Matthew's memoirs at 5 months

Aug 4, 2005

I get so excited when the sleeping is over. It means another chance to practice my rolling over. I've just got to figure out how to get my arm out after I land. It kept getting stuck yesterday, but if I lift my butt up just the right amount and push my head into the blanket and grunt and breathe really heavy, I could JUST lift the arm out from under me. I did it. I know. I'll keep doing this all day today until I get it. If I cry enough after I get on to my tummy, then my Mom will come turn me back to my back so I can try again. I've got to get this down by the end of the day because tomorrow I want to work on kicking my legs while I'm on my stomach to see if I can move to get my toys all by myself. My parents say I look like I'm swimming to nowhere when I do that, but not for long. I'm determined to be able to get somewhere.

Aug 6, 2005
Today I tasted a new cereal, barley. My mama tasted it too and she didn't seem to like it. But I thought, yum yum. Bring it on. She said something about adding a bannana to it sometime soon, which seems ok to me. We'll see. I'm liking this slimy stuff in my mouth though. It's fun to smear it all over my face. And I figured out how to grab the bowl when Mom isn't looking and dump it all over my high chair tray or in my lap. That gets me a bath everytime! And since I figured out how to splash in the tub it's even better than ever.

Mama's been helping me sit up on my own. WOW. I didn't know I could do that until she balanced me out like she did. We've been doing more and more of it and it's so great not to have to lay down all the time or be tied up in that bouncer chair to sit. I was always propped up against the couch and would fall over if Mama didn't hold me there. But now, I can sit on my own for at least 2-3 minutes and I even figured out how to hold myself with my hands on the floor and pick up toys to put in my mouth and everything.

Aug 7, 2005

Today there were SO many people at my house. It was really loud and entertaining, because everyone kept wanting to hold me and make silly noises at me. My grandpas do that the most. They were extra funny today because they were doing it at the same time. And everyone was really impressed with my rolling over and sitting up. I was happy to show off my new moves, as Mama calls them. Then we went to church and I got to be up front with Mom and Dad and the Godparents. Everyone kept talking about me and reading nice things they wrote. And the really tall pastor put some slimy stuff on me and told me I was going to do God's work. I was ok with that. My parents have told me that before. It seemed like the whole day was for me. I felt so special.

Aug 10, 2005
I just love having Daddy home during the day lately. He took vacation for the last 2 weeks. I can tell he thinks I'm special and he helps Mommy out even more now. He comes to get me in the morning and brings me to drink Mama's milk. She really likes that. We went to the ocean together. Mom and Dad said it was where they got engaged and it's a good thing they did that because then they made me. It was relaxing to hear the waves and see the big blue water. It reminded me of my bear at home that makes the sounds at night that make me sleep. We didn't sleep at the ocean though. We just took pictures and walked around.


Aug 14, 2005
We hung out with my big cousin for the whole weekend. It was Great Grandma's 91st birthday party. She loves me so much. She's always telling me how beautiful I am and lets me hold her soft hand as tight as I want. She also sings to me. That's so sweet of her. After the party, my cousin spent the night at our house. He's so funny. I just love looking at him. It's great to have someone around who isn't quite as big as my mom and dad and seems to really know how to play. He jumps like a frog and pushes trucks and cars and trains around. I think I'll like to do that too, when I get old enough. It's funny when we both laugh at the same time when Mommy does that cool sound and takes our picture together. They say I'm getting another cousin and a new God-brother or sister soon and I get to be the big kid this time. That should be neat.

Well, I better go work on my moves so I can show the new kids how it's done. I'm trying to perfect getting from sitting position to laying down. It's about as frustrating as that arm getting stuck, but luckily Mom and Dad come running to give me another chance whenever I scream just the right amount. They're so predictable.

Matthew was dedicated to the Lord on Aug 7th 2005

Here is a prayer I wrote for Matthew's dedication. It was a beautiful ceremony and we were blessed that all of our family was able to come. Matthew even stayed quiet and was adorably attentive while he was being held in front of all the people. We were so proud of him.

Based on Galatians 5:22

These things we pray over Matthew.

May he know the love of Christ and experience
the joy of being a Christian.

May the peace and patience of God
be with him as he faces the challenges of life.

May kindness and goodness and gentleness
be pillars of his character.

Give him self-control as his parents
discipline him and he learns to do what is right.

And lastly we pray for the faithfulness Matthew will need to walk closely
with the Lord and do His will.
Amen.