Matthew Joseph

Is already 7 weeks and 1 day old! He got a weight check earlier this week and weighs in at 10 lbs and 1/2 ounce (yes that 1/2 ounce is very important!). We are finally able to dress him in his 0-3 month clothes as he has outgrown all the newborn attire! He does challenge his brother everyday with his need to eat and be held, but I'll give him as much as he needs as I know my little guys grow so fast! He's starting a great routine for us. He's giving us 2 solid 2 hour naps a day one in the morning and one at night, that is if Sam isn't throwing a ball at his head or trying to scream at the people outside, and a bunch of little cat naps throughout the day. We've received a few little smirks, which soon I know will turn into giant smiles. Matthew loves to sleep in his vibrating bouncy seat and we're trying to convince him to enjoy his swing...However, he really wants nothing to do with it. But, we keep trying. It is just another apparatus that we're trying to waste time with! He's giving us two 4 hour stretches at night, which makes it nice. However, he is still a newborn, and that doesn't always happen, but it's our goal. We're working with the doctor to adjust his medicine with his reflux and he seems to be doing better, some days that is. I'm not completely convinced that he has reflux, but we'll do whatever it takes to make him comfortable. I believe as he grows, he will outgrow his tummy issues and we hope to have him ready to tag along with Sam in the near near future!

Erin & Brad

Last but not least: Mommy and Daddy
Being home with my two little boys has so many rewards. Yes, we have many challenges each day, but each day gets easier and easier. We've been busy this summer, but all in a great way. Watching Sam be so interested in so many new things this year always seems to impress me, which makes going places that much more fun. I've also found some escapes for some "me" time since Matthew has been born. I've realized to keep my sanity, I need to occasionally have my own time. My friends have kept my sanity high and have dragged me out of the house to enjoy some girl time, which is something that we all need a little of and for that a Big THANK YOU to all of you. We will be faced with a new challenge early 2007 as Brad's job has been transferred to Jacksonville FL. Brad personally visited Jacksonville FL last week for 4 days to check it out. He met with a realtor and visited his soon to be new office. He came back feeling very positive about the location and will continue on his transfer early next year. JAX has a lot to offer and many many great communities. Brad will continue to go down occasionally. His boys (and me too) missed him dearly while away and will continue to, but soon the travels will end and we can all be there together. We are very excited for this new part of our live to begin, but scared to leave what we've called home for the past 29 years. We know this will be a step in the right direction career wise for Brad, which is important for growth at WAMU. We'll keep you posted on any new information as we receive it. Our home will go on the market in the next few weeks when Brad receives him relocation package from work. We have to sell this place before we can make the move down...and we know that the real estate market these days are iffy.

Always vs. Samuel

They just don't make carts suitable for 2 children, one of infant size and one of toddler size. With that in mind, I decided to take both boys and brave Target. Normally I strap down Sam in the front, and Matthew wobbles about in the back of the cart. However, when we were getting situated to sit down, the lady next to me had both of her boys in the back of the cart and Sam thought that looked like a good idea. So against my prior experiences with Sam in the back, I thought I would give him another try.

He was perfect sitting in the back as I whip myself around Target. I had to get the usual but this time I had to get some feminie products. Like everything else we bought, I handed to to Sam and he just put it next to him. So...I got down the feminie products aisle, gave Sam my feminie products and he put them next to him. I was so happy that Sam did such a good job, hey the thoughts of: I can come to Target anytime now went through my head.

So...we get to the check out, some very young highschool guy was checking us out, I go to grab all the stuff from Sam and OH MY...I was SOOOO embarrassed. I really couldn't see him in the back of the cart because Matthews car seat sits so tall, and the feminie products were my last stop, Sam had took it upon himself to OPEN the box of Always panty liners and STICK THEM ALL OVER HIMSELF. My mouth opened WIDE as I looked at him and he said, "Mommy, stickers".

1 month already!

Time sure flys!!! Everyone told me it would even fly faster with baby #2 and wow...they are right. I feel like just yesterday Sam was born, disturbing my good nights sleep...now we're onto Matthew.

We had our 1 month check up yesterday. Below are the stats:

Weight: 9.0 (30%)
Height: 21" (25%)

Development: He is rocking from side to side very well. She thinks he will be a fast roller. His neck still favors one side, but no signs of any therapy yet...we'll just continue to work with it. Holds head steady for a long period of time and has a very very strong grip! No shots until 2 months, but we did have to have our billy numbers tested again with the lovely heel prick. Sam filled the room with compassion for his little brother as Sam kept repeating, "All done Matthew all done". It was precious. I'll remind him of his compassion when he gets older:) The doctor called us today and his level is at 9.1 (5 being normal). She still thinks that his little jaundice is due to breastmilk. We will have the numbers tested again at 2 months, but she sees no need for us to visit her again before then.

Overall, she was very happy with his rapid weight gain and said that he is doing great.

To capture the moment...here is a picture for you!

Do they look alike?

Miss Kiki came to Playgroup!

Miss Kiki came to our Sunday morning playgroup at Temple. She sang songs and had a lot of fun toys for the kids to play with. Everyone had a great time, even Matthew who met his new friend Ethan for the first time and they both slept the entire hour. Enjoy the pictures below!

Singing and Dancing!

Ickers Everywhere!!!

Giving Matthew love

Unattended...

This is what happens when mommy leaves Sam unattended for 1.5 minutes....I just had to capture the moment...Welcome to the land of dixie cups.

Sleepover with Alivia!

Oh what fun these two had. Alivia provided pure entertainment for Sam and he just loved all the special attention he received. After a busy morning, Sam and Alivia crashed for a nap. After 2.5 hours of good hard sleep, Sam stormed into Alivias room and requested her to play with his animals, hammer, puzzles, books and jump on his bed. We miss you Alivia! Thanks for visiting.

Mommy, I can't do it!

The Ryans came up to visit!

Cousin Jennifer along with Samantha and Jacob (twins) came to visit Alivia when she was here and spend some time with the Teplins. We had a great time playing in the basement and outside. Jennifer also provided a much needed mommy break with a GREAT story time for all the kidos. We had another great day with everyone and Alivia decided to come to our house and nap after a long fun filled morning!

Zach, Alivia and Sam!

Wide open

Some days we see these eyes ALL DAY long!

Our Fam

Great Grandparents again!

The Esch's venture South!

Great Grandma Arleen and Sam!

First time meeting Baby Matthew!

Tub Brothers!

Oh yes, both of my boys LOVE the tub! Sam thinks it is great that Matthew gets to be in there with him and requests every morning: "Macheww bath me peese". So off we go, for a good hour of our morning. I just can't seem to get him out without a fight and water goes everywhere. Sam enjoys helping us wash his little brother with his special wash cloth and then Sam gets the privelidge of pouring a cup of water over his tummy and thinks it's the best thing. Matthew just looks at Sam with complete confusion. And, low and behold, one of my children always find the need to empty their bladder in the middle of the tub!!! Afterall, it could be worse right?

We listened and all we got was...

a long long story about God knows what. Sam had his mom and daddy's undivided attention tonight from about 6:45 until 7:50, when his little brother awoke. Let's just say that hour and 5 minutes was FULL of a long long long story filled with excitement and enthusiasm. The thoughts of: If we ONLY knew what he was saying I could share with him in his excitement, ran through our heads. All Brad and I could do was laugh when he prompted us to. Then....Sam requested his fun fun naked time!!! Then...he requested that we both follow him and sit in the bathroom on the floor?? Not sure where this came from, but Brad and I just followed directions because after all he did ask us, "peese" WOW...did his story continue to get better as he sprinted around the house, talking, laughing and just loving life. Our son, LOVES to be naked. Not sure if it's a good thing, however, we opened up our windows today so it was a little hot after dinner which made it a great night for him to be naked.

Let's hope he sleeps well tonight....after all he only gave his mommy a 22 minute nap today...

State Fair

We braved for the first time the State Fair, with 2 kids! It was a great night for the fair, however everyone had the same thing in mind. We did get to see all the cows, horses and the pigs, which was the reason we went! We didn't last that long as we tore through the crows with our double wide stroller knocking peoples heals saying, "excuse us". However, we made it, and next year Matthew will have so much more fun with Sam, we can't wait.

Growing...

Tummy Time

Matthew Joseph at 3 weeks old!

Helping? Confusing? annoying?

We'll call Sam helping. Sam was ever so excited to help mommy feed his little brother!

However, the best part about this picture is: Sam's open mouth.

After Sam's attention span of 1 minute, the bottle was thrown on the floor, Matthew "WAHHH WAHH WAHH" and Sam running away saying, "Matthew's nene (pacifier)".

Sam has been a great little helper, of course on his terms, however, he is doing a great job in his new role.

A Day with Great Grandma Trudy!

Great Grandma Trudy and her 2 much much loved little boys. We had a great time yesterday morning with Great Grandma "Udy". Sam got all the attention from her while mommy was feeding Matthew and boy was Sam in attention heaven. Sam and "Udy" fed the birds, filled the bird bath with water, played cars and puzzles and "Udy" even let Sam jump on her bed. It was a great morning and we can't wait to go back and visit again.

Special time with Daddy!

For the longest time, Sam did NOT like his sweets. Fine with me, however, poor kid didn't know what he was missing. Just these past few months, his LOVE for sweets has surfaced, and we have to stop and control him. So...this past week, Sam and daddy had some special time together making cookies. Sam helped in every way he could and boy was he happy when they came out of the oven.