Reflections on 2011

Dear Matthew,

I know you are just a baby and considerate gift giving is not yet something you are concerned with, but I want you to know that you, my sweet boy, have given me the greatest gift with the year you've given me. Hands down, 2011 was my best ever! Most people probably think that started when you were born, but in truth I fell in love with you all the way back in January. At the very beginning of the year I felt your precious hands and feet touch me for the first time. I spent the next few months getting to know you. I learned that you were an active, funny boy with a sweet touch. In February I was really sick and I was worried about your health too, but you kept up those kicks and sweet touches to let me know you were ok and you did your best to make me feel better and stronger every day. By May your touches were not so delicate and I could see you swim and flip around in my belly. I knew you would be a strong boy and I could hardly wait to see your perfect face and hear your sweet cries. The first half of 2011 was the time in my life I felt the most anticipation for anything ever. I loved being pregnant with you. It was such an intimate time. I fell in love with you more and more each day, but you were still somewhat of an unknown to me.

The night we went to the hospital to welcome you to the world will be forever ingrained in my mind. I remember every second like time stood still. You took longer than I had hoped but you came out perfectly healthy. You had the most beautiful color and the softest skin I'd ever felt. Your head was full of beautiful dark hair with some light little streaks. Your eyes were a dark gray and when you looked at me my heart melted. You were perfect. You were exactly the boy I was meant to have, and every day I've been blessed by your sweet spirit, your warm heart, your happy giggles, your inquisitive mind, and your tender touches.

The next two months were really challenging. You were so confused about the world and I wanted to give you peace. I had to learn a lot about being a good mommy and I had to learn how to read your wants and best meet your needs. It was exhausting but in helping you to make sense of your world you began to trust me and know I was here for you. When you smiled and laughed it melted my heart, when you buried your head in my chest you gave me peace, when you nursed in my arms you warmed my soul and helped me say prayers of thanks to God for all my blessings wrapped up in you. When you kissed me for the first time you gave me chills, and when I saw you accomplish feats of strength like rolling over, standing, and sitting you made me proud. Every day you became more beautiful to me. Every day I felt like I knew you better than the day before. Every day you gave me purpose and helped me find strength when I was tired or missing daddy.

The last few months have been my greatest gifts. I was able to stay home from work until you were almost 7 months old. That is a lot longer than most mommies are able to stay home. You seemed to become a boy in those months. You didn't seem like such a baby. You laughed at your daddy nonstop. You started becoming interested in family and friends and seeing you interact with people who love you as you get to know them has been very rewarding. It is so amazing to see life through the eyes of my child, who is experienceing everything for the first time. Your daddy and I have had so much fun with you. It is a different life than we led before, but it is the most precious way to live life I can imagine.

This truly has been a year filled with blessings everywhere I look. Of course you are my most treasured blessing, but I have many others too. Your daddy. He is a great partner to me. He is helpful to our family and works hard to support us so I could stay home with you. He loves you so much and I know that having a great daddy is not something anyone is guaranteed in life. He is special! Our health. We know many people battling cancer and disease, and even know of a baby who lost her life right out of the blue this year. We take nothing for granted and know that without your health, not much else in life matters. Our jobs. Daddy has done so well this year as a firefighter. He is courageous, strong, and knowledgeable, and is compassionate when other needs it most. His job is often stressful and demanding and he is gone a lot sometimes, but it has also allowed him to be home with us during the day which has helped me and given him precious time with you. My job, although I'm not there now, has allowed me to have time away from work to be here with you. I'll never get this time back, your first 6 months, and I am glad that my time and energies were totally devoted to you. I could go on and on, but I'll just list a few more. Our family, who loves you so much and has been so generous to all of us. Good friends, who love you and who treat daddy and I like family. Our home, although it feels smaller and smaller each day with all your toys, we have been able to live in a safe and comfortable home and build lasting memories here, when so many people have lost their homes. Our salvation from the Lord and my reconnection to church. I felt continually blessed and finally looked to the Lord, the one from whom all blessings flow.

This brings me to 2012. I'm not sure what this year holds. I know it will be full of blessings, but challenges as well. I know I'll see you do so many things, like walk and run, say your first words, feed yourself, and make your own friends. But I am also going back to work, and I am saddened that I will not have you to fill each of my days. I know you will do fine with the babysitter. Everyone says what a sweet and happy boy you are. I know you will make friends and pleasantly surprise me with your independence, just like you've done all this year. But I will miss you so much. I will miss being able to cuddle you any time I want. I will miss your babbles and laughs. I will miss talking to you and showing you new things. I'm sure I'll miss some of your "firsts". I will miss holding you when you are sad or scared. I will miss walking into your room at 8:30am and seeing you smiling at me and talking up a storm telling me all about your dreams. I'll miss nursing you during the day, and your sweet hand that wraps around my back and your little fingers that tickle me.

So why do it? For one thing my job pays me money that I will use to help support our family. Daddy and I will work really hard to save money to buy us a new home, where you can grow big and play in the back yard, and become a big brother some day. I promise to be wise with the money I make, otherwise I am wasting my time away from you, and that is not fair to you. Secondly, I love teaching and I value my contribution to the children and families in our community. I was a respected teacher, one who loved her work and I found purpose in the influence I could have on young people. I have to remember that God gave me my talents as a teacher and I should glorify him by utilizing those talents. And for you. I want to be a good example of a woman who is a hard worker, who does things for the hopeful betterment of society, and who values education. I hope you grow up to be a boy who works hard, values your education, and does things to give back to others. Learn from what I do. My work must have a major purpose if it will keep me from you.

I love you so much, my sweet boy. I promise to cherish you and to make the most of the moments we have together first thing in the morning and at the end of the day. We will do new and exciting things as a family on the weekends. I will work hard to repay your gift and to make sure that you feel as loved and blessed in 2012 as you made me feel in 2011.

Love,
Mommy

Here I am, cuddling you for the first time. They pulled you right from my body and put you on my chest. I was a mommy.

Here you are, smiling at me for the first time.

Here I am introducing you to the beach for the first time. You love it, just like I do!

Hanging with our buddies

We have had a great time this week hanging with the teacher babies, the Baby Bobcats. All these boys were born within the last year. First was a playdate at Cohen's house. Cohen has started crawling and so is was fun to see the other less mobile babies take serious stock in what he was doing. Matthew loves other babies. He is always reaching out to touch them or put his arm around them. He had so much fun playing with Cohen and Anthony.




Then today we went to Jack's 1st birthday at a neighborhood playground. His mommy can teach Martha Stewart a thing or two or three about throwing a party and crafting. This party was as cute as you'll ever see. The same teacher babies were all excited to see each other again, and Matthew had his girlfriends Ella and Piper there to check out. Here is Jack, the birthday boy, enjoying his gift from Matthew.

Here is Matthew enjoying himself at the park and then checking out his take in his goody bag.

Sleepy fella

With all that's been going on lately~ family in town, beach trips, visiting other houses, playdates~ Matthew has worn himself out. Here he is with Granna, the first time he fell asleep to a bedtime story.

Here he is with Daddy the next day, peacefully snoozing on his shoulder.

Few things in life are as precious as a baby that is completely at peace in your arms. Total relaxation, total trust.

Matthew cracking up!

Matthew was sitting on his daddy's lap and was kissing his legs and I told him, "No, don't do that. Hairy legs are gross". Right before he was about to do it, I said no, and he laughed and squealed like he knew exactly that I was telling him not to do something. This went on for 4 or so minutes. He was testing me, slowing putting his mouth next to daddy and waiting for me to tell him no, and when I did exactly what he knew I was going to do, he went bananas!

A White Christmas

In Florida that means going to the beach. It was a much cooler day than when Aunt Lori and I took the babies last week, but was sunny and clear. It was actually downright cold when the wind was picking up. But I LOVE the beach when the sand is cold, and so did Matthew. This boy loves, loves, loves playing in the sand. This time he remembered he doesn't like the taste of it.




We packed a cooler, had our blanket spread out, an umbrella up, and plenty of people. Granna, The Tyus Three, Marc and Amber, and Matthew and I made the trip this time. While the others took the babies for a beach stroller walk, Uncle Dave and I broke 200 consecutive hits on the paddle ball (in much easier fashion than when Daddy and I did the same feat). Matthew was all smiles when he came back from his walk, so cute all bundled up and in a winter hat- at the beach. Noah stayed warm in one of two Tiny Bear suits. I thought Matthew might need one, but his little body was toasty every time my ice cold hands checked him under his shirt.





Marc and Amber couldn't stay for too long due to their flight back, but anyone knows any time spent on the beach is heavenly, especially on a clear day. Lori and Dave and I stayed with the babies, who ended the day with peaceful, warm, snuggly breastfeeds. They both crashed for short naps after that and when it was time to go, they slept on the way back from the beach.


Matthew also tried zucchini for the first time, and loved it! We used his Christmas present from Uncle Marc and Aunt Amber, a squeeze bottle with an attached spoon. This thing was so easy to use. I only needed one hand and it made very little mess!

Matthew's first Christmas

We have had a great time with family this year. I can't think of a more fantastic way to celebrate all our blessings this year than to have done it with all my special people. Alex was working on Christmas Day this year so we planned to do our Christmas celebration on the 26th. After a midday Ultimate Frisbee game with Alex, me, Lori, Dave, and Noah we went to the Christmas Eve service at our church and heard a great message and sang some old favorites with a new spin. Marc and Amber flew in from Texas on Christmas Day and so I thought I'd be alone most of the day with Matthew while we waited for our Christmas Day a day late with Daddy... but then we got news that Matthew's Moran Grands were changing their schedule and were going to come for Christmas. We were really excited that both sets of Grandparents would be able to see Matthew on his first Christmas. I spent the Day with MamaAdina and Grandpa Neno, talking about family heritage and playing with Matthew. He had a great day and the next day we headed over to Granna's house.

We met Daddy and everyone else with breakfast that Grandpa Neno brought from Mimi's, and then spent the morning playing board games, hanging out, and opening presents. We laid pretty low on presents this year, just feeling already so blessed and having received the gift of family who traveled to see us this year. The babies got the bulk of the presents which was great. And just in time too-- Matthew is getting so smart and strong that he was in need of some new toys! He loved opening his presents. He got a bunch of nice things from some of MamaAdina's clients including a rocking horse, a high chair, and some winter clothes. The Moran Grands brought a TRAIN for both Noah and Matthew. This is one cool gift! The Tyuses gave us some really neat books, including "Tiny Bear", a bear who tells Bible stories. Granna added some cool car toys and some plush toys with TAGS all over them. Matthew can't get enough of tags! After presents we enjoyed Granna and Lori's Christmas dinner, Honeybaked Ham and Turkey, sweet and mashed potatoes, green beans, cornbread casserole, and a 7-layer cold salad. Dave and Lori worked on desserts, a Pecan Pie and a Carrot cake! It was a great way to enjoy all Matthew's grandparents and some of his aunts and uncles, and his best bud, Noah.

The next day we went back over to Granna's house to open presents from Marc and Amber that arrived too late for Christmas due to a PO Box mishap. These two were WAY generous with their gifts this year. They got daddy some new racquetball gear, Matthew got some bibs and a portable feeding jar with an attached spoon and a Babies R Us Gift card, I got a beautiful hand-made frame with some scriptures written on it for all life's needs, and Maggie got home-made dog biscuits lovingly made by Marc and doggie-cousin, Billy. We played Yahtzee later that night, teaching Lori and Dave for the first time, and then taught Marc and Amber Backgammon.

Needless to say Matthew has slept like a log all week. I love my family and even though so many of them live far away now I feel closer to them than ever. We have so many blessings that bind us together.

Here are some pictures of our Christmas

Matthew and Noah hit the beach

Aunt Lori called and suggested a beach day, something we as sisters do often and well. We used to go so much when she lived in Bradenton and was just minutes from the beach. Since we both had a lot of time off we would go and just sit, talk, and read, eat a little, and throw a frisbee. The last time we went to the beach we both were about 1/3 to mid-way through or pregnancies. We were long overdue.

We packed the car, with both car seats and were off with the boys, without any extra hands from daddies or grandmas. It worked out perfectly. The day was gorgeous, about 80 degrees and sunny, slight breeze-- couldn't have been more perfect conditions. When I realized my beach umbrella was in Alex's car at work I was a little worried about how it would turn out. We figured we'd be able to find some shade under a pier or something and as it turned out we were able to sit beside an unused lifeguard tower and, unlike all the other beach goers seeking out the sun in December, we were perfectly happy to shade our babies and their virgin skin. They napped on the way there and were bright eyed and ready for the beach by the time we got there. They had fun playing with some toys on the blanket for a while, then we decided they needed to shed the shirts, feel the cool surf, and explore the sand. Noah loved the waves on his little toes, Matthew was all about the sand. He mashed it between his little hands, didn't take too long to make its way to his mouth. At first he was ok with it, then after a heaping handful of sand decided it wasn't as yummy as he initially thought. I was smart to bring a bottle of water and some clean washcloths to get that yuck out of his mouth. After that I decided if he had a pacifier in his mouth he would leave the sand out of his mouth- and he did.





After some lunch for the babies and some Publix subs for the mommies we laid the boys down for some quiet time. I was ready to leave thinking nap time would come in the car, but that persistent Aunt Lori wanted to try to put the boys down for naps on the beach. It really didn't take too long before they were napping away. Matthew looked so peaceful with his arms up behind his head, with the wind blowing his hairs all over the place while he slept. They didn't sleep too long, but long enough to give Lori and me an extra hour or so at the beach.

I couldn't believe how well they handled being out of the house all day. They were happy the whole time, and LOVED the beach, both of them. They looked at the water and the vastness of the beach, they liked the coolness of the sand, and the breeze against their faces. It makes me sad that I didn't take Matthew more often when I was out of work, especially since this fall has been warmer than normal. Although now that he sits on his own it is easier to plop him down on a blanket or the sand and let him entertain himself for an hour or so! Aunt Lori and I are looking forward to another beach trip before 2011 closes, one with the whole family. That way we'll have extra hands to carry more toys, a cooler, and a beach canopy! And of course so everyone else can enjoy these baby beach bums as much as we did.




And just like every kid who has ever had a day at the beach, the boys were zonked out on the car ride home, slept well all night and even more the next day.

More new foods

We made avocado this week. I was excited about this because I had read that babies like it, that it is easy for them to eat, has a mild flavor, and is a superfood. Matthew wasn't too impressed. He ate some but not with the same enthusiasm as the sweet potatoes. I was all set to try it again, but on the second day the avocado puree had discolored and was a very unappetizing brown. I wasn't sure I wanted to feed him this version of avocado, so I tossed it, reading later that it is normal to brown and there are some things you can do to prevent it so much. I might try it again later, and will likely add apple, pear, or peaches to the avocado to help him with the taste.

So today was butternut squash day. This one looks and tastes yummy to me. It reminds me a lot of the sweet potato he enjoyed so much. He loves it. Squash was a very easy food to make. I will look forward to making this again, and adding other things to it to make it more interesting.

Next up, peas!

Mobile Matthew

He's getting there. Not crawling yet, but he is getting stronger everyday. He is strong enough to get himself into a crawl pose on all fours, he just has to work on the coordination of his hands. His legs are moving forward, but then he face plants.

He had fun watching daddy crawl around the room as his demonstration.