Trying on mommy's shoes

Luke is always putting on mommy and daddy's shoes...

Isn't this the cutest shirt??!!

Merry Christmas!

Luke had a WONDERFUL Christmas this year. Played and played with all the cousins at Sissy's party on the 23rd - in the playhouse, down the slide, baseball, up the stairs, in the playroom, etc, etc. Then over to Aunti Vicki's house to exchange gifts (we all stared in disbelief as he devoured an entire tomato). Christmas Eve we partied at Aunt Jane's for a Mexican food dinner. Luke stole the footballs from the Aston cousins, tore apart Aunt Jane's toybox, helped himself to the buffet. It's no wonder he slept in Christmas Day... then did stockings with Dad, opened presents, played with all the new toys, then over to Sissy's for more food, fun, and festivities. WHEW!!

I've TRIED to be really good this year...
Dancing the chicken dance...

Luke couldn't resist helping himself to tons of strawberries... Love the "bed head"...

Lots of fun goodies in the stocking!

We LOVE opening presents (he knew exactly what to do!)

Playing with our new Elmo toolbench...

Visit from friends

John and Deanne and Kyle (15 months) and Kyra (3 months) came to visit. Kyle and Luke were adorable together... they just babbled and babbled like they were just carrying on the most interesting conversation with each other. And although Luke was a little jealous of Kyle, he did eventually give him a big hug and Kyle returned with a big kiss.


They did a lot of talking on the phone...

And dancing on the bed... (yes, Mommy needs to learn to keep her mouth shut when video taping)

Road trip

Mommy, Nanny, Grammy, and Luke took a little day trip to San Marcos to visit Grandma and Aunt Sissy.

Nanny entertaining Luke...



And Luke entertaining Grammy...

Potty Training - what the books don't tell you!

Why are we potty training already?? Well, Luke starts Montessori on February 11 and they DO NOT ALLOW DIAPERS!!!! =:-O

I have read and read allllll about potty training. Talked to everyone I know about potty training. Bought every potty training contraption known to man. Started talking to Luke about potty training weeks ago and sitting him on the potty to get used to the idea. Made big plans and preparations for THE BIG POTTY TRAINING WEEKEND.....

***KERSPLOSH***(sound of a toilet flushing) - that's where all my BIG PLANS went.

So here I am at the end of the big training weekend and I don't think Luke is a whole lot closer to being potty trained than when we started. But mommy is a lot smarter. Here are some things NOT to do:

• When he poops in a pull-up, just tear it off rather than pull it down - pulling it down smears the poo all down the legs, which he then flails and then you have a BIG mess
• Don't overdo giving him juice to make him pee more often - the sugar causes severe hyperactivity - squealing and running around is NOT conducive to potty training
• Do not stalk a naked toddler with a potty chair to try to catch him when he starts to pee - this activity is only funny to others watching you (as well as the toddler)
• Even if you can convince your toddler to sit on the potty chair for an hour with treats and toys and TV and ply him with drinks to fill the bladder, he is sure to hop up and pee on the floor right next to the potty chair
• Cotton training underwear does very little to absorb pee - he might as well be wearing nothing because then you don't have to wash the underwear
• Do not lose your sense of humor - you're either going to laugh or scream!

Anyway, we survived the weekend and Luke was just as exhausted as I was - fell right asleep without a fuss.

And here's the little guy being precious as always....

Scary Santa

You can see why Luke was scared to sit on Santa's lap!! LOL I was hoping to have a picture of him crying on Santa's lap again this year, but the photographer would have none of it - made me get in the picture.

Luke's cutest new trick: puts his finger to his mouth and says "SHHHHHH". Today he was climbing on the coffee table and Grammy told him to get down and he very clearly SHUSHED her.

Hunter's Birthday

Cousin Hunter just turned 1 year old!!


Luke reeeeeally enjoyed playing with the kitchen...

And loved the balloons...

And the fish tank...

He was also very helpful when it came time to open presents - he knew right what to do! Christmas is going to be so fun!

Bunny Love

I love my bunny...

I REALLY love my bunny...

Have I mentioned that I love my bunny??

I also love my duckie... he helps me when I'm nervous...

Oh boy, this is scary!

WHEEEEEE...

I can stack buckets almost as tall as me!