He is like a little human!!!

The other day one of our friends came over and started talking to Matty, they had a real conversation. It was really cute to watch. A lot of the time you cannot understand exactly what Matt says, but you can get a general idea of what he is trying to say and he absolutely seems to be listening and processing everything that you say to him.

After the conversation our friend said, "Wow!! I just had a conversation with your son!" And I just shook my head and said, "Crazy, right? He is like a little human!" This sounds funny to say, because of course my son is a human... duh! But I think a milestone for parents is actually coming to terms with the fact that your child is in fact a human, just like you are.

I have had several moments where I am amazed by the fact that my son is acting like a human being. And all of them are exciting, but at the same time sad. This "becoming a human" thing makes him less and less my baby. Excuse me as I let out a loud *sigh*.....

Matthew's favorite restaurant

It is amazing to me how good my 2 year old's memory already is at this age.

We have a Red Robin really close to our house and we get coupons a lot for it, so we end up going there 2-3 times a month. Usually, even when Matty was a little baby who could barely hold his head up, the Red Robin employees would give him a balloon. He has always loved looking at balloons and now he loves chasing them around the house and watching them float above his head.

The last several times we have pulled in to Red Robin's parking lot Matty instantly recognizes where we are and says "Boon!!!" This is how he pronounces balloon. He recognizes that he always gets a balloon when he comes to this restaurant and he recognizes that we are at that restaurant before we even get out of the car. I seriously underestimate his ability to retain things, because this amazes me.

I am not bragging about my child, believe me, I think this ability to put things and places together is a very common skill for kids this age. However, I am still amazed by how much a child grows and changes in such a short amount of time. I wish I could learn at that capacity and speed. Unfortunately, that will not happen, yesterday it took me 30 minutes to figure out that the DVD Steve had recorded for me didn't have sound because, it just didn't have sound. This was discovered after I unplugged and plugged in 86 different wires and after I cursed at the TV numerous times. Then I put a different DVD in and discovered nothing was wrong with the sound to begin with....brilliant, I know.

Thank God, my child seems to have much more advanced skills than I do when it comes to figuring things out. And thank God, my child loves Red Robin, because I love their grilled salmon sandwich... Yummy!!!

Say Hello to My Little Friend...

Say hello to my father in law's beautiful plane:


Yes, it is tiny and only holds 2 people, but I think it is pretty darn cute and my father in law is quite the pilot, he can do a lot of flying with this cute plane.
Matthew was really enthralled with this life size plane...

He LOVES airplanes. What a thrill it was for him to sit in his grandpa's plane.

Check out www.itsneverevertoolate.com to learn about The Flight for the Human Spirit and what this plane is up to.

Matty does not look very happy in this photo, but seeing not only his grandpa's plane close up, but also many others was a great day in this little 2 year old's life.

Compassion

You know what I did yesterday morning? I was so upset when my alarm went off I hit the alarm clock so hard my hand hurt.
You know what I did yesterday when I reached for my car door? I complained about how dirty my car was.
You know what I did this morning when I made coffee? I complained about my coffee machine because it is leaking water.
You know what I did this morning when a co worker asked me how I was? I told them I was "ok" and really didn't want to work today.


You know what I DIDN'T do yesterday or today or ever?

-Use my bare hands to dig through the remains of my house trying to find my child in the rubble.
-Cry out in the street for help only to find everyone else in my street needing the same help I did.
-Try to call my family and friends over and over just to find out if they are alive.
-Stare at a pile of blocks, cement, and dirt that used to be my house.
-Wonder if my husband was going to make it after being pinned beneath rubble for hours.
-Walk through the city I live in and see piles of houses and buildings and people crying out for their loved ones.

Please pray for the people of Haiti. And remember there are thousands of people in Haiti who would LOVE to have an alarm clock to wake up to, a bed to lay in, a coffee machine to make coffee, a car to drive, and a building to work in.

What could be better?

Is there anything better than playing on the swing set with Grandpa?

Yes....finding someone to rake up all the leaves around the swingset.

Anyone???

Sweet Dreams

What is it about taking pictures of sleeping babies and children?


Really what is it about taking pictures of anything sleeping? Why is it so fun? I have taken pictures of Steve sleeping may times and every time I do, I chuckle. Why??? Hmmm...

While you ponder that, I will share with you a few pictures of Matty napping.
Lately he has been putting his hands behind his head to sleep, which I think is hilarious.



Can't you just eat him up!!!!

I cannot wait to show him these when he is a teenager. He will say, "Why would you take pictures of me sleeping?" And I will say, "I don't know. I think it is cute."

To which he will roll his eyes and wonder why he has such a crazy mother.

I can't wait!!

Go Broncos!!! Or not

New Years weekend was filled with a lot of relaxation and getting things done. Except for Sunday, Sunday was a day we will surely never forget.

Steve got the thrill of his life and got a field pass from our realtor and good friend for the Broncos game. That means he was on the field for 1 hour before the game watching the players practice. He spoke with one of our best defensive players, Dawkins, for about 30 seconds and he got some high fives from some other players. Steve will definitely never forget this once in a life time opportunity, being right next to his favorite team while they were getting ready to play a game. After that thrill Steve settled in to his seats and watched the awful game the Broncos played. Apparently, Steve's presence did not help the Broncos at all. But, I can't say much, I was at the game also.

Several of our friends and myself went to the game as well and sat separate from Steve. Not only did we not get field passes, but we also were about 20 rows from being in the last row, furthest from the field. Never the less, it was a fantastic time, even with the embarrassing loss.

In case you are wondering, Matthew stayed home, he has yet to experience his first Broncos game. Though I know it will happen soon and will be just the beginning of his life filled with Denver Broncos football.

Sunday was bittersweet. It was more fun that I could handle, yet was very sad because the Broncos season is now over.

Thank God for a new fresh year. I am very excited and optimistic to see what will happen this year. Even if I know the Broncos will NOT win the super bowl this year.

What is up with the lower lip?

This is not a good picture of either of us, but I am trying to explain to you all what is going on with my son's lower lip. Lately, he has been using for 2 reasons:

1. To make the goofy face like the one above when I am trying to take a picture of him or when I smile at him.

2. To get his way and make me feel guilty.

The 2nd reason is the one that is troubling me the most. He has discovered that when he is upset, sad, or not getting his way he can stick out his quivering little lower lip and make mommy (that's me) melt in to a puddle on the floor.

I wish I could get a picture of this thing he does, because it is so absolutely adorable and so funny!!

Where he learned to do this, I do not know. I stopped doing that when I was 8 years old. It must be an innate talent that all children have- to pout using your lower lip and get your way.

Now before you all think I am an awful mother, know that the lower lip did not work for long. He has done it too much for me to melt in a puddle everytime and once I figure out his "little game" I make sure I win everytime. But it still has become very hard to discipline him or ever be mad at him when he sticks out that lower lip. Oh geez... this kid is smarter than I thought!!!