Baby D's Two Months

Cute Baby D is nice and chubby. At his two-month appointment he weighed in at 13 lbs. 3oz., just under 80%, and was 24 inches long, which put him at 90%. He is still very content, usually just happy to sit and be talked to (still not a fan of being left alone for long).


He has started smiling all the time and seems to particularly like it when Luke comes around (or maybe his big eyes are actually open in shock and terror), and prefers to be held by his mom most of all. His hair still sticks straight up and makes him look like he has a massive cone head, but we still think he's adorable anyway. He is focusing on objects more and more and loves to get ahold of blankets and clothing and fight with them, trying to get them into his mouth.

Derek is a pretty good sleeper, too! Down to one waking at night and easily soothed, Mere had the best time holding the baby while he slept during the day. And Baby D didn't mind it either.

Best Birthday Ever

Who doesn't want to drive a firetruck...

shoot a fire hose (both at a pretend building and at some sweaty soccer players in the field next door)...

hang out with firemen...

hang out (and squirt each other with water) in a nearby park...

 and eat cupcakes on their birthday?

Every three-year-old's dream.

(And speaking of dreams, Baby D spent a good chunk of the very hot day naked and dozing in a friend's stroller.)

Baby D's First Tub

Loved every minute of it. 

Didn't even cry when Luke threw a cup of water right in his face. 

Baggies of Dirt

Since we don't have a yard (yet, hopefully) Luke likes to go out and trash our balcony by digging around in our pots of dirt that I decided not to fill with living things this year since I was having a baby. Today after he had been playing for a while I heard him yelling for me and came to the door to find this:

and the demand, "Put this in my room." 

To play with later, I assume. 

(And yes, that is a ponytail; he kept wiping dirt into his eyes trying to move his hair)

Illegal Mudbug Fighting Ring

This past weekend we took part in our very first crawdad boil! 

Crayfish (pronounced crawfish), potatoes, corn, garlic, sausage, and onions go into a big boiling pot of water with cajun spices and then are dumped onto a table, where you spend a lot more time peeling the darn things than you do eating them. But it's well worth the effort.

And while Luke ate a few and seemed to like them okay, what he really liked was
a) the watermelon

 

and b) the little buggers themselves.

Fearless as usual, Luke had no trouble picking them up and walking around with them, even though I saw him get pinched a few times. He was the chef's biggest helper--when a bunch escaped from the giant bag and were making their way through the grass to the mud, Luke picked up almost every single one and threw them back in the bag. But not before he decided to make a few of them fight by slamming them together.

And where was Baby D through all of this?

Passed out under some tables, taking a siesta. 

The Pook Turns Three

I know it's been said before, but...

I just can't believe my baby is three-years-old. 

Luke is, above all, a boy. He loves rocks, sticks, dirt, balls, being outside, rough-housing, making noise, climbing, shooting, running, hitting, sports, throwing, and fixing things with his tools. He is a whizz with our electronics, as anyone who has been called and/or text messaged at 6:30 in the morning can attest, and has filled up more than one phone with blurry, occasionally inappropriate pictures. He hates to sleep and miss out on the party, and isn't too fond of eating or using the restroom, either, as they slow him down. 

Lately Luke is extremely interested in writing and words and likes to dictate long lists for us to write. We have started doing some beginning readers with him and he is able to recognize and read around fifteen words--he can also spell a few, his favorite being Luke and Derek. 

Luke really likes people; he is unafraid of talking to or playing with others, including adults, but always does whatever he wants to do at the park, even if it means he's doing it alone. He really enjoys wrestling and will unfortunately tackle anybody if he thinks they are having a good time, size and gender notwithstanding. He's incredibly tough--he's said things like "this really hurts" with a smile on his face--and has no fear of bugs or animals of any kind. 

Above all, Luke loves his family and is very possessive of his little brother. He wants everyone to put him to bed and eat together and watch shows together and play together and be happy. 

Just like he is.

One Month Young!

Baby D has been busy! Already he has met most of his relatives (though no Youngs, sadly), been on two airplanes, attended a wedding, gained almost two whole pounds, received lots of kisses, and been held by upwards of fifty people. 

He is still a very easy baby, though he gets a little grouchy and gassy in the evenings (don't we all), and enjoys sleeping while being held most of all. He is very alert and doesn't sleep a whole lot during the day, but makes up for it with some nice (relatively) long stretches at night. Derek puts up with lots of zealous brotherly love and with being left lying around when Luke emergencies arise. 

One thing is for sure:

 the Youngs are good looking boys. :)