Weekend Warriors.

Our family had a rare free weekend this past weekend. Wanting to take advantage of our open agenda, Saturday we hit up Home Depot's garden department (our front yard is a work in progress) and Sunday we headed to a park in Morro Bay.

First time riding on Dad's shoulders! Mom is still trying to slow her heart down...

Dad explains how to maximize playground fun.

No swings but cement seals are fun too!

Luke and his new friend.

Too bad he wouldn't keep his eye patch on for these pictures.

Setting sail on the sand (but you can see water in the background!)

Just needs a NY street corner and a few faux Rolex watches...

New Old Friends.

Courtesy of Facebook, I was recently contacted by a good friend from college, Kelci. She just so happens to live on the central coast and is now mom to 4 1/2 year old Bella and 2 year old Matea. Crazy how time flies because I last remember seeing Kelci and Steve (her husband) at their wedding... They just celebrated their 8th anniversary!

Anyway, I'm glad Kelci found me and I'm so happy that we promptly set up a play date. We met up at the Avila Barn this morning and checked out the animals and played on the lawn. Her daughters are so very sweet and it was great for Luke to get to spend time with them (and me with their mom!)

Bella, Matea and Luke

Bella, Luke and Matea (good luck trying to get 3 kids to look in the same direction and smile!)

"How you doin'?"

Already trying to steal my little boy away!

Helping to Fight the Good Fight.

With Luke's greatest struggle being movement, we have added a second session of weekly physical therapy to our schedule. Since July, Linda works with Luke on Tuesday afternoons. In just a few weeks, Luke's trunk strength has gotten even better and we're working really hard towards commando crawling.

Linda, Luke and Puss in Boots.

We're so fortunate to now have both Danielle and Linda treating Luke. Both women work at the CCS Medical Therapy Unit in SLO so they are able to both care for Luke and work together in helping him achieve his goals.

Mommy Needs to Get to Work.

Before Luke and I left for home on Sunday, our very good long-time Hersom family friend, Stephanie, came by my mom's to visit with her three kids (Morgan-5, Matthew-3, Ethan-1.) This was the first time Luke has been able to sit and interact with people that are close to him in age and it was an experience. For those of you that have recently spent time with Luke, you know how outgoing and social he is. Unfortunately, that does not quite yet translate in his interactions with other kids.

Morgan (with Cinderella,) Stephanie and Luke.

Matthew wants in on the action.

We tried to get Ethan to join the fun but he was too busy.

Ethan sat down with Luke and I started snapping pictures. All is going very well until-

Whoops.

Luke was totally fine (he didn't even cry) but he was definitely out of his adult element in dealing with a peer. I've already got a parent participation class picked out in SLO (starts next month) so both Luke and I can become more socialized and comfortable around other children.

I'm so happy that Steph brought the kids over and helped us start learning how to relate in this big bad toddler world. Even though Luke is so far behind with his physical movement, he loves to interact and spending time with the Quachs was a wonderful eye-opener and starting point. Morgan, Matthew and Ethan are the sweetest kids and are so well behaved and Stephanie is a fabulous mom. I can only hope that Luke (and I!) will be as well adjusted as those children (and mom) are!

Good Thing He's Cute.

My name is Luke Henard and I love to take chewed food out of my mouth and decorate with it. This is my gift to the world.

Grammer's Birthday Lunch.

My brothers and I set up a little birthday lunch for mom on Saturday. We had a lovely meal at Steamers in Los Gatos and it was great to see Grandma Joan and "Aunt" Peggy (my Godmother visiting from San Bernardino.) Happy Birthday Grammers!

Look who has perfected the art of restaurant high chair sitting!

Luke and Aunt Peggy

From left: Sarah, Gina, Chris, Mom, Beth, Grandma Joan, Aunt Peggy (with Luke) and Brad

Luke Crashes the Ladies Lunch.

My good friend and sorority sister, Jill, just had her first baby, daughter Taylor, on June 27th. Fortunately, she lives really close to my mom so on Friday we were able to visit them and head out for a little lunch.

Jill & Taylor

Luke still isn't sure of little crying babies.

Can we be friends?

Guess not.

Free Entertainment.

Thursday we headed over to Grandma Stephanie & Grandpa Jim's for a tasty dinner and an evening of entertainment provided by Luke.

"UP!"- Luke's favorite word

Crazy (dilated) eyes accompanied by funny noises. Anything for a laugh.

Okay, your turn Grandpa.

Telling Uncle Nick a joke perhaps?

Always camera ready.

Lukes Joins a Gang.

A doctor appointment at Stanford on August 12th (for eyes- more on that later) beckoned Luke and I up to the Bay Area last week. We stayed for almost an entire week (Monday-Sunday) and managed to make the most of the trip, keeping very busy visiting with Luke's adorning public.

Travis, Nate, Nick (with Luke,) & Quint

On Wednesday, Luke and I headed over to Travis's house to enjoy a wonderful dinner and always-entertaining company. The guys in the above picture are friends of mine from high school (Bellarmine boys) that met Luke for the first time.

You would think that a room full of men would intimidate our little darling. Not so. Within moments of arriving Luke was one of the boys. We had a great time and hope to do it again soon.

Cutest 5 Seconds EVER.

This is Luke's favorite game to play with Daddy. He's telling Matt to "eat" (along with signing it- smart boy...) It's just a game (we had just gotten done with dinner) so no actual starving tummies were neglected in the making of this video.

Toddler Antics Emerge.

As behind Luke is physically, mentally he is very present and is starting to form some definite ideas regarding what he wants out of life. He's currently almost 15 months old (adjusted) and the "terrible twos" look to be in our not-so-distant-future. I present photographic proof that our little angel's halo is, at times, slightly tarnished:

A nice afternoon at the pool with Grammers.

Suddenly, Luke turns and attempts to swat Grammers' glasses off her face.

"We don't do that to Grammers' glasses!"- BUSTED.

And just as quickly, all is forgiven (but notice the hands being restrained!)

The Life of a Carnie?

Matt, Luke, Grammers, Grandpa John and I headed up to the Midstate Fair on Saturday afternoon/evening. We had 2 things on our agenda- eat as much tasty fair-food as possible and see the animals. Mission accomplished.

Luke's first taste of Thai food from a trailer. Yum... MSG...

Nothing like a big sugary lemonade to wash it down with.

Luke's new friend today. Our breakfast tomorrow.

Growling Tiger, Missing Pants.

Grammers and Grandpa John have been staying at the condo and visiting us this past week. Luke stayed the night there on Friday so Matt and I could attend a concert at the fair and have a completely Luke-free evening. We love our little guy so but it was wonderful to sleep in!

Grammers & Luke growling like tigers at each other.

Luke enjoys showing a little leg.

Who is this little boy and what did you do with our baby?!

All in the Family.

Luke and Belle (Grammers & Grandpa John's dog) having a completely un-staged moment. Belle is Lola (our dog's) sister. So I guess Belle is Luke's dog sister AND dog aunt. How very Jerry Springer of us.

A Visit from the Newlyweds.

Last month, Stephanie and Kevin came to stay with us for the weekend. Stephanie is my very first friend (our moms have been friends since before they were pregnant and Steph and I are less then 2 months apart in age- she's older!) and theirs was the wedding that Matt and I attended back in May.

We had a great time and Luke loved visiting with his "Aunt" Steph and "Uncle" Kevin. There was golfing, leisurely walks, swimming, eating, cookie making and, of course, breakfast at Franks. We were sad to see them go but hope to see them again soon!

"Are you the person I need to talk to about providing me with a playmate?"

Aunt Stephanie, Uncle Kevin & Luke

Uncle Kevin (aka "The Baby Whisper")

An inside joke.

Our YouTube Sensation.

I would love to say that my prolonged posting absence is a result of the Henard family being on some fantastic vacation but it's not. We're just insanely busy between weekly therapy, doctor appointments and visits from friends and family and I've gotten lazy. I promise to never let this 3 week lapse happen again!

So I'm going to get the blog-ball rolling by sharing more of Matt's creative videos starring Luke.