Playtime!

Before bedtime, it's time to play in the loft! Matt has started exploring new toys and noticing things that have been there all along, like his Harley from Lisa & Todd! He loves to grab on and rock it back and forth, slamming it into the wall! He enjoys a short ride on it too, but his smile's not as big as when he's slamming it against the wall.

He started taking the animals out of his new puzzle, and banging them against the puzzle. He just loves making noise, and is becoming an expert on banging toys like he's constantly practicing his hammering skills.

Time to make some music. He bounces up and down with anything rhythmical right now. It's pretty entertaining!

Matt's newest trick is standing up at bookcases and pulling everything off the shelves. We're in such trouble!

Here he is drawing another picture! He's getting better about putting the right end of the pen down before scribbling.

Matt's first drawing!

In realizing that Matt is growing up, I decided to start putting away the "baby" toys and found a few things in my stash from my days in the infant program. Matthew is getting introduced to a few new toys now, and one of them is a magna doodle. He wasn't too into it at first, but then he finally turned the side with the magnet toward the screen, and look at what he created! I know I'm a dork, but since it's not on paper, I had to take a picture of his first drawing!

He's such an artist!!!

Pasadena Cookoff

Seeing as the Yaga's Cookoff isn't enough for the boys in the spring, they have now added a fall cookoff to their schedules. This weekend, just up the road, there was a huge cookoff that Nick and the boys entered. Matt and I decided to join them a few afternoons in between lunch and naptime for a little playtime with Daddy. No, they didn't win anything at the cookoff, but they had fun in the process!

Upside down Matt!

He's giving me that crazy look! I think I was interrupting his Daddy time or something.

Matt tries on Daddy's shades, modeling them in his new big boy stroller. No more infant seat for him! He's in a big boy carseat and everything now!

Saturday at the Park

We decided to take a ride in Matt's big boy stroller and head to the park for a little morning play time. Game gear was a must, even though the game wasn't until Matt's bedtime. We made the most of our time in the park before it got too hot and sticky!

Here's Matt in his bucket swing!

Matt & Daddy taking a break from swinging.

Back to business, with our little rascal!

What a trusting face.

Coming at you!

Matt loved the feeling of the wind in his hair! He's also modeling his new shoes. Yes, his mommy had finally given into the idea that he's growing up and will be walking soon.

Matt & Mommy enjoying the breeze.

A little freedom from the bucket swing!

Matt enjoyed his time crawling through the tunnel, peeking at his daddy. Two little neighborhood boys joined us in the park and ran around the tunnel talking with Matt. He was quite confused by all of the commotion.

Matt reflected on his time in the park with fond memories!

We tried for a picture on the slide, and a little hands on slide down, but it was time to head home for a nap at that point. Maybe next time.

A Present From Some Buckeye Fans!

As a result of the loss UT had against The Ohio State University, Nick's Uncle Bob, who loves Buckeye football, decided to send Nick some buckeyes as a reminder of his Ohio roots! He was all too clever and sent 24 specially picked buckeyes to represent each of the 24 points OSU scored against UT.

Nick opens up the mysterious package sent by his Aunt Bobbie. I had the warning call over the weekend to expect this package and get the camera ready.

Nick reads Bob's enclosed note!

Nick realizes what Uncle Bob has sent!

Nick's thinking of a way he can repay Uncle Bob when USC, Nick's other Alma Mater, beats OSU to become National Champions, AGAIN! Oh wait, it was UT last year and USC the previous two. Wow, Nick is doing well!

Matt explores a buckeye himself. Again, thinking he's a squirrel (like with the acorns in Oklahoma) he tries to eat it!

Matt hands me a buckeye before he tries to eat another one!

Thinking of trying to eat another one!

Yes, this one is a bit blurry, not sure why, but I couldn't resist posting it with that look he has on his face! What a rascal!

Trip to Oklahoma

Last weekend, we ventured up to Oklahoma to visit Nanna & PawPaw. Nanna was throwing PawPaw a surprise birthday party on Saturday. It was a surprise until Friday night, when PawPaw came home early to find about 5 gallons of potato salad being made by Nanna! Oops!

Everyone had a great time. There was even a band. Matt played in the grass a bit, and even tapped his foot while the band played.

Playing in grass for the first time! He was a little hesitant at first, but eventually got into a full crawl and explored. We just had to watch out for the acorns. He thought he was a squirrel or something!

A close up!

A family photo!

Matt & Nanna together at last! The first pic of the two of them! We tried for one with PawPaw in it too, but the three of them just wouldn't cooperate for a picture together.

Matt & Daddy play while the band takes a break!

Matt plays with his toys in his big yellow bucket.

Matt's favorite toy, his puzzle. He does try to put the pieces in the puzzle, but is much happier eating the pieces instead!

Eating Avocado with Daddy!

One crazy night in July!

Matt and Daddy were having dinner together, and look what happened! This deserved its own post for sure.

Matt kept moving the avocado around and ended up with a mustache and then a beard. It was quite entertaining!

This one is a bit scary, or maybe Matt's the one scared! Wait for it...

Okay, which one of us does he look like in that picture? You know you want to say it's me! Go ahead, at least I could say he has something of mine, even if it is a kind of terrified look!

We're almost caught up!

More pool time for Matt!

This one is another favorite. Look at those blue eyes!

Pool time with Mommy.

Hanging with Daddy on the couch.

What, is 20 lbs. alot?

More playtime with Matt's friend Abby!

Poor Abby, she was just trying to enjoy a little playtime and Matt stole her pacifier!

Look what happens when Mommy & Daddy head off to Mexico!

Matt's Nanna & PawPaw were gracious enough to take care of Matt while we headed off to our 6 year belated honeymoon. I guess he really did not like all of the burnt orange pics we were sending him. He went shopping while we were out of the country. Notice the word "Oklahoma" on Matt's shirt. YIKES! Matt did enjoy the guitar playing by PawPaw, even while wearing crimson & cream. (He's really more a fan of cardinal and gold, PawPaw)

Looks like Matt had fun at his grandparents' house!

Back at home, he worked on getting his belly off the ground to get ready to crawl!

A visit from Grandpa & Granny!

Fashion shoot!

Matt had to endure a photo session with both of us when we found an old hat in the closet. We just could not resist trying it on him.

Crawling at last! Check out his videos:

Matt decides he wants to call Daddy.

Matt finds a little boy on the camera monitor and wants to play with him.