A Williams Family Christmas

We had the joy of celebrating Christmas early with Andy's parents this weekend. They made a quick trip down to visit and spoil not only Luke but us as well. Unfortunately the day they arrived was also the first day of Luke's latest sickness. I had a suspicion something was up the day before when he wasn't acting like his music loving self in Kindermusik class, but the give away was his reluctance to let go of me to join in the crazy kid play of the gym daycare, when just the day before I couldn't get him down from the jungle gym thingy to leave. I thought maybe we were just dealing with another rough teething time. Until the cough and fever came the first of only three nights of Mamaw and Papaw's short visit. The following day his fever spiked to 103.6 and we had to cut our trip to ToysRus short and instead spend the afternoon in the doctor's office. But thankfully, "its just another cold, albiet terrible sounding and green, he should be feeling better by Monday". He was definitely miserable, and couldn't care less about toys... But lo and behold, by Sunday, just in time to open some new toys, he was feeling better enough tear off the wrapping paper and explore them all with delight. Although he is still not back to his happy healthy self, and now I am feeling it too, we had a great early Williams Family Christmas and we are thankful for the opportunity to celebrate with a special visit from Mamaw and Papaw.

Here comes Santa Claus

<

Here comes santa claus riding an F-15!!
Today was our Tyndall Ops Group Children's Christmas party, and Andy had the honorable duty of flying dear Old St. Nick down all the way from the north pole to visit the HUNDREDS of kids there to meet him. And i should the mention they brought along the burr cold weather with them. Well, to be honest is was only 50' or so, but by now by blood is used to nothing but hot and humid and has reached a very high freezing point. Nonetheless it felt like Christmas is coming. Joyful!
Luke had lots of fun, running around with some other kids, bouncing in the giant blow-ups, decorating cards and cookies. Oh, and watching daddy fly in santa!!

Little Pool Boy

We spent the week visiting Andy's family in St. Pete for our Nephew Jaxson's 7th and Niece Jaeci's 2nd Birthday.... Happy Birthday Burneys!!!
Much of the week was spent in the pool. Luke has always loved the water, so it was no surprise he had a great time playing with the rest of the boys: Dad, Uncle A, Jaxson, and Papaw. However, we were a bit surprised in his eager fearlessness to jump in.(well, actually with the lack of any lift, it looks more like a walk in) But, He didn't even seem concerned whether or not there was someone right there to catch him; a few times purposely walking in away from us. I am glad he had so much fun doing so- but the lack of caution just kinda makes Moma nervous...
We all had a wonderfully relaxing time catching up with family and enjoying sunny Florida's October weather.

A Halloween Treat

Luke made the most adorable little train conductor this year for halloween.We got to enjoy the trick or treating a little too. He started off slow, but learned quickly that his pumpkin bucket was collecting treats. At grandmas house, we made a circle of her neighborhood loop, then spent the rest of the night passing out treats to all the other kids. Luke got in on this too, again slowly at first, but he quickly picked up on sharing his treats. But first he would take a long stare at the costumes, I can only imagine what he thought of it all. It was a fun and very memorable halloween. Trick or Treat!

Its that Time again....

Time to catch up: Luke is now an 18-month old- the age itself is a big milestone, and it is also a big fat reminder of my lack of tracking- the last few months have flown by with few pictures, and zero blogging, yet so much has happened, just where have the days gone!?

At 18 months Luke:

• uses words almost solely to communicate- which is such a turning point in the child-parent relationship omygosh! Its great, we can actually have conversations- well, in toddler terms, but hey its better than the brain cells dying daily one-sided conversations characterized by your first year of SAHMotherhood! Plus now I don't feel quite as silly explaining the most mundane tasks and observations out loud like I used to- no, but now I do find myself sounding silly when shortening and repeating this things in ways he can imitate.
  
• is Running!! he's been working up the speed for this one a while now- its fun to watch how excited running makes him. He will literally run from one side of the room to the next, back and forth, back and forth, tagging the doors on each end.


• has mastered matching items in the look and find books, ask where an object is and the kid doesn't need to look twice. and yes i tried new books, give him one chance and its mastered. its a good thing he doesn't mind looking at the same books over and over again!
  
• LOVES 'buggies'- bugs- carries as many as he can fit in his hand around with him- sometimes even to naptime- lets all thank god that they are of the plastic variety, for now. (as a sidenote- this is funny to me- because i was actually one of those moms who tried to get my kd to like his blanket, pacifier, stuffed animal, or something to 'love' when he needed a little extra comfort and mommy couldn't be there-say, like at midnight, but no, none of these things were as cool as bugs!) Guess we're better off this way.


• is learning to color, and he seems to really enjoy it, usually at the gym daycare while the big kids are all sitting around doing it. Its actually quite cute to watch. I have been very thankful that he enjoys being at the daycare period, but lately it has been harder to get him to leave!


• is now fully using the word "mine". it is those older kids at Daycare that have taught my otherwise more passive, gentle little boy to demand what is "MINE!" - no really, i literally saw a 4 year old teaching him how to say it. Its inevitable i know, but geez kids.
  
• is currently adding 8 new teeth to his mouth. 4 of which are molars and are almost through, the other 4 are both upper and lower incisors. Ouch! and you can see the pain take over, turning an otherwise sweet boy into a little teething monster. poor guy.
• Still hanging out at 24lbs, he's grown an inch up to 32in, My Little Luke is becoming a big big boy.

"I See You!"

August 31, 2009 -16 months 3 wks:

Luke said his first 'sentence', complete with noun and verb!
"I see you". and he continues to use it... with prompting.
Yeay Lukester. I am so proud of you- my own personal recorder.

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!:)

The First Hair Cut

This weekend we finally took the scissors to Luke's baby hair. His hair is still baby thin and all uneven- it seems to grow in a natural mohawk/mullet pattern- long on top and in the back, coming together to form a peak of bangs on his forhead.

So we used the little clippers and gave our rebel looking child a proper haircut. Although he wasn't too sure about the whole thing, he cooperated quite well, and looks like a handsome little man.