Elmo Rocks!!

We bought a TMX Elmo for Lucas for Christmas. He has played with it a little bit, but now he seems to be understanding this crazy toy and how he works. He knows that if you tickle his belly, he will fall on the floor, move his arm and legs, and laugh. It's a cute toy - and Lucas LOVES all of his Elmos - all 4 or 5 of them! Hi! I'm Lucas. Nice to meet you Elmo! I love your show on Sesame Street!
I just tickle his belly and he will laugh!!
Mommy, is Elmo okay? Though he knows Elmo does this each time, he still wonders if Elmo is okay or if he should pick him up.
Oh, I LOVE you Elmo. You are so funny!
Bye, bye Elmo. I will see you soon once Daddy changes your batteries!

Here is Lucas 'talking' on his little play cell phone. He hits the buttons, holds it up to his ear and 'babbles' to whomever is on the other end. It is usually 'Da' aka Daddy that he is talking to but other times, it is whoever we mention when we are talking to him. It is so funny to watch him as he 'talks' because he mimics Scott and I when we are on the phone.

Hello! This is Lucas. How are you?

Well, I've got some news I just HAVE to tell you about! I am learning sooo many new things - I am simply amazing! Oh, hold on, Mommy is taking ANOTHER picture of me! Goodness, I don't get a moments peace around here!

BIG NEWS

BIG NEWS: Lucas is officially walking (as of yesterday)!!! He was walking here and there (3 to 5 steps at a time) for the past 4 weeks or so, but yesterday, he took his first BIG walk. He took about 20-30 steps unassisted (I was too excited watching him to count) last night!! And now, that's all he wants to do!! He has crawled a little bit today, but now that he is getting more confident, he is starting to walk everywhere!! It is so hard to believe how much he is changing - he is getting a lot more talkative (basically babbling and trying to form words), walking, eating bigger pieces of food and drinking from a regular cup with a straw (he also is an old pro at drinking from a sippy cup too)!! Where has my baby boy gone?!?!?! I am sooo excited for him and the accomplishments he has made! What a terrific time for him - a whole new world is opening up for him full of adventures!!

Fun at the Mall

While Grandma and Cha-cha (new name for Aunt A.) ran an errand, me and Mommy hung out at the Mall. We walked around, shopped a little and then met Grandma and Cha-cha later. While walking around, I spotted these cool vehicles - I wanted to ride on one so Mommy put me in the Mickey Mouse car because it looked the safest - she's no fun - I wanted to ride on the Nascar!
WooHoo! Look at me! I am driving Mickey around. Where to next Mickey?
No Mommy, I don't want to go!! Me and Mickey are having fun! You go and just pick me up later! Mommy didn't listen to me and I didn't like that at all! I got back in the stroller and did some more window shopping with Mommy. We did stop back by to visit Mickey and ride on his car again so Grandma and Cha-cha could see how good of a driver I am!

Take a little off the top

Since Lucas was going to get his picture taken, we decided to have his hair trimmed - just around the ears though - I just couldn't get all his hair cut - a hair cut to me marks the beginning of toddlerhood and the end of babyhood. Maybe soon I will have the courage to take him and get his hair cut but for now, we just trimmed around the ears. As you can see, he liked the 'apron' with the characters on it but once the scissors came out, he was Mr. Wiggleworm! Here is Lucas after getting a little trim. Oh, such a handsome baby boy!

Beach Baby

The day we arrived was the warmest day so we decided to run down to the beach to let Lucas put his feet in the sand and see the ocean. The water was still too cold so we didn't put his feet in it. He wasn't so sure about the sand! Grandma, I don't know about this whole 'sand' thing.

Okay, maybe I'll walk a little in it - maybe I'll end up liking sand.
Me and Uncle R. posing! Such handsome guys!

At the Airport

These were taken at the airport the day we left to visit family and friends in NC. We got to the airport early so we decided to let Lucas play with the Busy Beads for a while. He really enjoyed them and made the wait a little easier on Lucas.

Jungle Gym Dog

One of our dogs, Max, was in the house relaxing (which is not very common since they are primarily outside dogs) -- that is until Lucas decided Max was his own personal jungle gym! Max just layed there and could have cared less. He just LOVES Lucas - and Lucas loves him! Who needs a big old jungle gym when you've got Max!
Hold on Max, I am climbing over you to get to Mommy! I know I could go around but that isn't any fun! Mommy isn't sure this was as much fun for Max as it was for Lucas though.
Yay! I made it over Max! He is such a good dog - and is so wonderful and patient with Lucas!
I love you Max! Thank you for letting me climb all over you! Good boy!

13 Months, A Realization, and 26 Hours

Hi! Today Lucas is 13 months old!! We can't believe it! Where has the time gone? Yesterday, I had to take Lucas to the doctor and when we walked in, the receptionist (not the regular office manager who knows us) was at the front desk. I told her we did not have an appointment and that we were here just for the doctor to check Lucas' ear (he is on Amoxicillan - we were just a few days away from an ear infection but it was caught early) so, she calls to the back and lets Dr. W. know we are here and this is what she says (not word for word but you will get the idea): "Doctor, there is a lady and her little boy here to see you." Okay, maybe you didn't catch it but I did and I almost started to cry!! She said 'little boy', not 'baby' or 'baby boy'. I guess it was bound to happen sooner or later but I was just hoping for later. He is changing from a baby to a little boy right before our eyes! It is amazing!! But no matter how big he gets or how old he gets, he will always be Mommy's Baby Boy!

And in about 26 hours, my 'little boy' and I will be landing in NC to visit Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle R., Aunt A., Uncle B., Dog-Aunt Harley, and tons of friends. We are so excited. Scott/Daddy is staying home because he has to work and will be very busy this week but we will call him every day!! Hopefully it will be warm enough to take Lucas to the beach to play in the sand (not in the ocean though since it is still way too cold). We are planning on 2 photo sessions (not counting all of the pics I will be taking), a 2nd 1st Birthday party for Lucas on Saturday, and just having a wonderful time!! Well, better get going - gotta pack my stuff now - Lucas' suitcase is all done except for some toys and a pair of jeans that are being washed right now. Have a wonderful, Blessed Easter and I will be sure to post pics from our travels when we get back.