Mathew had his 18 month Well Baby Visit last Friday. This was one of the first appointments where he didn't start crying the moment we walked in the office. He was actually sitting in his diaper just playing and laughing when the doctor came in. Perhaps actually being away from the doctor for 6 months helped his memory fade. This year we won't have to be going for the monthly synagis shot, so it should be a more normal fall and winter (fingers crossed).
He weighed in at 23.8 lbs, and was in the 20th percentile for weight. He measured 31.5 inches long and was in the 25th percentile for height. His noggin' took the lead with the 40th percentile with a head circumference of 47.5 cm. He received 5 shots! Poor guy! He didn't like that part of course, but we have been so lucky in that he never seems to get crabby or run a fever or demonstrate any kind of reaction to shots. When we go for his 2 year check up, he won't have to have any shots. Hooray!
We even bought MJ his own potty the day after his appointment! We had been thinking about it, and then they encouraged us to go ahead and begin exposing him to it. He has made his own little sign language that he uses to tell us when he's dirty, so now if we can only figure out how to get him to signal us before he actually goes! I think we're still a ways away from full on potty training, but since he seems a tad interested in it, we'll play it by ear and see how it goes.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Lawn Boy
This was just too cute not to share! I filmed this a few weeks ago and in case you can't hear my narration, Mat mows our small lawn with an old school push mower. MJ has just recently began loving to help by holding onto the small bar and pushing the mower along with Daddy. He gets so excited to help!
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Heaven's Gain
I know that when someone passes away people always say that "they're in a better place" or they are "watching over us", but sometimes although my mind believes those words, my heart just doesn't get it. This is one of those times. Susan Griffies, a 33 year old mother of toddler twins, a minister's wife, a daughter, a friend, a teacher, and so much more passed away this week, and this news came as a shock to everyone.
Susan went in for an outpatient procedure. She had an angioplasty done on the brain to explore an artery. The details I know are fairly limited, but unfortunately she suffered a stroke during this procedure and then experienced rapid swelling of the brain and ultimately was pronounced brain dead. Susan had posted several comments on fb the 24 hours leading up to her procedure. I find great comfort and yet some irony in reading her own words:
Posted by Susan at 10:32 PM on Sept. 20
“God, you’re my refuge.
I trust in you and I’m safe!”
Psalm 91:2 The Message
Posted by Susan at 3:55 AM on Sept. 21
Headed to Tampa to take care of a little brain thang.
Posted by Susan at 8:39AM on Sept. 21
Bored. Waiting on the doc still :). Thinking about taking a nap!
Little did she know that her nap would become her ultimate resting spot. I guess it's the beauty, as well as the downfall of technology. You can know some one's moment by moment thoughts if they choose to share them. It just absolutely blows my mind that one minute you can be sharing your thoughts online and then gone from this world the next.
I did not know Susan well. I first met her shortly after I moved to Lakeland and I attended new teacher training in Polk County. We sat next to each other each day. She struck me as a bit shy, but I remember how she lit up when she spoke of her husband. We didn't keep in touch after that week, but little did I know that I would become best friends with a friend of hers and a member of her church. Through that, I found out Susan had struggled with fertility herself and had went through IVF. We reconnected a bit through email and had emailed back and forth a few times and she was very supportive in answering my questions and encouraging me in my journey. When MJ was born and was incredibly ill, she prayed for him and sent cards. I read her blog regularly and enjoyed the pictures and stories she always shared about her twins. That was about the extent of our communication, but when I visited Florida this March I had the pleasure of visiting with her for a few moments and getting caught up with each other's current jobs and locations. I wish I could have known her better, and even though I didn't I guess I just still feel like I can relate to her so much. Not only our ages and occupations, but the longing I know her heart felt to have those children. It's almost like a secret sisterhood bond that you share with other women that have traveled that road. It breaks my heart to know how badly she wanted those children, how passionately she loved them, and to think that she is no longer a part of their daily lives is just too sad to comprehend.
I have had a hard time grasping this loss. It will not have a great personal effect on my life, but my heart just aches for her husband, parents, children, and friends. No chance to say goodbye. No final letters, videos, etc. for her children. They will wonder where mommy is. They will not understand. Her husband will have a huge task. I'm not usually one to ask "why?" but I have been asking it a lot the last few days.
I can only imagine the days and months ahead will be so difficult for this family. Please join me in prayer for her family. Hug your children, spouses, parents, and friends remembering that each day is a gift. May we each have the kind of impact on others that Susan did.
I love this picture of her with her newborn twins! Such a tired mommy but a face that just lights up with LOVE for them.
This would be Susan's last Mother's Day to spend with her children and husband. I hope they will always know how much their mother adored them.
Susan went in for an outpatient procedure. She had an angioplasty done on the brain to explore an artery. The details I know are fairly limited, but unfortunately she suffered a stroke during this procedure and then experienced rapid swelling of the brain and ultimately was pronounced brain dead. Susan had posted several comments on fb the 24 hours leading up to her procedure. I find great comfort and yet some irony in reading her own words:
Posted by Susan at 10:32 PM on Sept. 20
“God, you’re my refuge.
I trust in you and I’m safe!”
Psalm 91:2 The Message
Posted by Susan at 3:55 AM on Sept. 21
Headed to Tampa to take care of a little brain thang.
Posted by Susan at 8:39AM on Sept. 21
Bored. Waiting on the doc still :). Thinking about taking a nap!
Little did she know that her nap would become her ultimate resting spot. I guess it's the beauty, as well as the downfall of technology. You can know some one's moment by moment thoughts if they choose to share them. It just absolutely blows my mind that one minute you can be sharing your thoughts online and then gone from this world the next.
I did not know Susan well. I first met her shortly after I moved to Lakeland and I attended new teacher training in Polk County. We sat next to each other each day. She struck me as a bit shy, but I remember how she lit up when she spoke of her husband. We didn't keep in touch after that week, but little did I know that I would become best friends with a friend of hers and a member of her church. Through that, I found out Susan had struggled with fertility herself and had went through IVF. We reconnected a bit through email and had emailed back and forth a few times and she was very supportive in answering my questions and encouraging me in my journey. When MJ was born and was incredibly ill, she prayed for him and sent cards. I read her blog regularly and enjoyed the pictures and stories she always shared about her twins. That was about the extent of our communication, but when I visited Florida this March I had the pleasure of visiting with her for a few moments and getting caught up with each other's current jobs and locations. I wish I could have known her better, and even though I didn't I guess I just still feel like I can relate to her so much. Not only our ages and occupations, but the longing I know her heart felt to have those children. It's almost like a secret sisterhood bond that you share with other women that have traveled that road. It breaks my heart to know how badly she wanted those children, how passionately she loved them, and to think that she is no longer a part of their daily lives is just too sad to comprehend.
I have had a hard time grasping this loss. It will not have a great personal effect on my life, but my heart just aches for her husband, parents, children, and friends. No chance to say goodbye. No final letters, videos, etc. for her children. They will wonder where mommy is. They will not understand. Her husband will have a huge task. I'm not usually one to ask "why?" but I have been asking it a lot the last few days.
I can only imagine the days and months ahead will be so difficult for this family. Please join me in prayer for her family. Hug your children, spouses, parents, and friends remembering that each day is a gift. May we each have the kind of impact on others that Susan did.
I love this picture of her with her newborn twins! Such a tired mommy but a face that just lights up with LOVE for them.
This would be Susan's last Mother's Day to spend with her children and husband. I hope they will always know how much their mother adored them.
Monday, September 13, 2010
18 Months!
I know every parent thinks it, so I am no different, but it's sometimes so hard to believe that our little guy is already one and a HALF?! I felt like I was getting used to him as a one year old and now we're already halfway to two. Not only is MJ growing in months, but height, development, and personality as well! Nothing brings me greater joy than him.
This was taken on September 9th - MJ turned 18 months old. I dressed him in is "1" shirt that he wore on his first birthday. I just love this shirt! And yes, we had pizza for dinner so you'll notice all the sauce all over his white shirt. This child yanks his bib off any chance he gets and loves to get messy!
A close up of this innocent sweet face. His eyes sure know how to speak to his mama's heart!
The changes and growths are of course not as rapid as they were during the infant stage, therefore I don't seem to be nearly as good about recording them for memory. But, for my own documentation here are some latest and greatest that I want to always remember about MJ at this time:
* He seems to be tall and thin. His shorts are mostly 9 month and some 12 month size while shirts he wears 12 month and some 18month. Now that we're starting to transition to pants as the weather cools a bit, it's a struggle to find any that are long enough for him but small enough in the waist. He has to wear 18 month for the length, but he's swimming in them in the waist. If any parents have any tips for brands to try, let us know.
* He's still a pretty good eater, but has developed a taste for some things more than others. He LOVES blueberries currently. He's also obsessed with "dipping." He likes to dip his grilled cheese in soup, chicken fingers in ranch, etc. He must have learned this one from me! He picks up his food and hands it to you and says "dii" (dip) and if you don't find something to dip it in, it ends up on the floor. Lovely, huh?
* He continues to be an amazing sleeper. He sleeps from about 8:30PM-8:00 or 8:30AM. He used to sleep even longer in the mornings, but we are still thrilled with his nighttime sleep habits. He naps pretty religiously from 1-4 or the occasional long nap until 5PM. He still snuggles with his cuddle bear at night and nap time and takes his pacifier only during these times as well.
* MJ loves to go to the park and demonstrates NO fear, which in turn gives mama LOTS of fear. He usually goes for the toddler size slides only once or twice and then makes his way to the big, tall, winding slides. Ahhh!
* He seems to really like to look at cars and trucks. When we're walking in a parking lot or sidewalk, his head is constantly whipping around to watch the cars drive by. He loved watching all the big trucks at the recent parade we went to. We're thinking we might need to buy him a big toy truck to play with at home.
* He really enjoys going to story time each week at the library. While he doesn't quite grasp the whole concept of sitting still for a few minutes to listen a story, he loves to "sing" the songs and play with the toys with the other little ones. There are a few routine songs that they sing each time and they each have motions that go with them. At home when we sing these songs he dances about and laughs and does all the motions. Of course when we go to story time though he is shy and just watches the other kids. Go figure!
* We started enforcing "time outs" quite a few months ago. He seems to go through spurts of needing them, but when he does it's usually for hitting. :( He went through a hitting phase early this summer, and then we thought it had past, but the last week he has started hitting again. For time out, he has to sit in his highchair (just to keep him contained) facing the corner for one minute. The other day he had been in time out a few times already and I was reaching the point of frustration. He smacked me and I sternly pointed to his time out corner and said "Go to time out!" He walked over there all on his own, waving "bye bye" as he went, and stood next to his highchair in the corner. It was so stinkin adorable that Mat and I had to cover our faces as we were dying of laughter.
* He is learning to say "thank you," and says his version of it quite a bit. He says it when we hand him his milk sometimes. We're working on "please" as well, but haven't heard him say that one nearly as much.
* Talking continues to be a little slow, but he says "Bubba" (our dog) very clearly now and yells "Mama" when he really wants something. Thank you, hat, dog, ball, and more are a few other words we've heard here and there. He still uses his sign language for milk, water, and more.
* He has a great sense of humor. He loves to be sneaky and try to make you laugh. He loves rough housing and being tickled. He very rarely cries. The occasional whining or temper tantrum come into play when he's over tired or wanting attention, but it's such a rarity.
* He's really enjoying learning how to fit things together like stacking blocks, playing with his stacking cups that fit inside each other, and exploring puzzles.
This was taken on September 9th - MJ turned 18 months old. I dressed him in is "1" shirt that he wore on his first birthday. I just love this shirt! And yes, we had pizza for dinner so you'll notice all the sauce all over his white shirt. This child yanks his bib off any chance he gets and loves to get messy!
A close up of this innocent sweet face. His eyes sure know how to speak to his mama's heart!
The changes and growths are of course not as rapid as they were during the infant stage, therefore I don't seem to be nearly as good about recording them for memory. But, for my own documentation here are some latest and greatest that I want to always remember about MJ at this time:
* He seems to be tall and thin. His shorts are mostly 9 month and some 12 month size while shirts he wears 12 month and some 18month. Now that we're starting to transition to pants as the weather cools a bit, it's a struggle to find any that are long enough for him but small enough in the waist. He has to wear 18 month for the length, but he's swimming in them in the waist. If any parents have any tips for brands to try, let us know.
* He's still a pretty good eater, but has developed a taste for some things more than others. He LOVES blueberries currently. He's also obsessed with "dipping." He likes to dip his grilled cheese in soup, chicken fingers in ranch, etc. He must have learned this one from me! He picks up his food and hands it to you and says "dii" (dip) and if you don't find something to dip it in, it ends up on the floor. Lovely, huh?
* He continues to be an amazing sleeper. He sleeps from about 8:30PM-8:00 or 8:30AM. He used to sleep even longer in the mornings, but we are still thrilled with his nighttime sleep habits. He naps pretty religiously from 1-4 or the occasional long nap until 5PM. He still snuggles with his cuddle bear at night and nap time and takes his pacifier only during these times as well.
* MJ loves to go to the park and demonstrates NO fear, which in turn gives mama LOTS of fear. He usually goes for the toddler size slides only once or twice and then makes his way to the big, tall, winding slides. Ahhh!
* He seems to really like to look at cars and trucks. When we're walking in a parking lot or sidewalk, his head is constantly whipping around to watch the cars drive by. He loved watching all the big trucks at the recent parade we went to. We're thinking we might need to buy him a big toy truck to play with at home.
* He really enjoys going to story time each week at the library. While he doesn't quite grasp the whole concept of sitting still for a few minutes to listen a story, he loves to "sing" the songs and play with the toys with the other little ones. There are a few routine songs that they sing each time and they each have motions that go with them. At home when we sing these songs he dances about and laughs and does all the motions. Of course when we go to story time though he is shy and just watches the other kids. Go figure!
* We started enforcing "time outs" quite a few months ago. He seems to go through spurts of needing them, but when he does it's usually for hitting. :( He went through a hitting phase early this summer, and then we thought it had past, but the last week he has started hitting again. For time out, he has to sit in his highchair (just to keep him contained) facing the corner for one minute. The other day he had been in time out a few times already and I was reaching the point of frustration. He smacked me and I sternly pointed to his time out corner and said "Go to time out!" He walked over there all on his own, waving "bye bye" as he went, and stood next to his highchair in the corner. It was so stinkin adorable that Mat and I had to cover our faces as we were dying of laughter.
* He is learning to say "thank you," and says his version of it quite a bit. He says it when we hand him his milk sometimes. We're working on "please" as well, but haven't heard him say that one nearly as much.
* Talking continues to be a little slow, but he says "Bubba" (our dog) very clearly now and yells "Mama" when he really wants something. Thank you, hat, dog, ball, and more are a few other words we've heard here and there. He still uses his sign language for milk, water, and more.
* He has a great sense of humor. He loves to be sneaky and try to make you laugh. He loves rough housing and being tickled. He very rarely cries. The occasional whining or temper tantrum come into play when he's over tired or wanting attention, but it's such a rarity.
* He's really enjoying learning how to fit things together like stacking blocks, playing with his stacking cups that fit inside each other, and exploring puzzles.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
The Official End of Summer
Well, Labor Day always seems to officially mark the end of summer and begin to transition to fall. It seemed like the weather was right on cue. It cooled off and we spent the weekend in the 60's and 70's. It has been just gorgeous ever since! We enjoyed the nice long weekend and beautiful weather by visiting the Children's Zoo one last time this season and attending the Dubuque Labor Day Parade. Last year we attended the parade but it was quite hot and MJ was still pretty little and didn't get into it. We had to leave early because he was fussy and tired. This year was a very different story. This parade mostly consists of trucks, cars, and bands. He is very into trucks and cars right now and loves to shake his booty to some drum beats, so it was right up his alley! We stayed from start until the very end and he was wonderful!
MJ and Mommy awaiting the start of the parade!
Parade watching with Daddy!
I just adore this picture. He looks like such an official toddler. He has his snack cup in hand of course, is sitting on the curb like the big kids, and has his little monkey backpack on to keep him from darting out in the street.
MJ checking out all his loot. He tried his first sucker at the parade. Mommy and Daddy were happy to help eat the candy he's not quite ready for yet. :)
We are so thankful for such an amazing summer. I know it is one that we will always look back on with such fond memories. We were able to spend so much time together as a family of three along with visiting family and friends in St. Louis and welcoming many visitors here in Dubuque. We realize what a blessing it is and were sure not to take it for granted.
MJ and Mommy awaiting the start of the parade!
Parade watching with Daddy!
I just adore this picture. He looks like such an official toddler. He has his snack cup in hand of course, is sitting on the curb like the big kids, and has his little monkey backpack on to keep him from darting out in the street.
MJ checking out all his loot. He tried his first sucker at the parade. Mommy and Daddy were happy to help eat the candy he's not quite ready for yet. :)
We are so thankful for such an amazing summer. I know it is one that we will always look back on with such fond memories. We were able to spend so much time together as a family of three along with visiting family and friends in St. Louis and welcoming many visitors here in Dubuque. We realize what a blessing it is and were sure not to take it for granted.
17 Month Snapshot
By clicking on the title of this post, you can see some photos from MJ's 17th month. I know you're probably sick of seeing so many pictures, but I can't help but take them and like to document them here. Unfortunately I lost some pictures off one of my cameras this month including some with our many visitors we had visit.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
An Aquarium in Dubuque?
I know what you're thinking..."There's an aquarium in Dubuque?" We have actually had so much fun this summer just exploring some of our local little treasures, but we saved one of the best for last. One of Dubuque's attractions is the River City Museum and Aquarium. We kept hearing great things about it, but had not yet been. Just this July, they had a grand opening of an entire new addition where they've added the fish and sea animals of the Gulf. It was almost like we were back in FL for a little bit. ;)
GiGi and PopPop were able to come for a visit at the end of August. It was our last week of summer, so it worked out perfect and was a nice end to the relaxing summer that we have had. We thought they might enjoy going with MJ to the aquarium, so we went as a family and spent a couple hours there. Needless to say, much of it is still over MJ's head, but he really loved jut walking around, looking at all of the fish, and playing in the kid's area. It's so fun to see him begin to be able to experience things like this. I love watching his expressions as he takes it all in. Here are a few fave moments that were captured:
MJ and GiGi check out the large fish tank. MJ spent a good 10-15 minutes just watching all the fish swim by.
MJ trying to peek at the water table. They had such a neat area where the kids could build boats and then put them in the water to go through a dam and sail.
MJ was able to feel crawfish. He was very interested in touching anything that he could!
MJ watches a shark swim by!
GiGi and PopPop were able to come for a visit at the end of August. It was our last week of summer, so it worked out perfect and was a nice end to the relaxing summer that we have had. We thought they might enjoy going with MJ to the aquarium, so we went as a family and spent a couple hours there. Needless to say, much of it is still over MJ's head, but he really loved jut walking around, looking at all of the fish, and playing in the kid's area. It's so fun to see him begin to be able to experience things like this. I love watching his expressions as he takes it all in. Here are a few fave moments that were captured:
MJ and GiGi check out the large fish tank. MJ spent a good 10-15 minutes just watching all the fish swim by.
MJ trying to peek at the water table. They had such a neat area where the kids could build boats and then put them in the water to go through a dam and sail.
MJ was able to feel crawfish. He was very interested in touching anything that he could!
MJ watches a shark swim by!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
