Baby Names

So I have finally been able to hang out with my sister Nina. Nina is pregnant with her 1st baby, a boy. This is the 1st boy in our family for a since my uncle Dan was born in the 60's. So anyway we were trying to come up with some names for the little guy. Nina read an article that said babies with initials that spell something positive live an average of 4 years (i think) longer then people whose initials spell nothing. So I am on a quest.......any suggestions?

Another Vacation and some pictures from Mattea's Baptism

Mattea was christened 9/23/2007 at 8 months old. I thought she would cry but she didn't. She was very well behaved but completely un-impressed with everything.
Mattea and Lily shared the christening dress and they have their names and christening date sewn onto the dress. Hopefully it will be passed on for years to come.
Mattea's little bare feet (forgot the socks). I didn't think anything of it until the pastor commented on her cute toes to the entire church.
Mattea helping to cut her cake but I don't think she ate any of it
Sorry for the extra picture of me and Mattea. I couldn't figure out how to delete the picture when I realized I copied the same one twice.

Today marks the start of another vacation for Mattea and some time off for me! Mattea went to Gatlinburg with my parents, Lily, Lucy and Heidi. They left this morning and will be gone until Thursday night.

So I had a busy day. I went to Greenwood for a cookout for my friend Steph's son Jack. Today he was baptized and is now offically sin free. I took this oppurtunity to use my dad's Smart car for the drive to Greenwood. I picked up Lana in Zippy, yes my dad names his cars, and we were off. We had a good time but Lana had to get home so I had to do my joyriding in the Smart car all by myself. It was nice though, I went to Old Navy, found nothing, I went to Carter's, found nothing. So I decided to go to Border's and "hang out." That was really fun because it has been a very long time since I just sat in a bookstore with no purpose and no timelines. After that I went to Target and found everything (for Mattea of course).

Other exciting news. I received a refund check (not a shabby one either) from my ob/gyn stating that I had overpaid my pre-natal care expenses. I should probably have been more upset that they overcharged me but I was just too excited to have some "free money." I feel like my luck might finally be changing. YEAH!

Sleepyhead

Still eating but so sleepy
Taking a break
Too sleepy to finish
Stick a fork in me I'm done!

I had to post these pictures it was so funny. Mattea had spent the day with Lily and Angi. They went to their library program in the morning and then went to the bakery for lunch and then to the park. When I met them at the park, Mattea was raring to go even without her afternoon nap. She does really well on little sleep, thankfully but this was too funny. We were eating dinner and she fell asleep on me. I wasn't able to get the video camera but I grabbed the regular camera and got some pics luckily.

Happy Father's Day

Charlie catching Mattea on her new slide this Christmas!
Sleepy Mattea and her JJ after her 1st birthday party!
Charlie and Mattea enjoying her sit-n-spin!
Doing very important work on the computer with JJ!
Mattea getting a pep talk from Charlie about the fun of pumpkin carving!

I thought I would show some pictures of Mattea with her guys. They have been here for Mattea since she was born and couldn't ask for better role models to show her what being a dad is all about!

Mattea and I had a great Father's Day. We went with my mom to visit my grandpa, Mattea's Grandpa Joe. He lives out of town and does not make it to Indy very often so we only see him every couple months. Mattea last saw him just after her birthday and very briefly on Nina's wedding. It was very nice but she did not warm up to him until we were in the car and then she started blowing all kinds of kisses in his direction. When we got home my brother-in-law Chris was at our house preparing for our 1st ever Rib-Off. We have 4 participants, my dad, Charlie, Chris and my Uncle Dan. They are all making their own ribs with their own recipes and there will be a taste testing and the winner receives a trophy. Very Fun!

I though this was funny. Mattea decided to get Charlie a sprinkler toy because what dad doesn't want a sprinkler toy right? Well my grandma decided to give my dad a sprinkler toy too. Me and my mom were laughing because the night before we were talking and Mom had told Charlie last year at his 1st Father's Day that every present from now on would be a toy for the kids, but every Mother's Day better be a present for the Mom. Dad's youngest kid will be 27 and he is still getting toys!

toys

The girls sharing so nice!!!

And not so nice!!!

It doesn't show in the pictures but Lily is the toy stealer. If Mattea is playing with anything, Lily is after it and lately has been starting to bite. Funny thing is I only hear about her biting Lily and never why she bit or how anyone is correcting her behavior or Lily's behavior for being a toddler bully!

Watch out Class of 2025.

Vacation

I am on a mini-vacation and it is so nice. Mattea went with my mom and dad, along with Angi, Charlie, Lily and Lucy to Cedar Point. I have been looking forward to their trip since I would have 2.5 days for just me. It was a little touchy for awhile because dad almost backed out because of the weather. I love the man but have realized the older he gets the more worried he is about EVERYTHING! He didn't want to be responsible if the van was washed away by flood waters? OK it is great to be cautious but really. So my vacation has consisted of watching rented movies, I never rent movies, and doing absolutely nothing.

My friend recently posted on her blog about her frustration that we(Americans, people) are not doing enough to help out others. This has been weighing on my mind alot. I feel, and I know alot of my coworkers, feel that we are helping others and making a difference everyday. I work as a social worker for disadvantaged women who are expecting or have recently had children. Everyday we are faced with poverty and offer them support and resources. Some days are bad and I sit and think that this family I am helping has a way bigger tv then I have or better furniture then me and I do get discouraged, who wouldn't. But every once in awhile I know I have made a difference to someone and that it what keeps me going throught the monotony (oh, and the big bucks). My spare 3-4 hours a day are spent with my child since I am not able to stay home on a full-time basis ( I also think I would be bored out of my mind) so I do not give up my spare time, but I donate Mattea's old clothes and outgrown diapers to the families at work or to friends and try to always help out with food donations. I have never sold clothes to Once Upon a Child for money like I know other people have instead of donating it. I feel that my backyard is where I should focus my efforts because I drive by it all the time.

When Mattea is older she will go though her toys and clothes deciding on what to give to others. It may not be profound but it is what I can do for now and feel good doing it. My director at work always tells us that we save lives everyday. We chuckle about it but on some level, not always visible or literal, we do!

Yeah for mini vacations but I miss my sweet girl and can't wait for her to be home.

Fun days

Hi everybody,
Sorry I have not posted in awhile. Mattea and I have had some fun over the last couple of days. Over the weekend we hung out with my friends Betsy, Beth, Steph, and Lana. Noura was sleeping as was Jack. Mattea was wondering where her party buddies were. I told her that eventually Noura and Jack would not bless their parents with going to sleep at 7 and party like rock stars too, just like Mattea.

On Monday, Mattea went skinny dipping for the 1st time. Mattea loves the pool and loves to be swimming. She even loves to jump off the side of the pool and it is the cutest thing. As soon as she jumps she is aksing me "one more." She also loves to be thrown in the air from one person to another. Its funny she looks like a professional because she straightens out her legs and arms and flies!!!! For as cautious as she is on land, she loves the thrill of flying. Maybe a future as a aerialist for the circus?

Lastly, today is her 1st dentist appointment. My mom is coming to take pictures for me and I don't think she will enjoy Dr. Katie poking around in her mouth. I anticipate alot of screaming and squirming but I will let everyone know how she does and will post some more pictures soon.

Wish us luck!