15 months, well maybe more like 16 months...

Well it's now been well over a month since Matthew's 15 month appointment, but better late than never right?

I don't know the famous poet who said "It's been the best of times, it's been the worst of times" or however it goes, but I will say that is a good synopsis of the past couple of months. I have to guess right after Matthew started walking around 14 1/2 months, he started to show a "new side". A testiment of will let's say. Temper tantrums over anything. All I kept thinking was, where did my sweet angel boy go!? Then amongst that he got hand, food and mouth. Let me just tell you, if your child hasn't had it, YOU.ARE.LUCKY! It may have been the most awful week in our house. Sadly there is nothing you can do for it, except ease the symptoms. Again, all I wanted was our well, sweet big boy back! Oh and on top of all this 2 of his molars were coming in (finally), then the top 2 decided to peek their way in as well. Like I said "It's been the worst of times!" Maybe worst is a exagerating, but whew, we were ready for a break!

So Matthew did have his 15 month appointment and the big boy passed his appointment with stars!

Weight: 25 lbs ~ 60th percentile

Height: 32 1/2 inches ~ 85th percentile

Head Circumference: 19 inches ~ 85th percentile

I remembered at his 1 year appointment his pediatrician asking "how many words is he saying" and all I could say was "uh Ma Ma & Da Da", but I was so excited at his 15 month appointment to rattle off what he saying, and that he could walk too! It is really amazing how he picks up so many more words each day it feels like.

So far we've got:

Ball (his absolute favorite word)

Roar (or the sound of a tiger/lion for either animal)

Car

Bird (sounds more like Bir)

Up & Down (along with super cute arm motions)

The sound of a siren (for fire truck)

Thanks (or what sounds more like tanks)

Apple

Nana (For banana & his Nana)

Papa

Ice (yes, ice... He loves it and he just belted that one out over the weekend)

No :( (Really no already!)

Elmo

Choo Choo (for train)

He's developing such a sweet and fun personality too. Although he's totally obsessed with his Daddy, which of course can hurt Mama's feelings, boy when he comes charging toward me and plops in my lap, my heart melts. He also started blowing kisses! Again MELT.MY.HEART. Now this is definitely "The best of times!"

Fun times at the playground!

We went to Tybee this weekend for Jason's brother's birthday, so we went to the beach to feed the birds. Let's just say it turned into "attack of the birds!"

Matthew & his Papa - can't you tell how much he LOVES his Papa, look at that smile!

This is not staged, but I just think hilarious! Matthew digs in my drawers all the time, and look what he found ;o) Jason thought it was "gross".

And he's off!

Matthew has been toying with the idea of walking for a few weeks now.

Let's just say after this weekend, we can officially say we now have a walker in the house!

This video is from Friday, I'll post a better one soon. It's amazing in just a matter of days how he's mastered it. We are waiting for the running next!

It's like Twilight back here!

If you are a fan of Modern Family, as we are in the Dean household, I have come to find some commonalities in episodes. Last night was a rerun of Lily biting....

Clearly a foreshadow to our life...When Matthew was in the infant room, probably about a month before he moved up, we found out he had bitten another child. I was mortified! Well come to find out he had 4 teeth coming in.

Well time went on and he hadn't bitten Mom or Dad, nor had we heard anything from school, well until 2 days ago... He's been having napping issues. So I always ask "did Matthew wake up any kids today?" There have been a handful of days he's woken the ENTIRE class, and yes I mean all 11 kids! How awesome do I feel...

So for whatever reason I just happened to say, after my daily, "did Matthew nap today" inquiry "at least he's not biting" and BOY was in for a shock... His teachers looked at each other and said, well... I just looked at them and said how many times!? Oh 8+. I am now standing there MORTIFIED! Well, they reassure me it's normal at this age, although I am still completely mortified that "its my child who's the bitter..."

I wish I could find the "it's like Twighlight back here" scene, but this clip is just as good!

This phase as with others, will pass soon (WE HOPE!)

It's FUN to be 1!

I cannot believe that Matthew is 1. His birthday has come and gone, and I think we have finally recovered from his fun celebration.

First things, first, his 1 year appointment. As with most of his appointments, it was pretty uneventful; with the exception of the fit he threw the minute we walked into the pediatrician’s office. I am talking a fit I have NEVER seen this child throw before. Granted we did have to wake him from nap, and I have recently learned, this is not ideal for sweet Matthew. Like his Mama, this child needs his sleep!

As always my favorite part of the appointment his stats:

Weight: 23 lbs (65th percentile)

Height: 31 inches (80th percentile)

Head Circumference: 18 7/8 inches (90th percentile)

Matthew continues to grow by leaps and bounds. He's pulling up on everything, cruising anything that will hold him and recently discovered the stairs. He's quite the dare devil and braved climbing up the first 4 steps, although Mama is not a fan. He's still an amazing little eater and we have officially let go of bottles. A transition I was really worried about, but we did it cold turkey and like a champ he went with the flow. He hasn't braved walking, but we know in due time he'll be running :)

So now on to the Giant's birthday celebration. As with anything, I tend to go totally overboard. Jason's Dad even said "you realize you have to throw this big of a party for Matthew's siblings right..." In the back of my mind I'm thinking, his poor siblings are going to get totally jipped. However, deep down I know that won't be the case.

I was so pleased with how every detail turned out, the friends and family that came and the overall fun we had.

Liz (who took all the pictures!), me, Aunts Jill, Brandy & Jori Aunts & Uncle Curt
We did it! Made it through our first year as parents!




Sharing with Mama!
Being 1 is A LOT OF FUN!
He was a total mess, although he barely made a dent in his cake!
My Aunt Josie made the trip for Matthew's first birthday!
I LOVE presents!



Uncle Bill (my Daddy's brother) and Aunt Lois drove 10 hours from Maryland to be apart of the celebration. It meant the world to us!

Now a special message to our sweet, amazing boy.

Happy 1st Birthday sweet Matthew! I have said it once, and I will say it again. You have blessed our lives beyond belief. Each day is a new day of experiences, filled with new memories we will cherish forever. But most importantly you have taught your Mom and Dad how to love more than we ever knew we could.

We love you Matthew to the moon and back and can't wait to see what this next year will hold!

He graduated!

I seriously can't believe it, but today was Matthew's last day in the infant room. On Monday, he's a wobbler. Really, a wobbler... I remember so vividly, crying my eyes out the first day we dropped him off at daycare and on Monday, he moves onto the next class.

I have a feeling every year, this will be the moments as a mom that will be so hard. Knowing our sweet little Matthew is really growing up! Man, why don't they prepare parents for this!

The best part of today was our "surprise". His teachers mentioned they had "something" for the kids but it was a surprise. What a great surprise! My heart melted when Jason walked in.

Happy Graduation Matthew! You've come so far since your first day of school.