A few of our favorite things...

Matthew really loves books. He's become very interested in interacting with this book (called "Where is baby's belly button?") lately. That belly button is in there somewhere...
My own "Tickle Me Elmo"
Not only does he love having books read to him, but he also enjoys getting them off the shelf all by himself.
And if I haven't mentioned it before Matthew can really throw a ball... far! Everyone who meets him seems suprised at his throwing ability. He chucked this koosh ball my way this morning. "Think fast, Mom!"

21 months and finally WALKING!!

Well when we brought Matthew home in July at 14months, his only mode of transportation was what I call "barrell-rolling." He didn't like to spend any time on his tummy, and holding his head up was hard work if only for a few seconds. Five months later, on Dec. 10th, we saw him take his first steps. Throughout December, he seemed to be coming along really well with walking. But all of a sudden, he stopped for most of January and went back to crawling. Last Saturday he really got interested in walking again (thanks to a few Cheerios that Tim and I made available). This week he has been all about walking. He stands up wherever he can (he's been trying, w/o success yet, to stand up in the middle of rooms now too!) And so far, the independant streak has not set in - he mostly uses his walking to chase us down and hug our knees! What a cutie!! He turned 21 months today officially! Here is a video from this morning...

I know that 21 months (or 19 months for the December date) is pretty late for starting to walk, but in just a bit over 6 months we've seen him go from a mostly immobile little guy to a walker!! It has been so fun to not only be "Ma-ma" & "Da-di," but also to be his cheerleaders as he continues to make progress! Matthew is such a joy to us! We love this little boy so much and we thank God very often for the precious gift of a son!!

Splish, Splash - First trip to the pool!!

I have been SO excited to take Matthew swimming!!! Tim and I enjoy many water activies like swimming, skiing, snorkeling, canoeing and the list goes on. In light of that, we want to do everything we can to make sure Matthew is comfortable and safe in water. The rec center we've joined has a great play area for kids. Matthew had so much fun playing in the water. He kept trying to grab on to these "bars" of water to steady himself while standing in the shifting water.(Click on arrow to play video)

So much to do and see! Daddy kept dunking me in the water and I loved it! (not over my head yet... but maybe one day)
A trip down the little slide - wee! We also took Matthew in a big pool, but forgot to take photos of that. He loved to be held out on his belly in the water and kick. He would've played all day, but when he started to quiver we knew pool time was over. He fell asleep about 3 minutes into the car ride home and took a good loooonng nap after that!

Feeding Myself... Well, TRYING

Well, we are finally all better around here. The other day (before fixing Matthew's hair for the day) I took some photos of him spooning out his cereal all by himself. The light-colored mess just doesn't show up well in the photos, but before it was over cereal was everywhere including in his hair. He does most everything with the right hand and the left hand. He'll be turning 21 months in just a few days, and we still have no idea which will be his stronger hand.
Oops! Dropped the spoon!
Never knew eating could be so fun!!

Poor Sick Little guy & other Miscellaneous Photos

Our usually smiley little guy has been fighting croup this week. I've finally experienced the "joy" of being up with a sick child most of the night ... letting him sleep on me in the reliner, steam baths, and sitting outside in the middle of winter to help the cough. Even though it's pretty exhausting to have a sick little one clinging to you nearly every second of the day and night - it truly is a privilege to be here for him and to love him. (I can say that with real enthusiasm now especially since wonderful Tim took the night shift last night and I finally got more rest! Seriously though...) We love this little guy SO MUCH, we're just doing whatever we can to help him feel better.

Not long after he arrived home he was introduced to the good ole' nebulizer (picked up a virus on the plane ride home, we think.) He had one other cold in November that seemed to go straight to the lungs and another one over Christmas which required the nebulizer again. Now he's so familiar with it, he'll even hold it himself if I let him (although I'm usually glad to sit with him). His favorite part, of course, is watching a video while he takes his medicine.

A special book... I made up a little rhyming storybook to share with Matthew how he came to be part of our family. The printed version arrived just before Christmas and we were so exicted to see the finished project. Matthew really enjoys all the pictures now (he loves to point out Beau and family members - especially his cousin Jagger!). When he's older I hope he'll appreicate the words that tell his story.Such fun to play with Daddy's winter gear!

Cheese!!

Marat meets Turat - a new Kyrgyz friend!!

About a year ago, I met my first online friend on the webboard that our adoption agency had set up (which has unfortuntatly been discontinued due to international adoption regulations). I truly belive that God arranged this opportunity to "meet" Kim who not only lives near by but also was in the program to adopt a little boy from Kyrgyzstan. It has been a HUGE blessing to not only know someone to share this adoption experience with, but also to become friends with such wonderful people! We were able to get together and share stories twice before Tim and I went to bring Matthew home. And I think we got together at least 2 more times before they brought their son home. We have so much fun whenever we're with Cain, Kim, Alisha, and Megan!! This photo was taken in October of 2007 - just 2 1/2 months before they travelled to pick up their son. Last Sunday morning (1/13/08) we were SO EXCITED to be at the airport to welcome Kim and Cain home - and especially to meet their precious son Turat Andrew.
Andrew's big sisters couldn't wait to love on their new little brother!
Their first family photo all together!
Most of you know that Matthew's given name was Marat... well, we couldn't help but laugh when we found out that their son's given name was Turat! Matthew is 11 months older than Andrew, but I hope that won't make a difference in their friendship. How special to have a friend from his birthland! Here is a picture of the four of us with our little "Kyrgyz Wonders!" We thank God for bringing them all home safely and for the opportunity to share the joys of adoption with friends who live so close!!

Lehr Christmas

Phew! Still catching up on some Christmas photos that I wanted to share with you.

For Matthew's first Christmas, we decided to start a new tradition. Everyone receives one present on Christmas eve and each year it will be the same thing...

New Pajamas!! It was fun to include Mom and Dad Lehr in our pj party!

Lehr Christmas' are all day affairs full of grattitude for our Savior's birth, eating, gifts, playing, photos and fun. I don't think we'd have it any other way.
A break from the action inside ... Matthew's first sled ride!
All bundled up and ready for some fun!! (Matthew and 3 of his cousins)
Special gifts from Aunt Nancy & Uncle Dave!
A full quiver of grandchildren!
Well, that's it (finally) for my Christmas posts. We will treasure the memories of this first Christmas with our son forever, I'm sure. I hope you had a wonderful time celebrating Jesus' birth with family and friends. May you grow to know Him more and may God bless each of you in 2008!