April

I decided to change the names of the posts to the names of the months instead of Matthew's age.
It is finally starting to get nice outside. We love to be out, playing and taking walks. We explored the neighborhood a bit and found a perfect park for Matthew. It has some small slides with stairs and some animals to rock on. Most parks have such difficult equipment and Matthew has a hard time playing. He loves to do things by himself and loves to show off. The more attention he has, the sillier he gets. He's quite the entertainer. He makes me laugh every day. He does still have his moments where he just wants to cuddle or have me play with him. It will be so much more difficult when we have another baby needing attention but if the hardest part of my day is fitting in snuggling with cuddling then I don't have anything to complain about.
The baby is moving and kicking more now. I can't feel him from the outside yet. I am looking around to find the perfect bedroom set. I want a complete, matching room that will last a long time. I'm looking for a tall dresser, long dresser/changing table and a lifetime crib that turns into a toddler bed and a full size bed. I don't want to spend a fortune though. Once we find the perfect set, I will be able to start decorating his room. It seems the months are going so fast. September will be here before we know it!!

2 Years Old!

I don't even know where to begin. I have so many mixed emotions. I love who Matthew is becomming. He is very affectionate and caring. He loves to learn and he picks up on things so fast! He also pushes my buttons just a little bit. Sometimes I can't believe he is two already. I wish I could freeze time and keep him at this age forever but there will always be new things for us to enjoy.

Friday, on Matthew's birthday, Robert was able to take the day off and we took him to the Shedd Aquarium. We had so much fun. There is a lot to see there and he loves fish and turtles. It was nice just to spend the day together. 

We have so many amazing friends and family, we needed two days to celebrate! We had birthday parties on Saturday and Sunday. Both days went perfectly. It was a lot of work, but worth it. I think everyone had fun. We know Matthew did. He received amazing gifts. Everyone was very generous and he is very spoiled. 

I am finally out of the first trimester. I am a little less worried and more excited. I hope Matthew adjusts when the time comes. I know it is hard on every older sibling and hopefully they will get along. We found out that we are having a boy! I am so excited! I haven't started the room yet and I will wait just a couple more months before we get it set up. We have until September so I don't need to rush. It just makes it more exciting and real. 

Through everything in life, my love and respect for Robert grows. He is such an amazing husband. He is always asking if there is anything he can do for me. He is always there for us and I know I can always count on him. 

 Easter Egg Hunt at Cosley's

Matthew and his Great Grandparents 

 having fun in the snow

 love this smile!

Shedd Aquarium  

23 Months!

I'm not going to even say it. I say it every month.
I will say again how much I love our family. Robert is such an amazing husband and such a great father. He works so hard so I can stay home ,and while some days are harder than others, I wouldn't trade it for anything! He is a man of few words but he makes me laugh and I couldn't imagine my life without him.
Matthew is starting to say a few more words now. I was really starting to get worried. He says "up" and "hot" a lot now. He loves when I overreact when he does something good and when he said those words for the first time I think my neighbors heard me screaming! I hope he will start trying to say more. He babbles a bit but I can't really understand what he is saying. He loves to shake his head no, like if I ask him a question or give him a meal he doesn't want. I do like that he understands what I'm saying. Matthew is a little show-off too. When we have company or go somewhere, he will do anything to get attention. It's really cute until he licks the floor at Walmart...ewww. He is still unbelievable at sleeping and taking naps. We are thinking of changing the crib to a toddler bed for his birthday. I hope he still loves to sleep as much as he does now.

Love this face!! 

 Sledding Day!!

Having fun at the library-so smart!

Our little family has big news to share...in September Matthew will be a big brother! We are so excited! And maybe a little scared. I love the idea of Matthew and his little brother or sister being close in age. I love the fact that they will grow up together and maybe have some of the same interests. I have to keep up with this blog. I don't want to forget anything and time (and my memory) goes by so fast!!

 6 weeks

9 weeks 

My growing belly at 11 weeks

22 Months!

That month went by way too fast! Matthew is such a little stinker! I think we are getting closer to the terrible twos! Only two months from now we will be having his second birthday party!
When I ask him for a kiss or to lay down so I can change his diaper, he either hides from me or shakes his head no. It was cute at first but now I have to chase him around. He is still a great sleeper. He knows the routine and I know when I put him in his bed, he will go to sleep. He sleeps for about 11-12 hours at night and a 2 hour nap during the day. Sometimes he will take a longer nap but most days it is from 1pm-3pm. It gives me a chance to get things done...laundry, cleaning, dinner started and writing blogs.
He is starting to become a picky eater again. He used to love chicken nuggets and I didn't think he would ever get sick of them. A lot of the foods I give him now get thrown on the floor. I'm running out of meal ideas. He loves cookies but I can't really give him cookies for dinner. And he still likes fruit but again, not a great meal. Hopefully he will just start eating what we have for dinner and then I don't have to make a bunch of food. I think we are a ways away from that still.
Matthew is still the sweetest boy in the world. We snuggle on the couch and he will take my hand and take me to where he is playing so I can play with him. He is getting closer to talking. When we were playing with his train table and one of the tracks came apart, it sounded like he said "fix it". He is learning his letters too. I tell him what they are and now he can point at some when I ask where they are. He is so smart.
We are still loving our new home. We are settled in and just doing a little decorating now. It is starting to feel more like home now.
We are loving life and we love this boy!

21 Months!

Oh my goodness! 21 months already! Some days it feels like I just started this blog. Wow.
I was a little late this month but now I can include more which will make this a little longer than usual.
We are in our own home! It was a little weird at first but I think we are settled. We had a lot of work to do and thankfully we have amazing family that came over without even being asked. Everyone knew what needed to be done and it went very quickly. We are still adding some things here and there but we love it. Matthew is such a good boy. He has adapted extremely well to everything. He knows where his room is. He actually knows a lot more than he seems. He's a stinker.
We were able to be moved in to celebrate Christmas in our house. This Christmas seemed a little crazier than some in the past but it was still awesome to be able to get together and see everyone. Matthew received some wonderful gifts. Everyone was way too generous and he is way too spoiled. I don't think we will need another toy or anymore clothes until next Christmas!!
Matthew is doing this new thing now where he leads me where he wants me to go. It's really cute when he wants me to play with him. Although, it can be a little frustrating when he leads me away from the kitchen in the middle of making dinner or cleaning up. I have to remember that he will not be this little forever and I should take every advantage of playing with him while I can. He loves the movie 'Finding Nemo' so between that and his nap, I am able to get everything done. He really is the best little boy! I get hugs and kisses (almost) whenever I ask for one. He is such a sweet and lovable boy! I can't believe he will be 2 in three months. I shouldn't even be thinking that far ahead. Now for the best part....pictures!

sitting on the deck in our new backyard 

such a stinker 

helping daddy put up the lights 

 he seems to be thinking "really mom?" 

 

he received this toy for his first birthday and still plays with it almost every day

Christmas morning! So many new toys and puzzles!!

sitting nice with Gianna 

 eating Christmas dinner on Great Grandma's floor

Pictures!

Halloween! These boys are so cute!

Our family picture in front of our tree! 

20 Months!

We have a very busy month ahead of us. We have been living with Robert's parents for a year. We found a house we love and we close a week from today. We have a lot of work to do on the house...cleaning, some painting and new carpet. We are so excited, and a little sad, too. It is close to everyone so I will still be able to watch Ryan and our new niece/nephew two days a week! We are so thrilled for Teresa, Joe and big brother Ryan!
Matthew is growing by the day. Not only out of his clothes I thought would fit him for today (Thanksgiving) but in the things he does. The other day, he went into the drawer of Tupperware and pulled out a red, transparent lid. He sat on the couch and looked through the lid at the lamp. It was so cute and so funny. How does he know that if he looks through this, everything will seem red? I watch him everyday do something new. He loves to turn on the radio and dance. (Robert's dad doesn't like it as much, but tolerates it) When Robert gets home from work, Matthew puts his arms around his neck and tries to lift him up to take him to look at the turtle in the office. It is turning into their little routine when he gets home and I know it makes Robert feel special to do something everyday, just the two of them. I guess we are going to have to get a turtle for the new house.
Matthew is starting to become a picky eater. I think he is getting sick of his favorites but won't try anything new either. It gets very frustrating trying to find something he will eat. I'm sure it is just a phase. He is still a great sleeper, for naps and at night. We have a routine we have stuck to since the beginning and most of the time he knows when I get his milk that means he is going to bed.
He is such a good boy and Robert is such a great husband and father.
We are very fortunate to have loving parents and family. Robert's parents allowed us to live with them for a year and never asked for anything in return. I can't even express how much we appreciate what they have done for us and continue to do for us! <3
I can't post any pictures right now but will soon.