Luke's 2 Year Old Pictures

My extremely talented sister, Bryanna, took Luke's 2 year old pictures this weekend and we LOVE them!  It was a lot of fun, and I couldn't be happier with the results!  We went to the VT Duck Pond, and although we were a little late with the turning of the leaves, Bry was still able to get some fabulous shots!  Thanks Aunt B... I've already got her lined up to take the baby's pics when he arrives, so stayed tuned.  If anyone is interested in Bryanna taking pictures for them, let me know and I will give you her contact info!

Update!

It's amazing how quickly time flies!  In 12 days Luke's baby brother will be here, God willing!  Today we all watched home videos of the first days of Luke's life at the hospital, and some of Luke between the ages of newborn-5 months.  Luke didn't really get that the baby was him, until the older months when he started looking more like himself...  He was trying to talk to Ben on the TV, haha, and he also couldn't understand where everyone went... "where'd Mar Mar go?", "I want to see Nana", "where'd Grandma go?"  It was too cute! 

The binky is official gone!  Last weekend Mar Mar had the brilliant idea to have Beamer (the dog) chew the binky.  Grandpa then pretended to wash it off, and while doing so cut the tip off (as so many people have suggested).  When Luke put the binky in his mouth, he quickly pulled it out and responded "Beamer chewed it".  I then had Luke throw the binky in the garbage.  He has asked for his binky several times, I tell him "you know where it is" and he responds with "in the garbage, Beamer chewed it".  At the beginning of the week he did ask both Ben and I (seperately) to go to the store and get another one, haha!  The binky has been replaced with a monkey that his former babysitter gave him.  Now when Luke gets upset, or at bedtime, he asks for his monkey.  I have to say, that I am extremely proud of Luke and his easy adjustment to change!  If I would have known that it would have been this easy, I would have gotten rid of the binky months ago!  :0)

Luke was sick at the beginning of the week (and yes, this was just one day after getting rid of the binky).  He had a fever which spiked at 102.8... we did take him to the doctor to rule out strep.  He is all better now, thank goodness, and is looking forward to his guys night out with daddy tomorrow... They are getting hair cuts and then going to watch Hokie Basketball!  This will be Luke's first college game, and he is very excited :o)  I will be enjoying a girls night... dinner with Bry (and drinks for my 21 year old sister), and then my friend Kate is hosting a little get together at her house to celebrate the baby- Kate makes the best desserts!  Tomorrow is also my last day of work, so I will eat extra dessert (since I can't toast with an alcoholic beverage) to celebrate being a Stay At Home Mom!

Aunt B's birthday breakfast at IHOP!  Happy 21st!



Kisses Kisses Kisses!

Sick Luke and Daddy at the Doctor- Luke is all better now!

Gymnastics

One of the activities I am looking forward to doing when I stop working, is taking Luke to the "open gym" at Virginia Techniques.  Last Tuesday schools were closed, so I was able to take him, and it just so happens that the first Tuesday of every month they have inflatables! 

Going up the slide!

Luke went on the slide once, and then he had enough... he hurt his foot on the climb up, so I think that detered him from doing it again.  He did enjoy jumping at the bottom of the steps and the bottom of the slide. 



Coming down the slide!

He enjoyed the tiger inflatable, and always enjoys all of the other things this place has to offer.  This inflatable had a huge area on the inside, including a small slide that Luke found much more appealing over the big slide.

"Was that mom?"

Ready, set, jump!

I told him to lie back while I took the picture, haha!

















Dr. Appointments

Luke had his two year check up on Wednesday and everything went well!  He is in the 60th percentile for height, 40th percentile for weight and 50th percentile for his head circumfrence.  So pretty much he is right on track.  The doctor was pretty amazed, as are most people, with his vocabulary!  She said she could understand everything that he was saying, and typically she can only understand about half of what kids his age say.  He got one shot, and was a good sport about it!  We were told to get rid of the binky asap... it's definitely more laziness on mommy's part than anything else... I think I will do it this weekend because we'll have reinforcements here.  We are blessed that Luke is healthy, strong, and hitting his developmental milestones :)

I also had a doctor's appointment on Wednesday, and I too am "right on schedule".  I'm one centimeter dialated, the baby's head is down (although still very far up), and my cervix is still thick.  Pretty much right where I should be for 37 weeks.  Wow, reading that back sounds pretty personal :)  Good thing only family and my good friends check my blog out :)  Haha!  The baby's room is finished, and this weekend we plan to pull out all the other baby "stuff", pack n play, swing...  I've got the baby's clothes laid out for the hospital, and will get my bag ready this weekend, just in case.  Right now, we know the baby will arrive in no more than 19 days!

I have 6 more days of work remaining, and I am definitely looking forward to that!  I'm going to miss my friends that I have made, but have every intention of keeping in touch :)  I've loved my job, and have been very fortunate to have so much flexibility!  But, I am definitely excited about giving my family 100% of my attention, and maybe just a little more attention to myself as well :)

Birthday Party & Halloween!



Enjoying birthday breakfast with Daddy!

Luke's 2nd Birthday was Saturday, October 30th.  We had a party for him in our backyard with his friends and he had a fabulous time!  It was a monster's themed party and we had corn hole, a ball pit, trampoline, tunnels, hay dig, mask painting and lots of food for all to enjoy.  I think it was a success and we hope that everyone had a great time.  It's hard to believe that my baby is 2 already.  We are so blessed that he is a healthy and happy little guy!  We took video, but of course I did not take any pictures, my father-in-law did however, so I'll share some once I get them from him.


Mommy's attempt at a Monster's Inc. Cake

Playing with on of his birthday presents!

This was house #2, Luke wanted to stop and eat some candy!

Halloween was a blast!  Luke dressed up as a VT Hokie Football Player (thanks Papa) and he kept everything except the helmet on for the whole time.  We went to about 5 houses and then Luke was ready to go home and pass out candy with daddy! 

"Really mom..."

Big Boy Bed

Luke has officially moved out of his crib into his big boy bed.  He's been sleeping in his big boy bed since last Sunday and absolutely loves it!  We moved the crib out of his room last night, and it did not even phase him.  We are very proud of him and his easy adjustment to change! 

Luke has to climb the ladder whenever he gets in bed!

Cheezing!

Pretending to sleep!

Jumping...

First Swim Lesson & Pumpkin Patch

We signed Luke up for some swim lessons.  He goes twice a week for four weeks and the first lesson was this past Monday.  Things started out well, Luke loves the water, and he jumped right in.  After about 5 minutes he got out of the pool and stood on the side, holding the bar, and stated "I'm pooping".  He stayed in this position for about 10 minutes and then daddy changed him.  Back in the pool he came for another 5 minutes, and then he again got out and stood on the side declaring "I'm pooping again".  The swim class was only 30 minutes long, so by this time things were winding up.  The swim instructor thinks Luke is afraid of the water.  Needless to say, the first swim lesson did not go as planned.  Hopefully Thursday will be better.  On a positive note, one of his friends is in his class, so that should make it even more fun!

This past weekend we went to the Pumpkin Festival with Nanny, Pop, and our friends.  We had a great time!  Ben and I took Luke last year as well, and will more than likely make this an annual trip.  Luke loved looking at the animals, the different shaped pumpkins, playing on the haystacks and watching all of the kids!  He also got two lollipops from one of the vendors, which he was thrilled about.  We asked him if he wanted to go on a hayride and/or the pony rides, but he said "No" and the kid definitely knows what he does and does not want to do.  It was a great afternoon and to top it all off the Hokies won! 

God willing, 7 weeks from today is our c-section, and our 2nd baby will be here!  We've been working on the baby room and transfering things from Luke's room.  Luke officially calls the spare bedroom the "baby room", it's so cute!  We still have quite a bit to do to get the house ready, but it will all work out!