Happy 4th of July

Today was one of many of the 1st's for Dylan as we celebrated the 4th of July. Although the festivities were not that fancy, we did do some traditional things such as eat hot dogs and go see a fireworks show.

Baby Dylan - 14 wks old today

Dylan has started to play with his toys and boy, he gets to laughing so hard. It's the funniest thing ever. His hand/eye coordination is really apparent these days. He is reaching , slapping and grabbing anything in his near sight. Cracks us up!!!

Gastroesophageal Reflux aka GER, Huh???

Well, after long weeks of continuous bottle feeds that seem to be painful to Dylan, we finally have an answer to his problem, Gastroesophageal Reflux AKA (GER). Today he had an Upper GI done at the hospital to determine his prognoses. He hadn't really been spitting up after feeding, but he had been crying during his bottle feeds and waking up restless and in pain at night. So far we have learned that his condition makes him regurgitate the contents of his stomach — including ouchy digestive acids — into his esophagus, irritating its sensitive lining and giving him a nasty case of heartburn. It happens because the valvelike band of muscle that joins the stomach to the esophagus is still immature, allowing backflow of fluids. Until that muscle tones up, we are keeping his head slightly elevated during and after his feedings. Our pediatrician prescribed medication for him as well. Hopefully soon this will all clear up.

Baby Dylan - 13 wks old today

Our lil' squirt. Today he started showing special attention to his caterpillar "Charlie". He slobbered all over him for a good 15 mins or so. It never fails to amaze me how he can stop in the middle of whatever he is doing to look at my camera for a quick photo. Its like, "Okay, Mommy, take it, I'm ready"!!!

"Poppee" Earl Howard Fontenot - 1917-2007

Goodbye to you, our dearest friend,

One day, we all shall see you again.

Our world hasn't been the same,

Since the day the angels came.

You are probably sitting on a star,

But we love you, wherever you are.

Our times with you are long past,

The old saying is true, fun never lasts.

Know that in our memories, you're still alive

Until our days, in heaven, when we all arrive.

You're in the hearts of all you touched,

Poppee, will always love you very much.

Cha ... Cha ... Cha ... Changes

From Birth to 12 Weeks, here is Dylan's faces of changes in order from top left to bottom right.

Baby Dylan - 12 wks old today

Twelve weeks old. Today is the first day we started calculating his age in months. A milestone. Dylan is starting to love his toys. He can make a rattle produce a sound. He is learning how to engage more in play by himself. Although sometimes he becomes very frustrated when he can't seem to get his hand/eye coordination to do what he wants, then he begins this really fussy cry. Its too cute!

Happy Fathers Day!

Congratulations! You're a Dad!

What joy life has in store!

From now on, you'll be counted on

For wisdom, love, and more!

You'll find your baby grows so fast,

And time just slips away,

So treasure every moment with him

Each and every day!

Matt, Happy First Fathers Day, I love you both!!!

Greetings from across the pond (Aberdeen, Scotland)

This has been a long week for me. It started out last Friday as I left to go to Cairo, Egypt for business meetings. That was definitely an experience for me as it was my first time there. You really do need to take for granted what we have back in the states. We had a few minutes to spare after our meetings and were able take a quick tour by the pyramids. We were not able to get inside, but just seeing them from the outside was good enough. We then headed to Aberdeen, Scotland which was our second destination for this business trip. The temperature change went from about 100 F & dry in Cairo to the 50's F & wet in Aberdeen. Yesterday after our meetings, we took a short ride into the country side to visit an old whiskey distillery. It was neat to see how many steps are involved in making a single bottle. Upon leaving the distillery, we could look out over the hillside and see the North Sea. Our taxi driver said that we were approximately 15 miles from where we were at the time.

Anyways, I'm sitting at the airport in Aberdeen, Scotland waiting on a flight to Paris, France. Then we head to Houston, Texas. From there I'm flying to New Orleans, Louisiana in order to meet up with Sheree' and Dylan who I can't wait to see.

Baby Dylan - 11 wks old today

It's so hard for me to believe, this time last year I wasn't even pregnant with Dylan yet, and now he is our every day focus. We wouldn't have it any other way. He is such a miracle to us. Such a beautiful angel that has blessed our home.

Baby Dylan - 10 wks old today

Here is our little "Ladies Man"! Just think, one day all the girls will be chasing after him. He is very much a ham. Matt and I have noticed he totally stares at the camera when we are about to snap a shot. Its just like," okay, here I am take it". Cracks us up. I am just glad that at this present time is his "Mommy's Man"! LOL

Baby Dylan - 9 wks old today

9 weeks today, hard to believe. Yesterday was Dylan's 2 month well baby check-up. He did really good with the four shots the nurse had to give him. He now weighs 10lbs and 11 ounces, and is 22 inches long. I noticed he is starting to get a few red high-lites to his hair. I think he is just the cutest baby around!

Happy Memorial Day!

We would like to send out wishes to thank the brave men and women of the Armed Forces, and remember those who have lost their lives defending liberty.

Have a safe and happy Memorial Day!

It's Party Time - Baby Dylan Style

Here is our son posing for the camera. I think he has learned when we are taking pictures of him. He could be mad and screaming, yet he quiets down for a picture.

He is getting so big day by day. Sheree' and I cannot be happier that he is in our lives.

Baby Dylan - 8 wks old today

Dylan is even more alert now, and really taking in everything around himself. It's wild, we have noticed he has began to smile or coo as a way to communicate his preferences and emotions. He is also responding to familiar voices and sounds and lots of other fun developmental skills. Here are a few skills he has mastered (in detail-LOL)......

He can recognize our voices and has special reactions he gives us (versus strangers).

He responds to loud sounds by becoming completely silent, crying, or acting startled.

He is make the sweetest cooing sounds.

He just loves to repeat "ooh" and "aah."

He moves his head or eyes toward the sound of our voices.

He raises his chest and head using his arms for support while lying on his stomach.

He is constantly rolling over.

And last but not least......

He now becomes very focused on very small objects and he follows (or "tracks") objects with his eyes as his eye muscles continue to develop.

I have been reading up on the subject of family genes. So far I have learned that, sometimes a gene contributed from one parent is expressed more strongly in their children than the same gene contributed from the other parent. Its pretty neat. Although researchers can't yet pin point what traits are passed on from which parent, they have learned that 100,000 genes are thought to be required for the development of a full grown adult from a single cell. So soon we will know. But to me it's fun to guess. I think that Dylan has Matt's mouth, ears, and face shape. His eyes and nose, maybe hairline too, come from me. What do you think? :)

Baby Dylan - 7 wks old today

My smiling sweetie turned 7 wks old today. Boy, I can't believe how big he is getting. Just the other week or so we tried to put him in the chest carrier and he wouldn't fit. Now he fits perfectly, he's such a little man.

My Very First Mother's Day

Today is a really special day for me. My very first Mother's day. We have had a a very wonderful weekend so far. Yesterday we went to the beach in Galveston, and today started out with a Matt and Dylan waking me up with Starbucks coffee and a dozen red roses. I love being a mother, God has blessed me with a beautiful family.

2007 Art Car Parade - Houston, Texas

On our way back from Galveston this past weekend, we went to the 20th annual Houston Art Car parade. This was a very unique parade and we thoroughly enjoyed it. To see pictures of the cars (over 200 vehicles) click here: http://www.mattandree.com/galleries/2007%20Art%20Car%20Parade/album/index.html

Baby Dylan - 6 wks old today

My cute little baby, who sometimes is known as "Mr.Fussy Pants", is 6 weeks old today. He is a really great baby. It is so funny, he has started laughing, giggling, and chuckling in his sleep. He will be in a very deep sleep then all the sudden he becomes tickled about something and puts on the biggest toothless grin you have ever seen. He has been doing the smiling bit since birth, but the whole laughing part is hysterical. After he laughs and smiles, he wakes up and gives you the look like, why did you wake me up, not realizing that he is waking himself up. It will really crack you up!!!