Monday and Tuesday's Happenings...

Yesterday, Matthew and I decided to try out the new Smith Aquatic and Fitness Center, a brand new Charlottesville City Facility.  They have a lazy river, zero entrance area, and slides for big kids and toddlers along with a lap pool.  I was very pleased and hope to go there more often!  Unfortunately we do not have pictures since it was just me and Matthew there alone, but here are some pics of it from their site.  

Today, I watch Chloe, Erin and Grant's daughter, all day since her sitter was unavailable today.  She was a great girl and a very good sharer with Matthew today.  Here are a few pictures of them.  Enjoy :)

Evan's 2nd Birthday

Sunday we attended Church and tried the nursery again with Matthew and of course he cried again.  We will keep trying.  The girls there are great!  We are very appreciative of them so we can listen hear and listen in church!  Then we went to Bodo's for some bagels yummy - Matthew likes his bagel too! Once we got home, I finished up wrapping Evan's Birthday gift and we headed to the party.  It was Matthew's nap time since it was at noon, but Matthew still played and ate some lunch. He was a trooper, but as you can see from the pictures he was exhausted and when we left the party, he fell asleep in the car on the way home.  He stayed asleep as I brought him upstairs to his crib and he slept from 2:45pm to 6pm!  Yay!  we love great sleep :)  Such a good sweet boy! 

Evan was a cutie at his party and loved Matthew - he would every now and then ask where Matthew was; so cute!

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.