Going out! Part I.

Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Rosbrugh, we were able to attend a friend's wedding. As much as we love Luke and love spending time as a family, we do enjoy getting out and enjoying our time alone. When Luke was first born, it seemed our hands were always full, always busy. It was rare that we weren't busy in one way or another. Anytime our hands and arms were empty, we would happily look at each other, say "We should hug!" and obviously hug. It kept us strong and reminded us that even though things were hectic, we still loved each other very much. And I always think of that when we're out alone - We should hug! And we do.

Playing at the Park

While the weather still isn't too cold or rainy, we decided to go to the park and play for a little bit. Luke is now walking (though rather tentatively) which made roaming around the grass pretty fun. He always hated the feeling of grass on his hands, so he would refuse to crawl.

Luke is still not too sure about the swings, but he enjoys going down the slide with daddy. We're hoping to squeeze in a few more trips to the park before the weather becomes too "wintry."

Fall Pictures

We decided to send out Halloween cards this year with pictures of Luke. We had planned to go to the pumpkin patch, but between a tight schedule and rainy weather, we simply didn't make it out. But I was bound and determined to get cute fall pictures so the front yard would simply have to do.

Sounds great, right? It was - until our normally quiet street turned into a popular thoroughfare. Luke is all about cars (Daddy's boy) so every car that passed caught his attention. It was a moth to a flame. We really had to carefully time the pictures, and even then it was difficult.

What I loved about the pictures was his intensity - about everything. The cars, the grass, the leaves. I was impressed - not once did he try to crumple the leaves. Luke kept turning it over and over again. He held the leaf away from him, he held it close. He held it with one hand and then with two. But always very delicately. As rough and tumble as Luke is, he's still a thinker. I love that.

Halloween

We had a difficult time this year deciding on a costume for Luke. He has such a personality that a typical baby costume just didn't seem fitting. I knew I would make something, but there were just too many ideas to choose from. Originally we were all going to dress up: Luke as Popeye, Todd as Bluto and Noella as Olive Oyle. But as we weren't going to a party, that just seemed like too much work. Since Luke turns as red as a tomato when he gets angry, we always call him "Jack Jack" from "The Incredibles." So we finally decided on that. We took Luke over to Trick or Treat at Grandma and Grandpa's house and they loved it! He played the part well - turning red and yelling when he was excited. Instead of candy, Luke trick or treated for Cheerios!

Great Grandma's Birthday

We all went to visit Great-Grandma for her birthday this last October. We had a great time driving up to Gridley with Grandma, Grandpa, Mommy and Daddy. Grandpa's new ride is pretty sweet! Great-Grandma was so excited to finally meet Luke. Having everyone together for the weekend was wonderful.

We remembered all of Luke's things but completely forgot our own suitcase. Oy. There was a late night rush to Kohls just for a few important things. What a weekend . . .

The process . . .

With Luke being so active, there is absolutely NO down time. That kid goes ninety miles an hour ALWAYS. That being said, he is in love with the computer's screen saver. So what follows is Luke's attempt to get the computer and play with the mouse before Mommy can stop him.

Will he make it? Can he fit the whole mouse in his mouth? Only time will tell . . .

Playdates

While going to our Las Madres playgroup has slowed considerably since going back to work, they are such an awesome group of women that once a month, we have a weekend playdate.

Our first weekend playdate was a family event, all the dads came too. It was wonderful to meet everywhere (the "other half" of the genetic code, as it were).

Luke is wonderful to watch - he is so observant of what goes on around him, he has since he was a little tiny thing. I wonder about everything that he takes in, wonder how he processes the information, wonder what it is like to see things for the first time. His eyes are so curious, so determined. I can't wait till the day he is able to share all of his thoughts and feelings.