Ultimate frisbee Champs

Team Grundlesweat

We have had a group of "friends" (on most days) who get together each weekend for the past 7 or so years to play Ultimate Frisbee for fun and exercise. Tampa Bay Club Sport opened up an ultimate league this summer and we entered a team. We were pretty confident in our athletic ability and have all improved our throwing over the years, but we were up against some competition that included veterans of the sport and tournament and club players, some of which have come out to our weekend game for the past year or so.

We ran the table with a perfect 10-0 season, including an impressive 3 times in 3 weeks beat-down of our rivals and the only other real competition in the league. We were a dominating force and we all won sports bags as our trophy as pictured below. This was my first sport back since having Matthew and it was so fun to feel like an athletic person again for an hour a week. In the beginning of the season he slept through the whole thing but now as a big boy he wakes when fun stuff is going on, so this will be our last weeknight league. Matthew was the unofficial mascot and here he is completing our championship pyramid.

And to prove I was on the team and not just Matthew's seat...

Hanging with the Chamberlin girls

We went down to Ellenton last Friday to meet Aunt Anne for lunch. We took pictures and stories to share, and Aunt Anne shared about her vacation in China last month. We talked for hours; I think we were there for 3 hours and Matthew held up like a champ. This was the first time we went into a restaurant when he was awake. Usually we go when he is asleep and try to get out before he wakes up. He was alert and enjoying his Great Aunt Anne's company the whole time, and when he was finally tired he fell asleep in his car seat.

Then we went to the Ellenton outlet mall to walk off lunch. We made it to Baby Gap where I had a gift card. They had some cute Halloween shirts and Anne bought us a couple. I am so excited to see him wear them when the weather cools a bit. They had some pajama type costumes and we thought this cow hat was adorable. The costume would have been really hot and my boy needs a more manly animal costume than a cow, but we managed to get the hat on and draped the costume over him while he slept. Cute baby cow.

September 11- Ten years later

We went to church for the first time as a family this weekend- all 3 of us, including Granna. Our church always does a great job recognizing and praying for people at times throughout the year; active and retired military veterans on Veterans' Day, teachers at the start of the school year, mothers and fathers at the respective holidays, etc. On this September 11th tenth anniversary they recognized first responders and preached on how to experience triumph over terror. It was a powerful ceremony and a great way to commemorate this special weekend. At one point in the service they asked all firefighters, paramedics, and police officers to come to the stage at which point they shared their appreciation for the sacrifices these men and women make and prayed for their safety, strength, and wisdom on the job. Then Pastor Matthew thanked each one with a handshake and asked that each one of them not leave today with less that 25 hugs. Alex had been holding Matthew prior to this point so when they asked the guys to come forward Alex took Matthew, which was only fitting since he was adorable dressed in his fire chief shirt. I'm not sure if Alex got his 25 hugs, but Matthew sure did.

It was a nice moment for Alex but was really special for me as well. I got to see Alex stand on the stage in front of hundreds as a person in our community who works to help people when they need it most. After working so hard in school the past few years and dedicating himself to this profession it was nice to see him up there. Then on the other side it made my heart happy to see what a good man and proud father Alex has become- one who takes his family to church and who held his son in front of all those people. It gives me peace to know Matthew will be raised by parents who take his spirituality seriously. And I was especially at ease knowing that there are people in the church who pray for the safety of first responders every day, because Alex can use all the prayers he can get.

Here are my strong, brave boys- singing away during praise and worship

Mr. Matt is 3 months old!

Happy birthday, precious baby!

Matthew turns 3 months old today and is really changing so much. He is so fun and daddy and I love him so much more everyday. Now that Matthew is such a big boy he is able to do so many things. He is becoming very strong. He likes to stand and do little jumps, do baby sit-ups and has an arm workout routine. He is doing better and better push-ups everyday and is close to rolling over from his tummy to his back. He loves to kick his foot piano and hear the music is plays. He talks to us all day and smiles and laughs when interacting with us. He is quite the charmer when he sees himself in the mirror. He has opened his hands more and is liking to touch and feel things more. He found his thumbs and will suck on them to put himself back to sleep when he wakes in the middle of the night. He is so much happier than last month and is very content to ride around on mommy's hip and see what's going on around him. One of his biggest accomplishments.... sleeping through the night until 6:00am (if mommy keeps a good schedule during the day).

Teacher babies playdate

We went to Cohen's house today to have a playdate with some of the teacher baby mamas who are on maternity leave. Today is Matthew's 3 month birthday. Cohen is almost 4 months. And Anthony is 7 weeks.

I guess the boys decided eating their hands was way more fun than playing with any toys.

Playing who is that baby in the mirror

Here is my adorably happy baby. I could take a bite out of those chubby cheeks!

Matthew and his buddy Shepherd

We had a very active Labor Day weekend. First we celebrated Shepherd’s first birthday with a big-time party. Matthew got to see a lot of his baby friends, including Shepherd, Owen, and Stella.

He met a new friend, Shepherd’s grandpa Rick, who held Matthew for a few very content hours!

Matthew was pretty happy even though we were there a long time and he didn’t get his regular nap. Mathew also experienced the pool for the first time, sitting here in his cute bathing suit and cooling off his chubby toes.

Then on Monday after Frisbee the Duffs had to get rid of all the party BBQ leftovers. Who better to call than Alex?! So we went back over there and hung out for a bit. We went to the park this time, and Matthew got to swing for the first time. He mostly liked it, but the swing was way too big! He sure looked cute anyway!

Sweet expressions

When we were in Raleigh Lori's friend, Susan, came over to take some pictures of the babies. She did a bunch of maternity photos for Lori. These shots make me really want to buy a nice camera and take a photo class so I can capture these precious expressions everyday. Matthew was almost 11 weeks in these. He is my heart!