Highlights

It's been a wonderful week and a half since we welcomed Matthew into our family! :o) As can be imagined, new babies generate lots of pictures and activity. I will only attempt to share the highlights . . .

The proud Daddy's first picture with his new little one . . .

And the same for a proud, tired Mommy . . . :o)

Hannah and Peter are so excited about their new brother! :o)

We are so thankful that Grandma was able to come take care of everything around the house so that Mommy could recuperate!

We enjoyed the time at the hospital as a quiet opportunity to get to know our newest addition,
but we were also very glad to head home! :o)

Of course, everybody wants to hold the littlest one . . .

Hannah has especially cherished these opportunities. She hasn't voiced it, but I believe in her opinion, Matthew eats and sleeps entirely too much! She'd much rather be holding him and often hovers near Mommy during feeding times waiting for her opportunity to hold him afterwards.

Peter was quite excited to see that he and Matthew both had airplane jammies . . .

And we're glad Grandpa was able to come down as well!

More snuggle time . . .

Mommy and Matthew joined the family at church for the morning service for Matthew's first Sunday, and we snapped a family photo as well . . .

Considering that he was not happy with his first experience in the carseat on the way home from the hospital, we're extra thankful that his disposition towards that necessary piece of equipment has changed considerably . . . Friends at church had these strap monkeys for their little one, and Peter loved them! :o) He actually learned to count "two" on his fingers as a result of those monkeys, so we were glad to be able to purchase a set for Matthew (for Peter to enjoy.) ;o)

Since Grandma had all of the meal planning, cleaning, and laundry completely under control, and Mommy was caring for Matthew, Daddy, Grandpa, Hannah, and Peter went looking for other occupations during Matthew's first week.

Believe it or not, Daddy and Grandpa knocked out the block wall surrounding the basement bathroom. (Grandpa likes demolition . . . ) :o) There's more pictures which could accompany this one, but we're going for highlights . . .

Hannah and Grandma also had fun with crafts. :o)

And Daddy and Peter enjoyed trying out Grandpa's tractor which he brought down on the trailer for us to borrow for the summer. (Thanks Grandpa!)

And Grandma also took care of 99% of Peter's birthday preparations, including making adorable puppy dogs for Peter to share with his friends at school. (Thanks Grandma!)

Peter's helping Grandma make his cupcakes here . . .

Happy 3rd Birthday, Peter!

Aren't those cupcakes cute?!?

Peter enjoyed all of his gifts, but the grin on his face when Daddy gave him his very own real shovel was priceless!

And he knew just what to do with it! :o)

Thanks for the new oufit, G&G H!

Uncle Bryan and Aunt Janie came down to celebrate Aunt Janie's sister's birthday, but we enjoyed getting to see them a bit as well. :o)

Hannah was serving ice cream to all interested parties . . .

Our three munchkins . . .

And our littlest one . . . who, by the way, isn't so little!

At his one week checkup, he had regained all of his birthweight plus 1-1/2 ounces. :o) He's also in the 99th percentile for height at 22-3/4 inches long! Hmmm . . . I think he got those genes from Daddy!

Following Matthew's first bath . . .

Our last day with G&G . . .

Thanks so much for coming! We love you!

We praise the Lord for the addition of our sweet baby boy who already feels like a part of the family!