So big . . .

Matthew had his 1 year check up today. We are so proud of him. He is in the 25th percentile for his weight and 50th for his height. He is starting to catch up. It's amazing to see his progress on his growth chart. He went from being so low in weight that he wasn't even on the chart and then slowly we have gone from the 5th percentile and up little by little and now we are at the 25th. He has really been making some steady progress since his second surgery.

Our big event of the day - Matthew is standing up in the middle of the room all by himself!!! He is very proud of his accomplishment and claps. It's so cute.



We put up our tree last week and I was a little nervous as to how we would keep Matthew away from it. He has only tried to touch it once and I told him no that it's a pretty and that was all it took. He hasn't messed with it since.


We made our birthday present for baby Jesus by wrapping a box with a slit in it. We put money in it everyday for Taylor to take to church and give to baby Jesus. Matthew has been very curious as to the activities around the gift. I think he is trying to figure out how can get the bow off of it.


We have had a lot of Christmas talk lately and Santa is a very regular topic in our house. I'm enjoying the whole you better be good Santa is watching. It works every time. One problem - we were saying our bedtime prayers and had a conversation that went like this:


Taylor: Is Santa in Heaven?

Mommy: No, he is at the North Pole. Why do you think he is in Heaven?

Taylor: You keep telling me Santa is watching me so is he and Jesus in Heaven watching over us?

Mommy: uh . . . uh . . . no Jesus watches over us and keeps us safe and helps us to be good girls and Santa is just watching to see if he should bring you presents at Christmas.


Wow, I had no idea that questions can be so complicated at 3. How do you let them enjoy the whole Santa thing and teach them the real meaning of Christmas. She does enjoy the nativity story we read. Children definitely retain more than we give them credit for. I love bed time conversation. You never know where it's going to lead. These times are priceless!


On a side note, here is a picture of what happens when Daddy does your hair . . . . .

We are having fun in the Orwig House this December. We were thinking back to the fact that we were sitting in the hospital most of last December and didn't go to one Holiday party or family get-together. What a difference a year can make. We are so happy to be together this year!!