Today I gave Matthew his first haircut! Jeff is out of town for a couple of weeks, but I just couldn't wait until he got home. Matthew's curls were driving him nuts - and making him even hotter than the Hawaii summer is already. So, I chased him around the lanai today with his daddy's clippers and a comb. Considering I'm not a barber, I think I did a pretty good job, don't you?
Five years ago today, I met Jeff in a little bar on the Redneck Riviera. That night I asked him to be my boyfriend and changed my life forever. I never could have imagined the happiness it would bring.
Today we celebrated by having lunch at the Kahala Hotel. They have a dolphin lagoon and beautiful beachfront property. We've come a long way in five years! I'm looking forward to a hundred more...
We had the best day as a family today. Jeff had the day off after many days at work and we were ready for the time together. We hung out at home in the morning, played at the park, and I made some delicious Hawaiian-style chicken curry for dinner. 
In the afternoon, we went on a mission for Puka Dogs! My new friend, Fanny, is a part-owner of this award-winning hot dog establishment and she gave us coupons to try out first bites. I kind of wish she hadn't because they were the best hot dogs we've ever tasted! Thanks, Fanny! 
After walking off a few bites of the Puka Dogs and fresh lemonade, we had a photo shoot in the park. Of course, I was not planning such a thing or I would have changed out of my oil-stained, dirty shirt and put on some lipstick. We had a great time and Matthew was all smiles!
Matthew and I are Papa-free for the next couple of days - and we're making the most of our time together. We're doing all the things that Papa doesn't let us do like, well, there's nothing that Papa doesn't let us do. But we're having fun, that's the point. We're going to the pool, wearing bowls on our heads, and generally revelling in our mama-baby time. 
These are pictures from yesterday at the playground. I just love Matthew in his muscle shirt. So sweet. He had a great time walking in his new shoes. He's really getting around these days. Every time I see him take a few steps, I feel like my heart's going to explode. I couldn't be prouder of him.
Matthew had a good time at the pool today, but he is unbelieveably fussy most of the time. I hoped that more daytime sleep and more feedings would solve the problem, but things seem to only be getting worse. I hope that it's teething. I pray that he's developing a cold or something. Maybe it's separation anxiety that he'll outgrow in a couple of months. Anything, really, to explain the fussiness. Otherwise, it's just his personality and that's going to be very hard to swallow. 
Matthew loves watermelon, but this was his first time eating it attached to the rind. It was a wonderful idea, and Jeff wins Father-of-the-Year for that. It kept him entertained for over an hour. Obviously, Matthew wanted to give Jeff a big thank you for treating him like the big boy that he is. So...earlier tonight while Jeff and Matthew where playing at the park, Matthew took his first unassisted steps. Wait, did you read that right? I said, FIRST STEPS! Where was I? Not there, that's where. I'm just so proud of him, and happy that Jeff got to witness such a milestone. I know that it must be hard for the working dad to miss out on so much, but not this time!
ALL HAIL THE WATERMELON!
We went to Pensacola and let Matthew play in the fountain.
We enjoyed the glass doors at Nana's house.
Matthew played with his mother's iPod and speakers, his new favorite toy.
We went swimming at the beach.
We saw alligators.
We went to the Naval Aviation Museum and tried out some of the equipment.
We spent a lot of time with Nana.
We swam some more.
And then, somehow, we made it home after 10 hours on an airplane!
After returning home from our whirlwind vacation (more photos to follow) we had a nice Hawaiian weekend. Friday night as I was driving around looking for something to entertain a bored baby and his tired mom, I ran across the ceremony honoring King Kamehameha. The fire department was helping to string the lei which must have been eighty feet long. They were so beautiful!
Matthew wasn't so into the lei, but he did like the people-watching. And he stood up unassisted for the first time right after I took this picture, so I think he enjoyed it. He is still pretty wobbly on his feet, but he's getting there. He can walk and walk holding on to only one hand! Then on Saturday we went to a baby birthday party and Matthew got to wear a cute lion hat. His dad put it on backwards because he said it looked cooler that way.
After Matthew managed to lick EVERY toy at the party, we headed home and power napped. Today was a mini-field day (Jeff's way of saying chore day) because we're just so tired from vacation that we can't get motivated. Plus, Jeff received not one, not two, but three model airplane kits in the mail while we were gone, so I've lost him to the garage for good. I'm glad we just had a nice vacation together because I don't think I'll be seeing much of him for a while...
So, we're on vacation. A three-week, wonderful vacation. That's why I can't blog. There's little time to take pictures and even less time to blog them. I'm too busy enjoying my sweet family. Matthew is loving every minute of his time with his Nana - and Jeff and I are enjoying every minute of his time with her, too! Lots of recount once we return later this week. Thanks for your patience!
