Vacation!!

We have a fantastic summer vacation! This was the first one we've gone on since Matthew has come along. To be honest, I don't think it would have gone as smoothly if we would have done it any sooner. Now that he is comprehending more and more and we can explain what is going on, its much easier.

I made Matthew a book, that we read alot in the weeks leading up to our trip. In it, I put all of the details I could think of - like a long car ride, stopping at a hotel, packing our bags and loading the car, etc.

As soon as we made the decision to go, I was so apprehensive. Did I do the right thing? Matthew is such a creature of habit, and so fearful of new things. I was sure that he was going to be so uncomfortable and stressed out that I didn't think we made the right decision and should wait until he's older! I second guessed myself until I asked advice from his Occupational Therapist. She got very excited, gave some fantastic advice, and then said "That's going to be so good for Matthew!" Well, that comment completely changed my perspective.

Matthew did GREAT on vacation! We took along his favorite "comfort" toys and we could gradually watch him become used to his surroundings. When we got to the beach, he got right to playing in the sand and went right down to the water, without any coaxing. The entire time we were there, he never once asked to "Go home". What a good boy!

The view outside our 7th floor condo. This took Matthew several days to get used to. We always had to carry him, and he would have a death grip on us. It was open, with a railing. By the end of the week though, he was fine.

Playing on the beach! Not one tiny bit of sunburn the entire trip! As my mom put it, "He was all covered up!"

Matthew called this his swimming pool. This kept him very entertained! We'd fill it up with ocean water and he would play and play.

Contemplating...

Our happy family!

Happy Birthday Matthew!

We just celebrated his 3rd birthday. I love it that he has a summer birthday and we can throw a backyard bar-b-que!

Gary and I got him a Hot Wheels seaport village. I'm hoping this will spur some imaginative play. So far, he just likes to watch the cars fly down the hills and crash. Hey, I'll take it! He is very literal in his thinking, so when I ask him where the cars are going, he just stares at me. So, I ask him if they are going to the store? the beach? to church? to Grandma's? His answer is always "No". Its kind of funny, really. He used to completely ignore me when I asked him stuff like that, so I'm happy that he's even responding!

Birthday cake! He couldn't keep his fingers off of it. You can't tell, but there are spots all over the cake that he squished with his fingers.

Although his face here doesn't show it, he LOVES cake!

His 3rd birthday marked the first night in his Big Boy Bed! He did excellent! He went to sleep all by himself and slept almost until 8:00 the next morning. What a good boy! So far, night #2 is going just as well. This is the bed his Uncle Jim slept in when he was a boy.

Matthew's flared eyebrows

One of the first things I noticed after Matthew was born were his "crazy" eyebrows. I didn't know it at the time, but it can be a potential indicator of chromosomal issues. Yikes! I'm glad I didn't know!

Incidentally, Matthew's chromosomes have been tested, and they are normal. So, his flared eyebrows, are just flared eyebrows and nothing more.

I tried to find a good picture to show you his eyebrows, one is more flared than the other. The center portion of his left eyebrow grows straight up.

Personally, I think it just adds character!