If you're happy and you know it...

Clap your hands! Luka just learned how to clap, and he really has fun doing it.  When we are playing and I start to sing the "If you're happy and you know it..." song, he even knows to clap his hands.  It's amazing how he is beginning to remember our games and songs.

More snow in Portland

There's a decent downfall of snow this morning. I thought I wouldn't see a white Portland until next winter... but this morning sure enough the flakes started coming down around 6:30am... It's about 30F outside and it's sticking. One of Luka's favorite activities is to look outside our living room window, so he's been glued to it all morning watching the "schnee".

Where are all the pictures?

Life with Luka is seriously lacking pictures! I absolutely promise to take pictures of Luka this upcoming week at Book Babies and his new (favorite) activity, the baby gym! I wish I had found out about this one sooner. It's a giant gymnasium located at one of our neighborhood community centers, and every tuesday and wednesday morning it's packed with balls, padded blocks to climb on, tunnels, tents, rocking toys, and 9-15 month old babies. They're crawling everyway and some are even toddling. There must have been almost twenty little ones, including Luka- who was having the time of his life! So, pictures of this will definitely be posted soon.

Tough times

"We can only see half of anything. The other half is the meaning we give to what we see."

History in the making... so much has gone on last year, and there is much more to come. Great things are happening in this country right now, even though most of us are standing on shaky ground. What we knew as solid, secure, and true is no longer- our own existence and place on earth has changed. I think there will be a lot of introspection this year. Including myself. As things get a little rocky I just want to be sure of myself and my capabilities and future. Eric was laid off from his job today. That means neither of us are working.  Yet, I don't feel panicked or scared (although Eric is disappointed). I feel that people are going to have to re-examine and learn what is truly necessary and what is not... What has happened in the last thirty years that has put this earth in such critical shape... the consumption and greed. Bigger houses, bigger cars, bigger roads, bigger families. BIG. And what for? Eric and I are fairly simple, and I feel as if we live fairly humble, happy lives. We are going to get through this with optimism. 

More Steps!

Luka can take steps on his own... up to 5, and then stops and either plops down or lunges for me. I usually have to create some kind of bait, like luring a rabbit with a carrot, for him to move forward.  That makes me think he hasn't really developed a great interest in walking yet, but when he does I'm sure it won't take long before he's on the run.

Updates

Looks like it's been over a week since I've last written... I've been busy during Luka's naptimes.  First off, I'm applying to the University of Oregon's Art and Administration graduate program for this fall... so that's taken up some time.  And I've also been sending my resume to various company's- looking to work again.  Mostly part-time, but also full-time if the right opportunity comes along.  I'm holding my breath, though.

Luka has been great. We had a little scare the other evening when he began choking on a carrot bit.  I was freaking out, but Eric knew what to do.  That incident has led me to want to learn CPR and the Heimlich, and whatever else I should need to know!! I think it scared Luka, too.

...What else... I guess speaking of food, he has been eating regular meals now.  Among his favorite things to eat are: watermelon, pasta spirals, broccoli, eggs, potatoes, chicken, carrots, avocado, cantaloupes, bananas, and peas. He does not like oatmeal, tart apples or pears, and has little interest in anything pureed. 

Eric and I went out by ourselves the other night while Matie babysat, and that was fun.  We have also been looking at houses, but aren't prepared to make any offers until I have a job.  For now, we are still very happy where we live.  The apartment is small, but the location couldn't get any better (and the price is right).  Oh, and yesterday I was away from Luka for the longest length of time yet.  About 5 hours, and it flew by.  It was nice to be on my own, and it was nice to see that Luka and Eric got along great without me.

Smarty-pants

Luka is getting brighter and brighter on a weekly basis.  He is transforming into a toddler before our eyes.   Right now he can get down from furniture, crawl down the stairs, take steps from the couch to the chair. He has calmed down so much.  As an infant he fussed and cried so much, and even as recent as a month ago he still had his evening crankiness and fussiness.  But, now he is much more content, and rarely cries.  He only gets upset when we don't give him what he wants (a cup of coffee, a cell phone, the t.v. remote, a potato chip. etc).  Even at "Book Babies" he plays with other children differently than he had.  He's one of the only babies I've seen actually sharing.  A lot of them like to snatch toys out of other babies hands (and Luka does this, too), but Luka also likes to give it back.  He gasps in excitement when Eric comes home from work, and lifts his arms for Dad to hold him.  And you can tell he just wants Eric to hold and hold and hold him.  The only thing that is not changing is his sleep habit.  He still wakes at least twice a night and I have to go in and put him back to sleep.  But other than that he is growing and maturing in giant leaps.

Go Gators!

Go Gators

I love this picture

I just found this as I was going through my pictures... My brother Jan and  niece  Anna when she was close to Luka's age.  Now she is 7!  Time flies.

A good day.

I just want to say that today has been a good first day of the year.  Nothing special really happened... there are just some days when Luka and I really click; we understand each other.  There are also days when  it's just one annoyance after the other.  Either Luka gets aggravated or bored with me, or I get impatient and worn out by him.  But today we had a really good time together: playing, eating, shopping. Right now the only image I have is of him  smiling and blowing out of his lips, which he does when he plays. What a great little boy!

Happy New Year

2008 was a crazy year.  Eric and I completely re-adjusted our lives and welcomed little Luka into it.  We've had our big ups and downs... moments of uncertainty... moments of incomparable joy...  I see 2008 as a great transitionary year, and I see a lot of good things happening in 2009.  Eric and I are finally getting settle into our roles, and feel more confident in everything we've done and are doing. We are looking into buying a house this year, and I am planning on going back to work or school.  We are also looking forward into Luka becoming a toddler... watching him grow and develop has been the most rewarding experience.  I have no resolutions, other than to enjoy every present second.