I'm Your Man!

Earlier this week, immediately after story time, some of the mothers of my friends came up to Daddy and I and asked if I'd like to join their playgroup. After learning that the group consists mostly of girls and that they need another boy, I did not hesitate, somehow speaking and putting my first words together in what I think is an English accent: "I would be delighted to join your playgroup." (It's going to be a few years before I can talk like that again). I had to speak up because I wasn't sure that Daddy would say yes. C'mon- these girls need me! So what if it's mainly because I'm a boy? I'm certainly willing, particularly under these circumstances, to be that "guy." From what I understand, opportunities like this don't present themselves often in a male's lifetime.

Today I attend my first playgroup. Mommy got me all shined up last night and now I'm ready to go. Clean diaper? Check. Tic-Tacs? Check. Smooth operating moves? Check and check.

Have a great weekend!

What Does A Matthew Say?

There are many things people try to teach you when you're a baby. Most things are just "cute" tricks, while others appear necessary to learn in order to be a successful member of society. One such learning objective deemed important in my house is the ability to duplicate animal noises. To be honest, I'm not really catching on yet and I'm a little nervous about it. Mommy and Daddy are constantly drilling me, asking, "What does a pig say?" or "What does Onyx say? He says, 'woof!'" We even work on these sounds at story time. Once, everyone at story time thought I was saying a duck sound. They were very impressed. Little did they know that I was simply trying to push some gas out of my system, making a sound that I guess resembles that of a duck quacking. If you don't think the importance of learning animal sounds are stressed in today's youth, then just take a look at all my animal stuff: books, puzzles, stuffed animals, etc. My parents even got me a black Labrador retriever for goodness sakes.

I've been lost with this whole thing and searching for a way out. That's when I found an enlightening book. It's a book that opened a new world for me that doesn't place such emphasis on animal sounds. In fact, it's about Old MacDonald and his farm animals, who apparently are attempting to escape their stereotypical animal sound shadows. The book is called, Old MacDonald had a Woodshop. Instead of teaching animal noises, the book explores a wide variety of noises that tools make. For now, it is my rebellious escape.

Regardless, if I'm going to make it to the top I guess I'm eventually going to have to learn my animal sounds. I can see it now: my first interview for school or a job. The interviewer will say or ask, "Tell me a little about yourself," and, "If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and why?" Satisfied with my answers thus far, he or she then asks, "What does a cow say?" That's when I draw a blank. Finally, after what seems like an eternity of silence, I respond, "How big am I? Soooo big!"

Pots and Pans

I cannot even begin to describe how much fun that was.

Sleep Study

Naps are awesome. They make me feel good. I'm much easier to put down for a nap these days. Typically, I get in my crib, put my butt up in the air, and close my eyes and wait to fall asleep. Sometimes, however, my body is not yet ready to sleep. I may be tired but not sleepy. That's when I decide to play. I like to pull up in my crib, bite my blanket, or wrestle around with Tiger, my stuffed lion. If I'm not feeling sleepy at all, you may hear me babbling, yelling "Da!" or reaching for and knocking the thermometer/barometer off the wall. Eventually, I do get sleepy and fall asleep. Where in the crib I fall asleep and my final position depends on my last get sleepy activity. Finally, Mommy or Daddy, I'm assuming, come in and place me in a proper sleeping position in the middle of the crib. Otherwise, I may wake up on top of my blanket, in the fetal position, and with my head crammed in the corner of the opposite side of the crib. I wake up cranky when this happens.

The following video was taken during my morning nap yesterday. I was tired and so I didn't do anything too silly. It took me about six minutes to fall asleep. The video has been edited and the second half is in double-speed because you should have better things to do than watch a baby attempt to fall asleep for six whole minutes. So put your night vision goggles on, grab some popcorn, and enjoy the show.

Speaking of sleep, I need some more. I didn't sleep very well last night as I kept waking up. Mommy and Daddy must have slept great because I didn't see them coming in to check on me. I may have a cold or a tooth coming in. I'll just take a good nap this morning and feel better when I wake up. Look at me- I'm exhausted:

Good-nap.

Shooting Star

Last night I presented an award at the Grammy's for 'Best Spoken Word Album For Children.' I made a very silly entrance by playing a little peek-a-boo with the audience. Here it is in case you fell asleep while watching:

I had a very fun weekend. It was negative 12 degrees when I woke up Saturday morning. Needless to say, I didn't go outside. Cousin Sarah came and we entertained each other. We're pretty much on the same level and so we both had a blast. She brought me an awesome turtle that lights up and projects stars and the moon on the ceiling. My room also has a shooting star: me. Now I get to fall asleep underneath some constellations. All I need is a cricket and a fire pit and I'm practically camping.

By the way, I'm aware that my videos do not always work. There's not much I can do about it because the problem is not on my end. All I know is that "they" on the other end are trying to figure out what's wrong. I suspect it's the millions of fans that view my blog every day that's clogging up the Internet. If only Al Gore would take some time to invent Internet 2.0, we wouldn't have this problem. My Gramp, unbeknownst to me, is apparently some computer whiz guy now and he figured out that if the video doesn't work you can click on the posting in the blog archive (somewhere to your left). Then the video should work. If not then try again later.

Look at the picture below. Don't I look very mature today? I think so. I woke up like that. I'm amazing in my sleep.