Mommy's BIG Day

Yesterday Jeff and I had our first night away since Baby Lucas was born. It was my 30th birthday. We celebrated my birthday, and our first year as being parents, by going to The Siena Hotel in Chapel Hill. We got there a few hours before our dinner reservations, so I was able to spend a whole hour getting ready. I dusted off make-up tools like my eyebrow brush, which haven't been used in a year. It was fun to get dressed up and primp a little bit. The evening was a lot of fun and we didn't miss Lucas TOO much. Sandy called us after she got him to sleep so that we could relax. She said that he was just fine and didn't cry or really seem like he missed us that much. He kept her awake from 12-2am, but they just played and it wasn't a big deal. She even gave him two bottles of milk (he's never really taken bottles). Whew! It is possible to have a little time with my husband every now and then. Thanks Sandy :-)

Lucas's BIG Day

Lucas's birthday (yesterday) was a fun and special day. Sandy (Jeff's Mom) flew in around noon, so Jeff and I took the afternoon off. We explored around downtown Raleigh and found a new park (Roanoke Park). Most of the toys were sitting in sand, so Lucas had a really fun time playing. This park has tons of toys that people donate, so there were lots of little slides, tunnels, shovels, etc for Lucas to explore. Here are some pics...

Daddy pushing Lucas on the swing...

Lucas with sand in his hair...

Lucas with SaSa

"Hey Mom, check me out!"

After the park we took Lucas and Tyson for a ride in Lucas's wagon that we gave him for his birthday....

Then Lucas opened his first birthday present. Listening to Jeff read his card to him...

Opening the gift...

Playing with the gift that SaSa got him....

Happy 1st Birthday Lucas!

Dear Lucas Bryant,

Happy 1st birthday to you!

Park Visit

After work today Sophie (our nanny's 3yr old daughter that comes over with her) asked if we could all go to the park. Kristen and I said that we'd take she and Lucas to the park, but Sophie insisted that Mr. Chef also join us. She ran upstairs to ask him if he was done working and if he could go with us. I think Jeff made her day by saying yes :-)

Lucas with his nanny, Miss Kristen

Can you find Jeff (Mr. Chef) in this picture? He had taken Tyson on the playset to get in the shade. These kids climbed up there and talked to him for 20 min. They were asking him tons of questions about the neighborhood because they will be moving here soon. I walked up just as Jeff was saying to the little boy, "Don't go around saying you can speak Turkish when you can only say one word." They followed him around for the next 1/2 hour, so they must not have minded the criticism...

1 Year Ago Today...

...we were in labor! I cannot believe that one whole year has gone by since that day that I remember so vividly. I've been a little emotional all week about Lucas turning one. It's not that I want to go back to him being a newborn, it's just that this year has gone by so fast and I'm afraid that if I blink he'll not be my baby anymore. I know, so cliche, but it really is true. Luckily Lucas is very attached and is suffering from what I think is separation anxiety, so he's happy to be in my arms as much as possible.

I told a friend yesterday that in one year from now we'll look back and not believe they are two, so I'm trying to live in the moment and enjoy every second that I have with Lucas today.

Here is my favorite picture of Lucas. It was the first time that I held him...

Lucas's New Fav Food

The other day I was cooking dinner and needed for Lucas to be distracted for a second, so I left the fridge door open for him. Before I knew it he had opened the produce drawer, selected an apple for himself, and taken a few bites! After enjoying these bites he threw the apple back in the drawer. Check out how cute these little baby bites are...

I didn't think he should eat the skin, so I peeled it for him and set him up in his high chair. Check out this guy eating an apple like a big boy!

Smooth Moves

Here is Lucas dancing to his favorite song (the song that we sing at the beginning of Kindermusik class). Unfortunately, it looks like he has my rhythm...

Fake Laugh

Lucas has a new fake laugh that is hilarious. When he does it we both end up belly laughing. At first I thought that his little baby giggle was turning into a big boy laugh, but then I figured out that he was just copying us. He's so silly!

2 and a 1/2 Feet Tall

Snaggle Toofies

Lucas has the cutest snaggle teeth I've ever seen :-)

"Hi Dad - enough with the pictures...let's go take a bath and clean this dinner off my face!"

A New Park

A couple of weeks ago we finally got a video camera (we used the video option on our digital camera before). I am struggling with when to use which camera, plus I haven't taken the time to figure out how to get the videos onto the computer, so that's the reason for the lack of blog entries lately. I have tons of video if I can get around to uploading them!

This weekend Lucas checked out a new park with his buddy Charles. Pullen Park in downtown Raleigh is awesome. It has an amusement park feel because it has a carousel (that has been there since 1912), a train ride, and a little boat ride for toddlers.

Lucas and Daddy chose an ostrich instead of a horsey...

Lucas is looking more and more like a little boy...

After the carousel we relaxed in the park while Charles and Lucas tried to figure out how the wagon was put together...

Little buddies...

Even Tyson enjoyed the park!

Oops...

Life suddenly got really busy. I hate going a week without posting. I've caught up a little bit below...

Social Lucas

Lucas had a busy Saturday. He was so excited about the day's events that he started the day at 5am. I was worried because this made him due for a nap at 9am, right when swim class started, but luckily he took a 5 min cat nap on the drive over. As soon as I handed Lucas to Jeff so that they could get into the pool, Lucas started grinning. In class this week Lucas practiced "floating" on his back and blowing bubbles into the water (a little advanced for a 1yr old).

Not too sure about trusting dad...

Smiling at dad...

Kicking and splashing...

Charles and Lucas reaching and pulling for their toy...

Happy Birthday Charles!

After his morning nap Lucas headed off to Charles's 1st birthday party. It was a party for Charles's family, but he also invited his buddies Christopher and Lucas. The boys had a good time playing together. Lucas played well, but many times had to quickly crawl back to me to touch me and make sure I was still in the room. Here is a picture of Lucas and Charles playing with a toy, the boys with their mommies, and Lucas pooped out after the party (notice that he's clutching the gift bag that he got from the party)....

Bathtime Fun

Sophie decided she wanted to take a bath with Lucas...

She's such a helper - here she is washing Lucas's hair...

Look at my bottom teeth!

Not an accident...

Lucas Bryant started walking today! We are calling it official since he took 8 whole steps in a row.

After work we were sitting around in the family room and Lucas took 3 steps between pieces of furniture. After the first step he lost his balance and caught himself by putting his hands on the floor in front of him. Then he stood up and took the next 2 steps. We knew then that he knew what he was doing. A few minutes later he was standing up and so I told him to "come to mama". That is when he took 8 little steps toward me. He was so proud of himself.

Here is a video of Lucas's first day of walking. On most of his attempts today he would only get 2 or 3 steps in before falling.