The Duke

Extreme

2010-02-15T14:44:00.000-08:00

The Return of the Cowboy Hat

2010-01-26T17:57:00.000-08:00

He's shooting his Spiderman webs here...obviously.

Art

2010-01-24T07:22:00.000-08:00

Singin' a Song About Playdoh...

2010-01-17T12:51:00.000-08:00

Austin Children's Museum

2010-01-10T09:15:00.000-08:00

A zillion things to do and he still wants to spend all his time at the train table...

Computer

2010-01-09T15:28:00.000-08:00

Loving his Leap Frog - thanks for the hand-me-down, Aunt Carol!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

2009-12-25T14:41:00.000-08:00

Gingerbread House

2009-12-15T14:35:00.000-08:00

Matt and I can't remember being allowed to decorate a gingerbread house growing up, so we were so excited to do this with Luke. Once we pried the frosting and M&Ms out of his mouth, this was a good five minutes of fun.

Gobble Gobble

2009-11-24T14:30:00.000-08:00

Halloween

2009-10-31T14:13:00.000-07:00

This was the beginning of the superhero obsession - Superman. Can you blame him? This costume had some sweet muscles built in. Here are some pics of our Halloween extravaganza - trying out the new costume while decorating the house, post-pumpkin carving, at his school's halloween parade, and trick-or-treating with cousin Aiden. Halloween really blew Luke's mind this year.

Cowboy

2009-10-22T14:11:00.000-07:00

Potty trained

2009-09-11T14:07:00.000-07:00

This is the first day Luke wore big boy underwear - and the first day he was potty trained. We never actually pushed him to potty train, but once he put the snazzy Lightening McQueen undies on, he was all about keeping them dry. This only slightly makes up for the fact that he won't ever go to bed without a fight.

Haircut

2009-08-29T14:03:00.001-07:00

These are few and far between - can't believe how he transforms into a little boy with short hair. Hence, the few and far between.

Flash

2009-08-29T14:03:00.000-07:00

Splash with cousin Aiden

2009-08-09T14:00:00.000-07:00

Summer Splash

2009-07-01T13:56:00.000-07:00

This summer we really spent some quality time at the pool - nothing like the hours of fun a kiddie pool and water hose can provide.

Toddlers don't like blogs

2009-06-20T20:03:00.000-07:00

Unroll your eyes - it's true! In Luke's eyes, computers are made for watching clips of monster trucks, not updating our friends and family with pictures of his magical face.

But, we won't give up! It's been four months and Luke has grown into "The Duke"... such a gorgeous little boy, and brilliant! I can't wait to catch you all up and keep this blog updated like the good ol' days.

To start, I'll say that Luke's life is quite enviable...

He's obsessed with planes, trains, and automobiles:

Prefers his dairy in its most delicious form:

Operates at two speeds - not running and running:

Now knows the joy of Eggo waffles:

And doesn't have to do much to melt mama and dada's heart:

More to come...

Not sure how we got here...

2009-02-11T18:44:00.000-08:00

Leaves

2009-02-11T18:30:00.000-08:00

Art

2009-01-31T18:31:00.000-08:00

Luke and Bear

2009-01-27T11:13:00.001-08:00

This weekend, Luke invited "bear" into his world. It started when bear needed a diaper and has now evolved to a party of three with "monkey". These pics and video (linked to the post title) witness Luke's attempt to feed a picky bear. I love how in the video, we see Luke talk through other food options bear might like (bar? no. want goldfish? no.)...eerily similar to every mealtime with Luke. The experience must have been so exhausting because it ended with a long nap curled up with bear. I love this age...

Blast off!

2009-01-26T19:02:00.000-08:00

Baby steps

2009-01-25T13:35:00.000-08:00

Do not be fooled by these photos - this child does not eat bananas. In fact, he has shunned them since I first introduced them at 6 months. I must say, though, the fact that he took the banana out of my hand, touched it to his lips (ever so briefly), and held it while he finished the rest of his snack was a step in the right direction.

Night swimming

2009-01-25T13:03:00.000-08:00

Luke looooves his daddy's swim goggles and has recently insisted on wearing them during his nightly post-bath attempt to avoid pj-time. He runs through the house stark naked screaming "OKIE DOKIE!" and laughing hysterically. Tell me, would you spoil the show by forcing pj's on this guy?

Perspective

2009-01-25T12:55:00.000-08:00

Luke discovered that his booster chair can facilitate views from all over the house. And after that got boring (~2 minutes later), he decided to see what trouble he could get into in the dishwasher.

Conversations with Luke, vol. 1

2009-01-05T20:13:00.000-08:00

[click on the title for video...sorry but I can't seem to get the video uploaded directly onto the posting...]

Picture this: it's 7am and you've not yet downed the appropriate amount of coffee to function intelligently, yet your son is trying to have a conversation with you over his delicious breakfast of cereal bar. Through the brain fog, you think you hear that he wants to know where the basketball hoop is...something about cars or gars or such...he wants to go get it. Huh? After this recording ends, Luke clarifies by sending Mommy outside in the 30 degree morning to get his basketball that is laying next to the garage. Yes, fun times with morning translation.

Day at the farm

2009-01-02T12:14:00.000-08:00

Luke's teddy bear of sorts

2008-12-31T06:22:00.001-08:00

This picture is a few weeks old, but very indicative of where we are these days. Last night he slept with two miniature motorcycles (a bit bigger than this matchbox car). Absolutely would not let them go as he reluctantly went down at 8:30pm (yes, also where we are these days). At 3am I woke up to "Momma! Momma!" and made my way to his bedroom. "Want motorcycles," he said. Turns out he also wanted something to drink so we took a trip to the kitchen. The night ended with me bringing him into bed and falling asleep with mini motorcycles being driven all over my face.

By the pond

2008-12-28T19:31:00.000-08:00

Luke's favorite thing to do these days is throw rocks into the neighborhood pond. We have unearthed every large rock surrounding the pond, and yet he wants more. Just today, I found myself noticing rocks around the neighbors house that I thought about stealing to satiate this kid...the things we do for love.

New use for legos

2008-12-28T19:27:00.000-08:00

Yee-haw

2008-12-28T18:36:00.000-08:00

We quickly realized this toy belonged on carpeted surfaces, or else a helmut would be in order.

A glimpse into his teen years...

2008-12-27T19:38:00.000-08:00

Boots

2008-12-26T19:46:00.000-08:00

Luke loves everyone else's shoes. However, since his feet are almost as big as mine now, he always goes back to Mommy's shoes. These boots are a big favorite - after he wears them, he makes me wear them. One time he even made wear them to his school one morning. With sweatpants.

Fireman

2008-10-11T12:02:00.000-07:00

Bike

2008-10-11T12:00:00.000-07:00

He likes to ride it every now and then, too.

Morning ritual

2008-10-11T11:51:00.000-07:00

This child wakes up ready to go - it's really amazing. He has barely wiped the sleep from his eyes before diving into his books for a morning read.

Gettin' to work

2008-10-11T11:48:00.000-07:00

While he insists on mowing the lawn EVERY DAY of these last couple of months, we'll see how much luck we have getting 16-year-old Luke to really cut the grass...

Big shoes to fill...

2008-10-11T11:45:00.000-07:00

And so much easier to walk in than Daddy's...

Home Depot Apprentice

2008-10-11T11:41:00.000-07:00

A boy can dream, can't he?

Rare moment of calm

2008-09-13T20:28:00.000-07:00

Good Luck, Buddy

2008-09-13T20:19:00.000-07:00

Flashback

2008-09-07T18:57:00.000-07:00

One year ago today...

Botanical Gardens

2008-09-07T18:51:00.000-07:00

Excellent location for working out our monster trucks...

Home Depot

2008-09-07T18:49:00.000-07:00

It feeds the obsession...

I can't believe this doesn't make him carsick

2008-09-07T18:47:00.000-07:00

Layed up

2008-09-03T19:03:00.000-07:00

Luke started full time daycare last month and has been quite the infection machine. This last bout of bugs (one right after the other) had the whole house sick and baby Luke layed up for a whole week. Now I see how kids get hooked on cartoons...that's all they can do when they're sick! I must say, the low key week was kind of wonderfully mellow and we even learned some Spanish with Dora and Diego.

Watching

2008-09-03T18:58:00.000-07:00

Luke may or may not be watching a totally educational cartoon here...

Like a baby concert t-shirt

2008-09-02T20:27:00.000-07:00

This dump truck shirt and the airplane shirt (at his feet) are big winners - they are the only pieces of clothing Luke will willingly put on.

Sometimes I like to poke out my tongue...

2008-09-02T20:25:00.000-07:00

Rain

2008-09-02T20:19:00.000-07:00

What a perfect time to mow...

Duck

2008-09-01T18:43:00.000-07:00

On cue, part 2

2008-09-01T18:41:00.000-07:00

On cue

2008-09-01T18:37:00.000-07:00

Daddy taught him how to smile on cue...that lasted about a week, but at least we have proof.

Keys

2008-09-01T18:34:00.000-07:00

Why yes, that is a Casio...I bet you can even imagine the Samba riff playing as he dances in the last picture. Don't lie...you had one, too.

Hanging out, getting sweaty at cousin Aiden's house...

2008-09-01T18:29:00.000-07:00

He's alive...ALIVE!

2008-08-29T11:51:00.000-07:00

Sorry for worrying everyone by letting our blog flounder. Mommy got a job and let some things fall off her plate. But, you will all be glad to know that Baby Luke is still running our house...check out the new scream:

Yes. These are the salad days. I need to upload a video of this so those of you without kids can think twice about it, those of you with very young babies can have something to look forward to, and those of you blessed with non-screamers can hi-five each other for hitting the jackpot.

Alright, mommy's getting back to it this weekend...get ready cause there is lot's o' pictures coming your way...

All by himself

2008-06-17T10:52:00.000-07:00

Of course, more yogurt made it into his hair than into his mouth, but whose complaining?

A day at the farm

2008-06-11T20:14:00.000-07:00

Pooped

2008-06-10T19:52:00.000-07:00

Trash Man

2008-06-05T19:43:00.000-07:00

One of the few times he does what I ask. Next, we're working on "go change your diaper"...

Staying Cool

2008-06-03T11:05:00.001-07:00

Daddy found a great new way to make Luke happy...too bad this is all he wants to do now.

What chairs were made for...

2008-05-28T08:19:00.000-07:00

Baby in Motion

2008-05-28T08:13:00.000-07:00

Technically, Luke is a little old for the jumper, but that doesn't mean we can't play EXTREME BOUNCING in it! Check out that air...

Train

2008-05-23T10:06:00.000-07:00

Tongue=focus

Bird

2008-05-20T10:29:00.000-07:00

As hard as I tried, I just couldn't adequately capture the insane level of animal cruelty happening here. Luke loves birds, so I showed him how to throw a cracker to them. HOWEVER, he kept throwing his cracker to get a few birds to come close, then he would run back toward it, pick it up and eat it. Poor birds. Mean Luke. In the end, though, this tenacious bird won out when Luke accidentally dropped a cracker and couldn't get down from the chair to retrieve it...

Luke-zilla

2008-05-20T07:28:00.000-07:00

You can tell it's the end of the day when...

2008-05-20T07:10:00.001-07:00

1. Luke's shirt is covered in food.

2. Luke's hair is an irreparable mess.

3. Luke tries anything to get a rise out of mommy...eating my headphones is a great way to do that.

Hat

2008-05-12T07:04:00.000-07:00

He likes his hat indoors more than out...this kid.

Water Park

2008-05-10T13:28:00.000-07:00

Don't Judge Me

2008-05-09T17:26:00.000-07:00

I was washing dishes while Luke walked laps around our little home when things grew suspiciously silent. When your child is under the age of 5, quiet is never a good thing. Especially when your baby has found a can of soda on the desk, knocked it down, and proceeded to slurp it off of the chair seat it has pooled in. Yes, I took the time to take a picture before removing it...I mean, he's already been tainted by the poison cola so what's another slurp or two?

Basket

2008-05-08T09:16:00.000-07:00

Out Cold

2008-05-05T06:28:00.000-07:00

Luke protested a nap, so we gave in and let him hang out. Turns out Luke actually needed a nap.

Petting Zoo

2008-05-03T18:42:00.000-07:00

These are the only two pics I got at our first petting zoo visit today since the second I let go of Luke to get a picture he would either sit in poo or lunge at poor, unsuspecting farm animals. These poor, poor bunnies served as our learning curve. No other animals were terrorized during our visit, though...at least by us.

Downward-facing Dog

2008-04-27T07:20:00.000-07:00

Our little yogi in training...

First Big Boy Shoes

2008-04-25T17:11:00.000-07:00

Luke has really taken off now and the little slipper-shoes just aren't holding up. These big boy shoes must really feel magical because he keeps bringing them to me, wanting me to put them on even when we aren't headed outside. He'll waddle around the house in them and squat every few steps just to give them a little pat.

Risotto

2008-04-23T19:42:00.000-07:00

He won't eat mac-n-cheese nor regular rice...fancy pants Luke prefers risotto.

Tiptoes

2008-04-22T18:43:00.000-07:00

Little Organizer

2008-04-22T18:14:00.000-07:00

Apparently his parents know nothing about organizing the contents of our fridge...I mean, why in the world would we put all the condiments in the door? When there is all this space here in front of the things we use most, like milk and water? More invaluable life lessons from Luke.

Books, books, books!

2008-04-22T17:52:00.000-07:00

Luke was not happy about my attention being diverted by the camera. How dare I try to document this moment when there are so many books to be read about cars! trucks! balls! READ TO ME WOMAN!

Little Bear Cub

2008-04-18T07:01:00.000-07:00

Big Red Ball

2008-04-18T06:58:00.000-07:00

Just something else to transform into a push-toy...

Heartbreaker

2008-04-13T19:41:00.000-07:00

Like a Baby Rollercoaster

2008-04-13T19:36:00.000-07:00

Attempting to Escape

2008-04-13T19:32:00.000-07:00

Luke can't get enough of the outdoors, so if mom and dad don't move fast enough, he'll just do it himself...

Laundry Hot Tub

2008-04-08T18:10:00.000-07:00

This is an interesting phase considering he won't want to come within 10 feet of doing his own laundry. Ever.

Luke Meets Jackson

2008-04-08T18:03:00.000-07:00

Luke's a big fan of dogs these days, but that is not quite enough to convince us that we need one...yet...

Luke Stew

2008-04-02T07:33:00.000-07:00

Personality

2008-04-02T05:24:00.000-07:00

And He's Off!

2008-03-26T18:00:00.001-07:00

He's been teasing us for weeks, but Luke has finally decided to try this walking thing out...

You guessed it...

2008-03-25T07:33:00.000-07:00

...more cars. I know this is nothing new, but look at that head of hair!

Fever won't keep him down

2008-03-22T09:10:00.000-07:00

Luke had a rough day with a fever up to 104, but a little Motrin, lots of sleep (hurrah!) and thousands of kisses are fixin' him right up...poor baby.

Laundry

2008-03-22T09:08:00.000-07:00

Is Luke trying to tell Mommy something?

Luke Barack-ed the Vote

2008-03-22T09:06:00.000-07:00

Jammin' in the Park

2008-03-22T09:03:00.000-07:00

Ow!

2008-03-17T17:43:00.000-07:00

As far as Luke is concerned, "gentle" means pinch, slap and bite mommy until she has to run a way to save her precious skin. Boys...ugh.

Tractor Time

2008-03-17T16:13:00.000-07:00

In case it is not yet totally clear, Luke is obsessed with trucks and cars at the present moment. From morning to night, he pushes any and every wheeled object he can find while making a "hmmmmmm" sound. He calls them all "ca" and goes bananas every time we leave the house, overwhelmed with the zillions of "ca" just sitting around waiting to be pushed, pushed, pushed.

Baby Pickup

2008-03-10T11:35:00.000-07:00

Just like daddy's! But with cooler orange tires. And eyeballs.

Vroom!

2008-03-10T11:33:00.000-07:00

Par-tay

2008-03-07T10:56:00.001-08:00

Luke had a big birthday last Saturday (sorry these are late) complete with a morning party and afternoon/evening party. In the a.m. we celebrated at the Austin Children's Museum with his three friends who were all born on the same day as Luke (two in the same hospital!)...we randomly met these ladies and babies at yoga. Later that day we had an afternoon/evening party at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Luke had a blast until we tried to give him a cupcake to eat...check out the absolute terror on his face...Luke is no fan of sugar, therefore can't possibly be our child. To end the day, he took his first ride in a forward facing carseat...after a long day, he could have cared less which way he was facing.

1 year check up with Dr. Brown

2008-03-06T19:22:00.000-08:00