Birthdays and kisses

It's true.  I am 33.  Where has the time gone?  As I reflect on the last year, I am absolutely amazed at what has become of my life.  I am so BLESSED!  My baby is no longer a baby.  He has grown into this little boy that can tell you what letter is on the flash card and words that start what that letter!  He knows words like clock and points to it without being prompted, he just wants me to know that he knows what that is.  When we're outside, he points out all the birds and the airplanes.  When we're driving he points out all the trucks, "oooh a truuuuck".  When there is a semi or a BIG truck, he says "WHOA a TRUUUUUCK".   When the Aflac commercial comes on TV he says "Duck" and when the milk commercial comes on he says "Cow" and "Moooo"!  And whenever we see a baby, he says "BABY" (and not quietly--ever)!  I am truely AMAZED!!

I can tell when it's time for the weekend to come because it's harder and harder for him to say "bye bye" to me when I drop him off at Grandma Day Care.  Usually, it's 2 kisses and a hug but by Thursday and Friday it's a half a dozen or more.  Not that I mind them (I live for them).  And I know that when I leave, Grandma picks up where I left off and he gets at least a million more.  I can't imagine what it would be like to have to drop him off a "regular" day care.  We are SO fortunate.

Today, especially, I am missing my dad.  Everytime I rebuild the train track I think of him and how he would have had this elaborate track made up with different tiers and hand made trees, tunnels, risers and probably even trains.  That's the kind of Grandpa I think that he would have been to my son.  I think he would be proud.  I hope he would be proud. 

I look forward to see what my 33rd year brings.

March 24

I know, I know, what fun is a blog entry without pics??  Well, we are going to have to survive for a little while.  My camera is being a P-I-T-A!  The battery says it charged but won't turn on.  Is the problem with the camera or the battery??  The internet says....it's the battery.  So I ordered a new battery and am waiting for it to arrive. 

What's new at the Matson house?  Ah...not much.....we thawed out for a week or so, even got out Ben's new bike.  I LOVE it!!! And more importantly SO DOES BEN!!!  He can steer (with some help from my handy dandy handle that also controls the wheel!) and he can peddle or put his feet on the rests.  Right now he does one of each.  It's pretty darn cute if I might say so myself.  Now all we need is for this new batch of snow and ice to melt so that we can get out there again. 

Tueday was Chad's birthday.  I was trying to teach Ben to say "Happy Birthday".
He'd scream "HAAPPPPP!!" and then clap.  Again, pretty darn cute.  I sure wish I had a camera to take a picture or video of it......arghhhh...
 
What's new with Ben?
He is talking up a storm!   Every truck we pass he says "truck".  We have a horse picture on our wall and he points and says "hoas" (yes...no r").  He is currently infatuated with the cover of Toy Story 3.  He points to the dinosaur and roars "saur".  He's still a little confused with Mom and Dad.  Most of the time he calls me Dad.  That's ok.  He'll figure it out.  Still, his most favorite toy in the world is Thomas the Train.  He has 4 different size Thomas'.  The largest one is a stuffed Thomas(which he sleeps with every night), the next smaller one is Shake and Go Thomas, the next is a just a plastic Thomas and the smallest is the Thomas that goes on the wooden train track table.  He lined them all up in a Row across the front of the couch.  Examining each one, pointing and babbling something.  Then he'd move them to a single file line on the floor.  He'd lay his face on the floor and again check each one out.  Then he'd get bored, grab the smallest Thomas and go play with his train table.  I don't know what we'd do without Thomas. 
 

What a way to start March

It has been a long, LONG 2 weeks.  After we all were bitten by the stomach flu in one way or another (or both at the same time in some cases), Ben came down with Croup and the rest of us landed with a nasty cold.  Thank goodness Ben's seal barking stopped within 24 hours of starting the steroid but it sure was scary to listen to him breath.  Fastforward through all the gorry details, FINALLY, we are all on the mend (crossing fingers).  Ben seems to have his energy and his appetite back.  YAY!!!  Although I have enjoyed all the cuddling time spent in the evenings, I love to watch him run around and listen to his squeals and giggles but there is nothing better then seeing the smile and joy on his face.