The Mattei Family

I want to ride my bicycle

2010-09-14T13:53:00.000-07:00

Emile had his first time on a bike last weekend, and did really well. We went all the way to Audubon and back and he only whinned a little because he kept trying to fall asleep, but couldn't. I think this kid has a cycling future ahead of him yet. As long as he doesn't burn out by the time he makes 5. He's pulling up on everything now and shuffling sideways from object to object. He keeps me on my toes and always discovers the next thing I need to babyproof. We moved into the new house, and have a great park across the street to play in...life is good.

Serenity Now Serenity Now!!!

2010-08-18T14:44:00.000-07:00

I think Emile must have a timer inside of him that goes off everyday around 4:30 and keeps going off until bedtime. Is there such a thing as colic for a 9 month old? Well, other than some whinnyness, we've been well. Gearing up to move, so the house is a maze of boxes. Can't wait to move to the newer bigger digs! I'm sure Emile feels the same.

The Teething Diaries

2010-07-19T05:26:00.000-07:00

Poor Dude! Finally has those bottom two teeth through, and now he has to contend with both top ones at the same time. Atleast he's getting them all out of the way now. He's been using everything as a chew toy, including my shoulder (which is not okay). He's started to make some funny faces, which I think make his gums feel better. I'm trying to capture some in a photo, but it's hard to catch. He's also started scooting on his butt around the house and crawling backwards. He's been getting stuck under the couch and pack and play, so leaving him alone is a thing of the past.

Tennessee Visit

2010-04-28T10:34:00.000-07:00

Emile finally went on his first road trip up to Tennessee to visit his cousins and Auntee and Uncle. He did pretty well considering it was his first time. Only slight ear shattering screaming. We enjoyed ourselves in the middle of nowhere and should go more often! We had forgotten what it was like to have a yard, no crime, and live above sea level. We had a good visit with plenty of awesome food from Chef Jamie!

2010-03-25T08:12:00.001-07:00

Emile eating cereal

Emile and cousin Caleb

Emile cheering on Daddy at the Rock and Roll Marathon

Jami-when we come to visit, you're gunna have to seriously help me figure out how to set my template cute like yours. I can't figure it out! Anyway, here are some pics. I've been slacking, but promise to do more photo sessions! Update-he's eating cereal, grabbing the spoon (I'll have to get pics of that, but it's hard when he slings the cereal into my face!), rolling around, and scooting. He's also started this thing where he tries to make sound, but spits instead. Already 4 months!

Ready for Spring!

2010-03-09T09:58:00.001-08:00

Another rainy day here in New Orleans. Emile and I are ready for spring to sprung. We've ordered our jogging stroller and are ready to take on the levee with full force! This weekend is the Saint Patrick's Day parade, so we're sure to have some good times!

They grow up so fast!

2010-03-02T11:46:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted in forever, mainly because I've been busy with my now 3 month old, Emile! Time really does fly. I'm kinda sad he's so big already. I long for the days when he was only 9 pounds...He's sitting on my lap as I write this, and I am feeling the weight! Ok, here's pics...

some photos

2009-10-20T04:34:00.000-07:00

Come onnnnnn baby!

2009-10-18T12:51:00.001-07:00

When is this baby gunna come out!? I'm readddy!!! Poppy, come out come out come out! I've been doing my walking, and bouncing on my birthing ball, and eating spicy food. I'm ready I'm ready. geez. 36 weeks and counting. I guess I'm impatient, but I'm ready to see Poppy and to see if it's a boy or girl and what he/ she looks like! The nursery is ready, I'm packing my bag, I've frozen some foods for dinner, I cleaned the refrigerator, cleaned the floors, did the laundry. I still need my car back, but other than that, I'm ready! Soooo, Poppy come on out!
PS, can someone help me with this thing, why is the text never lined up?

31 weeks and counting...

2009-09-13T06:59:00.000-07:00

The past few weeks have held much excitement! We got a visit from the cousins, Sophie and Remy, and the aunts and uncles Colin, Erica, and Jami. Even auntie Sarah came into town. Poppy was thrown an awesome shower and was spoiled with alot of loot. It was nice to see everyone before Poppy makes his/her entrance. Now, with only 9 weeks to go, we're down to the home stretch. We can't wait to see Poppy (and cousin Lulu)! These weeks are going to fly by. Time to get serious on all the preparations! Although, I think we're pretty close: car seat: check, stroller: check, crib: check, clothes: check.

In Poppy's room with Poppy.

Friendly testing out the baby sling, he likes it!

Remy and Sophie love Yo Gabba Gabba.

More Nursery Pics

2009-07-19T06:01:00.000-07:00

We already rearanged Poppy's room to try to make more space. I'd like to add a mural of a tree above the crib in a green or brown (we'll see when that'll happen!). We went to our ultrasound this past week, and it was awesome to see Poppy rolling around in there! I'll have to scan the image to get it on here. I included an unflattering picture of my bump!

Nursery Pics

2009-07-05T16:15:00.000-07:00

These pictures always come out of order! I don't know why, but anyways, here is the nursery in progress. I didn't have enough patience to wash the crib sheets and bumpers, and I just finished painting the crib today, so I hope that paint is good and dry! (I think it is). We've got 4 months still, so I figure that's plenty of time to get some wash done. Erich painted the walls yellow, they look alot more yellower in these pics. He's been such a great helper! I couldn't get half this stuff done without him, especially since I've gotten increasingly lazy since my belly has been getting bigger. The dresser we found at a thrift store for $25! It matches a bunch of other furniture we have, so it worked out great. And the crib was free, we just spend some money on the paint. Mom gave us the bumper pads and sheets. So, it's all coming together! The hardest part was figuring out where everything was going to go. I think we did a pretty good job so far, there's still stuff that needs to move around, but we'll work it out.
Yay! Crib is DONE!

I hope that's how you put those bumpers on, is that right?

Pic from the hallway

Dresser before I put the pulls back on...

Dresser when we first brought it home.

Belly Pics

2009-07-05T16:07:00.000-07:00

People have been asking for belly pics, so here are a few.
Our babymoon to Destin, wish we were still there!!

Up close and personal with Poppy in a swimsuit. Poppy's first trip to the beach!

Me in the nursery (under construction) before work.

The Easter Bunny Left Something in My Basket!

2009-04-17T09:49:00.001-07:00

Erich and I are expecting a bunny! Just kidding, a baby! We've nicknamed Him/Her "Poppy" because when we found out, He/She was the size of a poppy seed. This is the first ultrasound from the doctor, with one more to come (at least). The doc let us look and listen to the heartbeat, what a sight! It looked like a hummingbird's wings fluttering, it was so fast. 173 beats per minute, it must get that from Erich, it's gunna be a bike racer, just like Daddy! So far, so good! Just have some icky Night Sickness (morning sickness is a misnomer), but other than that fine! Updates to come, we're very excited!

Update

2009-02-19T14:09:00.000-08:00

Wow, I really haven't posted in forever. Update: Erich and I moved back to New Olreans (Yay!), Erich is working with Paychex as a super-master 401K expert, I'm working at Tulane Campus Architects as the "Design Project Coordinator"-fancy, I know. We're still trying to sell our beautiful house in Athens (any takers?), but we're excited about all of the festivities that New Orleans has to offer. It is currently Mardi Gras season, and there's always a party! The babies (Tipitina, Friendly, and Kitten) have all made the adjustment wonderfully, and Tipitina LOVES actually having a fenced yard to play in. Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with 14 heartworms last month and is undergoing treatment for the next 6 MONTHS! We promise her that once she is finished, we will throw a party for her and invite all of her puppy cousins over. Here's a picture....

Cool Kitchen Table

2008-09-17T13:46:00.000-07:00

I found this table online today by artist Peter Reiquam. Made from a really old bouy. Isn't it cool? And you can roll it around!

Oh what a difference a month makes!

2008-08-23T09:30:00.000-07:00

Well, a few things happened this month. Friendly decided he didn't like his face, and tried to scrath it off, so he had to get an elizabethan collar. This was one of the funniest/ sad things I've ever seen. He kept thinking if he backed up far enough, it would come off. But he usually just bumbed into a wall. He had to learn how to better menuver around doorways. Poor guy, but he's all better now!

Invasion of the body snatchers!
But he's still such a sweetie!

Also, Tipitina, Lady of the Night, got a little closer to her name's description. We discovered Soft Paws, the best invention ever! They're vinyl caps that go over claws to protect legs, arms, and whatever else tipi tries to climb up. As you can see, they come in a variety of colors....

Like PINK!!!

What a priss!

Also, Erich and I finally took a trip down to eat at the Whistle Stop Cafe, where they filmed Fried Green Tomatoes!

We're on our way!

Waiting for a table for 30 minutes!

It was good!

Painting

2008-07-20T11:02:00.000-07:00

primer on the wall

break after primer

still relaxing

blue blue blue!!!

our friend mr. goldfinch.

Green Acres

2008-07-10T07:28:00.001-07:00

I think I was meant to be on a farm, because every time I get bored I check on craigslist for farm animals. I think one pygmy goat and two chickens would be ideal. Maybe a few ginea hens and a peakock too. And possibly a dwarf deer. But that's it. I don't think that's asking for too much. I want o be one with nature, until I'm ready to go back into the airconditioned house.

They Grow Up So Fast!

2008-06-30T06:28:00.000-07:00

Well, Tipitina, Lady of the Night, has officially graduated her Doggy Obedience Class. We might be partial, but she was a definate head of her class! Ms. Andrea called her a "queen", and even suggested we get her into some Mixed-Breed-Dog Shows! I can see that blue ribbon now!

The Fence That Erich Built

2008-06-23T23:24:00.000-07:00

We recently aquired a bit of bamboo from my boss, who would have thrown it away, so we did what any frugal gardeners would do, made it into a fence to hide our junk pile! Erich did most all of the work, I did the important task of telling him, "put that there", and, "looks good!". I think it turned out great, and now it hides the back of our retaining wall, aka a big pit in which debris falls into. Erich even individually tied each piece of bamboo. What a trooper!

Slip and Slide

2008-06-11T03:56:00.000-07:00

Erich preparing the Slip and Slide
Erich's First Run on Slip and Slide
I liked the flat version better
Erich can flyy!!
We have been doing more things outside ever since it has been nice. Although, lately it's starting to reach the 100s in temp, so we don't last as long. But, to beat the heat we created our own slip and slide. We found that the one they sell at Target, just wasn't big enough, so we found some tarp and squeezed some dishwashing soap, and wala, a slip and slide! Our only mistake was that we started it on the steepest hill in our yard, resulting in a major dismount on my part, and many scrapes and bruises. However, after careful repositioning, and another sip of red stripe, all was good in the world again.

The Garden

2008-05-25T17:17:00.000-07:00

mr. lincoln is the name of this rose...
here he is again...

poppies
don't know what this one's called, but it's purdy
our first hydrangea bloom of the year
the rose bed next to Erich's corner
I had to throw this picture of Tipi in with her new springtime hat

Before
After
more of Erich's corner
Erich's corner
The garden gnomes, keepers of the fireplace

Fall in Front Yard, lots of trees=lots of leaves
Early Spring in Front Yard
The Mailbox Bed
Azaleas(?) in Side yard
Spring Time in Backyard

As the first year of home ownership has progressed, we've gotten more and more ambitious in our "garden". We have a pretty big yard for our first yard, so at first it was very intimidating, but little by little, we're starting to put our stamp on it. Here are some pictures.

More Tipi pictures

2008-05-18T16:46:00.001-07:00

Tipi in her Christmas Cheer.
Tipi fitting in with the rest of the herd.
The teeth that are usually showing.
Another toy that bit the dust.
Tipi in the Fall time.
Excited Tipi.
Tipi's first Frosty

Tipi pondering the canal.

Tipitina. Lady of the Night

2008-05-18T16:34:00.001-07:00

How could we have a blog and not mention the newest addition to the Mattei flock, Tipitina. in October of 2007, Mom and Dad coerced us to go to the Jefferson Parish Humane Society to look at dogs, never imagining we'd find anything as cute as Tipi. She was scared at first, but very soon she turned into her normal bust of energy self. They gave us her, the cat collar she had on, and not much else (oh, besides the worms, mange, and who knows what else!). They even let us take her unspayed! But don't worry, she got her nip tuck quickly. Actually the week before our anniversary. We thought it would be a good idea then to take her that week, so she'd be under their supervision for our 1st Anniversary weekend. Well, long story short, we ended up taking a drugged up dog with us to Lake Hartwell for the weekend. But, with all the vet bills and terrorizing of the cats, we still love her. Who wouldn't love that face?

The first ever picture of Tipitina, Lady of the night.
The ride home from New Orleans, notice the Saints dogtag!
Tipi's fist visit to work with me. Tiny!
I brought her bed, and her very first toy, wiener (R.I.Pieces on the floor)
Tipi in one of her rarely captured calm moments.

2008-05-14T08:47:00.000-07:00

The front of the House. Miss Della liked birds ALOT. She ahd that birdfeeder's pole hooked up to an electrical wire that would shock the squirrels if they tried to jump on it.
They used this room as the den.
We use it as the dining room.
It took forever to paint over the wood paneling, but it brightened up the room alot.
Here's Erich, His Dad, and Roger Lee, after their successful duck hunting. Whatever happened to all those birds?

Home and Office

2008-05-14T08:37:00.000-07:00

Erich and I have become home bodies and "working on the house" has become our labor of love. Here are some pictures of the house during our inspection day and a few of after. Expect many more to come, as I have discovered gardening...

2008-05-12T09:22:00.000-07:00

Erich at Pali Point (lots of bees)

Erich and I at Benihana's

The Beautiful view from our hotel balcony!

First Blog!

2008-05-12T08:44:00.000-07:00

Here is our first "Mattei Family" Blog! (Way overdue!) Please forgive the flashback pictures and info if you've seen them before! Long Story Short: Erich and I were married October 28th of 2006 in the beautiful city of New Orleans. It was a blast, and we wish we could do it all over again! We enjoyed our honeymoon in heaven on earth that is the islands of Hawaii. One day we'll go back. It was beautiful! The best part was our bike ride tour down the dormant Mount Haleakala volcano at sunrise. They have huge space telescopes ontop of the mountain because it peaks above the cloud line, and it's crystal clear views of the sky are breathtaking. Soon after, I graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Interior Design, and got a job with D.O.C. Unlimited in Athens. Erich opened his own Financial Planning office in the Michael Bros. Building in downtown Athens. I helped with the design ;) Erich's office has grown exponentially since it's opening. He currently has two agents...and growing! Erich was apart of L.E.A.D. Athens class of 2007/2008 (Leadership Education Awareness Development). It proved to be a great opportunity for him to get involved in the local community and his group helped develop a Junior Achievement program in Athens! Whew! maybe that's enough for one blog. More to come!