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I can always tell when Lucas is fighting sleep. My cheerful, happy-go-lucky baby will suddenly turn serious, perhaps furrow his brow in a tiny scowl, let out a little grunt or two and then, like someone pulled his power cord, he'll be out.
Lucas' first nap with his new elephant.
August 7, 2011
After we got home from Arizona, it became clear that Lucas was ready to move out of the bassinet he'd been occupying in our room since we brought him home from the hospital. Lucas might have been ready for his big boy crib, but Mama wasn't. Like so many milestones we've welcomed, there is a touch of sadness as each marks the end of an era that we will never get to return to. Moving him out of our room and into the nursery was particularly difficult for me because it highlighted, somewhat poignantly, how each little step moves him ever so slightly out of our grasp.
I let him take a few naps in his crib before we made the official transition to sleeping in there at night, but I think it was more for my benefit as a phasing out period.
Seeing him in his crib, there was an odd sentimental tug at my heart. I recalled putting that crib together while I was pregnant, daydreaming about a squishy little baby sleeping in it. I remembered how I couldn't stop peeking in the room and smiling over the crib as I eagerly awaited the arrival of our child.
August 4, 2011
Our big boy sitting up in his Bumbo chair! We have to stuff his chubby little legs in, but he likes being able to sit up on his own and see the world around him. We got the tray that attaches to the seat, which has been great for a little person highchair. He's getting good practice with cause and effect every time he slams his fist on any toys I place on the tray (which he does a lot) as they go flying!
Doesn't he look pleased with himself?
August 3, 2011
I can't help but look at this photo and think about how one day, there will be teenage jeans and hoodies hanging off of my dining room chairs. It's all going to go by in such a flash. I want to hold on to all of the memories of his little things. I want to always have that perspective of how teeny and helpless he once was. To think that he's already doubled his size takes my breath away. Even as I try to document and savor all the wonder and beauty of each little moment with my child, I know that things will fade as time goes on. The best I can do is enjoy them and continue to write with the aim of banking these experiences with words for me to look back on as the years pass.
August 3, 2011
I'm not crazy about it, but Lucas has decided that he likes to sleep on his tummy. I put him on his back and within minutes, he's curled in a ball, poised to roll. I try my best to roll him back to his back whenever I check on him, but short of keeping vigil over him all night long or safety pinning his pajamas to the crib mattress, there's not much I can do.
Though it's a worry for me, I have to admit, he sure looks cute all snuggled in and sleeping.
This is the first time I caught him sleeping on his tummy.
July 27, 2011
Once we got home, Lucas seemed to be in a big hurry to check a few milestones off of his to do list. Within the first few days of returning home, his bottom teeth finally broke through, he started rolling from his back to his tummy with absolute proficiency, and was talking with new noises and sounds like a busy little buddy.
Teeth!
July 29, 2011
I took this video the first day he started rolling. He was still working on it at this point (and it probably didn't help that he was trying to roll uphill on a pillowtop mattress!), but once he figured out how to get that momentum going to get over, he couldn't be stopped!
July 25, 2011
Since he won't take a bottle, I asked his pediatrician for some advice at his four month checkup. He confirmed what I had learned in my own research - some babies are just stubborn! If he wouldn't take a bottle, we could try a sippy cup as an alternative. He did very well on his first attempt with water, but hasn't shown much interest in it when he's in the care of others. That little stinker has figured out how long he can wait and just holds out for the good stuff when I get back. Thank goodness I'm only gone from him a few hours each week! (Though it doesn't look like he's starving with those meaty little thighs!)
July 31, 2011
Lucas got to meet his Auntie Dani in Arizona and his Auntie Steph in Minnesota. It's so funny how your relationships change ever so slightly when you have a baby. Having your friends as a part of your baby's life becomes something so cherished that you are grateful for every moment they can see each other.
Even though she had been up all night packing, and was leaving that morning for her own family vacation, Dani came to the service to see Lucas baptised, which meant so much to us!
Steph drove close to four hours just to have lunch with us in Detroit Lakes! We both commented how funny it was that it felt like we were just picking right back up where we left off. Like it was just any old lunch when, in fact, it had been close to a year since we got to hang out in person! I guess that's how you define best friends. You stay so close despite the miles that when you do get together, it's as if no time has passed at all.
Dani and CJ made one last visit the day we left to return home to Seattle. It was so great to see both of them and I just loved hearing CJ interact with Lucas. According to his assessment, Lucas has "fat cheeks that make him cute."
July 10, 17 and 21, 2011
With all the kids, grandkids and great-grandkids together at the lake, we had a bit of a photo frenzy to capture everyone.
Grandma and her boys - Wayne, Lyle and Daddy (ahem... Larry)
Grandma and her grandkids - Sonja, Brian, Heather, Erik and Sarah
Grandma and her great-grandkids - Meredith, Mina, Soren, Trygg, Annika, Axel, Claudia and Lucas
July 17, 2011
Since we were on the Lucas Super Tour, I decided it made sense to fold a trip to Minnesota into our vacation. Though I was looking forward to a little relief from the Arizona heat, we ended up traveling to the Midwest in the middle of a major heat wave. High temps and humidity in the 90% range made for a very sticky visit with lots of mosquitoes. Even with the heat and in the midst of teething, Lucas was his usual happy self. I kept joking that I was complaining more than the baby!
Lucas with Great Grandma Bakke after the all-school reunion parade
Stealing a quiet moment with Grandma
My creamy little boy slathered in sunscreen at the lake
Lucas with Cousin Mina, Sarah's baby girl - these two are about 2 months apart
Lucas' first experience dipping his toes in the lake - we had a bunch of adorable shots of him once we stripped him down naked, but those are not for public viewing!
Lucas and I slept on the pull out couch at grandma's and, with the big picture window open, I was able to watch a beautiful summer lightening storm. I miss them so much! Here's another great view I got while sleeping with Lucas on the couch:
My last visit to Minnesota was the winter before we moved from Iowa, so it had been a few years! It was great to introduce Lucas to the Bakke family and spend time with grandma.
July 16-17, 2011
