Thank you for visiting my blog! If you are visiting because you have experienced a pregnancy or infant loss, let me say that I am so very sorry. I started this blog shortly after our Baby Grady was stillborn on November 12, 2008. Please visit the sidebar below called "Labels" to find the topic in which you are interested, or just read as your heart desires.

Friday, October 28, 2011

Matthew. 12 - 15 Months.

Never, ever did I imagine that I would be this far behind on my blog. Seriously?!? Where does the time go?!?


Sweet Matthew is now 15 1/2 months old. I cannot tell you what a love he is. He is just a lot little spoiled and brings such joy to our family. I will do my best to make this post as easy to read and follow as I try to play catch-up on our little man.

~12 Months~

*He celebrated his first birthday in the Bahamas, which I posted about right here. It was a great celebration with great memories for sure.

*We also had a birthday party here at home on July 23, 2011. I want to post all about it, but here are some pictures from that day.


*He was still eating a great variety of pureed fruits and veggies, with the only real "solid" food being Gerber Lil' Crunchies. He was still on formula, getting five bottles a day, while learning to drink water from a sippy cup.

*Right before we left for the Bahamas he decided to start army crawling. So much for containing him on vacation! He had a great time perusing around our hotel suite on his belly.


*He was still sleeping great! Two naps a day, totaling 3-4 hours and 10 - 11 hours at night.

*At his 12 month well-check, he weighed 23 lbs. 8.5 oz (65th%); was 24 3/4 in. (50%) and his head was 18 1/2 in (70%). He was wearing mostly 12 month, but some 18 months, clothes.

~13 Months~

*This is the only picture I have of him alone for the month of August.


*I really can't think of anything huge that happened at this age for him except that we continued to try new foods and get better with the sippy cup. We also worked on physical therapy stuff, trying to crawl on his hands/knees and start pulling up.

*On September 3rd, he pulled himself up on the sofa, which I blogged about here. He was 13 1/2 months old. It was such a huge accomplishment for him! And just like my post said, I cried. I was SO proud of him!

~14 Months~


*September 19, 2011. Supposed to be napping but pulled himself up in his crib for the first time instead.


*I wrote the following in a "Tidbits" post, and I'm so thankful I did. It really is hard to remember...

--He has mastered pulling up and is learning to get himself back down. He is learning to wave and immediately claps for himself after he does it. He is cutting his molars, and the bottom two have broken the skin. He loves to eat and feed himself...I'm happy to report that he's doing well with that. He also loves his sippy cup, and I hope to have him off the bottle soon. He army crawls fast as lightning and climbed the stairs the other day with very little help. So happy and thankful for his progress. Still a long way to go, but thankful for how far he has come.

*These were taken on my birthday, September 10. This is one of our favorite expressions he makes.


~15 Months~

*Well, 15 1/2 months now to be exact, but that's okay. We're caught up as best we can be!!!

*At his 15 month well-check, Matthew weighed 24 lbs. 3 oz (40%), he was 31 1/2 inches long (65%) and his head was 18 3/4 inches ( 65%). He had dropped some in his weight but had gained in his length. He works so incredibly hard to do what he does, I think he just burns a lot of calories. He is a great eater, though! He's down to two bottles a day, one in the morning and one at bedtime...I'm hoping to have him strictly on a sippy cup soon. He loves whole milk and would drink it all day if I would let him...which I don't!

*He now has his upper and bottom molars and is actually cutting his "eye" teeth...poor baby. He's such a trooper!

*He has learned to give me hugs. They melt my heart! I call them "sweet love" when he gives them to me. When he puts his head on my left shoulder, he just hugs. When he puts his head on my right shoulder, he pats my back or arm. He will go from one side to the other. And if I had my way about it, they would be never-ending!

*He also gives kisses...selectively...when he wants to. They are the open-mouth, slobbery kind. Is there any other? Love them!

*He has some shoes that he's not real fond of. They are white high tops from Stride Rite. They didn't come in brown or navy, and his therapist really wanted the support of the high tops. He does feel more stable in them and will actually take a few steps when holding onto a push toy or our hands. He still can't stand alone, and he has a long way to go before he walks.

*He absolutely adores both of his sisters, but he's particularly drawn to Jessica. I think it's because she's a bit bigger than Emma Grace, but who knows. He will almost jump out of my arms to get to her. Sweet!


*Matthew and Emma Grace will often play a game of give-and-take in the car. Their seats are next to each other, and they will pass a toy or book or his lovie back and forth. They both giggle and smile the whole time. Music to my ears!

*He loves to play the grunting game with his Daddy. Maybe I should call it the yelling game. They go back and forth and often get louder as they go. And, of course, he loves to rough house with him, too.

*I can't pinpoint a for sure first word from him yet. He says something that sounds like "good". Gib heard him say "uh oh" the other night. He will sporadically say "Mama" and "Dada" but not intentionally enough to call it a first word. He does mumble and jabber all the time, though, so I think it won't be too long before he starts saying something we can understand. He loves to shake his head "no" and has started saying "uh uh" while doing it if he doesn't want something. He understands a few questions like, "Where is Buddy?" and "Give it to Mommy".

*He loves to play with our kitchen set, but the unfortunate thing is that he has pulled it onto himself a couple of times. Since he doesn't get down gracefully from standing, he sometimes forgets to let go of what he's holding onto when he plops on his bottom. He loves to open and close the microwave door and take things in and out of it.


*He loves to crawl to the TV, pull himself up and bang on it...not good!


*His other favorite toy is Emma Grace's pink Barbie jeep. He rolls that thing all over the house, army crawling after it.

*His favorite things to eat these days are bananas, blueberry waffles, grilled cheese, grapes, applesauce, yogurt, and fruit/veggie pouches. He isn't too fond of green veggies these days, so I get those organic veggie pouches to get some of those vitamins in him. He can take or leave a sweet potato. Gags on broccoli and green beans. Loves pizza and some mexican dishes. And loves to feed his leftovers to Buddy (who just so happens to hang out under his highchair at meal time!). His all-time favorite snack is Gerber Lil' Crunchies, Veggie Dip flavor. He LOVES them!

*These were taken on his 15 Month Birthday.

*I couldn't resist a naked baby shot. He will hate me for these one day, I'm sure!


*For Halloween this year, he was sick. :( He had a cold and later in the week developed croup. He dressed up in a hand-me-down Honey Pot costume from his sisters. He was already in his jammies here and went to bed straight after pictures. Maybe next year he will get to go Trick-or-Treating with his sisters.


That's all I can think of for now. I started this post a while ago and am just finishing and posting it on November 10, 2011. He will be 16 months old in just a few days. I seriously gotta get better at finding time to blog! Thanks for reading and God bless!

Love,
Tonya

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

October 15th Remembrance Event

It's down to crunch time for the Candlelight Remembrance Event with Rock Goodbye Angel this coming Saturday, October 15th. If you are local and have experienced a pregnancy or infant loss, or you know someone who has, please visit the website at www.rockgoodbyeangel.org to register. You may call 770-331-1281 to register as well. The sooner the better! We want to make sure we have enough food for everyone and be able to email a free parking pass to the event.

This will be a beautiful time of fellowship with other bereaved families, along with a special time to honor your baby. If you are able to attend, please find me and introduce yourself. I always love connecting with new friends! But watch out, I love to talk! :)

Love and blessings!
Tonya