Fall 2011

We are constantly amazed how fast our little munchkin is growing. She is really a little toddler now and it is absolutely crazy!!!

Unfortunately, Jeff has had to travel more the last two months for work, but we, thankfully, have had been able to sneak away just the two of us as well. We went to Vegas twice in the last three months - once just for a quick weekend get-away, and again in September for a work trip (Jeff was scheduled to be gone on my 30th birthday and I simply could not have him celebrate in Vegas without me). Thankfully, we were joined by our awesome neighbors, and we had a blast. That said, we now need a vacation from Vegas!

We also had a great visit from my dear friends Anna and Preston and their adorable baby boy, Stan. We had such a fun time with them and we were so glad they drove through San Antonio on their move. It’s too bad they didn’t want to stay permanently; It was great to have them in Texas.

Miss Mattie sure is growing up (have I already said that? :). It really blows my mind. She is almost 15 months, but I still have not started her baby book. Oops! So, my only attempt to document her formative years is this blog. So, here are the milestones/achievements we’ve conquered over the last few months that I’m thinking I should be keeping track of! Again, please feel free to skip ahead to some recent pics or click here!

-She has a fondness for animal sounds and has now added monkey and fish (not much of a noise, but she has the face down) to her repertoire of pig and elephant. She will make the noises when you ask (if she is in the mood), when she sees pictures in a book or on tv, and when a song, show, or toy says the animal's name. It is super cute but pretty random. So much for a cow says mooo – I’m sure she will get there someday.

-She loves her dada and will always say his name. He has also taught her to say “dada” when he asks “who loves you?” Adorable, really stinkin’ adorable…nevermind that mama takes care of her all day everyday. She does say mama when she is mad or not getting her way (thinking Jeff must have taught her that too!). She likes to pat mama (yahoo!), dada, her head, and mattie on command. She tries to pat and pet Macy, and will make attempts on command, but Macy is too quick. Macy continues to be very wary of Mattie’s little hands – probably a good idea. She also responds to a lot of requests and will hand us toys, pick different items up, and is always eager to find her “water.” She is SUPER sweet and loves to give hugs, kisses, and sit in laps for brief moments. She also knows where her nose, eyes, feet, hands, ears, mouth, and head are located and loves to point out ours’ as well. She loves to say ”hi” and wave at people and also says “hi” when we greet her to lift her out of her crib or car seat. She will also blow kisses and clench her fists and teeth when you ask if she is “stressed out.” That trick is my FAVORITE! She is pretty good at “performing” on command, but also loves to make us look like fools every now and then when we are in public. Does it sound like she is a new puppy we are teaching to do tricks….at least there are not baby training treats !
-She loves to jibber and jabber and will occasionally repeat some fun words after you (she has said happy, apple, and, almost, thank you a few times – Again, she favors these random words and certainly not any of the examples in the development books – she is definitely developing a unique personality, and we love it. She is saying car, go, and ball – which I assume are normal. We taught her the sign for more, too, to keep her from screaming when she wants more food, and she now will say the word and sign – usually for more French fries!

-She still loves to dance and has really started to broaden her book of moves....to say I am proud would be a colossal understatement. All she needs is music or a verbal cue. I often find her dancing on her own as she sings her own little ditty or when someone says dance in conversation.

-M loves to read books and we are grateful she finds them so entertaining. As her nap schedule has shrunk we have less formal reading time but she frequently grabs a book and initiates it at random. I’m hoping this kid will be able to spell better than her mom, so I’m working hard on the reading!

-The child is crazy mobile. She is a walking/running/climbing machine and is always on the move. There must be a candy fairy that visits little kids at night and loads them up for the next day! She has endless energy. She wants in to everything and MUST touch everything! She keeps me on my toes to say the least.

-She has also started to color! And I use that term VERY liberally. It is really fun. She can now partake of the crayons and placemats at restaurants (even if she can’t order the food off the kids menu). She knows how to hold them and makes marks on paper. She also is in love with sidewalk chalk – thank goodness that stuff is washable and we are grateful our neighbors are all willing to share!

-She is a fabulous eater. Jeff and I only wish we ate as healthy as she does. She is very adept at feeding herself small bites and loves to bite bananas, crackers, etc. She also eats a couple homemade fruit/veggie purees each day. Jeff says they are less than tasty, but, for whatever reason, she loves them and we are grateful, especially since she is allergic to dairy and eggs. I found an awesome blogr I'm in love with - http://www.insockmonkeyslippers.com/ great recipes and Mattie has loved almost everything!

-She has 8 teeth showing – 4 on the bottom, 2 on the top, and 2 more almost halfway out on the top, with some pink puffy molars in the works.

-I’m still incredibly grateful to be able to be home with Miss Mattie and am enjoying and embracing this new role. I miss my work and look forward to returning some day, but I am very content in God’s purpose for me right now. With that said, I definitely appreciate the value of a little break and have started looking for a baby sitter/nanny so I can at least get a little time for myself every once in a while. Not to mention I’m really overdue for some MD appointments and date nights! And, I’d love to be able to start some side projects. If you have any recommendations of someone in San Antonio – PLEASE let me know! Even if it is day a month! I’ll take anything!

-Oh – and the best, ok well maybe not the best, but I’m so excited – we discovered pig tails! I have tried several times and they just haven’t worked or stayed but we are now in the club, and I’m in love. I think my little stinker is pretty cute. It really is the little things!

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I had them embedded but I think shutterfly hates me.