A Day at the Zoo

A few weeks ago when we were in California we visited the Oakland Zoo. Matthew was fascinated with this giant frog statue.

The Scholar

The only thing more fun than toys & kid's books are someone else's toys & books. When we were in California, Matthew sat at Ali Hazelwood's table and looked through all of her books (and played with her kitchen set).

An Eating Update

One of our favorite family shows to watch is the Food Network's "Ace of Cakes". A couple weeks ago we were inspired to make a cake with fondant after watching an episode. In between the two layers we added crushed Oreos. We handed a couple cookies to Matthew and were pleasantly surprised when he ate them! In reality, he sucked on them until they were gooey and then managed to smear the remains all over his face.

The Final Product

By the way, here is a picture of the final product.

A Day at the Park

This is Boone Acres Park. It is located across the street from the house where I grew up in San Ramon, CA. It was a thrill to go back there and play with my own son. I'm sure it brought back memories for Grandma Sue as well.

Avoiding the Paparazzi

Even though we were hundreds of miles from home, that didn't stop the paparazzi from hounding our little "Goo-Man". The use of his movie star glasses did not fool the photographers. As good natured as he is, you can tell that Matthew holds some resentment for all the attention.

Faster than a Speeding Bullet!

I don't know who enjoys these "Superman" pajamas more; Terri & me or Matthew.

Fun at the Water Park

Terri & I took Matthew to a local water park last weekend. We all ran, splashed, and laughed the afternoon away.

Born to be Wild!

Though not quite tall enough to straddle the seat, Matthew likes to day dream of long drives on the open road whenever he's on his bicycle.

The Puddle Jumper

Puddles are like windows into a child's soul and, thus, they are given a toddler's undivided attention. Matthew runs to a puddle like ferrous metal to a magnet. Copious hand and feet splashes are followed by giggles & laughter. it is infectious.

The Virtuoso

Matthew paid a visit to Grandma Wright's house yesterday. I have a source inside who reports that these pictures represent the only time he sat down all day. Grandma Wright says she may be biased, but it sounded like the sweetest concerto she had ever heard. Then he stood up as if to scream, "Great balls of fire!"

"All Aboard!"

When Matthew gets fixated on a toy, look out! The other day he decided to be Thomas' conductor. They had an arduous route that steamed through the family room, kitchen, hall way, and into Matthew's room.

The Food Tease

This is the kind of thing that could make Terri file a grievance for "unfair labor practices"! Here, Matthew is taunting his Mommy by placing a Biter Biscuit in his mouth but not actually eating it.

The Injustice of Bedtime

Few nights go by without an epic battle come bedtime. Matthew could be walking around the house wimpering with his eyes half shut, but, put him in his crib and "It's on!" Terri took these classic shots while Matthew was expressing disatifaction with his current level of parental service. Notice the foot on the railing and the stuffed animal body-count.

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.

Terror at the Hair Salon!

First of all, let me say, I was not strangling Matthew in his salon chair. Ok, now that you have hung up the phone with Child Protective Services, we can get on with the slide show. Last night Terri was getting her hair done at Tammy's. Matthew thought he was just there to say hi to Mommy while she had those funny papers on her head. But when we put him in the chair, he had flash backs of the monthly RSV shots. In the words of my nephew, Daniel, there was nothing we could do to please him. Matthew cried the entire time Tammy cut his hair. Afterwards, however, we posed with her for this picture. By the way, Terri looked too funny to be in any photos.

The Water Park at Dusk

This week Terri & Matthew went to visit our friends Ken & Diane Rose (and their three boys). They all went to a nearby park at dusk (since that is the only part of a summer day that is tolerable in the desert). You may have to squint to see the pictures but Matthew had fun on the slide and in the water. Kenny was a fine fill-in for me while I was working.

Happy Father's Day

Here is a slide show of nearly every picture of Matthew & me set to Creed's "With Arms Wide Open". The writer, Scott Stapp, wrote this song the day he found out he was going to be a daddy. I think he captures the feeling exactly. Terri took 95% of these pictures and she did such a great job. It may, at times, seem like the pictures go by fast but I couldn't decide which ones to edit out.

Medicaid "buy in" bill failed to pass the Senate

I found out this morning, Senate bill 59 ~ the Medicaid "buy in" bill we were fighting for, is dead.

This bill would have allowed families of medically fragile children to "buy into" Medicaid.
To pay for Medicaid on a sliding scale, based on income.

As my sister said, "It's terribly disappointing."

We were so hopeful.
I really thought we had enlightened our Senators w/ my testimony and Mike's testimony.

The Fashion Show

Here is a montage of all the little outfits Matthew received for his birthday. Some of these poses look like we clipped them from a catalog. Thank you again to everyone for your generous gifts to Matthew.