Cozy Coupe

Post from December 31

Mia and Papa got Luke a Cozy Coupe for Christmas.

Though I knew Luke would like it, I was pretty convinced Jacob would love it even more. Boy, was that an understatement. Given his love of cars, I should have gotten one for him long ago.

We finally turned Luke's car seat around

Posting from Jan. 10
After Luke's 18mo checkup, we finally decided to turn Luke's carseat to forward facing. The AAP says "toddlers should remain rear-facing in a convertible car seat until they have reached the maximum height and weight recommended for the model, or at least the age of 2." We haven't reached this point yet, but Luke's legs were starting to get cramped facing backwards, and my pedi actually said if he was locking his knees out and kicking the seat, it was probably better to turn him around. So we did.

I thought he would be excited to be facing the same way as Jacob, but he didn't seem to care one way or the other (the seat in David's car hasn't been turned around yet, and the few times he's ridden in it since, he has not seemed to care.)

I have noticed since we turned him around that there has been a lot more whining with the sun hitting his face, but since he continually pulls the sunshade off the window, I can't do much else to help him...

CHEESE!

Finally completing and posting this update from Dec. 6

Luke started doing a "cheese" face a few weeks ago. I love the super wide grin and squinty eyes. He'll pull this out whenever you pull out a camera...it is adorable.

But, if for some reason he doesn't notice the camera or just isn't in the mood to "cheese" and you ask him to smile and say "cheese"...then this is what you get. Serious face and all.

Excuse the mess

Please excuse the mess I am making of the blog and all the new "old" updates the last couple of days. I am finally taking some time to complete and publish about 20 posts from the last 2 months!

18 Months

Today marks Luke's 18 month "birthday." He is still my little baby, though his budding vocabulary and 'big boy' actions are trying to tell me otherwise. I swear Jacob seemed 'older' at 18 months than Luke does, but maybe that is my own mind trying to keep Luke my baby. He had his 18 month well-check today and everything is looking great. He's met all the milestones for an 18 month old, and even most of the ones for a 24 month old. I'd say he's doing suberb.

Here are his stats:

Weight - 24.6 lbs (9.6oz) - 30%

Height - 31.5in - 20-25%

Head - 49.3cm (19.4in) - 85%

Just as a comparison, these were Jacob's stats at the same age:

Weight - 26lbs 6oz - 55-60%

Height - 32.5in - 50%

Head - 49.4cm (19.4in) - 85%

Dry Ice

A few times we have ended up with dry ice for some reason or another, and it always gives the boys (and David) a fun time. This weekend, we had some dry ice for our tailgate, and after we were done with it, David added it to a pot of hot water. The most precious giggles by Luke and Jacob ensued.


I was also able to capture a few great pictures.

Houston Snow

From December 4...

Today, Houston was hit with a rare snowfall. Unlike the few flakes we got in early 2009, this was an all day affair. It wasn't cold enough for the snow to stick and play in, but we all went out in it to play, nonetheless.

We had mentioned to Jacob that it might snow on Friday, so when Friday came around he asked incessently if it was time for the snow. It was an exciting time when it finally did.
Luke squealed and 'danced' in the snow when he saw it. Of course, he loves being outside so that probably added to his happiness.

Think he needs a haircut?

From Dec. 4...

Maybe it is time for this little guy to get a haircut....

Snow, Christmas Trees, and Santa (Nov. 30-Dec. 6)

From Dec. 7...
Houston was surprised with snow on Friday. Unfortunately, it didn't stick, but the boys had fun running around in it and trying to 'catch' the snowflakes. More pictures and a video from the snow is coming in a later post.

Jacob fell at the gym this week and cut his face which he proudly covered with a bandaid for an entire week. After removing the bandaid each night before his bath, I would ask if we were done with bandaids and he would say "No Mommy, it is still an ouchie." So, a new bandaid was put on.

Luke started his "cheese" face this week. The boys always have a camera in their face, it seems, so it was no surprise when he started hamming it up when he saw the camera. We don't even prompt him to say cheese anymore, he just says it and grins like this...

We took our annual trip to the Christmas Tree Farm to cut down our Christmas tree this weekend as well. It was the day after the snow and a hard overnight freeze so there was still ice on the ground when we arrived. There will be more pictures on a later post for this, too.

We all had a great time...until it was time for Santa pictures. Luke was not happy and showed his displeasure. Definitely one for the scrapbook. (More pictures on another post) The boys were being particularly cooperative and photogenic one day/night when I was taking their picture...here are a few of my favorites.

Here are the rest of the pictures from Nov.30-Dec.6

Santa Pictures

Even though I knew Luke was at the age where he would be terrified of Santa, I didn't want to go a year without taking pictures with Santa. So, when we went to the Old Time Christmas Tree Farm to cut down our Christmas tree this year, we decided to go ahead and have the boys pictures taken with Santa. I knew I wasn't going to pay the big bucks at the mall to have their picture taken, so this might be our only opportunity. Thankfully, we got some great (and funny) shots.

Jacob:

Luke:

Both Boys:

He thought about not crying... ...but he did

Just for grins, here are the Santa pictures from years past.

2008

2007
2006

Thanksgiving Week

From Nov. 29...

This week was a good one for our family. There was no school or Bible Study, so we stayed close to home early in the week to rest up and pack for our trip to the hill country for Thanksgiving.

Jacob's friend Cooper (who plays almost as rough and wild as Jacob) came to play for a few hours on Tuesday. His presence actually made my day easier as he kept the boys entertained. Thanksgiving at Granddaddy and Gigi's house was fabulous as always. The boys had tons of room to run and play with their cousins and I got to spend some time with family I don't get to see very often.

Jacob even got to help my uncle put deer feed in several deer feeders on Granddaddy's property. He loved it.

Jacob didn't seem to mind the ride this time around since he had a DVD with some favorite shows to watch.

He was also spoiled with his first taste of hot chocolate (from Starbucks no less!) on the ride home, which was a big treat for him.

Luke is really talking a ton more these days-sometimes in 3-4 word sentences. He is not always super clear, but you know what he is saying. He also knows what sugar is now-and loves it! You should see him bouncing up and down, waving his arms around, saying "Mo, Mo, Mo" when he thinks you have something sweet that he wants.

Here are the pics from the week of Nov.23-29