Transport Dogs

In memory of Harold, and to pay it forward, we are helping Rural Shelter Transports with transporting animals from high kill shelters to no kill shelters so that they can get adopted.  Harold was rescued from a high kill shelter and at some point was an animal in one of these transports.  This is our way of thanking the people that helped up get our Harold - we know that these pups are someones Harold's and we hope that they find each other soon.

 We hosted our second dog for an overnight stay last night.

He is a 4 month old lab/hound mix and is SUPER cute... I just hope that he gets adopted soon, he needs a good forever home.

Today's Picture

Our little dude has a 102 degree temp, but somehow manages to keep smiling.  While this picture isn't from today - he doesn't look feverish - it does capture his smile, so I thought I would share.  Send happy thoughts Matthew's way so that he gets over this fever fast :) (and so that mom and dad can sleep)

6 Months

Okay, I have really sucked at updating the blog over the past couple of months.  I apologize, but I have good news.  We have actually got somewhat of a schedule now.  I'm hoping that this means that I will be able to post more regularly so that I can keep everyone up-to-date with how Matthew is doing - he changes so quickly.

Update on Matthew - he:
- Has learned how to sit unassisted!
- Has gotten two teeth and is getting ready to cut two more
- Now weighs 17.2 lbs
- Grabs EVERYTHING in sight
- Is much more aware of his surroundings so he wants to touch everything and then put them in his mouth
- Has gone to the National Gallery of Art for the first time
- Has gone to the Maryland Sheep and Wool festival for the first time
- Has been to Pittsburgh, Houston and Kansas City
- Has gone to the zoo and has seen elephants, zebras and pandas in person
- Talks constantly
- I'm sure I'm forgetting things...

Most importantly though - he has started solids!

At first he was a little wary of what I was doing...

But then he tasted the food...

And I wasn't giving it to him fast enough, so he tried to help.

By the next day - he was a pro and was VERY happy when it came to dinner time.

Although, when dad didn't move fast enough (just can't seem to move fast enough) he found something else to snack on.

I honestly can't believe that he is old enough to be eating solids already.  He has just eaten rice cereal, but he starts on sweet potatoes this Wednesday - I hope that he likes them :)

The past six months have flown by and I just wish that it was all recorded so that I could go back and relive some of the time.  I knew that I wanted to become a mom, but I had no idea how much I was going to love it.  It is the hardest thing that I have ever done in my life, but it is by far the best thing that I have ever done in my life.  As the pediatrician said at his 6 month appointment on Friday - he's perfect! (I might be a little biased though)

Look Who is 5 Months Old!!!

And happy about it.

Looks Who's Talking

Matthew "talked" all weekend.  We tried to capture some of it on video.  This is how we spent our weekend...

Not too shabby :)

Warning: Cuteness Ahead

Daycare

He started on Feb. 11 - so a month ago tomorrow! He is doing really well there and we absolutely love the caregiver that he is going to.  She takes great care of him and you can tell that they are already bonding.

With that said, it still isn't easy leaving him during the day.  It has gotten easier, but there is a constant pull during the day of wanting to be with him.  The first day was easier than I thought it would be, but that just means that I wasn't crying all day long :)  I resisted the urge to call every hour to see how he was doing, and just trusted that we made the right choice, and we did.  Knowing that he is in such good hands has made it easier, but I have covered my desk with pictures to make it a little easier.

I have decided that once a month (once all of our traveling is over) I will take a day off of work to spend with my little dude.  My hope is that on those days we can go to reading groups or other activities that happen during the week but that we can't go to because I am at work.  If you have any ideas of things that we can do on those days, please let me know.

We of course have pictures from his first day of daycare - enjoy!