Lucas <3 (hearts) Kit

Our play-date couldn't have been more perfect!!! Lucas and I met his new friend Kit, her mom Dre, and her big brother Micah at 2 at the mall. We had a late lunch when we first got there and Dre was so nice she treated me to lunch!

I am even more in love with the Oglethorpe mall today then I was before (they have Old Navy and almost all of Lucas' clothes that I have bought have come from there.) After lunch Dre and I took our little ones to the Nursing Lounge (that I had no clue existed!) It is this nice size room with a rocking chair, and a matching bench (about the size of a love seat), a table, and a little sink and a lock on the door! There is a little sign outside the room that says "nursing lounge." How great is that?!?!

Just because we went to the Nursing Lounge doesn't mean that either kid really nursed. They kept pulling off because they were trying to look around and see what was going on. (Also, I had just nursed Lucas less than an hour before when I stopped by to drop something off at my parents' house.)

Afterwards we just walked around the mall talking, shopping, and ohhing and ahhing at each other's little ones and all the cute baby clothes in the store. Every time Kit and Lucas were close together they smiled and babbled at each other. It was so cute to watch. Lucas kept waving "Hi" to Kit and Kit kept trying to touch Lucas hand, (which is what Lucas does when he sees himself in the mirror and Dre said Kit touches the mirror with her hand.) It was almost like they were thinking "hey how did that other baby come out of the mirror to play?"

Before we realized it 5:00 came and went! (That means not only were we having fun but we got exercise with all that walking without even realizing it)

Since it was so late we decided to snap a few pictures of our babies and head home.

We found those little cars that you put quarters in so the kids can ride in and decided to take pictures of them there.

I've only ever really had to try to get one baby to look so now I understand what those of you with more then one are talking about when you are trying to get them to all look at the camera at the same time.

While Lucas and Kit were driving the green car, Kit's big brother Micah drove the red motorcycle and then let his little sister hop on with him.

I'm not sure how Micah felt about sharing his motorcycle with Kit AND Lucas.

Even though we were at the mall for over three hours I only left with a little hat for Lucas and a top that I think I'm going to wear to my cousin Kris' wedding. Lucas and I ended up getting home about 6, I nursed him, changed him, and put him to bed and I haven't heard a peep out of him since. I know he must be exhausted since he didn't take his afternoon nap. I don't have one of those kids who will sleep in his stroller... He is too scared he will miss something. He won't even sleep in his carseat most of the time unless he is REALLY tired because he is too busy staring at the window and smiling at me at redlights.

Dear Lucas (54 weeks),

This has been a pretty amazing week, but then I am pretty sure I think that about every week that passes. Today at Physical Therapy you cruised for the first time. You saw a few toys that you wanted and took a few steps holding on to the platform in front of you. I was so happy I had tears in my eyes. Your therapist said "Oh wow, that is nice, how long has he been doing that for," (she has been on vacation and you haven't seen her for over a week) She was so surprised when I said "THAT IS HIS FIRST TIME EVER!" She said that you looked like an old pro. Have you been practicing in your crib? Hmmm is that why lately when I lay you down for a nap I hear you laughing and singing to yourself only to open the door and find you standing in your crib not napping? There is also a lot of clapping and encouraging in physical therapy. When we are sitting in the waiting room we can hear clapping coming from the therapy room and you will stop what you are doing to happily clap along.

After therapy we met up with your friend Kit. Usually at least once while you and Kit are together a stranger will come up and ask if you are both twins. I hope you guys get to hang out together and get to become really good friends. How cool would it be to say "hey we've been friends since we were babies?"

Each time you guys get together you seem to want to interact more and more. Today you guys took turns passing drink coasters back and forth. I cannot wait for the weather to cool down again so we can start taking you guys outside to the park to play in the grass, swing, and just enjoy the fresh air.


Right now with the crazy summer heat we always send to end up taking you both to the indoor soft playground at the mall. The play area is nice but there are kids running everywhere. If the strange kids aren't trying to stick their germ fingers in your face them they are pushing Kit down as she walks around. It is so funny how different you and Kit like to play.

You LOVE to climb while Kit is happy to walk around and around. I think one of the reasons you didn't cruise sooner is because by standing and walking you only see from the same point of view. However, by climbing higher and higher things always look new and there is always something new and exciting to reach for (like everything we placed higher thinking "hmmm Lucas can't get this here!" By now we should know better!) It is pretty amazing to watch how high up you will climb. You have this refreshing innocence of not knowing that you could fall and get hurt. You haven't learned how to worry or doubt yourself yet (don't worry your teen years will be here before either of us is ready and should take care of the doubting part and I worry enough about you for 10 people!)

Bugga-Bugga, I love you to the moon and back,

Mama

Dear Lucas (59 weeks),

If a few weeks ago was the week of the tantrum then this week is the week of the penis. You discovered your penis several months ago during a bath but that just lasted for a few seconds. You decided your feet were much more exciting. Well, this week you rediscovered it. Now every time you examine it in the bathroom I just go "that's your penis." Your Dad was a little surprised that I was teaching you that "this young." I figured out if you knew what your nose and toes were that it might help if you knew what was in the middle. Plus, I really can't come up with a good "nickname" and you would end up developing a complex when you found out that nobody else in the world called their penis a fluffy.

This morning you seemed a little bored with playing with your same toys and pulling down the same old CDs and books off the shelves so I broke out your crayons. I thought it would be fun to see what you would do with them. I was actually surprised by how little you tried to eat the crayons.

After you closely inspected each crayon you actually colored a few times. You didn't seem as excited about the coloring as you were by just inspecting the crayons and trying to figure out how to open the case they came in.

I know your first work of art isn't going to sell for a million dollars but it is still priceless to me because it shows that you are learning something new. Your occupational therapist would be proud because by coloring you are learning how to use tools and use a different grasp.
Today we were able to go a playgroup meet up for the first time in a month. We have missed the last few because they were scheduled on a day when we had to stay with your Great-Grandma or when you had a therapy appointment. Today Dre, Kit, and Micah also joined the group. You were very excited to see all your friends. All the moms kept saying how much you had grown and how cool it was to see you cruising and crawling on your hands and knees. Two separate people also told me that they could really tell I've been working out. I'm so glad we have this wonderful group of moms and kids for both of us.

After the meet up dispersed we hung out with Dre, Kit and Micah for a little while longer. You kept trying to swap pacis with kit. You would hand her yours and then reach over and take hers. On one hand I'm very glad that you are willing to share. I just wish the object you were sharing was a little different. Thank goodness that Dre is so sweet about everything and didn't freak out when you guys started to do the Paci swap.

Dre and I are always joking about how it is too bad that we don't have arranged marriages in this country and that maybe we should just tell you guys as you grow up that you guys are going to get married one day. It's just fun to joke and laugh about. How cool would it be to marry someone that you've known since you were a baby though. Also, you would know you were getting fabulous in-laws and we would never make you feel guilty over who you spent the holidays with. Plus can you just imagine how cute your kids would be?

Bugga, I love you to the moon and back,

Mama
(although you've been calling your Dad and I both "DaDa" and refuse to say "mama" anymore)

Good-byes are Hard

Today Lucas and I had to say goodbye to our friends Dre, Kit, and Micah. They will be moving this weekend to Washington. Even though Dre and I haven't known each other that long (we hung out for the first time in April.) Since Kit and Lucas are only two weeks apart it was so fun watching them grow and change together. When Lucas was going to all his referrals it was so nice to have Dre to talk to because she knew the Doctors we were going to see because she had been to them all before with Micah. I knew somewhat to expect and had another Mom to celebrate with when appointments went well. Plus we both have little peanuts so she we can laugh together at all the comments we get from strangers. I hope they have a safe trip and thank goodness for cell phones and email!

Dear Lucas (49 weeks),

Today as I was editing the pictures I was going to post with your 49 week letter I realized just how much you have grown. You are so much closer to a toddler now then a little baby. This is very bitter sweet in some ways. We have started planning your first birthday party. Have you really been in our lives for that long already? I guess so since it is getting harder and harder to remember life before you. I don't think it even existed.

This week you have done some pretty amazing things! Monday night you officially became a baby who likes to stand. You stand up now all the time... and it isn't because we put you in a standing position... You pull yourself up and stand up all by yourself.

At first you would just pull yourself into a standing position at your 5-in-1 gym but today you were pulling yourself up all over the place. I guess I really should make sure our house is baby proof and that there isn't anything that is going to fall on your head. Also, I bet any day now I am going to find you standing up in your crib. We better get right on lowering your mattress so that you can't climb out of your crib!

You've always been an active baby but now that you can get around you are certainly keeping me on my toes. Today you went to the Soft Play area at the mall with your friend Kit. You were all over that place crawling, climbing, and pulling up.

Normally I would be worried about you catching all kinds of germs from the soft play area. As soon as I saw how much fun you were having though I forgot all about that. The only thing I did hate about the soft play area were all the strange kids that wanted to come up and touch you. I'm just not a fan of strange kids kissing you, touching your face, and putting their face so close to yours that they could suck your breath away. You however aren't scared of strangers at all and seem to think "hmm the stranger the better." I guess that is good since people seem drawn to you and just have to talk to you and touch you. Maybe that means you'll be a people person when you grow up and do something that really changes the world for the better... You know like being in a boy band or on a soap opera.

I can already tell you have a good heart. I think you are the sweetest baby ever and I don't think I am the least bit biased. You are always giving people hugs. You will crawl up to anyone and then hug their leg and kiss them. Today you scooted over to Dre while she was holding Kit and tried to kiss her on the foot. Every night when I put you to bed I usually hold you in my arms first and rub and pat your back. Well, last night when I picked you up and carried you towards your crib you laid your head on my shoulder and started to pat my back.

This morning I took you with me to let Jadie out and to look for the cat so you could tell him "Hey kitty" (okay so it is more like "hey keeey!") Well, as we are looking for the "keeey" I notice there is a huge tree laying in the yard. Your room borders the woods and your crib is right against the wall. If that tree had fallen to the right instead of the left it would have landed on you sleeping in your crib and I don't want to even think about what that would have meant! You definitely have SOMEONE WATCHING OVER YOU!!!

Bugga-Bugga, I love you to the moon and back,

MAMA

Dear Lucas (4 years 8 months),

It is hard to believe it is spring already and we have now been in our house for an entire month. It's so cool to have our own yard and watch our trees and bushes bloom and flower. Your school project this month was to make a hat that represents spring. We put a flower pot on top with flowers blooming our and a bunny hiding. We also decorated with gardening gloves and tools. You painted dirt all over the hat and I think it turned out really cute.

Friday was the very last day of school before Spring Break. So not only did you turn in your hat but you also got to have a class Easter Egg hunt right before school ended. There was an educational twist since each student had to collect twelve eggs exactly. Then when everyone collected their twelve eggs you were all allowed to go hunting for any eggs remaining. It was a mad scramble as twenty 4 and 5 year olds went running to find eggs and tear into candy.

I didn't realize how much you've gown since you started school until just the other day when I went to pick you up from school. You started running over to me and I just had to laugh. You were wearing capri pants that looked like a shorter version of the spare pants I sent at the beginning of the school year. Back in September the pants fit you perfectly, maybe even a little long. I hope your uniforms can make it through a few more months because I would hate to have to buy all new clothes for just a short bit of time, especially since next year you'll be wearing blue and grey instead of red. You got in to Coastal Empire Montessori Charter School for Kindergarten and we've decided to accept the spot. I hope we've made the right choice for you.

You've become quite Daddy's little helper. You love to help with anything that has to do with tools. Today you went with Daddy to Lowe's and got a little kit to make at home and I think you guys are going to start going to their Saturday kid workshops for a little Father/Son bonding time. I'm looking forward to the week ahead and our own bonding time because you are now officially on Spring Break. I can't wait to just hang out with you.

Luc-E, I love you to the moon and back.

Mommy

Dear Lucas (6 years and 5 months),

I just love, love, love this time of year. You are out of school for most of it and I just love all of our holiday traditions and developing new ones with you.

The first thing we did to kick of the Christmas season was go to "The Journey." It's an interactive living nativity that lets you experience the night Jesus was born. This was our second year going. Afterwards just the two of us went out to dinner. I let you pick the place and we wound up at WAFFLE HOUSE. Boy, are you a cheap date. We were the only ones in the whole place and you thought that was pretty cool.

Two days later it was time for another Christmas tradition, the Santa Train. You were even in the ad for this years event. You decorated ornaments, drank hot chocolate, talked to Santa, and we topped it all off with a train ride.

I love that even though I am a part time working Mom I still get to go to your school events. During your class Christmas party everyone got to decorate their very own gingerbread house. I know I've said this before but I really mean it, I love any chance that I am known only as "Lucas' Mom." I also love getting to bring you home early from school after classroom events.

Yet another Christmas tradition is to go and see Christmas lights. I've taken you to see the Halderman's lights every Christmas since you've been born.

This year we created another tradition when we went to Madrac Farms in Rincon, GA with your friend Preston. They had a Christmas tree farm, a hayride through Christmas lights. Santa was there and they had all these campfires for roasting marshmallows. It was really neat.

Another new thing we did this year was to go ice skating. You were so excited to finally be on a real ice skating rink. It was a little tricky to get the hang of and you probably spent more time on your knees and your bootie than on your feet but that's okay. I was so proud of you. You never gave up or got frustrated, not even for a second. You just kept on trying.

To take a break from all the time we spent out of the house we invited your cousins over and you decorated Sugar cookies with them. I ordered a Sugar Cookie decorating kit from Preston's Mom (she made all your amazing birthday cakes the last 5 years.) I loved being able to watch you guys get a sugar rush without having to actually bake the cookies myself!

The last Friday before Christmas the two of us always head to downtown Savannah. Your Dad always has to work at least half a day so we go to the Westin to look at the Gingerbread houses and the gorgeous Christmas trees. We always ride the ferry over to Riverstreet (this year we saw Dolphins playing in the water) and we always end up at the candy store before riding the ferry back and returning home. This year it was so hot outside we skipped the candy and got ice cream instead.

This year we had a guest that I am sure will be back next year. We adopted an elf from the North pole and you named him Tweetie. You were so excited when you realized he had brown hair and blue eyes just like you do. Tweetie was here to watch you and report back to Santa each night what was going on back at our house. To keep himself entertained he would land in a new spot in the house each day and often played a little joke on us. One day he toilet papered the tree, another day he drew funny faces with a dry erase marker on a few framed pictures and on Christmas eve you woke up with a "Rudolph nose." When Santa came on Christmas eve he hitched a ride back to the North Pole. You were so sad to see him go but I have a feeling he will be back next year.

On Christmas eve we headed to my parents house and we played our annual game of Dirty Santa/Chinese Christmas/Racist Santa (depending on who you ask) Everyone brings a random wrapped gift and draws a number and we go in that order to pick a gift to unwrap. You can steal someone's gifts or decide to take your chances. Some of the gifts this year included light up snowmen signs, bacon flavored popcorn, and a trivia game based on MTV's Jersey Shore. You ended up with a big fluffy teddy-bear.

After Christmas eve with our family we headed to our church. Before the first Christmas carol was over you were sleeping snuggled up across my lap. You slept through the whole service. I couldn't even wake you up for the candle light singing of "Silent Night" that you were looking so forward to.... talk about sleeping in heavenly peace! You didn't wake up when I carried you out to the car or on the whole drive home.

You woke up just as we pulled up to the house and you were awake long enough to take a bath, get dressed in your new PJs and put out cookies and milk for Santa before you were back to bed.

Christmas morning we woke up to you snuggled between us and we all ventured out to the living room together to see if Santa had come. He brought you just what you asked for... Harry Potter Lego sets and a hammer and nails. We also opened family presents. You were so excited by everything but the first thing you opened was the Chess set that was from us. You've been wanting your own since the beginning of school when you first learned how to play in your gifted class.

We stayed in our PJs and headed over to your Grandpa Hunter's house for breakfast. We visited for a little while and headed back home to take to nap and play with your new toys (we napped, you played.) Then your uncle David and Aunt Ashley came over with your cousin Aubrie. We ended the night together grabbing Chinese food.

Sweet-pea, I love you to the moon and back,

Lucas' Mom