Biker (Big) Boy.

Physical Therapist Linda decided to try Luke out on a special tricycle during therapy the other day. Luke seemed to enjoy it so it might become an addition to the weekly program. It's hard to consistently keep a 2 year old motivated but a variation of activities seems to help.

I would love to get him one of these to have at home but our baby is definitely becoming a big boy- he's almost too tall for it! The next size up is huge and incredibly pricey so we'll be waiting a bit on that investment.

Notice the yellow piece under his booty? It's got that seat as far back as it goes!

Working on the motions.

Photo by Luke.

Earning Nor Cal Citizenship.

Luke was scheduled to have a check-up with Stanford neurosurgery on December 8th necessitating a trip up to the Bay Area. A week prior, Stanford called and rescheduled (how dare they!) but we decided to head up for a visit nonetheless.

Overall, I was lazy in picture taking but we did go up to Pleasanton and see Uncle Brad and Aunt Sarah (newlyweds!) and checkout their new home. Since it was beyond freezing outside, we stayed in, ordered pizza and visited. Luke was happy to see Uncle Brad and Aunt Sarah but was less then thrilled to meet their cats, Tucker and Tabitha. He seems to be going through a faze where he is terrified of all animals other then the immediate Hersom family dogs (all the same type of dog, 4 of the 5 from the same litter, the 5th being a 1/2 sibling). Earlier that day we visited with the Werner family (also Pleasanton residents) and Luke just sobbed every time little Brady (dog just slightly bigger then ours) came anywhere in his vicinity. He just kept repeating "Maybe we can leave. Maybe we can leave!" Poor little guy.

Anyway, for the most part, Tucker and Tabitha steered clear of the crazy 2 year old and Luke got lots of love and attention from his aunt and uncle. It was great seeing them and their home is beautiful.

Luke sitting at the table like a big boy with Uncle Brad standing watch.

Uncle Brad, Luke and Aunt Sarah.

Tucker.

Tabitha.

Peppermint Perfection.

Since our pictures with Santa were severely lacking in holiday cheer, I decided to do a little photo shoot later that night at home, post-Christmas tree trimming. Dad acted as my hype man (lots of dancing and "Luke! Luke! Look at me! Say cheese!") while I snapped away, attempting to provide Luke future photographic proof that Christmas is, in fact, a very merry holiday and wearing Santa's hat is a-okay!

Sheer terror replaced with delight! Thank you, candy cane!

Poor, candy cane. You never saw it coming.

Peppermint goodness.

Licking was quickly replaced with chomping.

"You want some?"

Santa v. Luke '09

Luke is not a fan of jolly, old Saint Nick. We were not surprised (he didn't like him last year either) but we had to try because we're really good parents.

Sheer terror. "Ho, Ho, HELL NO!"

Being an excellent mother and taking lots of pictures.

Dad helped slightly smooth over the situation.

Nothing a candy cane can't cure (notice the remnants on his mouth!)

Thanksgiving 2009

For the first time in many years, our little family headed up to San Jose for Thanksgiving. We had a nice time (brunch at my dad and Steph's, dinner at my mom's) but I was completely unmotivated to take any pictures. Here's the only one I took on Thanksgiving. I feel it really captures the day.

Uncle Chris, Luke (in an undershirt), a remote control and Dad. A very happy, football-filled, Thanksgiving was had by all.

The next day we went to a lunch coordinated by one of the girls I went to Presentation High School with. It was nice seeing a number of my old classmates and finally meeting their kids and spouses. Matt got a picture of the attendees and some of the kids.

Nano Nagle would be so proud. (She's founded the Sisters of the Presentation who established Presentation High School... making that caption only interesting to about 10 people.)

Matt, Luke and I had a wonderful dinner on Friday night with John and Jacquie Quinn. I lived in the Cal Poly dorms with John so he's a very old, dear friend. His wife is an absolute doll and happened to be VERY pregnant with their first child (a boy!) the night we went out. Again, dropped the ball on picture taking but I know they read this so wanted to give them a shout-out. It was great to see them and we hope to do it again soon but this time with Aidan (born December 12th!) joining us!

Luke Loves L.A.

NOTE: Even though this blog is dated November 17th, I didn't finish it until December 15th (*Beth hangs her head in shame*) I PROMISE to recommit myself to this blog (can you say New Year's resolution?!) but hang tight while I get all caught up. Thanks!

The beginning of November found our little family in Los Angeles for a day of doctor appointments at Childrens Hospital. It was all pre-scheduled (not an emergency!) and it ended up being pretty informative and interesting.

Luke first had an EEG which is one of those tests that they hook a bunch of lines to your head, looking for seizure activity by examining your brain waves. His local neurologist ordered one to help rule out seizures as a cause of his vomiting. (The report came back negative for seizures- hurray!) He did an amazing job (he had to be hooked up for 40 minutes) and the technician kept commenting how well he was doing for his age.

In the waiting area prior to the EEG. Handsome boy with CLEAN hair. Notice the LA Dodgers shirt?

All hooked up and ready to go.

He feel asleep (as requested by the tech- good boy!) but didn't wake up too happy and wasn't too hot on the removal process.

With a head full of lubricant.

A few hours later we saw Dr. Terrence Sanger, who is a hotshot pediatric neurologist specializing in movement disorders. I had originally made an appointment (a year prior!) to see him at Stanford in August but Childrens Hospital stole him away so I hustled and was able to get Luke in sooner rather then later down there. He did an hour long examine, looking at how Luke stands and walks with special attention paid to his right arm. He did some biofeedback in that arm which was very interesting. We found that if Luke is asked to do something with his good left hand/arm is actually spills over into the muscles of his right very slightly. Amazing how the brain works. Dr. Sanger suggested medication to help with Luke's tone but agreed that it was best to wait until we curtail the vomiting episodes. No major revelations but it was good to meet with him and at least establish Luke as a patient. I'm guessing we will be seeing more of Dr. Sanger in the future.

After our day at the hospital, we went back to our "fancy" hotel room ("fancy" = kind of creepy- albeit clean- room in a seedy part of LA.) We managed to swing a jacuzzi bathtub IN our sleeping area (not bathroom- very odd...) which Matt (in his bathing suit) and Luke (in his birthday suit) were anxious to try out. Luke needed a bath badly since his hair was beyond gross after the EEG so a soak was appreciated by all.

Living the good life.

That's Luke's bed on the left and ours on the right. Fancy indeed! (NOTE- the bedspread IMMEDIATELY was tucked deep into the closet. Beyond necessary when there is a jacuzzi bathtub located where it was located. Ew.)

Luke taking some time off of looking like exactly like Daddy and embracing the Mommy in him. Those ears do me proud.

Halloween '09: Part 3 (The Main Event)

On Halloween "night" (4pm for those 5 and under) we headed over to the Pismo Beach Outlets to trick-or-treat from store to store with the Gonzalez family. Mama Kelci was so sweet in making Luke his very own trick-or-treating bag which we managed to stuff a lot of candy into (thanks Kelci!) So Belle from "Beauty and the Beast" (Bella), Hula Girl (Matea) and Dragon (Luke) hit up all the stores and tucked into dinner at a local Mexican restaurant afterwards. We had a great time and are so lucky that Steve, Kelci, Bella and Matea invited us.

I much prefer adorable to scary on Halloween.

Heading into a store with Dad. Luke was very quiet but said "trick-or-treat" (when prompted) quite a few times. No "all done trick-or-treating" = Luke had a good time!

We let him shed his dragon head. It was literally 80 degrees outside so having to wear the jacket and pants was punishment enough.

Manya (Luke's sitter) asked us to stop by afterwards so she could see our little Dragon and give him a Halloween treat. Luke was more then happy to make an appearance at the residence of three lovely young coeds and it ended up being the only door-knocking trick-or-treat action he saw. We have high hopes for next year!

Daddy assisting in the knock.

The Dragon and Man-gee (Luke REFUSES to call her "Manya" even though he can pronounce it perfectly now) the Witch. He had to show Man-gee his loot piece by piece.

Mommy: "Luke, do you want to hang out with Manya?"
Luke: "Oh, oh, oh- MAN-GEE!!"

When we got home we had to take out yearly "Luke on front porch with carved pumpkin" shot. He wasn't entirely thrilled but it's amazing what the promise of candy can accomplish.

Dad, Luke and this year's carving creation.

Luke and Jack.

He found the blinking light extremely interesting.

If you give us a "trick" we unleash THE DRAGON.

Strong contender for my new favorite picture.