Happy Birthday Mama

Today is Matthew's mother's birthday! Danielle is a young, 26 year old mama. Her 25th year turned out to be pretty eventful. No doubt Matthew will make sure the next year is memorable as well.

He's Ready

Matthew has heard an awful lot of discussion about Halloween. Because this is his first Halloween, Matthew will undoubtedly have several different costumes instead of the traditional ONE, and he has so much to learn.

The skeleton has already made an appearance at a photo session.

Although Matthew is not technically allowed to eat candy, he has already shown signs that he will enjoy Halloween. First, Matthew loves to eat. Eating is probably his top two favorite things to do. Since Matthew's mother is responsible for most of his meals, perhaps her increased candy consumption will lead to an indirect sugar high.

Second, Matthew likes the smell of chocolate. Opening a package of fun size chocolate candy bars around him elicits a response similar to steak around a dog. Matthew's nose begins twitching and he starts to drool.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly around Halloween, Matthew loves attention. As if being a baby did not draw enough attention, just dress him up in a costume, or put him in bright orange. Trick or Treat indeed.

Did somebody say Candy?

Wardrobe

Matthew has had more wardrobe changes today than a Reba McEntire concert. He is currently wearing his fourth outfit in the last 12 hours. It has not been due to a photo shoot, and he isn't a Grammy award winning singer (yet).
The increased laundry load will be due to diaper failures and Mark's inability to change him more quickly. Unfortunately, the night is young...

First Month

Matthew has had an exciting first month. The tale of the tape at his doctors visit today showed that Matthew is up to 9 lbs, 9.5 oz and he has increased his length to 21.5 inches. He has done a lot of growing in the past few weeks. During this time he has also begun to display his superhuman abilities. Specifically, his ability to control time. When Matthew cries or screams, he has the ability to actually make time stop! Seconds feel like eons while his high pitched yell pierces the air.

On the other hand, when Matthew is asleep...

Two hours can pass in the blink of an eye.
Since he has spent much more time sleeping during his first month than crying, the last 32 days have passed by more quickly than a week of spring break.

Last week Matthew had visits from his Big Mama and Big Daddy Thursday night

His Grandma and Aunt Devin Friday night and Saturday

Even Brandon Poarch, a.k.a. Uncle Bud, came down from Northern Virginia for a visit Saturday

Matthew is much more alert and aware of his surroundings now that he is a month old.

His parents are looking forward to what each new day will bring...

Friends and Guardians

Matthew likes to play

His Uncle Crit Jordan came up from Albany to see him a couple of weeks ago. Crit has a neice that is a couple of years old, so he is an old pro when it comes to babies.

Sadie the cat, on the other hand, still is trying to figure out exactly who this loud interloper is that takes up so much of Danielle and Mark's time. Sadie is always watching and seems to feel an obligation to protect anyone who sleeps in the same house.

First Carolina Road Trip

Matthew left Thursday afternoon for his first interstate road trip. He wasn't just going to Carolina in his mind, he was going in the car. Thankfully, Matthew likes riding in the car and slept most of the way to Aiken county and all the way back home Sunday.

Evidently there is a preppy requirement in South Carolina.

This is an outifit Matthew's mother dresses him up in to show off her little boy.

Matthew and his Great-great grandmother, Nanny. This was the highlight of the trip for both people in this photo. Matthew was also wearing his skeleton Halloween outfit for the photo session at his great aunt Amy's house. Hopefully more pictures from that day will be posted later. Amy has to finish photo editing, and if she is burdened with the task of making Matthew's daddy look good, it might take a while.

Matthew dressed in his church clothes (held by his Aunt Devin). Matthew went to big church and he is already adapting to a southern baptist service, since he was awake during the music and singing, but sound asleep during the sermon.

Matthew and his mother relaxing after a long weekend.

Tired little boy....

Hungry Hungry

Matthew's mama calls him a particular nickname several times each day.

Hungry-Hungry Hippo

It seems like he is always hungry and that he just can seem to get enough. Just like the hippos in that board game that was featured so prominently on Saturday morning cartoons.

Like those Hippos, Matthew also loves the water. Unfortunately, two times this week he has also decided to share another trait with what real Hippos do while they are in the water (hint: starts with p-, and ends with -oop). On those nights, he has gotten two baths, after a thorough change of all water and washcloths.

Both the baths and eating enough that he is no longer Hungry Hungry, usually lead to this little Hippo taking a nice peaceful nap.

Visitors

Matthew had long distance visitors this week. His Great Grandmommie Dot and Great Grandaddy Cowboy came all the way from Athens, Alabama.
They spent almost all day Wednesday with Matthew and got to watch him sleep and hear him scream. But the best part was when they got to hold their great grandson.

Mommie Dot could have held him all day

Matthew was wearing his overalls,
so Cowboy would know he was Round-up Ready.

Now Matthew has met Great Grandparents from both sides of the family. Soon he will get to meet his Great, Great Grandmother "Nannie".