for the first time. He looked like the hulk by the end of his avocado meal. Within a couple weeks he was loving it. Carrots and pears were a favorite. Matthew celebrated his first Halloween as  a lion. He trick or treated at our door and then went to his first party. There was another munchkin there who is 2 weeks older. They chatted back and forth for a little bit and then it was time for bed for them. 

November 

Matthew celebrated his half birthday by going to the voting polls. He got his first sticker. He also celebrated 2 thanksgivings. He tried some pumpkin purée and had some sweet potato. He wasn't really a fan of the turkey and sweet potato purée. On the anniversary of our first date we went to celebration for the fake snow. Matthew met Santa Clause and enjoyed the fountain. He didn't notice the snow. He also started crawling this month. 

December 

What didn't happen in December? We traveled to the beach for a work conference for Sean. Matthew touched the sand and the ocean for the first time. The next week we dedicated Matthew in church. He was quite the ham. Then we traveled for Christmas with Sean's side and came back to celebrate it with my side. We went to Seaworld for the day. This month it seemed was the motor month for the boy. He went from barely crawling to pulling up to stand and standing independently for up to 15 seconds. Nothing is safe now. 

So that's 2014 in a nutshell. Matthew has been such a game changer. We love him so much and it is so exciting to see him grow each and every day. We look forward to what the new year will bring and the many memories we will make as a family.

My 1/2 year old

This  past Tuesday Matthew celebrated his half year birthday. Sean was out of town so Matthew and I celebrated at my parents' house. He had a dinner of  applesauce and pear purée and got a couple new toys. I can't believe we have already hit the half year mark. So much has changed this past month.

Milestones
Rolled from back to tummy on 10/20. This is truly a game changer. He has rolled tummy to back off and on since he was 1 month old. Since he figured out back to tummy he has been a mobile man.

Started walking in his walker. And finding outlets. And trying to pull the trashcan down. And pulling the bottom rack of the dishwasher. Before he could only go backwards.

Pushing up into quad. He can rock back and forth. He can move his legs but collapses into a nose dive when he moves his arms. He basically does half of the worm.

He has started clapping. He doesn't do it as in excitement but more as an activity.

Two teeth have finally popped through the gums.

Makes consonant vowel sounds, sounding like daddy or dada at times. The only mmm I get tends to be food related.

Firsts
He went trick or treating as an adorable little lion at our house. Then he went to his first Halloween party and chatted with another 6 month old. He lasted for about 45 minutes and

Food
He went from trying food on his 5 month birthday to eating at most 3 ice cubes to now eating a whole container. He tried carrots and pears together and man, I wish I had recorded it. He couldn't get the spoon in and out fast enough. Delish! He tried oatmeal and banana tonight for dinner and that was amazing as well.
Right now he eats: sweet potatoes, acorn squash, butternut squash, carrots, apples, pears, bananas, prunes, and oatmeal

Sleep
I would prefer this be an area not discussed. Matthew is still waking throughout the night. I have once again  eaten my words as a parent. I have slept on the floor with Matthew and when Sean gets up, I have brought him into the bed. It doesn't change the frequency of waking but I don't have to move as much. Last night he stayed on his crib for the whole night. This meant that I frequently was in his room. He needed some pats and some rocks to sleep but he did better than expected. here's hoping.

Toys
Matthew is quite skilled at finding the tags on toys and other objects and sucking on them. For this reason he loves his tag blanket. Mortimer the moose was a wonderful gift. He is able to roll around to different toys. He can knock down his soft blocks and bang his toys. When in sitting he uses his feet to play with toys. He looks like he might be a soccer player much to the chagrin of his grandpa.

Matthew, you have grown so much. It's hard to believe we have had you for 6 months already. You are such a happy baby. You smile and grin at everyone. You take a little bit to wake up but when you do you start talking and don't stop. Your only real dislike is car rides but otherwise you are good to go with everything. People say you look like the gerber baby but I think you're cuter. We love you so much!

My 5 month old

Measurements:

• Height 26.25" which is in the  73%
• Weight 18 # 9 oz = 83%
• Clothes size 9 for onesies and shirts. He needs the 12 month for the waist in shorts and pants. He rocks the adorable rolled pant leg since he's not as long.
• Diapers size 4 due to rolls. Hopefully we'll be in this size for a little bit

Milestones

• Remembered how to roll from tummy to back and is so close to back to tummy. He arches his trunk and tilts his head back pretty far but he just can't figure out how to push all the way over. 
• Pivots 180 degrees on tummy. He can do this on his back too with a combo of half rolls and leg flails 
• Reaches for a toy with one hand while on his tummy. He also likes to fly on his baby Einstein toy by reaching and holding on with both hands. 
• Eats his piggy toes. They are definitely a favorite toy. 
• Sits unsupported and plays with toys. He does still tip backwards without recovering his balance. 
• Reaches for toys in sitting which sometimes causes him to face plant onto his tummy. 
• Found his screaming voice. He can hit some pretty high notes. 
• Became More aware of mommy and daddy and when we are or are not in the room. 

Firsts

• Sat in a high chair at a restaurant 
• Went to school at UCF for typical kid assessment day
• Ate real solid food. So far he has had avocado, sweet potato, acorn squash, carrots and banana. His fingers finally have flavor.
• Met his great aunt Liz. 
• Has a tooth breaking through. He has been teething for months so it's nice to see some results finally. 
• Wore paper sunglasses after a visit to an ophthalmologist. Thankfully he just has a flat nose and isn't cross eyed. 

Matthew boy we love  you so much. You are a giggly, smiling happy baby. You have a smile for almost everyone. If you have just woken up then it might take a little longer to smile at strangers. You are so good at anticipating tickles that you often squirm and giggle before you are even tickled. You have a love of books that extends beyond just reading them. You want to devour them. We're not quite sure if story time actually calms you down because you just want to eat the books. The same goes with bath time. How you enjoy splashing in the tub and playing with the rubber ducky and friends. You can pet your Coco now but we have to watch since you don't understand gentle quite yet. Coco loves to be by your side at meal times to help keep you clean. And that is most certainly a job. You like to hold the spoon and attempt to feed yourself. You're getting there but it's still better if you let us do it. And you definitely love your food. You slap the table, hum, grunt and pant while waiting for your next bite. We can't wait till thanksgiving when you can enjoy a family meal of purée foods -

 Delish. And speaking of family you have a special relationship with your great grandpa. He loves to watch you, kiss you and comment on your hair growth. Your hair is just now starting to be visible but he has noticed every little centimeter of growth. It's so nice to watch him with you. It's like you bring him back to us and the real world. 

Well my little pumpkin I wonder what the next month will bring. More cuddles, smiles and giggles for sure. We love you!

My 4 month old

Matthew has changed so much these past 2 months. He continues to be more and more aware if his surroundings and has improved his motor skills so that he can engage with it.

Height: long. We'll find out next week at his well visit.
Weight: 16 lbs 12 oz. he got weighed at his sick visit.
Diapers: size 3
Clothes: at this point size 6. Size 6-9 and 9 are a little big but easy to get on.

Sleep
The past 2 months have been a bit rough in this department. He went from 5-7 hours uninterrupted to 1-4. We'll make it.

Milestones:

Found his feet with his hands.

Found a new favorite toy in his feet

Went to his first birthday party

Kicked his legs while swimming in the pool.

Took a bath in a real bath tub and loved it

Met his great Aunt Debbie and cousin Brooke

Went to a petting zoo but did not pet any animals. We went to the farmers market and saw pigs, goats, cows and lots of poultry.

Went to the mall for the first time and got lots of clothes

Started sleeping in his crib at night on 8/24. I didn't really want to do this but he exceeded the weight limit for his bassinet.

Met a football legend.

Got his shirt signed by said legend.

Was on TV getting his shirt signed by said legend.

Went to the church nursery for the first time with mommy and then spent the next Sunday at the nursery by himself.

Got his first cold :(

Emerging skills

Sitting unsupported while playing with a toy
Reaching with both hands for objects

It's unreal how much our lives have changed since May and how much I can love such a little munchkin. I look forward each day to the smiles and laughs that he gives so willingly. One of my favorite activities is tummy tickles. He laughs in advance of the tickles and seems to smile with his whole body. He is so adorable.

Matthew boy, mommy and daddy love you so much. We love going on walks with you in our arms. You love being outside, looking at the trees or the clouds. Bath time is a new favorite time for you and you create your own wave pool with the amount of splashing. You like to read books and turn the pages in an attempt to eat them. In fact your favorite thing in the whole world is to have something in  your mouth.  We love you!

Precious moments

Time has changed since having Matthew. It seems to go flying by when I consider how old he is. So here are some moments where I wish time could stop:

Looking down to see him smile up at me while I rock him in the back of the church

Being the one to stop his cries simply by holding him

Being greeted by his smiling face in the crib to start his day

Getting cuddles as he snuggles his head into the crook of my neck

Having post meal conversations full of smiles and giggles

Watching bath time as he creates a full on wave storm

Having him fall asleep in my arms

Watching him play with Sean.


While being a mommy is the hardest thing I've ever done, I can't imagine my life without him. He brings so much joy and happiness into my life.