"I'm a man!"

Hi Lukey!!

Tonight you announced that you are a man! Well, you are 3.... but, well on your way! We talked about the plural for man being men and then I asked you the plural for candy-- you said "candies", tree?... "trees", truck?... "trucks", woman? .... you thought for a minute and said with excitement "women"!! Gosh, Lukey, you are so amazing... that's what I said to you and you said... ya--- I am really amazing!! You really, really are!

At night, when we are snuggling in bed I get a special kiss on the cheek and I get to give you one too. I say "You are my special guy" and you say to me "You are my special girl"! I love being your special girl, sweetie-- it makes my heart sing! You whisper to me "I have a question" and then I whisper "what is it?" and you say.... "I love you!". Daddy tells you "I love you more!"

You are in preschool now at Avery's school and we get to see her sometimes (which is so fun and at those times, we all jump up and down with excitement). There is a big bike yard, a sand yard and a "thing" yard! You have so much fun with your friends-- Iris is your most special friend. You two are like peanut butter and jelly..... it's like you have known each other for years (your teacher thought that you had!). Your teachers are Ms. Phyllis and Ms. Jennifer. I asked you tonight which was your favorite and you said "Ms. Phyllis" and then you said "which one is Ms. Phyllis?"!!! Then, you changed your mind and Ms. Jennifer was your favorite because she reads you stories.

You are still very much into trucks. You want to drive all of the different trucks and trains when you grow up. You especially want to drive the delivery trucks that deliver new trash cans and take the old ones away. It's the cleanest position in sanitation and you, like your daddy, like to be clean!

Except.... when you eat chocolate....

I let you lick the bowl of brownie mix once and you smeared the chocolate all over your face--- so fun!!! What's better than eating chocolate? I guess...wearing it!! You make me laugh, sweetie!!

I'll write more later.... still lots to tell you about!

I love you more!

Mommy

Train Park & Amy's Playground

Play, Play, Play

"Ya! For Sure!"

OHHH..... I seeeee!

Hi sweet Lukey Lukes!!!

You are 2 years, 7 months today!!! SUCH a big boy!!! We can't believe how fast you have grown!! You are a little fire-ball-- always on the go, go, go!! Tomorrow you start your first day of Preschool at a little school down the hill. Your friend Alfie goes there too and I just know you are going to love it!

Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you for doing such a great job potty training! You say "I'm doing it" and we all give a big cheer for your efforts on the potty! When you are done you get your "end um ends"--- "a green one, yellow one and black one" (they are really brown) every time. Thank you Mimi and Auntie Breezy for your big boy underwear!!!! One day you wanted to wear all 3 of your Thomas the Tank undies-- we just wore 2 tho!

You are a very sweet boy and amaze me with how much fun you are--- except when you are in one of your moods--- woooooo watch out!!! Sometimes you just yell and scream--- "stop, stop, stop!!!!!" and then throw a fit about something. It's not easy being 2, sweetheart, Mommy knows it must be so hard!! I give you a big hug when you are settled down and then we go on with our day.

You LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all things trucks and trains. You love to watch youtube with Daddy and your most often requested videos are of trash trucks and trains. You have every truck book we can find and you just study them one after the other when we are driving in the car. You are an avid reader!!

Fun things you do now:

Helping Daddy in the studio, swinging in your swing outside, climbing in and out of your crib & car seat --- "all by um self", running around the house at top speed ("like a cheetah"), playing with your Thomas train set (you make a "big long" train and then you don't move it around the track because it's "getting gas" most of the time), playing with Daddy for hours in your room, painting on your easel downstairs. On TV, you watch Zaboomafoo, Caillou and Dragon Tales. The Wiggles and Doodle Bops are a thing of the past now.

You can count to 20, sing the alphabet song, know your colors, animals and most of the various kinds of trucks!

Things we do together:

Parks, parks and more parks! We all love to go to the park and play! You are very good with the other children and have a very special technique for moving in on the other children's sand toys!! You will go sit near whoever has a toy you want to play with and you will wait and watch them play very patiently. You will get closer and closer in time and eventually, the child will go and play & leave his toy behind and then, voila-- there you are -- just you and the prized toy to play, play, play for as long as you can! It's really quiet something!

We also like to hit the zoo (thanks Mimi for our membership!!) and visit with all of the animals-- especially the gorillas! They are really special! You could stay there all day if you could! Travel Town is another great place you like to go-- trains, trains and more trains!! So fun! With daddy, Home Depot is your favorite fork lift viewing spot! Another fun place is the Santa Anita Race Track to watch the horses practice in the morning--- sooo pretty!

You love your baby Liam and he ADORES you. He looks at you and just laughs and his eyes are nothing but LOVE for his big brother! I think you are his favorite person in the whole wide world! You guys are best brothers already!!

Here is what you are saying these days--- basically--- everything you have gotten from us!
Ohhhhh..... I see! (mommy)
Stop, stop, stop! (mommy and daddy)
Wait, listen to me. (daddy)
Talk to me for a little bit. (mommy)
I'll show ya. (daddy)

You are a big ball of energy, a REEEALLLYYYYY BIG personality and a truly sweet and thoughtful young boy. I love you soooo much and I'm so proud of you every day!

Thank you for being my son-- I am the luckiest mommy in the world!

Love,

Mommy

14 Months, 12 Days

Hi Lukey!

We have been so busy and mommy has been so tired at the end of the night, that I haven't written to you in awhile! You have been up to so many wonderful things that I want to tell you all about.... YOU!

Here are all the words you know how to say (in order): Da-Da, Ma-Ma, Doe-Doe (that's your paci), Ya-Ya (water), Shoe (zzz), Bird (bir), Dog (da-da), Trash Truck (tra tru), Zebra (my favorite!), & Ball

You know the signs for: milk, more, hungry & up

You do these cool things:
- Climb, climb, climb (today you climbed up your highchair and sat down in it all by yourself!)
- You kick balls very well and like to play soccer with the big boys at the park & also with your big boy cousins Hayden and Lachlan!
- When you hear a plane, helicopter, train or trash truck-- you run to the window and tell us all about it-- ESPECIALLY trash trucks!
- Sometimes we play in the car & you like to put the key in the ignition and climb around the seats. Yesterday you wanted mommy to take you for a ride so you climbed into your car seat and tried to buckle yourself in!
- If we ask you "How old are you?" you respond with holding up your index finger for "One"! Daddy taught you that!
- You are running these days all the time-- and usually on your toes-- it's the cutest thing!
- You love to water the plants with daddy and work in his shop too-- so many interesting things down there!
- Your favorite place to be in the whole world is OUTSIDE-- you love to walk down the street to pet the grey kitty cat. You are so gentle with her! You point to all the tires and shake your finger because mommy says "dirty tires, don't touch" and you are such a good boy that you don't touch those dirty tires!
- When you get hurt-- you try to tell us what happened. Today, you fell from the bench in the entry-way-- you pointed to your head and then the floor to tell us that your head hit the floor and it hurt!
- You put your arms up when I say "How big is the bunny?" and "How much does mommy love you?"
- When I say "Lukey, can I have a hug?"-- you put your head on my shoulder and wrap your arms around me!! I don't know who taught you that one-- but, it's the most treasured thing you do-- I love your loving hugs!

Here are fun things you know:
- When you see a fish you open & close your mouth like a fishy does (Mimi taught you that one!)
- When you see a giraffe, you make a big chewing gesture with your mouth- and go mmmm--- mmmmmm- mmmmm!
- You say "rooooaaarrr" when you see a lion.
- You know where your ears, eyes, nose, mouth, tongue, belly, belly button, hair, fingers, knee, and toes are-- you know boob and tinkler too.

Your friends are:
Roman Lenz- we get to see Roman and his mommy, Jenny about once a week for play dates-- last week we went to the acquarium in Long Beach-- you guys got to touch a shark! We have been playing with Roman since he was born-- just 3 months after you! You boys are so fun to watch together-- such busy little beavers!

Ocean Love Fischer- we get to see Ocean and his mommy, Jules a few times a week for play dates. We always have so much fun dancing, singing, and laughing together. Jules made you lots of yummy baby food when you were younger and you LOVED it-- it was called "Love Mush" and mommy liked it too! You and Ocean are very sweet with one another-- you are very gentle and luckily, Ocean doesn't mind too much when you grab his toys from him! Gotta work on sharing, baby!!

Your night time routine:

Dinner at 6pm- you eat lots of yummy food- steamed carrots and broccoli, chicken, noodles with cheese, you love bread!
then
Bath with Daddy-- this is your special daddy time & you love it! Daddy makes you laugh with the silly things you guys do.
then
Book time with Mommy & Daddy-- we read you books in our bed while you drink a nice bottle of milk.
then
You fall asleep and sometimes we do too!

Books we read before bed (in order):
The Zoo Book
Pat the Bunny
Goodnight Moon

What I know about you:
- You are sweet and gentle with all creatures big and small (people and animals).
- You are so fun to be with-- you love to play & laugh.
- You challenge yourself and maybe do things that you shouldn't-- but, we let you try and you amaze us all the time. Example: Climbing into your high chair!!!!!
- You love people and they love you right back! You have a big smile on your face and people tell me all the time what a happy boy you are and what a great smile you have! It's a big smile-- and that's why you were Bruce the Shark for Halloween! Thank you Mimi for the Halloween Costume!!
- You are a TOTAL LOVE.

Well, my baby boy-- you are doing so much more than what I listed tonight, but these are some of the really special things you are up to these days. As daddy says-- You aren't a "burrito" anymore! (When you were a little baby, we would wrap you up in a blanket like a burrito-- that made you feel safe and warm.) You are such a big boy now and you are growing so fast-- we just can't believe it! You are a running, playing, climbing, laughing, dancing, loving life little toddler and you continue to bring your mommy and daddy lots and lots of joy.

The more I get to know you, my precious baby Lukey, the more I fall in love with you. There is no space between where my heart leaves off and where you begin-- it's all one- you are my heart and my heart is YOU!

Biiiiiig hug!

Love,

Mommy

Big Walker!!

Hi Luke!

You are SO MUCH FUN right now!!! Let me tell you what you are up to these days!! First of all-- you are walking-- all by yourself!!! Each day you take more and more steps by yourself and today you just blew daddy & I away with how bold you are getting!! You continue to be a big ball of fun -- you laugh and smile all the time and we just think you are the best little guy!

A couple days ago, mommy was carrying you around the house (you love to be carried, by the way!) and as I was walking, I kicked your little soccer ball around the house and said "kick" every time I kicked the ball. Well-- the very next day when you were doing "walkies" with daddy holding your hand-- you kicked the ball over and over again!! Good job, Lukey!!!!

You and mommy go to music class on Thursday and we both have so much fun. The class is taught by a wonderful lady named Musiic and she is all sunshine and smiles and she lets you crawl on her lap as she strums her guitar. All the other babies are sitting on their mommy's laps -- but, Lukey-- you have things to do and there is no time for sittin'!! In class, we sing a song that goes "open, shut them-- open, shut them-- give a little clap, clap, clap" and as we sing the song, we open and close our hands. Guess who knows how to "open, shut them and clap, clap"!!!? YOU do! And-- you know when to do them-- so cool!

You also dance when music comes on the stereo. One of daddy's paintings is above the stereo in our living room and when the music comes on, you look at the painting. We think that you think the music comes from the painting!!!

Another fun trick you do now is stick out your tongue when we say "Where's your tongue?" The funny thing is-- you stick out your tongue when we say "Where's your ear"! You are so silly!

It's so hard to believe that in 22 days you are going to be 1 YEAR OLD!! Gosh, baby, time goes so fast! I wish I could slow things down so I can hold you and dance with you around the house forever. Such special moments-- each moment with you is! Who is the luckiest mommy in the world? I AM!!!

Lukey-- you are love-- big, big love and I adore you so so much!!

Love,

Mommy

Love, Dad

hi lukers
what are you doing now?
crawling, crawling fast, crawling faster. you follow us from room to room crawling like a pro. so much and so fast we had to put knee pads, or ,rolled up baby socks, around your knees to keep them from getting too sore. you gotta see what we are doing at all times. wheres mommy crawl crawl crawl, oh right here, ok wheres daddy them, crawl crawl crawl, oh ok hes right here, ok, i love it when you check in, , just checking in. you are very busy, you love playing with the fax machine, and your new thing this week is putting things in things and taking them out. like the small trash can under the desk is just your size. you stand there, all papers come out one by one and then the y all go back in, then all out again, i just wish the "all done" would come with the trash in the wastebasket not out all over the floor, i haven't seen that yet.
tomorrow we are getting the rug for your room, very big day for mommy, she's been waiting for this a long time and tomorrow it comes for us to play play play on, should be nice.
love dad.





Standing Practice

Friends!

Lukey,

"The best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch and swing with, never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had."

Yesterday, your friend Roman came over for a play date. You guys had such fun and it's just so amazing to see how fast you both are growing! Roman is now sitting up & you are crawling up a storm now -- amazing!!! You were playing very nicely, but we have to work on sharing a bit, darling! Roman was playing with the football & you took it, then he had the phone from your play center-- you took that too! You held the phone w/ your feet and the ball in your hands so Roman got his vibrating teether & you both were happy.

Daddy and Mommy went to buy carpet for your new room & you had a ball crawling around the carpet department! Shear heaven for a crawling baby!!

You are big smiles these days-- loving your new freedom!

You are a great talker too! Your newest word is "Hieee" and you say it with enthusiasm and a big smile!

Thanks for being such an awesome son, daddy and I are having such fun with you!

Love,

Mommy

Big Day!

Yesterday was a big day for you, Lukey! You got your 5th tooth (upper left)-- does that explain the 3 nights of fever, 4 days of crankiness & the gooey diapers and, as of yesterday, a rash from the bottom of your neck to the top of your diapers-- front and back?? If so- that tooth should be celebrated because you really had to suffer for it to come out!

Also big news-- you crawled for the first time-- up on all fours! Mommy was taking the blankets off of the bed and once it was cleared off-- you were like "FINALLY!!" & you took off on all fours and crawled across the bed! Now you are crawling and still doing a lot of standing and walking from one thing to the next-- such a big boy!

We went to the beach yesterday & it was beautiful, but you didn't have too much fun because you didn't get enough of a nap in the morning. Our days are very dependent on those naps and it's so important for you to sleep or you just don't feel right.

That's it, darlin'-- I just wanted to let you know that I'm so proud of you!

Love,

Mommy

9 month Check-Up

Hi Luke!

We took you to see Dr. Bursch for your 9 month check-up on the 22nd. You are right on track and doing great! You now weigh 19lbs, 4oz & are 27 1/4" tall. You remain in the 50th percentile-- which means you are right in the middle, but there is clearly nothing "average" about you-- you are soooo special! We were a little concerned about you walking before crawling because it seems that is precisely what you are going to do. All you want to do is stand and you love to walk if we hold your arms or if you have something sturdy to hold onto (like your crib, baby gates or your play yard activity center). The doctor says that it's just fine--- so-- go, Lukey, go!! We talked a lot about sleeping and the doctor says that you should be sleeping through the night (instead of waking mommy up 3 times during the night to be fed or rocked back to sleep!) So, we are going to try to work on that-- but, mommy and daddy hate to hear you cry & I'm sure you don't like it either!

Today was the first day you have been well this week. You had a terrible fever during the past few nights & mommy held you all night so that you would sleep. Today you were back to your normal self & you had fun bouncing in your jumper outside and playing at the neighborhood park with daddy. So glad you are feeling better, baby!

You did not want to go to sleep tonight so after feeding you, I rocked you in my arms & sang "The Ants Go Marching" song. I think you like that one & I normally just have to sing it 2 times before you are asleep.

Every day you become more and more fun. You love to laugh and think the games we play with you are so silly. Mommy had the laundry folded nicely and sitting on top of the couch. You pulled the clothes down & daddy laughed and said "you aren't supposed to do that!!" and put them back up. Then-- you pulled them down again and you both laughed and daddy said "you aren't supposed to do that!" and so the game went!

Know what is special about you, Lukey?

EVERYTHING!

We love you so, so, so, so, so, so (to infinity) much!

Mommy

9 mos old!

Hi Luke!

You are almost 9 months old and I just can't believe how big you are! Guess what you are doing now? Standing!! You are so funny-- you stand up, holding on to something and then you reach for something just nearly out of reach and you GO FOR IT! You are not afraid and willing to take a chance-- I like that & you are going to have so much fun-- always challenging yourself! You don't give up or get frustrated with new tasks-- you just focus and keep at it until you get it (like your daddy!). I'm so proud of you!!

Yesterday was the day you stood by yourself for the first time (just for a few seconds, but still so impressive!). Your daddy and I think you are going to crawl any day now-- you are so close! You also fed yourself a Cheerio for the first time. It's hard to pick them up with your thumb and forefinger, but you got it and now you do it like a pro! You are very strong too, by the way. Mommy is bad and lets you do pull ups on the oven door (only when it's not hot)-- it's fun to see you support your weight with your arms. You also really get a kick out of playing on the washing machine-- especially when it's on and jiggles and shakes as you play with the knobs and buttons.

Right now you have 4 teeth. You like to eat avocado, apple, pear, banana, chicken, oatmeal & yogurt.

You are a good sleeper (when mommy can get you to sleep!), but you don't really like to sleep through the night yet. You like to wake up every few hours and have some milk while you stroke mommy's arm or pull on my nose (isn't that silly!)!

Your favorite person in the whole universe is your daddy! You just light up when daddy walks in the room-- & I know why too -- because he is the BEST daddy in the world!!!! Daddy loves to carry you around and he loves to play with you-- he is so fun & he smiles as he talks to you because he just can't contain his happiness that you are his son.

Daddy is building your room right now and it's going to be ready soon! Right now your crib is in mommy & daddy's room & we like having you there so we can watch you while you sleep. We will miss having you there after your room is ready, but you are getting to be a big boy & I bet you are going to love the room that daddy makes so special for you.

Well, Boo-Boo, it's time for me to check on you-- I think you might be awake from your nap!

I love you oodles and oodles!

Mommy