Mateo Fernando: A day of many firsts

Today was a day of many firsts for Mateo. We went to church this morning to the 9 o'clock service and sat in the very back of the gym so that Mateo could stay with us and not disrupt too much. During the sermon, Jose took him out to the hallway for a few minutes, and then returned without Mateo! "Where is he? Who has him?" I asked. "He's fine. He's eating sugar," Jose replied. Well, Thuy Compas had seen Jose with Mateo and said, "You go to the service. I'll watch him for a little bit," and she fed Mateo cinnamon coffeecake. When it was time for the singing, Mateo came back in and sang along with all the songs. At one point, we were sure he was shouting "Hosanna" from Daddy's shoulders.

First coffeecake, first time with Thuy, first time singing along during the worship service.

After church, we went to Grandma and Grandpa Olsen's house. Mateo played with "Little People" and megablocks with his grandpa and cousin Emma. Grandpa gave Mateo a fish keychain to play with, of course, preparing Mateo for this summer's trips to the cabin. We ate lunch together and had cupcakes for dessert in celebration of Mateo's 11 month birthday. The neighbors, MaryAnn Ponec and Pat and Becky Arts, who we've known since Jaimie was little, stopped by to meet Mateo, and Mateo took a short nap with Mommy in the basement bedroom.

First time at Grandpa and Grandma Olsen's house, first time playing with Little People and Megablocks, first "fish," first time Emma held Mateo alone, first cupcakes, first visit from the Olsen's neighbors.

When Mateo woke up from his kittynap, we went to Emma's final basketball game of the season at the YMCA on 76th & Maple. Mateo loved watching the girls play ball and was really into the game. Emma made one basket and we all cheered for her (Aunt Jaimie is so proud of her neice for being such a good athlete!), Mateo also crawled his way to the middle of the basketball court at halftime.

First basketball game, first time watching Emma play sports. A day of many firsts.