All she wants for Christmas is...

her two front teeth!!!

I've been meaning to post this for a while now but the holidays got away with me and then I got sick so, I'll be trying to catch up over the next week or so. I couldn't believe the timing. It was cute to listen to her singing "all I want for christmas is my two front teeth, my two front teeth" around the house. Even though we all knew what she really wanted was a Hannah Montana doll!

Inside-out day

Yesterday Luke turned 9 months old. So, today he has officially been out in the world longer than he was inside of my belly. I can't take credit for the idea. I read about it on another mother's blog and thought it was a cute idea. Although I really, really enjoyed hosting him in my belly for those 9 months (it was my priviledge) I am proud of all the growing and developing he's been doing on the outside.

There's no question that he is a big boy. He is solidly in the 18 month size clothing. Jaden actually wore a shirt I bought to Luke today. The sleeves were a teeny bit short but not much. And he's 20 months older! I'm not sure how much he weighs but the last time I put him on the scale he was almost 25 1/2 pounds. But, it's not just that. He crawls all over the place and gets into everything he can. I swear sometimes he's got "go go gadget" arms or really sticky fingers because he can grab stuff off of tables and countertops. And for a big guy he's pretty quick. I call him "little Warren" sometimes for Warren Sapp (I watched a lot of Dancing With the Stars this season and he was big guy that was quick on his feet).

I continue to try to soak up all of the wonderful "babyness" that he still has about him - the way he curls his feet when he's stilling on the floor, the way he grabs his toys with his fat little hands and slobbers all over them, the way his skin feels so smooth and soft, the little grunts and makes rasberries with his mouth.

I am so thankful for this beautiful child. When I got pregnant with Luke I was caught off guard. He was a bit of a surprise. Now, I can see more clearly God's plan for us and how he fits into our life. He completes our little family.

Just pics of Jaden

The fake boo-boo

What a mess!

I think Luke is entering the age or stage when he's going to need a bath after just about every meal. After this picture I took him to get a bath and found 3 pieces of apple cinnamon cereal bar stuck to the back of his hair! There were bits of food floating in the water.
He is boycotting "baby food". He pretty much doesn't want anything that is delivered on a utensil. He was eating some of my spanish rice tonight (yeah, I know - spanish rice?) as long as I was using my fingers. When I tried to give him some off of my spoon he refused.
Also worth noting: today I couldn't see him so I went to look for him. Guess where I found him? On the steps! He was about 5 steps up. He made it around the corner enough that he was hidden by the wall. That little stinker! He is just going to be 9 months old tomorrow. I wish he'd slow down and just be a baby for a little while for a change. Things are moving too fast for me!

Snow!!!! In Texas!!!!!

Needless to say, I was very surprised tonight when I saw little snow flurries as I was headed out to the store. While I was driving they kept getting bigger. There was even some sticking to the cars and roof tops! I never thought I would see know in Texas. Yesterday, it was 70 some degrees. Go figure?

Guess the maid had the day off...

A few days ago when Anna was about to leave for school in the morning this is what she said to me:

"Could you put my closet back together? I like it when I come home and everything is cleaned up!"

I have got to start making my kids clean their own rooms...

My first "paid" photo session

I took some pics of my friend Laura, her husband, and their beautiful dog Scout for their Christmas card. She totally didn't have to but she paid me with a bottle of wine! I think that might be the best way to get paid. I have such a hard time picking out wine. It was soo good! I was planning on saving it to drink with them but Chris and I ended up drinking it during our Thanksgiving. I know the brand so I'm sure I'll pick up another bottle :)

After she sends out her Christmas cards I'll share some of the others. I don't want to spoil the surprise.

My first book review

I have agreed to read some books and provide reviews on them. I'm really looking forward to it! I've been so wrapped up in dirty diapers and baby bottles (which I do love, don't get me wrong) but this will be a nice way to use my brain for something else. An escape for a moment...

My first book is "My Little Girl" by Tim McGraw and Tom Douglas:
As a big fan of Tim Mcgraw’s music I have to admit I was pretty excited to read his book. I was a little curious as well since it’s a children’s book – not really something I would have expected from this country singer. It turned out to be very sweet story that was well written. It’s about a Daddy and his daughter spending the day together. The little girl looked forward to a “better than chocolate ice cream with sprinkles” kind of day and was disappointed to learn that her Daddy’s plans were completely “ordinary”. They simply spent time together and enjoyed all the wonderful “ordinary” moments that people usually miss along the way. It’s wonderful enough just to spend time reading to your child but this book helps to remind you of what really matters – being present in the time you spend together with your child wherever you are and whatever you are doing. Tim McGraw does a great job of showing us all how to turn the “ordinary” into “extra-ordinary”. All you need is a little imagination and love. There’s no need to go to great expense or make extravagant plans to impress your child. They will cherish the moments you spend together as much as you do!
One last thing – even though this story is about a father and a daughter I think any parent and child would enjoy the story. I know I enjoyed reading it to my daughter and son. Read the book and be inspired to go out and make your own “extra-ordinary” moments with your child!

I swear I am not making it up

Luke is starting to babble. Both of my other children began by saying "dadadada". Not Luke! He says "mamamamama"! Chris can confirm this is true.

Right now he's got all the little developmental milestones covered for the first year according to my little Gerber chart with the exception of walking. He crawls, pulls up, cruises, now says Mama! My little Mama's boy!

Belly tickles

Crafty Kids

A few weeks ago Chris took the kids over to the college for "Any Kid Kan". It is a little art workshop sponsored by BACH (the early intervention program that is providing speech services to Jaden). They all had lots of fun and made so many different projects I couldn't believe they were only gone about an hour and a half!

8 Months old already!

A still moment...

I'm not sure what got into him but he kept sticking his tongue out today when I was taking his picture. C'est la vie!

Ahh...sweet baby parts...

He has taken just about every one of the knobby things that go on the end of the door stops. I have them all setting up on dressers until I get a chance to get some super glue to try to permanently stick them back on...

Where did the time go? This month has pretty much been a blur. Right about the time he turned 7 months old Luke started "crawling". It was a little rough at first but it didn't take him long to get it down. Now he's all over the place! Then, when you add to that the fact that he's very good at pulling up on anything and is even starting to cruise a little (again, rough right now but getting smoother every day) it all equals one Mom trying to catch her breath...

Today, I had to get out one of the child locks I had put away for the cabinet under the sink. I'm sensing we're going to be needing a few more child locks and probably another gate or two...Oh and probably another set of eyes...

But, I vow to enjoy every single, crazy moment of whatever is to come. Luke is such a beautiful and sweet soul. I am blessed every day that I get to spend with him.

He has started to show his own little "language" with Jaden and Anna though he seems to have a special affinity for Jaden these days. It usually starts with a grunt or laugh to get his attention then he sort of lunges toward him trying to grab his face or hair and slobber all over him with his tongue hanging out the entire time. I love it! It's the cutest thing. It's pretty unbelievable that he can smile when he sees Jaden because Jaden can usually be found trying to roll over Luke or outright laying over him or with his leg sticking out as he knocks Luke over with his foot. Oh, there are sure to be lots of paybacks in his future. Anna is actually getting some of what Jaden has been saving up for her. He's pretty vicious when it comes to scratching and pulling hair... and thanks to "Kung Fu Panda" - kung fu moves on her :) Everyday that we make it without having to go to the ER is a good day.

Mr. Personality

Learning to feed himself

What a nice little milestone! Chris and I are loving being able to set him in his highchair while we are in the kitchen (doing dishes, getting a meal ready, etc...) and keep him happy with some little cereal puffy things or wagon wheels. I can't explain what a wonderful thing that is right now with everyone fighting for our attention at seemingly the only times that we are actually in the middle of something that we need to do - at least Luke gives us a teeny, tiny break so we can get his food ready. He is not always a patient little guy and his frustrated scream rivals nails on a chalkboard. It's incredible how such awful sounds can come from such a beautiful baby!

Jaden...I guess he's been paying too much attention to how Leo (our dog) eats his food!

Something to think about...

I stole this video from my friend Dana's blog. It really left an impression with me. I know that I am going to think a little harder before putting things in my buggy this year. I'll be thinking more about what really matters and what is just going to become "clutter" in my house or someone else's. It's very easy to get caught up in all the shopping and spending at this time of year and maybe even feeling pressure to do so. I know I do. It's also easy to rationalize that I can show someone I care about them by what I buy them or how much money I spend. I hope that I can do a better job this year of adopting some new behaviors and traditions that are more focused on giving of ourselves and enjoying the true meaning of Christmas as a family. I think it's much easier to go out and buy things. I will pray for tbe wisdom to share more of myself with my family and others and give my children wonderful Christmas memories that will last much longer than whatever the "toyofthemoment" is that will soon be cast aside with all the others.