And then there's these gems...

OOPS.  So this pic-- one of my favorites -- didn't make it on to my original post today about the March of Dimes because I am scatter brained and can't remember a THING.  Someone may or may not have gone through puberty at the starting line.

PROOF:

 Luke's daddy said, "that's probably as close as he'll ever get to having facial hair if he takes after me at all".  Clearly, Luke is Kelsey's clone -- or might as well be -- so we needed to document the stache.

And this is almost 50% of our walking team, Frisco Baby Steps.  We're pretty fun if I don't say so myself!!!

HAPPY FRIDAY!

We did it!!!! Kinda....

Well, Luke and his daddy and I walked our first (of many, we hope!) March for Babies walk.  It was great!    It started off a little cool but Luke was really enjoying all the action!

We were so thankful to have wonderful friends to walk with us!  I can't believe we didn't get a group shot.  I was especially thankful to have friends there to lighten the mood when I 'd see a memorial sign or shirt that would knock the wind out of me.  Seeing a baby that was the same term as yours or weighed about the same -- or even scarier, both!-- that lived only about a week can literally leave you feeling like your heart has fallen to your feet.  But the families of these little angels were so hopeful, so proud to be walking with their little ones name on their shirts that it really put things in perspective.  And reinforced the goal of the fundraising for this walk.  Luke has had it relatively easy but there are SO many babies fighting after a rough start and SO many that have lost the battle.  It just breaks my heart.  (Whewwwwww...deep breaths......)

SO....

It was a slow pace...almost like a march starting out..


Hey look there's Shacie!!!

And there's Sharon and Brandon!!  (yes, I'm terrible.  That's as close as I can get to a team picture... FAIL)

But as the crowd thinned out, the pace seemed to pick up.  It was only five miles total, but our team's little ones (Luke and his buddy Ford) only made it about 3.  We took advantage of the turnaround when we realized Luke had flooded his diaper, Ford was in need of a nap and Luke was going to need a bottle in the next thirty minutes or so.  We power walked the turn around and headed back to the start/finish line.

Only to realize that my sweet baby gave up on his bottle and just crashed!!!  

But then....right after THIS picture..........

He woke up happy as a clam but ready for a diaper change!  He had a bottle on the bus back to our car and was such a good little boy.  We met the girls (Shacie and Sharon...that walked with us) for lunch at Mockingbird Station and headed home for a real nap. 

Kelsey and I were both so grateful that we were able to participate in such a meaningful event and  look forward to next year and beyond.  I think it will be so important for Luke to remain involved as he grows up--- not only because he can enjoy the events after the walk but to understand that it's important to pick a cause near and dear to your heart and support it like it's nobody's business! 

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU
to all of you who donated.
Luke--- and thousands of other babies like him--- are so grateful.  Anything that can be done to prevent, treat and understand prematurity is an absolute MUST in our book!

On another note, the weather here has been great!  We found out that the neighborhood pool - instead of waiting until Memorial Day weekend to open -- will open early this year on the first of May.  We can't wait to start swimming!  In the meantime, we thought we'd give the park a shot.  

Luke was a little unsure of the trade off....

And didn't like that his feet just dangled!

So, we moved on to the slide.

Since Luke seemed a little too serious for all these playground shaningans... we snapped a few more pics and headed home.  Where Luke focused on calculating the exact force of the pull of the earth's gravity and memorizing the table of elements.  Or something studious and verrrrry serious.

He's getting his two bottom teeth and although I really think he's trying to be tough about it, it's making for some tough times more than a tough little boy.  Hopefully I can snap a picture of the two bottom chompers soon but so far he's tries to eat the camera when we get that close!

Oooh - and we've got big plans this weekend!!!  Our friends JD and Jenny are coming to visit and bringing their little man Weston.  They moved to Kentucky from Dallas last summer and haven't been able to visit since then so Weston has grown up a ton and they haven't even met Luke!  We miss them so much and can't wait to get all the kids together!  And, as icing on the metaphorical cake, I'm taking a vacation day tomorrow so this is my Friday!   CAN. NOT. WAIT.  Hope you all have a great weekend.

Easter... Deep in the Heart of Texas

So, I know this is ridiculous, but even when I first found out I was pregnant, I started looking forward to bluebonnet pictures.  There's just something so "Texas" about it.  I mean, really....where else can you trudge through a snake infested beautiful sea of blue to plop your baby down to snap a few shots???  Only in Texas would we find this a quintessential moment.  And I wasn't disappointed this year.  The only drawback is that Kelsey is the better photographer...and being from Oklahoma, he doesn't quite share the same enthusiasm as me.  So we had about 15 minutes before church this morning to snap some shots.  Oh, and who am I kidding?  We didn't really trudge through a snake infested field.  We were at JCPenney's headquarters.  Parked right off Legacy.  Yep, we cheated.  BUT, if I hadn't told you, would you have thought we were someplace fabulous?????  Maybe!

Oh, and next year.  WOAH... next year, it's on!!!  I can't wait until Luke can run in the field and play instead of sitting there a little confused as to what his mommy is so excited about.  Plus, by then, I completely expect to be more familiar with my camera and I can call the shots.  That's the rule.  You take em, you call em...which means more props and more pics!


Starting out, he was a little unsure....

Better with mommy....

Seriously, I love this guy something fierce!

I love this one....but I'm calling my hairdresser TOMORROW....Nice of my roots to join us for the photo op though!

Wait...Mom....where'd you go???

Don't leave me here, guys!

Let's just call this one proof that he is in fact my child.  Everyone always says how much he looks like Kelsey, but that whole "eyes nearly closed but just peeking through"???  That's my signature move.

Now, he's looking like a Texan pro!

Then it was off to church.  We sat in the cry room the whole time.  But it worked out great - and he really didn't cry.  Poor thing is just so stuffy that we knew he would be all snorty when he took his bottle just as the service started!

From church, we were off to Nana and Pappas!

Except that "someone" was worn out from the photo shoot.  And church...

But just a quick nap in the car and he's ready for the egg hunt...poor thing didn't stand a chance with this crowd!  His daddy was the big winner, finding the egg with $20!  All in, we cleared about $45 as a family--- wooo woooooo!

And finally, our first family Easter pic.

 So... .that was our day!  Hope you had a happy Easter and managed to take some time to reflect on the true blessings of the day!

Dallas March for Babies

I recently started a team to walk in the April 21^st March of Dimes “March for Babies” 5 mile walk.  With Luke's early intro the world this past August, I’ve been looking for a way to support March of Dimes and their mission to help premature babies.  I somehow managed to almost miss the deadline – the walk is in just three weeks! – but nonetheless I decided to do what I can in the short amount of time remaining.  Therefore, my focus this year is to increase awareness, with fundraising taking a backseat because of the crunched timeframe.

That being said, I wanted to first of all let you know about the walk – April 21^st at White Rock Lake.  If you are interested in walking with me and my family, we would love for you to join our team.  You can join the team Frisco Baby Steps at http://www.marchforbabies.org/team/t1862714 .  If you don't feel up to walking the five miles, I would be so appreciative if you would consider donating to this cause.  You can do that at  http://www.marchforbabies.org/SeeTurn

Of course, I’m happy to answer any questions you may have and appreciate you taking the time to learn about the Dallas March for Babies!

On behalf of this lil guy and thousands of other babies like him, thank you!

 

Coming up for Air

WHEW!  What a crazy couple weeks (or months) it's been!  Work has been so hectic, but I promise I didn't just stick Luke in his jumperoo and leave him to fend for himself (or if I did it wasn't for more than like 10 minutes---hahaha!).

Not only have I been busy at work, but we've been on the go with lil man to!  Here's a quick re-cap of the last month or so...


Lots of jumping...Lots of smiles...

Our fabulous babysitter, "Jumperoo".

Lots of bottles (in bad lighting apparently)

A trip to Reese's birthday party, where Luke checked out the girlies playing

The birthday girl striking a pose for me!

And then when she got her tongue in her mouth, my camera was out of focus :(  BOOOOO!

That's the birthday girl's handstand - seriously, she can't be old enough to be doing all this!?!?!?

Swinging on the bars....

 And from the rings... Hope you had a great birthday party Reese!

Grammy came to visit - she's an even better babysitter than the jumperoo!!!!  hahaha - we love you Grammy!  Thanks for the help!

Quick note...I swear we feed him more than this tiny test tube looking bottle.  This is just his medicine!

We went bowling...as a family....

With Luke's girlfriend...

Little back story on these two - Helena Grace was Luke's roomie at the NICU.  I think I've blogged about her before, but it's so great to have friends close-by, with a kiddo not only the same age but with similar things going on.  And it doesn't hurt that we have the best time with her parents either!  SO....they're pretty much getting married.  At 35.  :)

And his girlfriend's parents.  They insisted we all chaperone their daughter's date!  HAHAHAHA!

I chose to forgive the fact that she's wearing a UT sweatshirt.  She's from Philly, ya'll....poor thing doesn't know better!

They may or may not have played really awesome music.  Ok, ok.  They did have a pretty amazing playlist going.

Kelsey's become an excellent beat boxer because Luke is such a fan...  I'm still sticking to my guns and hoping that our sweet boy listens to country music.  Or oldies.  Or pop.  ANYTHING but rap, but if his daddy and Uncle J have anything to do with it, it'll be gangsta rap (aaahhhem....daddy!) or techno (Uncle J!!!).  And I don't know which would be worse!

We've started using the Baby Bjorn more.  And both of us love it.  Luke does a lot better facing out though.  He's so curious these days!  Plus, then he can see strangers walking by and stick his tongue out and spit at them!

We've done lots of shopping trips and even managed to snag a hat like Uncle J's.  Is this not one of the best pictures?  They are such good buddies!

We've tried all kinds of new foods!  We've gone from just rice cereal and milk to carrots, sweet potatoes (a favorite), peas (not a favorite) and most recently apples (closely stealing favorite status).

Proof that I do in fact give Luke baths, despite the constant sock fuzz between those cute little toes!

Mom!!!!  A little privacy, please?

\

We jumped a little bit more - how could we not when it's so fun!?!?!?

And just last week, my nephew, and Luke's best friend and future partner in crime had his adneoids removed and tubes put in.  So, Luke was worried about him and wanted to hang out so we did a lunchdate while Jack snoozed.  Poor baby boy is going to feel so much better now!

"SOMEONE" started sucking two fingers - his pointer and middle finger.  Which is super cute.  Until he gags himself and throws up his last meal.  THEN????  Not so cute

WHAT????   I'M TEETHING!  Don't judge!

So, that's it in a nut shell.  I have been working like a dog since pretty much the first of the year but February and March just about killed me!  Somehow, we managed to fit in lots of family time and new experiences for my little man though and I'm so glad we were able to make it all work.  He's been such a joy and honestly, it's the first time I've really wished we could freeze time and enjoy this stage just a little bit longer.  It was tough going for a while, but we're all really in a groove lately and I just can't get enough!!!

Hope you enjoyed the photo dump!!!!   Have a great week!  Until then, "I'm watching you..."  (in his best Jack Burns voice) 

 --- if you missed the movie reference you need to watch Meet the Parents, Meet the Fockers, all of it!