On Saturday after Matthew's nap, I took him to Safe Halloween on the Downtown Mall.  

                    a brief description - Free and open to the public - Games, Slides, Bounces, Pumpkin and 

                   Face Painting, Costume contest, prises and safe trick-or-treating on the downtown mall.

Matthew and I just really ended up strolling the mall in his stroller with him dressed in his costume and chatting with some CVille playgroup friends.  We borrowed a very cute Monkey costume for Matthew from a friend who used it for her daughter last year.  It has worked out perfect and is super cute on him.  

Pics of Matthew as a Monkey at home

Pics of Matthew and CVille Playgroup Friends on Downtown Mall

After the Safe Halloween which ended at 5pm we went to the car changed Matthew's outfit and drive straight to the football game.  UVA played Eastern Michigan at 6pm.  We made it in perfect timing to see the pregame stuff and Matthew got to see "Cavman" fly down on the field from the parachute.  We did not get pictures of that but we did get a few of Mr and Dad along with some of Matthew in the suite.  UVA did win and the suit was pretty empty, but lots of kids including the boss'  Matthew had fun with all the kids as you can see from the pics.  He lasted till 4th quarter what a trooper.  I think he had a very fun and full day!

Updates on Matthew...

1. Monday, October 18th - Matthew stood up and took 3 steps without any assistance.  However, he of course hasn't done it again since.  He still prefers crawling :)

2. Tuesday, October 19th - Matthew decided he wanted to talk and say a new word "uh-oh" he loves this word; he drops things just to say it.  He also did say yummy when he ate his yogart and his "hi" is pretty close to us saying hi :)  Maybe he will be a talker before a walker!  I am totally fine with that one! I would like to understand him before he takes off running, ha. 

Today, we had our first Halloween function with the CVille Playgroup at Greenleaf Park.  I didn't want Matthew to get his Halloween costume dirty yet, so he is instead in his pumpkin onesie to keep with the theme.  Below are a few pictures.  Hope you enjoy.  

Chi O Family Visit

On Sunday, my big sis, Jamie, and her 2nd baby boy, Avery, along with my little sis, Katie, all drove to visit me and Matthew here in Charlottesville.  We went to lunch and then hung out a little at my place.  Avery is is 4 months old and is a cutie.  He was fun to watch :)  Abby liked him too.  Then Matthew woke from his nap and they were able to meet him finally!  It was just a short day trip, but a nice time to visit!  Hopefully we can see each other more often and not so long next time! 

Visit with Sara, Chris and baby William

Last weekend, Matthew and I braved it and drove down to visit Sara! We survived the drive :)  I have to say it is rough driving alone with a little one.  Much easier and more pleasant when you have a helper with you! So we were able to see baby William!  He is a cutie for sure!  Was exactly one month old when we saw him and I still do not think he was over 7 lbs.  He was a cute little peanut! Loved hanging out with them! Matthew also loved it too.  Whenever Sara gets time to download her pictures, we can see how much Matthew loved their dog Marley.  Marley is like a horse size and Matthew was fearless when it came to him.  They were buddies.  He loved that Marley would lick him in the face and he loved laying on the floor next to Marley's big head :)  Matthew enjoyed his time and liked William's room especially his books and cd player.  Thank you Sara and Chris soo much for letting us crash at your place and visit your beautiful home!  Matthew really did enjoy his time as did I!  Hope we can see each other again soon!  

Harvest Festival at Carter's Mountain

Sunday we went to church in the morning and for the first time we tried the nursery for Matthew.  He lasted the whole time which was nice, so I could actually get the message at church.  However, he was crying and the lady was holding him when we picked him up.  But she did say Matthew did very well especially considering this is his first time and I am home with him all day.  We will keep trying!  

Later that afternoon after Matthew's nap, we went to the Harvest Festival at Carter's Mountain here in Charlottesville.  Matthew got to try and Apple donut for the first time and he and I both loved it!  I also got some yummy fresh apple cider from this apple orchard.  We also picked out a couple pumkins :)  It was a beautiful day, the pictures don't show it's best. 

Matthew 14 Months

Cannot believe our boy is already 14 Months old!  He is so much fun!  I have finally been able to get real tennis shoes  on his feet without him curling his toes in, so that has been fun.  It is nice he can wear his tennis shoes, but he still will not walk.  He really likes the fact he can crawl and climb everywhere he needs to go :)  Here he is playing in Abby's bed, good thing Abby doesn't care :) 

Last Weekend in September

Ryan's Parent's came to visit.  Matthew and Abby got to hang with Grandma and Papa.  Saturday there was a home UVA game and Matthew, Harriet and I met Ryan there.  Jim stayed in with Abby to keep her company!

Aruba Trip

Last week and weekend we were in Aruba, thanks to my mom for the wonderful opportunity!  This vacation was great!  We stayed in a timeshare which was two bedroom, living, dining and very nice full kitchen.  So we were able to make and eat all our breakfast and lunch there! 

Matthew was amazing and had a terrific time too!  He took his naps in his stroller just about everyday! We were able to invite friends, so Mike, Ashley and Noah all met us there for a few days.  Matthew and Noah I think enjoyed each others company too.  Noah just turned three, so he was trying to teach Matthew all the big boy things.  He was a cutie!  Hope you enjoy the pictures. 

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!