Matthew and the Holidays

Matthew and the Holidays

People have asked about Matthew and the holidays. I’ll try to fill you in, but I’ll have to be brief. First I’m not sure what I’ve already said, so this may be duplication in places. Second, I’m not sure I remember everything that’s happened. I turned 49 this past month, and my memory isn’t what it used to be. :p There certainly been a lot of holidays and events. Matthew got an “introduction to the extended family and friends” party in November, and then there was Thanksgiving, Chanukah, a family gathering, Christmas, and New Years. It’s been eventful, and I probably got a thousand pictures between it all. As of a few days ago, Matthew is now 16 months old.

The big highlights: Matthew learned to walk in mid November. He was trying in the worst way and finally he put two or three steps together and the next day ten, and by a week or so he was running up and down the house. Amazing once they get it how fast they progress. Of course he fell a lot, and he still does. He met Santa for the first time and left Santa a little present – he peed on Santa’s lap. :lol:

The eye patch now has to be worn five hours a day and the operation to align the eyes may be shortly. We’ll find out on Friday at his next ophthalmologist appointment. He was doing so well in tolerating the patch until this week. Now when we’re not looking he takes it off.

His personality seems to be really developing. Three qualities seem to be standing out. Actually these are three he’s had since we’ve first met him, only now they’re more prominent. First, he’s incredibly inquisitive. He loves being carried in my arms and pointing to things and wanting to touch and feel and take things apart. Do all babies do this? He’ll point his finger at something at say “ooh.” He points at everything. Occasionally he sticks his thumb out when he points, like he’s forming the letter ”L.” I’m convinced he’s secretly calling me a LOSER, winking to his mother, “Daddy’s a loser.” :lol: Anyway he strikes me as incredibly bright. I mentioned this to the adoption councilor who came to check over our home situation for his report and he said he hears that from all the parents. Oh well, he strikes me as smarter than me.

Second quality is his happy nature. He likes to smile and giggle all the time. What a good natured little boy. It’s so easy to make him laugh. Just make a funny face or startle him in a playful way and he’s giggles. Today I got him to climb on my back and we went for a horsey ride and he couldn’t stop laughing and kept climbing back for more. Maybe all babies are this way, I don’t know. We just have fun. (Actually this reminds me of the Hamlet soliloquy when Hamlet finds the skull: “Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio: a fellow/of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy: he hath/borne me on his back a thousand times”) Now I sit him on my knee and go over to my computer and to youtube and play children’s songs. Of course he’s got me hooked on them too. He swings his arm to the beat and stares at the screen and tries to reach for the keys. He loves to press buttons but I have to stop him from messing up the computer.

Third quality is a gregarious nature. He loves people and never seems to cry when people he hardly knows pick him up. He kind of gives them a smile and goes to them. Or now he plays with them. He’s learned how to shake his head “no.” He shakes and then throws them a smile and runs off. But then he’ll come to them eventually. He seems like a very confident little boy. By the way he hasn’t learned how to nod “yes” correctly yet; he kind of rocks his whole head and shoulders back and forth. He thinks he can get away with anything with a smile.

Anyway, so much for my fatherly boasting. Here are some pictures going back these few weeks.

Here he is at his “introduction” party, being the ham that he is. He’s such a natural host.

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This was taken at Thanksgiving. That tongue roll thing is another of his mannerisms.

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Here he is running up and down the dining room:

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This is what Grandma got him for Chanukah. It’s some sort of percussive table to drum away on. He likes tapping at it and his hand coordination has really improved from it.

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This is at a restaurant at a family event. He takes control like he’s a CEO of a corporation. I call him my little emperor. :D

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These next two are opening gifts at Christmas. I love the expression on the second one. You can see his hair has also grown in. In fact he could probably use a haircut, or a least a trim. My wife wants to take him to one of these mall hair places. I suppose they’re called hair salons. I’m taking him to my old fashion Italian barber that I’ve been going to for thirty years back in Brooklyn. ;)

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Here he is with his mother out after the major snowstorm we just had. You can see how it’s unplowed and it went unplowed for three days.

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And finally here at New Year’s eve. No he did not drink any Champagne. :p

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