Weekend and Grandma and Grandpa's

Since Alyssa has been in out of town, we needed someone to take care of Luke on Monday, and grandma and grandpa graciously agreed. In fact, they let us have some time off, and took him on Saturday. He is enjoying his stay immensely! Here are some pictures CA sent us of Luke enjoying the pool.

and getting ready to jump to grandpa!

He is having the best time, and although I miss the little guy terribly, it has been nice to be able to rest and get a few things I've been putting off taken care of. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Matthews!

Nana

We love you so much. We are going to miss you so much. Words just fail me at times like these, but I am so glad Luke got to meet you. You are so kind, so loving, you make the best chicken dumplings and chocolate pie, you were a great mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, and even though we know you are in a much better place, we selfishly wish we could have kept you with us just a little longer.

We love you Nana Matthews.

For the Birds

I love this picture! Alyssa took Luke to the zoo {bless her little soul, in this hot Texas heat...} and they feed the birds today. Luke loved it!

They saw the monkey's, had lunch at the MOLA {Museum of Living Art} watched a film, pet a snake, and yes, fed the birds.

Healthy Self Image

Or budding narcissist?

Ear Tubes, Part II

Today Luke got his second set of ear tubes. At an appointment a couple of months ago the Dr. assured me that getting two sets was rare, and that only about 10% of people need the second set, but being a redhead, and always in the "rare" percentages, I was pretty sure we'd end up here... {also, quite possibly the saddest picture ever}

Ugh, it is so hard to see your little one like this. He was just waking up, and not in the best mood...

Poor little guy just wanted to be home, and to be watching his Dinosaur "moobie." Is it me, or did he seem much better the first time around? He didn't even want a popsicle today, and if you know Luke, you know that is a very rare event indeed. However, no need to worry, only 10 minutes later he was back to his usual self, wanting apple juice and stickers. By the time we got home he was literally running to the door, ready to play. I love this little guy!

Pony rides, and Haircuts

After some playtime at the mall, including a quick pony ride, Alyssa took Luke to get his haircut {I had ask her if she would mind...}

He was a little tired, as he hadn't yet napped for the day, so he was good, for the most part.

I think next haircut I am going to take him to Lori, who I go to, because is it me, or does this shot remind you of Jim Carey in Dumb and Dumber?

and nobody {especially Luke} is perfect, he had to say Hiii YA to the nice lady and try to karate chop the scissors out of her hand...

all and all, it was a success. I managed to get Luke and Zoe's haircut the same day. Zoe's picture coming soon...

Alyssa and Luke

Luke loves his "issa" and usually comes flying down the hall when she gets here every morning screaming "ISSA!" and throws his arms around her. I'm glad he likes her so much, although sometimes I wish he showed me the same enthusiasm! But really, I am glad he has so much fun with her, we are grateful to have her!

On another note, what is up with crazy guys hair? He needs a haircut, ASAP!

33.5 Weeks

I can't believe in a mere 6.5 weeks, we will have a little bundle of joy here! One that will keep us up all night, but be fun to cuddle and snuggle with. I am so excited, and yet, for some reason, with this big belly, it still seems very very surreal. I definitely feel like I am running out of room, and that the baby has dropped over the last few days. I am still able to {knock on wood} sleep, and would say I am just mildly uncomfortable. It's just when I get the shooting pains or Braxton Hicks, they can kind of take your breath away, but other than that I am hanging in there and doing good!

Cow Appreciation Day

Today was Cow Appreciation Day at Chick Fil A, so Alyssa decided to take Luke, to do some appreciating...

Luke really enjoyed talking to the cow, and was trying to give him his chicken strips...

He loved his cow hat!

And even got to play! A great day of appreciating cows.

Luke 2.5

Luke,

I can't believe I have a two-and-a-half-year old! Sheesh, it really does seem like just yesterday we were bringing you home from the hospital. You are such a sweet boy! You are extremely active and energetic and quite the little character. It is a challange to get you to eat, but I know it's just a phase. Right now, you like popcorn, yogurt, and will occasionally eat pizza, beans and rice, chicken, but only from Chipotle, grilled cheese and most any fruit. You would survive solely on Cheetos's, chocolate, ice cream, and jello pudding if you had your way. Scooby Doo is still your favorite cartoon, but your old favorites on Nick Jr. are making a coming back! You just had a growth spurt, and are almost out of all your size 2T clothes and you wear a size 7 shoe. You love to be outside, even in the hot Texas heat, and you love to run, jump, play ball, do puzzles, play hide and seek, you can't get enough of building pillow forts and hiding in them, you can read Brown Bear Brown Bear all by yourself, and you are full of life. In seven short weeks you will be a big brother, and I can't wait to see the two of you together! Your dad and I love you very much and are so proud of you.

Love you,

Mom

Cars 2

When Alyssa told me she wanted to take Luke to the movies, I was highly skeptical. Luke? In a movie theater? That did not sound like a good mix to me. I figured he would want to get up, or down, as it may be, after 5 minutes, and did not see this ending well {or past the opening credits} but I was wrong.
He was so good the lady behind them commented that she didn't even realize he had been sitting in front of her, and said how well behaved he was, go Luke! As you can tell, he seems to be enjoying himself and the movie in 3D, quite different from the crummy paper things they used to hand us! And yes, he is still wearing his pool band from the 4th of July, he doesn't want to take it off... it's all about picking your battles right?

Happy Independence Day!

We went up to the pool, for some 4th of July festivities, and Luke had a great time!

Happy Independence Day!

after some flag waving, Luke ask if we could get in the water,

so he grabbed his toys, and off he went.

But after a few minutes splashing in the baby pool, he spotted a big slide

he waited patiently in line

{for once I'm not being sarcastic}

and soon it was his turn...

He loved it, and got back in line over and over and over again, until I ask him if he wanted a treat...

Okay, so this is definitely my child. I went and got him a strawberry snow cone, and he said, "this is not a treat." Luckily there was chocolate pie on hand, a good ending to our 4th celebration before it was time to go home and take a good nap.

hApPy 4tH eVeRyOnE!

Luke Cool

Luke told Alyssa he wanted to go by "Luke Cool."

I think the upside down sunglasses say it all.