Happy Three Months Old!!

Hard to believe that it's been three months already. Wow how time flies. Thought you'd all like a few comparison pictures....

Hello Again Mt. Rainier

I was driving out of the neighborhood today and saw the moutain for the first time in several days (it's been a bit cloudy). It really is quite a sight. I told Scott that I hope we never take for granted the beauty around us here. I've included some pics, but obviously they don't come anywhere near to the real thing. It's so frustrating to see a great sight here and not be able to capture it in it's fullness. Oh well, for now you'll have to settle for this...

Thank You to Those Who Serve

Thought I'd post a few cute pictures from our week. Things seem to be settling into a routine here. We still have to hang some pictures, but now are days are mostly filled with taking care of Matthew and the normal household stuff. We went and did a "take #2" for Matthew's announcement pictures down at the pier earlier this week. The picture of the three of us below was taken by a young man who is on leave visiting his parents from North Carolina. He is a Marine MP. We really enjoyed meeting him and hearing his stories about his recent deployments to several places overseas.

Then, yesterday Scott took Matthew downtown for an early morning walk so I could shower and have some time to myself (what a great hubby!!). We met for breakfast and then went for a walk. We met a man who is in town for a surprise birthday party for one of his friends that he served with in Vietnam (he hasn't seen him in 35 years). He was a helicopter door gunner that provided escorts for supply boats in the Mekong Delta. One day the boats were attacked and this man we met jumped into the water from his helicopter to save one of the soldiers. The soldier was in the water, covered in oil, and being badly burned, after his boat exploded. What incredible stories he had! So even though it's not Memorial Day or Fourth of July, and no matter your feelings about Iraq, or what your political views are, these men and women deserve our thanks. They are willing to put their lives on the line for our freedom and safety. (Ok, I'm getting off of the soapbox now).

Mr. Matthew continues to do well. He started some medication this week for reflux and appears to be much happier. He has really great head control, so we're starting to put him in his exersaucer for a few minutes a time every day. The cats are also liking the exersaucer (as well as all of the other baby toys). Personally, I think it's definitely for someone who has ADD.

Well, that's all for now. We're heading back to Michigan in September for Matthew's baptism, so hopefully we'll get a chance to visit with some of our friends.

Take care.

Cheryl, Scott and Matthew

Breakfast with the Jellyfish and Birds

What a great start to the day! Scott, Matthew and I had breakfast on the pier downtown this morning. It was fairly early in the morning so the water was very still and there were very few people around. Lots of jellyfish in the water and birds getting a morning snack though. The pier is pretty crowded on the weekends with all kinds of boats and people fishing and crabbing, so it's nice to be able to take the stroller enjoy the scenery without the crowd. What a treat! It's times like these, that I'm glad that we chose Gig Harbor, over Tacoma or Puyallup. I think I am truly becoming a Gig Harbor snob. I really don't like to cross the bridge now unless I have to.


It's been a lot of fun exploring new places here on the peninsula. We went to Sunrise Beach the other day. We had to park about a half a mile from the beach and walk across this big field to get there. Well, we got there just at dusk and the field was full of deer- very tame deer. They would let you get within 5-6 feet. I found two baby deer hiding in a patch of bushes as we were walking down to the beach.






We're almost completely moved in now. Mount "Box"more was demolished this week. All we really have left to do is hang some pictures and rearrange the furniture in the living room now that the boxes are gone. It sure feels good to have everything just about done.

Matthew continues to do well. He definitely likes being out and about. It has really been great that he enjoys going to the store, out to eat, etc... We're very lucky. He had a difficult time with his morning nap the other day. Every time he fell asleep, I'd put him in his crib and he'd be up again in 10 minutes. The last time, I had someone from St. Vincent DePaul here to collect some items for charity. He was asleep, so I put him in his crib. I helped her load her car and then came back into the house. I fully expected to hear him crying since it had been about 10 minutes or so, but nothing. So I went to check on him and found this......

Evidently, he didn't want to sleep alone. And for those of you in the NICU/neonatal world, I only put him on his belly during the day when I'm able to check on him frequently. We definitely do "Back to Sleep" at night. It's one of the "I'll never's" that I've broken.

Well that all for now. Hope all is well with everyone and you're enjoying the last days of summer.

Cheryl, Scott, Matthew, Caesar and Cleo

Quick Update

Just wanted to drop a quick line on the blog while Cheryl gets Matthew ready for bed. Kim, Jessica and Jasmine LaMar dropped in for a quick visit over the weekend. We had a good trip to Seattle and Matthew traveled and went sightseeing like a champ!

Matthew's cousins Jack and Charlie were born on August 2 in Savannah and mom and babies are doing well! They are spending some time in the NICU gaining weight and have charmed their parents and grandparents!! We are all very excited for Don and Julie!

I thought I would put up a funny photo for y'all- Guess what Matthew is doing here?!

Take care and have a great day!!
-Scott