March Fun

                                                              Puzzle time with GiGi

                                                     Loved spending time at GaGa's house

                                                         Daddy let me have french fries

                                                         Loved the fish at the pet store

                                                          Testing cars at the toy store

                                                          Loves everything involving water

                                                                            Rocks!

                                    Finally figuring out how to stay seated while going down the slide

                                                                  More rock play!

                                                              Finding his inner artist

Toddlerhood...For Better or Worse

When I was pregnant I would receive weekly e-mails telling me the size of the baby and what was developing.  Now I receive e-mails that describe how a toddler is developing.  Recent ones have been about establishing independence, testing and using the word "No!" and full on tantrums with no idea of cause and how to make better.  Check, check, and check.  We are in full blown toddler mode in our house.  There are many happy, pleasant moments mixed in with moments where I have asked "Where has my sweet little boy gone?"  Last weekend was rough as Mateus was sick and teething with molars at the same time.  Sleep was off, meals were disasterous and both of us were very frustrated! 
Luckily this week has been much better and here are a few shots of Toddlerhood for the better!....

                                                              Loving the sunshine!

                                                          Greek Yogurt Pop- Yum!

                                                                 Saturday play date

 I have been struggling with how to keep Mateus entertained on the weekends...especially when the weather has kept us indoors...early wake-ups and snowy weather make for very long days.  The following activities were pinterest inspired.  These pom poms have continued to provide some great entertainment hidden inside of Easter Eggs.

                                                                     Pillow Pile Up

  Attempting to help bake muffins. He did a good job until we added the yogurt and applesauce and he couldn't understand why he couldn't just stick his finger in to lick them.

                                                         The look of concentration

As much as Mateus enjoys his sled, I'm really hoping this was the last ride of the winter.....

Fun with Grandma and Grandpa

Mateus got to spend a fun filled weekend with Grandma and Grandpa Tingley last weekend.  He has taken to referring to them as "Gaga" and readily called their name throughout their visit (as well as after they left).

                                                         New books for Valentine's Day!

                                                          Fun at the Children's Museum

                                                            Loved digging in the rocks

                                               His favorite game of stealing Grandpa's glasses

Mateus recently decided that he no longer wants to sit in his highchair (he straightens his legs and refuses to sit).  Luckily his highchair transitions to a little toddler table where he now eats his meals and snacks (and gets up in between bites to get a ball, chase Nala, push his car).  Mealtime just became even that more challenging!

Winter, Winter Go Away.....

So I have reached that point (as I'm sure many others have as well) where I am over winter!  Mateus on the other hand, has not seemed fazed by the cold winter and even got to go sleigh riding for the first time last weekend...

                                              Really Mom- Is all of this clothing necessary????

                                                              Loving his new sled

                                                      Such a great "daddy" moment
If only he could dress himself to gear up to go outside...I feel like I have run a marathon some mornings after trying to get him layered...and forget gloves- they are off before we reach the car.  I have decided that that is not a battle I have energy for in the mornings anymore.  Winter clothes war:  Mateus: 1, Mommy: 0

Food Wars

Maybe it is pay back for all the years I gave Mom and Dad a hard time about what I would eat because now Mateus is giving me a run for my money in the what he will eat/not eat department.  When he was first introduced to food, it was all so new and he couldn't get enough of it.  That was just the honeymoon period.  Now he is starting to have preferences and unfortunately meat/protein, potatoes, and most carbohydrates are not on his list.  Thank goodness he loves milk, yogurt, fruits, and some vegetables! (and anything with sugar in it-thanks Daddy!)  I have looked up toddler friendly recipes, tried hiding foods within foods, had countless conversations with Lauren, introduced and re-introduced things and at the end of the day I have felt defeated and very stressed out as I fear Mateus will be lacking in the vitamin department.  I am adding this to the list of things I like to call "Why didn't someone tell me about this?" :-)
I thought maybe buying Mateus his own plate with different sections along with his own fork may help him try new foods...It worked for 1 meal.  Tonight I resorted to a Pandora station with some of my favorite music with silly dance moves to try and get Mateus to eat beans and chicken...It worked!  I will not not hold my breath that he will eat it tomorrow as we are learning that Mateus is not one for leftovers but can be enticed with foods if they are on our plates vs. his own.  I guess for now I better keep the good music and dance moves coming.....

Discovering Kid Friendly things to do in Pittsburgh...

We have spent the last two weekends trying some kid friendly indoor places.  Pittsburgh has a great Children's Museum and Toy Lending library that is giant indoor play space.  Places like this allow Mateus new experiences and gets us out of the house.  One can only climb up and down the stairs and chase a rubber ball so many times (and I don't mean Mateus!).  Here are some pictures of Mateus having some fun...

Happy New Year!

Like every year, the holidays go  by more quickly than we want them to and we are left with a very cold (and currently snowy) winter ahead.  Mateus enjoyed spending his days visiting and playing with Grandpa and Grandma Heiman and his Aunts.  He went to his first church service (and began saying "all done" less than 10 minutes in), had more sweets than his mother has ever let him have, touched snow for the first time, and has spent a lot of time in and out of his new tunnel.  He just today figured out how to crawl up the entire flight of stairs and nothing is safe in our house as he has an obsession with putting things in the garbage.  We're beginning to see some language growth (making his mama proud!) and he is now signing "milk" and walking over to the refrigerator to get it.  We are working on "yes"  and "fish" as he loves to look at animals books.  I think Mom needs to practice her signs for all zoo and farm animals.  He can't seem to get enough!  Here are some photos from the holidays.....

                                                    Exploring the kitchen on Christmas Eve

                                                         Aunt Sara's baking helper

                                                                 Loving his tunnel

                                                             Car race anyone?

                                                               Hangin' with his Aunts

                                               His stuffed Hedgehog-Thanks Uncle Charlie!

                                                                 Laying with Grandma

                                                                 Grandpa's buddy

                                                                           Snow!

                                                   Discovered his interest in cars at the mall