Three-Quarters of a Year

Whaattt? Where did the last 9 months go?

We had several firsts last month. Not all developmental -- although I have a feeling I'll be writing about a HUGE first in the next few weeks.

If you know anything about my mom, she's a huge Cars fan. She CLAIMS it is because she has to teach Lightning McQueen, Mater, and Finn McMissle to her students. Okay. I'll give her a little leeway and say yes, she probably needs to be in on the "cool" movies that her kids are watching. But it's okay mom. You can admit that you are a little bit of a Lightning McQueen fan yourself. :-)

In that spirit, Matty got his first "Lightning McQueen" car last month. Right now he pushes it around the living room, but I know he'll have a blast on it this summer! And already Matt and I know all the phrases from it. "Mater, I'm soooo glad you're here!" "See you at the race." "Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. I'm not scared of Franchesco."

A few weekends ago, I got to spend my birthday with my favorite people. Matt, Matty and my parents. We went to the World of Coca-Cola. I haven't been in probably 20 years. The only thing I really remember was all the tasting at the end of the tour. We had a great time -- and got to see the vault that the recipe for Coca-Cola is kept in. Oooooooo.

My little love

Coke Memorabilia throughout the years, and across the globe

Lynnie and Matty

The vault where the secret recipe is kept

You can look, but don't cross that line!

Matty wanted a closer look...

And he may have set off an alarm!!!

Selfie with my Matty

Daddy and Matty

My little guy figured out how to climb this past month. I am NOT happy about that, especially because I have NO idea how he got into the chair without me noticing. (Side note: the chair has now been replaced with something he cannot climb into.)

Not cool little guy, not cool

He also showed us his problem solving skills. I don't know what you think, but I'm pretty sure we're going to be outsmarted by this one.

We made our first trip to Savannah. Matty is not a huge fan of the car so thankfully Lynnie and Grandfather came over to Atlanta to make the drive with me. I appreciated it more than I can say. But Matty got to play with his cousins, Jack and Grace Anne.

And while we were there...Matty figured this out:

Help!!!

The Sunday Lynnie and Grandfather left we took Matty over to J. Christopher's in Woodstock. It is quickly becoming my favorite breakfast place. I let Matty have his first taste of grits. He was not a fan. I maintain it is because of the texture, NOT the taste. My child is Southern-born...he WILL like grits, no matter what his Daddy says!

"Yuck Mom!"

Matty also got some quality time with Grandfather.

"Hey Grandfather, whatcha drinking?"

"Hey! That tickles!!"

Since Matty liked the walker so much in Savannah, I figured we would benefit from having one here as well. He loves pushing it all over!

Matty saw his first St. Patrick's Day. Look at my little laddie! :-) He is part-Irish so we gave him the traditional Irish-American meal of corned beef, cabbage and potatoes. He did pretty well with it!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Matty is still a ham for the camera (when he doesn't know it is on). He LOVES playing with his Daddy, whether it is wrestling on the floor or playing "Where's Daddy?"

This is often alternated by playing "Where's Matty?"

And because I haven't shared enough pictures of Matty over the last month, here's a few more to tide you over until my next post! :-)

Until next time...

My Little Man: Months 7 and 8

Wow! Where has the time gone? I know I missed Matty's 7-month update, but who has time to write a blog when they're chasing after a mobile baby?!

Just to compare between last month and this month, here are Matty's month pictures.

7 months

8 months

He has this mischievous grin on his face a lot now. My little rascal.

Do you know how difficult it is getting a newly mobile child to stay still for a picture?

I called in reinforcements. His name is Daddy.

The last two months have been incredibly busy. The best way to show you is in pictures.

Matty discovered his shadow...

Cobb let Matty pet him...

Cobb was really not amused.

But he keeps putting himself in Matty's way.

We took our first trip to Legoland...

Daddy and Matty played with the non-swallowable size legos.

Look what we built!

Whoa!!

Matty and Daddy

Then, we met Aunt Mary and Uncle Michael on our first trip to Athens...

Cool beard, Uncle Mike!

It was too much excitement for the littlest Wooley.

Our family room turned into Baby Jail...

We're working on figuring out a better way to keep this little guy contained but he's figured out all of our attempts so far.

We saw our first snowfall...

Matty got down in the white stuff...

He did not like it.

He did pose for some pictures with Mama.

And he thought it was funny when our neighbor Chris threw snow in the air.

Matt, thankfully, did not brave the roads and ended up having to sleep at work. I'm glad he was not one of the thousands who got stuck on the highways and had to walk home or sleep in their cars. I'm pretty sure my New Yorker husband would have been, well...let's just say, less than thrilled if that had happened!

We're learning how to eat solid food...

We love banana

And we're learning how to drink from a sippy cup...

Unfortunately, we also learned how to climb...

Mama is NOT happy about this!

We upgraded to a bigger car seat because Matty outgrew his infant seat.

Thanks Lynnie and Grandfather!!

Then...somehow we got another big snowstorm, complete with a layer of ice this time.

Matt was able to get a hotel room this time, so at least he was warm and got to sleep in a bed. Matty and I did not venture out this time. No need to cause more tears than necessary.

The family room has pretty much become "Fisher Price Land," as my dad would say. But I think it's important for him to have enough toys to play with and entertain him throughout the day.

He loves his cars.

That's the last two months in pictures. Here are some more details:

Size: At last check, Matty weighed a little over 19 pounds. That's up a pound since his 6 month doctor visit, so he's steadily gaining. He has also grown about an inch in my estimation - hence the new car seat.

Talking: Matty is learning to talk very well. He's mastered the "ma" sound. He says "mama" a lot. Sometimes it is directed at me, sometimes not. But I figure that's okay. It's a start. He's also learned how to say "da." Not as consistent with that sound, but it has only come in the last week. He's still practicing it. My mom also taught him the "pu" sound. I haven't heard him say it outside her presence just yet. And it sounds like he has a word for "Lynnie." But again, not consistent with that.

Development: Matty is a crawling wizard. He figured it out a few months ago, and has escaped our barriers several times. Not to worry, we are always close behind. He is also standing a TON, and can walk as long as he's holding onto something. Within the last week, he's started letting go and balancing a bit.

It's what I like to call the "pre-walk"

I fall more in love with my little man every day. He is learning so much, and it is exciting to watch him figure toys out. As irritating as it is when he figures out our barriers, it is interesting to see him try and figure it out and then escape!

I am SO lucky to be this little guy's mom. I know a lot of development is going to take place over the next four months, including first steps and him actually being REALLY mobile. No lie...I'm a tad scared.

A few more pictures of my little guy, well...just because I can!

Matty and Daddy's nap time

All smiles! Who wouldn't love to wake up to this every morning?

Coming next time...who knows? First steps? First word caught on camera? Only time will tell!

Until then...