Sleep patterns

Lucas woke up about 3:30am with a high fever.  I gave him some Tylenol and he fell back asleep, but I couldn't.  It made me think about, just two short years ago, when I would get up in the middle of the night to nurse him.  I would stare at this itty-bitty baby, knowing that my sleep patterns would never be the same.  And you know what?  Even though there are days of exhaustion, I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world!

Back then:

Cousins

We got to see all of Lucas' cousins this weekend. All six cousins are on Teresa's side of the family. Nick, 5, wrestled in a tournament Friday night, so we went to watch. 

Lucas has two Uncle Brian's and, ironically, they were both there.  Uncle Brian F. is Nick's dad (Teresa's brother).  Uncle Brian P. was the referee for this match (Brent's brother).

We had more cousin time on Sunday to celebrate Claire's 4th birthday.  The birthday girl wanted to celebrate by going bowling, so we all got to have some fun! 

First we got shoes.

Then we picked a ball. 

Then we got help from big cousins and the dragon. 

Then we ate pizza and cake.  Yum!

Then, 30 seconds after we got in the truck to drive home, Lucas was fast asleep.

ABC's and 123's

Irony is interesting, isn't it? Just days after posting that Lucas isn't a fan of mom's singing, I record video of he and I singing his ABC's. Oigh. Sorry to all of you that choose to listen! By no means is this mastery, but I thought it would be fun to see where he is at now and watch him learn. He has a handful of letters down and can usually count well on his own. Enjoy!

You may need to turn up your volume.

Can you hear me now?

Any cell phone within Lucas’ reach becomes available for his personal use. Who, me?

He primarily only calls two people.   

Hello?

Hi, Papa.
Feedin' cows? (if it is Papa Richard)
Huntin’ deer? (if it is Papa Steve)
Bye.

Friends

Daycare has taught Lucas a lot of wonderful things, but one of the greatest benefits is the friends he has made. He comes home and talks about Ava, Jonah, Carter, Bo, Sawyer and Charlie, as well as lots of the teachers and other schoolmates. Since they were just a few months old, Lucas and Ava have been hanging out.

Ava and Lucas at the pool for the first time: June 2008

This seems like so long ago…

When Lucas started to say Ava’s name it came out sounding like Ahhhh-va. Ava’s mom and I have exchanged several stories in the time they’ve been friends. There have been several mornings that Ava has been the welcoming committee and met Lucas at the door with a beautiful smile.

Since Ava is a few months older, she got to move to an older room before Lucas. He was very happy to be reunited with his buddy on his birthday. That same week, Ava’s mom told me that when she asked Ava which friend she played with at school she replied "My Lucas". Then she sang "Happy Birthday, Lucas.”

A few days after that, I walked in to pick up Lucas and bent down to give him a hug. In an instant, Lucas and Ava were both trying to unzip my coat and get to the I-State symbol on my shirt. "Cy! Cy! Cy!" they yelled. 

This was at supper last night:
B: Lucas, who did you play with at school today?
L: Ava
B: Does Ava play with dolls or tractors?
L: Dolls.
B: Do you play with dolls or tractors?
L: Tractors.
Me: Do you play dolls with Ava?
L: Yes.
Me: Does Ava play tractors with you?
L: Yes.
Me: That is a very nice friend to play with each other's toys.

It was funny because it was such a long conversation with a two year old! He was so sincere about it.

Brent and I both have very dear friendships that started in diapers. I hope that Ava and Lucas can always be good buddies.

Someone doesn't like my singing

In the last month or so, I’ve heard several versions of “No, mommy, daddy sing this song” and “No singing mommy.” These usually take place in the car, or listening to music in the house. Thankfully, Lucas does let me sing at church (with the congregation, that is).  I must get drowned out by the rest of the better singers. 


I think I can safely say, without offending any of my siblings, that we are not talented musicians. We sang in elementary music class, the church Christmas program and my sisters were in chorus in high school. However, none of us would make the cut on American Idol. Brent’s family, on the other hand, is gifted musically. Brent took piano lessons as a child, played in the band in junior high and high school, and was never afraid of the microphone during a Cabaret performance. In college, he sang in several weddings. His wedding proposal to me even came in song! He can still plunk out a tune on the piano just from sound. His mom and dad have considered getting rid of their piano and they always suggest it should end up at our house and it probably will… someday.

It will be fun to watch Lucas discover his own talents and make memories. But in the meantime, I’m not allowed to sing.

Soggy cookie

Another 6" of snow and blizzard like winds kept me home from work today.  We were playing in the living room and Lucas disappeared into the kitchen.  He came back with a cookie in each hand that he snatched from the cooling rack on the counter.  I told him one cookie was enough and he handed me one.  That cookie just happened to have a bite taken out of it.  I laughed at the missing bite and he proceeded to lick the other cookie and hand it to me.  He was laying claim on the cookie so no one else would eat it.  He was right... no one steals a soggy cookie... but I did eat the other one.

All bundled up

There was a time, not that long ago, when the outside temperature was warmer.  In fact, there was even a time that it was above zero!  On a mild Sunday afternoon before Christmas, Brent was going to move some snow and offered Lucas to ride with him.  Lucas has never turned down a ride on the 4-wheeler, so I began the process (and it is a process) of bundling him up so he could join his daddy. 

Here is another picture of Lucas on the 4-wheeler.  This was taken in October - when the sun was shining and the grass was green.  Like I said, he's never turned down a 4-wheeler ride, even if he's really, really tired...

As I was posting these pictures, I found this one, too.  This was with Uncle Brian in November.  A coat and hat in October and a short sleeve shirt in November - Mother Nature is confusing!

Playing with his loot

Lucas has spent hours playing with his Christmas gifts. There is no doubt that he is a very loved little boy with all of the treasures he received. Here are some moments I've captured.

This Handy Manny toy talks and his tools snap onto his belt.

Playing trucks with his new semi.

Uh-oh!  A calf escaped.

Don't we all dream of working from our "home office" in our undies?

I think this was after getting off the phone with tech support...

And the best toy of all was the Christmas tree box.

Where is Lucas?

There he is!

Again and again and again... Until mommy was mean and actually wanted to put the Christmas tree in there. The nerve!

New Year's Day

Our last Christmas for 2009 was actually in 2010...

Lucas got so many new tools, he is going to start his own construction business.

Safety first!

It took a little warming up to before he thought this was cool, but he loves this dinosaur.

Remember the first picture?  Well, someone had to get under the tree to get all of the presents out.  I think they were put there before the tree went up!  Lucas helped by pulling me out.

Mommy and Lucas... and his new flashlight.

Grandma, Lucas and Great Grandpa. 

What a day!  By supper, Lucas was wiped out.

A sleeping angel under the tree.

We were so blessed to have wonderful Christmas celebrations with many different family members.  Only 11 months until we do it again!

New Year's Eve

We watched the ISU bowl game with good company.  A Cyclone victory is a great way to end 2009!

Papa tickling Lucas' feet.

Belly poppers from Uncle Brad. 

After the game, we joined some friends to ring in the New Year.  We celebrated a belated birthday for Dave... the candle says 1, but he is a few years older than that.  :)

Dave is an avid golfer, so I made him a golf birthday cake. 

Some of our friends...  I have a lot more pictures, but I'm afraid they might get mad at me if I post them - wonky expressions and feeding our faces. 

This is Lucas and Jonah playing blocks. The kids all have fun playing together and getting to stay up late. 

Happy 2010!