Lucas Maxwell, you are my pride and joy. You are seven and in second grade. Every time I look at you, I wonder where the time has gone. You are so tall and mature. I love watching you laugh with your Dad or giggle with your cousins. You recently did a self portrait and wrote what your reading goals are for the year in school. My heart was warmed when I read that your reading goal was to read the "skripshers". In preparation for your baptism, we have been reading scriptures diligently each night. You amaze me at how you understand the simple Gospel principles. You tell me of conversations you have at school about God with friends. I am so pleased that you aren't afraid to tell others what you believe. Thanks for being so brave.

Tonight we went to celebrate a cousin's Birthday and you performed "Watch me Whip and Nay Nay" which is such a silly song, but you learned the dance in PE at school and you're pretty cute when you do it. Your cousins all loved it. Your most favorite thing is being with family. We are pretty lucky to have them all living so close.

You are reading so well and I am amazed at how great you are at math. I hope you continue to work hard in school. Your teacher and friends at your new school (Meredith Hill) are so great. You were part of the LEGO club which was so fun!

I love when you want to play with me. I taught you how to play Skip-Bo and you are pretty good! We play lots of board games and you love to play ping pong. You also love electronics and play with your cousins. You play basketball right now and it's so fun to watch you.

Yesterday we went to our friends, Matias and Emiliano's Birthday party at the family fun center. I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. Watching the kids drive the go-carts into walls was hilarious! You were big enough to do bumper boats by yourself and you were out there splashing and bumping around. You guys loved the arcade games... such BOYS!

Lucas, I am so proud of you and you continue to amaze me at what a great Big Brother you are. Thanks for loving your family and being a great leader for Bo and Tessa.

hugs & kisses,
"mommy"

A True HERO

7.25.15

Oh, Lucas. You said a prayer that warmed my heart tonight. I love to hear your prayers - sometimes they are so specific and thorough and you tell Heavenly Father every little thing that happened in your day. Lately you have been saying more "blanket" prayers where you cover everything in one sentence like, "Please bless me to have a great life growing up" or "Please bless all the food at every meal that I ever eat." This happened to be more of a blanket prayer, but you ended it with something different. "Please help everyone who smokes to stop smoking." After the prayer, I asked where that thought came from. You responded by saying, "Well I was thinking about how Grandpa saved Dan." I loved your memory of a very special moment that happened and the face that you classify your Grandpa as a hero... who saves people.

The day Grandpa passed away, naturally we had a house packed with people. Our neighbor, Dan who had been great friends with Grandpa came out to see what the commotion was. Daddy told him that Gerry, your Grandpa had passed away that morning. Dan of course was sad, but more than sadness, he felt astonishment and clear shock... because that morning at the very time that Papa passed away in his truck, while Dan was sleeping, he had a dream. He dreamed that Grandpa pulled up to his yard in his truck like he sometimes did to chat with him. He rolled down his window and told Dan point blank, "Dan, you need to quit smoking. And I mean it, you do it now." As he shook his finger and nodded his head at him. Dan is not a religious man. He lived in the house alone, retired and did as he pleased. He told me that dream will always be with him. I checked on him from time to time after Papa's passing to see how he was doing. To my surprise, Dan had completely quit smoking after that dream. He found other ways to occupy his time when he was tempted to smoke. He taught himself how to play the cello. He would work on new projects and hobbies. He has a better understanding of God and religion. He has not smoked since and I am so proud of Grandpa for making that stop on his way out of this life to help a dear friend. Dan is healthy, happy and feels great that he has been able to quit smoking. Hopefully because of Grandpa, he can have a longer life and help others along the way.

Lucas, thank you for remembering that story and thinking of Grandpa in a new light, as a hero. Life has gotten busier for us. It's hard to stop and remember sweet moments. Thank you for reminding me, for teaching me to have faith and most importantly, thinking about your prayers. It is so important to pray always. I love you so much and can't wait to help you on your mission in this life. You are going to do some great things.

I love you OODLES.

hugs & kisses,
"mommy"

Long Overdue

Lucas, you are growing and changing so much! This past year I have battled my biggest dilemma as a parent. (I'm sure I'll have much larger worries as a parent in the future, but for now this was about all I could handle.) Because your Birthday falls in late August, I had the choice to either send you to school when you had JUST barely turned 5, or I could wait a year to send you. I debated for quite some time and at the last minute, decided to send you. This decision will affect the rest of your education experience, so I was really stressed and prayed a lot. Mrs. Rumel suggested I send you - she saw just how ready you were. Statistics say to hold kids back - but you, my friend are far from a statistic. :) Now, when I think about it I realize that I made the right choice. You are a BRIGHT, intelligent young boy and are excelling in your kindergarten class with Mrs. Grassley. You have several friends and are so incredibly blessed to have your Grandma at school with you every day. You like to go early with her to be the breakfast helper and are always glad to run and hug her every chance you get. Because other kids hear you call her "Grandma", they have also started to call her that. Your special bond with her has sure blossomed since you've started at Sunnycrest with her. Grandpa used to be your sidekick and now you have Grandma to chum around with every day. I never had such a close relationship with my Grandparents. You sure are lucky. (and LOVED)

Every day after school you come and tell me about your day. I hope you always do. I love hearing what you did at school and who your friends are. Naomi is the sweetest little girl who you sit next to in class. You have done a complete transformation when it comes to girls! You used to HATE them. You were not nice to them and would much rather be running around with boys. After meeting little Naomi, you have decided girls aren't so bad after all. ;) You have your first CRUSH! You came home from school one day saying, "We don't kiss until we're married... right, mom?" I said you're ABSOLUTELY right! As time went on, you snuck Naomi a kiss on her arm which was totally innocent, but of course my feelings were hurt because I want you to be MY boyfriend forever. xoxo.

You are starting to read which makes me so proud. You would much rather be doing math though. I think you're a lot like Daddy who loves math. You love primary and are always so excited to give talks in church. I admire you for being so brave. Our cousins are living with us right now and often times you help with Family Home Evening by leading the music with Tyson. You have become pals with him and would do anything for him or Jake. They have taught you about Pokemon and bey blades which are your favorite things to do along with Legos and Hero Factory.

Mommy works a lot right now and I am so impressed to see you always willing to help your brother while I'm with a client. You talk to him so sweetly and are so patient with him. He definitely gets better treatment than anyone else. You are so kind to him. You guys love to wrestle each other and play together so well. In fact, right now you two are in the other room, both squeezed in tight to Bo's bed sleeping soundly. I hope you guys remain close through this life. You'll need each other more than you know. There is a reason you were both sent down to this family. Maybe it's to help navigate each other through this life.

Right now, we are waiting to find out if Daddy is going to go to Dental school. We're hoping we get an answer soon so we can maybe move out of Grandma's house. All though, you tell me you are never moving and that this is YOUR house. We are incredibly blessed to get to stay here with her right now.

You are the light of my life and I am so blessed to have you for a son. You teach me so much and it is so fun to be your Mom. Thanks for loving me back. I hope you always do.

hugs & kisses,
"mommy"

Grandpa Fagan

1.10.13

Dear Lucas,

May you cherish the wonderful memories of your favorite Grandpa and Buddy. This morning, we spent some time at the Auburn YMCA swimming pool. We have met some new friends from preschool, Brogan and Ryker who invited us. While getting ready to come home, we heard my phone ringing from the locker in the bathroom. I answered what the caller ID showed as "Grandpa" calling. I expected Grandpa to be on the other end of the phone asking for me to pick up some meat for dinner or wondering if we would be home in time for lunch. Instead, it was a medical examiner explaining to me that there had been a family emergency. I asked him for more information, but because he wouldn't tell me any more than to "drive safely", I knew that my Dad - your Grandpa had passed away. I was reluctant to say anything to you yet because I didn't know for sure. In a panic, I drove home - the entire way reminding you of the plan of salvation and told you how much I love you. You then asked, "Is Grandpa Died?" 

We walked in the door of the house to find Grandma in tears. She sobbed, knowing that she would have to wait until the next life time to again hug her husband. I held her. She held me. You watched. In wonder. I'm sorry if you were afraid. I met you in the kitchen I got down on my knees and looked you in the eye. Your little lip quivered at the terrible thought of someone being... "died". I told you that your Grandpa loves you very much and he is really going to miss you. You then responded with, " I know my Grandpa isn't dead. He's alive in heaven. I will see him again someday." I marvel at your strength and am uplifted by your child-like faith. Thank you for understanding SO well the plan of salvation. 

You were so close to your Grandpa. I am afraid that you will forget your fondest memories, so as quickly as my fingers can type, I will record them for you to look back at, in fear that I too will forget. 

Your "Papa" started tending you in 2008. You were just a few months old when he would insist that I leave the house to get a break. He was so kind and loving to you. There were times when I thought, "How could he possibly remember how to change a diaper or make a bottle when it has been 25+ years since he has had a baby of his own!?" He managed just fine, though there was a time or two when I would come home to find you with no pants or a backwards diaper. He loved to rock you and rub your feet. He was one of the first people to prop you up in a sitting position so you could "see the world". I was a new Mom and he always encouraged me to let you do what us big people do. "Stop rocking him, you're going to spoil him," he would say. It was not long at all before I started working more and he, more than willingly tended you. I knew it was only a matter of time before you became part of his regular marina trips. He was so proud to show you off to his other Grandpa friends. You tagged along everywhere, including stops at Circle K if you were a good boy to get a "tids pop" as you would call it. Grandpa never liked to waste food and I remember him being frustrated that you wouldn't finish your $2.99 Jack in the Box breakfast. I would have to remind him that you were still a small boy and that meal he was trying to force down you was adult size. He was proud to call you his little buddy and found such joy in watching you grow and learn. One of your favorite things to do was help your Grandpa in the yard. You LOVED to be outside. He would grab the weed-eater and you would grab your pretend lawn mower and follow his every move through that yard. You loved to use the leaf blower with him and enjoyed helping him plant and take care of the garden. You helped him clean his boat. You made regular trips to the dump with him to see the giant tractors. You were always such a big help to him when he had a hard time going upstairs to turn on his air. You were right there, ready to help whenever he needed it. You would even go out to get him a squirt (pop) to drink and would tip-toe into the kitchen for a cup. After the cupboard door closed, I would hear Grandpa say, "Lucas, you are going to get us both in trouble!" He would pour you a cup and you would then show me what a good job you were doing at "sharing!" You guys got in lots of trouble together. Always sneaking around behind my back. The truth is, I knew it was going on -  I was just so glad you had him to be mischievous with. 

I hope you treasure these memories along with some of your own for a lifetime. You will always have a Grandpa in heaven rooting you along, watching you as you make right choices and beaming at your successes through life. I know he is proud of you and that he CAN'T WAIT to see you again. 

I love you so much, Lucas. Know that there is a life after this. Know that we can be a forever family. Know that your Heavenly Father has a plan for us all. Know that I love you.

hugs & kisses,

"mommy"

Happy 4th Birthday!

You are FOUR! You have had so much fun celebrating your Birthday. Who wouldn't love family dinners, Birthday dates, dirt cake and gifts? You were very adamant about having a dirt bike cake and when we ate dinner last week at Applebee's, the waitress came to take your order and your promptly asked for a dirt bike cake. You were very good at sharing your gifts with all your cousins that came over to celebrate. You took turns and thanked everyone for the presents. After opening one of your gifts, someone asked "Do you like it?" and you replied "NO. I LOVE IT!" You have been begging for a "Tids size chainsaw" (you STILL can't say your K's) and when you opened it along with a kids size weed eater, you were thrilled.

I am so happy to see you growing into such a nice boy. You have tested me quite a bit this past year... but I know "4" will bring wonderful things. You will start pre-school next week. You also love primary. You are asked to give talks in primary VERY often because you are one of the few that LOVE to give talks. I hope you continue to enjoy public speaking and sharing your feelings. When we were in Blackfoot visiting Grandpa, you insisted that you share your testimony during sacrament. You jumped right out in the isle with your arms folded and gave me a "look" with eyebrows raised and everything. You whispered hastly, "FINE. I'll go withOUT you!" I quickly followed to make sure you didn't need help. You stood shamelessly and said "I know this church is true. I know we have a Prophet, Thomas S. Monson. I know that Ammon had the power of "Dod". (God) and then my favorite line of your testimony,"The truth is, this stuff is true." Wow. Straight to the point. I love it! I am incredibly proud to call you my son. I am excited to see who else you'll get to share your testimony with throughout this life. Thank you for being a wonderful example to me. I love you and am excited to create more memories with you this coming year.

hugs&kisses,
"mommy"

Here are some photos from your "4" year photo shoot:

 This was your face when you saw Uncle Foogs pull up. :)

Ironically, you ended up with "4" apples in your basket when all was said and done. :) 

 Dear Lucas,

What a wonderful family home evening we had at the temple together. You were so excited to see Angel Moroni. You wondered why you couldn't go in. There are very sacred things that happen in the temple and when you turn 12 you will have a better understanding of those ordinances. Only the cleanest people can enter the house of the Lord. You are very clean and work hard to make good choices - so I know you will get the opportunity to go inside one day. I also know that if you continue on the path of righteousness, you will be able to be sealed to your own family there some day. 

The closest we can get to God is attending the temple. This world is filled with darkness and sin. It takes great courage to stand above the rest and keep yourself spotless from the sins that surround you. You are such a leader. I can see you teaching others about Jesus Christ and even serving a mission some day. I know you have so many individual traits that Heavenly Father blessed you with that will help you get through this life and that will help others to see the light as well. Thank you for always making your brother happy and helping to teach him by example. He sees you fold your arms so reverently for prayer, he watches you show love to others and I know he'll want to be just like you. Lucas, I love you so much. I know that Heavenly Father has a special love for you, too. He knows your trials and wants you to succeed. The scriptures will help you do that. Please remember to read and learn. Always know that life is easiest with the gospel. I can't wait to take you to the temple someday. You make me so proud already. Your smile lights up the room. 

I love you so much, Groobs. 

hugs & kisses, 

"mommy"

Conversations With Groobs

I dressed you in sweats one morning and we headed to a doctor appointment. After the appointment I offered to take you Christmas shopping. This was your reply: "Not in my SWEATS, Mom!" I guess you rarely wear them and understand the importance of staying well groomed. I think that's a good thing. :) I also wanted you to try on a hat in the store and you said, "don't mess up my hair!" ...this coming from my very stylish 3 year old. 

After fixing the toilet when the chain came unhooked, you said: "You FIXED it, Mom? I'm UMpressed!"

You had been playing in your bed with a tractor for quite some time. I came in and asked you to park it and tell it good night. You replied, "What?! I'm so confuuuused."

You always tell me to "have patience!"

Never do you ask for help. I am often stopped in my tracks with a hand in the air, a cute head nod with eye brows raised telling me "I got it. I can do it myself."

You have the funniest baby talk with your brother. You call him "Bode Boy" and "cutie patootie". You often ask him questions and then answer for him saying, "Yes, you ARE handsome, Boden" or "Yes you DO like tractors, Boden." You also call him by his full name all the time. "Mom, I think we should get Boden Jeramy dressed, don't you?"

At the dinner table you asked what kind of meat we were eating. "Are these ribs?" (you know what ribs are thanks to Daddy's Anatomy book you love.) We replied that they were in fact ribs. "Are they ribs from a cow or a human?" ... actually they are from a pig. "Well I like to eat human ribs." ...*crickets*...

mom: "Do you know who Heavenly Father is?"
Lucas: "His son is named Jesus. He says, "This is my BELIEVE-ED son... Hear him."

Your favorite thing to do is read our Book of Mormon "Hero" cards. They're like trading cards of prophets from the BOM. Right now you love Ammon and the gory story of him cutting off the arms of wicked Lamanites - which is in fact way too old for you and definitely rated-R. You can finish my sentences while I read it and you love the part where it says "Ammon had the power of GOD." but you say "DOD" because G's are still hard for you to pronounce.

The other day you prayed that you would someday get to ride on a train. And in case Heavenly Father didn't know, you repeated yourself more specifically, "a passenger train."

I love you and I really love talking to you. Thanks for keeping us on our toes.

hugs & kisses,
"mommy"

Caught You

I caught you talking with your construction figurines.

I caught you singing and dancing in your room.

I caught you giggling in time out.

I caught you playing on Daddy's ipod.

I caught you sneaking an oreo before breakfast.

I caught you flexing your muscles in the mirror.

I caught you picking up your brother.

I caught you outside without shoes on.

I caught you on the counter tops.

...and this morning I caught you sleep walking... in the kitchen... with two fists in Grandma's candy drawer.

amazing.

For the last, I don't know... 8 months or so, you have come up with every bed time excuse in the book. 
It has recently changed to compliment hour and Daddy and I can't complain.

"You're AMAZING, Mom."
"You're the best Parent EVER."
"I WUV you."
"You're the best PLAYER in the whole world." (What?) I'll take it.
"You are awesome."
"You're my favorite."
and when you think I'm not listening or didn't hear you, you add more syllables. "You're my fav-or-i-i-i-i-te."

If I return any compliment to you in any form, you say "nooo, YOU are amazing. I just a boy."

I do think you're amazing though. I think you're such a good helper. I think you came into my life at the perfect time. Your smiles bring me so much joy. Not only that, I have hope. I see the genuine love you have for your family and cousins and I am so grateful for it. I have hope that the same love will someday radiate the world. I hope that you can create and embrace happy moments and live a life time of pure JOY. Most of all, I do "WUV" you.

hugs & kisses,
"mommy"

You hosted your first FHE!

You have had this obsession with Angel Moroni. You love to talk about him, see him in pictures and always ask to "go in!" when we drive by the temple. I was in the church bookstore the other day and you wandered your way in to the children's section. It wasn't long before you noticed all the scripture character action figurines hanging on the wall. Did you go for Stripling warriors? Did you find a sweet baby Jesus? Did you seek out the ripped Nephi figurine? Nope. Angel Moroni. That's all you cared about. So I had to have it. :) I hid it for a few days because I wanted to wait for a good time to give him to you when I could let you know of his importance.

Time went by, and I had to run to the dollar store for some shipping envelopes. I was in a rush, and you understood that we were just running in fast. Until you saw a life-size trumpet JUST like Angel "Moron-on-i's". We had to stop. We had to stop and look at all of them. There was no longer a rush to get out of the store. We both had fun picking out the most "Moron-on-i" like trumpet.

I asked if you would host FHE and you were SO excited to. We kept it a surprise and the family loved it. We dressed you up like Moroni and you marched into the living room blowing that horn just like I imagine Angel Moroni would. "do do doooo!!"

It was hilarious when Dad took a turn blowing the trumpet. He didn't do it your way, so you politely said "show how" (I'll show you how) and taught him the correct way to sound the trump. You did great. :)

We proceeded to teach about the plates and the visions of Moroni that Joseph Smith had. You explained that the spires on the temples point "up up heaven".

I enjoy every teaching moment I have with you. I really love watching you learn. You remember EVERYTHING and it really amazes me. There will be no empty promises from me, because I know you better than to forget. :)

I love you, Groobs. Thanks for sharing your "knowledge" of Angel Moroni with us tonight.

hugs & kisses,
"mommy"

Conversations with Lucas

You are officially my favorite child. You are so darn witty. You make me laugh with all your funny sayings. You have finally become my verbal little guy! You repeat whatever it is we say. You are doing GREAT!

Today while watching Huskies footaball, you repeated EVERYthing Daddy shouted. Including, "RIP IT!" and "OH YEAH" as well as "TOUCHDOWN!" He is so proud to have a son love Sports the way he does. We recently went to a Husky Basketball game and you watched the entire thing! Someone got fouled hard and you said, "OH NO!" in an angry yell. It's just so funny to see you start to understand the games we watch! You seem way too young to be interested. That's it! We're signing you up!

The other day, we were getting ready to run errands.
Lucas: Ready Dad! Let's go!
Dad: Where do you want to go?
Lucas: Ride.
Dad: Where do you want to go on a ride to?
Lucas: Huskies.
Dad: Oh, well they don't play tonight.
Lucas: (pause) Seahawks?

We were surprised by this because we rarely mention the Seahawks.

Mason got appendicitis on Christmas night. I had been trying to get you settled in for bed shortly after I heard the news. I thought telling you would settle you down. So I told you how he was sick and needed to go have surgery. I continued on, singing and making efforts to turn you "off" for the night when you made the most creative excuse to get out of bed yet. With your most painful face, squinting your eyes, using your most whiney voice you said, "Mom... me sick... owww... (grabbing your stomach) hurt... hospital... doctor... ohhhhh...." My response? "No, Lucas. You are not sick. You're going to BED." What a creative TWO year old!! Asking to go to the hospital?! Funny kid!

I love to hear the things that go on in your little head. Thanks so much for finally sharing them with me!

hugs & kisses,
"mommy"

coming of age

I'm sure this is the first of many. 

This just means that you are OFFICIALLY not my baby any more. You are a big 2 year old boy. Sad but true.

Here is a list of your current vocabulary:

yellow - ahloww

blue - boooo

green - naaaan

pink - mahp

tammy - mammmmy

joe - do

grandma - wamma

grandpa - papa (every old man is papa)

buffalo - bu oh oww

mint - mimp
juice - dusssss

We signed you up for speach therapy - just to find out that there's a 3 month long waiting list. 

I'm not worried because just after you were evaluated, you started saying tons more words!

You are so adorable. When you're ready to talk more I'm sure you'll have lots to say.

You might be a rough and tough boy by the looks of your socks, but you're nothing short of sweet.
Today we went out in the garden to look for worms under the pumpkins.
Out of no where you went from your haunches to your knees, closed your eyes and folded your arms. I asked you if you wanted to pray. "uh hu." I then asked who we were going to pray for - to which you replied, "Papa." So there we were. Out in the garden, mid afternoon praying for Papa.
After we finished the prayer, you opened your eyes long enough to ask me to say a prayer for "wama" too. So, we said another prayer for Grandma.

I love how in so many ways - you teach me.
Seems a little backwards, doesn't it?
I just hope somewhere along the line you feel like I taught you, because I seem to be the one learning here.

Love you, bug guy.

hugs&kisses,
"mommy"

Use your words.

I don't know how many times I ask you to say that each day. But we're making progress. Slow progress, but I'll take any progress! Here are your latest words:

joe - "doe"
bob - (the barrier kids thought it would be funny too teach you a random name)
popcicle - "pop-o-oww"
green - "neeen"
slide - " syyyyde"
hide - "hyyyyde"
moon - "moooon"
tractor - "tatorrr" (said with a growl)

The weather has been in the 90's and your wardrobe consists of a diaper. You love going down the water slide into the kiddie pool. You also are a master of the hose. You are dangerous! No one can ever get it away from you without getting doused. 

We love you and can't wait to share your second birthday with you!

hugs & kisses,

"mommy"

ICE

This is officially the first correct word you say. You say it with such care. Making sure to give each letter a sound, so slowly. IYYYCCCCCE. Sometimes you whisper it to me, because you know if you talk in your inside voice as opposed to yelling, you get what you want. And you always want Ice. If I want you to do anything, I just bribe you with ice. :) I guess it's the small things in life that make us happy.

The small things like you saying "Ice."

I have never worked on colors and shapes with you. We did today. You knew red right off the bat, and circle and star without me helping. It's crazy how much you pick up on without me knowing. I've got to work more with you I guess!

Daddy seems to think it's time to potty train you. I was on my way to do hair when I got a call from you and Daddy telling me you poo'd in the toilet! Since then, you've gone a few more times. It's pretty funny to see Daddy's techniques he taught you! As soon as you sit down, you press on your tummy to help "push" things out! You also go number one quite frequently. I guess I'm just not ready for you to grow up. :( I'd rather keep you as my baby forever.

I thought I was just going to talk about Ice, sorry to include all this toilet talk. Someday you'll potty train your kids, and maybe your Dad's "tips" will help you with your kiddos! :)

*and one more thing, I'm not sure I ever mentioned. This happened when you were 15 months or so.
We were saying our nightly prayers together in your room. Your arms were folded, and eyes tightly closed. I prayed that you would grow healthy and strong, after which you released your reverent arms, raised them in the air and flexed your muscles for me!

More recently, you have been going to bed with your glow worm we call "baby". You make sure to fold his arms during prayer time as well. What a wonderful example you are to your little baby.

OH. and it's your 21 month birthday today. :) Happy Birthday!

I love you, Groobs!

hugs & kisses,

"mommy"

Oh, Lucas.

You make me smile.
At 19 months, you still have yet to attend nursery without me. When you turned 18 months,(the age you are able to attend nursery) you were sick. The following week, I was sick, the week after that, we were in Missouri. The week after that was conference! I anticipated you turning 18 months for so long, just so I could attend my own church classes. Well, my regular relief society attendance will be put off longer, I'm sure. You just don't want me to leave you. Today, you were fine for an hour. After that, you were ready to go home, and I think you thought I had left you for good.

The truth is, I love being with you, too. I do miss my classes, and need to attend them, but as long as you want me, I'll have you. :) You are the youngest in nursery. The others are quite older and talking. It will be a challenge for you and the teachers due to your lack of communication, but you'll learn soon enough.

Here are some recent things you've learned:

• You get out and put away your milk for me
• Open doors for me
• In addition to what you already know, You now say: hi (hiyyyyyyy) wake up (daay bu) up (bu) cheese (eeeeese)
• You skip like crazy. Aunt Kristi asked: does he ever run like a normal child? She quickly learned the answer to that. You can run and you are fast. You just like this new skipping thing.
• You are learning to play baseball. When Papa watches you, he usually has the Mariners on. The other night, he was putting you to sleep. You were almost asleep in the rocking chair. The game was on and Papa changed the channel. In a split second, you went from asleep to aggressively grabbing the remote and trying to turn the game back on.
• You still LOVE Carter. Uncle Jeramy brings him over JUST FOR YOU. You cry when he leaves. You eat his dog treats with him, you play basketball with him, you take him for walks on his leash (I guess I should say he takes you for walks) and just recently, you BATHED with him. BLECK. That was Uncle Jerm's fault. He said the "B" word (bath) and both you and Carter ran to the bathroom. You both wanted baths!
• You consistently climb out of your crib. 
• You pretend you are sleeping when I get you out of your crib.
• You repeat everything I ask you to say in your own way. The tone and syllables are usually spot on, but it is still in your very own Lucas language. 

I love you so much!

hugs & kisses,
"mommy"

sleeping baby

I settled down tonight. I got nothing on the checklist done that I needed to do after I put you down. In efforts to accomplish at least ONE thing, I picked up a pile of toys and quietly carried them down the hall to your room. Daddy was studying in the room across from yours. As I opened your door it caught his attention. We both drew our eyes to your sweet face pressed gently up against your crib railing. Time stopped as we both stared, expressionless. I could tell that at that moment we shared the same thoughts:

• That your sweet face is OURS. It's literally a mixture of US.
  
• You are growing WAY too fast.
• Your laughter, smile, scowl and the way you wait for us at the window each time we come home are the very things that keep us going.
  
• We want another, but could we possibly come up with something as perfect?
• You're so darn cute.
  
• Though you seem to be turning into this BOY, you will always be our baby.

We love being parents. We love you. We love everything about you.

Goodnight, Sweet Groobs.

hugs & kisses,
"mommy"

The Latest on Lucas

You say:
Cow says, Fish says, Dog says, Cat says, Lion says, Elephant says, (my fave) Monkey says, Sheep says, Duck says... and last but not least, Mommy says - in which you shake your finger at me and say "no no no". You also say Thank you - "Do Doooo", Papa - "bah-bah", Dadda, Grandma -"ummmaah", Momma and all done - "aduhhh".

You sign:
airplane, please, thank you, milk, all done and your wave is perfected. When you're ready to leave somewhere, you just start waving which always embarrasses me. It usually happens at someone's house when you're done visiting.

You sing: (mostly hand motions)
Itsy bitsy spider, The wheels on the bus and the rock-a-bye song you made up. :)

You still nap 2 times a day. Sometimes you get by with 1 - but you are MUCH happier with 2.

You continue to Jump, dance, and best of all... Summer-salts!

You are starting to be a bit clingy, which is good and bad. Today, I was doing hair and you came in, pulled on my apron until I was eye level with you, looked me in my eyes, grabbing the top of my apron and tried to take it off. You clearly wanted me to be done doing hair and spend time with you.

I love your independence. You strut your stuff right into the kitchen, open the fridge and tell me exactly what you want. It's usually an egg, shredded cheese or milk. You also can open EVERY door at your convenience. I just know you're going to run away!

I love you, punkin-ator.

hugs & kisses,
"mommy"

One of those days

We just changed the time of church from 9am to 11am. I thought it would be better for you. I think 3 hours of anything is hard on little guys your age. Sunday was hard today. We're working on getting you warmed up in nursery so you transition well next month. I think you'll do great. I just worry that there's no kids your age. You have natural attendancies to do things like climb, throw, or steal your neighbor's snacks. These things are only magnified by tiredness. (which you were today) The other children in nursery are a bit older and understand consequences more, so they tend to listen better. I'm sure you'll get there. Nursery has 2 rooms that are separated by a curtain divider. One room (which kids are not allowed in) stores all the toys that are not being used. The other is where nursery takes place. Somehow, you figured out how to open the curtain and insisted that you have the toys on the other side. (which included a bright, shiny slide and a rocking horse) Who wouldn't want those? After unsuccessfully trying to explain that you couldn't have them, you threw a fit. We ended up leaving the nursery for a little walk. Which you also didn't want. You ended up hitting me in the face. The sad part is, you have a fantastic memory, so I'm sure next time we go to nursery, we'll face the same battle. When you start to communicate a little better, things should get easier. I'm sure there will always be something for me to worry about though. :/ I know you don't mean it when you hit, you're just trying to get your point across. As a Mother, I'm learning patience more and more each day.

Lucas, I want you to know I love you. I love the sweet humming that you do while I sing to you. I love your soft and chubby cheeks. I love your cheesy smile. I love your giggle. I love your glare. I love your excited *gasp* that you do at anything and everything that is the slightest bit interesting. I love the way you pray. I love the way you watch the sacrament being passed with such curiosity. Today, you even said "Dada" when Daddy helped bless the sacrament on the stand. You did your absolute best in trying to get his attention. You are learning reverence, but I'm afraid tiredness took over today. I'm sure we'll have more days like this, and I'll continue walking you through the church when we do. I just hope next week you let me tune into at least one hour of church.

Thanks for putting a smile on my face at the end of a tiresome day for the both of us.

hugs & kisses,
(tired) "mommy"

Dear Lucas,

Please stop crawling out of your crib.

hugs & kisses,
"mommy"

Take THAT.

Last time I bathed you, two little brown floaties joined you in your bath. NICE. This is one of those motherly responsibilities where if I don't clean up, no one will. It was up to me to go fishing. bleck! In order to do so, I needed to get you out of that nasty water. I took you out, still naked and wet, I set you on the bathroom floor. What happened after this, you ask? PEE. You pee'd all over the bathroom floor.

It was almost as if you were saying, "take that, Mom, and THAT."

Well Lucas,

Take that.
...a nice little picture for your future girlfriends to feast their eyes on. I guess you could call it revenge. :) I love you!

hugs & kisses,
"mommy"