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

Winter Weekend

Mateus got to spend a nice long weekend with Grandma and Grandpa Tingley.  Unfortunately the weather was not in our favor to venture very far from the house but he enjoyed himself none the less!

                                           First taste of a spring roll...and he ate the whole thing!

 He is very interested in the Christmas tree and loves when you point and talk about the ornaments...over and over and over again.
His daycare did a "Sundaes With Santa" and although Santa was not such a big hit, the other activities were.

                                                             Coloring With Grandpa

                                                                        Jingle Bells

                                                                  Getting his prize

                                                         Loved throwing the ornaments

                                         There's nothing like ice cream at 10:30 in the morning!

 Reading books with Mommy..or more like reading a page before he is on to the next book or the next thing.

A Thanksgiving Feast...and more

We had another wonderful visit in Susquehanna for Thanksgiving.  Mateus thoroughly enjoyed some new walls to "cruise" on and different cupboards to explore.  He continues to show more and more interest in getting to know his cousin- however he needs to learn that there are better ways to say hello other than hitting him on the head with a puzzle piece....oops.  Here are a few pictures from our visit.

                                  He has the look of being in a food trance thanks to Grandpa's ribs

 Enjoying Thanksgiving dinner...Funny enough he wouldn't touch any leftovers the next day.  This is starting to be a trend in the food department.

                                                                        Cruisin'

                                               Walking is exhausting...Chillin' with Grandpa

                      Again...need to work on how to be nice to our cousin.  Is petting a form of endearment?

                                                                 Hugs for Grandma

Mateus at 12 months.....

Is on  the move!  If there is a wall to find, an object to pull himself up on he does it and just goes.
He's also getting braver and taking a few steps on his own before falling into someone's arms.
Signs and vocalizes "all done" and will use it when he is done eating and as soon as you put him on the changing table.
Signs "more" for everything he wants and hopes you follow through with his request.
HATES to have his diaper changed, clothes changed, anything involved with having to lay down on his back!
Is slowly transitioning off the bottle and is working on his sippy cup skills.
Says the word "cat" and points to Nala
Is obsessed with finding all the cords in the house and when you call his name he will shake his head, smile, and then touch it anyway.
LOVES to hear music and will bounce his head from side to side
Is developing quite the palate and I think has quite the sweet tooth (he inhaled his first nutri-grain bar)
No longer sits contently in his carseat, stroller, or shopping cart....
Thinks that 6:30 is a great time to wake-up EVERY single morning  (getting ready in the morning now has it's new set of challenges).
Continues to be quite vocal with his babbling and is making his mommy proud! :-)

My Open Letter to Mateus

Dear Mateus,
                     As I'm sitting here typing this letter to you, I'm reminded of this time last year when you were starting to let me know that you were ready to come meet us.  Thinking back to my labor and delivery- it was kind of reflective of you....a little laid back at first but then ready to go when you wanted to.  When I was pregnant with you, I often thought about what you were going to be like- what would you look like?  What would your personality be?  You have turned out a nice mix of Daddy and I.  Easy going when you are well rested and fed but also very determined and a bit of perfectionist when attempting new things.  I still remember so many nights being up with you snuggled against my chest wondering when I would get a full nights sleep.  Now I get those full nights of sleep but boy do I miss your middle of the night snuggles and stretches.  Our relationship started like any would...slowly getting to know each other, learning each other's quirks- but we finally found our groove and our lives we're changed forever for the better.  People tell you that a baby will change your world- to this I say they are absolutely right.  But what no one can truly convey is the love you feel for a child.  That love came like nothing I every knew and continues to grow deeper every day.  You have taught me selflessness and how to be more present in the moment.  I have cherished every single moment with you as we've learned from each other.  I love the way you chatter away and get a big grin on your face when you are happy and excited.  I'm enjoying watching you explore and learn about everything around you as you take each new thing in for the first time.
12 months went by in the blink of an eye and you are no longer a baby.  You have grown in leaps and bounds and continue to amaze and entertain us everyday.  Please know how much your Daddy and I love you and how much we look forward to our new adventures into toddlerhood.
Happy 1st Birthday to our Little Man!
Love Always,
Mommy