Month Seventeen

Dear Luke,

This has been an unusual month. It is different because it feels like it has gone by in about 45 seconds. I don't know where it went! We have gone non-stop this month. Some of the highlights have included the airport, fishing, The Butterfly Palace, and Bass Pro. You are pretty impressed with fish, trucks, and wheels so there are always lots of fun things to see around here.

You are currently very excited about spoons. You ask for a "stoon" every morning when we sit down to eat breakfast. You like to attempt to feed yourself and I am trying to sit back and let you practice. It is sometimes difficult to watch you smear yogurt all over your face but I am getting the hang of it.

Daddy and I took you to Jumpmania on a rainy Saturday. You learned all about jumping and how much fun this activity can be. You now try to jump on your own but you haven't quite made it off the ground yet. I think it will be a while before we get there but you love to practice.

Your words are becoming more clear every single day. It is true. I've heard kids are like sponges and you are proving that to me. You help me around the house and learn new words every single day. You put the plural ending on a lot of words which I get a kick out of. When you look where we keep all the cleaning supplies you call them "soaps". Sometimes I open up the door just to hear you say "soaps".

You go to daycare at the gym and all of the ladies love you there. They say you are one of the happiest kids they have seen. There is nothing more we want than for you to be happy! We have had to remember to pack you snacks for the gym because you constantly try to tackle and take other children's' snacks. You also are a little aggressive with the babies. You try to hug/love on them so we have to remind you to be gentle. You love babies and puppies. You try to show them just how much you adore them with squeals and tackles!

Dad has started chasing you around the house making very strange noises. This pleases you to no end. You squeal your head off and run as fast as your little size 6's will get you to the other end of the house. I think this is one of your favorite daily activities and I KNOW it is one of his!

We are three weeks into swimming lessons. The first two weeks all you did was swallow water. We were all miserable. It was very hard for you to hold your breath. This last session was by far your best. You went under water and did so well. You LOVE swimming in the pool. You grin from ear to ear as soon as we get to lessons and don't stop until we have to get out.

I just cannot tell you how much fun this summer has been for us. I have two more weeks off with you and we are going to enjoy them to the fullest. Thank you for being our incredible, sweet, baby boy!

Love,
Mama and Daddy

Emily's First Fishing Trip

We took the kids fishing at the Rutledge-Wilson farm. Emily was finished fishing after about the first ten minutes. She wanted action and we couldn't blame her. Angie and Kati Ann fished for an HOUR solid. They wanted to catch a fish for Emily so badly! Angie wound up catching a fish on her last worm. She saved the day! The fish wasn't exactly a trophy but it was enough to spark Emily's interest. She was begging to go fishing again when we were packing to go home!

Hanging With Uncle Tony

Uncle Tony came to visit from Michican again. We love seeing him and we all HOPE HE WILL MOVE CLOSER VERY SOON! We had several fun gatherings while he was here. Luke loved playing in the pool and cooling his jets. He also got a new bike that he is going to grow into over the next few years. It comes complete with a helmet, bell, and horn (which he loves to toot). It sure was nice having Tony back. Can't wait for him to get back and play again!

Rutledge-Wilson Farm

We discovered the coolest place in Springfield today. Melissa and Hayden went with us to the Rutledge Wilson farm. It was amazing! We were there for over two hours. That is like a week in toddler time! They have a pond where kids can catch and release fish. They have a petting area for animals. They have a stable full of cool critters. They have the greatest slides and climbing area. I think the boys liked the tractors the best. They could have driven them all day long. We had a picnic on a blanket to top it all off. We will definitely be back several times this year. It is my new favorite place!

Butterfly Kisses

We went to Branson today and took the kids to The Butterfly Palace. It was AWESOME! Emily loved it the most. We couldn't leave until a butterfly landed on her. She got her wish and had several land on her delicate little hands. She was so careful with them. She couldn't hardly crack a smile for the camera becasue she was concentrating so much. They also had a bug and reptile room. The first picture below is of GIANT cockroaches. They were Angie's FAVORITE. I've never seen anything like them. They ate food that was the size of dog food pellets! Ethan liked the gift shop the best. It had lots of cool toys. Luke had one butterfly land on him. He was okay with it for about 3 seconds and then he was ready for his visitor to carry on about his business.

The Lady In The Park

Luke is fascinated with this woman. I think he is so taken with her because she is the only woman who hasn't flirted back at him.

Month Sixteen

Busy! You are sooooooooo busy! You love to push things. You are obsessed with wheels. When we go out anywhere I have to make sure to take a stroller so you don't follow everyone else around and chase their strollers. You usually run everyone down saying, "WHEEL, WHEEL, WHEEEEEEEEL!"

We have had an jam packed summer. You love the various pools around town. We've went to public pools, the creek, and also to Jordan Valley park to play in their fountains. You like to splash and collect water in cups. You are starting to get a little tan on your arms even though I completely saturate your enitre body in sunscreen. We swing any chance we get. If we have an hour to kill we find a park to explore. We've went to storytime at the library and the toy store. You love to watch the other kids and dance to the tunes.

At your last Dr. appointment you were a brave boy. You were much more aware of all of the things they were doing but you hung in there like a trooper. They went on and on about what a good patient you are. You weighed in at 28 pounds which placed you in the 75-90th percentile. You were 33.5 inches long which put you in the 95th percentile. You are still a big guy!

Your cheeks bounce when you walk. You have the chubbiest, most adorable sweet baby cheeks and they bounce when you walk. It crushes my soul.

You got your first bloody lip. You took a running dive off a curb at the car dealership. You went face first into the pavement. It was HORRIBLE. I know it is not the last bloody lip you will ever have but I'm going to spend every birthday wish and coin I throw in a well wishing it would be. I don't think I can take it again!

You no longer have to clutch your hands to your chest while you walk. You are still a little wobbly and often resemble a drunken sailor but you are getting better all the time.

You have to sit all the way down to look up high in the sky. If you don't, you will fall over. When we go to the gym you sit at the base of the flag pole and look up high saying "sag, sag, sag". You adore the American flag. I think your Papaw would have loved to see that.

Your speech KILLS us. We laugh constantly at the things you say. Daddy has taken much pride in teaching you new vocabulary. The other day you were in the high chair eating your yogurt. Daddy was using the bathroom with the door open down the hall. You heard the splish splash and pointed to the door and proudly said, "WHIZ!" Cookies are "keekoos" to you. You love sticks. You like to swing them around. When Daddy gets out his golf clubs you say "steek, steek, steeeeeek!" Daddy is also teaching you some basketball terminology. Slam dunk is "sa kunk". With some prompting you will say your name when asked. You proudly say your name is "ook" or "gook".

This has been the best summer for your Dad and I. We watched you out in the sprinkler tonight and giggled the night away. I can't wait to see what the next few weeks of summer holds for us. Thank you for being the best part of our days! We love you!