Walkin' with his walker

Last week, Luke decided to start using his walker for its intended purpose.

This was taken the second time he did it, so he has gotten better, but we're still working on it :)

This is the first evidence we have that he will one day walk on his own. Although I can wait for that day a little while longer, it's nice to see he's moving that way.

He Shoots, He Scores!!

Sickness. bleh.

Well, we got through our first parent illness. Yes, parent. As in both of us were sick at the same time. 

And what did we do with baby boy?

Oh yeah, we took care of him while we were both sick.

We totally figured it out and dominated that situation.

Although I don't want to do it again any time soon.

It sucks being sick with a kid.

But we still figured it out and kicked that illness (or we think food poisoning) out of this house!

One more item- mom lesson #3. Moms can't get as sick as dads, ever, ever, ever. Because dads are weenies when they're sick, and you end up taking care of two people even though you're sick yourself. Sorry, babe, I still love you, but it's true :)

But, the important thing is, we SURVIVED!!

10 months

Luke is doing great this month! If anything, he's becoming more like a toddler every day and much less like a baby. He's becoming this little person with opinions and ideas of his own, and he's definitely learning how to express what he wants. It seems to be an adventure every day even more than before.

We won't go to the doctor again until his year check up which is crazy that's where we are, so I don't have height/ weight updates, but he's been doing a whole lot of other things :)

• Luke has started to move out of 9 month clothes and into 12 month clothes. Of course, some 9 months still fit great, but overall they're getting too tight. In fact, I need to go get him some 12 month pajamas because the others are getting a little short.
• He's still in a size 3 diaper, but we did have to step up a size in his cloth diapers. We've been using a traditional cloth diaper with a cover which comes in a 0-9 month size and then a 9- whenever size. He finally stepped it up! This kid, as you can see, is pretty much the size clothes say they are. 
• Luke still nurses, but we're down to about 4 times a day. I'm working on a plan to wean him completely, and this has completely and totally stressed me out. I think that's why I haven't started at all because I have no idea how to do it. It's just easier to keep doing what we've been doing. My wonderful husband is letting me go to New York at the end of May with a couple of girlfriends, so I WILL have him weaned by that trip, but I really want it to be more around his 1st birthday. I've enjoyed nursing, but I'm ready to be done with it. I mean, pregnant for 40 weeks and then nursing for 10 months now. I'm more than ready to have my body back. Then I could drink when I want to (not that it's that much any more), go running anytime instead of after I've fed, get into REAL bras!!, not worry about any types of medication, etc. And then to think I'll probably have to do this all again at some point. I'm tired just thinking about it! I do feel pretty proud of myself that we've lasted this long. It's definitely been much harder than I thought it would be- not that nursing is hard (well, at first it is), but it's a HUGE time commitment and you do have to make a lot of sacrifices (like being the one to get up EVERY NIGHT). It's been a huge blessing, though, that we've been able to nurse because that's how it's supposed to work and I know it's best for him.
• At meal time, Luke's pretty much decided that he wants to feed himself his meals. I've been giving him finger foods for all of his meals and baby food just some of the time. I've been making his baby food, and that's another thing that I'm ok with not doing. It's fun to do and try new recipes, but it also could be hard to keep up with, so being able to just give him what we eat is much better. We're constantly trying new foods these days. I'm trying to get creative, but I'm not the most creative person in the kitchen, so I feel like he gets the same things over and over which I'm trying to change. His new favorite is cheese and corn. He also loves all the fruit that I give him- strawberries, grapes, oranges, apples, mango. His least favorite thing is probably green beans. He likes eggs for breakfast with cheese on them :)
• I got him a sippy cup that has a straw in it. He learned to use it very quickly, and is a pro at it. He gets really excited when I pull it out for him. It's pretty funny, and I'm glad I got it for him!
• Luke is pulling up everywhere and on every thing! He loves to get up at his bookshelf and takes out all his books. He'll even sit down on the floor and look at them (or destroy them)! He'll stand up and dig into his toy crate which is awesome! He looks pretty cute doing it. He also loves to get into the cabinet under the TV and pull out all the DVD's. The other day he climbed up on to the fireplace ledge which made him super proud of himself! It was just a little nerve racking because he doesn't understand that he can fall off a ledge, so I had to watch him closely. He also likes to get off the couch head first. Of course, we help him down, so he's not flying off head first, but it's funny that he WANTS to get down that way.
• He still waves bye or hi to everyone and everything! It's pretty cute, and it's one of his trademark moves. Everyone always comments about how friendly and happy he is! He is constantly smiling. I love it! I hope he's like that for a long time :)
• He also started playing peek a boo. He'll do it in his high chair when he's done eating. It's the cutest thing!! He closes his eyes and covers them up in such a sweet way. I love it!
• He finally will let me read him a book before bed. He cuddles up and seems to be listening. I love that time of day because he'll just sit there with me, and it's precious time.
• He still takes 2 naps a day-9 and 1. He hasn't been the best napper recently, but we're working on it. He may give up that morning nap sooner than later because it's been kind of a battle lately (which is not my favorite time of the day ;))
• He still goes to bed early at 6:30 or so. We tried to move it back, and it backfired, so we left it alone. I'm thinking eventually he'll move it back on his own, so for now, Trey and I have a lot of time together in the evening which is great :)
• He finally as teeth! He's got two on the bottom right now, and I think he's working on the two top ones, though I say that with uncertainty because he refused to let me look at them.
• He still loves to go for a walk in his stroller or just be outside. It's been a perfect winter for this with all of the mild days.

I think that's about it for this month. 
Here's a few more pics to share from this past month.

Bath Pic! I think he looks so different with his hair slicked back like that.

John brought his guitar over one night and was playing for Luke. He voluntarily did champion. Love it!

out take from his month picture- attacking Mr. Bear

Great picture of him and Trey. They match- isn't it cute?!?

10 month appetizer

I'm probably going to have to take his 10 month old pictures tomorrow because the camera battery had to be charged. BUT I did get a fantastic video of him today, so enjoy, and I'll post the 10 month update tomorrow or Saturday.