Christmas Vacation

We have really had a nice two weeks at home as a family. Alex worked a lot but when we were able we got out of the house and did some really fun things, both as a family and with Lori and Noah too.

We went to Monkey Bizness. This is an giant indoor playground with nets, slides, tunnels, and bounce houses. It's fun to see Matthew's brave side come out as he has been jumping and bouncing and going down big slides. The most fun thing is just to watch him or him and Noah completely entertain themselves as they go from one spot to another, using such imagination in their little minds. We also went to a similar place for a birthday party for our 2 year old friend Jack. This was at a place called My Gym, and included a ball pit, slides, swings, and Matthew's favorite- a trampoline!

We also went to the Aquarium, a first for Noah, Lori and Dave. The place was PACKED, because there was also snow for the kids and some other festive things going on. The kids got to play in the snow for about 5 minutes, but the highlight was the sand box! The splash park was obviously not on, but we had a fun time out there just watching them with shovels and sand. We walked the aquarium and the boys looked at all the fishes. Their favorite part really is just getting to walk, and now RUN around. We met up with Sean, Michelle, and little Savannah Rollo too.

Our next outing was to Lettuce Lake Park. We played on the playground a bit and did the swings, but we really wanted to get the boys out exploring the boardwalk. They were acting fussy like they didn't want to walk, but once we goth them on the boardwalk they were off. They enjoyed racing up and down the boardwalk and looking at trees and birds, and calling out to them. I enjoyed seeing them climb the watch tower and remembered back to when we were kids and climbed that tower so many times, that tower seeming so much higher back then.

Daddy worked over night on New Year's Eve and New Years Day so Aunt Lori and Noah had a slumber party with us. The boys slept well on NYE but Lori and I were not too much in the New Year spirit and we barely made it to midnight. The next day was as beautiful as I've seen in a long time. It was warm but not hot and not a cloud in the sky. So we were off to the beach for a streamlined trip. Small cooler, few toys, a blanket, an umbrella, and a frisbee. We had a blast just watching the boys play in the sand. It was fun to see them entertain themselves with nothing more than a shovel. They found all sorts of ways to scoop the sand and dump it elsewhere or in a bucket. We spent a good number of hours there before dragging Aunt Lori away. We found a small playground near where we parked that the boys headed off to play at. They were so work on out swings nearly put them to sleep.

I love this last picture. It's like, "Good-bye 2012, the year we were babies. Hello 2013, the year we are big boy buddies."

Matthew's first Big Boy Christmas

It was fun to see Matthew get excited about some of the Christmas traditions. He helped Daddy put lights, ornaments, and candy canes on the Christmas tree. Every morning when we came downstairs the first thing Matthew did was run to the Christmas tree and point at the lights to turn them on. When we went on walks in the evening Matthew had some favorite decorations in neighbors yards that he liked to check out, namely a cute little Rudolph he liked to pet.

Alex had to work on the 25th and 26th so we celebrated on Christmas Eve. Alex's parents came to town and so we had the Tyus family, the Morans, and Granna and Jackie. We had to wait until later in the week for Marc and Amber to come home. We had a nice Christmas dinner and then opened presents. The boys were having a great time. They got trucks from Neno, pretty cool super hero action figures from Alex, and Matthew got a tricycle from Adina. Matthew has come to be very engaged with Disney and Mickey Mouse Club. His favorite is Goofy, whom he calls, "Goooof!". Daddy got Matthew a big Goofy, and Tio Mike got Matthew a dancing Mickey who does Matthew favorite, The Hot Dog Dance! The hardest thing about this vacation was sharing toys for the boys. We have PLENTY of toys but somehow they always seem to want whatever toy the other has at the time. They progressed as the vacation went on and did better by the end. We spent Christmas morning at home with the Grands. We played outside mostly and Matthew rode his tricycle, which he loves!

Marc and Amber came to visit at the end of Christmas week. They bought cool toys as always. Matthew got some wood blocks and a bench with a little mallet to bang on. In keeping with the "banging" theme, Matthew also was given a drum set by Granna. He likes it, especially playing the drum and blowing on the trumpet.

Christmas Cards

I was so late getting Christmas Cards out this year. In part because it was so dang hot and I wanted us to look nice in Christmas sweaters. When Aunt Lori came to town we finally had a photographer to help out. Lori, Noah and Granna came over and helped take some nice pictures of our family in front of a nearby pond. We had nice evening lighting and I loved taking pictures of Matthew and Alex playing together in the grass, Matthew climbing on Alex and cuddling with him.

Matthew Learns to jump

We went to a Christmas Party that one of my favorite McKitrick families hosts each year. We had good food and enjoyed time chatting with the Dugans. Matthew was a little fussy when we got there so we went outside and found a football to entertain Matthew with. That made him feel better but then we found the trampoline. There were some older kids jumping so Matthew wanted no part of that, but he watched as he always does, from the side. When the kids were done playing Matthew tried it himself. It was so cute to see him try with all his might to jump. He really couldn't get his feet off the ground but he would squat then reach for the sky. He liked bouncing and flopping all over the place.

It was fun to watch him enjoy himself... until Santa made his appearance. Matthew was content to be a blob on Santa's lap last year but this year he was more aware of things that aren't normal and he did not like Santa one bit. In the days after this and after Christmas Matthew came around. He recognized Santa pictures and figurines and even said "San-ta" in a precious little voice.

Thanksgiving

All the Morans gathered in Boca for another Thanksgiving. It's nice to get everyone together for this holiday and then when Christmas comes everyone stays with their other half of the family. We all took turns doing some of the cooking. Rachel made her stuffing and potatoes, Adina made her meat stuffing and fish, I made my corn casserole, Suzy made the drinks, and Neno brought home a well done turkey. We spent most of the time sitting out back on the lawn chairs that were set up. Matthew had a fun time running all around the back yard with the dogs and tossing balls back and forth. When we did come inside we were well equipped with toys, especially a gigantic remote control firetruck with lights, sirens, and a water hose!

Halloween

Alex's parents came to visit for the weekend. We picked out some pumpkins and Daddy carved a Gator jack-o-lantern.

Matthew caught his first sickness right before Halloween. Poor guy had a runny nose, a cough, minimal appetite, and his face looked splotchy. But that didn't deter us from making sure he enjoyed his first Halloween. He was the cutest little Charlie Brown. He had a football and a Snoopy to carry with him too. He was a little hesitant about the whole trick or treating thing at first. After enjoying a few dogs at the first two houses he was excited to go to more houses. After realizing his goal was to put candy in his bucket he was glad to do that, even though he didn't realize it was candy he was getting. He never really liked any of it, not even chocolate so we just ate it all for him.

Sport boy

Matthew went to his first Bucs game a few weeks ago. He loved all the people and the cheering and the cannons. He watched so quizzically and it was so fun to see him do something for the first time that I know he will do a thousand times in his life.

Today we went to our first Rays game. We had great seats and the game was low scoring so it moved pretty quickly Matthew danced to the crowd music and cheered when everyone else did next season he will be able to enjoy all the fun things they have there to entertain the kids, including running the bases after the game.

Master communicator

Matthew has been a communicating machine lately. We started him a few months ago with some simple sign language so he could express himself a little bit. Within the past 3 weeks or so his communication, both what he understands and what he can express has gotten better by the day.

What he can sign:
• please
• hi and bye
• more
• eat or food
• milk
• bird
• fish
• dog
• water
• all done
• his own sign for pacifier (pats his mouth)
• and he dances to music

What he says:
• Screams "mam" and "da"
• "boat"
• "go"
• "duck"
• "car"
• "Hi"
• "nak" for snack
• "ruff" when barking back at dogs
• "huff" (what a horsey says)
• and babbles all sorts of things I'm sure he is working on saying.

What he understands: A lot!
• He follows commands, like come here, put that here, or give that to...
• put on your shoes
• put that down
• help me close the door
• can I have that? (hands me object)
• something is "hot"
• clean up
• I'm going to get you (playing chase)
• throw the ball
• want watermelon?
• want a snack?
• want milk? (responds with sign),
• want a cookie? (responds with please sign and comes running for his cookie- a graham cracker)
• what do you say? (answers with please sign)
• do you want more? (answers with more sign)
• be gentle (when petting a dog)
• Don't eat it
• Do you see a bird? Do you see a fish? (responds with sign and looks for it)
• are you all done? (answers with sign)
• push the button- helping me turn things on/off
• horsey, and how to ride it
• throw the bread to the duck
• did you find a stick? (shows stick)
• how to brush his own teeth
• how to use a spoon
• Where's Matthew? (knows I'm looking for him)
• Where's your tummy? (pulls up shirt and pats his tummy)
• to dance to music
• How to use a remote control to drive a truck
• that he can see Alex when we face-time on the phone (he hugs the phone and points to Alex. Even played "Find daddy" when I hid the phone under some toys
• Can mommy have some? (asking for food, will feed me or pretend and pull it back at the last second only to feed himself. and laugh. at. me.)
• Give the bear a hug (snuggles teddy bear)
• We are going to go (walks toward door saying "go", recognizes this when I put on my shoes
• Get down (laughs at me like, yeah right mom, but knows what I want him to do)


.... And the one I say the most often that he still doesn't seem to understand...

DANGER! (Daddy says we must "Practice Danger")

Happy Birthday, Noah

After our time in Indiana we headed straight to NC with Lori and Noah for a week. His birthday was mid-week, and we stayed through his birthday party the following weekend. We have been to NC 3 other times with Matthew, but each time we mostly just relaxed at home, went for light walks, relaxed in parks, and juggled nap and feeding schedules. This was the first time we really vacationed in NC, and Matthew had a great time.

I am so impressed with the parks and all the things to do out in nature. Literally across the street from their home is a park, beautifully shaded trails that cut through the woods, and playground equipment. We spent some time there, and Matthew has really come to LOVE swings, and slides too. One afternoon we took a picnic lunch for us all and just relaxed under the greenery, and later played on some slides, and found STICKS! Lots of them!

When we were at home the boys entertained themselves with toys, and played in the water table on Lori's really big balcony, and enjoyed lots of summertime watermelon and popsicles made by Aunt Lori.

One afternoon we went with Granna to Pullen Park. I guess it is really old, but has recently been redone. It was cute and quaint, and perfect for kids from toddler age to under 5-6, with immaculate grounds and well-planned playgrounds. There was no admission charge, but each activity is only a dollar! We rode a train around the park. I loved watching the boys faces and their eyes as they processed all they were seeing. Then we went on some kiddie boats, the kind I remember as a kid. The boys rode by themselves, a first, and got to turn the steering wheel and ring the bell. When we took Matthew out we said boat, and he pointed and clear as day, said "boat" over and over, as if to say I want more boat!!! Then we found a carousel, one of Matthew's favorites! It was the fastest moving carousel I've ever seen, and Lori and Granna were a little too worried about nausea to ride. I was too, but had no choice once Matthew saw it. So I rode and he had a great time. We had a picnic lunch, and then let the boys play on the playground for a bit. After lunch we wanted to do the boats and train again because they loved it so much. And they did have fun the second time around, but their day was full and they were tired and ready to head home. A really special day for us as mommies to see our boys take in so many new and fun experiences.

We also went to the Marbles Children's museum one day with Uncle Dave and Noah, and us and Granna. They had an exhibit called all around town, with things for the kids to try that are imitation play. There were tons to things to drive; the front section of a real bus, a boat, a car, a fire truck, an ambulance. They had a grocery store and carts, and a kid sized kitchen with a fridge and freezer for Matthew to finally get to play in. Then we found a water area with a model submarine. Matthew was in heaven with all the levers, wheels to turn, and buttons to press and light. We finished it off with a splash table, that thankfully didn't have buckets or Matthew would have soaked himself from head to toe. Thankful for funnels!

On Sunday we celebrated Noah's party. Lori was busy preparing the food and desserts, and doing the last minute shopping while we were at the museum. We went back to the same park I mentioned earlier, perfectly shaded among the most green trees you've ever seen. We had a fantastic, made from scratch pulled pork lunch, and ate the most adorable cookie monster cupcakes that Lori made, with the help of me, who did the eyes! My contribution. Matthew napped through most of the party, but woke up in time to eat a cupcake or two, and play on the playground and fly high on the swings. Here are some pictures of our birthday boy cousin.