Snowman and Big Boy Underwear

Happy Holidays to all! As the season is upon us, I have to take a moment to appreciate the BIG gift Adam has given us. He has said goodbye to diapers and pull ups and HELLO to big boy underwear. He told us he was done with pull ups last Sunday and has been in big boy underwear ever since. With the exception of a few accidents, he's been doing really well. Of course, the chocolate encouragement helps! He's so proud of his new big boy status that when he got himself dressed for school on Wednesday, he wore 2 pair - a red pair and a blue pair. It was really funny.

This week, we rode the Santa Train with all of Marchus's family - that's 6 kids age 3 and under. It was a great ride and at the end, Gingerbread Man, Bear, Snowman, Rudolph and of course, Santa came through to greet everyone. When Snowman came through, I thought Adam was going to burst he was SO excited. He had been asking all week whether Snowman was going to be on the Santa Train and I didn't know, so I told him I'd leave Snowman a voicemail to see if he could come. He's very busy this time of year, you know. So, when he did show up, Adam was just beside himself. He says that he loves Snowman and Rudolph, but not Santa. Maybe next year. :)

Adam told me he wanted to go to a restaurant for lunch. I suggested that we make a restaurant at home. So, he sat at the table and I took his order for lunch, made his food, brought it to the table etc.. Somewhere along the way, I said something to him about eating and he said, "Call me sir, Mommy." I couldn't contain my laughter and he kept insisting that I call him "sir" through the whole meal. It was hilarious. The things kids pick up - too funny.

Matthew is growing and changing every day. He's already managing to scoot himself around on his tummy. I have to slow down that tummy time or he'll be crawling before you know it! He's mastered shrieking with delight, and babbling all kinds of things that I don't understand but wish I did. He's very determined to get everything he can touch into his mouth. He continues to be a really happy, easygoing little guy - unless he's strapped into a car seat. He loves his big brother more than anything and is constantly entertained by Adam. We are so fortunate that the boys like each other. I'm sure sibling issues are in our future, but right now, they are pals. Adam is even happy to share his toys with Matthew most of the time and loves it when Matthew joins him for a tea party.

We are heading south on Monday for Christmas with my family. Though we are flying this time, I am still not looking forward to the journey. It will be great to be there with all the cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents. We are hoping for sunny weather and at least one trip to the beach.

Wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas and a safe and peaceful New Year.

5 MONTHS ALREADY!!!

Baby Matthew is five months old today. I am wondering where the time went. Seems like just yesterday I was still pregnant! He's growing and changing so fast. He is getting good at grabbing things - like my hair, and hot cups of tea (danger). So, I have to really watch what comes near those little hands. They are strong! He loves sucking on everything he can grab. I guess it is time to think about baby-proofing around here. I thought I had a few more months! :)

Matthew continues to be a happy, easy baby. He's a big eater and not much of a sleeper. But he's happy to hang out with me while I work or go for a walk. As long as he's not strapped into his car seat for hours and hours, he's pretty happy.

Adam's world is rapidly expanding. He's told me that Frosty the Snowman is bringing his presents for Christmas, not Santa cuz he doesn't like Santa, but he will when he is bigger. He loved going and cutting down our Christmas tree and enjoys reading his Christmas books - Frosty, Rudolph etc. He's very much a little boy and insists on riding his "motorcycle" to the mailbox each day. He's really fast and agile on his little skuut bike (a wooden bike with no pedals that he thinks is his motorcycle). He loves music and insists on listening to "his" Christmas music in the car. Matthew actually finds music soothing in the car, so we've listened to the same song over and over and over to keep him calm on long car rides. Makes the rest of us crazy, but it's better than a screaming baby. :)

We have been traveling so much, we haven't had much time for home improvement projects, but we'll get back to it after the new year. I already have some paint ready to throw on the walls!

We are really looking forward to the holidays and sharing wonderful traditions and experiences with family. Hope everyone is celebrating the joy of the season and is thankful for all their blessings - we certainly are!!!