Camping Trip

We went on a camping trip yesterday/today in Pennsylvania. Matthew hasn't had a nap since Thursday. Here he is on the way home exhausted from playing with all the kids, still donning his camping shirt we received from our generous friends. He fell asleep with his hand in a plate of nuggets and pizza goldfish. We thought he was done with everything, so we moved the plate and ate it all. He woke up saying, "where's my chickens?" I guess we shouldn't have done that! :-)

It was fun except for the cold. Thankfully, very very thankfully, our friends brought their space heater and I also brought my electric blanket.

Click on the photo to get a larger view.

Nana Split Video

I didn't get this video converted and put online quickly enough to put it with the post a few days ago.

Here's a video of Matthew eating a Nana Split. We both found it quite amusing. I'll integrate it in with the other post in a few days, but for now, here it is.

Nana Split

We went for a treat while on vacation, a little roadside ice cream seller. We finally settled on a banana split, planning to share it between the 3 of us. Matthew asked what that was. We told him "...chocolate, bananas, and ice cream. Some other fruit, too. You want that?"

At once, he said, "Yeaah! I want that, Mama. Chocolate, nanas, and ice cream. Nana split!"

On Vacation

We've been on vacation for the last week. Here are some pictures, along with pictures from 2005 and 2006. It's fun to see the comparison. He's wearing the SAME swimming suit as in 2006. Only, it hardly fits now.

New Old Video

Okay, it's not a NEW video, but I was experimenting with putting multiple clips together with iMovie and created this, a little collection of clips you have may have already seen. Music and transitions added. Up to now I've only done one video at a time.

Here ya go. Not the best quality, but it's fun and for posterity! Click on the arrow down below.

Going to Hagerstown

This time, for sure, I'm going to Hagerstown. (Lord willing, of course.) It's almost been 3 years since Matthew was born and tonight is my first overnight without him. I can't wait. I'll be leaving around 1:30 to get my friend and roommate Melissa. We'll be staying at the Marriott Springhill Suites, a new hotel. We're going there for a women's conference Loving Well, by Beth Moore. Some 28 or 30 of us.

It's true. Matthew will be with Dada. And on top of that, Keith is out of town! (Hi Keith!) Hee hee. Feel free to e-mail or call Jim to offer support. We won't get back until later on Saturday.

Dad's Traveling

Here's a picture of Jim, Debi, and Bob at the Hoover Dam. Jim arrived on Saturday in Las Vegas for training this week, and coincidentally, Bob & Debi were there for Bob's high school reunion. At first it seemed like they weren't going to be able to hook up, but somehow they managed to! As you can see, Jim was a bit uncomfortable with their public display of affection, so he stepped away.

He went to the Dam on Saturday and to the Grand Canyon early Sunday. Training started Sunday afternoon and will continue through Wednesday. He arrives home around 1 a.m. on Thursday at Dulles. Ugh!

Pennsylvania Dutch

We went to Pennsylvania Dutch Country over the long weekend. For those who may not know, that means Amish. Highlights included the Biblical Tabernacle Reproduction, Dutch Wonderland (great for kids Matthew's age), an Amish buggy ride, and an old-fashioned train ride and visit to a railroad museum.

Matthew really was thrilled with the rides and water park at Dutch Wonderland. He mostly rode with us, but there was one ride (Duke's Dozers) that worked for kids Matthew's age to ride alone.

Here are 12 pictures and some videos:

* Matthew riding a little bulldozer
* Riding the kiddie train
* Eating gum (not chewing it!)

Click on the picture to get a larger view.

Touring Lafayette

It's been a few weeks now, but finally, I'm getting a chance to tell you about our trip to Lafayette. We spent about 2 days there--visited Corey & Jen, walked around downtown Lafayette a little, and also went to the Columbian Park and Zoo on both days.

We cooked out hamburgers with Corey & Jen on Sunday night while Tyler slept. I wouldn't exactly call Jacob and Matthew the best of friends, cause they both seemed to think the toys were theirs, and only Jacob was right! :-) Tyler was kind, however, and gave Matthew a juice box. We went to the revamped ZOO portion of Columbian Park on Sunday.

Monday's highlight (July 2) was a trip to the water park, Tropicanoe Cove. Sure wish they had something like that here! Well priced and "easy", meaning, not a major amusement park. Matthew was a little nervous about the water; can you tell from the picture? We spent most of our time innertubing on "Cattail Crik" a lazy, winding river. They had single and double inner tubes and Matthew started out with Dad, but ended up with me. It was LOADS of fun. We never made it to the other areas because Matthew was afraid of the water. He also rode the train both days, being in his train phase. He loved that, and it only cost about 75 cents a ride.

We stayed at the Comfort Suites both nights. That's where Betsy and Don stayed with Annie. We had already checked out by the time we decided to stay in Lafayette, and the Comfort Suites had an indoor pool. Matthew got a real kick out of that! He felt better, there, somehow.

Wedding Fun

This picture is typical of the evening. No, it is not a mistake. Matthew didn't make it into the picture completely, because he moved too quickly--constantly on the go at Aunt Debi's & (new) Uncle Bob's wedding reception. Thankfully, Matthew was not the only child at the wedding or reception.
And we had a some help from Kristin & Amber.

It was FOUR straight hours of running for the little tot, and he would've run a little longer, if there had been more time. Here's a post-reception interview.

 

John Shirt

Matthew and Uncle John wore the same kind of shirt when they met up a couple of weeks back. Now, Matthew's "yellow shirt" has turned into "John shirt". I gave Matthew the choice between two yellow shirts and he chose "John shirt".

Indoctrination

Matthew didn't need to be in Indiana for long to once again be indoctrinated on the Colts. Here's a great video of Matthew eating ice cream and being brainwashed into being a Colts fan. :-) Click the link above or the ARROW below to view the video.

Good (but active) Flight

Matthew made his first flight without sitting in a car seat, walking onto the plane all by himself. He even picked his own row about 4 rows back. He wanted to sit in the aisle seat, but obviously, that would not work. He didn't seem all that interested in the window, either. But eventually, I coaxed him to the window and he got a kick out of everything. Literally!

His feet were very active, and so were his hands. He kept trying to play with the girl's hair who was sitting in front of him and trying to sleep. He kept saying "soft...soft", which means he's playing with some hair. Very patient girl, but what's nice about Southwest is that the people who don't mind babies and toddlers can sit next to you, since it's open seating.

Matthew was not upset, and before take-off he kept saying "blast off!" like we were a rocket. He was pretty thrilled with the whole process, even if he pulled on his ears as we were landing. Other than that, he seemed okay with everything.

Trip to Annapolis

We took a little trip to Annapolis last Friday. The weather was great, even a little hot. We walked around the dock, saw all kinds of boats, ate a nice lunch, saw many shops, and had some ice cream. Matthew was especially fond of that part.

Annapolis is home to the U.S. Naval Academy. This is the "Navy" in the famed "Army-Navy Football Game" every year, in which I used to bet Dad $1 the Army would win.

View some pictures now. (7)

Click on the picture for a larger view.

Christmas Morning

Finally! Here are a couple of videos of Matthew on Christmas morning. Since we were traveling, it took some time to once again get our bearings.

Matthew received a Geo-Trax Train from us, plus a Doodle Pro (The CARS version), and a small prayer book. From others he received 3 train products (all unique & he loves them all!!), clothes, a special frog, Colts paraphernalia (much), and a couple of ornaments, plus some money. I wish I had other videos of the afternoon gift time!! He was thrilled with everything, and with all the excitement, it was too hard to get many pictures or videos. Anyhow, enjoy!

Here's a video of Matthew coming down on Christmas morning. He was excited & trying to get down the stairs.

Here's another video of Matthew opening some Colts items.

Click on the picture to see a larger view.

At the Zoo

We went to the Baltimore Zoo last week during Dada's week off. Here, Matthew is examining a turtle. We saw elephants, chimpanzees, polar bears (sleeping), crocodiles, snakes, and even farm animals like cows, and goats. There was a peacock in the farm section, which I didn't understand, but it was pretty. Our favorite part was the giraffes--a very surreal experience, since they reside in this odd, round concrete building and were peering down from us from above the top of the wall.

Summer Vacation

Well, as you may know, we went to the Virginia Mountains last week for some R & R. It rained much both HERE & THERE but we still had fun. We went to a Civil War battlefield, an indoor pool & the Shenandoah Caverns, Tracy got a massage, and when the sun came out, we went to the lake a couple of times, etc....

Here are a couple of videos for you:
Matthew walking in the caves
Matthew playing at the lake

The cave video is cute, because he had decided that he had enough of being carried and he thought he should be able to walk with everyone else. He threw a fit in the underground echo chamber, and we put on his "leash". Once we did that, he was happy.

As for the lake, the first day he went out (Tuesday) he was quite nervous, but in the video above taken on Thursday, he seemed to enjoy it just fine, playing in the sand. Notice his furrowed brow. Icky sand.

Summer Vacation

Well, the three of us took off for a few days to the Virginia mountains. It was wonderfully quiet and peaceful, but perhaps Matthew considered it an adventure. We went to a lake, a pool, (see his swimpants in the picture?) and he sat in the bathtub like a big boy. Despite the new activities, he also had a chance to lounge around watching his usual video once or twice. The surf & sun had him tuckered out pretty early most days.

View our vacation pics (10) now.

Another Successful Flight

Another successful flight! This kid's a natural. Hightlights:

The trip to the airport was much worse than the plane ride. Kathy B. took us to Brazil, and Aunt Bertie & Uncle Stan took us to Indianapolis. Matthew was fussy almost the entire way, leaving Mom to believe it would be a miserable trip.

After arriving at the airport, Matthew seemed to be in a great mood while getting a kiss from Great Aunt Bertie. There were many sights & sounds to take in, and then Matthew ate 2 thawed apple cubes and an entire tub of pears!

Once again, Matthew got his own seat, but a BIG MAN sat next to me, and I was hoping that Matthew wouldn't need nursing again during take off. Thankfully, Matthew fell asleep while we were taxi-ing out to the runway, and he slept the entire rest of the flight. Yahoo! He woke up, yawned, and assumed a comfortable position while we waited for other passengers to de-plane.

At the end, he got to see Daddy, and both of them were happy to see each other!

Tastes Like Chicken

That's because it is chicken--chicken and pears. Matthew had his first bite of chicken yesterday and gave it a rave review. The grown ups were more like "chicken & pears?? "