Mummified

After a long night at the ER

Late Saturday evening, we waited for your Daddy to get off work so we could head to Fred Meyer together. We went there for one specific purpose. We were going to get a baby gate to wrap around the fireplace with the winter season just around the corner. When we got there, the gate that had been on sale for weeks prior to this was back up at a higher price. Thinking that we could wait another week to see if it came back on sale, we left without the gate.

As soon as we got home, I sat down with you on the living room floor to put on your jammies. I explained to you that the fireplace was HOT. You pointed at it and repeated your version of the word "hot" back to me. I continued dressing you. Changed your diaper, pulled up your pajama pants, turned to get your shirt from the floor next to me, and in an instant, you took a quick step right into the burning fireplace. You rested both your sweet little hands right on top of it. I grabbed you as fast as I could and put your hands under cold water. Once I found the wounds, I put some burn cream on them and applied ice the best I could. You seemed to be handling it well. You continued on playing, when suddenly, the pain got worse. You started to scream. and scream. You rocked back and forth and belted out your cries. You wanted me to hold you, but it hurt you. You wanted your blankie, but that hurt, too. It was the hardest I have heard you cry, and there was nothing I could do to make it better. So I cried with you.

Because of the discomfort you were in, your Daddy and I decided to take you into the ER. Mommy sang to you as you continued to cry the whole way to the Hospital. The moment we walked into the hospital, your crying came to a halt. There was a fish tank. You were so excited to see those fish! I was glad that you could be distracted for a bit, but at the same time, I wanted you to cry so that the nurses could maybe rush our case.

No such luck. They tried to transfer you to Harbor View in Seattle, but we insisted that they wrap your owies so that you wouldn't be in anymore pain. 3 hours later, we brought you home mummified and put you to bed.

Your wounds are almost healed, and now you know what "HOT" means.
So sorry you had to go through this.

I love you oodles, mister magoo.

hugs & kisses, "mUmmy"

side note: For a split second, while you expressed your pain and I unsuccessfully tried to comfort you, I thought of Christ in Gethsemane. I know that Heavenly Father didn't want to see his child go through all the pain and agony he did, but he had to let him. I'm sure that it was killing him inside to not be able to take away his pain. I can't imagine seeing you in any more pain than you have already experienced. It hurt me as much as it hurt you.

I hope you always remember that Christ suffered the most excruciating pain so that we might live eternally. He did it for you. The atonement is real. Heavenly Father loves each of us so much that he GAVE his only begotten son to die for us. Always know that, Lucas.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

special

I just wanted to let you know that you are special.

Don't ever think you're not important. We all have a plan. Heavenly Father sent each of us here for a purpose. Yours is unique to you. You are a valiant son of God. You chose to come to this earth and stay with us during this life.

I'm just learning how to be a mother. I see a light turn on in your little head each time I speak to you. I am always surprised to see your listening eyes when I talk. It's amazing that at such a young age you comprehend everything that I say.

You can't talk much yet. You say Dada, Papa, Yeah, Dog, Momma, and sign airplane. Though you don't say a whole lot, you know exactly what I say. I ask you if you want to take a bath and you RUN (not walk) to the bathroom, tugging on your clothes the whole way. It's so fun to see you read books. You put your clothes away in the hamper every time I change you. I ask you if you're hungry and you run to your highchair saying, "yeah" (which is more like a grunting sound). You also march right over to the fridge every time you want a drink. You LOVE to be outside. You got tired of me telling you not to go outside without shoes, so you figured out where your shoes are and bring them to me when you want to go out. You have also figured out how to open the screen door. If it's not locked, you are GONE. Usually visiting the dog, Tuxedo next door. We keep the screen door locked due to this recent discovery.

I hope that I can be a light and example to you throughout your life and continue to teach you the things that I know. There are many things in life that you will accomplish that others may not. I hope that you can have the desire to do what is right and integrity to stand up for what you believe in.

I hope that you will have a sure confidence that you are loved. Never doubt that.

You are unique, important and special. Don't forget it.

hugs & kisses,
"mommy"

ONE

mister magoo. groober. lump lump. Lucas Max. groober doober. magroober. tornado. silly boy. handsome. lukers. wookis. handsome bodansome. stud muffin. punkinator. groobs. gibby.

Happy Birthday, Lucas Maxwell!

One year ago, about this time, I was at work thinking, "I think I'd better go home." I scared my boss when I told him my contractions were THREE minutes apart. He said, "you'd better go." I kept on working. :)

It wasn't until about 10 when I finally left work, met Daddy and got my nails done.

{who wouldn't want their toes done before giving birth?}

I put that massage chair on high to keep those contractions coming!

After my nails were painted the perfect shade of red, I headed off to the hospital.

I checked in at 5pm, and no later than 7pm, my little bundle of joy was here.

Thanks for making my life so much more rewarding. Thanks for smiling at me each and every day to let me know you love me. Thanks for your silly faces. Thanks for waking me up every morning at a decent hour. I never have to set an alarm clock. Thanks for helping me put your clothes away every day. Thanks for listening to me. I know you are excited to learn when you watch me with those wide-eyes. Thanks for the peace that you give to me. I know that my calling is to be a mother - and I hope that I can care for you just as Heavenly Father would have me do.

There are so many people who love you. Not only your family, but members of our church just adore you. My favorite compliment given to you was in a soft whispering voice with much intent. Sister Mackey leaned over to me before Relief Society started and softly said, "Just look at him. His eyes have this sparkle about them. I've never seen anything like it." I couldn't agree more. I thought I was the only one who saw that sparkle. At that moment, there was such a strong feeling that came over me. The feeling was out of this world. I know that you are my earthly son, but my heavenly brother. (It will all make sense to you someday.) We are all sent to this earth for a divine purpose. I was lucky enough that Heavenly Father sent you to me. We knew each other in the pre-mortal life and I just hope and pray with all my heart that our family sticks together in the life hereafter.

Lucas, please know how much I love you. I am so glad to be your Mommy. I am blessed immensely by your presence each day. Each time I look at you, it reminds me that my Heavenly Father loves me. He loves me enough to send you.

May your eyes forever have that eternal sparkle.

Happy Birthday, little one.

hugs & kisses, "mommy"

keeping us on our toes...

You are one quick little boy. You have gotten to be a very fast walker and an even faster crawler. You never stop. Just when I thought I figured out how to multi-task while keeping a good eye on you, I've been proved wrong.

Grandpa Hansen was here visiting this past week. Just before we took him to the airport to leave, we had family prayer. We started the prayer with you on your Daddy's lap. By the time we said "amen," you were OUT the front door. Daddy was following you trying to keep his arms folded and not make a ruckus trying to catch you.

You also caused us yet another scare. You found an extra strength Tylenol bottle and somehow OPENED the child-proof lid. You crawled out to us, happily chewing on a pill. We got it out just in time. I'm almost positive that there was only one left and that you didn't swallow any. Just to be safe, I called Poison Control and they said that unless you swallowed 4, you would be fine. *sigh* Your first birthday is in a month. I hope you make it to the party, kiddo! You REALLY keep us on our toes!

On a happy note, you woke up this morning and were the cuddliest you've ever been. (unless you are sick) Thanks for giving me loves. I love you SO much, Lucas. Always know that.

hugs and kisses,
"mommy"

poor guy

You are SO BUSY these days. I just don't know what to do with you! You keep us laughing at all the funny things you do. When we're not laughing, we're looking for you! You are into EVERYTHING. Grandma's house isn't the most baby-proof, so I have to always be on my toes!

You have had 2 recent injuries. One was completely MY FAULT and I feel AWFUL.

4th of July was not too long ago, and you slept right through it all. I wanted you to see the fireworks, but you were just too tired to stay awake. SO. I saved a sparkler for you to see and I wanted a picture with you and a sparkler. Grandpa was the only one home, so I asked him to help you with a sparkler while I got the picture taken. You were doing so well with it. The sparkler was almost done, so grandpa went to remove it from your grasp. Your "kung-foo grip" as Daddy likes to call it just wouldn't let go of that sparkler. So, instead of him taking the sparkler out of your hands, it slid right through your little tightly gripped fist. Just a side note: sparklers burn as hot as 3000 degrees!

WHAT WAS I THINKING?

As if I don't feel bad enough, everyone asks what your nasty burn is from and I have to re-live the story every time I tell it. Today at church, someone said, "Sparklers aren't for children. What kind of parent would give their child a sparkler?!" I shrunk. "me."
I am so sorry, little man. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, I guess. You didn't even cry. I did! I pray that you don't get scarred by this and that it heals quickly. All though, it will likely NEVER heal, because you are a typical boy and you PICK your scab. YUCK.

Your second injury was a black eye that you got climbing out of a little chair. You normally do it on your own just fine, however this time you stumbled and hit your eye on a toy laying on the floor. That black eye has since healed.

I don't care what all the other parents think. As long as you know how much I love you and would never want to hurt you. Accidents happen and I'm sure we have many more ahead of us. I just hope that none are too severe and that you continue to be the tough little boy that you are! Mommy loves you so much! Here are some pictures of your burn. :(

hugs & kisses,
"mommy"

as if MIA wasn't enough

Not only did I LOSE you today, but we had a near death experience!
There is this file cabinet with 2 heavy drawers that you seem to be so interested in. You always open and close the drawers and every time you do, I pull you away in fear that it will fall on you. Well, today... it did.
You had both drawers open, little feet under neath them, standing up against the top drawer. You continued to pull. Time stopped. I screamed, which scared you and made you fall to the ground with the cabinet on top of you. Jimmy and I both tried to make it in time, but no such luck.

Surprisingly, you were not hurt. Not even a bump or bruise. I should not have screamed, but I thought you were done for!

Twice in one day, I though I lost you.

Let's not try for three. Kapish?

I love you, little mischevious "punkineater"!

hugs & kisses,
"mommy"

MIA

I couldn't let the day finish without writing about this. You have been sleeping through the night, but waking up insanely early ready for the day to begin.
This morning started out at 5am. Generally, you will wake up early and lay in your bed for a while or go back to sleep if you realize that we are not awake yet. Well, today you were not going back to sleep. I took you out to the living room with some toys to occupy you with so I could get a few more minutes of sleep. (which I have done in the past) I barricaded you with several obstacles that I thought might keep you busy enough and out of trouble for a little while.
...not sure how much time had passed
Jimmy woke up and asked, "Where's Lucas?"
My heart stopped. I jumped out of bed, flew through the hall and out to the living room where I had left you. GONE. No Lucas. I saw a trail of things that you had gotten into, but still no Lucas. I continued to follow this trail you left to an open door that lead to the stairs. I ran upstairs to find you on top of Grandma's bed dancing and watching cartoons. You know who to go to in order to get what you want I guess.
You had me scared to death! What was I thinking? Did I actually think that I could let you be alone at this curious stage in life? Was I really going to be able to half way sleep and hear you if you needed me? Apparently not. Good thing it wasn't the front door that you escaped through. There might not be a happy ending to this!

I love you, but please, please slow down!

hugs & kisses,
"mommy"