Growing up

Luc is growing up so fast. I can't believe he is two. At his 2 year check-up he was 35 3/4 inches tall and he weighed 30 lbs. The nurse wrote that it placed him in the 75th percentile for length and 80th for weight. I was concerned since only 6 months ago he was in the 90th percentile for length and 50th for weight. According to the CDC growth chart, which is what they use at the doctor's office, he is between 50th and 75th percentile for both. I think the nurse may have written it wrong. Either way, he is a growing healthy boy. 

He does still have an ear infection. This is the 3rd back to back round of antibiotics. We go back in two weeks to re-check. Hopefully, this will clear it up. I know how painful and annoying ear infections. I also know how it will affect speech development.

Everyone has been asking how Luc is coping with my being on bedrest. He has amazed me with how cooperative he has been. Luc had never spent the night away from us until I went into the hospital. He did great. He did great at the hospital visiting and sleeping. The first day I came home, he didn't want to leave my side on the couch. He had to go to the bathroom with me and check on me when I was in the shower. Since I've come home, he has been so good about bringing toys to the couch for my to play with him. I think he understands that I can't walk around much. He sits with me on the couch a lot. He has run in to get in bed with me both mornings after he wakes up. I am very proud of the way he is handling all of this. Hopefully, he will be just as good when we bring his baby brother home.

Here's a funny hospital story. Luc got to drink chocolate milk when we were in the hospital. He actually has had more junk food, candy, juice, and chocolate milk the past 2 weeks than he has had in his whole 2 years of life. Anyway, one night Luc was playing on the floor. Out of nowhere, he jumped up, ran over to open the door and yelled (really loud) "NURSE, CHOCOLATE MILK PLEASE". Brian and I laughed so much which of course reinforced it. Luckily, the nurse didn't here the comand. I guess he thought since the nurses were waiting on me, they would wait on him too. 

All grown-up drinking coffee

I was determined to keep Luc in his baby bed until his this winter when his little brother will move into it. Since all the craziness, we decided to go ahead and change it to the toddler bed. We thought we'd at least try it out so that I could put him to bed while I'm still home. Naptime yesterday was very difficult. He thought it was so funny that he could get in and out by himself. Our good friends were up visiting too which made it a little harder to stay in bed. He doesn't get to see "Uncle Bret" very often anymore. Baboo ended up having to sing him to sleep for nap. Last night was better but still challenging. I put him to bed and told him that if he got up I was going to shut his bedroom door. Well, he stayed in bed for a long time talking to us. A while later, I heard his door slowly closing. He was being really sneaky. He did end up going to sleep by himself in his bed though. We'll see how today goes. If we have trouble, we will put the front rail back on until we HAVE to remove it. I will just have to read him his bedtime story and let someone else put him in bed.

Snow in Austin

It snowed in Austin today. On the news, they always say that there is a chance of snow. I never think it will actually snow. Well today it did. It snowed and snowed. I was so thankful that I had a window to look out. I sat on the couch in my hospital room and just watched as it came down. It was so beautiful. Here's the proof. This was taken out of the window so it isn't the clearest picture.

Luc's 2nd birthday

It wasn't the party that I wanted but we did have one. My mom and grandmother made cupcakes to bring to the hospital. Brian brought his presents. Luc could have cared less where he ate his cake and openned presents. He had a lot of fun.

More hospital fun

Making glove balloons

Yes this is a shower chair on wheels. I really hope they clean these really well. Luc has been seen riding this chair up and down the hallway here.

Luc has lots of fun things to do up here. Thank you to all of you who have sent him colors, play dough, and other fun things to do in the hospital.

Pregnancy pictures

These are definitely not the most flattering pictures of me but...here I was at 24 weeks.

Here I am at 26 weeks.

Before the hospital

Here are some pictures from a few weeks ago.

2 years ago today

Two years ago today, I was laying in the same place as I am today. The only difference was that I was having Luc rather than just sitting here. I can't believe two years has past. Luc has grown so much. It has been a fun past two years.

6 months

1 year

18 months

Almost 2

Time in the hospital

Here are some pictures of the better times spent in the hospital. Don't judge my beautifulness!

I think Brian has just as much fun on wheel chair rides as Luc does.

Yesterday, Luc spent most of the afternoon up here. Brian was exhausted. Both of the boys took a little nap.

Luc and I were eating peanut butter crackers. All of a sudden he wasn't talking anymore. I looked down and he was out cold. I enjoyed the cuddle time.

Fun with Miss Sarah

Sarah took some cute pictures of Luc playing at her house. I think he had a lot of fun.

I think he was saying "eat rock?" to tease Miss Sarah

Sarah said he put the cup on top of the flashlight and realized it made the cup glow. Smart boy!

Thank you Sarah for taking such good care of Luc!

Luc's having fun - updated with another picture

Luc has been having a lot of fun since I've been in the hospital. He gets a playdate every day now. I was so worried about not being able to be around to intervene in his bullying but I hear he has been super sweet. I hope he keeps that up.

He  had fun decorating cookies at "Iss Im's" house

Caren even put him to work. I told her that he helps at home with laundry and dishes. Looks like he is adding to his chore list now.

I want to thank everyone for helping with Luc so far. I can't tell y'all how much Brian and I (and Luc) appreciate it. I know he is having so much fun with his friends. Thank you thank you thank you!

Luc has been able to get in a little big brother practice with baby Molly lately. He loves to hold babies.

It has been extremely difficult for me to be away from Luc, especially at night. Emotionally, that has been the most difficult thing for me right now. Thursday night when he and Brian were getting ready to go home, he said "come home Mama". It completely broke my heart. I hope he understands that I am not chosing to be away from him. I pray so much that I will have an uneventful weekend and the Dr DeStefano feels comfortable that I will be safe going home on Monday.

Doing my time

After the party, I had to do my "laying down time". It's not as bad when I have a super cute cuddler though.

Finally no rain!

Saturday was one of the only nice days we've had in forever. We took the opportunity to head to the playground. I took my zoom lens and parked myself in the sun to watch Luc and Brian play. It was so nice to get outdoors.

After nap, we went to Luc's friend's Kayla's and Levi's birthday party. Kayla's mom, Jessica, knows how to throw the perfect toddler birthday party. I would love to have a house and yard to be able to have all of Luc's friends over for fun toddler activities. Way to go Jessica! All the kids had a blast. No worries. I spent a lot of time sitting out on the beautiful deck.

How cute is this birthday boy?

Caden and Caleb showing their brotherly love.

Luc moving in on Annie

Toddler footprints to the house

Caleb loved the pudding paint

Luc got the snow all to himself

Luc's been dressing himself these days

Kristen, the game is on! ;-)

My friend Kristen is due just a few days before me. We joke about who will be bigger this pregnancy. We both probably gained more weight than we should have our first pregnancies. Since Kristen can still exercise and I am limited on my walking and definitely can't exercise, I'm guessing I'm going to lose. Oh well! So here we are, both of us are in our 24th week.

Kristen, I don't think there's too much difference in size but man, you're bump is much higher. They keep telling me at my doctor visits that I am carrying him low. I guess they're right.

Fun for Luc, break for me

Kelsea (on the far right of the picture) comes over to play with Luc sometimes. She is such a sweet girl. Luc absolutely loves her. He always cries when she has to go home. Friday, she asked her mom if Luc could go to their house for a little bit. Jamie agreed so I dropped Luc off for a few hours and came home and relaxed. It was really wierd to be home alone. I actually found it more difficult to lay down than when Luc is here. I wanted so badly to use that free time to clean up the nasty apartment or get a head start on the laundry. I promised that I would rest though so I did.

Jamie (Kelsea's mom) texted me to let me know he didn't miss me at all. Evidentally, the girls pulled him up and down their street in a wagon for a while and they played play dough with him. I don't know what else they did. He sure looked happy when he picked him up. He was worn out when we picked him up too. He walked to the door and said "go home, go night night". Thank you girls!

Playdates and trouble

I thought that it would be fun to have friends come over while I'm resting. I thought it would be perfect for me to have company and Luc would have someone to play with. I am starting to think it may be more work for me than it is rest though. We have had two playdates this week where I found myself getting up to discipline Luc more than resting. He is really going through a difficult age right now. He has a very hard time sharing.

On Friday, my friends Jennifer and Jessica came over with their kids. The second they walked in Luc hit one of the kids. He was in time out 6-7 times during the couple of hours that they were here for hitting another child with a hammer or car or another toy.

Except for Luc's behavior, I have really enjoyed having company with my friends. Brian and I are very blessed to have such good friends out here. We love y'all!

Notice Luc's face. He did not want Kayla to touch his tractor in any way.

So he threw a big fit

This is the new toddler underwear model!