Lots of Pictures Just No Posting....

I haven't posted in a while. It is not for a lack of taking pictures or happenings. It is hard to carve out time to blog and keep up with the reading of ALL of my favorite blogs! Perhaps I am on the computer too much these days. Maybe I need to set some blog goals for myself or get off the computer all together! :-) Do I hear a New Year's Resolution coming on.... 

5 Months

Before rice cereal 

After rice cereal

Luca continues to be very different from Jack. As a baby Jack ate a lot, slept through the night and took long naps. Luca eats in small quantities, still wakes up at night and takes short naps. I don't know why I continue to compare my two babies...of course they are NOT going to be the same. Not only is their environment different (Luca is a baby with an older sibling and Jack was not) but well GOD made them naturally different. God has made each and every one of us unique. We are fearfully and wonderfully made! 

At 5 months my fearfully and wonderfully made Luca:

1. can roll over from belly to back and back to belly.

2. prefers sleeping on his belly

3. still wakes up at night (something we are working on or we may all end up in the crazy house) 

4. does not have pacifier privileges anymore (as a result of #3, was problematic) 

5. continues to take short naps throughout the day

6. reaches for toys and puts them in his mouth

7. rakes his hands in order to get a toy out of reach

8. recognizes and cries when a toy has been taken away or removed from his sight

9. loves the finger motions to The Itsy Bitsy Spider

10. has tried rice cereal several times and was not a fan

11. laughs 

12. is usually in a good mood and smiles frequently

13. is easy going and is adaptable to different environments and situations

14. still has eyes that are an unidentifiable color

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

Nothing like the cold weather and BU Christmas to get you in the Christmas Spirit. :-) 

We got stranded for a short time after the festivities. Our car clicker didn't work and Todd had to get a ride from one of his students. He went home picked up the other car and we all managed to get home safely. It was a late night for the boys but we were in the warmth of Daddy's office and there was plenty of entertainment with all of Todd's noise makers. 

Thanksgiving Weekend

Over the long weekend we kept ourselves pretty busy. We visited Todd's family, got a Christmas tree, decorated the tree with toy soldiers, and went to the Homestead Heritage Craft Fair with good friends. 

My preferred spot for feeding Luca at Mimi's house

When we pulled out of the driveway to start our way home, Jack said he already missed P. We didn't get a picture of Hattie this trip. But Miss Hattie is growing up right before our eyes. Before you know it she will be a teenager!  We love you Hattie! :-)

Jack and Luca ready to get our Christmas tree-Love the blanket Karen! 

Daddy and Jack amongst the trees 

It's a Toy Story thing and yes the tree really does have some soldiers on it.

Homestead Heritage..Jack, Antonio and their maps directing us and little Annie

Family Hay Ride

Better Late than Never?

4 Months Old 

As you can see Luca has made a lot of progress in a months time! So amazing how babies develop and learn so much in such a little amount of time. 

At 4 months Luca:

1. weighs 13 lbs and 6.2 ounces and measures in at 23 1/4 inches 
2. still only takes short naps throughout the day 
3. can hold his head up much better and for longer periods of time when on his tummy
4. grabs all toys and puts them into his mouth
5. gets angry if he cannot detach a toy from his playmat
6. has rolled over from his tummy onto his back but is by no means consistent 
7. appears very close to rolling over from his back to his tummy
8. LOVES watching Jack and LIGHTS up when Jack is around
9. still wakes up in the middle of the night to eat (twice!) 
10.  and just today has started to grab his feet and pull off his socks.

Things we have to look forward to this month:  Solids. 

And we are still waiting on his eye color... they have not settled into a specific color yet. If this is his eye color...I couldn't tell you what it is!?! 

Jack's Field Trip

This trip was originally going to take place out of town at a state park but due to rain the state park was closed. The class opted to go to a jumping party place instead. The kiddos had a nice time playing, eating and doing crafts. I had a great time visiting with the other Moms, talking to Jack's teachers and spending some one on one time with Jack.

Jack and Michael=funny conversations 

Jack, Michael and his pal Ace-Jack talks about these boys all of the time. I appreciate these boys and  their sweetness. They are good friends to Jack and they all get along very well. 

Most of you know that Jack is NOT a fan of these bounce house things. He always has a blast while there but NEVER actually jumps! Pretty hilarious and sad at the same time. I will not push him though. So long as he is having fun, I am fine with it. But I included this photo because for some reason the Jumping Party place decided that they didn't want children to actually play and have physical activity while there. They have put up 2 televisions to compete with physical activity. And sure enough Jack was captivated by the warm glow of the TV. Not to worry he did not spend the whole time like this... 

Bad Time Management

I have not been posting much lately and I apologize. I just haven't been a very good time manager lately. (or EVER really) Just wanted to let you know that we are still here. Coming soon, Luca's 4 month stats and Jack's field trip pictures. What are Mom and Dad up to? Dad is working hard and Mommy just registered for the spring semester. (YIKES-better get this time management thing down before January!) Will post later this week after Luca's doctor visit. :-) 

Fall Festivities 09

We have been super busy with lots of fun fall festivities. Here is what we have been up to.... 

UT Football

The Children's Garden Fair

The Homecoming Parade

Gramp's 60th Birthday Celebration

and Treat Night at the Dorms

October flew by! November here we come.

deja vu

Luca 

 

                                                  Jack                                                        

Correction

Luca has decided to prove me wrong this week. He is indeed grabbing and holding his toys. Just like that he changes over night. Bittersweet to see him grow and develop so quickly! Hope he decides to prove me wrong with our nap situation too! ;-) 

Luca 3 Months

Luca is 3 months old today. :-) Time is flying by. He is still a pretty flexible and happy baby. He smiles and coos all the time now. Still working on a laugh. He has been sleeping in his own room for a week now. The first night was extra hard on Mommy! I did cry. I totally didn't see it coming but I was overwhelmed by how empty our bedroom seemed without him. I have a hard time with change and letting my babies grow up. I may follow them off to college! (not a joke) 

At 3 months Luca:

1.Has discovered his hands and gazes at them and of course sticks them in his mouth.

2. Is totally addicted to his pacifier but with it can sleep just about anywhere.

3. Currently does not take ANY long naps but rather takes multiple power naps throughout the day. 

4. Is NOWHERE near holding his head up on his own or rolling over. Not to worry these are on Mommy's daily regimented routines. 

5. Is starting to become more engaged with his play toys and reaching out for them but is a long way off from grabbing them.

6. Has a little red strawberry that the Dr. said will continue to grow, peek and then go away. 

7. And tolerates his big brother's in your face display of affection. :-) 

Jack and Luca cooperating for Mommy and her camera

Luca's current obsession

Just for Kicks

This is just an ode to various shoe pictures that I have taken over the last year or two. 

Daddy Shoes

Mommy Shoes

Old School Shoes

On the Wrong Foot Shoes

And Baby Shoes :-)

Weekend Fun

Last weekend we went to our local art festival. We have gone to it a couple of times and it has gotten better every year. There is live music, food, artists selling their artwork and LOTS of fun activities for children. We did not have time to get through all of the activities and booths because Luca wanted to come home and eat. But Jack managed to paint, make a wooden sculpture and glue some bean art together.  Here are a few pics of the boys at the festival. 

Jack beginning his masterpiece 

Deciding that his artwork would be mostly green

Jack started out painting a tree, but then changed his mind and said it was a garden. (Notice his left handed stroke.) 

Eating a corn dog right before a meltdown 

And this is what Luca did through it all. Such a sweet little boy.

This weekend we didn't do much. Just a little recuperation from a long week. Here you see Jack playing with his cars at Starbucks as he anxiously waits for his "coffee water" and coffee cake.

Poor Luca just gets toted around all the time. Here he is catching some zzzz while the rest of us drink and eat. :-) 

Tired

Okay so this is not a recent picture just something visual to hold you over until my next post. Todd has the symphony this week and Luca is addicted to the pacifier. Makes for long and exhausting days. Currently too tired to upload pics from our camera. Will post again soon when I am rested. :-)