First year in pictures

Warning:  Video is quite long.  This child has had SOME pictures taken of him this year!  It was just too hard to choose.  

Sidenote:    A shout out to Uncle Matthew who picked this first song as "Luke's song" when we went to visit him in California last May.  How sweet is that??  Ladies, he's single.  

A SWEET introduction

Mmm....what's that?

Tastes pretty good.

Totally digging this.

How dare you take it away!

Yesss!!!

I think it looks like Luke is saying YESSS!! in this picture, and it is the attitude he had all day today on his belated-birthday celebration. The highlight of Luke's day was definitely devouring (or demolishing) a huge cake. :)

I have TONS of pictures to sort through from the party (thanks to Lisa) and a video that blogger won't let me post right now for some reason. :( I'll get it figured out tomorrow.

Major Boo-Boo

Luke had his first major "owie" while we were over at Val's yesterday.  I was worried we were headed to the ER to get stitches for a little bit.  Thankfully we already had a Dr. appointment in the afternoon and she said it would heal just fine.   It looks tons better today, but you can still see the imprint of the coffee table's corner on his forehead.  He is such a toughie, after only a few tears were shed he was back to his reckless, carefree self.  

We're back

We've been back home since Monday and after a few days of recovery we're feeling good. Why is that?? It's like you need a post-vacation vacation when you take a trip like that. Hmmm.

We were so excited to get back to our little one year old that I had been anticipating our sweet reunion for the last couple days of our trip. I was just imagining the squeals of delight when our faces popped in the car window!! I know, dorky right?

Well, when my mom pulled up at baggage claim I did not get the greeting I was hoping for. My one year old son was MAD AT ME!! I didn't know his brain could comprehend that feeling. Apparently it can, and he let me know. He was so excited to see Michael and was all smiles with him, but any time I tried to hold him he would cry and reach for Michael. How sad right? I guess he's used to Michael being gone some, but not his Mama. He got over it by the afternoon, but it made for a pretty sad morning for me. Just wanted to make sure I document this somewhere. We have a little stinker on our hands.

Thanks Mom and Kellie, for a nice break. It was much needed and Luke loved time with his grandmas.

Aloha!

Enlarge this one and you can see how big these were out at the North Shore compared to the surfers.

Just a quick hi from Hawaii! We are having a great time in "paradise," missing our little guy bunches but relaxing and soaking up the sun has been so nice! Michael is at his interview as I type, and my sun bathing mat and the beach are calling my name. :)

Happy Birthday Luke

One year ago today the Lord brought you into our lives and for that we will never be the same! You are one special little boy and we are so glad you are ours. In the first year of your life we have traveled the country and you have been such a good sport. We could not have asked for a more easy-going baby. It has been so fun to watch you grow into a little boy. Everything about you defines BOY: your noises, your smell, your wide and sometimes stinky feet, your love of the outdoors, balls, and eating. I could go on and on.

I can't even remember life without you and our lives are more full with you in it. Every minute of loving, nursing and cuddling you has been such a joy, and I am excited to teach you and watch you grow into the little boy God created you to be. I love you so much more today than I did the first day I laid eyes on you. How that is possible I will never know.

Happy Birthday sweet boy!!

We love you,

Mommy and Daddy

Birthday party pictures and a video of Luke's first year to come

Home again

Luke sure is glad to be back. Can't you tell by his face? We're home for a couple of days, and then turn around again (this time without Luke) for Hawaii! I know, feel sorry for us. This is the last of the crazy travels for Michael's interviews. Yes, we could potentially be moving to Hawaii for five years and I don't know what to think about that. It seems really far away and so different from life as we know it, of course Michael pulled my arm enough to go check it out! :)

He didn't have to pull too hard, although we are going to be gone on Luke's acutal birthday. The interview is on the 17th. So, we are having a party when we get back and he won't know the difference right?? I'm having a little bit of Mommy guilt over this but Michael says I won't once I see where we're headed. I hope he's right.

Flying with a ONE year old

Luke's birthday isn't until Friday but I guess I can say that now. I was thinking yesterday on our flight to Michigan (yes, we are on the road AGAIN) that this little one year old has flown more times in his short life than a lot of adults. He is a very good traveler I might add.

We are here this weekend for an interview and, so far, really like everything about it. It sure is SNOWY though. I don't have a camera with me, but I got these on my phone yesterday. He did so good, but partly because the Lord blessed us with our own row! I'm thinking I should write a survival guide for plane rides with babies. If you and the baby are not crying when you deplane I would call that a successful ride!!

Just a few tips in my book would be:
1. Take apple juice.
2. Bring some kind of treat (food) that they haven't had before - ie. chocolate covered pretzels
3. Bring some new toys or ones they haven't played with in a while.
4. Go to the bathroom and let them move around a bit in there if you get desperate (I know that's gross but remember, survival people).
5. Try not to use any of your tricks -food, juice or toys- until you have taken off.
6. Pray you have understanding people sitting near you.

One for you...one for me...

Caught by Mommy

Just Playing

This boy loves to play outside and the weather has been perfect the past couple of afternoons, he is ALL boy. Last night at bath time I had to scrub under his fingernails because they had gotten so dirty picking up sticks and rocks! That fascination starts early. This mommy and baby boy are enjoying getting back into the swing of things after a busy couple of weeks over the holidays.

Bounce with it

Not sure where he got these moves from because we all know his mommy and daddy have the coordination of elephants. (well at least his mommy does)

Hurley Baby

The Uncles gave Luke this cool surfer dude sweatshirt for Christmas and he fit right in wearing it in Telluride. Thanks Uncles. Luke misses you guys already.

We made it back and are all still recovering from a yucky cold. It's amazing to me how easily you can catch germs with a little one around.