9 Months Old

Matthew is 9 months old.

He
...crawls super fast on all fours.
...loves to go to playgroup on Fridays.
...is a super happy baby.
...is trying to give up his third nap, but having a rough time with it.
...has 2 bottom teeth, and 2 top teeth trying to come in.
...pulls himself on top of everything.
...still gets in the dog food, but he is leaning towards playing with it instead of eating it.
...is a joy to have around.
...is starting to cruise around the couch.

Matthew's First Christmas

This morning started at 4. Yes 4. Now for those kids that understand Christmas and Santa, and all the excitement I understand starting early. For a kid that thinks like this:


(ie, the box is the best part) 4am does not make sense. But alas, I digress. I was in no mood to get up for real, and Nick was sleeping soundly. So, I employed the heater. Meaning, I tucked Matthew into bed next to me facing the space heater. Something about the warmth from the heater, the fascination of the heater rotating, and the red numbers puts Matthew back to sleep 90% of the time. Luckily, it worked. Until 7am. Nick got up this time. But since sleep was not coming back (elusive devil!) up we all got. We padded into the kitchen where breakfast was waiting.


Another tradition is to get any cereal you want for breakfast (and sometimes a mid morning snack). I'm not sure if Santa brings cereal, or if Mom and Dad do. I'll have to check on that.

After 2 very slow moving parents had added sugar to their systems, it was onto opening presents.

One of the best gifts was the books from grandparents. One from each set, reading a story in their own voices. Matthew was fascinated, and spent the first read through trying to figure out where the voices came from. Stitch spent the time sniffing and checking out the books trying to figure out where the people were hiding.


It was then nap time for all parties. Followed by a delicious dinner of ham and potatoes. Matthew received brand new bowls that stick to surfaces for Christmas. He was happy to try them out.


Nick and I spent the afternoon testing out our new games. Luckily for me, today was my day and I was able to win a little more than I lost.

We had a great quiet Christmas. We spoke with many family members over the phone. I'm very grateful for my little family, and I look forward to Christmas yet to come.

Merry Christmas

And a Happy New Year!

This was taken at Nubble Lighthouse. We were thrilled to enjoy a drive up to Maine with my sister in September.

Christmas Cards

I love getting Christmas Cards!

I love that I have a great doorway to hang them in!

Rockefeller Tree

Nick and I have always wanted to go to New York around Christmas time. With only one job to manage around, this year we made it!
First on my list was to see the Rockefeller Christmas Tree.

Our Christmas Tree

Our Christmas tree is faring well. I'm a little surprised, but so far nothing major. Just a few ornaments (that look like toys) have been played with. A present that makes noise is moved around.

Games

For as long as I can remember, Nick and I have always been the aunt and uncle that give games for Christmas. We love to play games, and have enjoyed playing games with our nieces and nephews. There's nothing like gathering together around a table to play a game.

Ornaments

Every year Nick and I buy an ornament for Christmas.

Here's a few favorites:

An angel from "It's a Wonderful Life"; Harry Potter

Belle, my favorite princess; Celebrating our Disney Vacation

Christmas Tree

Nick and I have started our own tradition when it comes to decorating the tree.

While decorating the tree we watch Christmas Vacation. I love being able to enjoy the chaotic Griswold Christmas disaster while placing ornaments here and there on the tree. We have the movie pretty memorized, so no need to worry about pausing or talking while it's playing. There's something relaxing about knowing that no matter what happens during the Christmas season, I will never have the SWAT team breaking through my windows.

Three Gifts for Christmas

December is always a time to reflect on the Christmas season and traditions. Traditions that I grew up with, traditions that Nick grew up with, traditions we have formed together, and traditions that we want for Matthew.
One of the things I've disliked about Christmas is how commercial it is. As just the two of us, Nick and I have always been able to put a limit on our Christmas spending, and keep presents to a minimum. This year, we heard about something that's been around for awhile: giving three gifts to represent the three gifts Jesus was give by the Wise Men.
So, going forward, Matthew will get 3 gifts from us, and a stocking from Santa. He will get gifts from family that doesn't count as part of his 3 gifts. And hopefully we will be able to keep Christ in Christmas.

8 Months Old

Matthew is 8 months old.


He
...can stand holding on to objects.
...crawl very fast.
...pulls on any cord he can reach.
...babbles, especially when asked a question.
...has no fears.
...loves to tease and torment the dog.
...loves to be in the kitchen when I'm cooking.
...tries to pull himself up on everything.
...takes 2 good naps, and 1 mini nap a day.
...eats anything and everything. He is not picky at all!
...is a joy to have in our life.

Naptime Interrupted

I was enjoying the benefits of naptime. Cleaning up the house (except toys. That is a never ending battle best fought after the rascal goes to bed), checking Facebook, relaxing in general. Then I hear a loud bang. An inconsistent, intermittent banging. The kinda banging that makes me wonder if maybe someone broke in the house with drums. Granted, the banging sound was being intensified through the baby monitor.

Nope. Not a drummer or any other person/animal/thing. Just a child who decided he was done napping and wanted to ring the done gong.

How my too smart child managed to realize the cord was there and pull it through the crib bars is anyone's guess but mine. I have no idea.


Yes, yes cords are dangerous. But in my case, I think they are more dangerous to the item attached to the cord (ie baby monitor) than the rascal that is trying to pull the cord out of said item.

Orange you glad to see me?

The orange never stood a chance. It was decimated within minutes.

Happy Thanksgiving to all the non food out there. May you not be decimated.

Stuck

Having a crawler in the house leads to interesting discoveries.
Pants that are not tight enough, will come off:

Places that are tight will become hazards.
And babies that are tenacious will manage to get stuck.

He is not pinned perse, but he is definitely stuck.

Tuckered Out

Sometimes nap time comes unexpectedly.

We tried to make him comfortable after we debated the age old question:
Should we move him?

All Done Signs

I thought about teaching him sign language. I show him the sign for "All done". I try to get across what it means. He usually ignores me, and just turns his head when done.


Apparently, he has made his own "All Done" sign.

Sleeping Positions

If you are little and tired, then you can sleep almost anywhere.
If you are loved by your dog, then he will cuddle up to you.
If you are both very quiet, then mom will check on you, and probably take a picture.
Especially since you both look so cute taking your naps.


In his crib Matthew will end up in this basic position. He starts in the middle of the bed, on his back, watching the mobile.
He will then roll over, and crawl up to the top of the crib until there isn't anywhere else to go. That is where he likes to sleep. At night, he is on more of an angle, as he stretches his body out and he is too long to lay shortways in his crib anymore.

More Trouble

Matthew has a fascination with moving now. I get it, I'm not very good at staying still and relaxing. But I'm now finding out all those little things that he likes: cords, paper, tipping anything and everything over...
I have a few storage boxes, you've seen them, they are meant to look like ottomans, but they are hollow inside. Well, I thought I had the electronics and cords blocked off from Matthew's reach.

Apparently not.
I also have a recycle box in the house that we transfer to the outside (why the extra work? Because I hate going in and out of the house all day.) Matthew finds it great to pull himself up on the box, and tip it over. After it's tipped he...well, let me show you:

The little bits of paper will have slobber on them. The milk jug will be pounded on as it's a noisemaker. Any cans are rolled away and chased. Boxes that are not flattened make great toys as well.

He's happy, healthy, and curious. That's all that matters in the long run.