Luke three Years Old

This post should have been published months ago, I've just had a hard time finishing.  Every time I start looking back through photos, I get so emotional and can't imagine how my sweet little baby could already be three. Since the day he was born he has really just been the sweetest boy.  For so many years I had hoped to have a little one to call me mama, and he has been better than I even hoped or expected.  Before giving the update of where he is, I thought it was fun to see where we have been.

April, 2013, One Year Old

April, 2014, Two Years Old

Over the past year, from ages two to three, he has grown up so much.  He went from a toddler with still a lot of babyish features, to a full blown little boy.  I keep trying, but he won't let me call him baby anymore - he says he is now a big boy and that pretty soon he will be a man.  I thought it was fun to look through pictures over the last year and see how much he has changed and some of his milestones.  

May, 2014

*Loves to dress up....shoes, capes, goggles, etc.

*Luke got written up in daycare, he's never mean to other people's kids, just Ruby

*He did something naughty and was in trouble with me and knew it, he came over, unprovoked and gave me a big kiss

*Says octopus, yellow, bus wolf

June, 2014

*Language really starting to develop, he learned a lot more words - thank you, no thanks, George, blankie, all done.  He has also started to mimic a lot of words

*Can tell the difference between numbers and letters

*Went swimming at that pool and was surprisingly very timid, wanted to stay on the stairs and splash

*Will play independently with toys

July, 2014

*Tries to sing Sunbeam

*Teases Ruby

*Wasn't sure what to think about the parades

*Getting good at riding his "motorcycle" and loves to go to the park

August, 2014

*Finally got a big boy haircut - thanks Jarin
*Surprisingly, loved swimming in the lake - he actually likes a life jacket

September, 2014

*Began his obsession with bandaids

*Learning to be silly

October, 2014

*Says Oh Darnit and No No Ruby

*Sleeps with at lest 5 blankies and 10 stuffed  animal friends

*Learned and loves "You have 5 seconds to run"

*Starting to get the hang of Halloween

November, 2014

*When looking for anything, he tells me "dada hid it"

*Loves to play any type of whistle

*Sings Happy Birthday

December, 2014

*Loves the Christmas decorations

*Says "Santa brings toys and presents", C'mon Ruby Girl"

*Has started negotiating to get what he wants

*Was excited to see Santa and sit and his lap, told me that Santa was his friend

*Sings Jingle Bells and Mary Had a Little Lamb

January, 2015

*Loves to do art projects

*Wore his mittens almost all month long

*When he isn't teasing, takes really good care of Ruby

February, 2015

*Learning to say the prayer.  After one prayer, he said, "That was awesome mama"

*Loves going to the dinosaur museum

March, 2015

*Fully obsessed with Superman, Spiderman, Batman

*Loves to tell me about his day and where they went

*Looks at everyone's eyes and says what color they have - he likes that Luke and mama have brown eyes

*Working on potty training

*First time riding a horse

April, 2015

*Fully potty trained

*Talks non stop

*Likes to sing songs but doesn't like me to sing along

*Loves the tub - is pretty good about only doing little splashed while swimming

And just like that...

Luke was Three

The past year has brought day after day of new experiences and constant amazement.  I have absolutely loved watching him grow, and learn and experience the world.  Watching his language develop has been especially fun since it has shown us even more of his personality.  We were watching old movies and remembering that at two, Luke said a few words and mostly got what he wanted by pointing and grunting.  He didn't seem particularly interested in talking and I sometime worried a little whether there was a problem with his speech.  Everyone told me that he would speak on his own time, and that has definitely been true.  He now talks, and talks, and talks. He tells me stories, teases, sings songs, yells, whispers, and in every way has found his voice.  He doesn't like to be dirty and is quick to help me clean up which is great.  Luke knows that he is his mama's best boy and really is just so loving to me.  He adores his dada and wants to see him first thing when he gets up in the morning.  And Ruby - they fight, and play, and tease, and laugh, and play so more, I don't see that changing no matter how old he gets. 

These may be my favorite shots that Jami has ever done,

Brilliant!

September - So Far - 2015

September is Tim's favorite month - he loves everything about it - so we have really been trying to take advantage of these last few days of summer and spending time together.

The babies played outside with Katelyn, their favorite was the bubbles and sidewalk chalk.  You can't see it very well, but there is a drawing next to Luke's foot that he said was "mama's broken arm"

We had the best afternoon in the park.  We ate a McDonalds picnic lunch, made new  friends on the playground and fed the ducks.

Date night to the BYU football game.  I got the tickets for Tim's birthday and didn't realize the game would be late on a Saturday night.  It was a bit of a scramble to find a babysitter but thanks to my great parents we were able to go have a great time at the game.  It had been a long time since we had been out alone together and we really had so much fun.  And an added bonus, BYU won!

The kids love Sunday nights in Santaquin, especially time with the cousins.  A few weeks ago Miles was super patient and tried teaching the babies to play "Sorry".

Tim enjoying some well deserved alone time down by the lake.

And so not so alone time in the jeep.  

Luke continues to think that pre-school and Miss Nikki are the greatest things ever.  I love seeing how excited he gets to show me what he made and tell me what he learned.  This week it was the letter A, which included apples and drinking applesauce like an astronaut.   

We had a great time at the BYU women's soccer game.  It was fun to know someone on the team and by the end I had the kids chanting "Go Paigey Go" and BYU Cougars.  

There was that awkward moment when Ruby puked everywhere, but otherwise, the night was so fun.

ERIKA TURNED 18!!!!!

Yes, that definitely called for all caps and multiple exclamation points.  She was so young when we first met and I have loved seeing her grow and develop into such an amazing person.  I am impressed with her drive and motivation and admire how hard she tries to be kind to everyone she meets.  She is really such a joy to be around and our family is so lucky to have her.  We were all excited to celebrate a night early with a birthday dinner, the fact that she chose a mexican restaurant was just a bonus.  

What better way to celebrate your 18th birthday than by jumping out of an airplane???  Sounds pretty great, right?  Erika and Clark definitely have the mentality of "go big or go home", and know how to plan a great birthday.  I couldn't believe they weren't nervous, but really, how could they be anything but excited.

After skydiving, everyone explored a Fall festival. 

While the boys went to Ogden, Ruby and I had our own little date to the Chalk the Block festival here in Provo.  It was so amazing the works of art that were created.  I loved a chance to appreciate the art, Ruby mostly just loved being outside, but together we had a great afternoon.