Matthew's Journal

Oh, I'm so sad that I have let such a long time elapse since I last wrote. My goal is to write every month, but this fall was so hard because I was sick for several months. It was a good sickness though – you are going to be a big brother in April! All I could do this fall was make sure you had clean clothes and diapers. I barely managed to feed you guys and I didn't do much schooling, cleaning or – ahem – journaling at all.

You have turned from baby into little boy. Your vocabulary has exploded! You can imitate just about any word – though you're still not putting them together in sentences very much. It is so funny to see how particular you are. For instance, if Daddy leaves the piano bench out a bit, you are sure to push it back in. Every morning when I go to the kitchen to make breakfast you yell “coffee” (cah-kee) and get the coffee maker out of the cupboard. Then if I tell you what we're having for breakfast, you'll get the appropriate equipment out of the cupboard. For instance, if I say “we're having eggs” you'll go get a mixing bowl. If I say “french toast” you'll get the griddle, and even anticipate my need for a flipper! If I ever need to keep you busy I just stand you on a chair at the kitchen counter with a bowl, a spoon and some water – you're quite happy to “cook”.

You have become very attached to your little blankie (the one I used to swaddle you in when you were newborn). You carry it around everywhere and call it “gootgee”. It is so charming to see you cuddle it or drag it around after you. Your facial expressions convey that you understand so much more than you communicate. You will avoid eye contact when you're embarrassed and my favorite is the way you “throw a fit” - you run away and throw yourself on the floor, but there's no kicking or screaming or anything! You are also very empathetic – the first one to be concerned when one of your siblings gets hurt “Abby sad”, etc. One time Isaac got hurt and you just went to him, sat facing him on his lap, and hugged him for about three whole minutes. You were his favorite buddy forever after that!

It seems that you really love music. If Daddy starts playing the piano or even puts music on the computer, you are THERE. You sing almost constantly while riding in the car – I don't know WHAT you're singing, but it sure is cute. I love to watch you dance as well – you really get into it! I keep trying to catch you on video, but as soon as I bring out the camera, you stop dancing because you want to see the camera! But you have this funny move where you squat down and bounce your knees . . .

It's fun to see all the things you learn just by being around your big siblings. Somehow you figured out how to identify the letter “S” - and now you point it out everywhere. You seem to be very interested in learning the names of the other letters as well. Isaac taught you to say “ready, set, GO” right before you run madly together through the house. Abby is always having you repeat words after her and you are very obliging. You also listen in very intently to about half of our reading for school – especially Bible story, where you think every picture is “God”. When it comes to your own board books, you'll let me read ten or twelve in a row to you – you LOVE IT!

We just got back from Thanksgiving in MN. It is so fun to see the joy you bring to everyone! Your little dimpled smile (most people say you look like me!) and your crazy antics are just endearing. My favorite moment was when you wore out your Grandpa Curt by playing a combination chase/hide-n-seek game. I think you have a thing for Grandpas because you run squealing to your Papa every time too. And you adore your Daddy . . .