From the mouth of babes

Imagine my surprise when I get Matthew's daily progress sheet from school and they say that he is chatty. Chatty? Sure Matthew uses a few words now and again - he'll "oooh and ahhh" over a toy, say "bye-bye" when daddy leaves for work or sees a passing car. He may even shout "duck" if the neighborhood fowl decide to grab a snack in our neighbor's front yard. Talking sure, but chatty - I wouldn't say that necessarily. THEN, we spent the weekend together. Matthew is FULL of babytalk. He babbles away - talking to everyone and about everything. What I am finding is that he has responses that are really in context of his activities. I guess he really knows what is going on.

This past weekend we took a trip downtown to check out the CityArts Festival. It was very very hot, so we took advantage of all the museums being open and - our favorite four letter word - FREE! Matthew expored the toddler room in the Dallas Museum of Art and even got to hang his texture rubbing on the wall. (Daddy is so proud to say Matthew had his art handing in the DMA. :) )

After the DMA, we checked out the Trammel Crow Asian Art museum. We rounded one corner to see a jade statue and Matthew's response was "Oh Wow!" He was mezmorized by the statue. I wonder if he realized what he just communicated. My favorite expression for the weekend wasn't the expression itself, but the context. While downtown we went to mass at the Cathedral. I don't know if it was the fact that it was someplace new, or he was really getting into the service, but he punctuated every activity with a "Yea" and clapping his hands. After every song, every reading - the homily too. I don't know if it was a "yea - thank goodness this is over," or a "yea, being in church rocks!" type of response. I guess we'll see as he grows older. For now we'll welcome the enthusiasm.

Celebration time!

Do you want to know how to celebrate a birthday in style? You need to get with my grandfather. 90 years old - 10 kids - 26 grandkids - 12 great-grandkids with one one the way. Though the whole family couldn't make it, there were plenty of us to make it one heck of a party. (You can see our pictures here.)

We decided to do things a little old school and let the kids run around on the front lawn and play games. When I say old school, I mean old school. The great-grandkids got a tractor ride. We did potato races (put potato on a spoon and run w/o dropping), three-legged race, watermelon seed spitting contest, etc. The grandkids had fun running on the oil drums while the great-grandkids loved pushing them around.



It was a very relaxing and enjoyable day - one which was sad to see come to an end. Alas, we have a kiddo now and bedtime is now our indicator for how long we can stay and enjoy the party. I miss being able to stay late, play cards and catching up with everyone, but am so glad that Matthew had the chance to experience his big, crazy extended family. I love "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," because I have a "big fat German family" and can totally relate. Now, my grandfather may not spray Windex on everything, but our get togethers are large and loud and always have a ton of food and this one was no exception!

Roadtrip!

Woo-hoo. We've done roadtrips with Matthew before, but never when he was mobile. When he was a cute little blob it was so easy to toss him in the car and drive. We were pretty much guarenteed that he would sleep for a good amount to time. Now we have a toddler who is moving and grooving. Ugh. I was dreading it!!! Mike and Tran were getting married in Austin and we were not about it miss it. So we loaded up the car and set out at 8:45pm. Matthew did great for the first couple hours, but didn't sleep like I hoped. The result was a rested and wired child who was awake at 1:45am. Don't know that we'll do that again.

The trip was fabulous. We got to see our dear friends Tran and Mike get hitched. It was a great wedding and wonderful reception.



In addition to a delicious, gorge-yourself-silly style 10-course Chinese banquet, we got to dance the night away! Most fun was the photobooth they set up to capture the "true" nature of their friends and family. We contributed a few photo-strips to the scrapbook and probably could have done more!



After the wedding the celebration continued - Travis and Tyler are college graduates. Yeah! Matthew got to see lots of family and had a blast playing with his big cousins, especially if they would lift him so he could touch the ceiling. How much fun to be tall.



Our Memorial Day Weekend ended with Matthew's first trip to a splash pad. It was a little to loud, and the water a little chilly, but after he warmed up to the idea, Matthew had a blast. I am sure by the end of the summer we won't be able to keep up with him when we head out for an afternoon at the park!




We are definitely gearing up for a busy summer - next weekend we celebrate Granddaddy's 90th Birthday!!!

You live where?!?!

This weekend we had plans to attend the surprise party of good friends of ours - a 40th birthday party to be exact. It was to be held in their new home. Though they've lived there a few months it was the first time that we had the chance to visit. Other friends joked that it was a mansion - just so I didn't look so dumb-founded, I wanted to check it out online. I took a glimpse using Google Maps Satellite view. What I saw was very close to a home that many of our friends in - large, 2-story modern home in Frisco - the picture we saw when we turned that corner was something completely differnt. This house could be - for all intents and purposed a mansion. I feel so silly writing this, but I was truly in awe. This home has everything - I mean, even a room for scrapbooking! Our friends look girl has a separate closet that has been designed to be a "backstage dressing room" to be used for dress-up and make-believe. They have fully stocked work out room, two offices, a enormous play room - make that two, there is one for the big kids too. They even have a movie theatre. No, this is not a media room - it is really a movie theatre. We're so happy that they have this house and all their kids have room to run and grow - we're also pleased to be counted among their friends to help fill the house with laughter and joy. All I know is Marvin is already plotting ways to get invited to watch the superbowl. :) It was a very awesome get together and we had a wonderful time catching up with everyone!

After Mother's Day festivities, we met up with the Kolb's to check out Taste of Addison. Carson's walking, so the boys took the opportunity to run around outside while the mommies and daddies sampled food and caught up. It was a very pleasant and enjoyable afternoon. A perfect Mother's Day if you ask me!


Carson cooling off


Matthew and Carson


Eating cotton candy


Airplane

Mother's Day Number 2

Mommy and Matthew at brunch



This time it was real - it's been a full year that I have been a mommy. What an experience this year has been. During this time I completed the trifecta - I was peed on, pooped on and puked on. I have caused giggles to errupt as I chased a bare hiney around the house. I cried every morning for nearly a month as I left Matthew at school and I returned to work. I found the perfect toys that still stimulate and excite Matthew today. I've provided the perfect lap for reading a favorite book. I have rocked a sick boy to sleep. I have found that a slight tapping of foreheads is almost a sure way to change any mood.

I know I have much more to learn, but the one thing I do know is that I love being a mommy. Happy Mother's Day to my mom, my husband's mom and every other mom out there. Here's to all you do!

Bluebonnets

I am learning - just because I want to do something, it doesn't necessarily mean that my family (i.e. Matthew) wants to do something. We got great pictures of Matthew in the bluebonnets last year, but it was so easy then. He was a few weeks old and all you had to do was lay him down on this blanket and shoot away. In fact, I think he slept through most of it last year. This year we went out right after a nap thinking he would be nice and refreshed. While he would sit, we had a really tough time coaxing a smile. I am sure next year won't be much easier, but I'll still try!

Enjoy the pics.




Best of the bunch - best picture of Matthew that is, but we definitely
found some better flower patches later

Birthdays and Easter

Where has time gone. I am a bit negligent here, but wanted to do the big birthday update! So you saw the day of birthday post. Matthew's birthday was in the middle of the week, so we were low-key. We had dinner at Cotton Patch - down home cooking guarentees that there will be mac and cheese and other kid friendly fare just perfect for a toddler who is advancing his selection of foods beyond those that are pureed and mashed. After dinner it was home to open a few small presents and to preview the cake eating extravagaza the following Saturday by enjoying a cup cake. A very nice and enjoyable way to spend a birthday if you ask me. :)

The birthday party itself was very low key as immediate family and Matthew's best friend Carson (and his mommy and daddy) joined us to celebrate Matthew becoming one whole finger! Wow. Matthew, Carson and cousin Riley played in Matthew's play room before we opened presents and enjoyed the cake. Matthew, we learned, is not much of a sweets person. He humored Marvin when he smashed Matthew's hands into the cake. Other than that, the cake eating was rather uneventful.









The following weekend Matthew went to Carson's to celebrate his first birthday. The sports theme was awesome complete with consession stand and sports ball candy favors. We had fun playing "Carson", watching Carson open presents and enjoy his cake. I can't believe that 12 months can go by so quickly. I remember Matthew and Carson's first playdate when they were just weeks old.


I have to admit - I now understand why everyone says it only gets better. Yes those first 3 months were brutal, but all that is forgotten when you get to watch this little person run around the yard to come up to you with no intention other than to give you a hug. It's the best. :)

On to Easter....

We have a fast learner on our hands. By the time Easter rolled around Matthew had experienced a few trial Easter egg hunts. We traveled to Gainsville to celebrate Easter at Kim & Don's. We had fun catching up with everyone and Matthew had a blast showing off by getting into everything. No cabinet or room was left unexplored! The Easter bunny made his visit after lunch and thanks to all the big kids for letting him have a head start. Matthew was excited to see all the eggs, but was more enthused by all the trees! (Tree was his vocabulary word for the week at school and he had to stop and point to just about every one of them.) Matthew had a blast picking up a few eggs, but really enjoyed the opportunity to run free. It was a great visit. We look forward to next year when Matthew knows what he's doing and becomes a force with which to be reconned!

Cool Products Last Night

After having Matthew it isn't often that I get to have "me" time. Last weekend I actually made it to the salon to have a pedicure, manicure and my hair done. Wow I felt like a real person - sans the baby drool on my shirt. When I had the opportunity to attend the MetroMoms Best Products: Best & Hottest Products From Pregnancy To Preschool event I jumped at the chance. I had been trying to go for more than a year now. I tried when I was pregnant - no dice. After Matthew was born - no luck. On Wednesday I got the glorious call that someone had cancelled and my name came up on the waitlist. Did I want to go - need you ask?!?!

Unlike many women there, I didn't know a soul - so step one - meet some lovely mommies to converse with and have dinner. I met 3 fabulous moms with whom we seemed to have much in common. Funny how it just happens. Step two - get a low number so I can get a great item. Every mom there draws a number and that is the order in which you get to pick your "best and hottest" product to take home (in addition to taking home a really cool gift bag).

I don't know how they do it, but the MetroMoms get more than a hundred top baby items to give away. We are talking high end strollers, new and innovative furniture options; and even a toy or two. This event really is targeted at all age ranges and I just hoped that people in front of me would have kids that were way older - or way younger - so I could get what I wanted.

I drew my number and didn't do too bad - 32. I had gone through the items in advance and had ranked all the things I wanted - about 35 of them. I was hoping for one of the big items of course. (Who wouldn't love a $250 playhouse for the backyard!) Based on Matthew's age and current stage, I also had a number of smaller items on the list - hoping that if I got a low number at least something practical would be left - dinner set; potty; swimtop. Something. I was optimistic picking number 32 I would get one of the bigger items on my list. Stroller and Playhouse not likely, but the oh so cute P'kolino's Silly Soft Seating just might be left.

As I wait in line it seems all the ladies in front of me have 1 year olds as I watch all my choice items being picked up right before I get there. When it is my turn I had to decide - a cute backpack for my son who likes bags or a cool activity toy that I had been too cheap to purchase on my own. At the advice of all the women watching the selection process, we got the...drum roll please...Laugh & Learn™ Fun With Friends™ Musical Table.




I know that Matthew will love this. We have a number of toys from the Laugh and Learn line and every one of them has been a huge hit, so I know we can't go wrong. I got home a little late last night, so while I wanted to rush into his room and say - look what mommy got you! - I had to wait until this morning. I think this is going to be a toy we have in Mommy and Daddy's room for morning entertainment while we're getting ready for work. We haven't had it 24-hours, but so far, it's a hit!

Thank you MetroMoms! Fingers crossed I can get in for another one of these Best Products Events. To all my mommy friends out there - I highly highly recommend! It was fabulous.

How fast a year goes

I can't believe a year ago I was laying on the operating table coming to terms with the fact that I was really responsible for another person. My own son. What an overwhelming experience and what an incredible journey it's been. Happy birthday Matthew!

Little Boys
Little boys come in all shapes and sizes,
Shy and adventurous, full of surprises,
With misshapen halos and mischievous grins,
Small dirty faces, and sweet, sticky chins.

They'll keep you so busy, and yet all the while
Nothing can brighten the world like their smile.
And no greater treasure has brought homes more joy
Than a curious, active, and lovable boy!

Family picture one year later

Birthday cupcake I don't like to eat it, but smashing up the cupcake sure is fun!

Busy busy weekend

I thought I was busy in the winter and fall keeping up with Matthew, but wow - spring time takes it to a whole new level. Since Matthew has started to walk, he seems to think that climbing is the natural progression. No longer can I keep our my little step stool. In the past, it was a push toy, but now it is a means to see the world from a new vantage point.

To keep our active one busy, we got a climber and slide for him to test his adventurous side. While he isn't quite skilled enough to climb, he's got the sliding thing down pat. He is so excited by the slide down that he turns around and tries to climb right back up. Along with the walking comes a need for new shoes. The soft soled, leather bottom footwear isn't going to hold up long to concrete. We ventured to the mall and while we were there let Matthew try out the play area. Matthew is fearless - even the child 3x his size didn't intimidate him. In fact, if someone was moving to slow, Matthew would find a way around. It was so funny to see - a little unnerving for his parents, but he had a blast and came out without a single scratch.

Last weekend we had the pleasure of a visit from Chris and Sandy - Matthew's godparents. Matthew showed off how great he could walk and proved it by doing laps - he did laps outside around his new climber and slide, but the kitchen island is his favorite race track! If you are in the way, he doesn't hesitate to walk through your legs (fair warning to anyone who is short, he hasn't figured out how to duck yet!).

Last weeks busy weekend was matched by this one. Marvin and I are finally comfortable enough with Matthew, his moods and schedule to start really seeing our friends again. We enjoyed brunch with Kim and Adam on Saturday and headed over to Trisha and Chad's in the evening for a crawfish boil to celebrate Chad's big 3-0. Matthew didn't make it long, but he sure did have fun wandering around the yard with all the other kids and particularly enjoyed playing with his pal Carson.

Matthew and Carson are quickly becoming good buddies. They treat each other as every other baby best friend does - pulling hair, grabbing faces, taking toys. They are BFFs in the making for sure. Trisha, Carson, Matthew and I took in the New Mom's Tea this weekend where we learned all about developmental milestones. Matthew is about average - does almost everything an 11 month old should - give or take a few things. We are going to have to work on saying "bye bye". As a part of the event, we participated in a Gymboree class and baby yoga class. Matthew LOVED Gymboree, but was way too into exploring to participate in Baby Yoga. 2 hours of pure activity and we had one tuckered out little boy. Fingers crossed that means good sleep tonight!

Back in the swing

My goodness - after more than a month of craziness, our life is finally starting to get back to normal. My work trip to Barcelona went so well. While the work was intense and exhausting, but backdrop is the beautiful city of Barcelona. Marvin flew over after the event and we took a few days to explore the city. It was a wonderful experience to wander the small streets of Barcelona to see what treasures they held - be it a small pastry show, cute boutique or end in a square with a small church. I enjoyed the atmosphere and the idea that I could wander and get lost in the city with every turn. Thankfully it was always easy to find a cab and get back to a central location. :) Marvin and I enjoyed dinner with friends, saw the Sagrata Familia, enjoyed Parc Guell, walked Las Rambalas, and took in the Gothic and Born areas. We hope to go back again.






















The question everyone asks - did I miss Matthew. Yes, yes I did, but he definitely did not miss me as much as I missed him. Matthew had a wonderful week with Granddad and Mimi. So much so that it took him a few days to warm up to me. I only wish it only took me that long to get over the jet lag. I don't know what I was thinking, but that very first weekend back I volunteered at the Divine Consign. This is a great sale for new mommies and daddies. It's a great place to get clothes, toys and every kind of accessory required to raise a child. Because I volunteered, I got to shop early - and shop I did. I got Matthew's summer wardrobe, a nicer jogging stroller and quite a few toys. I am already looking forward to the fall sale. :)

We started this weekend on a somber note attending the funeral for my aunt Angie Drozd. While its always sad to have a family member pass away, we are comforted knowing she is in a better place. It was also a nice opportunity to catch up with family - many of whom have not met Matthew.

This weekend we also had the opportunity to enjoy Dallas Blooms. What a beautiful site!!! We were the guests of a couple of our friends who are members. They have a son Carson who is just a couple weeks younger than Matthew. The boys did great as we checked out all the flowers, played in some of the playhouses and took a ton of pictures. Shamefully I filled one of our memory cards - thankfully memory was reached as we were walking out of the park vs walking in, but I am embarrassed to admit how many pictures I took - let's just say I am so thankful for digital photography. If not, who knows how many pictures of the top of Matthew's head I would have. :) Trisha and Chad - thank you so much for inviting us - we had a great time!













Sunday was a day for daddy. While I was working hard getting ready for Barcelona, Marvin was picking up the slack at home. He's a wonderful father and more than I could ever ask for in a husband. We had a very enjoyable lunch a Lawry's. We've definitely been out and about this weekend. With the time change and all, I just hope we haven't messed up Matthew's schedule too much!

A day of milestones

Happy Valentines Day! For most people this is a day they spend with loved ones sharing candy, flowers and admiration. For me, it marks not only Matthew's first Valentine's Day, but the day of departure for my first trip to Europe. I am heading to Barcelona, Spain for a business trip and am leaving my sweet boys behind. I am excited because all the hard work that has gone into this project is finally coming to an end and when I return, I can be a mommy and wife again. That is what has saddened me most in this process - I was not able to find a good balance. I worked to much and spent too little time with my family. I hope to do better so next time I can leave with little guilt - ok, less guilt. Until I leave, I am going to go and spend time with my sweet little guy and adorable husband who has done wonders supporting me through this process.

What ever you do today, I hope you get to spend time with your loved ones!!! Happy Valentine's Day.

Light at the end of the tunnel

Man - I knew that this time of year would be tough. Anyone who has followed me and my job for the past few years knows that around Valentine's Day is Mobile World Congress, the world's biggest international wireless tradeshow. For me that means lots of press releases and event to support. Every year it is hectic, but this year more so now that we have Matthew. I feel like I am working non-stop.

I guess the count down can begin. At 1pm on February 14th I will be leaving my sweet baby behind to head off for my longest business trip to date. 8 days - well 9 if you consider the fact he'll be asleep when I get home. I am super excited to be going this year and look forward to taking a couple days to take in Barcelona, but know this time I will be REALLY glad to be home.

Dinosaurs!

After a few days of ice, things finally warmed up here. When I say warmed up, I am talking 70 degrees. It was a gorgeous cloudless day, so we decided to head out to the Heard Museum to see the dinosaur exhibit. I wasn't sure what Matthew was going to think. I figured we accomplished three things - 1) expose Matthew to something new 2) get to enjoy a beautiful day 3) get in a little exercise walking the nature trails.

Matthew was having a tough time napping today, so when we got to the museum, he was just starting to wake up from his nap in the car. As a result, he was not really into the first few dinos. These things are pretty cool. They're moving, talking (noise making anyway) dinosaurs. When we got Matthew out to get a closer look, we had another Santa Claus experience - he didn't want to be anywhere near these things. After nearing near a few, he calmed down toward the end and would actually look a the dinos, which he wouldn't do at the beginning. Then again - maybe it was the kids he was into.

This is a really cute little preserve in McKinney. After checking out the dino trail we went and looked as some exotic animals. We saw wombats and lemurs and a porcupine. All kinds of stuff! I am sure that we'll be going back as Matthew gets older!

Matthew doesn't even want to look at the dinosaurs!

Freaking out

Matthew is clinging to Marvin for dear life - while funny, I felt bad for terrorizing him so much


By this time, Matthew was enjoying himself - he was looking around so much it was tough to get him to look in the camera
Having fun checking out the animals

As we left, Matthew was comfortable enough to sit on this dinosaur - I guess its just about timing.