Luke 11 Months

One week until the mister turns 1!!  At 11 months this is what he is up to:

 

Taking several steps in a row.  And when he falls down he stands back up and tries again.

 

Down to 2 bottles a day.  One 6oz around 1pm, one 6oz before bed. 

 

Has 8 teeth.  4 on top and 4 on bottom.  He had around 4 - 6 teeth coming in at the same time - not fun.

 

Goes to bed around 7pm, wakes up at 5:40am - argh.  Give us until 6am please Lukey!

 

Understanding when he does something he shouldn't do, and laughs, and already pushes his limits.

 

Talks a lot.  We joke that it sounds like he is speaking Russian with the way he sounds.

 

Points with his index finger. 

 

Blows the most adorable kisses, and gives the most slobbery open mouth kisses accompanied by the kissing noise.

 

Throwing everything.  He loves playing throw and catch with any ball.  The boy in him is already showing through. 

 

Here are pics of our almost 1 year old. 

 

 

Showing off his overhand pitch.

 

Showing off his big brown eyes.

 

The teeth causing us all pain over the past 3 weeks.  Lots of poopy diapers, red bottom, fussiness, and lots of teething ring action.  Now that they have broken skin we are doing much better.  Poor guy!

 

Not our baby anymore, growing into more of a toddler every day. 



Last Minute Trip to North Dakota

Last Sunday night on Father's Day, Henry, Hannah, my mom and dad, and Danielle packed up our Traverse and hit the road with 1700 miles round trip ahead of us!!  Danielle and I decided at the last minute to join my parents on a road trip to North Dakota to attend our step grandfather's funeral. 

 

On the way to Dickinson (which is pretty much to the Montana border) we stopped in Lakota for a visit with Grandma Marilyn!!  She didn't know we were coming, and so surprised!! 

 

 

My travel partner in the back seat of the Traverse.

 

Grandma Marilyn!!  We drove through the night, and arrived at the farm in Pekin around 4am.  Got in a few hours of sleep and then spent the day visiting with family!

 

 

Visited with Great Aunt Ellen and Uncle Fyllis.  They were celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary that day!

 

Being silly on the trampoline.   

 

Fun with cousins! 

 

Adventures on the farm in the big town of Pekin (population 200).

 

Grandma Marilyn and her sister Ellen.

 

Playing on the piano at Grandma's farm.  So many memories here!!

 

My cousin Nicole came to visit and we got to see baby Ava and Nathan.

 

Love her rolls. 

 

We took off for Dickinson around 4pm for our 4 hour drive.  Saw some storms on the way. 

 

Got checked into the hotel just before the storms hit.  Grandma Deaner swam in the freezing cold pool with the kids. 

 

Dad and his brother Don at breakfast Tuesday morning before the funeral.  The kids met Grandma Mavis for the first time. 

 

Kids sort of behaving before the funeral.  Too many miles in the car finally caught up to them.  Just in time for the service. 

 

Selfies with Danielle in the funeral home.

 

Clinton was in the Military, so we got to watch a salute.  The gun shots were loud on the kids ears.

 

Right after the lunch we headed south to South Dakota, saw buffalo, and some buttes. 

 

My travel partner - he slept great on the drive.  Me, not so much.

 

Break at Mount Rushmore!  It was a bit out of the way, but totally worth it.  It was nice to stretch our legs, and see the 'Great Faces'.

 

Last pic before getting in the car again for our 10 hour drive back to DM ahead of us. 

 

Bathroom break and souvenir stop. 

 

We got back at 3am on Wednesday morning.  1700 miles in under 3 days.  Tiring, but worth it to see all of our family. 

 

Luke 10 Months

Our little guy is 10 months old! 

 

Things he is doing this month:

 

Finally sleeping through the night!  He literally started sleeping through the night the day after I wrote his 9 month post.  YAY!! 

 

He goes to bed around 7pm and sleeps until 6:30am.

 

Hard sleeper.  His sister takes a bath in the room right next to him and he never wakes up.

 

He has started hitting mommy on the face and he thinks it is SO funny.

 

He is standing with no hands!  He is taking steps behind walking toys, but not on his own yet. 

 

Eating everything.  He loves all kind of food. 

 

Takes four 6 ounce bottles each day at 6am, 10am, 2pm, and 6pm. 

 

Morning and afternoon nap.

 

Two bottom teeth and one eye tooth on top.

 

Loves to laugh.  His belly laugh is the best.

 

Found his voice just this week.  He is VERY loud and talkative!

 

Loves to clap.

 

Will not sit still.  It is impossible to change this boys diaper.

 

Had another ear infection this month.  The drainage in his ear was so thick that the drops wouldn't get through, so our ENT had to suck out all the guck.  He put him on oral antibiotics and drops again, and it seems all cleared up.  Thank goodness for those tubes!  Other than that, he is one healthy, chubby boy.

 

This boy will be one year old before we know it!!

 

Florida!

We had such a blast in Florida.  Again.  This time we went for 7 nights, which made Andy very nervous.  Overall though, I would say the trip was a success.  We switched it up after staying in Orlando for 4 nights and headed to Daytona Beach for 3 nights, which was a nice change of scenery. 

 

Luke was a little bit of a struggle, as that age is on.the.go, but still needs naps twice a day, doesn't understand you can't shovel sand in your mouth, and still wasn't sleeping through the night, but he went with the flow pretty well overall.  Here are some pics of our amazing trip.  And thank you again to my wonderful parents for making it possible to take such great trips!!

 

This time around - unlike last year when we woke up the morning of our trip, we told the kids two weeks ahead of time.  Andy made a paper chain, and each morning the kids took off one chain each morning to show them how much closer we were getting.  They did really well with it - and it was nice to not have to hide it.  Which way did I like better - definitely telling them the morning of - I thought way that was more exciting.

 

Picture overload below!

 

 

Kids excited and ready to go in their Mickey and Minnie gear!  Our flight was at noon, so plenty of time to pack and get to the airport.

 

Picking out her sleep toys.

 

Leah was right in front of us on the plane!

 

All buckled in her car seat.  Henry and Hannah had their own seats, and Luke was a lap child.  We checked Luke's and Henry's car seats for free at the gate - which is awesome if you purchase a car seat carrier bag because you can throw other stuff in there as well (blankets, diapers, clothes, etc.)

 

 

Selfie with the sleeping babe.  On the way down he was great.  Slept on me for most of the flight. 

 

Henry was perfect.  Watched Frozen, colored pictures, perfect.  Same with Hannah.  She decided on her own she wanted to nap, so she could be ready to go once we got to Florida. 

 

Besties.

 

Checked into our room.  Beautiful view and sunset.

 

Up bright and early.  If it was before 8am I would take the kids out for a walk to let the others sleep in.  Bonnet Creek has a great play area for small kids. 

 

Poolside with my Hannah girl. 

 

These baby ducks were quite the hit!

 

Hannah brave on her new raft.  Note to self for next time - pack a raft so you don't have to pay $15 for one poolside. 

 

Zero entry pools are a must for small children.  We stayed at Tower 6, which had zero entry, and Tower 5 right next door did as well, plus they had the lazy river that Henry loved. 

 

Uncle Brian is so great with the kids! 

 

Deep conversations with Papa.

 

Singing 'Let it Go' at the amphitheater.

 

Loved sunsets on the deck. 

 

Getting ready for Disney! 

 

Even Henry got a gem on his face.

 

A lot of time outside.  Playing cards was a hit.  We even moved the couch from inside to outside so we all had comfy seats. 

 

Of course none of the babies slept the night before Disney.  Luke had an ear infection, and was super fussy, Henry had a bad dream so Andy ended up out on the pull out couch with him, and Leah was up on and off all night too.  So 7am rolled around really early.  We all sprinted to get ready, coffee in hand, and were out the door by 8am to get there right at opening.  These girls were super cute in their matching outfits for Disney! 

 

Papa in charge of the napping babies.

 

Met the princesses this time!  The Anna and Elsa line was 4 hours, so we settled for Tangled and Cinderella, which were just wonderful.  And we got a fastpass and were in there in 15 minutes.

 

Luke snoozed a lot on mommy!  At the end of the day my back was killing me - but it was sure nice to keep him snuggled up on my chest all day, which pretty much all the rides allowed for!

 

Awesome new parade with Frozen!

 

Meeting Mickey!  Kids loved it, Luke was terrified!

 

Annual family picture with Mickey at 11pm at night after the longest most magical day:)

 

Day 4 - ready to go!

 

Kids loved the pool. 

 

And the adults loved the hot tubs with sangria:)

 

Leah Leah Leah!

 

In the hot pool with Grandma Deaner.

 

Trip to TRex to eat at Downtown Disney.

 

Luke is ready for his food.

 

Last night in Orlando was spent by the fire roasting marshmallows listening to live music.  Danielle and Brian left Friday morning, and we had to pack up to head over to Daytona Beach.  We considered a trip to Sea World, but the long day at Disney still had us exhausted!  Next time Orlando, next time.