Fun times in Indiana

We are in recovery mode after having been with Grandpa and Grandma for a week! Matthew had a great time - as well as some milestones there, too. He took several steps by himself - with the help of inertia!! :o) He had his first real blowout - on Grandma and Grandpa's carpet, of course. And we are done with the bottle, for good. We had still been giving him milk at bedtime with a bottle - but he decided he didn't want milk anymore - so, that's that.

Mark and I had a milestone, too - we spent our first night away from Matthew - the both of us. Everyone did fine with that, too. Thanks, Dad and Mom!!!

The only problem was - as usual - it went too fast!! It was GREAT getting to see all of the dear friends that I did - I just didn't get to talk to everyone as much as I would have liked. I guess that's just the way it is now.

see you later

Mommy and Daddy said something about going to see Grandma and Grandpa H. - even though you can't tell it right now, I'm very excited to see them!

feeling lucky?

After multiple attempts - I think this is the best shot I'll get of his St. P's Day onsie from Grandma E.

i think he liked it!

how could you tell?

All of this for $106!!

I know I've mentioned this before, but, I LOVE the Duck Duck Goose events in Little Rock. They're held in the Spring and Fall with weather appropriate clothing + everything else for sale. Imagine going to a garage sale with 1,500 families participating!!

The most "expensive" thing that I bought was the work bench for $15. It had seen better days and had a few missing and additional tools - but for $15?? Matthew will never know the difference - I think he'll enjoy it. Some of the toys may not hold his attention very long - but, they're new to him - and that is good.

I bought only a few clothing items. Thanks to Matthew's very generous grandparents, he lacks for little, really. I use this as my opportunity to buy him a few higher end items that just look special - things that I would never be able to rationalize buying even at clearance prices in the store. Granted, I did splurge and fork out $8 for one item - that's about double my self-imposed limit. I was also able to purchase a pair of Robeez and Stride Rite shoes, too.

On a side note - I stood outside in the cold rain(with my umbrella) in 30's temps at 6:45am in a line waiting to get in. That is how much I love this event. I wouldn't do that for After Thanksgiving Day Sales!

A matter of prinicple at this point

Kandie asked why I didn't cut all of MTE's hair? It's just a matter of principle - not a biblical one, mind you - just a personal one. Mark and I had said that once he starts walking, we'd get him his first hair cut. Who knew that he wouldn't be walking independently yet??!! Not us! So, that's why :o)

I can see; I can see!!

I'm so happy cause Mommy got sick and tired of my bangs in my eyes all the time(and I was getting bothered by it, too), so she trimmed a little off the top! I'm sure even more people will think I'm a girl. Oh,well.

I'm almost over my hives, too. Mommy talked to the ED doctor when she worked Monday night and he kinda thought I had a virus causing the hives. I'm basically eating everything that I was before and not having any problems - only two little hives that Daddy noticed this morning! Yea!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GRANDMA!

My sweet pea and our newest friend

Never a dull moment with a little one. Here I was planning on writing on Matthew's attempts at walking - we're down to one hand assistance - unless he's tired or really doesn't want to walk. Why walk when crawling is so much faster?!

But, no. I get to play detective once again and figure out the culprit in his hives. Yesterday midmorning, I pushed up his sleeves and lo and behold - there was a patch of red splotches and hives on his left forearm. Benadryl to the rescue - they were gone within 45minutes. Then, this morning while we were out and about, I noticed what could have been a little hive under his eye. By the time we got to the next place - it had about doubled. When we got home, I took his jacket off and there they were again. This time on both arms and his left ankle! Thank goodness for Benadryl.

Now, I have to keep a diary of what he's eating - the frustrating thing is, he hasn't had anything dramatically different or new in the past three weeks - food wise or cleaning or grooming product wise. So, we start eliminating things - at least I can narrow it down to breakfast for the most part. Thankfully, the hives don't seem to annoy Matthew much and the Benadryl has been quick to eliminate the hives and redness. These handy dandy Benadryl pre-fillled spoons will be in my purse and his diaper bag, now.