Happy Thanksgiving 2010!!!!

Yes, it's Thanksgiving one of my favorite times of year.  My family LOVES to get together.  At least the majority of us do.  We eat, laugh and play lots of games.  Matthew really enjoyed this Thanksgiving because he's no longer in the high chair and has moved up the ladder to the "kids table".  Matthew is at a stage now where he wants to mix all of his food together and then eat it.  As long as he eats it I don't care how it gets there.

Below is a picture of the "Smith Cousins"at least the majority of them.  There's 14 of us in all.  We look back at our pictures and boy we are getting OLD.  My aunt Judy tells us were going through the mid life spread. HAHA!

All in all we had a GREAT Thanksgiving it just went by way to fast.  Below are just a few more picts of our Thanksgiving.

My Aunt Margaret, Matthew and my Aunt Judy who we're so thankful to God that she's still here with us after her stroke this year.  Below is my uncle Gurney and my cousin Beth.

I am so thankful to God for the family he put me in.  I love huge gatherings and my family is HUGE, when we ALL get together there is about 40 of us and soon to be more.  Family is one of the best gifts God gives, however, I'm most thankful for my son Matthew who can show doctors and others that miracles still happen.  I thank God for her Mercy and His Blessings on me and my entire family.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Milestone UPDATE

Matthew is making HUGE strides in his development lately.  Just watching him you can't really tell that he's behind much.  His walking is improving everyday, he's starting to do more of a heel to toe walk and is almost trying to run inside some.  We're still working on walking outside in the grass and gravel, hard to believe but he does better walking in gravel than in the grass. 
Matthew is also starting to be a little dare devil and test his own abilities.  On Sunday I caught him trying to stand on one leg without holding onto anything.  He's starting to dance a little too, he loves ring around the rosies and the theme song to the "Wonder Pets" cartoon.

And our big news for the past couple of weeks, Matthew has started to pee in the potty standing up, he does it at school and here at home about 3 times a day and at night of course before bed.  He doesn't tell us but he does show us.   He does so well at remembering how to do things, stand on stool, pee, pull pants up, flush toilet and go wash and dry his hands.  With this new achievement also comes a scare.  Last week at school while potting, Matthew lost his balance and hit his chin on the toilet seat and bit his tongue.  He's ok but wouldn't eat much for a couple days.  Poor thing.

Matthew's fine motor skills are improving also, we've been working on how to hold a crayon and draw a circle.  He almost has it down.  He's at a stage now to where he wants to throw things, his crayons, balls, clothes, food , etc.

Matthew's speech is slowly, slowly improving, his understanding is improving but his speech comes and goes.  Matthew has a new speech therapist as of last week so maybe we'll see an improvement.  I still think it's his articulation and stubbornness.

He loves to pretend play and help out around the house as you can see above.

We are so, so proud of him.  If you're ever in doubt, God still does miracles-my baby is one of them.

Good night and God Bless!!

P.S.  Hope you voted today.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Happy Halloween,  Matthew really enjoyed Trick or Treating this year, by the time we were making our last stops Matthew finally got the hang of what to do.  His favorite candy by far is a Snickers bar and a Reeses Cup.

These are some of the crafts Matthew made at preschool.  Friday they had a Halloween Party and brought there crafts home.  Ms. Rose said that Matthew loves to paint and couldn't wait to paint his little pumpkin.

Matthew's first stop for Trick or Treating was to his buddies' house.  We had a puppy dog (Lee), a cow (Jackson) and a Sheep (Matthew), almost a complete farm.  Aren't they adorable!!!!!