Family Pictures and Thanksgiving

We're very thankful for the Little Man! Little??

Also very thankful for IU... but not very thankful they are having a hard go in the

basketball dept.

So very thankful for Grandpa Matis-- his generousity, advice, and optimism.


So very thankful Brooke and Jason moved home for NYC.

Thankful for cousin Willie! We were able to go out with him in Broad Ripple... man, is he fun!

I looked up thanksgiving...fourth Thursday in November in the United States; second Monday in October in Canada; commemorates a feast held in 1621 by the Pilgrims... also... grace: a short prayer of thanks before a meal; "their youngest son said grace"

Aunt Katie came home from LeHigh University for Thanksgiving.

Big Joey teaching LJ how to play Casino. LJ's Great Grandpa Joe used to play Casino with Daddy Joey (is that too confusing?). LJ knows there will be many trips to Vegas in the near future. This is only the first of many card games he needs to learn.

You know that saying, "...pulling out my hair..." HAHA!

We are very thankful for Great Grandma Matis.

Uncle Mikey!!!!

Happy Birthday Willie!

Big Joey's first cousin, Willie Matis, turns 21 this week!

Willie is a sophomore at Wabash College. The entire family is going to Vegas... yes, the entire family- like 15 people. Joey and I aren't going to because it conflicts with work, babysitting, and it takes a lot of money!! We are soooooooooooo sad to not be able to go. Willie has been awesome with Little Joey- he's always offering to watch him and even stay through the night so we could get some sleep. We can't wait to celebrate with Willie when he comes home for Thanksgiving- Broad Ripple, beer bongs... here we come!!

Meanwhile, I'm putting money on black via Mikey Matis.

Like mother, like son??

We always get the comment, "Wow, LJ looks so much like his dad!"After I took this pic, I thought to myself, "Hmmmm... LJ looks an awful lot like Mommy!" HA! Seriously though, he's a great combination, but he definitely has Joey's disposition- laidback, content and happy!

Quick update:

Work is going well for both Joey and I. I recently posted Joey's new work website. He mainly deals with individual financial planning and corporate retirement plans at Merrill Lynch. He definitely has a knack for what he does. He continually impresses me every day with his ideas and strategies.

I have been working at a few offices about 2-3 days a week, and I'm loving it!! I work usually 5-7 hours/ day, which is great! Being a dental hygienist has been such a blessing. I have the ability to pick my days and hours, which is such a luxury when you have a baby.

Joey and I are currently looking at buying a few acres of land to eventually build on. We are still in the process, however, we feel we have found the lot of our dreams. I'll be sure to update you and post pics as soon as we find out.

It's hard to believe the holidays are quickly coming. We look forward to our many get togethers with family. Joey's Grandma Mary Matis is 87 years young, still driving, playing cards and attending her bowling leagues. A recent heart pacemaker surgery has slightly put these activities on hold, however, she'll be kickin' it again here soon. Joey's other Grandma, Ruby, lives in Arizona. We can't wait to visit her some day soon!

Well, we're a little stuck on what to get LJ for Christmas... since he's only going to be 7 months and wrapping paper alone entertains him the most, do we stick to putting money aside for him or is simply being together a present?? As you know times are tough, maybe we should start thinking a little more about giving to those less fortunate than worrying about spending that certain amount on relatives. I know the food pantries around here are awfully low. We're thinking about adopting a family for Christmas or volunteering at a shelter. If you have any special ideas, please send them our way. Around our household this year, it's definitely going to be about finding a new way to give... isn't that what it's all about????

Sloanie, Bologna!

Here's another example. EVERYONE thinks Sloanie and Jason look exactly alike, however, Brooke and Sloane's baby pictures are identical!! Once I can scan a newborn pic of Brooke, I'll be sure to post it. In the mean time, isn't she beautiful??!

Sloanie and Joey are still getting used to each other. The problem is Sloanie is around little kiddies all week at daycare, so her interacting skills are pretty good. Since LJ is couped up with myself or one of the Grandma's during the week, he gets a little tense when Sloanie goes to touch him. I don't want LJ growing up being sensitive. Sloanie, get your beautiful bootzer over to our house and play!!

Family Pic

Just wanted to post a family pic.

Can you believe it's November already?? LJ will be 6 months next week. He's already eating 3 meals a day, in beginning stages of crawling, sitting up, and saying "Mommy, I love you!" Just kidding... I wish.

The joy of buying baby equipment...

As you may have noticed, Lj is not the smallest of the bunch weighing in at about 22 lbs around 5 1/2 months old. Our car seat holds a 25 lb baby max, and this is the car seat that was "supposed" to last his entire first year of life. Well, it's not going to work out that way for us. We need to buy the next stage for a car seat, which will last till he's about 90 lbs or 8 years old... and yes, a child needs to be in a car seat until their 8 years old... amazing how times have changed huh? I remember being around 4 years old riding backwards in the trunk of my mom's old brown station wagon playing with my Barbie dolls and Pound Puppies. So the next stage for a car seat is called a convertible car seat, which eventually ends up just being the booster seat. To the left is the $200 some dollar car seat we need to buy.

So, let's say I drop LJ off at Grandma's and Joey picks him up... we are supposed to carry this GINORMOUS thing around with us with everywhere we go WITH 23 plus lbs of baby in it... HAHAHHAHAAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHAHAHAHHAHHAHHAHAHAHA!!!! So Babies R Us got smart and created a carrier. Good thinking huh??? YAH right... you will not find me carting this camping equipment looking thing around with me to drop off my son...HAHAHHAAHHAHA. I just can't see myself sporting this carrier... you have got to be kidding me!

So, I think it might be worth it to buy 2 car seats... one for each car.... really though??

Halloween with the Dale Family

We were so lucky to spend Halloween at the Dale's house with Eric, Adrienne and baby David Walker Dale (almost 3 weeks old). Eric and Joey went to high school together at Roncalli, where they played basketball together. Adrienne is originally from Michigan, but moved here once they got married a few years ago. They have become some of our closest friends, but sadly they are moving back to Michigan next week and we are really.... REALLY... really going to miss them. They had baby David 3 weeks ago, and he came a bit early weighing in at about 4 lbs. He was able to come home a little over a week later since he was eating so well!! He's a miracle baby!! Joey and I have never seen anything like him. We keep talking about how little his heart must be and all of his organs. LJ and him are only a little over 5 months apart and look how much different in size they are. A baby is truly such a miracle.