And She's Walking

After at least a month of squealing every time her hands would be held, thus allowing her the opportunity to walk...Thea took her first steps on May 12th.  She walked to me and was so proud of herself.  Just yesterday, she really started walking!  Here she is (so happy):

Not that this relates at all, but here is a video of Thea on a slide that she and Matthew went on just 15 times each last Friday.

Since we're just posting videos of Thea here at random, here are she and Mike playing peek-a-boo:

Only One More Day of School

Last January when my mom asked me if I was going to enroll Matthew in a two year old preschool program, my thought was "What? People do that?" I had no idea. But I looked into it and agreed that it would be great for Matthew. He would only be able to start once he turned two in October so this was going to be an extra year of school. I thought he would love the social aspect of it and if he learned anything, great.

Matthew's First School Picture

I am beyond grateful that Matthew was in school this year and had such phenomenal teachers. His growth blows my mind and I know they had something to do with it (vs just normal development or me teaching him). He can sing the alphabet (which he often does to himself before his nap - amazing) and recognize his letters (answering where is the letter p?). His social skills have greatly improved: understanding sharing, asking to use a toy, playing with (vs side by side) other kids and imaginary play. He is more expressive today, sharing that he is excited or frustrated.  He can rote count to 11, skip 12 and then add 13 and he is starting to count objects as they exist ("I have 3 books").  Matthew's teachers have not only guided his social and educational learning, but they have taught us with weekly newsletters with tips on how to further educate our children on things like sharing and shapes.  Matthew's class was for 2 years olds and he will be repeating it next year, with the same beloved teachers, since he was not yet 2 before September 1st.  And as I think about this last day, wow, does time fly.  I truly grieve the quick passage of these wonderful times.  

Matthew's Anatomy Lesson

Two nights ago, upon being asked a question, Matthew calmly looked me in the eye, pulled up his shirt, stuck his finger in his belly button, and said "right here, Daddy."

It was incredibly cute.  It was also incredibly wrong, because he had been asked, "where's your butthole, Matthew?"

Never fret; upon being corrected, Matthew quickly learned, and can now repeat on command, where his butthole is and that poop comes out of it.  Or, if you forget to command it, he can tell you on his own.  Like he did the next morning.  Immediately after waking up.  Because Mommy and Daddy gotta know that "butt comes out poop."

Thea is 1ish

Thea turned one. Almost a month ago. Here were her stats at her one year appointment:

Weight: 17lbs, 14.8oz (5-10th %ile)

Height: 28in (10-25th %ile)

Head: 47cm (90-95th %ile)

So what we learned was that Thea is a live bobble head doll with 87% of her body weight being held in her head. Oh, and that she's perfectly healthy. 

We were confronted with having to decide whether to give her a Hep A vaccine at this appointment or her next one. The girl did receive 2 shots on her birthday. Happy birthday to you. 

A week prior to her first birthday, we had a family party. She had a lot more fun here than at the doctor. 

Thea is one so she is very good at sharing new toys

Thea singing along to her birthday tune

Since turning one, I have been weaning Thea. Last weekend, she developed a virus so the weaning process was slowed just a touch. Today was our first day with no breastfeeding. And in fact, it is my first day in 3 1/2 years without being pregnant, breastfeeding or both. In a way it is freeing, but it has been a day with waves of grief. Nonetheless, I found (today at an indoor toddler park ) and do find great joy in seeing her grow and develop. She is SO happy exploring and playing. 

Thea is deeply loved and is described best with the word "sweet". She is cuter to us everyday. Thea is content, always with a ready smile, social (in a soft way) and loves when she is playing or cuddling with (read: she smothers them with hugs and kisses) stuffed animal. I am so very eager to see these next months unfold. 

There's Only One Matthew!

Whenever we run out of anything (goldfish, milk, race cars), Matthew will ask, "go to the store and find more ______?"

Yesterday, on our way to the store asked, "Go to the store and find more Matthews?"

And then answered his own question, holding up his pointer finger.  "Noooooo. There's only onnnneee Matthew."

We continued this question/answer game for all of the important people in his life, starting with Thea, and my heart fluttered. 

GMC

Not talkin' about a car here folks.  Talkin' 'bout our niece that was born on February 16.  Her name is Genevieve Marie.  Fortunately for my brother and sister-in-law, the drive to the hospital and Rachel's labor and delivery were without obstacles (read: don't be foolish, pushing a baby out is never easy, but the birth went without complications).  Post-birth (and by post-birth I mean within 24 hours), however, was not as simple and straightforward.  Paul had to leave the hospital because he got a massive headache and was vomiting and Titus got a double ear infection and double pink eye.  That's right people, both eyes and both ears.  And then both parents and Rachel's mom got a cold.  Welcome to being a family of four!  Rough start, but thankfully, Genevieve remained healthy through it all.  She is already 2 months and is smiling, cooing, and looks just like Titus (who no longer has pink eye).  This entry is late, but it is no indication of how excited we are that she has arrived and is part of our family.

Despite being a baby herself, Thea was so curious about her baby cousin - touching her eyes, nose, elbow.

Vacay

I took a week of vacation a few weeks ago.  Let’s recap, shall we?  We shall.

I realized that we have taught Matthew that farting is an achievement worth recognizing.  He said “great fart, Daddy!” after a fart that was, in fact, great.  Let it be known that less great farts go ignored by Matthew.  He has developed Daddy’s keen scouting eye.

Oh...and then this morning, I farted again and Matthew tried to push one out and said, "I don't have one, Daddy."

The first fun adventure of the week was taking Matthew on his first choo choo ride.  I was a bit worried he would be scared by the enormity and volume of the train, or quickly bored by the mundane nature of a suburban train ride.  Those worries proved needless.  He freaking LOVED it.  Everything about it.  The station, buying a ticket, watching & hearing the train approach the station, sitting in his seat, watching the scenery pass by... All of it was amazing for Thomas' biggest fan.  And his dad.  The picture & video below pretty much sums up our trip (which involved a 15 minute, 3 stop commute).

Given he was that happy on the train, you can only imagine the joy derived from the post-ride McDonald's breakfast.

We later took M & T to their first water park.  The six hours of total round trip drive time went stunningly well, with just one potty stop each way.  A formal tip of the hat to the inventor of the portable DVD player.  The park, which is in Wisconsin Dells, was probably more fun for Daddy than anyone else, but that’s because I love water slides and two-year olds apparently are a bit apprehensive of buckets that dump over 1,000 gallons of water on the people below every 3 minutes.  The best part was actually the condo.  Two bedrooms, big family room and kitchen, really nice accommodations for just $150.  E & I had a great time eating Domino’s Cheesy Bread and watching the NCAA Tournament while Matthew slept in his first queen size bed and Thea slept in her Pack N’ Play.  Matthew’s room had a separate bathroom that was nice and spacious, with plenty of room for the Pack N’ Play and sleeping daughter we put in there.  Yup.

Sorry.

Here is some graphic documentation of the claims I just made:

Chillin' in a hotel is always better than chillin' at home

She's probably peeing

The life jacket looked more appropriate in areas where the water was deeper than "Puddle"

If you're developing a brochure for a water park targeting sociopaths who derive enjoyment from making children watch videos of Donald Duck dying, I have a photograph for you

All in all, vacation was wonderful.  Lots of time with my three favorite people.  Buckets full of hugs from Matthew, which is never a bad thing.  But not all activities went as hoped.  Like when we decided to bring the kids bowling.  With Paul, Rachel, Titus and Genevieve.  It went... poorly.  Matthew rolled the ball once before losing all interest.  Titus wasn't much better.  They then both committed themselves to doing everything possible to run behind strangers in the middle of their backswing.  Thea cried constantly.  Genevieve was one month old.  I am totally cool with not seeing the inside of a bowling alley in a non-all-adult setting for at least half a decade.  But at least we had fun at dinner :)

This picture makes it seem like this outing wasn't awful