Showered again!

My friend, Amy, offered to host a shower for Matthew inviting many of my good friends from high school. It was a special evening together with long-time friends,

and we were so blessed with many thougthful gifts. A photo with Amy and her daughter Allie.
A fun & thougthful gift from fellow Wolverine fan, Ally. Yes, it seems that according to his Daddy, Matthew may not have a choice about what college team to root for.
Tim brought in the guest of honor before the evening was done.
This is definitely one of my favorite photos now, we're just missing Christy & Lewis!

How time flies... weren't we just posing together like this with diplomas in our hands?

August 7th... Matthew is 15 months old!

Ok, so there are a million things I've wanted to post on the blog lately, but things are happening so fast, I'm finding it difficult to make time to log on and do it! So here are a few photos of how Matthew looked when we started our life together and how he looks at 15 months...

Here is Matthew on July 11th, just 2 days after we welcomed him into our lives.

Matthew, on Aug.7th, looking a bit more filled out with some good ole' fashioned baby fat!

Now much stronger...

And able to do a "belly crawl" even!
Yep, life IS good!! Matthew loves to spend time in his exersaucer, which has been so good for developing leg strength.

Here's your sign!

Since words are coming slower than gestures, we have been working on a few sign language motions. I was so excited when Matthew made his first sign this past Friday. This is his version of the sign for "more" and he's using it correctly during meal times. Our little guy loves to eat, so I guess this is not a suprising first sign.

He can also do the sign for the word "eat" and our own made up gesture for "all done." We're practicing the sign for "drink" too. Aside from sign language, he's caught on to lots of other hand motions like clapping, shaking, waving (sometimes with help) and,of course everyone loves giving high fives!

I think he learns something new every day, whether its a new gesture or a game we play. We just keep thanking God for Matthew! Having him here, sharing our life and love with him is the most wonderful blessing!

Four-footed Siblings & Cousins

The day after our long flight home, Tim went over to pick up our dog Beau and bring him home to meet Matthew. Let's just say that the first meeting was less than pleasant for little Matthew. But... on a happier note, immediately after this picture was taken Tim took Beau out for a little play time in the backyard. Matthew & I watched from inside the house and he giggled and waved his arms each time as Beau retrieved the ball after Tim threw it. They are getting along quite well now, and I'm so grateful! Tim comforts Matthew after Beau got close enough to sniff (or maybe eat) his toes.

Cousins! Jagger & Matthew playing together for the first time!
Uncle Dave, Aunt Callie, and Jagger brought Matthew some fun and beautiful new toys after their recent trip to Italy - our favorite of which is a small wooden train with cars that spell out M-A-T-T-H-E-W. It was so fun to spend the evening with them!

Matthew is now sitting pretty well on his own. It's been just 3 weeks and 4 days since we picked Matthew up from the orphanage, and we have noticed tremendous improvements in his muscle tone and strength. He is growing and changing so quickly, and we are just loving every minute of our time with him. We count him to be one of the most special blessings we've ever been given and we thank God for him frequently. Oh, we just LOOOOOVVVE this little guy!

Meeting Family - Grand & Great!

In the 3 weeks since we've been home, Matthew has got to meet all of his grandparents and great-grandparents except for Great-grandma Erler. (Hopefully we'll be able to make a trip to MI to see her along with his cousins, aunts, and uncles there soon!) Grandma & Grandpa McKenzie met him for the first time at the airport with a tearful and happy greeting, and they were able to come over a few days later for pictures. Matthew gets to see his Grandma McKenzie pretty frequently and he really likes to play with her - Oh, and watch out! He has a quick arm and he loves glasses!!

Matthew had a lot of fun playing with his Grandpa McKenzie on the floor. He especially liked moving to the music of grandpa's cell phone. Grandpa McKenzie also bought Matthew his first baseball mit.

Grandma Lehr had tears in her eyes the first time she got to hold little Matthew. It was a special moment.

Grandpa Lehr seems to be especially good at getting smiles out of his new grandson! Matthew really enjoyed spending time with him during their first visit.

Great-grandpa Kozich was the first person to hold Matthew (while he was awake) and he was so excited to welcome his new great-grandson to the USA and, of course, play with him. Great-grandma Kozich just loves his small hands and feet.

And finally, Matthew got to meet his great-grandma McKenzie. He liked to roll the ball back and forth to his great-grandma, and he especially like's chewing on the handmade fabric kitty that she gave him.