2011 Christmas Update

Every year seems to go by so fast, yet this last year seems to have literally flown by at cyber speed!  Everyone warned us that having a baby makes the years go by so fast, we believed them but didn't realize how fast, fast was!

Dr. Matt continues to work at Elizabethtown College in the English dept and overseeing student teachers in secondary education. He also serves on multiple committees as well as attending and presenting at conferences throughout the year. Annually he attends and has presented at NCTE. In 2011 Wyatt and I went along and had some fun in Chicago. We hope to continue this tradition as a family. Fingers crossed they pick some warmer climates in the next years, as it is always in November.

After maternity leave ended in February 2011, I (Rebekah) returned to the hospital in a new unit and new position. After 10 years of working full time as a nurse I am thrilled to be a full time mom and a part time RN. I work 2- 12 hr night shifts/week in the Medical Intermediate Care Unit (MIMCU).  Matt is so wonderful caring for Wyatt while I work and when I get home so I can sleep. Thankfully on the rare occasion when Matt's wonderful schedule doesn't allow for him to be home I have a great friend who cares for Wyatt.

Matt continues to play guitar at our church, though I have taken a break singing with the group to focus on my lil' worshiper who loves to watch his daddy play but seems enthralled by the drums. I (Rebekah) have been tinkering around with sewing and quilting since last spring with a dear friend. Right around my birthday I got my own sewing machine so I am able to work on projects during nap time (if I'm not taking a nap) or after Wyatt goes to bed. I have made 2 baby quilts, a handful of pillowcases, and for my nieces and nephew - Christmas stockings. It's has been truly enjoyable to take fabric and turn it into something special.

I (Rebekah) am thoroughly enjoying motherhood (though I haven't taken time to do much blogging about it). I love being a mom, though it can be very exhausting at times; every smile, laugh, happy dance, kiss, etc is so worth it! I am so happy to be Wyatt's mom!

Wyatt is a seasoned traveller!

Christmas Eve 2010 Wyatt had his first acting debut as baby Jesus at our church. The next day, at 2 months old he took his first flight. We flew to Kansas on Dec 25, 2010 and surprised our extended family. In March 2011, he flew to Florida to dip his feet in the Atlantic Ocean and to his Florida Gp Lynn, Gm Roch, Uncle Steve, and Aunts Lindsey and Lauren. In May he was a pro as he flew back to Kansas for some summer fun, but with a cold front we only had 2 days of normal Kansas summer heat! In November on our trip to Chicago we realized that this would be our last trip with Wyatt flying free on our laps- he wants to move! We have 3 more flights planned before Wyatt is 2, but trying to keep him entertained on our laps is no longer an option!

Wyatt is learning all the time!

In the last year Wyatt has gone from protesting tummy time, to rolling over, to crawling, to now walking and almost running! He loves to talk- he knows what fish, dogs, cats, cows, birds, and sheep say. He also says and understands mama, daddy, mimi (grandma), thank you, eat, yes, no, night night, and speaks his own language all the time. He knows how to sign- eat, more, dog, bird, mama, dada, grandma, and we are learning even more together!  He loves to give kisses, hugs, and dances to any type of music, even the sound of my sewing machine! He hasn't met any food he didn't like and is enjoying learning to feed himself. It is so much fun to watch him learn and grow everyday!

We have had a blast parenting Wyatt and learning more and more about ourselves as parents and spouses. It hasn't always been easy being so far away from family and raising a baby; but we are learning about our own strengths and weaknesses in this process.

At this time of the year when we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we look back on this year with thanksgiving for our son, our health, jobs, home, and hope.

Taken at Macy's Walnut Room under The Great Tree in Chicago Nov 2011 during Matt's NCTE conference

Matt, Rebekah, & Wyatt