Growing In Many Ways

I can't believe it has been six months since Matthew was born!! He is now up on all fours trying to crawl! I'm going to have my hands full once he gets mobile. He now has 2 bottom teeth and can eat like there is no tomorrow. He is such a happy baby and LOVES his big sister. He lights up any time she walks into the room. Of course Lauren thinks he is a big baby doll and just has to help change his diapers and clothes and bring him his blankie. She loves to get in his crib with him and turn his mobile on. I usually have more help than I need but it is so much fun!!

They are both doing great at "school". Matthew is just as happy as he can be (especially since it seems like he gets most of the attention). Lauren is learning new things everyday. Most importantly she is learning of the love of Jesus Christ! She is coming home and talking about how Jesus died for us but he is still alive and naming the Fruits of the Spirit! I love Faith Preschool Academy! I love that while I am away from my children they are still learning biblical truths and hearing the gospel.

Things are changing at church as well. Steve has now joined the orchestra (playing tuba of course) and will be joining their class on Sunday mornings and I get to go to my class with all the people I love to be around. Lauren is signed up for AWANA this year on Wednesday nights so I get to join choir since Steve will be in orchestra practice. Lauren will also be singing in Lil KidzPraise on Sunday nights. She is so excited and cant wait to sing on the stage. For now Matthew is just along for the ride, but he will participating before we know it. I LOVE our church and the staff I get to work with everyday. I feel that I have grown so much being around all these wonderful Godly people and I am so grateful that my children get to grow up at Trinity!

Matthew James Beitz

I am finally here!! I arrived 10 days early due to mommy getting a stomach virus that put her into labor. She arrived at the hospital around 3:30 pm on Valentine's Day and the doctor decided that she needed to stay since she was in very early labor. She was finally moved to a labor room and given an epidural,which never worked on the right side of her body (I really started to be a little pain). By 4:30 am she was really struggling with the pain and they came in to try to help her as best they could. By the time the dr decided to redo the epidural, it was too late. I was on my way into the world. Mommy started pushing around 6 am and I was born at 7:03 am. I weighed 6lbs. and 6 oz. and was 20 inches long. Since mommy spiked a fever of 103 while laboring with me I had to go to the nursery for some antibiotics after a quick cuddle. I was fine but the dr. just wanted to make sure. I have my first dr appointment on March 1 with Dr. Lacy. I will be very upset when I have to get my shots but mommy will cuddle with me and make it all better. My first week home has been pretty good. My daddy makes my bottles and my mommy feeds me while we snuggle together. I have a great big sister, Lauren, that always wants to help with all my needs. So far life is good!! I will keep you updated as I continue to grow.

Love,
Matthew

Exciting Times

I am so excited that we have decided on a name for our little boy, Matthew James. We are getting closer to the due date and I'm getting a little nervous. We still have not put his nursery together and are waiting until after the hoildays to get everything done. This is starting to stress me a little. I know we will get it finished, but just the thought of waiting is killing me. I know it will be easier once all the Christmas decorations are down though. We have decided to go with Buttons bedding by Cocalo and design a nursery around it.

I am really excited about Christmas this year. Lauren has a pink tree and her own ornaments in her room and loves to turn it it on every night. We were out of town for Thanksgiving and the weekend after, so we are still working on getting our tree, mantle, outdoor wreaths and lights, etc. put up. I'm moving a little slower this year being pregnant and all. Lauren is loving looking at the lights that the neighbors have up, so that means we get to do something like that to our house. I am hoping the lighted wreath and garland on the porch will suffice this year. :) Lauren also has an Elf on the Shelf that sits in her room to watch over her and report back to Santa. It seems to be working pretty well. She has also seen commercials and keeps telling me what she wants for Christmas. It's kinda funny since she wants everything she sees. We will see what Santa brings her and what she actually decides to play with.

I want to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and not to get caught up in everything and to remember the real reason we celebrate. Jesus was the first Christmas gift and should always be first in our lives.