Bear

Eric and I have decided that Luka must have been a bear in his past life. 'Bear' has unofficialy become his middle name (we'll  spare him any possible future embarrassment by not making it his legal middle name). The reason we think he was a bear is because he growls. A lot. He growls when we play, he growls in his car seat, he growls when he's tired. It's not a mean growl, it's sometimes playful or done to get our attention. Sometimes he's just in his own world softly growling as he concentrates on his toys. Now he combines his laughter with the growl, which is really funny. Here is Luka in the bear cave at the OMSI:   

 

Good Morning

This morning... we've only been up for an hour now, but I'm already exhausted. It all started with my bloody nose (from Luka shoving his finger up my nostril, which he loves to do)... a tortuous diaper change, in that anyone in another room would have thought I was torturing him by how loud and long he screamed and carried on. Next is the grapes. He loves his grapes... but this morning as soon as they touched his tongue he threw them on the floor. Oh, and right now he just emptied a box of Jujyfruits candy on his highchair. I guess that's what he wants for breakfast. Despite some of these mornings, I really don't want to have to leave him and go back to work. What started out as "I'm only taking the first 6 months off" turned into "I'll definitely have a job by the time he turns one" and has now become: neither Eric nor I have jobs... and we love it. But, realistically we both need jobs, and sadly that means my days here with Luka are possibly close to an end. I remember when Cory (my mama friend) went back to work in December, it was kind of sad because our times of taking the little babies on walks in the Bjorns was over... that precious chapter ended. Luka is demanding I get off the computer now. I tried once more to ease him with a grape and he threw it at me. Oh he's so much fun.

Pictures

Here you go: Florida March 2009

Florida

We just got back yesterday from a (sunny, beautiful) week in Florida. Thankfully it's sunny in Portland right now, otherwise I'd be tempted to turn around and fly right back. We had a great week visiting with family. That weekend was the 80th birthday party of Luka's Great Grandmother Alice, so almost all of the entire family flew or drove in to celebrate. It was a blast. We rented out an old B&B in Mt. Dora. We ate breakfast every morning, played ping pong, horseshoes, walked into town. Lots of pictures.

Sugar high

Here is Luka eating THREE different birthday cakes! 

Birthday

Well we've been busy lately, so I don't think I've written a post since Luka has turned the big 1. Friday was his birthday and we took him up to Council Crest, which is a elevated area in Portland's West Hills that overlooks all of Portland (for the most part). On clear days (such as Friday) one can see Mt. Adams, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Ranier, and Mt. Hood from this spot. We were able to see all 4, although Mt. Hood was a half covered. After that Luka opened many many presents and ate a yummy (vegan) cupcake. yayyyyy for Luka!

Flashback

Luka having fun at Mae's 1st Birthday party!

One more day!

Man, I am so excited for Luka's big day tomorrow. Exactly one year ago he was still just an idea... I can't believe how much a baby grows in one year. It feels like I just started this blog not too long ago. I can't think of anything better than being a part of his life. He is so sweet, easy going, happy, and curious. He gives us hugs and kisses now, runs into our arms, points at what he wants... He loves eateries and being in social settings- yet he is not a bubbly outgoing baby. He is very observant and loves people. I think his personality is so great, and watching it get stronger and stronger is so crazy. I feel a huge responsibility to shape him in a way that meshes well with who he is and overcome my own fears and boundaries so that I don't inhibit him in any way. Anyway, we've been having a great time. His Oma and Opa have been visiting us for awhile, so he's loving all the time and attention. And next week (I can't believe it) we are flying to Florida. So he's a busy boy.