Only a Parent can Love a Toilet Tale

We purchased a Potty Chair because Luke had been showing some interest in using the big toilet, but with no real intention to start training just yet. However, Luke was so excited to get it out of the box and use it, and how could we deny that!!
Then he told me he had to 'poo-poo', and so I thought, "Sure, worth a try". It was successful!! That first time was a big moment, and even Luke was aware of that, upon finishing he Exclaimed, "I DID IT". The pride of such a big boy accomplishment is always memorable even when it involes poo. (but, I don't know which is more worrisome: that this was the highlight of my week, or that I was sure to get the whole thing on video?)
Within the next few days he had 3 successful tries on the potty.
I am sure the novelty will wear off soon for both of us and this milestone will be a long drawn out messy experience. But hey, we are off on the right foot!
Good Job Luke!

Time-Out?

Within the last week we started to use Time-outs with Luke. It has only been a handful of times, so far, but each time was for the same offense: throwing toys. Luke may be a little young still to understand the whole concept?

1. He continues to throw his toys,
2. He willing puts himself in time-out after doing so.

I am new at this, but I don't think that is how it is supposed to work?

21 months

and what a difference a year makes.... this time last year, Luke, you were just starting to crawl, use sign language, and demand to only feed yourself so each mealtime was getting messier than the last... Now, you're running, non-stop running,and dancing, but still can't manage to get any air in your jump. Although still incorporating some signs you talk, and talk, and talk, saying just about anything your prompted (or not) to. Mommy has learned to watch what she says, thank you sweetie. Learning new words everyday, you are getting good at 3 word phrases most often using: "I found them/it, its hiding, I got it, i see you, cars go fast, more food please, you try, ah that one! no, this one." Everyday you also get better at naming shapes and colors, something we've been working on for a little while now. and, to our surprise, one day you suddenly started counting to 5, and with a little more help can sometimes make it to 10. You have always been an observer, to 'take it all in', and right now you seem eager to learn, my little sponge. It is so fun and rewarding to watch your understanding of this big world slowly come together. You are a smart boy, still sweet, and oh so funny. Together we both learn new things everyday.

a new year

Its been a pretty good year, Resolutions? lets call them goals for 2010:
1. learn some amateur photography skills and use them
2. finish Lukes 1st year scrapbook before he turns 2!
3. make and finish photo/video compliation dvds
4. get my car fixed, andy's too (from an accident almost a year ago now)
5. learn to knit, and make cute knit things in case we ever live somewhere cold, ever
6. have another baby, or at least get pregnant again (god and uterus willing)
7. go to vegas!
8. learn to love cooking again
9. cutback on the coffee, at least try
10....might have to go to bed earlier too then
11.Recycle more
12.go to the gym other than just when i am paid to, before that baby i want comes along and squashes that one for another 8 months
13.become a better Kindermusik teacher
14.reach out to the friends i hold dear but distance has come between
15. Play more with Luke, Really Play,
16. shop less, save more (makes my list every year!)
17...... ok then, lets get specific: save at least half, one paycheck to checking, one to savings. got it.
17. blog more- it feels good to get it out in writing.
Bring it 2010. Lets start checking this list.

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.