Bottle

As I listen to Luke protest going to bed without a bottle, I thought I could at least post some pictures and write about some neat things that he has done in the past couple of days. I hope that the pictures will load. I am going to try those first so that I don't get as frustrated as he is right now.

He has been really busy today and got home from his first sunset concert pretty tired so I thought that after his bath and a solid bedtime snack (yogurt, blueberries, banana) we could to the normal routine (book, giggles, songs, lovin') and he would go right down....When did I think that I knew anything?

It is 45 minutes later and Steve is now taking a turn at rocking, singing and rubbing his back. It isn't the end of the world if the bottles continue, but it would be nice to be done with them and it would be better for the beautiful mouthful of teeth that he has to not have milk resting on them all night. Interestingly enough, the health of baby teeth does play a part in the health of adult teeth.

Okay he is quiet - we may have just turned a major corner of NO MORE BOTTLES and again blogger is having issues loading pictures. At least I got one on here (which shows off those teeth that I mentioned earlier!) Bedtime for bonzo...I mean mama

Friday morning edit: He fell asleep a little before ten and is still zonked at 7:25. Yeah!

Sleepy

Well, I managed to get one pic on here today. This was post-brunch on Sunday (and post Federer win!). He was asleep before we left the parking lot.

Growth

It is 8:40am and I am typing this as Luke sleeps (yes, he is STILL asleep) This is very new territory for us. We are used to being awoken at 6:00, but the past week or so we have seen a change in sleeping patterns. I think he woke up around 4:00 today but I was in a coma and Steve handled him so I should probably be in bed still!

We have all had a busy couple of weeks. Since June we have visited Kansas City, Louisville (thanks for the surprise Steve!), Chicago suburbs and Effingham. We went up north to see family on the 4th, but left early the day of the party b/c rain was covering the entire state of Illinois. With a toddler that wants to run around and play, we just decided to hit the road and stay in a hotel in Effingham since we were meeting a friend on the 5th anyway.

Our 4th of July turned out pretty well. We still got to see lots of family, stayed in a nice hotel, ate a good dinner and went swimming afterwards. There were even fireworks outside of the pool area (it was a wedding party celebrating!).

It is good to be home. We have no real plans for the rest of the summer which also feels good. Steve is getting comfy in his new position and Luke and I are finding adventures close to home. Yesterday we met Gma Susan for some fun at the Herrin library story hour. It was a 'stretch and grow' program which Luke was a little young for, but he enjoyed looking at the other kids and running through the stacks of books.

Lately, Luke likes to:
throw things - he will clean out his playpen very quickly and he is very interested in throwing balls whenever he gets the chance

'get the giggles out' before bed he will get really giggly and it is really fun to laugh and love on him before he reaches for George and signals it is bedtime

do what he wants - he is growing that strong will of a toddler

be outside

climb whatever is available

I tried to get some pictures on here but blogger is malfunctioning...

climbing

Here is Luke today showing off, not only a fairly new trick, but how swiftly he can accomplish his task.

He said "up" today to his dad. I was really excited about that since I have said then when I pick him up since he was born ;) He seems to be changing before our eyes and, dare I say it, becoming cooler by the day. We are lucky.

Happy 4th of July weekend!

Sunshine

Sometimes you just have to take a break and soak up a little sun. Oh, how I love my Luna girl.

Bliss

I just watched from the doorway as Luke floated to sleep for a second nap of the day. It was one of those absolutely perfect moments. He was burrowing into one of his favorite blankets and looking at himself in the crib mirror so I could see his body AND his face reflected in the mirror as his eyes got heavier and heavier and as he talked to himself with sweet "me, me, me" sounds. Aaaaah...The summer weather and activities have warranted a second nap a few times in the past couple of weeks, plus he seems to be bigger after each snooze session so the rest is good for him.

Steve is enjoying a Father's Day nap, too, before we cook out with our parents and neighbors. He has worked incredibly hard on the continued project in our backyard from the storm mess and our yard is going to end up looking better than before the storm - silver lining, anyone. (The Father's Day feast was a great time. Steve was a wonderful grillmaster, Luke was the life of the party especially with his popcorn popper, and we enjoyed great company and food)

The picture above is from tonight. I played tennis during Luke's bedtime routine so Steve sent this picture to illustrate how much Luke moves around in his crib. Can you see the leg sticking out of the bars? He got it back in and is resting with his head at the other end of the crib now!

I got the all clear to swim and resume all activities today at my Lasik follow-up! Yeah...we went swimming tonight. It is brutally hot, but I am NOT complaining :)

Dad

Happy Father's Day, Dad! This is a picture of my fabulous father directing "Big Blue" on Little Grassy a couple of days ago. He took me out to fish, well, he fished and I enjoyed the sun and the beauty of the lake.

I have been extraordinarily blessed to have the Nickster as my dad. He taught me so many things, including what to look for in a partner. Thanks, dad, for everything, and thanks for helping me find Steve, who, as it turns out is a pretty amazing dad himself!