A Spring Day in January

I can't really complain when it's 70 degrees in January!

Yep, that's what it was yesterday.

Today is grey and gloomy (but still 70!)

and the rest of the week will be back to freezing cold. 

I took Matthew to the playground after preschool yesterday.

He loved the swing and even 'told' me to swing next to him,

'mommy down'....as he pointed to the next swing over.

He was all smiles!

And momma was all smiles too because I know the day will come when he will NOT want his momma at the playground with him, let alone swing next to him!

We have NOT started potty training Matthew yet, but on Monday, after his first day of preschool, he came home and kept pointing to his diaper and the bathroom so Steve put him on the toilet.

Yeah, nothing happened. 

I don't know if maybe he see's the other kids go potty at preschool and wanted to do it or what.  We just got a good laugh out of it.  I'm not even sure when to start potty training, but I'm sure it's right around the corner for him.

He keeps us laughing everyday!

On the 1st Day

I spent most of the day yesterday watching the clock and wondering what Matthew was doing at preschool.  I even broke down and called the school to check on him (because they said I could call anytime). 

When we went to pick him up, I made Steve wait outside of the classroom while I went to get Matthew.  I didn't want Matthew to think I was the bad parent that dropped him off and Daddy comes and rescues him!  Ha!

Matthew was so excited to see me when I walked in.  He was reading a book and his little face just lit up.  He wanted to show me all the books and ALL the toys in the room.  Then daddy came in and he was even more excited! 

Here he is showing daddy all the animals painted on the wall. 

Matthew showed us some of his toys in the room.  He was pretty good at matching up the balls to the correct color rings, then whacking it with the little hammer. 

Here's his first day report.

Made me a little sad that he was fussy at times, but it's expected for his first day.

And he didn't eat lunch, but did eat his chocolate chip cookies at snack time!

He took a long nap too!

Since he didn't eat lunch, he was so hungry when we picked him up.  We took him to dinner and then we got froyo at SweetFrog. 

I think he deserved it!

(and mama too)

Daddy 'helped' Matthew draw on the chalboard. 

Matthew LOVES the chalkboard at SweetFrog.

Overall, I think he had a good 1st day!

Although I missed him like crazy, I know it's good for him to be in preschool. 

I Didn't Even Cry...

when I dropped my baby off at preschool today!

(That's because I shed all my tears last night in preparation for today).

Things weren't working out with his new babysitter so we thought it was time to put him in preschool.  It's what's best for him in the long run...

to be around other kids,

to be in a structured environment,

to work on his social and development skills,

and to learn how to share (all the germs and sickness).

When we arrived at the preschool this morning, I walked him into his classroom and helped him with his jacket and then I had to kiss him bye.  He started to cry and screaming 'mommy'.  (Broke my heart).  I finished up some paperwork at the front desk and asked the Director to bring his extra clothes/diapers back into his classroom.  I waited for her to return and asked her how Matthew was doing.  She said he was still crying a little, but there were tears.  And there was a little girl next to him patting his hand.  Isn't that sweet?!  I'm hoping he will make lots of new friends. 

As I sit here in my office blogging working (and worrying myself sick about how Matthew's doing), I keep waiting to hear the pitter patter of his feet running to my office and his little head pop up through the french doors, I miss him SO much! 

This will be an adjustment for Matthew and for momma!

23 Months - Yikes, so close to 2 yrs Old!

In less than a month, my baby is going to be 2!
How is that possible??!!
 

I only got one decent picture of him ^^. 
He's over the pictures.  So am I, but luckily we only have one more month left!



 

Matthew is saying more words and is just full of surprises.

He no longer takes a sippy cup of milk to bed with him.  He drinks his (chocolate) milk in a big boy cup right before bedtime. 

 

Although, he still takes a bottle if he gets up in the middle of the night or if he gets up at the crack of dawn (cause mommy and daddy are way too tired to get up that early with him). 

We will work on being bottle free after he turns 2. 

 

If we're laying down with him, he likes to 'move' us by pushing us with his head.  It's hilarious!

 

When daddy's around, he likes to say, 'move mommy, move' and 'peas move mommy'.

 

 

He can reach the door knobs, but can't quite grip them enough to turn them.  It's just a matter of time though!

 

Matthew LOVES to 'play' Just Dance.  He's pretty quick on his feet!

 

He is JUST now warming up to his grandparents (Steve's parents).  I guess he finally figured they're going to be around for a while!  He is very lucky to have such awesome grandparents.

 

 

Matthew is struggling with his new babysitter.  The language barrier and the fact that she doesn't really play with him so he ends up in my office every second he can 'escape' from her.  We are thinking of putting him into Day Care.  There is one 5 mins from us that we just toured and really like.  I think it will be good for him to develop his social skills (and build his immune system!).

 

 

Daddy's proud that he says 'hammer' now. One tool down, a million more to go!

I LOVE when he puts his face inches from mine in the early morning and whispers 'mamma'. Melts my heart! I cherish those moments.

 

We love him SO much and can't imagine our lives without him. 

The kid is pure joy!  What a blessing.

 



Just do it! - Random Acts of Kindness

The tragedy of the Sandy Hook Elementary school shooting was weighing heavy on my heart.  I can't even imagine what those parents are going through.  Can't imagine how hard the holidays were for those families.  I continue to pray for the families and the community as they try to move forward.

I was on FB one day and saw a posting about Anne Curry's challenge to do 26 random acts of kindness in memory of the lives that were loss. (#26actsofkindness).

As I read about all the kindness that others were doing for total strangers, I knew that I wanted to join in on spreading kindness all around.  I wanted to involve my 9 yr old niece Abbey.  What better way to teach her, right?!!

Abbey didn't get to spend the whole weekend with us so I only had a few hours with her.  So, two weeks ago, we went to the mall, where there is a carousel at the food court (that Matthew loves to ride).  I bought a bunch of tickets for the carousel and taped it to a note that said,

"In honor of the 26 children and adults that were taken from us in Newtown, CT, we are doing 26 random acts of kindness.  We hope this will bring a smile to your face this Christmas season and we hope you will pay it forward to someone else with another random act of kindness"

Abbey handed them out to parents with kids and she had a little speech that she rehearsed over and over.  She was so nervous at first, but got the hang of it.  It was so awesome to see people's reaction. Everyone was SO surprised and seeing the smiles on their faces were priceless.  There were parents who thought they  had to pay us and when we said it was free, they were genuinely grateful (one mom actually cried, which made me cry too!) 

I was SO proud of Abbey.  I'm so glad we were able to do such a simple act of kindness that had such a big impact.  I really wanted to teach Abbey that in light of tragedy, we can always find ways to serve and show kindness. 

I hope and pray that everyone can spread a little more cheer by doing random acts of kindness.

Just do it!