Undressing myself

Matthew now tries to take off some of his own clothes. This is one of the times he attempted to take off his shirt.

And the Baby is going to be a...

We had our 2nd trimester ultrasound last week and we found out we are having a girl. Grant and I each had to come up with a list of 10 boys names and 10 girls names and then we would compare. If we had some names in common or at least some from both lists we could talk about we weren't going to find out the sex. Out of both lists we had one name in common and the rest were very different. I didn't want to have to argue about boys and girls' names for months so we found out. Now we only have to argue about girls names. Actually, the one name we agreed on was a girls name so at least we have a starting point there. The baby is doing well everything is normal she is currently 10 ounces. The ultrasound technician said that she though this baby was going to be very independent because she would not sit still to be measured or stay in any position the tech wanted her to. Therefore, we really don't have any good ultrasound pictures this time. Matthew keeps telling everyone we are having a boy. I think he doesn't really understand the difference anyway.

Yeah, it is warm!

Last week it was really warm so on Thursday we went and hung out at the River walk in Naperville. It was a beautiful day to do this and Matthew had a great time. He wanted to feed the geese and ducks. Unfortunately, we did not bring bread so he gave them a few goldfish crackers instead. The park was made just for his age group. His favorite part was of course the sand area.

What a different swing.

Easter Fun

We had an exciting Easter weekend that started with the 2nd year we did the egg hunt at our pool. Matthew was not very photogenic this year and refused to sit for a picture so here are a few shots we got.

Aqua Egg Hunt at the pool.

Hunting for eggs at Grammy & Papa's.

Matthew & Mikayla with their eggs.

Dyeing eggs.

Look what the Easter Bunny brought.

My Pets-by Matthew

If its black just click play and it should work.

Matthew would like to introduce you to all of our pets. The cats-Homer, L.S., and Wrigley. The dogs-Peyton & Nova. He also likes to say "R you...?"

Our Silly Little Man

Matthew is talking all the time now. When he is looking for something or someone he says "Are you...?" He has learned all the pets names in his own way. He sings Old McDonald. It goes like this buck buck here, buck buck here, ei ei o.

Matthew has recently discovered that many of his pants have pockets. We often catch him walking around or standing there with his hands in his pockets, just fascinated. It is really quite adorable.

This is another new thing he is doing when you are done changing him he turns around on his changing table and jumps into his hamper. He obviously thinks it is very amusing.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

He may only be a little Irish but he still gets into the celebrating of St. Patrick's Day. He had some green apple juice, a Shamrock shake, and took a bath in green water.

Here he is drinking is green apple juice.

Showing off his St. Patrick's Day shirt. (He also had matching socks).

Easter Bunny Pictures

Matthew is a little apprehensive of the Easter Bunny at the mall and we wanted some good pictures of him with a bunny so we thought a real one might work out better. He seemed to have fun with this bunny and they got a lot of great shots. These are a few if you want to see more go to http://www.holdmymemories.com/paulsen

Kids Town

These pictures are a little old we went to Kids Town at the end of February. It is this place in Wheaton with all different themed rooms where kids can dress up and play with toys based around the theme. Matthew had a lot of fun and it was a place that is great for his age level.

Working the register.

Police Officer Matthew

Fireman Matthew

Baby # 2

We'd like you all to meet the newest addition to our family. Today baby #2 is 13 weeks along and doing good. I wish I could say I felt great but I'm happy that the baby is doing good. Grant and Matthew came along for the ultrasound. Matthew didn't seem that interested again he was just happy he wasn't going to the doctor because it was in the same building. Babies at this age are around 3 inches long. It amazes me that someone that is that small looks so much like a baby. You can see the legs, feet, hands, arms, even the fingers. At one point during the ultrasound the baby gave a thumbs up. Enjoy! He or she is even sticking one of his/her fingers up.

Anti-social (I guess he/she takes after me)

Happy Valentine's Day love Matthew

Valentine's Day breakfast-pink pancakes and bananas.
Happy Valentine's Day

Matthew is learning to say new things everyday. This has got to be one of our favorites now though. (If the screen is black where the movie goes if you hit play it still works.)

Snow Fun

Matthew seems to be like Grant and likes the cold weather and snow. The second we stepped outside he started saying "snowball." I don't know where he learned that but we did make him a snowball that was then thrown at both dogs, Grant, and I (the same snowball).

Matthew (with Grant's help) is making a snow angel. Now when you ask him what he did in the snow he flaps his arms up and down to show you that he made an angel.

His favorite thing to do in the snow this day was fall face first into the snow and eat it.

Looks like he was having fun while Grant pulled him and the two dogs chased them around the backyard.

Peek a Boo

Grant made some space in the closet recently so Matthew's new favorite thing is to hide in there and peek out at you. The only problem is he likes to giggle while he's doing it so you know he's in there.

Disney on Ice

We went to Disney On Ice and Matthew loved it. Not only did he love the show but he also loved the popcorn and slushy as well. We had cotton candy too but he wanted no part of that. Every time a new group would come out he would say, "Mickey Mouse."

Daddy, Matthew, Mommy

Papa, popcorn mouth Matthew, Grammy

Trying to get a picture with Auntie Barbie but too distracted by popcorn.

Matthew's favorite characters Mickey and gang, and the Toy Story gang.

Playing wtih Dirt

Matthew took a class at the DuPage Children's Museum that was called Sculpting with Dirt. He seemed to get into making the dirt into mud by adding water. Then he got to paint it on a piece of cloth and paper. He also had the opportunity to rub his hands in shaving cream to mix it with brown paint but he wanted no part of that. I tried to stick his finger in it to play and he yelled. I thought little boys liked to get dirty.

Rolling out some mud

Finished product. If you notice his Grammy even got him a shirt that was just right for the class. It says "my favorite color is dirt."

Guess What?

E.D.A-September 2nd, 2010

We are 9 weeks and 5 days pregnant.

He looks excited but we shall see when the time comes.

Today the doctor wanted to try listening for a heart beat. She said it could still be a little early but we were lucky and got to hear the tiny heartbeat. Grant and I were really excited to hear it Matthew we aren't so sure about he kept banging things into the wall. Keep your fingers crossed that he starts to get excited about having a baby brother or sister.

Matthew Info

Sorry I haven't posted in a while, we haven't been feeling great all at one time in the house for what seems like all of January. Here are a few quick bits of what we've been up to this month.

• Peyton turned one weighing in at probably between 85-90 pounds
• Matthew took an art class at the DuPage Children's Museum where he made some tropical art with sand, stamps, and paint.
• We started potty training. (Keep your fingers crossed)
• Matthew has mastered eating with a spoon. No more flipping it over right before it goes in his mouth.
• Next week he is taking a class at Cosley Zoo where he will get to meet some animals.
• Matthew loves doing art projects especially coloring and stamping. He also can't get enough Play Doh.
• He is quite the affectionate little man and loves giving out hugs, kisses, and cuddling with you.
• Everyday he seems to be learning more and more new words. His favorite thing now is to just start rattling off all the colors.

Finally a haircut!

After looking pretty shaggy for a few weeks we were finally able to get Matthew to the barber for a haircut. Here is the finished product. It amazes me how they manage to get his hair cut straight the way he moves around so much. The razor is very ticklish to him so he shrugs his shoulders every time it gets near him. I would imagine this poses quite a challenge too. Every time he gets his haircut he looks like such a little man to me, no more little baby. That's it no more haircuts for him.Handsome guy

Navy Pier Children's Museum

We spent some time having fun at the Children's Museum downtown. They had a snow exhibit were you could have a snowball fight and dress some snowmen. Matthew's favorite part still had to be the water play area. This is his favorite no matter where we go, I liked it because they gave you raincoats to stay somewhat dry.

Matthew loves working with his hands.

He is our own little "Handy Manny."

I think this goes here.

Fireman Matthew

Grammy and Matthew