That Baby Makes Some Excellent Points!

Many times when I am working on the computer I have Matthew sitting on my lap. For instance he is on my lap right now while I am writing this blog. To entertain him I oftentimes play his "no muching video" while I go about my work. He enjoys watching himself on the video and it sparks his interest at the same point of the footage each time he watches it. He smiles and kicks to show he is listening. It's as if he is saying, "That Baby is so smart! He makes a lot of good points about why we should munch."

New Jogging Stroller.. for Jogging?

Last weekend Tony and I bought a new jogging stroller. It is a Jeep brand stroller with off-road tires and shock absorbers. What better encouragement should I need to start jogging and getting some good workouts. Matthew isn't complaining... I think he has a "need for speed" instead of those leisurely walks I take him on just to get out of the house. If I can teach Matthew to shout at me like a Marine Corps drill instructor, my extra baby weight will come off in no time. Matthew does babble sometimes, which could be considered a cadence that recruits yell during their grueling runs. If you question Matthew's ability to be stern with me on some runs just check out the video of him "reading his daddy the riot act". (Okay, I know this is a third time this week that I provided a link to the video of Matthew's munching speech, but Tony is particularly proud of that footage. I still laugh every time I watch it.) Photo to be included soon.

Pull My Finger

Lately Matthew has been going through his "grabby" phase. He likes to grab everything in sight especially if it isn't meant for babies. For instance, while writing this blog, I had Matthew on my lap while I typed. Matthew bats at the keyboard and grabs at the cord and as I pull him away from the computer he lunges at the keyboard full force with both arms flailing trying to pound or grasp at anything within reach. Of course I had to find somewhere to put him while I finish my blog otherwise the blog would read as follows: q34pou[ergjtih'34ptuq3'ioro235fiop4rkodf.

Matthew's grabbiness reminds me of his antics last weekend at the beach. Matthew was playing with his Unkie Jude and during this time he "pulled Unkie Jude's finger". Now most of you know what is supposed to happen when your finger gets pulled.. the pullee is supposed to fart. Well Matthew got the last part wrong and after he pulled his uncle's finger.. Matthew farted. Matthew reminds me more of his dad every day.

No More Munching-Part Two

As you may remember from my blog of December 30, 2007, Matthew's father and Deda have been trying to get him to stop munching his fingers. This video shows Matthews ingenuity (and flexibility).

Another Lazy Weekend at the Beach

This weekend Matthew enjoyed his Grandpa's birthday celebration at a rented beach house in Boliver. There were no toe-dunking incidents but we did enjoy a few short strolls along the shore. Of course I had my sun umbrella covering Matthew the whole time. His Daddy took this photo of Matthew while they spied on me at the beach trying to corral our two over zealous laborador mixes. The dogs were sprinting along the shallow water chasing seagulls and pelicans. They didn't catch any of them.

Cycling for Pretzels

On Sunday I got a chance to ride my bicycle again after a long hiatus. I have done a couple of 25 mile Sunday morning rides with friends at Bicycle World and Fitness, but on Sunday I rode 50 miles for the first time since before my pregnancy. It was a beautiful day and it was a much needed break from work and attending to Matthew. Of course I missed Matthew. It is weird how I can relish my time away but miss Matthew at the same time. Later that day Tony and Matthew brought me a nice post ride surprise. See photo below (or read the title of tonight's blog).

Setting a Bad Precedent

Yesterday (Sunday) I took Matthew to the bookstore. He has been to the bookstore with me several times as you can see from previous blogs. This day we went to the children's section because I had some time to kill. I decided a few weeks back that I would not buy him any new books until he was able to indicate to me what he likes. I was assuming that this would be a few months from now. I picked up an eye-catching book. It was titled "Clap Your Hands" and it had an Elmo puppet built into the book. I used the book puppet to grab Matthew's nose and he squealed with delight. I then proceeded to another section of the store to pick out my next novel to read while breastfeeding. At this time Matthew cried and wouldn't stop. So I picked up the Elmo book and handed it to him and he stopped crying. When I put it back on the shelf he cried again. So I am sure you can figure out what I did.. I bought the book. On my way home I was thinking about all of those kids I have seen in shopping carts at the grocery store check out line--throwing temper tantrums because they want a candy bar..kicking and screaming until the mom gives in. I always thought, I am not going to be one of "those moms". Uh oh.. I have been cursed for judging those moms. At 5 months old, Matthew has learned how to manipulate me.

Rolling and Squealing

We figured out why Matthew doesn't roll over when we put him on his tummy. It is because he prefers to be on his tummy as you can see in this video.

Supposedly it is more difficult for a baby to roll from his back to his stomach, but Matthew seems to have mastered this before he did the reverse (tummy to belly).

Here is more video of Matthew's happy squeals.

I thought I was done uploading video, but Matthew's daddy was particularly proud of this happy scream.