Baby Shower(s)- Take 2!

Due to Luke's early arrival, I never had a proper baby shower. I had two planned but Luke showed up a few days before the first one and was up at Stanford when the second one was due to take place in SLO. But because I have AMAZING friends and family, I finally got my showers! The first was thrown by Theta sisters for myself and another Theta sister, Melissa. It was so special and Nicole, Heidi and Jill did an incredible job.

(From left) Nicole, Me, Melissa, Heidi and Jill- love you girls!

My mom got together with Natalie, a very good family friend, and threw me my second shower the next day. It was at Natalie's beautiful home and the spread was unreal! So many friends and family members came and it was just perfect. I'm a very lucky mommy!

Somehow I didn't get a picture with my mom, Natalie and I. But from left, here is Cyndi (Natalie's fantastic mom and a huge help with the shower!), Carole (my mom) and Natalie. I LOVE these ladies!

Food! It was catered and was amazing! I'm craving those little coconut shrimp again just thinking about it...

Thanks to the lovely hostesses and for everyone who came and showered me with love, support and generous gifts. Baby G. is already so loved and I can't wait to tell her about these excellent celebrations in our honor!

All About Oral Hygiene

Luke is very fortunate to have a great dentist who makes his visits very enjoyable. The office is beautiful and everyone is so nice- he asks to go all the time! He loves it so much- I do believe dentistry may be in his future...

Barely lets me brush his teeth but he'll let the hygienist scrape them?!

Dr. Luke is now available. Dr. Newsom (left) thinks he's funny but she may be out of a job soon...

Dr. Luke concludes every exam in the fun spinning chair in front of the always fascinating computer.

Proud (embarrassed!) to report that Luke walked out to the parking lot in this get-up but told a lovely office lady to go back to her office and get back to work prior. That Dr. Luke...

Baby G Update

Our little lady had another check-up/photo session via ultrasound on December 30th. We saw a different doctor this time and she confirmed that she is, in fact, very much a she and that she's also a very big she! Thank God for c-sections! But the fantastic news was she looked nice and healthy and all is well!

Baby Girl with her right hand next to her chubby cheek.

Profile shot.

Profile shot take 2.

Christmas 2010- Part 3

We finished our Christmas tour by heading up to San Jose. We did Christmas Day at Grandma Carole and Grandpa John's and then did Christmas Day Part 2 at Panda and Grandma Steph's on the 26th. Again, Luke enjoyed himself and was spoiled rotten.

Aunt Sarah and Luke. On of these days we're going to have to break it to Luke that marrying Aunt Sarah is not an option. Uncle Brad wouldn't be too happy about that...

Mommy and her babies on Christmas Day.

Dad got to open the gift for baby girl. He was a HUGE fan of all the pink!

Luke got a baby doll to love and practice on. Seems like Daddy felt the need to practice as well.

With Uncle Nick at Panda and Grandma Steph's. A deep conversation about their stocking contents.

It holds goodies and candy AND is a hat!

Luke got what every man needs- a recliner. Pretty sure he would sleep there if we let him.

That shirt was put on him against Dad's will. I think it may have fallen out the back of our truck on the way home to SLO...

Christmas 2010- Part 2

We did our yearly Christmas tour, first to Fresno to visit with the Henard side of the family. We had a nice, relaxing couple of days and enjoyed seeing the family. Luke had a blast with everyone and of course, enjoyed opening presents. Good thing Santa knew to find him at Papa and Grandma Chrissy's on Christmas morning!

Luke and Cousin Maggie opening a couple gifts on Christmas Eve morning.

Our handsome, excited boy on Christmas Eve!

Papa and Grandma got a new camera and Luke needed to check it out.

Taking a picture of his haul with his own camera.

Unwrapping. Piece by piece by piece...

Papa got a fancy scarf thingie to wear while bike riding!

Working on the laptop with Cousin Brennen.

Kaylene showing off her new purse.

Christmas morning- Santa visited Papa and Grandma's!

Luke asked for cowboy boots so Luke got cowboy boots!

He wasn't too stoked about trying them on (even harder with footie pajamas). Good thing Santa got them a little large so Luke can grow into them.

Christmas 2010- Part 1

We started the holidays off right with a big real Christmas tree. Luke was all about hanging ornaments and we fortunately had a supply of non-breakable ones since between his unstable walking and bad vision, quite a few hit the floor!

Dad showing him proper hanging technique. Notice the train track for our Polar Express. A big hit this year after it scared the daylights out of him last year!

We headed to Salinas the beginning of December for the annual gathering of my dad's extended family. My Great Aunt Ruth as always, provided a delicious meal and Luke enjoyed being the center of attention as the only little guy in attendance this year.

Luke with Aunt Ruth's neighbor. He spent quite a bit of time in this pretty lady's lap. My son does love the ladies.

Since we were going to be out of town around Christmas, we did gift opening at our house the weekend before. Luke was a little cranky but Matt and I did our best to show warm him up for the big events to come later in the week!

Mastering the art of the unwrap.

I was ORDERED to not take pictures. Tough luck kid.

Luke yelling in Rocco's face.

Rocco returning the favor?

A MICROWAVE from Bernadette, Jon, Ella & Will! We now must microwave everything!

A Boy and His Very Small, Sissy Dog.

Luke is terrified of all dogs except ours (and maybe my parents dogs who are my dogs siblings). And he's not only not scared of ours but loves to throw their ball for them, harass and boss them around. Go figure.

Actually, I know the fear is probably because of his poor vision and that he knows what to expect of Lola and Rocco whereas other dogs are strangers and he doesn't trust them. Fair enough. I'm sure he'll grow out of it.

So my newest our dogs/Luke struggle (usually it's just "Luke- don't push Rocco" or "Luke- stop throwing the ball directly AT Lola") is he wants to sleep with Lola at nap time. While this is very cute, Lola usually uses Luke's nap time to do anything but sleep (freedom from the ball-throwing 3 year old!) so it's not an option. But Luke and I discuss/debate this in depth daily. And Lola makes matters worse by coming up on his bed and looking so sweet... I actually gave in the other day but then Lola BOLTED out of the room the moment I started to close Luke's door. Smart girl.

Very cute. Who could say no?

Who can resist this sweet little face? 8 years old and Lola still looks and acts like my feisty puppy.

Rocco on the floor in front of Luke's bed. Probably trying to figure out where the nearest bridge is so he can throw himself off of it (Rocco is VERY needy and cannot be left out). He's just a cuddly teddy bear of a dog.

I was informed that I had to take a picture of "just my face."

I can only imagine how nuts things are going to be when baby shows up in February (c-section scheduled for February 22 at 12:30pm!) We're so fortunate in that the dogs are very low maintenance (no shedding, don't require lots of walking, super sweet and loving) but still- they want a piece of mommy whenever they see I've got a free lap. Hard to believe I'm going to have 4 "babies"!