"Hello, Everyone!"
We were so relieved that we were able to find out the "flavor". And Daddy was so excited that we can re-use all those baby girl clothes. ;)
The footprint...
She gave us the "thumbs up" sign as if to say, "It's all good in here." She weighed 11.5 oz that day and measured at 20 weeks, 2 days.
"This isn't how Daddy does it."Unfortunately, Daddy ended up having to work several Saturdays in May...so MOMMY had to get in the pool. ;)
"Maybe this won't be so bad."In the pool, her mouth is continually open (and her tongue often hanging out) to taste the water. Ick.
Mattaya just loves to kick, kick, kick and splash, splash, splash!
This was her best jumping day ever. :) She was soooo excited, shrieking with every jump.
Timberrrrr!
This swim day, we needed to try on some new shoes from Leelee to see what size fit better...6.5 (but by now we're leaning more toward 7).
Pretty in pink and ready to celebrate Mother's Day.
Matt and Jason (our small group leader) surprised us with a Mother's Day cake.
"Cut, cut, cut."
Daddy has been working really hard to build us some magnificent bookshelves. They're ALMOST done...
Grandma Mabel received some gorgeous flowers...and pictures of them miraculously ended up in our camera.
Mattaya's first real "owie".
Ever had a dream that you opened a box of Lucky Charms and as you started pouring it into your bowl found that it was ALL marshmallows? Apparently Becca has. And to celebrate her graduation, Luke was all about making her wildest dreams come true. So we helped paw through several boxes of Lucky Charms, compiling all the marshmallows into one box (unopened, mind you, so she wouldn't suspect). The only question is: What do you do with all those pesky pieces that aren't marshmallows?
Doesn't matter how big she gets or what else is available to play with, Mattaya wants to be in a diaper box. And if she can't cram herself in there, she wants YOU to cram her in there. ;) I think she was going somewhere important this day since she's wearing her very fancy necklace.
Mattaya and Mommy went to Becca's graduation. (Becca is the one honors student in the middle of the picture.)
This girl gets very excited to "wot" (i.e., write). Whether it's with pen/pencil on paper or bath crayons in the shower, she is all about it. And she now knows that M is for "Dattaya" (how she says "Mattaya").
She's getting veeeeerrrrry sleeeeepy...
She prefers that her peanut butter NOT appear on her "tote" (toast). She'd much rather eat it off a spoon.
This is her "I'm guilty of touching something I shouldn't have" look. Now that she's learned to say "no" and "no-no", I can hear her telling on herself from the other room!
And here's the "Maybe if I'm super cute they won't discipline me" dance. ;)
New skill: HOVERING!
"Whee!"
Mattaya just loves to kick, kick, kick and splash, splash, splash!In the morning, if I tell her it's a swimming day, she starts rattling off these words: Y, Leelee, hoot (suit), kickkickkick, ash (splash), code (cold)
This was her best jumping day ever. :) She was soooo excited, shrieking with every jump.
Timberrrrr!
This swim day, we needed to try on some new shoes from Leelee to see what size fit better...6.5 (but by now we're leaning more toward 7).
Pretty in pink and ready to celebrate Mother's Day.We were so excited to FINALLY break out the summer clothes!
Matt and Jason (our small group leader) surprised us with a Mother's Day cake.
"Cut, cut, cut."
Daddy has been working really hard to build us some magnificent bookshelves. They're ALMOST done...
Grandma Mabel received some gorgeous flowers...and pictures of them miraculously ended up in our camera.
Mattaya's first real "owie".Our little girl is rather rough-and-tumble. She takes the hits like a champ, but MAN is she always bruised up!
Ever had a dream that you opened a box of Lucky Charms and as you started pouring it into your bowl found that it was ALL marshmallows? Apparently Becca has. And to celebrate her graduation, Luke was all about making her wildest dreams come true. So we helped paw through several boxes of Lucky Charms, compiling all the marshmallows into one box (unopened, mind you, so she wouldn't suspect). The only question is: What do you do with all those pesky pieces that aren't marshmallows?
Doesn't matter how big she gets or what else is available to play with, Mattaya wants to be in a diaper box. And if she can't cram herself in there, she wants YOU to cram her in there. ;) I think she was going somewhere important this day since she's wearing her very fancy necklace.
Mattaya and Mommy went to Becca's graduation. (Becca is the one honors student in the middle of the picture.)
This girl gets very excited to "wot" (i.e., write). Whether it's with pen/pencil on paper or bath crayons in the shower, she is all about it. And she now knows that M is for "Dattaya" (how she says "Mattaya").
She's getting veeeeerrrrry sleeeeepy...
She prefers that her peanut butter NOT appear on her "tote" (toast). She'd much rather eat it off a spoon.
This is her "I'm guilty of touching something I shouldn't have" look. Now that she's learned to say "no" and "no-no", I can hear her telling on herself from the other room!
And here's the "Maybe if I'm super cute they won't discipline me" dance. ;)
New skill: HOVERING!
"Whee!"Here she is showing Leelee her skills: climbing the equipment all by herself and sliding down the big-kid twisty slide. She's made the big time now! ;) She narrates everything: "Up, up, up. Sit. Scoot, scoot, scoot. Ready set go, Whee!"
Totally wiped out, she takes a "mop" (nap) on the slide.
AND she so loves her "Cars" DVD. Upon seeing a TV, she usually starts saying, "Cars. Cars. Cars." (Sometimes, "Pooh", but usually "Cars".)
Mattaya put on her hat all by herself.
Sometimes I try to catch a few winks when Matt is home for lunch. Mattaya decided to join me, and things looked promising...
...but she was soon on the move.
On ME!
So much for Mommy's rest.
Sigh.
CHEESE!
The anthem plays daily on Base at 4:30. The rule is to face the speaker, stand, and place your hand over your heart. Maybe pointing and repeatedly saying "Ick" (music) and shaking your booty to the music counts, too.
Just before Memorial Day weekend, Daddy's wing had a BBQ. One of Daddy's friends had brought his "goggy" (doggy), which was oh-so-exciting for Mattaya. For the most part, the dog looked unimpressed, but he followed Mattaya everywhere. Here they are crossing the bridge on the playground equipment.
He even followed her down the slide!
Any time the camera is out, she comes running and yelling, "TEEZ!" (cheese) and trying to look into the lens.
Daddy and Mattaya looking at large felines at the zoo.
The inanimate animals were just as interesting as the live ones (to Mattaya, anyway).
Watching Daddy feed the deer (she wanted nothing to do with touching them).
On our way to the penguin exhibit, Mattaya noted the painted penguins then said and demonstrated, "Waddle, waddle, waddle."
Again, we do NOT distinguish between living and nonliving things (or clean vs dirty)...and we DO so LOVE penguins...therefore we MUST kiss the nasty concrete wall (whilst Mommy cringes in the background).
Tobias and his parents caught up with us at the penguins.
"Dattaya" and "Dize" (Tobias).
Mattaya and Daddy as penguins.
"What is this, and what is it supposed to do?"
Giraffes and zebras. They didn't hold her interest because they were so far away. However, there was a fountain in the zebras' watering hole that was FASCINATING.
Helping Mama push the stroller.
Watching the otters...except the otters weren't there....
"Well isn't this a cozy little bench. I think I'll sit with you, Tobias."
"Just our size."
Two one-year-olds on a bench...how long can that possibly last?
Not too terribly long.
But longer than we expected!
And we're done. ;)
"Come on, Tobias--there's lots more to see and taste!"
Mattaya constantly had her mouth on fences and walls and cages. How gross.
Since our last swim lesson fell on Memorial Day weekend, Daddy was able to come. Mommy was thrilled! ;)
She's getting more independent, not needing as much support on the noodle, keeping her bum up, and kick-kick-kicking.
We have many WINDY days in ND. :)
Boppa re-painted our old wagon, and Mattaya has been enjoying it...
...from both ends.
Doesn't quite understand "jack-knifing" yet.
We just love "wawuz" (flowers) and must sniff them whether they're on the ground or in a book.
And we're pretty sure that trees smell good, too.
When Boppa and Leelee had water in their ditches this spring, they let Mattaya throw small rocks in to make a splash. Now she's pretty sure that throwing rocks into the grass accomplishes the same.
Our tongue can help us do so many things. Like picking up 2 balls at the same time, for instance.
We appreciate that simple things entertain her as much as fancy toys (and often MORESO). This package of diapers was PHENOMENAL. First it was something to carry.
Totally wiped out, she takes a "mop" (nap) on the slide."Not-not, Mattaya." (night-night)
She so enjoys her time at the playground.
AND she so loves her "Cars" DVD. Upon seeing a TV, she usually starts saying, "Cars. Cars. Cars." (Sometimes, "Pooh", but usually "Cars".)Here she was pacified to have the DVD case...
Mattaya put on her hat all by herself.
Sometimes I try to catch a few winks when Matt is home for lunch. Mattaya decided to join me, and things looked promising...
...but she was soon on the move.
On ME!
So much for Mommy's rest.
Sigh.
CHEESE!As close as she gets to relaxing OUTSIDE her crib.
The anthem plays daily on Base at 4:30. The rule is to face the speaker, stand, and place your hand over your heart. Maybe pointing and repeatedly saying "Ick" (music) and shaking your booty to the music counts, too.
Just before Memorial Day weekend, Daddy's wing had a BBQ. One of Daddy's friends had brought his "goggy" (doggy), which was oh-so-exciting for Mattaya. For the most part, the dog looked unimpressed, but he followed Mattaya everywhere. Here they are crossing the bridge on the playground equipment.
He even followed her down the slide!
Any time the camera is out, she comes running and yelling, "TEEZ!" (cheese) and trying to look into the lens.
Daddy and Mattaya looking at large felines at the zoo.
The inanimate animals were just as interesting as the live ones (to Mattaya, anyway).
Watching Daddy feed the deer (she wanted nothing to do with touching them).
On our way to the penguin exhibit, Mattaya noted the painted penguins then said and demonstrated, "Waddle, waddle, waddle."
Again, we do NOT distinguish between living and nonliving things (or clean vs dirty)...and we DO so LOVE penguins...therefore we MUST kiss the nasty concrete wall (whilst Mommy cringes in the background).
Tobias and his parents caught up with us at the penguins.
"Dattaya" and "Dize" (Tobias).
Mattaya and Daddy as penguins.
"What is this, and what is it supposed to do?"
Giraffes and zebras. They didn't hold her interest because they were so far away. However, there was a fountain in the zebras' watering hole that was FASCINATING.
Helping Mama push the stroller.
Watching the otters...except the otters weren't there....
"Well isn't this a cozy little bench. I think I'll sit with you, Tobias."
"Just our size."
Two one-year-olds on a bench...how long can that possibly last? 
Not too terribly long.
But longer than we expected!
And we're done. ;)
"Come on, Tobias--there's lots more to see and taste!"Mattaya constantly had her mouth on fences and walls and cages. How gross.
Since our last swim lesson fell on Memorial Day weekend, Daddy was able to come. Mommy was thrilled! ;)
She's getting more independent, not needing as much support on the noodle, keeping her bum up, and kick-kick-kicking.
We have many WINDY days in ND. :)
Boppa re-painted our old wagon, and Mattaya has been enjoying it...
...from both ends.
Doesn't quite understand "jack-knifing" yet.
We just love "wawuz" (flowers) and must sniff them whether they're on the ground or in a book.
And we're pretty sure that trees smell good, too.
When Boppa and Leelee had water in their ditches this spring, they let Mattaya throw small rocks in to make a splash. Now she's pretty sure that throwing rocks into the grass accomplishes the same.
Our tongue can help us do so many things. Like picking up 2 balls at the same time, for instance.
We appreciate that simple things entertain her as much as fancy toys (and often MORESO). This package of diapers was PHENOMENAL. First it was something to carry."Heh-ee" (heavy).
Next it was something to push.
Then it was something to belly-slide on!
When I get good deals on toys, I put them in my stash to pull out on rainy days when we can't play outside. Of course, at first, taking them off was the only thing that was fun...
...but she slowly got the hang of it (and her tongue helped).
It held her attention for a long time...which makes it a GREAT toy in my book! ;)
We made some enchiladas, but Mattaya was only interested in the sour cream.
Wearing Daddy's "dote" (belt). It wraps around her twice just right. :)
Smiling at "Dattaya" in the mirror.
Learning to play basketball with Daddy (Daddy brought the hoop home from a garage sale one day).
Quite a stretch.
Almost!
Belly comparison time. I was wearing the wrong shirt, so it was kind of hard to see...
...but Mattaya decided to help you out with that...
She has started calling the belly "Teetah" (sister), waving at her, and giving her little pokes (in the "nose" which is my popped out belly button).
And we love Sister, so she gets kisses, too.
Many objects seem to serve as cameras these days. When Daddy introduced his remote control car, she was SURE the handset was a camera, picked it up, and started saying, "Teez! Kick." (cheese, click)
Daddy's bike helmet fits just right.
And it's just so comfy.
She liked his helmet so well, she started trying on other Daddy garments.
A very serious outfit, apparently.
She's been working on her runway walk for quite some time. Now we're working on the turns.
Gasp! This jacket still fits! We never got around to wearing it last year, but we'll have to give it some use this year. It's just "dooooo toot." (too cute)
Mattaya's first sprinkler experience this year. She ran up close enough to get sprayed by the water...then froze...then thought about it...then started to fuss because she didn't know how to make it stop. ;) I told her to back up, and she got the concept. Then it was SO FUN!
The face of a child who's been fed straight sugar. I was making sweet tea during snack, and she wanted what I had. So I put a little bit of sugar in the bottom of my measuring cup and gave it to her. She felt it and disliked that it stuck to her fingers. I showed her how to lick it off. "UM!" she said. And then it was everywhere. All over her face, in her hair, in her eyes and eyelashes, everywhere. She liked it. (Mommy, not so much.)
More fun at the park!
Trying to master the ladder.
Loving every minute!
Still lovin' peanut butter on a spoon!
First ponytail.
Headed outside to enjoy a very warm day!
Unfortunately, she can see the playground from our backyard.
Kicking the ball.
Smelling the tree.
Matt and I got lost in conversation after lunch one day. It was very quiet (which should have caught our attention), and then we heard "YAY" and clapping. This was her accomplishment. :)
Daddy had a little "Christmas in May" when he bought a new vacuum. WOW--was he excited!
Trying to figure out how the "light saber" handle works....
Figuring out how all the attachments clip onto the main "robot" part (I'm all about the technical terms).
Lean, mean, cleaning machine.
Ace Ventura Dust Detective
Daddy's attempt at a ponytail.
Now she routinely picks up my shirt looking for Sister.
After EACH ROOM he vacuumed, Matt would come running to show me HOW MUCH dirt he pulled up. Yikes.
Post-ponytail hair.
Mattaya the rock star.
Her hair is getting really looooong.
The best part of waking up.
Exploring the zoo with Leelee.
Leelee bought some corn so Mattaya could feed the ducks and geese. As much as she loves ducks, she didn't really care if the ducks got food...she mostly wanted to see the splash of the corn hitting the water.
Growling at the lion.
Next it was something to push."Whee-whee-whee!"
Then it was something to belly-slide on!
When I get good deals on toys, I put them in my stash to pull out on rainy days when we can't play outside. Of course, at first, taking them off was the only thing that was fun...
...but she slowly got the hang of it (and her tongue helped).
It held her attention for a long time...which makes it a GREAT toy in my book! ;)
We made some enchiladas, but Mattaya was only interested in the sour cream.
Wearing Daddy's "dote" (belt). It wraps around her twice just right. :)And she loves pillows and blankets. She flops down on them and pretends to sleep (shuts her eyes and starts snoring loudly).
Smiling at "Dattaya" in the mirror.
Learning to play basketball with Daddy (Daddy brought the hoop home from a garage sale one day).
Quite a stretch.
Almost!
Belly comparison time. I was wearing the wrong shirt, so it was kind of hard to see...
...but Mattaya decided to help you out with that...
She has started calling the belly "Teetah" (sister), waving at her, and giving her little pokes (in the "nose" which is my popped out belly button).
And we love Sister, so she gets kisses, too.
Many objects seem to serve as cameras these days. When Daddy introduced his remote control car, she was SURE the handset was a camera, picked it up, and started saying, "Teez! Kick." (cheese, click)
Daddy's bike helmet fits just right.
And it's just so comfy.
She liked his helmet so well, she started trying on other Daddy garments.
A very serious outfit, apparently.
She's been working on her runway walk for quite some time. Now we're working on the turns.
Gasp! This jacket still fits! We never got around to wearing it last year, but we'll have to give it some use this year. It's just "dooooo toot." (too cute)
Mattaya's first sprinkler experience this year. She ran up close enough to get sprayed by the water...then froze...then thought about it...then started to fuss because she didn't know how to make it stop. ;) I told her to back up, and she got the concept. Then it was SO FUN!
The face of a child who's been fed straight sugar. I was making sweet tea during snack, and she wanted what I had. So I put a little bit of sugar in the bottom of my measuring cup and gave it to her. She felt it and disliked that it stuck to her fingers. I showed her how to lick it off. "UM!" she said. And then it was everywhere. All over her face, in her hair, in her eyes and eyelashes, everywhere. She liked it. (Mommy, not so much.)
More fun at the park!
Trying to master the ladder.
Loving every minute!
Still lovin' peanut butter on a spoon!
First ponytail.
Headed outside to enjoy a very warm day!
Unfortunately, she can see the playground from our backyard.
Kicking the ball.
Smelling the tree.
Matt and I got lost in conversation after lunch one day. It was very quiet (which should have caught our attention), and then we heard "YAY" and clapping. This was her accomplishment. :)
Daddy had a little "Christmas in May" when he bought a new vacuum. WOW--was he excited!
Trying to figure out how the "light saber" handle works....
Figuring out how all the attachments clip onto the main "robot" part (I'm all about the technical terms).
Lean, mean, cleaning machine.
Ace Ventura Dust Detective
Daddy's attempt at a ponytail.(It actually wasn't that bad...he just hadn't put the elastic around enough times for it to stay in.)
Now she routinely picks up my shirt looking for Sister.
After EACH ROOM he vacuumed, Matt would come running to show me HOW MUCH dirt he pulled up. Yikes.
Post-ponytail hair.
Mattaya the rock star.
Her hair is getting really looooong.
The best part of waking up.
Exploring the zoo with Leelee.
Leelee bought some corn so Mattaya could feed the ducks and geese. As much as she loves ducks, she didn't really care if the ducks got food...she mostly wanted to see the splash of the corn hitting the water.
Growling at the lion.(Mattaya was anyway...)
Enjoying the painted horse when we catch sight of the...
... CAROUSEL! Boy, it really pays to take Leelee to the zoo (she's got the quarters).
Matt tasted his first avocado.
Enjoying the painted horse when we catch sight of the...
... CAROUSEL! Boy, it really pays to take Leelee to the zoo (she's got the quarters).
Matt tasted his first avocado.And liked it!
Enjoying spaghetti dinner.
Eating spaghetti, Uncle Luke style.
Walking with the wagon.
Mmmmm, Leelee's wawuz smell good!
Pull, push, it's all the same.
Enjoying spaghetti dinner.
Eating spaghetti, Uncle Luke style.
Walking with the wagon.
Mmmmm, Leelee's wawuz smell good!
Pull, push, it's all the same. 