Mattie's Third Birthday

Yesterday (Monday) was Mattie's third birthday. Dan and I blew up balloons and put them in her room. She did not see them until I went in to get her from the crib. She peeked through the slats in the crib and made her excited face. The kids are having a blast playing with all of the balloons. At pre-school Mattie brought Chocolate Chip Cookies to share with her class and the teacher made her a Happy Birthday Crown. After Michael's T-ball game we came home for a Spaghetti dinner and then cake, ice cream and presents. Mattie and David were so tired from the long and day and neither one napped. So the birthday celebration went pretty fast. For her birthday she got a wooden rocking chair and a cradle and changing table for her baby dolls.





It is hard to tell but they are dancing in this picture. David and Mattie's version of dancing is moving your arms around. Every once in a while you can get David to stand and he will rock back and forth.





I want to take the time to write a little bit about Mattie. Her favorite word is that. She can also say cat,dad,mama, want that, bye, hi, and done. She can also sign, more, please, drink, eat, baby, night-night, hi, bye,no and all done. She is still learning to walk and about a month ago she got a walker and that has really helped her. Mattie is very friendly and loving and waves hi every where we go. If we are at a stop light she will wave to the car next to us. She also stands at the TV and waves to the people on TV. On Tuesdays we go into town for her therapy session and when she walks into the waiting room she stops and waves at everyone before she walks over to me. Mattie loves music and dancing. She recently learned "patty cake" and through out the day she will start doing it on her. Mattie loves her brothers. She thinks the world of Michael and is always laughing at him and of course the times that she will scream at him. She also loves "baby" David and together we call them "frick and frat". They are pretty much always together and they both know how to cause problems and messes like you would not believe. There are many times I hang my head in disbelief. There is never a dull moment with Mattie. She is so precious and over the 3 years has over come many things. Mattie is tough, strong, and never gives up. Oh I should mention that Mattie absolutely hates her hair combed.

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Saturday Mattie had a birthday party with family and friends. Dan and I did not take any pictures except when we sang Happy Birthday to her. There is also a picture of David with a bottle of Coke. He quickly figured out how to drink soda out of glass bottle and we had a heck of a time getting it from him.

Can you believe

That today I turn the big number 3!

My little secret

THIS

PLUS ANOTHER BOOK

AND THIS SWEET LITTLE TREAT


EQUALS PURE RELAXATION AND WHAT KEEPS ME SANE!

Mattie's First Day of Pre-School

Monday was Mattie's first day of pre-school. She is in a pre-school program that is designed for children with disabilities. Mattie did great at school and she used her walker. When she got inside the classroom a little boy came over to her and one of the aids was talking to her. Dan and I said goodbye to her and she waived at us and continued on with her business. Of course over the weekend one of the straps on her orthotics broke and her glasses broke, and that is why she is not wearing either one. I do not have any shoes for her and I knew I could not send her barefooted to school. Thank goodness I remembered that my sister-in-law gave me some clothes and shoes for Mattie and I found a pair that fits her perfectly. Thanks Debbie for saving the day.

Walking to the classroom. She is suppose to be wearing shorts but they are long on her and look like pants.


Waiving goodbye


Coming out of the classroom. Check out her backpack.


Waiving to me when she saw me standing at the gate to pick her up.

Michael's First T-Ball Game

Saturday was Michael's first t-ball game. Michael was the catcher for this game. All week Michael has been asking for Lobster. He has never had lobster but he kept seeing the commercial for Red Lobster on TV. We surprised him after the game and took him to Joe's Crab Shack for dinner.

Sunshine and Butterflies

Today I have a ache in my heart. This week has been a long week because I have had to emotionally prepare myself for this day. Today came and I handled it well but today I had to say goodbye to a wonderful lady named Irene. For almost 3 years, since Mattie was 4 months old, Irene has been coming to our house weekly to visit Mattie. Irene is a Developmental Specialist and because of Mattie's cognitive delay Irene was provided to Dan and I to help us with Mattie through the state system. It is hard to explain but Irene is sorta like a crutch that you need to help you through the system and to help you raise a child with a disability. Irene taught Dan and I skills and gave us information and ideas when it came to Mattie's development. She would come and play with Mattie and always had a new toy or idea for her. She was always ready to answer our questions and listen to our concerns. When Mattie was in the hospital for 3 weeks she checked on us every day to see how she was doing. Irene played, spoke and loved Mattie like she was her own. She also always acknowledged Michael and David. Irene has become a huge part of our family. She has become a bright star in our lives, a good friend and has been through a lot with us. She has seen Mattie's "first times", illnesses, family deaths, pregnancies and births. I have loved getting to know her and hearing about her family. She is excellent photographer, loves nature, the outdoors and travel. She also likes to garden and cook. Everyday she drives from Superior to come and visit her families. Under state guidelines when a child turns 3 or enters the preventive pre-school program you lose your Developmental Specialist. Mattie will start pre-school on Monday. It is time for a new chapter in our lives, Mattie is growing up, starting school and technically is becoming a big girl. I realize that us losing Irene is sad and she will be dearly missed but it is also good because it means that another family will gain her and learn from her and be blessed with her knowledge and love. Today she told me that she already has a new family, a 4 month old boy with Down Syndrome. With our last progress note that she left she wrote a message to Mattie and our family. The last line said "May your days be filled with sunshine and butterflies for Mattie to enjoy".

Spring into the 2010 Garden

Ha Ha get it spring into the garden. I know corny. Anyways if anybody has called or stopped by the house you know that part of February and March Dan and I have been busy in the garden. This year Dan built 4 new box gardens. We put the peach tree in one box. The other 3 were used for various things. One box is dedicated to different types of tomatoes (6 total plus 4 in a different container from Fall). Another one is for various vegetables. The last one is for the Blueberry, Blackberry, and Raspberry plants. In addition we have our previous boxes that are growing various vegetables and the big garden in the ground. This year in the ground garden I planted 4 rows of corn and green beans, Zucchini, Cantaloupe and Cucumber. Dan is going to build one more box garden but it will be bigger and that is where we will plant the Watermelon. Everything is growing and blossoming, even the apple trees and grapes. If you can't tell I'm really excited about all of it. Everyday I go outside and look for new progress. Michael has joined in and has become the official water garden guy. Mattie and David just like to play in everything.


Michael and a pincher bug. After I took the picture he told me it pinched him.


The big garden and a box garden with various things growing. Also the black container is a composter.


Last box farthest away is the tomato box (6 plants). Closer to the front in the green container are more tomatoes from the Fall season. In between everything are the berry plants and more vegetable boxes.


Peach Tree and Strawberry Plants


My little helpers-David was taking a nap