Baby Steps?

Well, I found out Mae (Luka's BFF who is 1 day older) is walking around Daytona Bch in flip flops.  Oh, Mae.  Well, Mister is on his feet now... and has perhaps made his first attempt at walking.  Could it be a stumble, or is it a conscious effort?  I took him to Barnes and Noble today, and stood him in front of the 0-3 books.  At one point he pulls one out and holds it with both hands as he stands there and looks at it.  And then, as I hold the book with him, he takes three strong steps towards the little bench.  I wasn't helping him at all.  He did it again this evening... he walked a few steps up to the couch and caught himself before he went down.  I saw the look of: I DID THAT! on his face... I don't know when he'll walk, but I know it will be before his 1st birthday.

A Holly, Jolly, Christmas

Luka takes a stand

Luka likes to stand all on his own now.  It usuall happens when he is holding a toy, and would like to use both hands to hold it, rather than using one to prop himself up.  He's pretty good and strong on his feet.  I imagine it won't be long before he discovers taking steps.

Cabin Fever

Today was supposed to be Luka's 9 month well baby check-up.  I had been scared to drive for a couple of days now.  On Saturday I went to the UPS office to pick up some boxes... I felt like I was driving in a blizzard. No joke.  I was going no faster than 20 mph the entire way, wondering if the office had even bothered to open.  My CRV got a little swurvey at one point, but I managed to get there and back safe and sound.  Needless to say for the next several days I opted to stay home!  Staying indoors with a 9 month old baby can be tedious!!  There were two days in which Luka could not even go on a walk because the air was so cold and howling.  But, today the weather has finally let up and he had a check-up that I was eager to go to.  I gave myself plenty of time to get there.  Luka was bundled up, buckled in, driven slowly, parked, unbuckled, trekked through a patch of deep snow, circled back to get into another entrance, and into the lobby we find that...... Pediatrics is closed!  No one called to tell us!  You would think they'd understand the great ordeal it can be to go anywhere with a baby/child.  You would think they'd have the courtesy to call.  So, back through the snow, to the car... Luka irritated, Mama irritated... buckle in, drive slow, unbuckle, and home.  But at least we got out of the house.

Snail mail

Many apologies to those whose packages are arriving late this Christmas.  Due to Portland being so unprepared for this winter weather, the regular post has been backed up and delayed.  

Winter Pictures

Icy Cold

We had record snowfall this weekend and today everything has been coated with ice.  We could hardly open our front door this morning.  I looked out the window and watched a man cross country ski down Alberta St.  Pictures of Portland's winter wonderland will be uploaded soon.

Happy Holidays From Our Family

From Holiday Card

Christmas is coming...

... and the gifts and cards have been arriving.  I actually did put some Christmas cards together, but they're sitting in a pile by the door.  So I'm sorry to not have sent them.  I designed them online and they only arrived yesterday.  I was going to go to the post office today but we are experiencing some crazy weather out here and I shouldn't drive, so  I'm going to post them on here instead.  I know it's not the same, but I've given up on any further effort!  And I know the whole "baby's first christmas" idea- and the pressure to sit him on Santa's lap and send out some kitschy cards of Luka with reindeer antlers on (yikes).  I hope you forgive me for not doing that this year.  One wonders where all my time goes...  

But I do want to thank everyone who has sent us cards-  Aunt Janet, Shannon, and Deutsch Oma. Also, thanks Janet B. for the candle holders (which look great lit up), and Mom and Dad for the stocking.  I know more is coming.  Merry Christmas!

Leaps

I've been wanting to write about Luka's mental developments for awhile- but now that he is down to just one nap a day it's been hard to get computer time.  It feels as though during the past 2-3 weeks he has become so much more of a "toddler".  He is really making connections with us, mimicking our sounds and actions, and becoming more aware of himself as an individual.  He plays games with us and acts funny to make us laugh.  He points at things, has started to wave, and is learning how to stack his blocks.  Today I was carrying him while putting dishes away, not knowing that he was studying what I was doing.  For the fun of it I handed him a spatula... and you know what he did... he leaned toward the open drawer and placed it in himself.  I couldn't believe it.  Only a month ago it would have just gone straight into his mouth.  More and more he's just been studying things with his hands, instead of with his mouth.  I can't believe how much he is transforming in such a short time.   

***SNOW***SNOW***SNOW***SNOW

Today it is snowing like crazy and has been for the past couple of  hours.  I took Luka out for a minute this morning, but it was blowing too hard and his face immediately turned pink.  We've been having fun watching Alberta St. from our window- cars sliding, people sliding, the wind blowing snow horizontally.  Right now Luka is taking his nap and Eric is driving his Subaru around; he's testing it out in the snow.  I'd like for the wind to calm down a little and take Luka to a park for some pictures of his first snow.  I just saw Karen's snow pictures of West Virginia, it looked so nice and peaceful with the early morning sunshine.  I can't say the same here, but it's still beautiful, nonetheless, with our Christmas tree and lights.  Luka is still a little young to get excited over it, but he sure did look and look this morning.  He knew something was different, and his curious nature brought smiles to his face.

Thanksgiving

I really need to get all of the photos together of our 2 week stay in Florida.  My mom has some, Erics mom has some, his aunts have some... I'm the only one who didn't take any.  

Our trip was great.  It was a lot of fun staying in St. Augustine with my parents- going on walks,  eating good food, and spending time with good friends.  Luka experienced a lot of new things- smells, sights, and sounds.  His Oma was very good at letting him experience the garden and nature.  He loved falling asleep in his stroller, wrapped up nice in his blanket (it was cold!). One of the nights we were invited to Deane and Dennis' house for dinner.  He was teething pretty good that day and was cranky all through out the evening, so Dennis pulled out his guitar and Luka's entire mood changed.  It was great!  He bounced and danced and banged to the rhythm. 

Thanksgiving weekend at Grandma Patty and Grandpa Scott was great, too.  Luka did amazingly well with all the new family he met, and they all wanted to hold and squeeze him. We took him to the Jacksonville Zoo with two of Eric's cousins and their children, and that was really fun. On the news the next day it said a bobcat had escaped... apparently the cat was being shy and didn't wander off too far.  

As sad as it was to say goodbye, it was nice getting back to Portland.  Luka is a great traveler and does pretty good on the plane.  It was time to get him back into his routine... shortly after we got back home he had a fever for a couple days, and a horrible runny nose. But now he's recovered,happy, and back in his own crib.

Mama, Dada, Banana

These are 3 words that Luka can say!

9 Months

Luka just turned 9 months, and just as all the books say, he's reached the peak of his separation anxiety.  I can barely step a few feet away from him without his eyes widening in protest and him whimpering and crying.  Sometimes, when he's a little tired, you'd think he was in pain- he turns red, doesn't breath, and screams.  It can be overwhelming for me most of the time, the constant contact and attention, but I have to remember that these are all stages that will soon pass.  Another factor that adds to his mommy-madness is his runny nose and fever, which I think he got from traveling on the airplane.  I can't believe how he is growing and I'm starting to understand his little individual self.  So much has been happening lately that needs to be blogged!

Photo Shoot

Here are pictures done recently of Luka by my good friend Jennifer Becker.  He was pretty tired and has been teething so that's why he's doing the finger in the mouth thing.  Anyway, I think they're really cute and here is a link if you want to see more of Jen's work: JBecker Photography