A Nightmare Before Christmas

By popular demand- Luke's MONSTER!

Mom's SURPRISE 30th Birthday.

Luke has nothing to do with this post but I wanted to thank Matt and my family for throwing me a very surprising (seriously- how did they pull it off?!) surprise 30th birthday on November 15th at Teskes Germania in San Jose. I know I gave Matt a really bad time in the weeks/days leading up to it (I was upset that he had planned absolutely nothing for my big day- wow was I wrong) but it was so much fun being so completely caught off guard and I had a wonderful time. We definitely gave my 20s a proper send off (my actual b-day is November 16th) and I can't thank Matt and everyone involved enough! Yeah for being OLD!

Complete and utter shock & surprise.

A "Happy Birthday" serenade. Complete with a "30 Year Olds Rock!" beer stein.

The state of affairs at the end of the night. I had a VERY good time.

Thanksgiving 2008

We spent this past Thanksgiving in Fresno with the Henard side of the family. Luke very much enjoyed himself, getting to spend time with his Papa, Grandma Chrissy, Aunt Julie, Uncles Brian and David and first cousins Brennen, Kaylene and Maggie. Great Grandma Wanda was with us for turkey day in addition to some of Matt's aunts, uncles and cousins stopping by to say hi throughout our stay.

Luke holding court.

Trying to escape loves from cousin Maggie.


Tickling the ivories under Papa's supervision.


Big fan of the piano. Perhaps we'll have a musician in the family?


Local park in Fresno. It's equipped with special needs swings but Luke fits just perfectly in the baby swings. He does love a good swing.


"WEEEEEEEEE!!!"

Uncle Brian and cousin Brennen watching the action. Nice purse Uncle Brian.

Cousins Maggie & Kaylene in hanging out in the special swings.

A little slide-time with Daddy.

This slide was super fast. Scared the daylights out of Mommy.

Handsome boys with a post-Turkey eating glow.

Keepers.

In the back of a water-logged faux boat.

Ahoy.

Not super excited about the teeter-totter.

Our California Boy with the California Bear.

First-ish Haircut.

Since Luke had two surgeries on his sweet head within his first month of life, it was necessary his itty bitty noggin be shaved both times. Amazing neurosurgeons they are, hair stylists they are not. They shaved it very unevenly, basically leaving a hair ring around the bottom of 1/2 his head and that's it. If he had more mommy in him no head shaving would have been necessary (I was bald until 5 the story goes) but I digress.

I was so hesitant to cut it again (bad memories) but it was starting to get a little unruly and the uneven parts were becoming more obvious so I finally gave in. Our now family stylist, Holly (she cuts Matt and my hair,) did the honors after giving Matt his regular trim. Luke sat on Dad's lap and, although he look less then thrilled, he sat very still, never cried and did a great job! Holly did a fantastic job too!

Holly even had a kid-sized cape- there's a monkey in the center.

Holly said it's starting to come in thicker. Dad's good hair genes prevail!

Faux-halk!


Who knew a hair cut could be so exciting?!

Protecting the Pearly Whites.

Never too early to start proper dental care right?! Luke made his first trip to the dentist on Monday. Dr. Newsom's office is strictly pediatric and is amazing. I wish I could go there! She was so kind and only did as much as Luke would let her. He's got 12 handsome teeth with 2 more on the way in. We brush them a good brushing every night!

And because Luke is Luke, he had many ladies of the office (his hygienist, the front desk women) in stitches by the time we left. Luke knows that proclaiming "Joe Dirt!" and his famous monster-growl gets them every time!

Very unsure about his immediate future. But insisted on sitting in the chair.

Always cooperative- Dr. Newsom getting a good peek.

Luke and Dr. Newsom.

I had to include a scanned copy of the cute little Poloroid picture/card the office gave us to take home. Inside the card it welcomes Luke and congratulates him on the big 12 teeth!

Meeting of the Minds.

Last Wednesday Luke's occupational therapist, Lori, and one of Luke's physical therapists, Linda, joined forces and included Linda's co-worker occupational therapist Sheri. Lori works for one company where Linda and Sheri work for another so it was great to have them all meet up and put their heads together to figure out what needs to be done to help Luke's right arm. Lori can only be with Luke until he's 3 so as soon as a spot opens in Sheri's schedule, we'll be switching to her. Confusing huh? Regardless, they are fabulously intelligent therapists and it was so kind of them to offer to come together for Luke's benefit.

The outcome is that Luke will be getting his very own set of Theratogs. It's hard to explain exactly what they are but it's the blue vest that he's wearing in the pictures (the whole set include pants too.) It's made of a rubbery material that they can manipulate using straps and velcro which can be pulled tight over certain areas. They found it very helpful to pull back his right shoulder which enables Luke to straighten his right arm more and bear more weight. The ultimate goal is to increase mobility in his right arm and hand.

From left: Sheri, Linda & Lori- fitting Luke with the Theratog vest.

Luke bearing weight on his right arm. Need to work on opening the right hand but baby steps.

Trying a new position. Luke seems really torn up about all the attention.

The "Kid Walk"-er.

Luke's physical therapists recently got a new piece of equipment called a "Kid Walk" that has become a big part of our sessions. I was able to get some footage and Matt worked his video-making magic. Linda is the PT in this video and she likes to occasionally do sessions with Luke undressed so she can see how his muscle and body really move.

There's also some footage of Luke at home. We prop him up to our family room coffee table and only let him "play" his keyboard if he stays standing. Makes us sound like mean parents but it keeps him motivated to do it repeatedly!

Living the College Life.

Matt's fraternity, Sigma Nu, held it's annual alum weekend this past weekend in SLO. Fortunately, my brother Brad was a member of the same fraternity at Cal Poly so he and Sarah came down to celebrate. Also one of my sorority sisters, Heidi, married a Sigma Nu, Matt Werner, so they came down from the Bay Area and stayed at our house. Sigma Nu had a BBQ at their house on Saturday which was really the only event Heidi and I attended (the rest were definitely not "Luke-friendly" events) but it was great spending time with her and Matt W. and getting to see Brad and Sarah.

Luke and Aunt Sarah

Luke and Uncle Brad (Uncle Brad asked Luke to say "Joe Dirt" so many times that Luke now thinks that's Brad's name.)

Luke and "Hi-Dee" (Pretty sure Luke is in love.)

Luke, Heidi and a Ferrari. Luke more interested in something other then a beautiful, red, shiny, expensive car. Good news for mom and dad.

Mom, Luke & Heidi on Sigma Nu's front steps. I'll probably have to boil Luke's pants before he can wear them again.

Luke embracing his Hersom beer-drinking genes. Aunt Sarah had my permission (and he didn't actually drink any.)

Luke touching a snake.

And the snake touching back.

If you stay at our house you have to take a picture with Luke- house rules. Luke with Matt and Heidi Werner.

Vintage Luke- Summer 2008

Matt put together an amazing music video containing footage of Luke over this past summer. Thanks Daddy!

Rules of Engagement.

Luke is becoming increasingly interested in the dogs but has very, very definite ideas as to how they are to behave.

1) The dogs are not to lick Luke.
2) The dogs are not to brush up against Luke (on purpose or accidentally.)
3) The dogs are not to look at Luke.
4) Luke will pet the dogs whenever he wants. For proper dog response, please see Rules 1-3.

I caught Luke "reading" the book in his lap (a picture book I put together that he loves to turn the pages of, chew on and murmur "baby" to- because they are all of him!) and he was alternating turning pages with petting Rocco. Rocco had his head down until I snapped this picture. The pecking order is being firmly established amongst the smallest members of the Henard family.

NOTE- Lola is nowhere to be found. She and Luke have issues. It's a very complicated relationship in that she's smaller and more intriguing to Luke BUT she will suddenly bark (Rocco hardly ever does) and Luke HATES that. However, she is also 1/2 of the dog wrestling team that Luke has appointed himself referee of (he sits on the floor laughing while the dogs race around him, growling and playing, and commands "more!" if they stop) so she's got that going for her... But Luke often throws toys at both dogs and Lola is having none of that (Rocco could care less.) Ah, the drama that is Luke and Lola (like "Luke" and "Laura" from General Hospital- get it?!)

Learning to Play Well (?) With Others

Luke's good buddy, Carter, came over on Sunday with his mom and dad, Amber and Andrew. Since last we've seen Carter, he's become a crawling (and pulling up to stand) machine. He's a very sweet little guy and I can't believe how much he's grown in such a short period of time!

Anyway, our time at school on Fridays must be paying off because Luke was very relaxed with Carter and only really got upset when Carter started crying (domino effect!) and tried to climb on him. They even started playing together which Luke seemed more interested in but that's more his age-appropriate (Carter is almost exactly one year younger then Luke- he was born March 2008.) It's hard to believe what a little boy Luke is becoming!

"You're a nice kid Carter. I might consider sharing this toy with you."

"I've considered it and decided NO."

"After I get done fully covering this toy in my spit..."

"You may have it!"

"Whoa- don't get grabby! I've changed my mind! Hands off!"

"Trit Treet!" (and Other Stuff)

Luke "Chicken Little" Henard

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

After our family cold last week, Luke and I headed up to San Jose on Friday until this past Wednesday so he could visit with his a couple of his Stanford doctors on Monday. Dr. Edwards (neurosurgeon) was satisfied with Luke's shunt and happy to see him making progress. Dr. Alcorn (opthamologist) was very happy with the positive difference the glasses have made in Luke's life and was estatic to hear that 1) he keeps them on and 2) he will wear his patch daily and for an average of 2 hours (back pats for mom and dad!) It was a nice trip up there with Grandma Carole and it was lovely to have two Luke-normal doctor reports. The breath-holding and dread of the past 1 1/2 years involving Stanford visits has turned more into routine and a good excuse to spend the day with Grandma. *knock on wood*

Since pictures are said to be worth a thousand words, I'll let them do just that. Here's what we've been up to the past week:

Uncle Brad had knee surgery recently but came over to visit Luke at Grandma's. Luke is very into turning pages lately so kicking back with a good book is always welcome.

Luke and Grandma at a pumpkin patch near Stanford (that's his unusual "pum pum" by Grandma's foot.)


Luke's way of telling mom that taking pictures of people eating is rude.


So I just take away his food! (Just kidding! He was pouting over not being allowed to play with his almost empty plate and fork.) Mean mom.


Luke carving his "pum pum" with Dad. Mom was responsible for keeping seeds out of his mouth.


The finished product.


"Boo!" (A favorite Luke word)


Comparing quanity of teeth with the pumpkin? Luke wins- barely.


Celebrating fall at school. Fake leaves = real fun.


Baby you can drive my car...


With a little help from my friend.


D.W.S.- Driving While Silly.


I didn't know monsters could drive?!

Luke does a monster noise/face that is a "must see." And the funniest part is it's all about YOUR reaction for him. Maybe we'll see another Dad-produced video on here soon?

Happy Halloween!