Same old stuff

Sean came home on monday, but besides that nothing much new is happening. We went to the beach and really made out with seashells. Matt wants to give one to his friend Kaelyn, who we're seeing today. How cute! No more pictures right now, but just figured I'd update. No luck on the house search yet!

Well That's Just Beachy!

Matt and I had an awesome time at the beach yesterday! We collected seashells,
walked the pier, played in the surf,
looked at crabs in the rocks we were climbing, played in the sand
and had ice cream. Matt keeps talking about it! We may go back next week with the dogs.

Here's a video of him being super cute!

Ugh I sound so naggy but it was only because I wanted him to show off for the camera--we really did have a nice relaxing time.

Oh Matt...

Gee he really does fit in with the Holloway side sometimes. Apparently his new thing is to wake up quietly (so we don't wake up) and go to his window (that faces the walkway). He then bangs on it and yells "LET ME OUT!!!!!!" to all the passerby.
Sigh...

Baby Book

Just dug out Matt's baby book, and am going to complete it as much as possible tonight. It goes through his 5th year, so I can only do so much :-P I am also revamping and updating my Picasa, so check it out! It may take me a while to upload and organize, so if it looks the same right now, don't despair!
My life has very much stabilized, so that's why there aren't many posts and pictures lately. It's way too hot to do many outdoor activities besides swimming. Matt is getting used to the water--he still won't swim but LOVES going underwater. Him and I go under together and I can see him looking back at me and grinning. So weird! He holds his breath well, but I don't let him do it more than a second because it freaks me out a little. Of course he says "Again! Again!"

He also seems to have a crush on Kai-Lan, a character from a kid's show called "Ni-Hao, Kai-Lan"

He runs up to the tv and gives her a kiss, and just about had a stroke when he saw a Kai-Lan doll in Target yesterday. I talked him down from the $15 doll to a $7 playset, and Mai ate Kai-Lan the very next day. A twist of irony there as a common racist stereotype is that Asians like to eat dog...and my dog eats Asians. How odd.
Anyway! I imagine Matt was not very thrilled to see his girlfriend eaten, but I was at work, so I don't know. Kai-Lan's friend Tolee survived with a few severe bites and missing an ear.

Tomorrow or Thursday we are going to take Matt bowling for the first time, and I will make sure to take my camera. I am still mad at myself for forgetting the camera on 4th of July! Speaking of Independence Day...
Matt LOVED the 4th! He got his face painted for the first time (he wanted stars, and got a moon, stars and a rocket). He sat very still for it. He absolutely loved the food, all the kids running around, and of course the fireworks! He really liked the fireworks. He also liked my friend Kim's 1 year old, named Vivian. As soon as he saw her he started giggling and spinning around and falling down. He would look at her, smile and laugh, spin and fall. Repeat. He really likes girls! He gets all silly. It also helps that I think she looks a little like Kai-Lan.
Well, that's about it for now. I think Picasa bit off a bit more than it can chew with my...gulp...3,395 photos to upload! But it's worth it! I can print out "real" pictures from Picasa (and pick them up at Walgreens), have a backup in case my computer acts weird, and also to let you all get to know Matt a little better! I hope everyone's holiday went awesome and I will post later! Off to filling out the baby book!

Humdrum....

Not much going on over here. Going to try to find a house to rent next month because our lease is up at the end of August. Sean got offered an interview for a job from an old buddy at Plasticsurgery.com and then we found out Sean lost his phone. We looked high and low for it, but no luck. It sucks because my phone is actually broken and I was planning on replacing it but looks like it's broken phone land for me still! He thinks he put it on the roof of the car yesterday and drove away.
I am trying to diet! Never done it before because I always felt being vegetarian was plenty of food sacrifice for me. But its just gotten ridiculous. My eating habits were all weird and were contributing to me being about the same weight I was 9 months pregnant--scary! For instance I would eat nothing until 12 or so, then eat a huuuge lunch, then snack/eat small things from about 8-11. Instead now I eat a good breakfast, drink a shake thingie for lunch and eat a light dinner, then don't eat after 6. It's definitely hard, but not as hard as I thought it would be. I know the key is to do something not too drastic, something I can keep up with indefinitely. And exercise of course is a key component.
Sooo..told you there's not much going on except boring day to day stuff. I am enjoying my morning before Matt wakes up.
Ahh..the magic words. I hear him now. Gotta run!

My Birthday, Seaworld and the Zoo!

But before we get started on an undeniably cute picture-fest, I have something to say! I got bit in the face by a dog yesterday (a lab mix) and it hurts really bad! Luckily he was old and his teeth were dull so I just have a yucky bruise. But since hopefully everyone feels sorry for me I decided the only thing that would make me feel better is to post these flattering pictures of people I love! Hopefully it'll brighten your day too.



Oh ok I feel sorta bad so here's one of me too.

Right after I got all 4 wisdom teeth pulled--fun!

Anyway--First I will start with my birthday! Sean and I went to Knott's Berry Farm! Sadly Sean hurt his back on the first ride we went on (Ghostrider, a wooden roller coaster), and had to sit out the heavy-duty coasters for the rest of the day. The day was still wonderful though--we had an awesome time and I had the best birthday I'd had for years!

Here's one of the only pictures we took. We got an "official" picture, but it's not digital.

Here's Matt at Seaworld at the tide pool. He liked it a lot! I think the manta rays sorta creeped him out though.

These guys creeped ME out. They're mooray eels, and they just stare...and stare...

A ha! Dad's distracted--finally! What's in here? Something expensive? My toddler senses are tingling...

Last week, I took Matt to the zoo. We had a lot of fun! I like our mommy-son days--gotta enjoy them while they last!

Matt and a hippo. The hippo is also adept at posing as you may be able to see.

There was this peacock wandering around the elephant exhibit, and Matt was very interested. He hasn't seen many birds up close and took this opportunity to get close and personal (under my careful supervision of course).
But just when he was getting too close, with a big WOOSH the bird opened it's feathers and turned toward Matt.

He did not like that. At all. But no one was hurt and I was able to get some stunning pictures!

Matt races the cheetah. Ready...set...banana! Gotcha!

Also, it's spring...sorta..and all the ducklings were out!

Matt liked looking at the ducklings a lot. I think they remind him of Ming Ming from Wonder Pets (one of his favorite shows)

Cute!
Anyway, it's time for his nap! We are taking it easy today because tomorrow is Sean's birthday and we're going to Disneyland!

Wierd Baby

So, I guess Matt just started a new phase. After 2 years of wanting to sleep in his own bed in his own room with no exceptions ever, he has decided he wants to sleep with us. He woke up at 4 this morning and slept in our bed until 8. It was nice, since he's older (last time we co-slept he was 4 months old), he can share covers and doesn't move as much. He also woke me up by giving me a big, gentle hug and a tender kiss and said "morning mom". So I'm not complaining, it was sooo cute! And he is now sleeping in our bed because he refused to nap in his room. But it's so weird. Why would he all of a sudden want to sleep with us? Any ideas?

Rainy Day

I've pretty much given up on this blog--I stopped having things to really write about and wasn't really doing anything fun or interesting. But, I feel like it's time for an update!
There's so much and so little to report...Hmm...
Matt's talking a whole bunch now, his vocabulary is huge! He is making the tenuous leap from phrases to sentences which is taking a long time but he's almost there! He finally talks on the phone (at least to me), so next time I call maybe you can talk to Matt! His talking skills are right on target for his age and gender(almost 2 1/2 now!), although it seems like everyone else's toddlers talk a lot more! What he lacks in language skills he makes up for by far in comprehension. He can name most shapes and colors now and follow any command that's within his ability. And he wants to! He puts his dishes away without asking, can get me a specific item of clothing if I describe it, and many other cool things. I am learning more about his emerging personality--what used to be directionless energy is now forming itself into a purpose. He wants to be busy all the time and wants to help all the time. In turn I try to keep him busy with activities and trips. He is now very affectionate (yay years of forced affection is paying off!) and says sorry, please and thank you regularly. Anyway!
In March I got a settlement check from Petsmart and used it to buy a disneyland pass, so Matt had his 1st Disneyland trip on March 23rd.

Here's him looking apprehensive near the entrance. I didn't get any "iconic" Disneyland shots because he was running around too much.

Here's Matt doing something at Tarzan's tree house, or as I like to call it, the stair ride. You go up several fights of stairs, look at faux survival gear, then go back down the stairs on the opposite side into a play place for kids.

Don't I just fit in? Because you know I'm sweet as honey! Maybe honey with a few bees left in...

Here he is at the end of the night. He didn't take a nap that day...not that you can tell...

We had a great Easter. Here's some pictures and videos! (Hey, gotta make up for lost posts!)


Matt helping to dye the eggs...

Matt watches intently to make sure nothing happens to the precious eggs.

Scrunchie face!!!


Easter morning. Looks like someone awakened the green eyed monster...both of them!

Matt looks for eggs--and a rare shot of all 3 of us in a picture!

Easter Morning


And Matt having a blast hunting for the candy filled eggs.

Dana came to visit us in late January, so here's some pictures of us! For those who don't know, she's my best friend from Monterey and also Matt's aunt!

There's always one...






Yay for tilting head pictures!

And just a couple random pictures. Matt likes holding our pet snake named Jaena. He understands he has to be gentle and move very slowly.


We went to the Renfaire April 18th, but didn't really get many pictures, so here's the best one.
His Grammy Jean made Matt's outfit--you can't see but it has a gold lion embroidered on the front.

I think that about covers the things I have pictures for! I will hopefully be going to Knotts Berry Farm for my birthday, and Disneyland for Sean's. Been saving up for it! Joey is living with us again because we just weren't making it by ourselves. The kia is finally fixed and has been running for about 2 months now. We're looking at renting a house when our lease is up, something we couldn't do last year for financial reasons.
Sean is now back to working at Pizza Hut, after months of job searching for a "real" job with no luck. I am currently trying to get him a position at PetSmart. If he's going to work retail, he might as well do it in a fun laid back company that pays well!
Right now we're having a thunder and lightning storm, and I am enjoying the noises. I didn't realize we were due for one, so Matt and I got dressed this morning and went to the park. This park features a nice tall...metal...climbing structure! Sadly for him we had to leave right after we got there. I told him I don't like fried baby and he seemed to understand (ok, well he didn't struggle when we left so I take that as acquiescence).
Going to go enjoy the rest of Matt's nap now while I can. Yes, he still naps and it's wonderful!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! Got us talking last night about what our goals for this year are, and we came to the conclusion that if we're going to be poor and working retail that we should at least do it for a good cause. Sean is thinking of going back to school and getting his bachelors, which I am all for. Heck, we're already so deep in debt that there's no way to pay it back, and these days a bachelors seems to be a basic requirement. That way Sean can earn money working at Pizza Hut and from the G.I. bill, all while working toward a better goal. My college is out of the question--I don't get the G.I. bill and I make far more working at PetSmart than I could through any federal funding. Basically if Sean goes to college, the family benefits; and if I go, the family is done for! Plus I am not sure I want to go to college for a specific career like Sean. I'd rather go to study what I am interested in and if it leads to a job, great.
Well anyway, Matt is destroying the house, so I gotta go! (We took down Christmas decorations last night so the house was finally neat and clean--until Matt woke up.)

Matt's 2nd Birthday Party!!! And Other Things!

Matt had his first and last 2nd birthday party on thursday (the 18th). It was lots of fun! Since Sean and I both had the day off, before the actual party we decided to go up the mountain to see the snow.

It hadn't snowed since the day before, and I had gone up there before without chains when it was actually snowing. So, we didn't think it was going to be a problem. However as fate would have it, chains were required halfway up, and right before the snow started. We were pretty disappointed, but decided to pull over and admire the scenery for a while before heading back.

Ahh...the desert in winter.

Ta DA!!!!!
As Matt was running around, I noticed just a bit behind the embankment (which you can see behind them in the picture above), there was a smattering of snow in the shade. We trudged though the undergrowth and little streams until we came to it. Lo and behold, it actually connected to a nearby hiking path!
As things would have it, it turned into an impromptu hiking trip, which Matt totally loved! And, he even got to play in the snow!


Here we are on top of a big boulder. He wanted to climb it himself, but since I prefer my babies not dropped off a mountain top, I decided to help.

Anyway, after that was the real party. Here's some pics of him opening up some gifts!

He had to learn to unwrap-practice for Christmas!

Wow Mom, a cube. Thanks.

Hmm...am I 2 or 10?


Hyiiaaah! That one was Nino! Unngh! That was Mai! Yeah! I like this being rewarded for being aggressive game!!! Yeah!!!

Toward the end. The poor baby was all worn out. And Matt was pretty tired too.

One last stop to gaze at the giant rodent child god (hmm...both look cute, are small and destructive, and hard to get rid of humanely...) Just kidding!

Here was story time tonight, with Arthas, Matt and I. Matt loves Arthas very much. Not sure the feeling is mutual.

On a completely different note....we are getting our carpets cleaned tomorrow. Not that we need it or anything. Thank you Mai, and your little toddler minion, bane of clean carpets everywhere!!
And on a very unrelated note, Arthas poops in the sink. No, I don't know why. He will go in litter box if the guest bathroom door is shut. Strange kitty. Fits in perfectly.

Matt's Birthday Party!

We are having a small birthday party for Matt tonight. Not many people can go so it's just family and close friends :-)
Also I want to let everyone know that YES you are getting Christmas/holiday cards :-) They may be late because they will contain pictures but the pictures won't be ready until tomorrow afternoon. Since I work tomorrow afternoon, the cards won't go out until saturday.
By the way, I made the traditional holiday sugar cookies last night.

Tradition is to frost them pink, but Sean wanted different colors. So I made red, green, and pink frosting. But it got too late, so I am going to finish frosting the round ones pink tonight.

Matthew is having a very difficult time having those cookies in eyesight.  The look on his face is pure agony.  Poor guy.  I promised him one after lunch, but that just sent him into a maddening rage, which I did take video of.  I do feel like that would be going just too far though to publish his rage online for others to chuckle at.  Not that it wasn't too far at all that I videotaped it.  

He seems intruiged to see videos of his tantrums, like he can't believe the fuss he's making.  Of course that doesn't stop him, but is funny to see him watch himself.

Anyway I will post later with pictures from UpChuk E Cheese.  The only place we can take him that is cheap and he enjoys.  Have a good day everyone!

We're Suckers

Yep. Big fat suckers. Oh and did I mention dumb? Yes.
It's true.
And I'm sorry. We said we never would and we did anyway. We got another cat.

We named him Arthas and Matt LOVES him. He is ultra gentle and docile. Lets Matt do anything to him, and is great with the other animals. He is about 4-5 months old, and not too vocal, though he purrs a lot.

Him and his brother were in a cardboard box in the middle of the street and almost got ran over. Some good samaritan swerved and barely missed them, and picked them up and dropped them off at PetSmart. I didn't know all that, but one of my friends showed me them. They were in the recieving area in a big wire kennel. His brother was sort of hyper and more typical, but Arthas came right up to me and started purring and rubbing against me, and fell asleep with me petting him. He rolled onto his back while I did his nails, and was just the best kitty ever. Sean and I both agreed to take him home, cleaned him up,

and he fit right in. He totally just captivated our hearts.

This is what he does every night. He loves Sean.

When Sean has to get up, he passes sleeping kitty to me (just like a newborn) and I hold him.

The whole time he sleeps like a rock. If he wakes up (like above), he falls back asleep, purring loudly. Very trusting.

Nino tolerates him, but is pretty jealous. Poor cat! We show him love too, but he gets bitter and stalks off to glare at us from under the table.
Anyway, onto other news. Sean started at Pizza Hut again, to make ends meet until he can get a better job. I decorated for Christmas:

And Matt loves the look! Here's Matt helping Dad clean his keyboard.

And a random pic of Matt in the bath!

Nothing better than random pictures!
Anyway, that's about it. I know the posts are few and far between these days, but I've been working more and there hasn't been much to report. But I'll keep taking cute pics!
(oh and a side note to mom--he doesn't shed yet and shouldn't be when you're here. So no allergy worries!)