1 1/2 Years of Sweetness

Mateo turns 1 1/2 this week. (sigh)



I do not think that anyone can prepare you for the love you experience when you have your own child.  Since March 26, 2011 I have been so smitten, in love, joyous...and in pure bliss with my sweet baby boy.  Mateo has completely captured my heart, and I think it's safe to say his daddy's heart too. (along with many others) I'm so blessed to stay home and watch and experience life with him each day.  Here are SOME of the things that he's been up to the past year a half...

Words
mama, dada, GG, Titi, Olive, truck, car, plane, banana, cracker, up, cheese, cookie, stop, yes, no, all done, all gone, hi, bye, hello, this, turkey, ball,  please (& signs it), thank you (and signs it), signs more, signs milk, drink (and signs it), duck, quack, booboo, Bible, bubble, what's this, signs help  It seems like he says something new each day!

Places Visited
-  Connecticut, New Hampshire (& all of the small Eastern States in that region)
-  Bryan & NW Ohio
-  Detroit
-  COSI
-  Cbus Zoo

Quirks
- Mateo calls cats over to him by clucking with his mouth and sits down hoping they come to him (which they never do)
- Smells like a grown man....even after a shower!  (especially his feet)
- Walks with his belly/chest puffed out...seriously...so cute
-  Plays with his hair, especially when he's tired.  He also loves to play with my hair which I love, unless he's tired and then he gets a little aggressive and yanks it!
-  Smells people's feet and then whiffs the air like they smell bad!  It's TOO funny! 
-  When we pray for dinner, he makes sure to reach out for our hands to hold, even if we forgot and fold ours.  But now he's started to fold his hands.  Instead of saying "Amen" he says "All done".
-  Every cat is officially named Olive, like my parents cat.
-  Very detailed oriented
-  Loves to explore & figure things out (mostly on his own, but sometimes he'll take help)
-  When he's tired....watch out!  He pulls hair, pinches, runs the opposite direction, yells, etc.
-  Mateo has such a personality!  He's funny, loving, sweet, ornery, helpful, kind, detail oriented, warm, welcoming...he makes so many people smile everyday.
-  He taps his fingers on a table or side of a chair...just like a patient, waiting man.

Loves
-  walks in the stroller/wagon
-  waves to everyone!  He often stops in the middle of the parking lot to give a wave.
-  animals!  mainly cats & dogs which he's obsessed with.  He stops anything he's doing if he hears a dog bark in the distance.
-  books, balls, trucks, cars
-  mimics everything!  We were in the car and Jeremiah said "Hey Vato" and Mateo kept repeating "Vato"  He's very attentive to his daddy's every move! 
-  Dancing
-  Point out all of my moles and says "Mos"
- HUGS & KISSES Mateo loves snuggling and I love it just as much!
-  To Blow kisses
-  making car noises when moving anything with wheels
-  climbing
-  tells secrets to daddy



May we all learn something from the pure love, trust, and blind faith that children have.  I hope that with each passing year Mateo continues to have a deep love for friends, family, and God and that he enjoys life with his sweet innocence.