Matthew Update

I've been meaning to write a little update about Matthew, but time keeps getting away from me.  I feel so bad because I don't want it to seem like he's being left out.  I know this past year has been a major transition for him, and we work very hard to make sure he gets individual attention as much as possible.  I've read in multiple places about how bringing a special needs child into a family can affect everyone in the house.  This is especially true of any healthy siblings because they can begin to resent the special needs brother/sister.  Since reading this, I do my best to give Matthew lots of attention!

All that said, Matthew is such an amazing little guy!  I'm so very proud of him and how he has handled the many changes our family has had.  He has grown so much over the last several months and I'm loving seeing him learning something new every day!  Here are a few highlights of our sweet 2 year old...

~ You are right around 30 lbs and wearing 2T clothes.  You're about to transition to 3T tops, but you're still small in the legs.

~  We are still in the trenches of potty training with you.  You've come so far and have even asked to wear your big boy underwear a few times!  Our plan is to have more of a potty training "boot camp" this spring.  Right now, you're mainly just going in the potty to get an oreo :-)

~  You are an amazing big brother!  You love tickling and playing with Samuel.  He's just gotten to the point where you can make him laugh just by being in the room!  His face lights up when he hears you.  You get very concerned when Samuel cries and you want to help as much as you can - especially with poopy diapers.

~  You are Mr. Independent.  I hear "Me do it" constantly throughout the day and Lord help us if we start doing something you wanted to do on your own.  You are very quick to get onto us about it.  

~  You talk ALL THE TIME!!!  We are told often that your vocabulary is amazing for a 2 year old and I agree!  Some of my favorite quotes of yours are "that's me's", "no, no, it's later", "mommy/daddy come play with me", "i love you mommy", "it's okay bro" and so many more!  

~ You and Bella are still best friends!  You chase each other around and love to throw her soccer ball!  Your daddy has taught you how to keep Bella's frisbee on the trampoline to keep her entertained for a while.

~ Your fave things to do are build puzzles and play with your cars.  You especially like to line your cars up and take them around the house!  You've become much better at independent play which makes life easier with a baby.

~  You LOVE the TV and we plan to break this habit as soon as it gets warmer outside.  It's just been an easy thing to do with Samuel being on a short leash.  Your fave shoes are Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Thomas and Friends, and Veggie Tales.  

~ You love family movie night!  We can't order a pizza without you wanting to sit on a pallet on the floor while you eat and watch a movie.  Your fave movies have been Cars, Toy Story, & Madagascar.  It's hard to find ones that are appropriate because even Disney movies rated G or PG will have inappropriate language.

~  I'm hoping to get you signed up for tee-ball this fall, so this spring we will have you out practicing!  Oh, how I can't wait for little league ball & soccer!!!

~  You've started "reading" books to yourself and the inner teacher in me loves it!  

My favorite thing is hearing you sing "Jesus Loves Me" and saying your bedtime prayers.  It's amazing to hear those words come out of a small child.  It makes me think of just how special ALL of God's children are in His eyes!  I love you sweet Matthew!!!

10 Months

The closer we get to Samuel turning 1, the more excited I get to celebrate!  I'm so ready to celebrate a birthday that, at one point, we did not think we'd ever see.  It still does not see possible that Samuel is almost 1 year old.  I can remember how slow time went when he was in the NICU and this seemed like a lifetime away.  Well, we're almost there - God is Good!

~ You are 13 lbs 8 oz.  We are slowly waiting for you to gain more weight after getting your button.  As for height, I'm not sure, but I know you are at least 24 inches or more.

~  You are still in size 1 diapers.  This is also due to the fact that we save more money by keeping you in this size as long as possible.  You are able to wear 6 month size shirts & onesies easily, but pants are still a little big.  You are like your big brother and daddy - no booty!

~ You had 2 more surgeries and an eye exam in late January.  You were given a G-Tube button to help with feedings.  Since you were not getting enough volume, we are now giving you a time limit with your bottle.  Whatever you don't finish, we put through the G-Tube.  It's definitely taken away some of our stress with your feeding issues.

~ You are doing SO good with therapies!!  Both your OT and PT have been very proud of you and want to increase your time to twice a week!  You are getting better and better at playing with toys (holding them, putting them in your mouth, banging them).  Rolling over and sitting up should, hopefully, come pretty soon!  You are so close to rolling from your back to your belly!  

~ Your little personality shows more and more each day.  Since your surgery, you have been much happier - laughing more and playing!  You love it when your big bro tickles you!

~ You like playing with your gold & red Mardi Gras beads, the zebra on your play mat, and the bumble bee toy.  Books are only entertaining if you can make noise with them when you bang on them.

~ You are still on 1/2 a liter of oxygen, but we are hoping you will be weaned at the end of the month.

~ You are so close to saying your first word!  I've been working very hard with you on saying "mama".  So far, I've gotten a "ma" out of you.  You put your lips together and make the "mmm" sound often, so I'm hopeful "mama" is just around the corner!

Little Samuel, you are my hero and I love you more each day!  Keep growing strong and making us proud!