8 Months

Merry Christmas!

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The Holidays

Luke at 7 months old!

Every Year around this time I find myself wrapped up in the craze of the holidays, frantically trying to get out our Christmas cards, planning last minute dinners with friends in town, preparing for annual trips to Boston and Laguna and then at the end of the season, I am always sad it's over and wish I had spent more time relishing all the wonderful moments. Having a baby definitely doesn't help slow things down, but it does help put it all in perspective.

So as a reminder to myself when I am reflecting back after the New Year, this is what we've been up to...

Thanksgiving kicked off the holidays with my parents and sisters in town, and all staying at our house. It was the smallest Thanksgiving we've had in a long time, and there were many people missed from the table, but it was intimate and lovely. I spent black Friday looking at wedding dresses with my sisters (eeeek) and then went to Danville's annual lighting of the old oak tree, a tradition I have been wanting to be a part of since we moved here 5 years ago! They shut down the roads downtown and have lots of caroling, live music and fun activities and treats at all the different shops.

Christmas Carolers on Stage

Mom and I

Luke bundled up for the cold

B and I spent the following weekend in Boston for my annual company holiday party. We left the baby home with my amazing step mom who flew out for the long weekend to stay at our house and watch the munchkin. What a treat it was to get away for a few days, sleep in, and hang out with some great friends.

With the handsome hubs

Beautiful Ice Luge

Boston Science Museum

Last weekend I celebrated a dear friends 30th birthday in the city and then on Sunday had my 4th Annual Christmas Cookie Party. We had a great turnout this year with some wonderful friends and seriously tasty treats as you can see below. SUGAR HIGH!

We're gearing up for a trip down to Laguna next weekend for my family's annual Christmas party. We always have a blast and I know this year will be no exception as I can't wait to introduce Luke to everyone and share one of my most favorite days with my baby.

More updates to come, but I'll leave you with some runners up for our annual Christmas card - you'll understand why they didn't make the cut soon!

6+ Month Update

Luke is getting big, a whopping 18 pounds at his 6 month checkup more than doubling his birth weight. He is still a joyous baby, babbling, smiling and scrunching his nose and snorting (pretty much the most adorable attribute of all). He is sitting up all by himself and loves to be the center of attention. I am enjoying my last few weeks of freedom as I know he will soon be crawling and then, watch out world - he's mobile.

Since it's been awhile, here are some photo updates.

Just about ready to crawl

Master of my Bumbo

Monkey Boy Halloween 2011

I love to hold my toes

Snuggling with Daddy

Sitting up by myself

Giving Mommy Kisses

Eyes that will melt hearts

Minnesota

Luke and I recently flew out to Minnesota for 5 days to visit with family, friends and see Lake Elmo. My mom was wonderful enough to fly with us so I'd have an extra pair of hands, as B couldn't take off work and I was having major anxiety over flying solo with a 5 month old for the first time. Luke was an all star! There was no crying as the plane took off, no screaming due to the change in air pressure -I had mentally prepared for how I would handle all of the baby flying horror stories and... nothing. He was all smiles and giggles. On the flight there we had the middle seat between us free so Luke could stretch out and play and on the way home we had the first row of the plane so could lay blankets down on the floor and have him play knowing he couldn't roll anywhere with the wall right in front of us. He was flirting with the stewardess and batting his eyes at all the passengers as they boarded. Here he is sitting in the big boy seat:

I will say that when we fly again I will definitely try to get the front row of the plane or buy an extra seat as having the room to stretch out made all the difference.

While we were there Luke got to meet lots of relatives; his Uncle Adam, Great Grandparents and lots of Great Aunties and Uncles. It was a special trip and Luke was enveloped in love the whole time. What a lucky boy.

Milestones

Luke has been a very busy little man this week. His milestones are creeping up so quickly and frequently that at times they feel like they could almost pass by unnoticed. First up, last weekend Luke got his first two bottom teeth! He was not a happy camper as they poked through his gums and he made his discomfort known. He refused to nap, would wake every few hours at night, was drooling all the time and would chew on anything within reach.

Once we got over the teething hurdle, it was on to solids. Luke got his first taste of rice cereal this week and based on his expressions of which you can see below you'd think we were tourturing our poor boy. He is still getting used to the different tastes and textures, and much of his food ends up on his bib or on the counter, but every day he's eating more and more. Next week, we'll start some veggies.