February

Between finally feeling better pregnancy wise and planning for a trip to Italy, it's been pretty chill around here.  Outside and inside.

Pirate themed birthday party for a cousin.

Happy Valentines Day!

Preschool science experiment- walking colors. They were enthralled!

Finally finished!!  Had to get it done so my babysitters had a nice room to stay in while we head out of the country. :)

Ben is 4!

 Ben is a bicycling maniac. 

Is UBER competitive- and is usually very confident he's the fastest.  Unfortunately, he gets reminded that he's not the fastest almost anytime he races another kid. *sigh* Depending on his mood he'll either laugh it off or be in tears.  You never know which one you're going to get.

Is pretty determined to get what he wants whether through persuasion or sheer grit.  When neither of those work it's not pretty. 

Thinks he's in charge and gets a little too big for his britches sometimes. 

Is usually pretty sensitive and shows a lot of emotion.  Usually sad when someone is sad/hurt, or feels bad when he does something wrong, but occasionally will just laugh and joke it off- drives me a little insane when he does that. 

Has finally moved beyond pull-ups at night. We have the periodic accident, but overall he does well. So nice to only have one in diapers for a little while, at least. 

Loves to be a helper- especially with Dad.  He wants to be an "instruction worker" and drive an excavator. So cute to watch him copy dad's poses and mannerisms. 

Sure do love our Ben!

Add caption

Caroline playing with Ben's birthday slime... it was too icky for Ben. 

January

Life... 

Date night to an escape room.  So much fun- definitely want to do it again!

Christmas and South Carolina

December

Ward Christmas party. 

Frozen stiff! 

Family of 5... soon  to be 6.

Peanut clusters for neighbors

Preschool field trip to sing at the nursing home. 

Terribly 2!

Matthew is TWO.  He is stubborn, mischievous, energetic, wild, adventurous, and crazy cute.

Well-check stats:

Height: 32 in. 20% (I think this was a little low)

Weight: 26.8 lbs 35%

I've been terrible at taking pictures lately and his birthday just kind of snuck by me- but someday
when I figure out which camera was taking pictures at his party I'll add them to this post. We did have cake and a party, but it was pretty chill.

About Matthew:

• He loves climbing.  That hasn't changed at all.  He's sort of careful... sort of...
• Is clingy to his mama and daddy and comes to us in tears often looking for sympathy.  
• Has almost all his teeth.  Still waiting for those upper canines.
• He is getting better on the balance bike. 
• He wears his emotions on his sleeve.  It's not too unusual for him to be mad and go close himself in a room until he's happy again. He cries easily but is fairly easy to get to laugh.
• Says quite a few words... some only make sense in context, but his vocabulary is growing.
• LOVES antagonizing Ben.  He'll sneak up and steal a car that Ben is playing with and then take off running and cackling.  Good times. 
• Won't give into getting into his carseat without a struggle or change his diaper without squirming.  You'd think with things that we do so often he'd be a little more compliant, but no.
• Loves nursery at church and will often head there without us- makes me a little crazy. 
• Likes names and remembers names of little friends that we have over to the house. 
• Usually sleeps through the night.  Sometimes he wakes up crying but I can usually just put his blankets back on him and he's good. He is in a big-kid bed and hasn't rolled off yet.  He gets locked in his room at night since he was starting to follow in Caroline's footsteps and wander at night.
• He is a sort of picky eater.  He loves bread, milk, strawberries, yogurt, sausage, and sugar.  Everything else... meh... he could take it or leave it.
• Likes wheels almost as much as Ben.  His favorite toy seems to be the train and train tracks.
• Is good at giving hugs.
• Can be a bit mean with hitting and pushing, but is fairly quick to appologize.

Can't imagine our family without our Matthew!!

November

Rec Center

Cute gal at school. She looks so little!

First snowfall.

Most wonderful time of the year!