Cuppycake

Hey guys, remember this song? CUPPYCAKE. We started singing this song to Matthew when he was only a few days old ... and all during his hospital stay. We still sing this adorable song to him.

Happy Heart Day, Magoo

It was 2 years ago today that Matthew had his life saving 9 hour surgery by Dr. Frank Hanley. Thank God their are surgeons like Dr. Hanley out there. He's our hero, he gave our boy a second chance.

Why Parents Never Sleep

Every night around 4am Matthew's feeding pump starts to alarm telling us that his overnight feeds are done. When I went in this morning I discovered the feeding tube wrapped around his neck and shoulder area. The older Matthew gets, the more he seems to thrash around in bed while asleep. It's ironic that the machine which "giveths" life could "taketh" it away. While the solution is easy (we'll go back to running the tube out his pajama leg), the mere thoughts this image provokes are, nonetheless, unsettling.

Matthew's Feeding Machine

By the way, this is Matthew's feeding machine. Since he won't eat by mouth, this machine has proved invaluable. The thought of pouring three more cans of formula a day down Matthew's tube while he's awake would likely drive Terri insane. When you figure he can only handle 2 ounces at a time without retching, that would amount to 16 feedings per day! While a treasure in its' own right, we long for the day when we no longer have to use it. He's been fed overnight for 19 months now.

The Distracted Listener

Ever tried to hold the interest of a two year old? Watch as Matthew's wandering little mind turns into raptured attention towards Auntie Kim's necklace.

Andrea's Closet

My Mom contacted me about this organization in Arizona called Andrea's Closet. Andrea was a sweet little girl who lost her battle with Leukemia. Her parents have attempted to fill the hole left in their lives by starting an organization which provides free toys to sick children in the hospital. Watch this video and tell me if this isn't one of the sweetest, most Christian things you have ever seen! A note to those of you wearing mascara: I'm sorry.

Reading Time

Matthew loves to grab a book, carry it over, and crawl into our lap. Only a child could be so demanding and endearing at the same time!

Got Food?

Here is an updated video depicting Matthew's oral aversion. Our feeding specialists have suggested several techniques to lower his resistance. In this video, Terri tries to distract Matthew with an empty Coffee Mate bottle. I promise we weren't torturing him. He wasn't in his seat for long and began to whimper immediately upon seeing the baby spoon come out. For us, this is Matthew's most frustrating challenge.

Have you ever been this tired?

Lately, Matthew has been protesting bedtime. Terri says he stands up in his crib and cries until he falls asleep. Now that's fortitude!

Terri & Mike on the Radio

Terri and I were featured on a local radio program today. The topic was the problems Nevada is facing with health care. If you are interested in hearing the broadcast, CLICK HERE.

Swimming with Uncle Keith

Uncle Keith & Auntie Gabrielle couldn't wait to get Matthew in the pool with the snazzy life vest they got him for his birthday! This was his first time in a pool. He was pretty good, he wasn't too excited, but he didn't freak out either. The whole experience lasted about 8 minutes.

Happy 231st Birthday America!

Before we run off to visit with friends & family, I wanted to post this picture of Terri & Matthew holding Old Glory. I went to the National Archives site and read the Declaration of Independence to Matthew this morning (don't be too impressed he didn't pay much attention). There is nothing like fronting out the King by listing the 27 specific "injuries" he committed against the colonists to justify "dissolving" the "political connection" with Great Britain.

The Lawn Chair

This weekend we went camping in Beaver, UT. Grandma Wright got this little elephant chair for Matthew. Here he is lounging while watching his favorite show, Baby Einstein. I know you can't really call this camping so maybe I should just say we were relaxing in Beaver.

Our Sunday Drive

On Sunday Grandma & Grandpa Wright joined us for a Sunday drive outside of Beaver, UT. Matthew loved having Terri and his Grandma on either side of his car seat. He held on for a couple hours but eventually gave in to the rhythm of the road and fell asleep.

Wild Flowers

While on our Sunday drive, I took this picture of the wild flowers growing along the side of the road.