Christmas, panic time for mom, and Matthew's 1st fear.

Sorry I haven't updated lately.  Been busy.  Christmas went well this year.  Christmas Eve at our church and then to the in-laws for Christmas Eve.  Had a great time there as always.  It is tradition for my husbands family to do presents on Christmas Eve which works for me so we can do our own Christmas on Christmas Day.  We do meet up with the rest of the family later in the day.  Matthew had a lot of fun this year.  Of course he doesn't get the whole concept of what Christmas really means but he sure did enjoy the lights, decorations, and of course the presents which were plentiful.  I did have to work on Christmas Day which I was dreading but actually it was okay.  Matthew really doesn't care yet so that makes it easier.  I am fortunate to only have to work 2 days a week but since I am a nurse I am obligated to work holidays.  That is just the reality of it.  Hospitals never close (thank goodness).  It is hard to have to go to work on holidays but I know those patients and their families appreciate it.  Those little babies need me to.  Speaking of work we have been busy which is great.  We recently got triplets. They are doing great.  Mom just about made it to 34 weeks which is awesome for triplets. I was able to pick up some extra hours which gives me some extra spending money before Luke arrives.  There a few things I would love to get before he comes. 

Speaking of Luke this past Tuesday I officially went into "panic mode."  I realized that he will be here very soon.  I am still finishing up my Medical Transcription course but I am happy to say that I should be done by next week.  I am working on the Pre-employment exam which is the last part of the course.  It is long and tedious but I should be done by next week.  Just in time!  I will be soooooo glad to be done with that.  I won't look for a position until Luke is a few months old so I can give myself some time to get settled in.  I won't work much at first.  I am just looking to make a little extra money from home.  This isn't necessarily a "2nd job."  I guess I would just call it a "very part time gig" for now.  As the kids get older I will probably invest more time into it.  I'm glad I did it though.  Once that is officially done I need to get very busy on the house.  Matthew is moving to another room.  The computer/spare room is moving to another room and we still haven't set up Luke's room.  I have done a little here and there but I really can't get busy on it until I am done with the MT course.  We are getting the paint this weekend and Mark will be painting Luke's room and then it will just be a matter of getting everything moved to there proper places and of course I am trying to organize it as I go which is very time consuming.  I am soooooo hoping Luke doesn't come early.  I had an appt. this week and everything looks good.  I have another sono in 2 weeks to check his growth.

Matthew is doing well.  He is talking more but of course as I always say, he has a long ways to go.  He seems to be enjoying his Preschool Language Class and I do believe it is helping him a lot.  Matthew really hasn't developed any fears yet.  I thought all kids were afraid of the dark by now.  Anyway, I have been cleaning out closets and came across Mark's old orthopedic boot that he wore years ago when be broke his leg.  I had in the hallway until I could figure out where to put and Matthew saw it and at first he was fascinated with it.  He kept calling it "boo."  Then he became scared of it and wouldn't go near it.  It was quite hilarious actually.  It is now in "dada's" closet and Matthew is still asking about "dada's boo."  I keep telling him it is safely tucked away in dada's closet and then we proceed to go make sure it is really in the closet.  Silly kid.

Until next time!

Enjoy the pics!

Blessings,

Opening presents at his language class

Christmas party at school

Matthew and "dada" at "dama and papa's" house on Christmas Eve

Matthew really enjoyed opening presents this year so he felt the need to help EVERYONE open their presents as well.

Opening Grandma & Grandpa Carroll's package

Opening Uncle Allan and Aunt Katherine's package

Betsey

The Christmas season is upon us

Well it is definitely Christmas time around here.  The lights, decorations, and tree are up.  Matthew is really digging the lights and tree this year.  Matthew still doesn't get the whole concept of Christmas but I think that is what is making it so magical this year.  He isn't at the stage of asking everyday when is Christmas and asking for a million presents.  He really is just enjoying the decorations and he especially loves the christmas stuffed animals that only come out at Christmas time.  Every morning he tells them "hi guys."  He really doesn't have a clue that he is supposed to get presents and I think that is great.  I wish more kids would just enjoy the magic and true meaning of Christmas rather than counting how many presents they are getting.  Don't get me wrong, I used to "count" my presents, but I hope that isn't the only thing that matters at Christmas.  In the coming years I'm sure Matthew will start "counting" his presents.  It's only a matter of time :)  Despite how commercialized Christmas has become we must remember that the true reason for the season came as a baby in a manger.  Thank you God for sending us your son.  I added a song to the playlist (Breath of Heaven) which pretty much sums up the meaning of Christmas for me.

Blessings to you all!

Decorating the tree

Betsey

Thanksgiving

Cousins playing in the leaves

Ahhh that feels good!

The turkey!

Matthew and Momma (Matthew discovered "ice popsicles" and he thought they were the greatest!

The family!

Had a great Thanksgiving at our house this year.  We hosted this year so that was nice.  We didn't have an overwhelming crowd so it was very manageable.  All I really had to do was clean the house and pretty much everything else was taken care of.  Mark did the turkey, potatoes, and veggies, and the in-laws did the stuffing and dessert.  Not a bad deal.  As you know in Texas you could easily be wearing shorts on Thanksgiving but not this year.  It was very cold that day which was great.  We had our 1st fire of the year.  So warm and cozy!  Matthew did great.  He seems to be "detaching" from me some which is nice, but for the most part I am still the main woman in his life right now which I guess I should enjoy because someday that won't be the case.  Enjoy the pics!

Toddler blues!

Oh the frustrations of raising a toddler.  Don't get me wrong, I'm trying to enjoy every moment but sometimes those moments are not enjoyable.  Lately Matthew has been very indecisive and resistant with everything.  I know, probably just a typical toddler phase, but boy is it frustrating.  I can't help to always wonder if it is worse because of his language delay.  I know, I know, it seems I am always using the "language delay card"  but I do feel it plays a part.  Sometimes it is just so hard communicating with Matthew.  He has improved a lot but he has quite a ways to go.  Also sometimes it is so hard to just "play" with Matthew.  He gets so easily frustrated and even when I follow his lead he will get all "freaky" on me and storm off.  I just can't figure him out sometimes. 

I guess I can say we are "officially potty training" and well I guess it is going okay.  He will sit on the potty but he has to be bribed with a vitamin, cookie, or M & M's.  He has never actually done anything in the potty but at least he will sit on it.  I think it's going to be a long road.  I am hoping he is potty trained by the time he is 4.  I'm pretty sure he is the only one in his typical preschool class that isn't potty trained yet.  Oh well.  I'm sure he won't be going to high school in a pull up. 

On a more positive note Matthew still loves to cuddle with "momma." and can be such a sweetheart and he still such cutie pie and that boy sure can throw a ball good.  I see sports in his future :)

I think I am done complaining.  Thanks for reading!

How could you not love this face.

Until next time.

Matthew knows his name!

Yep, you read right.  Matthew knows his name now.  If I ask him what his name is, he gets a big smile on his face and says "Matew."  It is one of those big speech milestones we have been waiting patiently for and at 3 1/2 he can finally tell me what his name is.  Way to go Matthew!  We are getting there slowly but surely. 

Just wanted to share!

Grandma's visit, Halloween, and other updates!

It's so easy to get behind on the blog and before you know it there is so much to update on.  Well Grandma from Del Rio was here recently.  Had a nice visit as usual.   She comes every October for about a week.  She is soooo great with Matthew and Matthew always warms up to her very quickly.  I did have to share her this time around but it was for good reason.  My stepbrother and his wife just had a baby boy name Jayce.  He is such a cutie and a good baby and she spent a few days with him.  We managed to get some time to ourselves, went to church and got to go to the pumpkin patch so we did get a lot done.  She will be back in Feb. after Luke arrives (yeaaaa!!!).

Had a good Halloween.  Attempted to make a fire hydrant costume for Matthew and lets just say it was a big flop.  I was one dissapointed mamma.  Matthew has been into fire hydrants since before he was 2 and it is showing no signs of slowing down.  He would have made a great fire hydrant.  Oh well, maybe next year.  Dad had to go out at 9:30 at night to Walmart to find another costume because Matthew needed it the next day.  Thanks Mark :)  He brought him back a doctor costume which worked out great.   Matthew had a Halloween party on Friday at his preschool and Halloween night we had a Fall Festival/trunk or treat at our church which was a lot of fun.   He really doesn't get the whole concept of Halloween just yet, but he definitely understands what the candy is :)

The pregnancy is going very well.  I am 25 weeks.  YIKES!  I am more than half way there.  So far no problems.  Luke moves around a lot and seems to be growing well.  It really isn't reality that I will be having another baby but the reality doesn't really set in until the baby is actually in your arms and then it is panic time.  I am scrambling to finish my medical transcription course.  I have to be done by 12/31 or else I have to reenroll which isn't an option.  I am almost done so it shouldn't be a problems meeting the deadline.  I am hoping to have 4 to 6 weeks before Luke arrives to get some stuff done around the house.  There is a lot to do before Luke arrives.

My latest nephew!

At the pumpkin patch with momma

At the pumpkin patch with Grandma

Carving the pumpkin with Dada

It's a pumpkin!

Paging Doctor Matthew

Yummy sucker

Until next time!



It's a boy!
"Luke" at 21 weeks