7 months old

Luke is 7 months today! Where did the time go?

He is learning all sorts of things. He weighs somewhere around 15-16lbs now and is over 26in long. He's a big boy compared to where he was 2 months ago. He's taken off since we introduced solids. His favorite foods are carrots, sweet potatoes and bananas. He HATES peas and anything green really. He gags like I'm literally poisoning him. Too funny! He's in mostly 3-6m clothes now, size 2 diapers and thinks that sleep is for the weak. He's cutting his upper eye tooth and is up every 30m-1hr. It's exhausting, but he's still so happy during the day.  Kris is away on business this week and Luke thinks it's hilarious to go from STTN to up 8 times a night. Mommy is tired and can't wait for Daddy to come home! 

He says "dada" now and it's adorable. He says it in the deepest voice and sounds like an old man. He also rolls, sits up completely unassisted, jumps in his jumperoo like it's nobody's business. Oh and he's trying to crawl. Lord help me when this happens, because I'm not ready. Grace has cheerios all over, which I try to vacuum up but she is constantly spilling them. Luke loves his toys. Anything that lights up, makes noise or is colorful is his favorite. Sophie the Giraffe used to be his #1, but recently he's in love with Grace's steering wheel. He's really good at it too.

Luke is recently getting stranger anxiety, and while it's not as bad as his sister's it's still rough. Whenever you leave the room now, he notices and wails like he's dying! It's cute and all, but man I can't go anywhere. I'm about ready to strap him in the Ergo on my back just so I can get laundry done. All in all though, I couldn't have asked for a better son (and daughter for that matter). He's amazing, just like his sister. He's the sweetest thing, (almost) always happy and has a personality that can light up a room.

Having 2u2 isn't always a walk in the park, but since Luke and Grace are interacting it's been absolutely amazing! They "talk" to each other now, and Luke giggles whenever Grace is dancing around or being a goofball (which is pretty much always). The love they have for each other has multiplied my love for them, which I never in a million years would have thought possible. Sure it's absolutely exhausting sometimes, but I wouldn't change a thing! I would do this whole crazy ride all over again just to end up with my crazy, loving, silly and adorable kids.

So there it is... 7 months old. Holy cow!

I love you Luke. You are mommy's favorite little boy in the whole wide world!

Quotes

I've been finding quotes lately that completely sum up how I feel. I love when someone else can make into words what you have been thinking.

"If I could keep you little, I'd keep you close to me. But then I'd miss you growing into who you're meant to be!" - Marianne Richmond

This one is my favorite because it truly is how I feel. I don't want my kids growing up because of selfish reasons. I will miss how dependent on me they are. And while I am constantly saying "I can't wait for.. more free time, to get a job, to just go pee by myself" I'm really just saying those things to make me feel better. I know one day (really soon) they won't NEED me for everything and when that day comes I may just cry. But I will also be so happy because they will be little people then. Kris and I hope to raise them into self-sufficient, Godly, kind, loving, funny, selfless people. Who knows, they could both do something amazing in life!

"Your children will be come what you are, so be what you want them to become."

This one is so true! I want kids to be proud of us, but mostly I just want them to like us when they are older. Haha! I know, selfish, but it's true. I want Kris and I to set an example of a Godly marriage is, one where both husband and wife respect and love each other. I was both of us to set an example of good people, honest people, so my children don't turn out rude and selfish like most of the planet is.

And lastly... "The most precious jewels you will ever have around your neck are the arms of your children"

I never in a million years would have understood this until I had kids. They truly are the best things that have ever happened to me. I cherish their lives, love them so, so much. Material things were never THAT important to me, but I did like them. Now I would give up my house, my car, my life just for my kids. They are #1 and I have never felt about anyone the way I feel about them.

Just some food for my thought. It's nice to be reminded when you are blessed and I am so blessed....

Growing up

I was standing in the kitchen today and looked over to see Luke sitting (his new trick). He was just sitting there alone, playing with his toys like a big boy. How did he go from that helpless newborn in the NICU to a little boy so quickly? Luke, you had better slow down!! You are growing way faster than your sister!! At the rate you are going you will be in college next year. :(

Then Grace starts talking today in her own language. She went on and on for whole sentences in this made-up language. All I could do was laugh! Then I realized she will be taking any day now and I can't do anything to stop it (not that I want to.. I can't wait to hear the funny things she has to say). It made me realize that my kids are growing WAY too fast. With Grace it felt like life was going at super speed. Now with Luke it feels like hyper speed. I can't stop it. It's going too fast!!

This ride is the most amazing ride I've ever been on but why can't I get off and enjoy the scenery for a while too? Please kiddos, stop growing so fast. You guys are making mama way more emotional than she needs to be!! When did my squishy little newborns who needed everything from me turn into these independent (Grace moreso at the moment) PEOPLE?! I can't believe they have these little personalities, opinions and senses of humor already. It seems like just yesterday I was praying and hoping a positive pregnancy test. And now my kids are these little people, amazing, strong, funny, loving people but people all the same! Where did my babies go?

Grace has a new word...

Can you guess what it is?

Easter Weekend!

This Easter was by far my favorite Easter ever! It's amazing what having your family complete will do! The weekend started on Friday when Kris actually had some time off from work. We took the kids and hiked by the river in the jogging stroller. It was a beautiful day and the kids (and Kris and I) loved it!! 

Here they are holding hands. They love each other so much! 

Kris pushing them. Grace loved the running water!

Then Saturday morning started out with an small Easter egg hunt at our house before heading to NYC for the weekend. Grace caught on very quickly for her 1st time! She had a blast and totally got it!

Then we headed out to my aunt's house. It was Luke's 1st time away from home!

He was out by mile #2!

My mom and me in the 3rd row of my car...

Then Grace fell asleep too. They both slept the whole way!

Then we finally got there and my cousin Kyle wanted to hold him.

That night we colored Easter eggs!

This one said "Grace." 

Grace's egg all sparkly! 

And Luke's egg!

Then my boy fell asleep on me. My son in one arm and my wine in the other... a perfect end to a long day!

My big boy!!

 I was so afraid of how they both would do sleeping in a new place. My fears were for nothing! They did amazing! Grace slept all night and woke up at 8:30am. Luke only woke up a handful of times and slept until 9:30. Such good kids!

Here's Grace "helping" my mom cut up potatoes. She would put them in the pot, take them out, take a bite out of them, then put them back in the pot. It was hilarious!!

Then my girl had her very 1st shower. She was very scared, but quickly grew to like it! I must say... it was much easier and quicker than a bath!

Pretty girl on Easter Sunday!

The festivities were all too much for my little boy!

Meema, Cole, Kyle, Uncle Austin, Kris and Grace

Me and my little girl! :)

What's Easter without a little cake?

What mom? I wasn't eating anything!

Easter night... with the car Aunt Jamee bought for her! Yep, that's right... we traveled home with 4 adults, 2 children and a cozy coupe all in my Acadia. Love that car!!

Waving at Meema & Uncle Austin when they were leaving.

Grace decided the Easter "grass" was really supposed to be hair. Here's what she did to Kris.

So Daddy did it back to her..

Then she decided Mommy had to have some "hair" too!

Sleepy boy, after a LONG day!

   
And now for the "professional" pictures I took by myself with some help of my mom! Only took 30 minutes!

Happy boy after our photoshoot!

And the leopard at my Aunt's house that Grace LOVED!!