HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!

Besides his Dinosaur pop-up book that his Great Mimi gave him for his b-day, Matthew's newest favorite book is "Twas The Night Before Christmas". He has Matt and I reading it nearly five times a day!

RICE: YUMMY!

Declan was officially given "clearance" for solid foods!! Yippee!! We are starting him off on rice and will go from there.

O CHRISTMAS TREE!

We got our Christmas Tree today at Sullivan's. We started purchasing our tree at this location last year and will probably keep it as a nice little Lee family tradition. The trees are nice and not incredibly over-priced; however, the reason we'll keep going back is because they have a GREAT train set-up for the boys.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

We traveled to Pittsburgh for Thanksgiving this year. Aunt D came down from Chicago and made the 6 hour trip back with us.

4 YEARS AND COUNTING

Today Matt and I celebrated 4 years of marriage!! It's hard to comprehend that so much time has passed (and so many changes in our lives have commenced), but all in all, we both agree that these 4 years have been an unbelievable start to a lifelong journey!

THE NEWEST DECADE

Matt turned thirty last week and let me tell you, he started off this newest decade in his life with a bang!

TRICK-OR-TREAT SMELL MY FEET!

Believe it or not, Matthew's first REAL time going from house to house trick-or-treating was this year! Needless to say, he had an absolute blast!

PHOTO AND BLOG UPDATE!!!

Okay, so I know I've been talking about getting new photos and blogs up for a LONG time! Well, I'm actually following through with my promise ... Check out all the new photos and blogs posted and the brand new slide show below!! ENJOY!!

HALLOWEEN PARTY

We had our first annual Halloween Party this past Saturday and let me tell you, it was a complete blast! The kids had a great time and the parents enjoyed every minute of the football watching-beer drinking-pulled pork eating good time!

ANNUAL PUMPKIN PATCH VISIT

To Russell Farms we go!!

DECLAN'S BAPTISM

Our little guy was -- as Matt says -- saved yesterday! Yes, amongst our families and our 2 loving godmothers, Aunt D and Aunt Maureen, Declan was baptized! He was an absolute angel throughout the ceremony.

AUNT JACQ AND UNCLE LUKE'S WEDDING

It was a glorious October day for Aunt Jacq and Uncle Luke's wedding!! Jacqueline, of course, was stunning!! Her dress really stood out and caused many to lose their breath -- particularly Luke!

MATTHEW'S B-DAY

Happy Birthday Buddy!! Today Matthew turned 3!!! Holy Cow ... its amazing how fast time flies!

RELIVING ADOLESCENCE: IDLE WILD PARK

I've been TERRIBLE with keeping up with this blog the last few weeks!! Needless to say, our lives have become quite busy! With Matthew's school, Declan's schedule, our mini-marathon training, traveling, birthdays and my sister's upcoming wedding, ordinary life - with all its perks of relaxation and boredome - has completely escaped us!

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

Today was a momentous occasion for Matthew (and one for me too). Matthew will be attending Geist Christian's Child's Day Out program 2 days a week and today was his first official day. The school is only a block away from our house, so luckily for us, we can walk to and from school VERY easily!

BOY TIME

This past weekend I headed up to Chicago to celebrate my sister's bachelorette weekend while Matt stayed home with Matthew and Declan. Though Matt has spent time alone w/ both the boys, its never been for 2 1/2 whole days! Needless to say, my hubby was thrown into the deep end of the pool ... and did a FANTASTIC job of holding it all together :)

MORE "FIRSTS"

Since his arrival, Declan has had a lot of firsts when it comes to introductions. Well, this weekend he met his Aunt Jackie, Uncle Gerry, Uncle Luke, Great Nanna and Great Pampa, his Great Aunts and Uncles and second cousins for the first time. It was a nice weekend for the introduction (except for the fact that Matthew was missing - he stayed at home with his Grandma, Pop Pop, Aunt Maureen and cousin Brynn).

THE PARENTS

Although this blog was established to keep everyone updated on Matthew and Declan, today I'll update you on Matt and I :)

DECLAN'S 6 WEEK CHECK-UP

Declan saw Dr. Mazurek today for his 6 week check-up. He sure is a GROWING boy. At 13 lbs. and 24 inches, he's off the charts in height and 97% in weight!! According to the scale, he is the size of an average 3 month old! I think its safe to say that he's inherited his daddy's growth pattern :)

PEE PEE IN THE POTT-AY

It's been a long time waiting, but yes folks, that's right ... potty training has begun!

THE CRAZY MONTH

Its been awhile since my last post, so as you can imagine ... things have begun to get crazy here in the Lee household! My sister-in-law Maureen and nephews Jackson and Ben came to visit us last week! It was so great to see all of them and introduce them to Declan. Jack and Ben were absolutely adorable with him! They were hugging and comforting him and wanting to hold him a bunch! I think they're ready for a baby brother or sister (Ger - I think we increased Maureen's "baby itch" a bit more).

ON OUR OWN

As of this past Sunday, Matt and I were officially on our own for the first time with our two fantastic boys. I'm not going ot lie ... it's pretty difficult to transition into a daily routine!

RECOVERING

It has been 11 days since our precious Declan arrived! Who can believe it? Its true that time really does fly by (even though sleep deprivation is extremely prevalent)!

INTRODUCING ...

Declan Gerard Lee

9 lbs. 2 oz.

21.5 inches long

CHECK OUT UPDATED SLIDESHOW BELOW!

YANKEE DOODLE SWEATHEART

Who would have guessed that our newest little one would be a July baby? Well, unless he/she gets a move-on today ... July it will be!

DEADLINE DAY

Today will bring a tad sense of relief in this prolonged pregnancy of mine. I go into the doctors for a nonstress test and ultrasound to make sure the baby is still doing okay. If all is well, I'll get to schedule my induction date!!

"MOUTHING" OFF

For the past couple of days Matthew has been saying something that -- until today -- I couldn't quite figure out. The simple 2-word phrase, which he only says when he either drops something or can't seem to find what he's looking for, didn't really make sense to me at first. "Oh sit!" he says with extreme conviction.

COAXING - THE MEXICAN WAY

Well, as you've probably guessed ... I'm still pregnant. Thus far I've tried many household remedies for inducing labor: jumping up and down, mopping, weeding, vaccuming, walking, etc. Since none of these have worked, we're taking DESPERATE measures tonight: Mexican Cuisine.

MONDAY BLUES

Well, I went to the doctors today with high hopes, but left with the Monday blues :( There has been no progress w/ the baby in regards to labor ... I'm still 3 cm. dialated. Of course, the possibility of going into full on labor any time is quite large, but seeing as though I've had no signs of labor, I'm guessing it's still a ways away!!

FATHER'S DAY

It is Father's Day and Ashley refuses to give me my gift (a new baby). Sometimes she really has a hard time sharing. I can see where Matthew gets that from. Anyway Matthew and Ashley have given me an exceptional fathers day. Although it would be better if I had two children. Hope to have news for all of you soon.

FINAL WEEK

This is officially my LAST week of pregnancy!! Holy cow, I never thought I'd get this far in my pregnancy ... seeing as though I'm as large as a boat! However, here I am. 39 weeks pregnant, uncomfortable, tired, unable to breath through my nose and completely ecstatic for our newest arrival!!