16 months

After 16 months Luke is full of even more personality, charm, humor, and energy.
Luke has learned and loves to do many new things month:

• blow his own bubbles


• fly an airplane (pretends of course, with airplane sounds)
  
• dance like his Daddy
• copy anything and everything you do or say


• test his limits and see what reaction he'll get
• eats well on his own with spoon and fork


• chase frogs


• point to and name things he knows: birds, airplanes, cars, trains, all his body parts, animals, objects, and pictures


• say "Heywo" to EVERYONE, he loves attention from all and hasn't the least bit of stranger anxiety


• 'talk' on the phone or anything that looks like it could be used as a phone


• pound out some "Nugs"- something he has been capable of doing for a while- but this month he has been more of the initiater- without any prompting he'll offer up some "Nuh"
• asks for kisses, again all on his own, such a sweet boy.


• laugh- at you, at himself, and sometimes just for the sake of hearing laughter.... something his Mamaw taught him which he still does with delight. its infectious.


• follow directions or requests-eagerly.... mommy likes this.
  
• Answers questions with a sweet drawn out almost southern "Yeeaah"


• watch "momo": movies
  
• wash his hands


• count to three


• play ball- kick, hit, and throw balls-every -single- ball- he owns- particulary into the kitchen


• push toys, cars, carts, strollers, his lawnmower, and anything else he can move- for miles.



• being a big boy doing boy typical things, and sharing in these with his Dad.

Take Me Home Mountain Road.....

Luke made his first trip to West Virginia to see where Daddy grew up. The Trip went great-thankfully- I honestly feared the airplane rides with our boy who wants to walk all on his own everywhere. But he did so good. He had already been noticing airplanes flying in the sky, pointing them out constantly and always before we notice them. So he was saying "Airplane!" non-stop while at the airport, and Daddy had fun telling him all about what the airplanes were doing. It was cute.

WV is a beautiful place, roaming hills, big trees, and old homes mark the landscape in a way that almost makes you feel like you are taking a glimpse back in time, especially for Andy. He enjoyed catching up with some old friends, family, and sharing it all with Luke. It was special for Luke to be and play in the home where Andy grew up, he even played with some of Daddy's old toys. We spent a lot of time outside enjoying the warm summer sun, a much appreciated milder heat than here in Fl. where we instantly melt or burn ALL summer long.

One of those warm days was spent at the little lake house, where Luke experienced his first paddleboat ride, and by the look on his face I don't think he knew what to think. But he definitely had a good time splashing around in the baby pool and throwing rocks in the water.

Luke was one of the boys, throwing balls, crashing cars, and throwing rocks in the creek. He pounded out some nugs for them all, and took really well to everyone, except maybe the friendly but big golden retrievers. We are thankful for the quality time spent with his Mamaw and Papaw Williams.

Peek-a-boo at the Park

You made it Uncle A. .

A few more Firsts

This week was marked by a few more firsts for our little man....

1. Luke got to stick his hands in paint and get creative for the first time. While at a friends house, we broke out the paints so the boys could go to town using their uninhibited artistic skills on a big ol' box. The box turned out to be a masterpiece, and so did Lukes Face.

He really did like it although you can't see that joy in his warpainted face.

2. Luke loves to ride those toy cars... but he has yet to ride an actual bike or tricycle. I think it was first time he had even seen a tricycle, and he could hardly contain himself he wanted to ride it so badly. Well, actually he seemed to enjoy pushing big boy A on it even more. I think we know what he will be getting from Santa.

3. In honor of all firsts- Luke can now say 'one' as in "How old are you, Luke?"... He has also picked up on the "one, two, three" sequence we often use while gearing up for bed body slams- which he can not get enough of- he will ask to be thrown by saying- "one, two... please"! Boys!

4. This one we shouldn't be so proud of, but I will tell you oh so understanding fellow parents anyway...... Luke said his first curse word, and it had to be the big F-bomb!! Yes, it was all my fault.... but he is such a fast learner!:)