WOW..part of me doesn't want to type this cause I don't want it to change! :) The last 2 mornings Matthew has slept in until after 7am....this is huge since he normally is an early riser! I am hoping it will last but we never know!
He had his 12 month check up a week ago today and did great! Right where he is suppose to be!
24.3 lbs
31.5 inches long

Matthew is really getting all over the place right now and are getting quite fast too! He loves Jazmyne so much that he sometimes try to eat her! She is really good with you and when she has had enough she slowly gets up and walks away. Matthew doesn't really like that and most of the time really hurt when she walks away!

He loves to play with the cabinets in the kitchen and swing on them. We finally decided we have to put locks on them so he doesn't get hurt. Now is comes in and goes from one cabinet to another tyring to open them. No luck!

Well that is all for now ... busy weekend ahead but Steve enjoys the weekend when he can spent all day with Matthew.

Matthew ... You are 1 today!

My dear little Matthew;

What a joy you have been in your mom and dad's lives. I can't believe you are 1 today! Daddy and I were just talking how it seemed like just yesterday you were not even here and we were on the way to the hospital waiting your arrival. You arrived on 9/16/08 at 7:42pm 8lbs and 21 inches long! I truly can't imagine my life with out you in it!

God has blessed us and taught us so much in the past year with having you! You have made us cry, laugh and just look at each other in amazement as you learn and try new things. You were a very good baby...always happy unless you needed to be fed or were tired. Sleeping was a challenge sometimes but we managed to get that down eventually! You had your first scary ER visit in December ...Mommy didn't like the wheezing you had developed so quickly so off to the ER (because the snowstorm had closed business' and schools for the day.) You had a infant version of brochitis ...they did 2 breathing treatments on you and lung x ray... THAT WAS NOT FUN! But we both survived and after a round of antibiotics and inhaler we were back to normal.

Swimming lessons started at 6 months...you loved every minute of being in the water. Even going down the big slide on your 1st day! The second class you went under the water and really didn't care too much, sure it was new and different but you didn't cry! Swimming lasted until May and I really didn't enroll you again for the summer because of Grandma and Grandpa's pool! I figured you could practice and have fun then once fall came around we would start again! Well, I think I should have kept you in! You love the water so much you just want to go go go! Forget sitting in a floaty I can barely keep you in my arms! :) So off to swimming we go now every Wednesday until December! Our first class was last week and you remembered as soon as we walked in the building and got all excited! I hope Daddy can come to at least one of your classes!

Mommy had her first 2 nights away from you in January! It was tough but I knew that Daddy would take EXCELLENT care of you! Which he did....i think I only called home 2 times. Daddy enjoyed having that time with you. It was just hard because you were only 4 months old. We all survived!

Then in March at 6 months old you were able to spend 2 nights with each of your Grandparents! We were off to Mexico for a tiny getaway! I missed you sooooo much! But new again you were in great hands staying with both Grandparents that you were fine. However when I got home I ran right in the house and took you in my arms to snuggle. You were sleeping but I didn't care! :) You are so lucky to have both of your Grandparents involved in your life .. they are close and more then willing to come and spend time with you! THANK YOU LORD FOR THAT!

Your first vacation was up north to Tom Doyle Lake ... I was really nervous about how you would do in a new place for sleeping. We had just gotten over horrible sleeping because of your 2nd sinus infection but you did GREAT for being in a strange place. You went to your first wild life park ... were a Goat ate your sock right off your foot! Mommy chased that Goat all over the place to get it back and I succeeded!! However once I pulled the sock out of his mouth I decided he could have it. Gross!!

Great Grandpa Clarence loved you so much and you brought such smiles to his face. You were the last Great Grandchild to be born before he passed away. He would always ask Grandma how Mathias was? That is what he called you! I lost his battle with prostate and bone cancer on 8/29/09 ....but he was able to see you crawl and walk. You liked him and listening to his voice. We will miss him!

Today is a sad day for me and a happy day! I look back at all the pictures of you and the clothes that don't fit you and wish you were little again...but then I see that cute smile of yours and love the age you are at. You started walking at 11 months and are really getting fast. I call you weeble wobble! Daddy has called you "the shyster"...as soon as you were on the move! I love coming home after a long day at work to see you getting so excited all you can do is laugh and scream when you see my car pull up the drive way. 2 nights ago was the best... I pulled in to the driveway and you are laughing and almost running in circles you are so excited, then I pick you up and you give me the biggest bear hug over and over again! It was great!!! You have always tried to eat my face...i take it as my kisses! Too cute!

I know that God has great plans in store for you Matthew Steven! He has blessed you and given you a huge family that loves you almost as much as Mommy and Daddy do! Remember you are never alone and that God is always with you no matter what! He can guide you and teach you soo much! I can't wait to see what the year ahead brings!

We love you!!! HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!