Happy Halloween!

Weekend Warriors

John (red shorts) and Mike trying to make a play
Matthaios had a great time with his girlfriend Eva on the sidelines
"WOW! Have you guys seen what a great kickball player my dad is?"
Foti's first time playing kickball
Mike and Karen with their game faces on


Our friend John formed a new club called 'Weekend Warriors' and this Sunday was the first get-together. Every month a group of friends get together and play a fun sport, such as kickball which was this month's activity. Eveyone who plays is asked to make a donation to whichever charity we are supporting that month. It's a great chance to get together with friends, be active, and support a great cause. We had a gorgeous day and a great afternoon of kickball!

Sleepyhead

"Good Morning Everyone! Matty cakes here. I finally figured that if I roll over in my crib and go back to sleep, I am more comfortable and I sleep longer! Mom was a little nervous about me sleeping on my belly, but I told her I am a strong boy and not to worry. Now, I sleep the whole night without waking up sometimes at 4 in the morning to eat. The last 3 nights I slept from 7 pm to at least 5:15, sometimes 6! My Mom and Dad are very excited about this. I think I was making them a little bit nuts! Heehee... Anyway I have a big day planned- we are going to the park to play kickball with our friends. I am not sure if I'll play since I have that old football injury, I might just watch from the sidelines. This evening, my Aunt Martha and Uncle Serdar are coming over for a visit at my house. I can't wait! Martha was in Europe for 3 weeks and she is finally back- YAY! I am also keeping my fingers crossed that we will be able to watch the Steeler game at 4 pm. Happy Sunday and don't forget to turn back your clocks!"

On This Day...

...five years ago, I married my soulmate. Call me whatever you will, but I am more in love with this guy now than I ever thought I could be. He is my rock, my inspiration, and my best friend. I know it was fate that put us together- how else could I end up with such an incredible partner? He finishes my sentences and knows what I am thinking even before I say it. He laughs at my dumb jokes and puts up with my occasional craziness. He grounds me and brings me back to earth when I need it. He knows when I need a little extra care and cooks me a mean Osso Bucco. He has taught me so much about life and the world and in return is open to my knowledge. I don't know what I ever did with myself before he came along! Oh yeah, and he had a little something to do with making us a family. I love you more than you could ever imagine Fotaki mu!

Our Trip to Tennessee

Last Thursday, the three of us drove to Jonesborough, Tennessee to see our friends Rey, Amy, Madeleine, and Sebastian. They were our first friends when we moved to Miami and about 2 years later they moved to Tennessee. The leaves were all changing and the weather was cool and crisp. What a nice change to experience a bit of fall!

Three sleepy heads in their pajamas!
On their back deck overlooking some beautiful trees
It's sweater weather!
Rey, Fotis, and Matty hanging out while we did a little shopping
The County Courthouse
Fotis, Matty, and Maddy
Another view of the courthouse
We all went to a Pumpkin Decorating party at Rey and Amy's friends' home
Amy, me, and the munchkin
Madeleine with her friends
The cutest little pumpkin around!
Sebby with his new friend Matthaios or "Ma-fay-os" as he liked to call him


We had a great time! On Saturday, Rey and Amy held a poker tournament at their home. Of course, yours truly was the first one out! Fotis hung in there until the very end, winning the tournament and insulting Rey by beating him in his own house! On Sunday, we went to their friends home for a kids pumpkin party. Matt had a great time watching all the kids run around. Later that night, we all went back to Amy and Rey's for an authentic Spanish Paella Party. The food was incredible! We had a great weekend with our friends and will definately be back again next year!

Here We Go Steelers!

My Steel town boys pulled off an awesome win last night, beating the Kansas City Chiefs by a whopping 45-7. Big Ben is back in the game!

Breakfast Time

Cool Slideshows

Matt enjoyed a yummy breakfast of bananas and oatmeal this morning. He especially likes to try to feed himself- it' going to take a bit more practice, though. Most of his food ends up in his hair, face, and all over his high chair!

My Little Pumpkin

Matt's Aunt Martha bought him this cute little Halloween outfit, complete with pumpkin hat. I wanted him to wear it a few times since next year he will be too big to fit into it! I think he looks so yummy.

The boy had his tests done today and he is just fine- no urinary reflux! He was such a trooper through the day, even when they put the catheter in his little manhood and infused the dye. The only time he cried was when we had to swaddle him to keep him still for the xrays. After, he was his usually smiley, happy babe babbling away to everyone. Abuelita Marisol came with us for support- we are so lucky to have her! She sang him songs in Spanish and gave him tons of latin lovin'! He (and his exhausted Momma) took an awesome 3 hour nap later in the afternoon. Whew! What a day!

Bubble Bath Goatee

"Hey everyone, since I am big boy now- Mom got me this cool bath ring so I can get cleaned up in the big tub. I like sitting up and watching all my toys floating around in the water. I also like leaning over (while my dad is watching carefully) and sticking my face in the bubbles. I squeal and splash around!"

More 'Burgh Pics

I had a blast at my Grammy PJ's and Pappy Bruce's house. There was lots of things to do there.
Pap-how do you start this thing? This red button right here?
This is cool-just call me Easy Baby Rider. Don't worry Mom, we'll get a helmet once we start it.
We picked some posies for the ladies . . . except for the ones that I tried to eat . . . Sorry.

Mr. "Rollover" Matthaios

I had a busy day today. I was practicing my rollover technique for Gram and Pap. And guess what? As you can see, I did it!
Grammy-did you get that shot? Mom and Dad will be so proud of me.
Yes, I am very pleased with myself today. Can you tell?

Doctor Visit

Matthaios had his 6 month check up and follow up of his UTI today. She said everything looks great but she wants him to have an ultrasound of his kidneys and 'voiding urethrocystogram' to make sure he doesn't have reflux. She said 6 month old babies shouldn't get UTI's so she wants to rule out any problem with his urinary system. Hopefully, he had a UTI because he got a little poo around his manhood, but we'll have to wait and see! We are going to take him in about 2 weeks for the tests. On a happier note, he now weighs 17 pounds, 10 ounces (50th percentile) and is 26 inches long (40th percentile). She said he can start eating real food 3 times a day now instead of 2. He did great with his shots, only crying for a few minutes then he was his normal happy self. Oh yeah, and he also gave me my first bloody, fat lip while we were waiting. He was flipping his head around while I was holding him and BAM! Right into my lip. Ouch. When we got home, he ate, took some motrin and off to la-la land he went!

My 6 Month Old

Today, my baby boy turns 6 months old! Where did the time go? It seemed like just yesterday he was this 6 pound little creature who only slept, cried, ate and pooped. Now he babbles constantly, sits up, is almost rolling over, laughs, eats anything you give him, sits in his high chair and is so busy with looking at everything that he hardly naps. The past 6 months have been the most rewarding, incredible, phenomenal and yes, exhausting months of our lives. What did we ever do without him?

Mike & Kristin's Wedding

My cousin Mike and his incredibly gorgeous wife Kristin sent me the link for their wedding photos. They were married 2 weeks ago in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. I can't believe Little Mikey is all grown up! He is the closest I've come to having a brother- we spent tons of time together when we were kids. Check out the photos here. Congratulations Mike and Kristin- we wish we could have been there to share such a beautiful day with you.

Chillin' At the 'Tot Lot'

"Hey folks, Matthaios here. My Grammy PJ and Pappy Bruce came to visit me on Friday. We are having so much fun! They took me for a walk in my stroller, we went to the playground and we had lunch on Lincoln Road. I am one lucky little dude to have such awesome people as my family! Anyway, it's time to go- I hear Mom running my bath. Later gators!"