What is this, Bunny Blues!

As you can tell, Matthew didn't do to well with the Easter Bunny. I just love this age. Sorry the picture is a little crooked.

My mother-n-law and I took Matthew to the mall to have his picture taken with the Easter Bunny, he done good at first until he turned and actually looked at the bunny. Poor thing. For the rest of the day if we mentioned the word "bunny" Matthew started to cry- so we had to start spelling it.

What an eventful day! Not only did he cry with the bunny he cried riding the carousel. He was not having a good morning and he loves to ride the carousel. As the day went on though it did get better.

We finished up our shopping and headed over to Tripps Restarunt.

It was nice and we had a really good time. However, we were served this liquid sauce in a bowl that supposedly we dip our bread in. Neither Dottie nor I tried it. You can tell we don't get out much. So, what is this? I don't want to know.

Matthew loves going out to eat, he flirts with everyone and loves the ceiling fans. He eats pretty good too, I believe he will try anything once. (Except the stuff in the bowl)

Matthew and his Grandma pose for a picture while we wait for our food.

Please say a prayer for us this week, we have ALOT going on before Easter.

Tomorrow we have Matthew's spring pictures done, so hopefully he'll cooperate. Wednesday is PT, Thursday, hopefully ST and we have our yearly neurologist appointment. This is always our most important appointment and our most educational too. Thursday night we have our county's "Farmer's Appreciation Dinner" at our local high school. Saturday, we have our neighborhood "Final Four" party and Sunday, EASTER!!!!

Until next time, Good Night and God Bless!!

He's so CUTE!!

A Defiant Walker

I believe boys in general are born to be "defiant" but yet so sweet they end up being "Mama's Boys". My little Matthew is just that, he sure does know how to turn it on when he doesn't want to do what he's being made to do. Take walking for instance, I know with the Dandy-Walker, Matthew will have issues with balance and coordination but with practice and strength building it can be accomplished. Matthew has decided he doesn't like being made to walk and either sits on his butt or drops to his knees. It's funny but yet aggravating knowing he's putting on a show.

However, he does good anyway. He'll get it with time and on his own time. It's just his way of telling me, "Back off Mama!!".

Matthew done GREAT!! in ST last week, he can dance to the song, "Wheels on the Bus" with him using his hands in a rolling motion and he moves his head and shoulders when he hears music he likes. It's so cute. I'm trying to get a video of it so bare with me. Matthew's ST is going to start out a little slow with his speech just to see what he can do. He has learned the signs of more with him taking your hands and making the motions.

Matthew is now scribbling well with crayons and can use either hand, he's now making the big long strokes. He has also learned to somewhat take off his shirt and pants now and he helps with his shoes too. It's a little tough for him considering the AFOs he has to wear but they are greatly helping his feet.

He does such a good job and Bradley and I are so, so proud of him. He makes our life so complete in every way.

Below is a video of Matthew slowly using his walker, it's not the best video considering the lighting. (it's a little to dark) but still it's worth sharing. Hope you enjoy.


Good Night and God Bless!!

Paci - BE GONE!!!!

We've had a very trying weekend. We've finally decided to take the pacifier away from Matthew. We've been doing it slowly, him only having it at night or at nap time and then taking it out once he's asleep. So, once we stopped giving it to him we end up with a irate little boy.
Tonight is night 3 and so far tonight he's done GREAT!!! I gave him his blanket and gave him a stuffed dog to go to bed with; he doesn't care to much for the dog but the blanket seems to be working. This morning after crying for his paci, he got himself so worked up that he threw up his breakfast. He has been so mad at me this weekend that today when I went to pick him up, he would hardly acknowledge me, but he came around eventually.
Matthew has been somewhat challenging this week. I've been pushing him a little harder to walking with one hand held and behind his push toy by himself. He doesn't want to do it but he needs to and HE CAN DO IT. Holly, his PT said last week during his session that Matthew could walk if he wanted to and that he's just being very stubborn. Which explains my child perfectly-besides he gets it honest. (from yours truly:))
Today my aunt tried something a little different to get Matthew to walk, she lightly held the sleeve of his shirt to make him think she was holding onto him & he walked perfectly with minimum balance problems.
Matthew is doing so good. I know I've put alot on him this weekend with the paci, walking, and spoon feeding but he does so much better after a little push.

Matthew starts speech this Thursday and I'm so excited and interested in how the ST is going to get my child to talk. Matthew's only way of communication now is pointing to what he wants and grunting or pointing to whatever we ask him where something is.

I talked to my sister tonight and she seems to be having it rough this week too. Nathan is all of a sudden refusing to use the potty at home.

AHHHH the joys of motherhood, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I just pray to God for His wisdom and guidance with the most difficult job in the world- PARENTING.

Dandy-Walker

This past week has been rewarding and somewhat challenging, for Matthew and us. He's now able stand by himself for longer periods but still struggles with the new sensation of balancing. Holly, Matthew's PT, wants us to start helping him learn to walk with one hand held which isn't easy AT ALL. It's so heartbreaking to see the affects that Dandy-Walker has on a child when it comes to learning to balance and to walk. Matthew will get it in time but I hate that he has to struggle with something that we, myself included, take for granted so much.




Matthew is a very determined little boy and then at times he would rather us do it for him. I found out tonight that Matthew has a fascination with water globes and the music they play. I used one tonight to help coax him into walking to it while I hold just one of his hands and it worked perfectly. I have to encourage him at first but once he gets going he goes about 5 to 6 steps. I would love for him to be able to walk confidently with one hand held by Easter so he can bend over and pick up Easter Eggs with the other hand.

On a lighter note, we celebrated my Dad's 56th Birthday this weekend at Duke's Restaurant. He loves that place. Matthew and Nathan sat beside of each and I tell you they play better now that they don't see each other much than they did before when they were together all of the time. I guess they needed a break from one another. My sister and I still manage to get them together at least twice a week now.

Matthew is also learning to take off his coat by himself with a little help of course. We finished up the paper work last week to start speech therapy, so we're waiting for the therapist now. I can't wait til he talks. Matthew has started to point alot with his grunting this week also and understands everything perfectly.

I am so THANKFUL. I just have to complain a little bit about the "Dandy-Walker", it's good therapy for me.

Below is a picture of Matthew with some of his friends in the nursery at church on Sunday. When I'm with them I see why God tells us we need to come to Him as little children. What better way to go to Him. I admit my faith sometimes lacks in moments of stress and worry but the faith of these little ones is unshakable.