Matthew 13 Months - can stand on his own!

Matthew can now stand on his own for a few seconds.  He is just practicing before he will start his walking/running :)  He gets so excited when he stands!  Here are some pictures and videos of him from this past week or so.  Enjoy!

Labor Day Weekend

We had a great Labor Day Weekend!  Friday, we went to Fridays After Five and Matthew got to see the UVA band up close and dance to some Beatles music with Owen and a new girlfriend we just met last weekend!  He and Owen were wearing the same outfit.  Suzanne got Matthew this outfit for his Birthday and she also got a matching one for Owen; sometimes I think they could pass for brothers.  So cute together :)  

Saturday, we went to the 6pm start UVA game and Matthew was a trooper considering his naps were mostly non-existent that day.  Matthew stayed in my lap, Ryan's lap or my carrier the whole time and never asked to get down to crawl!  I was so proud of him.  He enjoyed clapping for the team too when everyone else was.  He and I headed home to get him a little after the start of the third quarter.  Matthew could have probably stayed longer since he was well behaved, but we didn't want to push it since we knew we were driving Sunday morning.  He slept great that night.

Sunday, we left around 10am when Matthew was tired and ready for his morning nap.  He napped about the 1st hour in the car and then we stopped for lunch.  When we got to the Leesburg Outlets, Matthew was just so excited to be able to get out of the car.  It was a beautiful day to walk around there with him in the stroller.  towards the end of our browsing, Matthew wanted to be held, so Ryan held him some and then I put him in my carrier.  We walked into Gap and Matthew started dancing to the the background music and then passed out in my carrier :)  LOVED it :)  He was a great boy!  Not too much later we had to transfer him to the car and drive to visit Dave, Lisa and Dylan.  Matthew was so tired, he just stayed asleep from the carrier to the car seat and he slept the rest of the way to the Maloney's!  We got to the Maloney's and he immediately jumped in and played with Dylan.  Matthew and Dylan were immediately buds!  They are just about exactly a year apart (their birthdays are 2 days apart).  Dylan was so nice and so very good at sharing with Matthew.  I was seriously impressed!  We really enjoyed our time with the Maloney's!  We hope we can see them more often.  Matthew even had fun this morning with Dylan.  He played with one of Dylan's cars and Dylan rode his new bike.  Matthew then slept the whole entire 2.25 hours home! It was great!  THANKS again Dave and Lisa for the great hospitality and food :)  

We hope you all enjoy the fun pictures of the beautiful weekend!

Mattthew eating dinner after a Doctor's visit

Matthew had a fever today :(  No fun, but after his doctor's visit and all the pricking and blood draws, urine sample etc, he took a short nap and then decided he did want to eat dinner.  Here are some pictures.  Poor boy and hopefully it will turn into just a quick 24 hour thing.  At least he is happier in  these pictures!

Last Weekend in August

This past weekend we went to Fridays after Five and Matthew hung with Owen and met a little girl too.  Suzanne took some pictures, so I will have to get those from her.  Saturday we went to the pool which Matthew really loves the water.  He tries to crawl in the pool. ha.  Then we just grilled out at home.  Sunday we went to Church, then Matthew napped and we headed to the Polo Match at King Family Vineyard. After that we went home and grilled out again :)  We had a very nice weekend as a Family of 3.  Poor Abby, but it was just too hot to bring her.  Maybe later in September.  Hope you enjoy the few photos we took. 

Matthew's 12 Month Pictures

Matthew had his 12 Month Check up TODAY, and he was in the 75th percentile for height and weight.  He was 29.5 inches and 22 lbs and 10 oz.  And his head was off the charts, hopefully that is all smarts :)

Virginia Beach

Thanks to a wonderful generous donor Ryan works with, we were able to enjoy a trip to Virginia Beach again this year!  We stayed at his beautiful home just literally steps from the beach.  Matthew really had a great time too and he was happy to be able to go in the pool!  Last time he was there he was only 6 weeks old.  Now he is a crawler :)  He was very good this trip as he always is :)  We are so blessed everyday for our little miracle and all the blessings God provides us each and everyday!  We hope you enjoy the fun pictures we took while we were relaxing away from home!

Lake Norris in TN

So, the day after my Birthday, Ryan, Matthew and I all drove down to Lake Norris to see my Dad, Whittney, her parents and Jordan.  We really enjoyed our time, but did miss Sydney, Kendra and Kyle.  We stayed in a really nice condo off the Lake and my Dad rented a pontoon boat with a slide and a jet ski.  Thank you again Dad and Whittney for a great time with you all!  Matthew loved seeing you too!  And he and I loved our Birthday gifts so THANK YOU! Hope you enjoy the photos. 

A few photos with family

Matthew climbing the stairs for the first time!

Matthew's 1st Birthday and my 30th Birthday Weekend!!

Here are some pictures.  We have a little party with mostly family and a couple of friends.  It was a nice way to celebrate for Matthew!  Thank you everyone for making our birthdays so special and all the wonderful gifts!!!  Below are a few photos and videos of the events...