Luke: 11 Months!

 

Lukester! You are 11 months old today! You are such a big ball of energy and with each new day, you get spunkier and even more full of life. You have reached so many milestones this month and as I look back, it was such a crazy and exciting time. You are such a good little boy and you surprise me every day. I keep reminding myself that the days are long but the years are short!

I thought we were done with going to the doctor so much, but we've been the past 2 nights due to high fevers. You just have a little virus and it should pass quickly - no ear infections or anything big we need to really worry about - Praise God! Last night, you weighed 25 pounds, 4 ounces. I don't have your official height, but I know you are getting a lot taller since you can reach the higher drawers that just a few weeks ago you couldn't reach. We're working hard to find new places for things to keep little hands off dangerous stuff. Your favorite things are kitchen utensils, computer cords, anything in my office desk, hair dryers and straighteners and toilet paper. Oh how you love to unroll the toilet paper.

Right after your 10 month birthday, we stopped baby food entirely. Now you are eating table food exclusively. You love ritz crackers, peas, pears, apple sauce, grilled chicken, carrots, all kinds of breads, strawberry yogurt, macaroni and cheese and so much more. You still love milk, apple juice and ice cold water in between your meals, and your favorite snacks are goldfish and cheerios. And apparently, thanks to your Nana, you love popsicles too!

Since you started walking last month, you've taken off and can now run anywhere you want to go. You walk and run everywhere and you never crawl anymore. Once you knew you could get where you wanted to go using just your legs, you took off and never looked back. Mommy and Daddy are trying hard to keep up with you!

You started the summer session at Emler a couple of weeks ago. You do not like swim lessons and even though I thought switching teachers might help (we love Ms. Amber, but you got scared seeing her because you knew she was going to make you go under the water!), it really didn't. Mommy was sick last week and didn't go and we aren't going tonight, so maybe a couple weeks off will help take that anxiety away. Even though you don't like swim lessons, you LOVE being in the water. You love going in the pool in our backyard and you love the splash pad at the country club. We've been up there lots already this summer because it's so fun for you. 

 

This past month has been a whirlwind of activities and events! You stayed with a babysitter for the first time (other than a family member or friend) and you did great. We are so thankful that Stephanie will be watching you some so that we can go out at night! On Memorial Day weekend, we had a relaxing weekend - we hung out at the country club pool and splash pad almost every day, had picnics in the front yard and had a big barbeque with friends at our house. Your Aunt Jenn and Uncle Jimmy even stopped by for a few hours!  I even did a little cleaning out of your closet and found a darling sports coat you never got to wear.  You loved every minute of the 3 day weekend! 

 In early June, we drove to Houston so that Daddy could be in our friends Chad and Molly's wedding. We had lots of fun catching up with old friends and you had a great time playing at Nana and Papa's house. You went to the pool, played in the backyard sprinklers, had a picnic under the trees, saw Maddie Claire, Aunt Emily and Uncle Adam and just had a great time.

The weekend after Houston, all the Gillens and Nana and Papa came to Dallas. Macy and Maddie Claire stayed at our house with Nana and Papa so that Mommy and Daddy, Aunt Emily and Uncle Adam and the Gillens could go to the Brothers of the Sun tour with Kenny and Tim! You were so fascinated with Macy, and you wore yourself ragged playing with Maddie Claire. That Sunday you slept so good!

This past week, Nana came to visit to help Mommy with your one year pictures and keep you while we went out for our 5 year anniversary. You said Nana for the first time and now you won't quit saying it. You were so grumpy during your pictures - I hope we got some good ones. Nana gave you one of your birthday presents a little early; you love your new pirate water table and had the best time Sunday morning splashing and squirting and figuring it all out. We had a great time having her visit and miss her already!

Today you got your very first haircut. Daddy and I both thought your hair was starting to look a little shaggy, so I took you to Stride Rite to get your hair cut at the kid's salon. You didn't like me sitting you down in the chair (you had just woken up from a long nap in the car), so you sat on my lap and hugged my neck and watched cartoons while the sweet hair stylist Lesley quickly cut your hair. She saved all of it and you got a certificate. It's a cute little place and I'm sure we'll be back many times! 

Luke, you bring so much joy to my life and my heart feels like it's bursting when you give me sweet hugs and kisses or say Mama (even though Dada is your favorite word). You are the sweetest, most loving little kid and I still cannot believe I get the pleasure of being your mama. I love you, baby boy!

Luke: 10 Months!

Luke, you are 10 months old - so, so big! I can't believe I am planning your 1st birthday party and scheduling 1 year pictures. I will soon be a mom to a TODDLER. Crazy! You have grown up so much in the past month, and it's crazy to think what you'll be doing by the time you turn 1 in two very short months.

You've been to the doctor more times than I care to count this past month. First it was for a virus, then it was for an ear infection, then it was because you weren't getting better, then we rounded out the month with a very mild case of hand foot and mouth. You're still right at 25 pounds, but you're getting taller and leaner each day. I'm hoping we can stay out of the doctor's office until your one-year checkup, but it's hard since you're around kiddos all day every day. You're bound to catch anything and everything it seems. On top of all that, your 2 upper front teeth are coming in.

This month, you started drinking your milk out of a sippy cup during the day. We still do bottles in the morning and at night, but at school, you are the sippy cup champ. I anticipate that you will be off bottles entirely by July. You're back to eating table foods almost exclusively, and you've been spitting out your baby food lately. That's fine by Mama and Daddy; those organic food pouches can get expensive. Little raise coming our way!

You still go to bed anytime between 7 and 7:45pm, depending on how hard you've played that day. You take a 2 hour nap at school after lunch and then a short nap on the way home in the car. If you don't get that 20 minutes around 5, you're not all that much fun to be around after 6pm. But Mama still loves you!

You started regularly brushing your teeth this month, and you surprised us both when you took to it like a champ. You absolutely love your toothbrush and will go into the bathroom, grab it, and walk around the house with it. Half the time, you have it in your mouth long after the actual brushing is over. While searching for that toothbrush, you also discovered the fun that is toilet paper. I snapped a few pictures when you didn't think I was looking, before snatching you up and digging it all out of your mouth!

 

 

A week or so ago, you started WALKING!!! Not just one or 2 steps - you can walk across a room! It's awesome and crazy and a little scary for me - I think you are just too young to be mobile like that! But I am so proud of you and your advances!  Daddy and I laugh because you want to run and will start to take off and lose your balance and it doesn't phase you at all. You're so determined to get where you want to go. It won't be long, bud! I'm already pulling out my hair trying to keep up with you, keep you out of things, and keep you safe. And I keep reminding myself that it's just the beginning!

You are still at 10 seconds under the water at swim lessons, but lately you've decided you've had enough of the holding your breath thing. You do not like it one bit. You're fine above the water and holding onto Mommy, but as soon as your teacher tries to take you, cue the meltdown. Daddy even dared getting in with you last week, and you would not have it. You cried the entire time and we ended up leaving early. I hope you were just having a bad day and not starting to hate the water.

This past month, we did lots of fun things! Your daddy had to go out of town a few times this month, and you were so fascinated by his luggage. He was nice enough to take you for a ride on the suitcase before leaving for the airport. You loved it - you had your straw (you LOVE straws) in one hand and a smile on your face and you were ready to take off. Nana-Banana came to visit one weekend while Daddy was out of town, and we did lots of shopping for your birthday party. You decided that it would be a good time to get sick again. I think it was so that you could get lots of snuggles from her in the early morning hours. It's a good thing Nana was here; this Mama couldn't have done it all by herself!

 A couple of weekends ago, we went to Austin for your cousin Makenna's 3rd birthday party. You had lots of fun at the park swinging and playing and eating your cheerios while watching all the big kids run. You got to stay at Grandma's house and play with the doggie, which you loved. You chased Bonnie around the house for hours and just laughed and laughed when she would lick you. When you weren't chasing the dog, you were chasing the girls while they went from room to room. You played so hard that you were out at 6:30pm.

On the way back to Dallas, we stopped to eat lunch with Maw and Paw and the Pyles. You got passed all around and got lots of hugs and kisses. You giggled and laughed and showed off and were very flirty (and a little restless)! I think you look so much like your great grandfather!

Last weekend, we went to Blake and Melissa's house for a crawfish boil and you were so excited to be there. We tried to put you to sleep in their room, but you would not have that. You wanted to be the life of the party and were so excited to be up way past your bedtime. You even found some ladies to flirt with - your favorite thing!

We have lots of fun adventures in store for the summertime, and I know these next few months are going to fly by. I adore you, sweet boy, and love every second of being your Mama. I am so proud of you and your adventurous spirit, and I will treasure these memories forever. You are just the best little boy, and you are my pride and joy. Happy 10 months, kiddo.

To My Son on Mother's Day

My sweet kiddo, today is my first Mother's Day. It's such a special day for me - last year on this day, I was celebrating your upcoming birth with such anticipation, curiosity of who you would be and what you would like and a little bit of anxiety over the huge responsibility I would have in the upcoming months and years. Little did I know how blessed I would be and how special this day would be for me!

Today, I am celebrating so many things. The past 9 1/2 months have been some of the most challenging, crazy and fun times of my life. You are such a spirited, curious, smart, funny and joyful little boy. I thank God every day that he gave me you. Each day is a little better than the last and I love being your mom with every thing in me.

One of my favorite things about being your mom is that you have given me better insight and appreciation into how our much our Father loves us. As much as I love you, He loves me and you so many times more. As much as I want to protect you and do what's best for you, He wants that for you more than I can fathom. When I see you hurting or in pain and I want to do everything I can to make it better, He does that for us. When I tell you no because I know what's best for you and will keep you out of trouble and out of harm's way, I see the parallels there with Christ and how when he tells us no, He knows what's best, even if I don't!

Last night as I rocked you to sleep in the pitch black silence, I talked to Jesus for a long time just thanking Him for you and your precious life. I asked him to help guide me along this path; I asked him to bless you and keep you in the palm of His hand and protect you. I asked him to keep you healthy and guide you along this crazy path we call life. I asked him to keep you safe and finally, I asked him to help me raise you the way He wants me to and that He would help me teach you everything you need to know to be a godly young man. In those silent moments as I stroked your hair and kissed your forehead, I have never been so thankful for anything in my life.

One of the best gifts you have given me as your mom is your unconditional love and need for me. My favorite time of the day is when I pick you up from school and the moment you see me, you get a huge grin on your face and immediately come straight for me and wrap your little hands around my neck. You don't want to let go and the smile doesn't disappear for quite some time. I love when you call out for Ma-ma-ma and when you follow me from room to room just to be near me. I love when we cuddle and when I tickle you and you giggle louder for me than for anyone else. I love that I am your favorite person in the world (other than Daddy, of course).

God willing, as the years pass and we celebrate Mother's Day each year, I want you to remember that I am honored to be your mom and will celebrate your life each day with great thankfulness to our God. I will constantly work to be the best mom to you that I can be and I will pray for you constantly. I love you more than words can describe, Luke. You are my sweet blessing from above!  

Luke: 9 Months!

Sweet Baby Boy - you are 9 months old today! I just can't believe that in 3 short months, you will be 1. People aren't lying when they say that time flies. Your daddy and I are so proud of you and the precious little boy that you are. You have such a sweet personality and we just love watching you grow and discover new things each day.

We don't go to Dr. McClard until tomorrow, but a couple of weeks ago, we went in to get your ears checked out (turns out it was those pesky allergies again!) and you were almost 25 pounds. You now have 2 bottom teeth and I think we will see the top 2 very shortly! When I ask to see those teethies, you get the biggest grin and show them off. You won't oblige for anyone but Mommy! 

 

You are still in a size 4 diaper, and I anticipate that will be the case for a while longer. We had to get the Pampers overnight diapers this week, since a diaper fell apart and made quite the mess during the night. You wear mostly 12 and 18 month things, but can wear some 9 month and some 2T things. It really ranges depending on the brand. 

This month, you decided that you had enough of all this big people food and have reverted to liking baby food the most. You still drink 6 ounces of Similac when you wake up, a couple of 4 oz. bottles during the day at school, and then 8oz. before bed. You still absolutely love the Earth's Best food pouches, so we try to give you at least one or two of those at each meal. Even though you have decided not to eat a ton of table food, you are still obsessed with cheerios, goldfish, ritz crackers, yogurt melts and baby cheese puffs. Basically, you love carbs! 

You started waking Mommy up earlier and earlier this month, so we moved your bedtime back a little to about 7:45, and you are sleeping a full 12 hours again. It's great because Mommy and Daddy can get up, get ready, make the bed, etc., and then get you up and ready for the day. It's great! Usually, you wake up, stand up on the side of your crib and wait for me to come and get you, and then, if I haven't made the bed yet, you crawl into Mommy and Daddy's bed for your morning bottle. You love laying up there surrounded by the pillows and covered in the blankets. On the weekends, you crawl around  on us and play in the middle of the bed, and we have family time while we wake up. 

You want to walk so very badly. You love to stand up, and you cruise along the couch and furniture and cabinets like it's your job. You can stand on your own for a second or two (or sometimes 5 or 10), but then you sit down. You are getting there, buddy! It won't be long before you are running up and down the halls. You still love your walker, and we have to be very careful not to get in your way or else you'll just run over our feet. Your Uncle Adam was especially impressed with your skills! 

This month, you are up to 10 seconds under the water at swim lessons, and you are still the best little kicker. You've gotten a little apprehensive about 10 seconds, but we are working on it and Ms. Amber says it just takes a couple of weeks to get adjusted. You are absolutely smitten with a little girl in your class, Bryn, and you just giggle and talk to her when she's near. She is precious and I think she likes you too! On the weekends, we will drag out the old pink pool your cousins used to use and let you splash around in that. You love it!

A couple of weeks ago, we celebrated your first Easter. We went to Sugar Land and stayed with Nana and Papa. On Saturday, we went to the Annual Hill Easter Egg Hunt at Mimi and Bull's house. It was so much fun, and you enjoyed getting toted around by all the big cousins. You played and played and played and were so worn out that night! We tried to hunt eggs, but you were so interested in the first egg, that it was one and done. It's ok, though, because we have many more years of hunting eggs in our future. That night after baths, you enjoyed a goldfish picnic outside with Maddie Claire and you took turns letting Papa push you on the swing. The next day, we woke up to 2 Easter baskets filled with tons and tons of goodies, and then celebrated our Risen King at Nana and Papa's church. You got lots of play time with MC, and you really enjoyed riding the pony with Uncle Adam. It was a wonderful weekend! 

This month, we had lots and lots of fun every weekend. We spent a lot of time relaxing, letting you practice walking and playing with all of your toys, and spent time with friends. We enjoyed a crawfish boil at the Pinkston's house where you played with Brooks all afternoon, and we spent lots of time going on walks and swinging outside. On the rainy days, you took naps with Daddy on the living room floor and we just stayed inside watching tv. It's been a good month!

The eighth month was a great one for you, Mr. Luke! I know that months 9-12 will go by so quickly, but I can't wait to see what adventures they hold. I can't say this enough - I love you so very, very much and it's my biggest joy to be your Mommy. I treasure every single second with you, and you are the light of my life. I'm so proud of you, buddy!

Easter Promises

My sweet Luke - Today is your first Easter!  Today you will hunt eggs, you will get a basket full of treats, and we will all eat some great food. But most importantly, we will celebrate our Risen King!

As you grow up, we will do so many fun things around Easter time. We will dye eggs, go on Easter egg hunts, make bunny cakes, get visits from the Easter bunny who will leave behind special gifts, take pictures with the Easter bunny, spend extra time with our family, and so much more. My hope is though, that while we do all of these fun things, that your daddy and I will teach you to know that Easter means so much more than eggs and candy and bunnies. It's much much more than that!

Easter is one of the very best holidays, Luke! We will spend the Easter season remembering Christ's life, His miracles and ministry, His death on the cross for our sins. We will remember, like we should every day, that He died so that we could have eternal life. But the very best part, Luke, is that on Easter Sunday, we get to celebrate that He rose again! We celebrate that death could not contain Him in the grave! That He was triumphant over our sins and that His sacrifice is what allows us to have the hope and promise of Heaven! It's such a special day for Christians to know that death could not conquer our Lord!

So, this Easter and every Easter to come, I will do my very best as your mom to show you and to teach you about your Savior and everything He did because He loved YOU. While we may have bunnies displayed throughout our home and we may decorate eggs and search for baskets filled with treats, we will concentrate on the most important part of this holiday - the empty grave! We will concentrate on praising the Savior who loved us enough to die for us so that we could be saved. 

I love you, Luke. Happy Easter!

"For God so loved the world that he gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." - John 3:16