Cutest Sweater Ever (sorry Mum)

Shortly after Matthew arrived so did a parcel from Auntie Judy and Uncle Jim Nicholls. In it was the CUTEST SWEATER EVER.

This is the front view. It has been modified by bigger buttons so it will stay closed but otherwise is in its original form.

It has this giant elfish hood (good for protection from the rain) and an equally giant although possibly not so elfish pom pom (good for creating extra cuteness).

and it makes you feel like this whether you are the one wearing it or not!!

Matthew and the Kitty

Matthew is totally fascinated by the Kitty. If the kitty is anywhere near him he is transfixed and it would seem his only goal in life is to get a fist full of that kitty. He squeals and flails and smiles beguilingly but Moe wants nothing to do with him.

Last week Moe was napping with me when I brought Matthew into bed after his nap. As you can see I was scratching Moe in order to get him to stay put.

Trying to find a better position closer to the ear parts.

Matthew thinks this whole situation is pretty awesome, Moe is fairly uncertain that this is a good place to be and is keeping an eye on that wiggly stripped object.

Of all the pictures this is the best one of the two of them. You think herding cats is hard you should try babies and cats!

Shoes

The one and only time we have been able to get Matthew to wear shoes for any length of time was the day that we went to Forks.

Now he knows that if he rubs his feet together he can get them off.

Awwww, look how tiny his feet are.

Amazing Pictures

This weekend we got to borrow Auntie Kathy's DSLR camera and we LOVED it. All we have to do now is figure out how to manage the budget to get one of our own.

The Big One

Aaron's skills at Steelheading have finally paid off and he came home yesterday with this monster. It was 28.5 inches long and he figures it has been out to sea twice. Other than that I will leave the pictures to speak for themselves unless he decides to come in and add commentary.

Matthew was supervising from the passenger seat of the car.

Pumpkin Patch

On Sunday afternoon we met up with the Monahans at the Smith Brothers Farm for pumpkin picking fun.

Only one small pile of the pumpkins they had. These ones had "warts" on them.

Lilly hitching a ride from Dad.

What a great smile.

Lilly helps push the wheel barrow.

Loves from Dad.

Cuddles for Mum.

The best we could get in terms of a pose.

Matthew and Mummy.

Lilly doing a much better job of posing.

Matthew and Lilly posing in the wheelbarrow.

The whole gang.

Daddy multitasks.

Yay Matthew's first outdoor shoulder ride. He was squealing with glee most of the way.

Lilly trying to escape the ever present shadow.

Matthew testing the wares.

A couple dirt smudges to prove to there was a lot of fun had at the patch.

When there are no more smiles it is time to go.

Harvest Festival

On Saturday we went down to the Piazza in downtown Renton to check out the Fall Festival.

Matthew and his personal chauffeur.

This is the cutest hat ever and it has matching overalls.

Matthew and Daddy stopped to squeeze the pretty flowers.

We met a really nice lady who was selling dog toys for a dollar and Matthew spied the Pooh.

How could we resist this smile, besides it was for a good cause.

It was late in the afternoon, a little chilly and the buggle was tired so we headed home.

(these pictures brought to you by the wonder that is Auntie Kathy's fabulous SLR digital camera)

6 Months Old

So about a week before this video was taken, Matthew started to make this squealing, yelling growling like noise. We, as his adoring parents, not only thought it was cute but encouraged it. In fact we spent a lot of time yelling back at him.

In the privacy of one's own home it really is very cute and very funny. Please note the incredible sitting prowess of this young man. We are so proud.

Unfortunately the squealing hit its peak a week ago Friday afternoon. He came to work with me and because I was unusually busy, he spent most of the afternoon (I would say a good 2 and a half hours) sitting on the floor behind the front desk squealing at every new person who walked through the doors. Now you should be informed that the sound he produces here is no where near the volume he achieved that lovely Friday afternoon at the office.

I think the patients who were in and out within a few minutes thought it was precious but I am surprised Erica (front office staff) didn't pack his bags and put him out on the sidewalk. Thank you Erica for being so patient with my little monster. This was the day it became apparent that he was not going to be able to come to work with me much longer. It makes me sad but I know I am extremely lucky to have gotten the chance to keep him with me as long as I have. He will probably be there mornings for a little longer (because I am not ready/willing to leave him for an entire day) spending his afternoons at home with Dad and possibly one afternoon a week with Grandma Joyce.

The day these videos were taken Matthew turned 6 months old. He weighed a little over 16 lbs. I am shocked at how the time has flown. I absolutely love (almost) every single second I get to spend with him. He is the most amazing and wonderful thing to ever happen to me. And although there are days like to today when I am really teary (and should go get my warts), I love being a Mum more than anything else in the whole entire universe.

Afternoon in the Yard

At the end of September, I decided it was time to pull out the tomato plants. They had had a good run this year but a little bit of frost had gotten to them and I had had enough of dealing with them.

Matthew came to keep me company.

He did a lot of "supervising" while he worked on sitting up unaided.

Sometimes the blanket got closer to his face than he might have liked!

and yes he does topple over there at the end

Salumi

On September 16th the three of us headed down to Salumi (Mario Batalli's Father's restaurant) in Downtown Seattle for a yummy lunch and some time out of the house.

Matthew complimented them on their choice of silverware.

We ordered the vegetable soup and from Matthew's reaction the broth was/is the best thing he has ever eaten.