My favorite 28 pics of Luke...and fam

I have mentioned that my sweet and talented friend, Rachel O (lovingly referred to as RO), graciously took some great pics of Luke for his first birthday (and at his party). Anyway, she gave me a flash drive of all of them and I thought I'd show the world! You have seen some of these, but some are new. I'll be the first to say that a mother's love covers a multitude of issues. So, YOU may not love all of these, but they soooo represent my children and our family, so I am delighted with them- even the crying one!

We had planned on being outside and even tho it was gorgeous, it was crazy windy and frigid. Thus, Luke was very upset! Poor Rachel had to deal with a ticked off baby and a big sister who wanted to be in the middle of it all! So, Rachel kindly came over to our place and had very limited space to work in. Even with all that aside, I am sooo impressed with RO and how these turned out. Wished I had known her when we got married...and when the kids were born...and all of the kids' milestones.... :)

Good things come in small packages

Thanks to all who have checked on me since my mom's departure. Mom kissed both kids goodbye Sunday night, but we decided to let her wake R up to say goodbye again. Rebekah ended up doing great- she has mentioned Mamama a lot, but usually follows "I miss her" with "We will see her again this Christmas." Honestly, it has been harder for me. :) I miss my mom, my constant companion, and loved sharing our lives here with her. It was so nice to have backup and someone to laugh with as the kids did funny things. Of course, it was also nice to have backup for dishes, dates, chores, and fussy times. :) I think I had a stomach bug this am (it's going around our group- all the ladies anyway- so, no, I am NOT pregnant- don't even think such a thing) and was so wishing Mom was here to help! I am better now, tho. Thanks, Mom, for all you did, brought us, bought us, and did with us! We love you so, so much!

This is my super-too-cool-for-school (or at least this high chair) Luke. These are the times we think of my brother, Billy. Luke is the baby version of adult Billy. He could be Riley Jane's sibling- they both look just like him! We think so anyway. Luke sometimes acts like my bro, too- such as wringing his hands exactly the same, refusing to do things in our timing, giving us looks like these, being extremely clever, etc. He really is super-smart- I just started consistently doing sign language and he has already picked it up- he will do "more" very precisely by using his fingertips for Goldfish and foods he really loves. Like Rebekah, "more" means "I want" to Luke- so if he wants me, to do something else, or food, etc., he will sign "more". He also signs it when we ask him how big he is- he gets confused I think between throwing his hands up and signing more- you see, they both have brought him tons of praise, so why not do both? Today before lunch, he signed "eat"- it may have been coincidence, but I was quite impressed.

This was this am- another lovely morning that actually lasted!!!! Often, it's beautiful early, then goes away! :( So, like yesterday, we went to "campus" to blow bubbles. The kids had a great time and i loved sitting outside.

Some of you aren't sure what the thru the splits move is- here it is. Step 1- on your tummy. Step 2- use your arms to push up. Step 3- Pull your legs into the splits. Step 4- Push yourself up into a sitting position!

As for the title, I was shocked to learn just how "small" little buddy is for his age. The nurse was worried about his 20 lb (25th%) weight (surely it's all his crawling, she says...ha ha)...until she measured him- 72 cm (28 in; 20th%) length- "Oh!" she says, "That's proportional afterall- good things come in small packages..." Oh, my poor boy. I will start praying for a short wife and ways to avoid jealousy towards your off-the-charts sister!

p.s. Rebes has started calling us "Big Mommy" and "Big Daddy"- we LOVE it! On Monday, I was also "Miss Mommy."

Storybook Glen with Mamama

As Mom, Rebekah, Luke, and I were preparing to leave for the beach this week, I was startled to see that I had created a mini-me- darling as she is, this is not exactly the kind of look you want your daughter to emulate. We were planning on wading thru the frigid water in rain boots, so this seemed right enough just for driving there. However, it ended up being much windier than anticipated and we opted for ice cream and the park in lieu of splashing in the water. So, this is what we looked like. (Kate, the crocs are for you!)

Mamama took this picture of rebekah "reading."

We were "working"- actually, this is posed, but most of the time, Rebekah loves to do whatever I am doing. Tonight she was "working on her blog, but it wasn't working quite right..." I also just got up to see why she was making noise at 9pm and she "just needed a sip of water." She then needed to know what color the cup was (pink, what else?) and proceeded to tell me that she was only going to get out of bed because she needed to go to the bathroom. As I attempted to zip her back in her sleep sack and was having difficulty in the dark, she encouraged me, "It is kinda hard, but Mamama figured it out." Thanks, pal. :) Last one, she finished the dregs of Mom's coffee today (mostly milk and cream at the bottom) and said with a grin, "It's kinda yucky, but it's really good."

Onto the title- Storybook Glen- this is a place I have heard about for a while and just kept forgetting about. Since Josh was able to stay home with the napping boy, the girls had a fun little morning date out to this amazing acreage. Seriously, like 200 acres of rolling Scottish hills, filled with obvious and hidden characters from both classic and contemporary stories. While confused as to why there weren't actual stories, Rebekah quickly took to the adventure and we all had a great time! We needed about 6 more hours though. (Andrea- I thought of you the whole time because this seemed like just the place you would take David and Elizabeth!)

I probably only took pics of half the place- it just kept going and going....I felt as if we were in the stories!

The view during the drive...

Mom leaves us on Monday- so pray for us all- but especially Rebekah. Her little heart is definitely knit to Mamama's and she will be lonesome. However, we have had a wonderful time with my Mom and will cherish the memories. Sadly for Mom, she did not get Luke's best side. While she has been here, he has had laringitis, a bad cough, cut 3 teeth, and decided dinner time is when you should scream as loud as possible in protest of not sitting in my lap during its preparation or service, and figured out he can't crawl or talk- all of which havae dampened his spirits and added to his growing frustration. On the flip side, he can push himself into a sitting position and has doubled the number of teeth in his mouth...we'll take what we can get.