Little Who?

I feel like I'm blogging all the time, at least every week, but there is always something new and exciting that happens in our family and with Matthew.

This past weekend we took Matthew to the "Little Folks Festival" it was so neat. The kids have fun with the sirens on the fire trucks, they meet alot of our local and state emergency officials, they get free books, face painting, food and ice cream,etc. Matthew done so good, he walked around some with me just holding onto one hand, he drunk his first juice box with the more stout straws and he got to meet Smokey the Bear, which of course didn't go well at all.

The picture above is my cousin, Jonathan and Matthew posing for such a handsome picture.

And our BIG news of the week!

Matthew is now at that stage where he thinks he's a "big boy" and not little anymore. I went downstairs to the basement yesterday morning before leaving for work while Matthew was watching his cartoons when I came back into the basement I heard this most terrifying bump in my life and I looked up the steps and saw Matthew on his tummy on the fourth top step.

Apparently, Matthew has now learned to open up doors ( the door was shut completely, I double checked it when I had went down) and he tried to walk down them when he of course fell. I was so worried about his head, due to his soft spot not completely being closed and the Dandy-Walker. I took him to the doctor for a check up and it seems that his only injuries was the scratch on his eye lid and under his eye.

Needless to say, Bradley and I baby proofed our doors. Matthew is everywhere now, he can stand up on his own without holding onto anything and he does more walking with one finger on something than he does crawling. Once he gets the hang of walking independently, he's going to give me a workout for sure.

My grandma says that Matthew's body hasn't caught up with his brain yet, it is so, so true. Matthew has also learned to say I love you and sign it, except it sounds like I wuw wu. He has learned also to wash his hands in the bath tub and to brush his own teeth with help. He's so funny.

Well, I gotta go, have to do our church bulletins for Sunday.

Til next time, Good Night and God Bless!

Precious Moments and a NEW Milestone !

GREAT NEWS!!!!! Matthew has taken his first INDEPENDENT steps :). He started yesterday during his physical therapy session with Holly. She got him to walk 3 steps on his own and he done that 3 different times. Today he walked 6 steps, fell, my aunt then helped him up and he took 3 more steps.

This is so amazing and I can't tell you how much I am praising God for this. I knew Matthew would walk soon but not this soon. He still has a little ways to go at walking confidently but he will do it in the upcoming weeks and months. As a parent you are so proud when your child hits a milestone, but when your child has a syndrome which can cause problems with balance,etc. and you see him do it perfectly- you are just in AWE of God's power and your child's ability. It's so precious! I pray that I will not take these precious moments for granted and that I will always remember this feeling of pure joy and being so humble to God for this precious child he has given me the privilege of being his mother.

Matthew has also learned 3 more things this week, he knows some of his colors (red,blue,green,yellow and purple) he of course can't say them but he can pick them out and give them to you, he has learned to smack-which no is not a word he is liking now and lastly he has learned to get out of his stroller. (another challenge in itself)

The picture above is Matthew posing innocently while misbehaving in the bath tub tonight. He is ALL BOY! Melanie and I were talking tonight and we don't know what we would do if we had girls, boys are so much fun! HAHAHA!

Gotta go, my show is on, "Parenthood" , Bradley and I LOVE IT!!!!

Easter Blessings

This past week has been so busy and yet rewarding in so many ways. First off, our neurologist appointment went very, very well. Dr. Hickling was very impressed with Matthew and all the things that he can do.

Matthew is a little behind but not by much!!!:) According to Dr. Hickling, Matthew's walking ability/balance is right where it should be for a toddler his age, the reason for him not wanting to walk is more of a "security" issue. Imagine that. I also asked about his speech, that too is from him being more focused on mobility and us not making him talk. Matthew is so spoiled. Matthew's fine motor skills are right where they should be which is a relief. Bradley and I are so proud of him but we know that this is all God's doing. We serve an amazing God, Matthew is a true testament that prayer does work.

Our neurologist also gave us a little bit of advice, he told us that just because Matthew is diagnosed with a syndrome doesn't necessarily mean that there is anything wrong with him and to challenge him and treat him just as if there was nothing wrong with him at all. Which we do challenge him but we always think about the Dandy-Walker and try not to get Matthew to frustrated when doing things. Matthew does have to learn to do things for himself and work through the frustration which is what we definitely need to work on helping him do.

Below are some pictures from our Final Four party with some of our neighbors. Glad our home team won ( Go DUKE) but it would have been nice to see Butler win

Melanie and Christie

Part of the Gang

Lily being silly

Matthew & Lily on their scooters

Matthew almost took his first independent steps on Easter at my Grandma's, we were so excited. It won't be long til he's toddling. Matthew has also started to babble alot more this week too. He said "baby" yesterday and he's signing alot more too. He's doing GREAT!! Below are some of our Easter pictures. Hope you enjoy.

Memmie, Matthew, & Grandma (my mom)
The sun sure is bright.

Good Night and God Bless.