Luke

WOW!
I have lots, and lots, and lots to catch up on.
Thanksgiving - Christmas - New Years - Birthdays and tons of fun stuff in between.
AND... all the evidence has not even left my camera yet :)

The kids went back to school today.

I exercised.
Yep. Me and my treadmill are going to be very good friends for a while :)
And, me and M&Ms are not.

The house seems quiet, except for the sounds of a little boy.
Oh my. I absolutely adore him.

I can hardly believe that my "baby" just turned 4! Just the thought makes me a little teary. I have had this little idea in my head for a while, ever since I first heard this sweet song. I love it when I find a song that says all the words I have running through my mind but would never be able to say so beautifully.

Enjoy.


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just stay little

Oh man.
This little boy had me from hello.
He completely melts my heart.
I keep trying to talk him into staying little because I never want to forget that:

He wants me to "nuggle" (snuggle) him all. the. time.

He gives me spontaneous bear hugs and kisses.

He so emphatically says "I LIKE chocolate milk!" and everything else that he likes.

He wants to be everywhere that I am, and if he doesn't see me he calls: "Mom! Where are you?"

He pronounces his "k" sounds like a "t" so his name is "Lute" but if you repeat it that way it makes him really mad.

He loves everything trains, Yo Gabba, and Buzz Lightyear.

He wants me to feel his muscles during dinner because he is growing so strong.

He loves chocolate as much as me.

He is so full of contagious JOY!

He loves to dance around in his undies and even has some awesome b-boy moves.

He wants to race me every time we climb the stairs.

He loves the color blue -- like a LOT!

He loves pb&j sandwiches and wants them cut in the shape of a Christmas tree all year long.



I love this boy!

Extreme Makeover

On Christmas night I went upstairs to put Luke to bed. He was so tired from the day's festivities that he fell asleep in my arms as I rocked him and sang the usual bedtime songs. I carefully laid him in his crib and returned to the rocking chair.


Then I sat and cried. Not just little tears but sobs that summoned Dave into the nursery to see what was the matter.

“I can’t do it,” I told him. “I’m not ready for this.”

Dave, being supportive, started offering suggestions on how we might put my “big-surprise-plan” on hold for a while, but also reminded me that Luke would not sleep in his crib forever.

The next morning Dave, Josh, and Zac awoke very early. Grandpa O. joined them. Equipped with snacks and lots of winter clothes the four guys headed north for a day on the slopes -- Josh’s activity of choice to celebrate this day, his thirteenth birthday.





As soon as the boys were out the door I sprang out of bed and into action.

I WAS going to do this, I told myself - I COULD do this. And besides, the surprise would be so much fun and the day of work ahead of me would be busy enough that there would be no time to look back or rethink this decision.

When the boys returned that night we blindfolded Josh and led him up the stairs to his special birthday surprise.

The nursery that I rocked Luke to sleep in the night before...

...Was now a teenage boys bedroom.
 

It was the perfect gift and this boy was THRILLED!

Luke was relocated to this room, to bunk with “Zac, the awesome.” :)

And...
... After I realized that I could make room for the rocking chair in this room
... that Luke would still let me rock him at night
... that we could snuggle and read stories together in bed too...

EVERYONE was happy.

Actually, it has been a nice change.

Happy Birthday Josh!

(this is the cake he wanted - strawberry cheesecake Gelato)

I love you birthday boy!

forever - mom