Matney and her baby

How cute is this? Matney is loving on her babydoll. She had her all wrapped up and was patting her on the back, rocking her and giving her kisses. Matney is going to be such a good big sister!

Oh my WORDS!

Ha! She wanted these bows in her hair.

Oh my WORD...and words and words and words... do we have a big girl in our house. In the past week or two, despite being sick, Matney's vocabulary has taken off. She runs around the house pointing at things wanting you to tell her what they are and then she tries to say it. This morning she went from a rocking chair, to chairs in the patio set, to her baby chair saying "chair, chair, chair", as if she finally gets that all of them are chairs and she can say the word. I don't think that we could even begin to count the number of words that she knows now.

I took her to the grocery store this weekend and it was like taking a little person instead of a baby. I asked her before I left, "Matney, do you want to go to the store with Mommy?". And she said "yea" (we'll have to work on yes, mam or sir!). We talked the whole time we were gone. She answers all the yes/no questions we ask her and it is wonderful having that ability to communicate. She gets so frustrated when we can't figure out what she's trying to say, it is so helpful that she can answer our questions now. And I LOVE that we're learning more about her.

And it is the sweetest thing...she is singing! So far she's sung some of the words along with us to Twinkle, Twinkle, Rubber Duckie and a Rock the Baby song that she and my mom made up. It is the CUTEST sound.

Jared and I laughed so much at her this weekend and we know it will never be quiet around here again...and we couldn't be more excited!!!

Faces

Here are some of HK's fun faces!

Big Girl in the Bumbo

These 2 are Matney at the end of June 2008. Bless her heart, she couldn't even hold that head up straight!

Matney saw the Bumbo seat (usually for tiny babies!) and had to sit in it. I didn't think she'd fit but I was wrong. She thinks it is great and has spent much time in it reading this week. She's grown so much in a year!

Notice the blur of her feet. She's a wild child always moving!

How a Mama gets things done

Here is the sccret...hold one (she's hidden but in my arms) while rocking the other with a foot. Works every time!

YOU could BE THE MATCH that saves a life

Yep, that is right. YOU could Be The Match that saves a life. Please consider signing up to be a bone marrow donor. Signing up is easy and, until the Be The Match Marrowthon ends June 22nd, free. Check out the details at www.marrow.org

It just takes a cheek swab to join the registry. You click on "join now" and fill out the requested information (takes about 15 minutes). No promotional code is necessary, it will show a $0 balance when you are done. 3,000 people A DAY search the registry for a match. 70% needing a transplant have to go outside their family to find a match. There is a list of FAQs and facts/myths to the right that will answer any of your questions.

Jared and I thank God every day that we, our girls and our extended families are healthy...but we know that could change any moment. We have both signed up to be a donors. We pray that if we're ever in a situation to need this that someone else will have signed up for us. And we know that there are other moms and dads who are sick, or have kids who are sick. The chance to provide them a chance at another birthday, another hug, another memory is well worth anything we have to give.

Just consider it...

Bath time!

Halle Kate LOVES her bath! And Matney was sweet enough to share her pink rubber duckie with her sister. They are going to be such good friends!

Look who is getting a belly!

Just hanging out in my tub.

Halle Kate LOVES her bath! And Matney was sweet enough to share her pink rubber duckie with her sister. They are going to be such good friends!

Pancakes!

I took Matney to her 15 month dr appt last Friday and assume that is where she picked up the nasty bug that has made her sick since the weekend. Ugh. A baby and a sick

almost baby. Good times! This morning she was up before 6am and acting pitiful. Mom and I loaded the girls in the car just before 8am and took them to the park. Matney perked up QUICKLY and ran around for almost an hour. When we got home we made pancakes. I'd been tearing them into pieces but wanted to see what Matney would do with an entire pancake. Why would I doubt my big girl?!?! She chomped right into that pancake and at it all...and was VERY proud of herself for doing so! Such a sweet girl. Now, please get well!

Pictures from Patti and Picnik

Is this not the best??? Our friend Patti brought dinner over last week and "made" these pictures out of photos from the blog using Picnik. I was just telling mom that morning that I have got to figure out how to use that program. I LOVE these. So sweet! Thanks Patti!!! If you look to the right side of the picture above all of her birth stats are there too. How neat!

Sisters!

Halle was laying on a blanket this morning, just kicking away, when Matney realized she was on the ground. Of course Matney had to be right in the middle of the action! She got down next to Halle (with Dog nearby!) and held her hand. So sweet!

After a minute Matney wasn't wanting to be gentle anymore!