Uncle Matt and Applesauce

We visited Uncle Matt last weekend. Uncle Matt has cool toys!

Luke is very much a stereotypical boy in that he loves pushing toy trucks and cars around. "Truck" and "Car" are in his growing vocabulary.

Playing with a balloon, right before he started to whine for me to pick him up.

These next pictures are presented in the order in which they were taken. It shows how Luke can start and stop crying on a dime.

I think he was crying because I took the spoon away.
All better.
Also in his vocabulary: "Mo'? Mo'?"

Walk Hard

For about a week now, Luke has been walking on his own for very short distances. We've tried to capture it with video, but we either don't have the camera ready or when we do he doesn't want to cooperate. Here are some still shots from some movies we tried to take.

And here is a short video where we managed to catch a fleeting moment.

Don't worry. It wasn't as bad as it sounded.

Scooter Boy

Luke isn't walking by himself yet but he can ride a scooter.

He continues to find new ways to enjoy his pushcart.

Haircut II: The Sequel

Luke got his first full haircut this weekend and it aged him about two years.

He's not a little baby anymore.
Soon he'll be able to buy beer without being carded.
This is a picture of what Luke does most of the time-- pointing and going "uuuhhh uuuhhh."

But we still think he has moments of cuteness.

Here are some photos of Luke before the haircut, playing on the sand and water table that Grandma Stewart got him for his birthday. Thank you Grandma!

Training for a spot on Grandma's potting bench team.

Pushcart II: The Sequel

Pushcart pushing continues to be a popular activity. Luke has improved greatly in his skills. He can now maneuver and steer the cart. When the weather cooperates we take him outside and let him push push push to his heart's content.

Here we are going for a walk around the neighborhood.

Stopping to check out the camillia in bloom.

The 12-Month Stats

Luke had his 12-month doctor's appointment today and all is well.

He weighed in at 26lbs 13oz, which dropped him to the 95%. But for height he is still over the top of the curve at 32.5"!

He is going to be a tall, skinny guy!

The Birthday Cake Photos

Monday was Luke's birthday, of course!
Here are the birthday cake photos.

Mommy and Daddy are very proud.

Such a charming little devil.
He reaches for the cake. I am worrying about where this is going to end.

His first taste of the sweet sweet chocolate and he is back for more.

This time he really digs in . . .
. . . and shoves the cream filling in his mouth.
The beginning of the end.
This baby went straight into the bath.
Order is restored.

Luke Is One Year Old!

On March 16, 2009, Luke will be one year old! I couldn't wait until tomorrow to post, so here are some photos from the last few days.

Here he is having fun in the push car that Aunt Tara gave him!
In celebration of Luke's birthday and because Grandma and Grandpa Siorek are visiting us, the whole family went to the Oregon coast this weekend.

Luke watching Elmo videos on YouTube.
I believe this is the one where Elmo helps Grover say the Alphabet.

A trio of nice photos from Grandma Siorek.

Luke reading one of his favorite books, Yummy Yucky.

Pushcart

Today Luke became the proud owner of a little pushcart from Ikea. He loves to walk with the push cars at Day Care, but we didn't have anything like that for him at home. He will only walk by himself if he is holding on to something.
He was so excited. He cruised around the house giving rides to his stuffed friends.

He didn't stop until we told him it was time to get ready for bed.

Even after he got into his jammies, he had to get some last laps around the house. Look at how tired he is, but he still wants to push his cart! We literally had to pry the cart from his hands to put him to bed.
Here is a video I cobbled together from a few different clips. Watch the face that Luke makes when he bumps into the wall with the cart. The expression of annoyance is surprisingly grown up.

The Sweet Moments of Parenthood

Luke woke up at 5a.m. and after feeding himself a bottle on the couch he fell asleep again, nestled into his Boppy pillow. I left him there on the couch and he slept until almost 7:30a.m.

I was sitting at the dining room table working on the computer when he woke up. The couch is just a few feet away. I saw him stir and open his eyes and look in my direction. I smiled. After a second of recognition, a sweet smile lit up his little face in return.

I will almost forget the way he howled like a maniac at 5a.m. until we figured out the exact combination of things he wanted (bottle, couch). That sweet smile of recognition will melt my heart forever.