Time Stands Still

Dear Luke,

Last night as I was making dinner, I thought of this quote I pinned on pinterest recently:

Time stands still
best in moments
that look
suspiciously
like

ordinary life.

I had put you in your high chair at the island to watch me cook. I handed you halved grape tomatoes as I chopped and you also ate some frozen corn out of your snack trap. When you got tired of that, I gave you an empty sour cream container to play with and that entertained you for awhile.

I've also noticed a couple things recently that are so cute. One, you really like to put things back where they go. If you open a drawer to take something out of it, you shut the drawer before leaving. You often close the door when we leave a room. When playing with the bench in the living room, you close the lid and even put the cushion back where it goes when you're done. I like this about you. :)

Two, you also hate having dirty hands. If you fall at the park and get dirt on you, you come up to me concerned and want me to brush it off. You like to have clean hands, just like me.

Three, you will pick up tiny crumbs on the floor and bring them to me. Really anything small, you bring to me rather than putting in your mouth. I always say "thank you" and I mean it. I appreciate you helping me to keep the house clean. :)

We found out Tuesday that you are going to have a little sister. You were SO good during the doctor appointment, sitting happily in your stroller. And afterward during my haircut, you also did great in your stroller. I love you so much and know you will be a great big brother!

Love,
Mommy

21 Months Old

My dearest Luke,

How is it that you are 21 months old?? Closer to 2 than 1. I can hardly believe it. Sometimes I look at you and think how big you are, compared with the little newborn we would swaddle, who couldn't hold up his head and who would spit up multiple times a day. Other times, I think how little you are, a miniature version of a man, in your Calvin Klein jeans, brown leather shoes, and button down checkered shirts. You somehow just keep getting cuter. I am feeling the passage of time as we anticipate the arrival of another little one in about 6 months. I know things are going to change for all of us in a big way, in a wonderful way. We will have so many special times as a family of 4 and I will find it hard to remember life without your little brother or sister. Yet, I cherish these days I have with you alone because they are precious. You are my first little love and my heart just gets bigger for you. I think you know that, even in your own way. With me is your favorite place to be, and I love that.

So, at 21 months...

You throw things when you are mad. I will tell you not to do something, you will calmly look around, walk over to pick something up, and throw it on the floor in protest. Then, after you've thrown the object, you will add some noise to your tantrum.

You are practicing eating with a fork and a plate. You need help getting the food on the fork, but then you know what to do with it from there. You LOVE it when we give you the plate of food instead of just pushing some food from the plate onto your tray.

You like to clean up and even sing the clean up song. "Een-uh, een-uh (clean up clean up... everybody everywhere). SO cute!

You now know how to sign for "more, please" although sometimes you just do "please," so it's still work to get you to consistently remember both parts of the phrase. Sometimes, when prompted, you also sign "thank you."

You still adore your bear and love to watch Praise Baby.

You understand so many things. I'll say we're going to go on a walk, and you run to your stroller. I'll say we're going to get in the car, and you run to the back door. Upstairs, you run to me to pick you up and take you upstairs. Laundry, you run to the laundry room, etc.

You have found your belly button. :)

You are giddy when you get to roll around on the bed. When the comforter is on the floor and I'm changing the sheets, you will run and dive on to the comforter in hysterics and roll around laughing.

You get to facetime with Nana and Papa or Honey and Grandpa most nights after your bath, while Daddy waits for you to have a stinky. Too bad you prefer to do this after your bath most nights...

You reach for me every night to put you in bed. You sit in my lap while I read you a story and Daddy brushes your teeth. Now that you're getting so heavy and I'm pregnant, Daddy picks you up out of my lap, then hands you back to me. If I'm in the room, you don't want anyone laying you in that crib, but me.

We love you so much, little Luke, and thank God for the wonderful gift you are to us.

Love,
Mommy

Highs and Lows

Dear Luke,

Yesterday we spent a good amount of time out and about. I needed some maternity clothes, so we went to Old Navy and I tried on a bunch of clothes, going in and out of the dressing room 3 times. You do not usually like it when I try on clothes, especially when it takes so long, but you were so incredibly good in your stroller, quietly snacking on your frozen mixed vegetables. I was so proud of you for being so sweet and really felt like it was a gift from the Lord that I was able to spend the time to do that.

Unfortunately, you took a short nap yesterday afternoon and things went a little south. On the way out the door to the car, you threw a fit because I picked you up and you didn't want to be picked up. In the process, you full-on head butted me. It must have hurt you, because it sure hurt me! You cried hard and I sort of wanted to cry. But we moved on and proceeded to Hobby Lobby. You wanted to listen to your toy on the loud volume and I kept telling you to turn it down. You would throw your toy every time, then cry when I didn't give it back to you, then we'd try again. Once you totally chucked it and it landed at some other people's feet out past the aisle. Eventually you got it under control, but that was the worst behavior yet we've had to deal with in public. We pay when your naps are short!

I love you so much and am so glad you're my buddy. :)

Love,
Mommy

The Cutest Thing

Dear Luke,

I haven't been feeling well lately so I have been spending a lot of time on the couch. Normally I am cleaning the kitchen, cooking, doing laundry, straightening up, etc while you play, but I haven't had as much energy as I'd like. One nice thing is that it means I have spent a lot of time just watching you play. I watch you and think over and over, he is the cutest thing ever. Seriously! I love seeing what entertains you.

Love,
Ashley

The Songs We Sing

Jesus Loves Me
Jesus Loves The Little Babies/Toddlers/Toothies
The Wheels On The Bus
Skinnamarinkidinkidink
ABCs
The Itsy Bitsy Spider
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
I Love You, Lukey
Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes

Luke, the Climber

Dear Luke,

You're becoming more bold as you gain confidence in running and getting around. Yesterday I looked over to see you standing on the bench by our dining table! I reacted strongly and felt badly because you thought I would be proud of you. But I had to let you know that you just can't do that!! Today at the Childrens Museum, you climbed up and down the stairs over and over, clapping for yourself after accomplishing your feat. I've got to keep my eyes on you!

Love,
Mommy

P.S. We had to call Poison Control the other night because you tasted some dishwashing detergent out of the dishwasher when I was cooking dinner. In retrospect, I think you just tasted it and started gagging at the taste and texture, but we didn't know for sure. It was scary, but the lady on the other end wasn't worried since it was diluted by the machine and wasn't a tablet. Whew!

Why I Haven't Taken More Pictures Lately

You rarely sit still. :)

Love,
Mommy

Long Day

Dear Luke,

Daddy and I both needed to be at church for small group leader training on Sunday from 1-3:30. They had free childcare, but that meant you didn't get a nap and were at church from about 10:15-3:30. You handled it incredibly well, but fell asleep in your high chair at dinner, a first. :)

Love,
Mommy

You're 18 Months Old!

Dear Luke,

You are officially a year and a half old today! I let you have half a cookie at our play date this morning to celebrate. :) I always bring healthy snacks, but you want the other kids' snacks, especially when they are eating cookies and donut holes!

At 18 months old...

You love to say "uh-oh" over and over. You say it after you drop something, but also after you cough, because that's often how I respond when you cough. You've said the word for a long time, but it's much clearer now.

You are learning animal noises. You know the sounds for bear, bee, and monkey. I want to teach you more, but I am realizing there are so many animals whose noises I don't know. We'll have to ask Daddy for help. :)

You LOVE to push the garage door button when we are coming or going and when Daddy leaves for work in the morning.

You know the signs for "more" and "help." You frequently ask for help when working on a puzzle, and then clap when the piece goes in the right way. You also ask for help when a ball or small toy rolls under the couch and you can't get it.

You get VERY upset when I close the dishwasher or refrigerator, because you were wanting to play in both. It's not uncommon for you to throw yourself on the floor and cry in frustration, especially if you are also tired or hungry!

You get giddy over bananas (and say na-NA-na) and string cheese.

You are wearing some 24 month and 2T shirts, but most of your bottoms are still 12 months.

You go to bed about 7:30, get up between 7 and 7:30 and take a nap at 1. A good nap is 2-3 hours.

You hate having your teeth brushed. Daddy and I usually work on it together and have to get creative to try and distract you.

You still have very kissable chubby cheeks!

I love you so much!

Love,
Mommy

P.S. Here you are, my curious 18 month old, looking out the window to see our neighbor mowing his lawn this morning.

Can I Have a Kiss?

Dear Luke,

I can't help but give you lots of kisses and I started to wonder recently if you would know how to give me a kiss. Now when I ask if I can have a kiss, you just lean your forehead toward me for me to give you a kiss. It is oh so cute!

Love,
Mommy

Always Learning

Dear Luke,

In the past few days it feels like Daddy and I have seen an explosion in your learning, or more likely, we've been given a glimpse into all you've been absorbing and processing over time.

A few nights ago, you and I were looking at one of your picture/vocabulary books in your room and you were heavily concentrating as I said the words and pointed to the pictures. When I pointed to the baby in the diaper and said "diaper," you looked up at your changing table. Then when I did the same for "socks," you pointed at your feet! I was so excited. I must be your mom to feel like this is a big deal, but it is!

Last night, the 3 of us went out to eat at Mission Burrito in La Centerra. While waiting in line, I told Daddy you know where your head is. So, he asked, "Where's your head?" and you put your hands on your head. Then, one of us asked where your nose was and you grabbed my nose, then Daddy's! Next, you correctly identified our chins when we asked about your chin. Earlier that day when I asked where your nose was, you pointed at your cheek. I wasn't sure if that was random or if you were trying to find your nose. Now I think you just couldn't find your nose, so you smartly decided to point to the ones you could easily identify. You're such a smart little boy. :)

I'm so proud of you and so very thankful to the Lord for your personality, your health and development, and that you're a happy boy. I look forward to all the new discoveries in communication that we're going to share in the coming months!

Love,
Mommy

Proud of You

Dear Luke,

At the top of our stairs we have a baby gate, but we don't have anything at the bottom. You aren't allowed to touch the gate upstairs or the stairs themselves downstairs. The other day I needed to run upstairs to get something and you were happily playing downstairs. I thought I could probably trust you not to follow me, but I would see. I started upstairs and reminded you, "No touch stairs." You stood and patiently waited for me to return, without touching the stairs. I have done this several times recently, running either upstairs or downstairs, and been so proud of you when each time, you have faithfully waited for me to return without touching what you know you shouldn't. Great job, Luke!

Love,
Mommy

Temper Tantrum

Dear Luke,

In the past month or so, you have grown more bold in protesting when you don't like something. I was feeling like I needed to do some reading on how to handle temper tantrums, because I fear we may be entering that territory. This past weekend, Daddy and I went out to dinner one night and when the babysitter came over, you were NOT happy. I was holding you and trying to explain to her about your dinner when you got really angry. I handed you toys, which you would just throw on the ground. Finally, I set you down and told you you could have your tantrum, then proceeded to give the babysitter the info she needed. I told her to call if you didn't calm down when we left, but thought you probably would. Sure enough, we didn't hear from her and when we got home 3 hours later, she happily said, "He was great. He didn't cry at all." Little stinker. :) I'm glad you were good for the babysitter and now I've got you figured out. I read some helpful articles about temper tantrums the other night. A lot of the popular info out there just says parents should comfort children when they throw tantrums. Something about that didn't sit right with me. These other articles made the point that you need to learn how to cope with frustration, so to not always try to avoid tantrums, but let you learn how to respond when you don't get what you want. And to realize that it's not my fault if you get really upset. And even though it may sound like you are in agony, you really aren't. This is proven by the fact that if you get what you want, you will calm down in 1 second. :) I don't feel so intimidated anymore!

Love,
Mommy

Keeping You Busy

Dear Luke,

Staying home with you now feels like a very different job than it did a year ago! You are on one nap a day and we have a good 6 hours in the morning to fill, from about 7-1. Since it's so hot out, I've been working out in the mornings before you get up, so the time we used to do that together is now free, too. The mornings can be pretty challenging after breakfast until we're ready to leave the house. You get bored quickly when I'm trying to get ready and get our stuff together and will only stay interested in a DVD for about 10 minutes. I do love that this schedule gives us lots of opportunity to do fun things, spend time with friends, and that you take a good 2-3 hour nap in the afternoons! Here are a couple pics of some of our activities over the last couple of weeks...

Kicking back in the grass...

Splash pad fun...

The aquarium...

The zoo...

 Trips to Walmart...

 The library...

And lots of playdates!

We've also been to the playscapes at Chick-fil-A, Stomping Grounds, and Sugarcreek Baptist Church. It is so fun to watch you having fun with new activities. I made some edible playdough last week and bought some washable markers and fingerpaints. We may try that soon for some indoor activity ideas. :)

Love,

Mommy

Walking

Dear Luke,

You are now toddling all over the place! You waited to take your first independent steps on Fathers Day, at 15 1/2 months. I had been saying for weeks that you were really close, but not walking on your own yet. You were practically running with the walker for weeks and then we took it away since it was clear you had become dependent on it. Then, you became comfortable walking while holding on to our hands, then one hand, then one finger. Then on Sunday when I was washing your tray for lunch, you were standing at the dishwasher, fussing that I wouldn't open it for you. I ignored you, then, to my surprise, you just walked over to your magnets on the refrigerator! Since you waited awhile to start walking, I feel like you were immediately pretty confident at it. It's nice you haven't had any serious falls. In the past couple of days, you've been learning to squat to pick things up and stand back up from there, without help. You are just the cutest!

Love,

Mommy

15 Months

Dear Luke,

At 15 months...

You weigh 23 pounds 7 ounces and are 31.75 inches tall.

You LOVE to toddle around with your walker, but haven't gained the confidence to walk without it. You really have command of the walker though, and will even stand on your own while you rotate it to go a different direction. You don't really need it, but don't seem to have figured that out quite yet.

You are very attached to me. You dissolve into tears when I drop you off at church and want me to hold you much of the time. You put your arm around me when I hold you and sometimes grab on to my shirt or necklace as if to say "don't put me down." :)

You eat all sorts of foods and eat as much of it as you want. Thank the Lord we seem to be past the overeating and throwing up phase!!!

You take one afternoon nap a day when we are out and about in the morning, but it's hard to keep you entertained all morning if we have things to do at home. For now you can go back and forth between one and two naps pretty well.

You sometimes throw your lovey out of your bed. At first you just did this to see what happened when you dropped it, but it became a pattern of you expressing your discontent with us putting you in your crib and wanting us to come back in the room. We've gone through lovey bootcamp and I do NOT give it back to you when you drop it out. You drop it much less frequently now and when you do, you've figured out how to fall asleep without it. Although it does lead to lots of tears before you finally exhaust yourself.

You like to play peekaboo with us and cover your eyes with your hands. We say, "Where's Luke?" "There he is!" You love to do this over and over.

You have the cutest smile with 4 teeth on top and 4 on bottom.

You approach new situations (splash pad, play date, etc.) cautiously, holding on to me to get a feel for things before slowly beginning to explore, then your curiosity takes over and you are all over the place investigating things.

I love you so much!

Love,
Mommy

Mommy/Son Roadtrip

Dear Luke,

Last week, the two of us drove to DFW together for the first time. Daddy has been hard at work on his dissertation, so I figured it would be a good time for us to get away for a change of scenery and to be with family. The trip went so smoothly and you did so very well. We stopped at a Starbucks in Hillsboro on the way to Keller for a bathroom break, diaper change, lunch for you and coffee for me (I had packed my lunch to eat in the car.)

On the way back we stopped at a McDonald's in Navasota (not nearly as nice a stop). The trickiest part was going to the bathroom because you would start to cry as soon as we got in there and the automatic flush and hand dryers scared you. :( But other than that, you were pretty content. We had about a 45 minute-1 hour stretch each way where you would be fussy, but I just kept handing you things from the front seat to entertain you. The clear cap to my lotion, a ziploc with grape stems, and of course some toys. At one point I saw you playing with my hangers that were hung up in the backseat. Not sure how you got a hold of those. I'm glad you're my little buddy and that you travel well. I look forward to more trips with you. :)

Love,
Mommy

First Haircut

Dear Luke,

We took you to get your first haircut yesterday. It was just too long and I am not able to get you to sit still enough to trim around your ears or at the back of your neck. You looked adorable sitting in that chair with your purple robe, but you were not happy!

Before:

And after:

Love,
Mommy

Beach Vacation

Dear Luke,

We took a beach vacation to Galveston recently with Honey and Grandpa, Aunt Holly and Uncle Tim, Caroline and Wesley. We rented a beach house on Pirates Beach and had such a fun time. You did NOT like the cold water, but you enjoyed taking items in and out of the wagon we filled with beach toys. And once you discovered the sand, you liked playing with it and trying to put it in your mouth. I had to keep a close eye on you!

Honestly, I think your favorite activity was using your walker at the house. We will always remember you were at this stage on our vacation.

Maybe we will be back next year!

Love,

Mommy

Hand Foot and Mouth

Dear Luke,

A few weeks ago you were so sick and it was so, so sad. You fell asleep in your car seat one afternoon while we were running errands, which was strange, and felt really warm when I got you out of the car. I put you down for a nap thinking the sun must have just been shining on you. But when you woke up, you were still really warm and I figured you must have a fever. Sure enough, you had a temperature of 102. I took you to the doctor the next day to learn you had hand foot and mouth disease, with painful ulcers at the back of your throat. All we could do was alternate Motrin and Tylenol and rub some special mouthwash in your mouth with a q tip every 6 hours. It was so sad. You would wake up crying at night, rubbing the back of your neck over and over. Even holding your bear, sitting in my lap, watching a praise baby DVD, you would fuss and not be able to get comfortable. What made it worse was that Daddy was sick that week, too. Your fever came and went a few times over the course of a long week, and I kept feeling at the end of my rope. You finally started to feel better after about 8 days. Let's try not to repeat that one!

Love,
Mommy

Texas Boy

Dear Luke,

Daddy and I took you to see the bluebonnets this past weekend on Good Friday. It was a fun adventure that I hope to repeat each year! Well, you may not be that into it when you're 14...

Love,
Mommy

The State of our House

Dear Luke,

Our house looks like this a lot these days...

But you don't seem to mind the mess...

Love,
Mommy

Favorite Time of Day

Dear Luke,

As I've said before, you are a busy little bee! You like to be on the move, but one of my favorite times of the day is when you sit still in my lap before going to sleep. We sit in your rocker and read a book before I put you in your crib. You like to turn the pages yourself, too quickly for me to really read any books that have more than one word per page. I love the moments we get to be together when you are content to sit in my lap.

Love,
Mommy

Time Apart

Dear Luke,

You are upstairs taking (what I hope will be) a long afternoon nap after a morning at ibloom and a full Sunday yesterday. Daddy and I recently took our first trip without you while you had special time with your grandparents in Carrollton. We flew to San Diego from DFW airport so that your grandparents could share the time with you and so that there would be multiple hands on deck if there were any unexpected problems. Thankfully, there weren't any problems! I did feel anxious about leaving you just before heading to the airport. I have never been apart from you overnight except when I left you with Daddy and went to meet Wesley last July. But this time I wasn't leaving you with Daddy and we were flying out of the state without you! Once we got to the airport, I felt fine, and we really enjoyed our vacation. I'm so thankful that your grandparents are healthy and able to take care of you, and that they want to. :) Nana and Papa said they were in heaven and Honey and Grandpa said it couldn't have gone better. They really missed you when their time with you was over. We left for San Diego on Thursday afternoon and got back late Monday night. Nana and Papa got up with you Tuesday morning and when I got up, you were playing on the floor with your back to me. When you turned around and saw me, you genuinely looked surprised. Then you crawled over as fast as you could to give me a hug. I sat on the floor with you playing and you would venture off for a minute, then quickly return to my lap. I was so happy to see you and I'm glad you were so happy to see me, too!

Love,
Mommy

Your First Birthday And Other News

Dear Luke,

I've been wanting to blog about your first birthday for weeks now, as you can tell by the fact that it's now 3/24 and you are almost 13 months old. That's just how life is these days! You are awake so frequently and always on the move. You play well independently (unless you are wanting me to hold you), but still need a watchful eye because you get into things and like to explore from room to room.

We had a special day on your birthday. You had cottage cheese pancakes for breakfast and we facetimed with Aunt Holly, Caroline, and Wesley. We got a number of calls and texts throughout the day. Then after your nap we went to the park for a run. It was a nice day and you enjoyed being in your stroller. You took an afternoon nap, then we took some pictures outside after Daddy got home from work.

We had dinner at Taco Cabana and you apparently had too much ravioli and mixed vegetables. Soon after we left the restaurant, you threw up in your carseat. It was pretty sad and nasty. But you didn't cry at all and immediately afterwards you were cooing, so you didn't seem to mind a bit.

I felt sentimental last week updating our spending in mint and seeing all the transactions related to your birthday party. It was very special to celebrate your first year with so many family and friends. It was kind of a lot of work and I put a lot of thought into your party. I realize I didn't need to do it that way, but it just felt appropriate. This past year was a big deal for us and deserved to be acknowledged! We had perfect weather at your party and you wanted Mommy the whole time. These pictures were taken at the end of your party and they just warm my heart.

So, what are we up to now? Well, you have been showing increasingly stronger signs of separation anxiety. I left a couple times this weekend and you were pretty upset with Daddy for awhile before calming down. Some friends at church told us that they even avoid going to see you in your room during the service now, because you get upset when they leave. You just want to be around people who are familiar to you. Sunday was a full day yesterday with 2 services in the morning and small group in the evening. You handled it so well. The last 2 times we've been at small group, I've spent the discussion time holding you on the porch because you haven't been happy inside with the babysitter. Yesterday, Daddy tried a new approach and just kept you with the guys during the discussion. You just walked round and round the coffee table and barely made a peep during the hour long talk! I'm so impressed!

You are learning what you aren't allowed to do and I feel so proud of you when you obey. You know you're not supposed to touch the carbon monoxide detector, will crawl by, look at it and look at me. I say "no touch" and you crawl past it. You also are learning not to touch the tray on the coffee table. It's right there tempting you, but you often play for a long time and make no attempts to touch it. Before I brag too much, the other day you crawled right up to the carbon monoxide detector with a smile on your face and in spite of my warning, confidently reached out to grab it. You got a serious spanking and were pretty upset. It's major punishment for you when I pick you up, set you down against the wall and walk away. This is your "timeout" and you just dissolve into tears. It only lasts as long as it takes for you to crawl over and beg me to pick you up. I know your currency for now! As long as we are generally moving in the right direction...

You have started to say "uh-oh, which sounds more like "uh-uh." This is your first word besides "mama" and "dada." You also try to say "fish." Honey is the one who noticed this. She was reading your Animals book with you and you made a "sh" sound when she said "fish." It's really more like the "s" sound with a lisp. You've continued to do this when we say "fish." Pretty cute.

A few other things I don't want to forget... You put your arm around my back when I hold you. I think because you don't want me to sit you down... You have no problem drinking whole milk now and can really chug it!

I love you so much and am thankful for each day with you!

Love,
Mommy

Happy 1st Birthday, Luke!

Dear Luke,

We are at 12 months! ONE year and what a year it's been! At 12 months:

You weigh 21 pounds 6 ounces and are 30 3/4 inches tall.

You are cruising all over the place... along the couches, the bench at the dining table, the bathtub, coffee table and ottoman.

You've learned to open the kitchen cabinets. At first you were entertained just by opening and closing them, but now you want what's inside... Daddy needs to get those cabinet locks on stat!

You have 3 bottom teeth and at least 2 top teeth, with a third barely coming through.

You are drinking cow's milk out of a sippy cup and eating like a champ - eggs, peanut butter, hummus, beans, avocado, cottage cheese... The only things I feed you with a spoon are yogurt, cottage cheese and oatmeal. Otherwise, you can feed yourself!

You really know how to express your frustration when you don't like something, like when I pick you up and you're not done playing with something. I just ignore your grunting and we move on pretty quickly. :)

You've started to cry when I drop you off in the kids ministry at church and ibloom. They say it doesn't last long.

You've realized that you can manipulate the baby in the mirror. :)

You still want Mama if I'm around.

You have started dancing! We went to Marini's Empanada House for lunch on my birthday and we looked over to see you grooving to Michael Jackson's "Billy Jean." So funny!

Love you, little man!
Mommy

Mama

Dear Luke,

You know my name! You've been saying mama for a couple weeks now and it seemed to be when you're asking for me. Last night I was at small group and when daddy put you to bed, you looked all around saying "mama, mama?" Isn't that sweet?! You've wanted your mama a lot lately and I'm glad. :)

Love,
Mommy

Diet Changes

Dear Luke,

Unfortunately you've been sick a lot the past several weeks. :( You had a cold with a bad cough that lasted for days and then you got your first ear infection. For some reason the congestion, coughing, and some overeating have triggered your gag reflex more than I'd like to remember and you've thrown up quite a bit. I was already a little concerned about your weight because your growth curve had slowed down quite a lot once you became more active. Add to that my decreasing milk supply and your refusal to take formula and it's been stressful to know what to do! I talked to the dr about this at your last appointment for your ear infection and she suggested starting you on whole milk and other calorie rich foods. So, we did! You have embraced the diet changes so well even in just one week. You've had whole wheat tortillas stuffed with hummus or refried beans and cheese; cheese cubes; whole milk peach yogurt; pasta salad with turkey sausage and vegetables; hard boiled eggs; whole wheat french toast made with whole milk, eggs, and butter; beef ravioli. Last night you drank warmed whole milk mixed with breast milk from a sippy cup! I am so very thankful to God that you are adapting to the changes and I figure you must be gaining some weight. You did throw up after having strawberry yogurt yesterday morning so I'm wondering if you have some allergy to strawberry even though you had them in something else months ago and were fine. When at the grocery store last week I was stressing about all this and God clearly said, "you have to trust me with this, too." So, I have tried. It hadn't really occured to me that it was a trust issue. I am your mom so I am responsible for you, but He loves you more than me and he knows everything about you. So He will show the way forward. I love you, little buddy! Next up, peanut butter!

Love,
Mommy

Happy 11 Month Birthday!

Dear Luke,

Your 11 month birthday didn't feel like that big of a deal to me... maybe it's a little overshadowed by your ONE YEAR birthday that's just a month away!  I'm planning a fun little party for you. :)

At 11 months:

You weigh 20 pounds 10 ounces.

You are broadening your culinary palette.  You've had your first adult meal: Italian pesto salad (elbow noodles, cannellini beans, pesto, and parmesan).  You also eat peas, mixed vegetables, pita bread, and you had some of a waffle this morning.  You do NOT like picking up bananas by hand, but you loved them mashed.

You LOVE playing with any kind of little lotion tube and your bottle of vitamin D drops.

You definitely know what "no" means and, at times, listen when we say it. :)

You still want Mommy, most of the time.

You have begun to learn to drink from a sippy cup.

You've taken to dropping your bear or lovey out of your crib.  I think it was an accident the first few times, but you've also done it intentionally to see what happens when you drop it.  Then you dissolve into tears when you realize you can't get it back.  One night when I was gone you did this after Daddy put you to bed.  He turned off all the lights upstairs and sneaked in to deposit your bear back in the crib, without you seeing him.  You were feeling around for it and when you found it, you cuddled up, sighed contentedly, and fell right to sleep.

You're still working on your top teeth and have at least one more little tooth trying to come through on the bottom.

You are obsessed with your Baby Einstein take-along tunes toy.  It's the toy you never get tired of!

You can say more consonants now... mama, nana, and still lots of dada.

We love you!

Love,
Mommy

The Best Toys Aren't Toys

Dear Luke,

Lately you are most entertained when you are playing with things that aren't toys. Our recent trip to the grocery store was the least stressful trip in awhile. I usually bring in your diaper bag with lots of toys and change them out for you, first sanitizing my hands, then strapping them to your cart cover, as you get bored, and feel rushed to get out of there before you are too unhappy. This time I left the diaper bag and toys in the car and just handed you items from the cart. That's what you've always been most interested in anyway. So, you were entertained by a bag of spinach for awhile, then when you got tired of that, I gave you a little package of pine nuts, then you finished the trip with a container of shaved parmesan. You were content for the whole trip (it was also a shorter trip, which I'm sure had something to do with it) and I didn't have to worry about getting your toys out of the bag or having the diaper bag take up so much space in the cart. I should have thought of that sooner! Here you are with some recent finds:

I love you, little buddy.

Love,
Mommy