Little Lukey is One!

On Tuesday, March 17th, Luke turned one.  The kids were all very excited about his birthday. Since March 17th is also St. Patrick's Day we got everyone new green shirts. Normally, I just make them find something green in their drawers, but the day has definitely taken on new meaning. They all looked so cute I decided I needed to take pictures before school.  Only, I hadn't gotten Luke dressed yet (he often goes to the bus stop in his pajamas).  I took a picture of the older 3, but it seemed wrong not to include Luke on his birthday.  I quickly got him dressed and snapped a few pictures.  We literally had to run to make the bus, but it was worth it.

As is our first birthday tradition, Thomas took the day off and we took Luke to Build-A-Bear.  Our first stop was lunch at Cafe Rio, where Luke got to experience chips and cheese quesadilla for the first time.  He was very happy, although a little less so when he realized I forgot his cup.  From there, it was on to the main attraction.  Thomas' mother sent us a gift card to Build-A-Bear when the twins turned one. We decided to take them on their actually birthday, so that their special animal would have the same birthday as them--just one year later.  We did the same with Kara.  They all still have their toys and they like knowing that it was something we made together on their first birthday.  Luke emphatically chose a "Camo Bear."  He actually did show a definite preference.  We would show him the options and see what he reached for.  I encouraged him to chose a cute elephant, but his mind was made up.

I am not sure what happened to his shoe, but here we are putting in the bear's heart 

We got home in plenty of time to greet the kids at the bus.  It was a beautiful day and lots of kids (I counted 13 at one point) ended up in our backyard.  Jack drove Luke around in his car for a while. And the older girls, as in the third-graders, decided to play house and asked if Luke could be their baby.  Kara helped him practice walking in the yard and many other kids came up to him to play peek-a-boo, or something similar.  He was definitely well-entertained and much loved.

He wasn't so happy in this picture, but he really did have a great time playing outside

Since Luke likes eggs so much, we decided to do breakfast for dinner. We had french toast, eggs, and sausage.  Then, we went for a walk around the neighborhood and came home to sing and eat cupcakes. His presents were a little tunnel, his bear, and a noise popper walking toy.

At his one year check-up, he was 21 pounds and 29 inches.  However, at his 9 month check-up, he was 29.3 inches, so something is definitely wrong.  (I measured him at home and got 30.5, so I think the 29 from this visit is off).  He was very cooperative, which is indicative of his personality.  For example, he was babbling away and then the doctor put her stethoscope on him and he instantly became quiet and curious.  Luke is still happiest when there is lots to look at and examine.  He cried for about 20 seconds with the shots.  I really hate that part, he looked up with me with the saddest, most betrayed eyes while I was forced to hold his little hands.  I was glad that it didn't last long.

He doesn't say very many words, just mama, dada and An-Na (which I think he uses for kids in general).  He understands many, many words.  He walks pretty well and has a great appetite. He really likes adult food and will no longer tolerate any baby food.  About a week ago, he started screaming when we tried to feed him from one of the leftover baby food dinner jars.  If he can't feed it to himself, he doesn't want it.  I was convinced he was allergic to milk.  Fortunately, I was either wrong or he outgrew it already. He got hives after eating yogurt around 6 months and then around 10 months, he got hives after eating macaroni and cheese, so it was reasonable for me to think he had an allergy.

As mentioned, he has an excellent temperament.  He is generally very easy-going.  Although, he did bite Kara the other day when she held him too long in a tight hug.  He still adores his brother and sisters.  I think the highlight of his day is going to the bus stop, he loves waving goodbye to all of the kids and is always happy when they come home after school.  He also loves it when Thomas gets home from work and will excitedly greet him. Right now, his favorite game is to knock over the towers I build. I stack a few toys, pretend to try and keep him away, then he invariably makes it to the tower, knocks it down and laughs hysterically as I dramatically cry "nooooooo" (repeat x50).  He also enjoys emptying out the kitchen cabinets and taking the shoes off the shoe rack.

He is just starting to sleep through the night (knock on wood!).  But, his wake up time is irregular which can be frustrating when I try to plan our day.  His nap schedule depends on what time he wakes up, which can be anywhere from 6-730.  He really likes to be out and is pretty patient when we go shopping or on other errands. He is a decent traveler, falling somewhere between Anna, who would simply fall asleep whenever she was in her carseat, and Kara who would simply scream anytime she was placed in her carseat. He loves people and being part of the action.  He is a very sweet and very cuddly baby.  I love him immensely and am so glad he is part of our family!

Major Catch-up

I always thought I wrote this blog for myself.  But when I made it private and realized no one could read it anymore, I stopped writing.  I am not sure if I am going to make it public again or not. Regardless, I need to write.

The biggest news is that Thomas' mother died of lung cancer on February 11th. I believe that she was only 64 (incidentally, the same age my mother was when she died). We got the news after the kids were asleep and debated on whether to tell them on the 12th, which was Kara's birthday.  I kind of wanted to hold off so that we didn't ruin her special day. Thomas felt it was important to tell them right away.  Ultimately, I realized that my line of thinking was selfish. So, we told the kids. Although they hadn't met her, she always remembered their birthdays and Christmas and they had spoken to her on the phone many times.  They all cried when they heard the news.  We still had Kara's birthday meal (lasagna), cake and gave her her gifts.  Her party wasn't until the 14th, so it was a small family affair, which was appropriate under the circumstances.  

My own mother died shortly after Jack and Anna were born, so now they have no Grandmother, which I find incredibly sad. I lost my last Grandma when I was in law school and Thomas lost his last Grandma in 2013.  So, we both had our Grandmothers growing up.  It seems wrong that our kids won't have the same experience.  Hopefully, nothing happens to their Grandfathers for a very long time.

As I mentioned, Kara turned 6 on February 12th.  I baked her a giant cupcake as her special cake. She got sick on the night of her birthday, so she missed her class Valentine's Day Party, which was on Friday, the 13th.  She was very upset about missing her party.  I think I was proclaimed a terrible, awful mom, because despite throwing up all night, she insisted she was completely fine.  We were worried she was going to be too sick for her party, but she made it.  Once again, it was at the gymnastics center.  She knows a good thing when she sees it.  She is taking gymnastics classes there right now so she was happy to show off all she is learning.  She got a bike from us and lots of her friends gave her money (I suggested $5 to anyone who asked me what to get her so that she could combine her money and get one big gift from her friends).  She ended up with over $50, but she still hasn't spent it.  

Her blurry "birthday girl" photo.  Same shirt as Anna got, just a size smaller.

She wouldn't tell us what she wished for  :)

Kara was a little grumpy because she wanted to be the one to hold Luke. 

It has been a very cold, dreary winter, at least since January.  In fact, as I write this there is freezing rain outside and icicles hanging from the deck.  The schools have used up all the built-in snow days, so we are hoping that the snow and ice is over.

I am so tired of the snow.  I think even the kids have had enough.

In other big news, Thomas and I submitted our paperwork to resign from the Reserves.  The main reason for me is that I don't want to be deployed and no one who isn't willing to deploy should be a reservist.  For Thomas, it was a combination of not wanting to deploy (again) and being sick of losing weekends with the family.  It is a significant source of income for us, but we believe it is worth it.  I will miss the occasional use of my law degree and feeling like I bring a financial contribution to the family.  Oh, and being able to shop at the commissary and use the base pool. But, none of that is worth having the possibility of being sent away for 6-12 months hanging over my head.  

I think that is it for the big news.  Well, Thomas applied to transfer to Orlando, but we are still waiting to hear back, so that is just the possibility of news.  And, obviously, there have been lots of changes with Luke.  But, with his first birthday just 2 weeks away, I will save his news for then.  I will end with a couple of bonus pictures.

Jack and Anna had their well-visit in January and were pretending the exam room table was a boat.  Jack is looking for land while Anna paddles.

Luke likes to "sing" too.  Karaoke is still a hit for the whole family.