I'm a happy boy!

Here's another cute video of Matthew riding around on Ryan's shoulders. I'll post more updates on his latest "tricks" this weekend. Enjoy the video!

Matthew is 5 months old!

Matthew is 5 months old today and is cuter than ever!!

I've been rather slack with my blog posts lately, but it's not because there are a lack of things to share about sweet Matthew...I've just been busy keeping him entertained and haven't made time to write. I try to make up for the lack of blogging about Matthew's life by taking lots of additional photos (we average about 200 a month!). He's growing by leaps and bounds and has new "tricks" (as my Dad likes to call them) that he performs each week. Lately, he's found that he can twist his little body around and roll over from his back to his tummy....and this is a pretty good "trick" considering that his thighs are so chunky that it's a mini-workout for him to lift and roll them! He's laughing and giggling more and more, and really loves exploring the toys on his exersaucer (a "jungle gym" for babies that was a gift from my college roomie, Jill). Here's a picture of him in action in his exersaucer...



His other new favorite thing to do is to sit on Daddy's shoulders and ride in his Baby Bijorn. I think it's because it's a new "view". Last night he was riding around on Ryan's shoulders and was literally "eating" his hair! Here is a video...it's too cute!

It's been a fantastic 5 months with my little munchkin. I love him more and more every day!

Matthew gets the giggles!

These are such special moments that I cherish! Can't believe Matthew is already 4 months old. Enjoy the video of him laughing -- we praise God for giving us a healthy baby boy!

My little munchkin is 3 months old!

Matthew was 3 months old yesterday (March 24) and it was also Ryan's 29th birthday. What a special day!

It's hard to believe that it's already been 3 months since we were blessed with our little miracle. He's growing so fast and I love him more and more every day! Here are a few photos I took of him to mark his 3 month birthday. Isn't he adorable?!?!! I just love his big blue eyes and chunky arms and legs! He's my little prince!

The First Two Months

It's been quite a while since I've posted a blog entry, so I thought I would recap the first two months of baby Matthew's arrival home. He continues to bring us joy and I love him more and more with each day!

Several people have asked how we came up with the name Matthew Charles. Matthew is Ryan's middle name, so we thought that would be very special for him to carry on his Dad's name. Matthew is a strong name and fits him perfectly. Charles is after my Grandfather (my Mom's Dad), who passed away when I was 6 years old. Charles was his middle name and I have such fond and sweet memories of sitting in his lap as a child and asking him for Dentyne gum. He always had Dentyne gum in his pocket and we had to "snuggle" with him in his big brown chair to get any. To this day any kind of cinnamon gum reminds me of him. He was such a wonderful, sweet and genuine man and I miss him and my Grandmother so very much. It will be nice for Matthew to know that his middle name is after his Great Grandfather -- a man who loved God and loved his family.

It's hard to believe that Matthew is already 2 months old. The time has really flown by so fast, although there were a few days and nights where it seemed never ending! Our parents came into town each for a week to help out with Matthew when he was first born. It was great to have them here to help out with cooking, laundry and to give Ryan and I a break to catch our breath. When Matthew was 4 weeks old, Ryan had to leave for some flight training in Colorado. That was very hard on us both. Matthew was still adjusting and had some very fussy days and nights. It was so much harder to be home alone with him than I expected, so we were fortunate enough to be able to fly my Mom out for another week to help. That was a pure blessing to have some relief and to have her here to help keep me on track. Ryan was working so hard in Colorado to finish his training so he could get home and it was equally tough on him to be so far away from Matthew and me. Thankfully, God got us through the 4 weeks apart and Ryan returned home safely.

At Matthew's 2 month baby wellness appointment, he weighted 14 pounds and was 23 inches long. He's gone from being in the 25 percentile at his birth weight (7lbs. 4oz.) to the 85 percentile at 14 pounds! He's extremely healthy and it's obvious that the breastfeeding is going great. He had his first series of shots (one oral and 3 shots in his legs). He did really well and only cried for a few moments as the shots were given. He slept most of the rest of the day (probably a result of the baby Tylenol we gave to him) and didn't get a fever. He was a little fussy and his legs were somewhat sore the next day, but he bounced back wonderfully. We feel so blessed that he's healthy and growing like a weed! He's so cute and chunky! :) I love his little dimples!

We have family coming into town to visit us over the course of the next month, so it will be nice to see everyone. David and Jennifer were here this past week and it was so cute to see Uncle David with his red hair next to Matthew and his red hair. I've attached some photos below. We had a great time exploring the Alamo and walking downtown San Antonio at the Riverwalk.

Now that Ryan is home, I'll try to do better at posting updates on Matthew. He's talking more and more, so I'll take some videos and post those soon too. In the meantime, you can view our family photos at http://themiddletonfamily2.shutterfly.com/ Enjoy!

Our little Christmas miracle!!

Matthew Charles arrive on Wednesday, December 24 at 5:35am after 24 hours of labor. He was a healthy 7 pounds and 4 ounces and was 20 1/4 inches long.

He is just beautiful and Ryan and I feel so blessed to have a healthy baby boy! Here are a few photos from our first few days at home. I never knew you could love someone so much...he is absolutely perfect! Praise God for our little Christmas miracle!

38 Weeks

My 38 week appointment went well this week and we're counting down the days until we welcome sweet baby Matthew into the world - only a few more days! Since I have what they are calling gestational hypertension (a fancy way of saying I have elevated blood pressure), they won't let me deliver past 39 weeks since it could be harmful to the baby. So...they have scheduled to induce me on Tuesday, December 23!! We could have a Christmas baby!

My blood pressure has been lower and lower with each monitored visit (which is twice a week) and the baby is doing great (he's active, has a strong heartbeat and my fluid levels are right on target). We found out that I'm currently 2cm dilated and 50% effaced. Since I am already somewhat dilated, it should make being induced a little bit easier. I was very nervous about being induced at first, but I am actually feeling much better about it now since it will be a controlled environment and I have an idea of how things will progress. Of course, if baby Matthew decides to join us earlier that's okay too (as long as he's ready and is healthy!).

I am reminded daily that I have been blessed with such sweet and thoughtful friends and family. The notes and comments on my blog, Facebook and through email have truly touched my heart. Our faith is in the Lord and we know He will provide a stable and comfortable environment for us when Matthew is born. We could not have asked for a better situation with Ryan having limited duties at work right now while he waits for his training, and with the holidays approaching it means we will get to see family as they come visit to meet our new bundle of joy. We give God all the glory for orchestrating everything in such perfect timing!

2008 has been full of many changes and surprises for us -- finding out we were going to have a baby (that one topped the charts), Ryan being selected to become an Officer, moving to Texas, and dealing with two parents who have had to undergo treatment for cancer (my Mom with breast cancer and Ryan's Dad with prostate cancer). Thankfully, all of the above have had very positive outcomes and we praise God every day for His continuous blessings and mercy. Looking back, we can see how gracefully and wonderfully God has led us through this year and we will continue to seek His guidance as we enter 2009.

As Christmas approaches next week and we welcome our sweet baby boy, we also rejoice in remembering the true meaning of Christmas -- the birth of Jesus and the joy He brought to the world! I can't imagine how Mary and Joseph must have felt as they prepared to have a baby and had to ultimately find comfort in a barn. It makes me truly appreciate the hospital and all the doctors and nurses that have cared for us so far and the warm home we have created for Matthew to grow. Thank you, Jesus, for your love, forgiveness, and many sacrifices that have allowed us peace and comfort as we prepare for baby Matthew's arrival. Without the love of Christ, our world would be so empty.

Praying for each of you and your families this Christmas that you feel peace, love and the joy of the Lord in your heart!