11 Months

Luke has learned so many new things! First and foremost is the ability to say "no" in his own special way, with frantic waving arms and a scrunched up face. He has also mastered all three motions to pat-i-cake, which he will deign to show us every once in a while, and has learned how to point! Which he uses to direct his daddy whenever he is being held towards toys or rooms or anything else that strikes his fancy. Luke has also learned (most likely from our fantastic play groups) how to fight back when toys are taken from him! seen here...

In addition to his new tricks, Luke has made some general decisions that have affected all of our lives. Joy of all joys, Luke has decided to start sleeping through the night for good! Both of us are new people. He has also decided to start spitting food out, seemingly at random, much to his mother's chagrin. 

But overall Luke is about the happiest little boy I've ever seen. He's loud and energetic and wiggly and a total boy. At church he has become known as "the one that clicks" because of the fun noise he makes with his tongue, and regularly has to be taken out of meetings, not from crying, but from excited shrieks or loud laughter or just general babbling. There's never a dull moment!

Belated Easter Greetings

Happy Easter from a boy in his basket!

amber waves...

A fun windy day at the park. Luke loved it.

His hair did, too.

Babes in Bluebonnets

Before they went the way of all the earth, we took Luke and his little baby-crush Claire to a wildflower field. We totally lucked out, as a photographer was there waiting on her clients and let us use her lovely props that she had placed in the best spots to photograph our little cherubim.

                                       

Ah, young love.

 

Ten Months

Luke has learned so many things this month. Some bad, some good. All entertaining.

Luke has learned that clapping is associated with applause and will clap when he hears others clapping, or when you yell 'yay!' He can also wave, finally, and will do it sometimes on demand, and with both hands! His clicking tongue has become legendary at church, as has his crazy two-inch long hair that only sticks straight up. (really, babies try to touch it it's so fluffy)

 Luke has also learned how to make "I'm irritated"  faces and cry little baby crocodile tears, which can rapidly become real ones if they are not paid attention to. He has also learned how to non-verbally say 'no', by shaking his head and frantically waving his arms while making said irritated face. His favorite time to communicate in this matter is during mealtime--he no longer likes being fed with a spoon and despises having his face washed and his teeth brushed.

Luke has also learned to be a bit possessive (of everything, regardless of whether or not it's really his) and has no problem expressing his displeasure when take something away. But boy can he turn on the charm! He flirts and grins and giggles and talks to just about anyone.

Watch out, ladies. 

shichi-ban!

On March 22nd we ran the Houston Great Urban Race and totally rocked it. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Great Urban Race, it is similar to the Amazing Race, minus the camera crews and multiple locations. We were given twelve clues leading to twelve business establishments spread around downtown Houston and had to either run or ride Houston's (very meager) public transportation to our destinations where we completed little tasks. Out of 110 teams we finished seventh with a time of 2:21 (to qualify for the national championships you need to be in the top twenty-five in your city). Which, considering that we were all novices, completely out of shape, and unused to Houston's heat and humidity, is pretty impressive.

Notice how we go from relatively fresh and attractive looking...

to completely gross. 

National Championships, here we come!