dinner-time antics

I had to post a clip of what dinnertime is like around our house for everyone to enjoy. One night last week we had chicken fettucine alfredo. Typically Lucas eats before we do since he is ready for dinner before we really have a chance to get anything cooked. We eat later and will put him back in his highchair if he seems interested in a "second course" :)

He definitely has got the hang of eating long noodles as you can see!

I think it was more of a game for him then anything else, but entertaining to us all none-the-less! He brings so much fun to our kitchen table, you never know what you are going to get! Sometimes he eats everything in sight, other times he picks at his food and fusses about anything and everything. The doctor warned us a few weeks ago that that is the typical toddler eating routine :) So we have adjusted accordingly and are just happy with whatever seems to keep Lucas happy!

Dinner time is much more than eating though. Here recently that seems to be when Lucas likes to show off his new verbal abilities! He is such a little sponge already, I think we are going to have a chatterbox on our hands. He now says, da-da, ma-ma, dog, cat, look, see, what, down, and added fish yesterday :) Of course all of these are baby words mind you so fish is really "ish" :) A few weeks ago we were outside playing and then I brought him in while Todd was doing yard work. He crawled over to the door, stood up and banged on the glass yelling "da-da!!" :)

He also likes to point to everything he is talking about or when he wants something, which helps us decipher what he is trying to say. It is nice to see that all of the talking and describing that we have been doing together is paying off!

Another funny story was from dinner the other night- we were trying very hard to keep the pups in the family room so Lucas wouldn't feed them any of his dinner (yeah, that part isn't so fun). Todd had to keep directing them to go back in and lay down by saying "down" pretty firmly....Well Lucas thought that was just the funniest thing and followed suit. He started saying "Dow" pretty loudly over, and over, chuckling in between. Brought on no doubt because we were laughing at his reaction ;)

At school everyday he learns baby signs and they have "circle time" and learning times where they teach him different objects, pictures, etc. so he gets alot of it there too. Over the last few weeks he has also started mimicking us quite a bit. Sometimes its enunciating words, sometimes it's actions or noises. My new favorite is the "little Indian" when we open our mouths and make noises while you tap your mouth with your hand (like Indians do), he follows right along! We'll have to get video of that one too :)

His personality is definitely coming out and we are enjoying every moment of it. We are really lucky to be this little guys' mommy and daddy!!! These are some pictures of Lucas exploring after breakfast last week on one of our sick days :) I'll post some more later about our adventures last weekend.

First trip to the pumpkin patch

Well, this week has been a fun one around our house. Can you sense the sarcasm in that statement??? Part of it was- fun that is... You can definitely tell that it is fall and the nasty "bugs" are back. Lucas had just recovered (if you can call it that) from his previous week of feeling under the weather - the runny icky eyes. We had finished up the 7 days of ointment in both eyes and things were looking good! I wasn't at the top of my game, scratchy throat and then I lost my voice but I can deal with it. I just wanted Lucas to feel better! So things looked pretty good Saturday, we decided to venture to the pumpkin patch in Ashland and visit some family along the way. We stopped in and got to see Todd's Great Uncle David, Great Aunt Kitty and cousin Barry for a bit which was great to catch up with them and let them visit with Lucas. They have a little "bazaar" type store on route 1 up that way. Can I just say that that is not a fun place to take a crawling little one to! We were all over the place trying to steer him towards the baby safe toys :) But it was a nice visit none-the-less.

When we got to the pumpkin patch we jumped right on the hayride to head out to the pumpkin fields. Lucas LOVED this part! He had so much fun watching the other little kids and playing in the hay. I was really shocked that he didn't even try to eat any!

We picked out a pumpkin just for the little man :) Mommy and Daddy got one too.

Our last stop was at the pumpkin man to capture this years adventure as a 1 year old. Look how big he is getting! We can't wait to compare this to the many years to come :) All in all we had a great day and adventure to the pumpkin patch, these are the days I love the most this time of year!

That evening mommy and daddy got to enjoy a few hours out at a wedding reception while Lucas relaxed at home with Ms. Chandra. She was his favorite teacher from the infant room at TLC. They had a great time playing while we were gone :) It was a good thing we got to enjoy Saturday because starting that night, Lucas and I both started feeling crummy again. The eye gook came back in full effect for him and my throat and cough got worse. We layed low on Sunday while daddy played football with some friends. On Monday things were still rough for the both of us so we took a sick day and spent most of it trekking to Dr's offices. Todd took a half day and helped out so I too could go see my Dr. Lucas' eye was still runny, he was pretty congested, and starting to run a low grade fever. Lucas' Dr. couldn't rule out a sinus infection and so he put him on Amoxicillin. He was himself for most of the day, a little cuddlier ( I am not complaining :)) but for the most part, happy little Lucas! The fever came back Tuesday so we stayed home again and had another day of R&R. We took a chance and went back to work/daycare yesterday. He did good, not quite back up to par with his normal self (at least the eating machine part ;), but I HOPE we are both on the road to recovery!!! My throat and glands are still really sore, not sure if I will have to head back to the Dr. or what. He gave me a Z pack Monday but warned that I might need something else if I didn't see improvement.

So we are taking it easy and saying prayers for a few healthy weeks to come. I know he is building up that little immune system but I swear mine is taking a hit too! Thank goodness Todd has stayed healthy through this round :)

Look what I can do!!!

Lucas decided to practice a new skill this week. Grandpa got him a fun new ride on/push toy for his birthday and he has loved playing with it and riding on it. Well, Tuesday night Todd tried him out pushing it and went went nuts! We was up and down the hallway 5-6 times before I ever even saw him :) I think he really likes this new found freedom...

It is amazing how fast he has "grown up". One year ago we were busy with feedings, diaper changes, and naps round the clock. Now look at him, he is on his way to walking and yet another step towards independence!! Look out Hunter, Bailey, and Nala- he can chase you down now ;) He actually has been trying that one with his speed crawling as I like to call it. He flies up and down the wood floors in the hallway after the cat, we like to "chase him" but it is killer on the knees, doesn't seem to phase him of course! He just belly laughs during that one! His other fascination is anything electronic- the remote, the monitor, radios, TV, and he loves the laptop, we have to really keep him busy when one of us is on that or who knows what button combo he will push and what may result :)

Better start checking our baby proofing skills at this next level!!!

We are back now from being under the weather :)

Hi all! Sorry that yet another week has gone by since our last posting. I had every good intention to sit down this past weekend and blog plus catch up on other things around the house and needless to say...it didn't happen!

We had a great weekend planned and were really looking forward to so many fun things BUT....as with the territory of little ones, plans had to be revised :) We were all ready to get little man from school Friday afternoon and head home to let out the pups and come back to Mechanicsville to help celebrate a good friend's (Rachael) 30th birthday!!! They were our neighbors and we all became good friends over the years. They too have a little boy that is 5 months younger than Lucas, we are convinced they will be good friends too!!! So we were psyched to get to share this special occasion with them and their family & friends. But upon arriving at TLC we noted that things were not going to go as planned! Lucas had runny, icky goop in his eyes and had vomited not too long before we arrived. He was not a happy camper needless to say and our plans changed rather quickly! so we had to miss out on the b'day festivities but I know Rachael loved her surprise and had a great time!

We started putting ointment in Lucas' eyes right away and gave him some Tylenol and some TLC :) Not sure if it was pink eye or just a nasty cold in which the congestion was coming out of his tear ducts. Gross, I know but he has really narrow tear ducts, they used to be clogged, and the doc has warned us this might be pretty common with him and colds. But just in case we wanted to get the meds in his eyes to help clear up any infection.

He slept great and seemed a little better Sat. AM. Although he was stuffy and coughed at that point... Daddy headed off to Charlottesville with some of our good friends to cheer on the Cavaliers to a great victory over ECU!!! It was beautiful outside and I was determined that Lucas and I were not going to spend it inside- cold or no cold!!! So we met up with fantastic friends Shannon and Scarlett who were also under the weather (why not? ;) ) and headed down to Maymont for a fun filled outdoor adventure to see some animals and take in the beautiful scenery. We all enjoyed ourselves, I didn't do the best at "documenting" our adventure but here are a few pics of the two wee ones:)

We got to meet and get to know quite a few of our neighbors Saturday evening at a pot-luck cookout. I foresee some great times ahead for both us and Lucas with the crowd out in McCauley Park. They were a great group of families with lots of little kids around Lucas' age! I remember how much fun I had growing up in our neighborhood and I'm sure he will too!!!

After church on Sunday we ventured down to the Richmond Folk Festival. I totally forgot my camera at home, so sorry no pics. It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed the music, vendor displays, and yummy food! Lucas got down and dirty crawling all over the place. He really prefers to be down checking things out then in our arms these days. Otherwise he passed his time people watching from his stroller. He did share a yummy smoothie with mommy, maybe that is why I am losing my voice today?! Sucked it straight out of the straw with no problem once he got the hang of it :) We got to listen to and meet my 3rd cousin (I think) Lee Sexton who is a renowned Appalachian banjo (bluegrass) player from Kentucky, he is 80! That was pretty neat to hear and know that so many great musicians are in my family tree :) Sorry that Dad had to miss the opportunity but maybe he can catch him next time!

Lucas is feeling much better now and I am convinced that the sunshine helped. He still is a little congested but as we have learned now as seasoned veterans, I think babies stay that way for quite awhile once those nasty bugs set in! Hope you all had a great weekend. I have more to share on Lucas' latest adventures but that will be the next post, check back tomorrow! ;)

The Birthday Boy!!!

Wow, what a weekend!!! Saturday was a big day in our house, our little monkey is now a big boy :) We could not think of a better way to celebrate than to share this momentous occasion with all of our close family and friends. Lucas is loved by so many and we felt so blessed that they came to share in his special day!!!

I did good, no tears were shed, just pure joy as we ventured down this new path in our lives :) It really seems like just yesterday we brought him home from the hospital and introduced him to his "furry family", all of the round the clock feedings, tons of diaper changes, etc. Now he is such a little man- he zips all over the place, is pulling up on everything, cruising along the furniture, pointing to stuff and babbling (we can't quite yet decipher what he is saying with those!), talking up a storm, and even climbing up the stairs (I stand right behind him-don't worry!). Wow, what a difference a year makes! We are so excited to see what this next year holds in store for us :)

Thank you to all of you who took time out of your hectic schedules (trust us, we know how CRAZY BUSY life can be) to come and share this special day with us!!! And for those who couldn't make it, here are some highlights from the "bash"....

We had LOTS of help opening presents....:) Lucas needed it so no worries! Ethan, Preston, Madison, and McKenzie did a great job of sharing with us what each toy was for...Hayden tested lots of them out for Lucas and Justin was also a big helper!!! :)

Lucas preferred to practice his crawling skills while the other kids helped with the presents....;) Guess the attention span is still a little short huh?

I'm a big boy now!

It's cake time!!!

This was the caterpillar cake I made prior to destruction.....;) Yeah, I accidentally put the one on backwards before this picture was taken...Don't worry, we fixed it!

Lucas wasn't too fond of the birthday boy hat...

Hay, this stuff is pretty good and messy.....

Wanna try some dad?....

Don't mind me if I just dig right in! Forks, spoons, AND hands are way overrated!!!

YUUUMMMM.....:)

Let the total destruction begin...

I am stuffed now, is there such a thing as "the cake sweats"? And I even shared with Hunter and Bailey :)

Daddy and Lucas taking some swings at the pinata. This was more for the big kids but Lucas enjoyed it too! Scarlett was the lucky one to unleash the candy :)

"What in the world do I play with first!!!???"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUKE-LUKE!!! Mommy and Daddy love you so much and are so lucky and thankful to have you in our lives :)