11 months, taken on 10-20-11. What a happy kid!

I just learned how to walk this week (took 8 steps on October 17th) and practicing on my running now.  I’m almost a pro.  Mommy and Daddy keep telling me to slow down.  What the heck is that about??  Anyway, I love to walk.  I’m able to explore so much more now.  I have so much fun.  I still crawl (I like to crawl on all fours with my butt up in the air!!), but walking is so much fun!!

Check out the video on YouTube:     (hopefully it works)

I also have 6 teeth now!!!  I have 4 on the bottom and 2 on top, right up front.  It makes it fun to eat solids now!  I’m still a good eater, and like almost everything yet, even prunes!    I’m eating alot of real foods now, instead of the baby jar foods.  I like Cherrios, yogurt, apple sauce, chicken, mashed potatoes, and more.

I’m still sleeping through the night, but some nights I like to spend time with mommy earlier and wake her up!!!  I don’t think she likes it so much, but I miss her and want to snuggle.  She gets up and we snuggle!  Or, she just tries to put the pacifier back in my mouth.  That sometimes works, but not always!  So, it’s hit and miss, but most nights I sleep until 4:30/5:00ish.  I eat, and then go back to bed until 7:30/8:00ish.  I still (usually) take a morning nap around 10:30 and an afternoon nap (varies).  I also have refused the bottle during the day and only usually take the night time bottle and early morning bottle.  That is usually about it.  I think Mommy likes that because she gets a break from washing bottles every day!!!  I’m still learning to use that other cup, I’ve heard it’s called a sippy cup, but I’m having a difficult time getting used to it.  I forget to put my head back.

Lets see, what else??  I love spending time with Daddy during the day, and so happy when Mommy comes home.  I’m really sad, because she isn’t able to work from home on Thursdays anymore (staring November 15th), and I’m really going to miss her.  I look forward to Thursdays.  She’s sad, too.  Daddy keeps telling Mommy that I don’t cry much during the day with him.  I like to save that for when Mommy gets home.  I’m experiencing (from what I’ve been told) Separation Anxiety with Mommy.  She tends to leave me more by myself than Daddy does.  Apparently, when she needs to go to the bathroom, she needs to go!!  Something about a baby pressing on a bladder.  Baby??  What baby??  I tell her “I’m already out mom!!”  She’s silly!!  She laughs and tells me that I’m going to be a big brother.  I’m not sure I like the idea yet.  Anyway, mom also needs to do laundry, she says I need clean clothes.  I don’t know why, they don’t stay clean so why bother, right?    She always comes back to me, so that makes me happy!  I think it’s stressful on Mommy when I cry when she’s gone, but gosh, I just miss her and want her to come back.

I like to read books with Mommy, too.  I get a new book in the mail (in my name!!!) every month.  Mommy is just as excited when I get a new book as I am!  It’s through Imagination Library, so cool!!!

I think that’s about it.

Later Gators!!!

XOXO,

Lucas

Another couple of videos (if they work)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zV01izDv0zQ  (Lucas helping with his laundry, 8-22-11)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thB0mxH2YVg  (Lucas was chasing after a light that often times you play with a cat so they can chase it!!  Recorded on 8-28-11)

25 weeks, taken on 9-23-11

(I included a picture I already posted in a previous blog so you can see the comparison in how big the baby grew in 1 month!  OH MY GOSH!!!)

I can’t believe that in 2 months, we will have another beautiful addition to our family!  Due date is January 4th, but the doctor agreed (hopefully she’s keeping her end end of the deal) for me to be induced on December 28th, a week before my due date.  I’m hoping to not have another 10 lbs baby; Steve is hoping to get a tax deduction for 2011!  I’m really excited, not only because we will have another baby, but because my mom, brother, and sister are planning to come a few days earlier, spend Christmas with us, and will be here for the

birth of the baby, and will be staying a few days later!!!

29 weeks 10-21-11

I’m really stressed out, however, thinking on how we are going to handle everything.  I know we will figure it out, but it’s very stressful thinking about it.  Work has agreed for 8 weeks maternity leave, so excited about that, although I was hoping for 12 weeks.  Steve really needs to get through tax season, and when I need to go back, that is when he’s going to be the busiest.  We’ll see how that works.  As of November 15th, I lost my ability to work from home.  I just found out this week, so I’m pretty sad about that.  Work just needs me to be more available to schedule volunteer and child interviews.  I’m hoping to still work from home Tuesday mornings (if Steve has an appointment), so that is being discussed.

As for how I’m feeling, I’m in pain.  I have back pain and a pinched nerve in my lower back.  I’m not swollen like I was with Lucas, which I’m so excited about!  I can still wear my wedding ring and able to wear my dress boots (as opposed to another size up flats), which I’m soooo excited about!  Hopefully I won’t get swollen like I did with Lucas.

Oh yeah, and I passed my 1-hour glucose test!!  YAY me!    I was so psyched that I don’t have gestational diabetes and I don’t have to do the 3-hour glucose test! 

Overall, this pregnancy is going well.  I’m so excited to meet this baby and give baby lots of hugs and kisses!  Baby is very active, likes to kick and punch me, just like Lucas did.  We’re gonna have another active one on our hands!!!

So, Lucas is 10 days into his 10 month mark.  He weighs 25 lbs and is doing amazing.  He has 4 teeth now, all on the bottom, all in a row, all in the front!  He’s waving, crawling up the stairs, and can stand without holding onto anything for a few seconds.  A few nights ago, he slept 7 hours without waking up to eat and the next night 8 hours!!  YAY Lucas!!!  I have been waiting so long for that to happen.  Last night was a good night, too.  The trick (maybe) is feeding him oatmeal and yogurt at 9:00 pm and a 7 oz bottle at 9:30 and then bed.  He doesn’t always nap during the day, so that may play a role in his sleeping through the night.  Lucas laughs all the time, loves to flirt, and loves when people give him attention.  I love this little guy so much.

Lucas wearing his first actual pair of PJ's, taken on 9-19-11. He loves his Spongebob PJ's...you can see his smile!

Lucas and I took a vacation to Michigan end of August/September 2011.  We had a wonderful time!  Lucas and I stayed with Lucas’ Uncle Justin.  We relaxed, played, visited family and friends, went to the park, went to dinner…it was a wonderful vacation.  I don’t have many pictures to post yet, because I’m still waiting for Uncle Justin to send them, but will post when I get them!!

Lucas having fun with Grandma, 9-2-11

In three months, I will be having another baby!!  I’m 26 weeks along (6 months) and overall doing pretty good.  I’m starting to have back problems, just very sore.  I occasionally have a pinched nerve or something in my back/legs.  It doesn’t help that I have a 25 lbs baby that I have to pick up and carry.  I am having heart burn again….I wonder if this baby will have lots of hair like Lucas did!  I had heart burn with him, too.  The baby is a kicker and a mover…we’ll have another active one on our hands!  I absolutely love feeling the kicks (baby actually just started kicking when I started to write this paragraph!!!).  I do have occasional freak outs with how we are going to handle two young babies at the end of the year, but we will figure it out, I’m sure.  We have to, we have no choice!!  haha.  I have faith in both Steve and I!  Because it’s going to be a scheduled induction this time (that is the plan right now anyway), my mom, brother and sister are going to be here for Christmas and for the birth of the baby!!!  I’m so excited about that!!

I feel bad that I haven’t been taken pictures of my belly/baby like I did with Lucas.  But here are a few.

Me with my babies (20 weeks), taken on 8-19-11

25 weeks, taken on 9-23-11

What has Lucas been up to?  So much has changed since the last time I blogged.  He hasn’t mastered the art of walking yet, like I talked about last time!  He has learned to crawl and crawls ALL over the place!  Army style crawling, of course.  He hasn’t figured out how to crawl on all 4’s and I don’t think he will.  He gets around just fine this way.  Since he’s learned how to crawl, he’s gotten lazy with his “walking” when we hold his arms/hands, but we keep trying.  He can sit on his own, of course, and doesn’t fall over anymore.  Within a month, he has learned how to pull himself up into a standing position with the coffee table and couch/chair.  Lucas and I visited Grandma and Grandpa Bamberg & Aunt Dawn in Albuquerque, NM July 2^nd until the 10^th, and Aunt Dawn had a little ledge in her home where Lucas spent a lot of time at.  It was a shorter than what a coffee table is.  At the end of our vacation, he started pulling himself into a standing position on the couch.  Now, he does it all the time…and boy is he so proud of himself!

Lucas' Ledge!

If the coffee table and couch are near each other, he can go back and forth from each one.  He has so much fun doing that.  Words??  He started saying babababa and mamamama…close to mama but he wouldn’t stop at 2 ma’s!  He finally did that a week and ½ ago!  YAY!!!  He seems to say mamom all the time now.  I’m not sure if that is what he’s actually saying, but I think he’s saying “mama”!  Another cool thing that he started doing when we were on vacation was to stick out his arms for me to pick him up.  My grandma was holding Lucas and I walked by.  He stuck out his arms for me to hold him.  It was so precious!  He does it all the time now, with both Steve and I!! He also has 2 front teeth in on the bottom, and getting a third one in, right next to the two that is already there!!!!!  He’s been a bit crabby, but not too bad.  He’s also not feeling well, dealing with a cold.  Poor thing.   I don’t like it when he doesn’t feel good.  Oh yeah, Steve heard him say dada today!!

Vacations galore!!!  Lucas’ Uncle Justin came for a visit the Thursday of Memorial Day weekend!!  We had a great time…we relaxed, went to Munsinger Gardens and took lots and lots of pictures, and went to the cabin/lake for a day.  Uncle Justin had fun spending time with his favorite Lucas!!  I had a great time visiting with my brother, too.

Lucas & Uncle Justin enjoying some sun!

Lucas and Mommy

Our precious family!!

"Having fun with my friends!!"

Our next vacation was going to Albuquerque, NM.  Lucas and I went to visit Aunt Dawn and (Great) Grandma and Grandpa Bamberg and left MN on July 2^nd and returned on the 10^th.  This was the first time Grandpa saw Lucas…I think he was a bit shocked with how big Lucas was!!!  He had a great time playing with him, getting on the floor and even putting his legs in Lucas’ kiddie pool when Lucas was in it!!  Our biggest adventure was going to the zoo one day and a big aquarium another day.  We were all troopers the day we went to the zoo.  It was like 120 degrees out and no breeze!!  Ok, maybe it wasn’t that hot, but it sure felt like it.  Lucas and I fed a giraffe…that was a lot of fun!!  The giraffe’s tongue just curled right up when he got his food!

Feeding the giraffe at the zoo

We saw the elephants, flamingoes, sea lions, and much, much more.  The aquarium was very neat.  I think Lucas enjoyed that one a little more because he was able to get right up to the glass to see the fish.  We saw all different kinds of fish, stingrays, jelly fish, sharks, and other sea urchins.  It was pretty awesome!!

Spending time by the pool

We spent the evenings in Lucas’ kiddie pool, just cooling off.

What a look!!!

Grandma must have said something funny!!

Lucas made a friend.  His name is Doc!  That is Aunt Dawn’s yellow lab.  Lucas and Doc became fast friends and liked to play together.  Lucas sure got a lot of baths from Doc!!!

Lucas & Doc

Another favorite thing Lucas did was play with Aunt Dawn’s DVD’s.  He would pull himself up on the ledge in the living room (where he practiced his pulling himself up and sitting down technique) and played with all of her DVD’s.  It was a good vacation.

Our next vacation is coming up on August 25^th.  Lucas and I leave for Michigan and will be gone until September 5^th.

Lucas made an announcement on June 13^th…

"I'm Gonna Be A Big Brother!!!"

The due date is January 4^th, but the doctor said I can be induced a week before my due date, which makes it December 28^th (unless baby wants to make his/her arrival before that date).  Getting the 2011 tax deduction will be nice, too!!   My morning sickness with this one has been better.  I didn’t get sick as often as I was with Lucas, considering I would get sick every morning and evening/night with Lucas.  However, my feeling “blah” and “icky” seems to be lasting longer than it did with Lucas.  I wonder if it’s a girl???  Hmmm….time will tell!  I’m tired a lot, but I can’t take naps when I want to as I did when I was pregnant with Lucas.  I still have to be mom.  This pregnancy sure is different this time around!!  I also started to show a lot quicker than I did with Lucas.  But again, I got pregnant 4 months after Lucas was born!!  As I say to Lucas, “Holy Moly”!!  I started show when I was about 12 weeks pregnant (took me 15 weeks with Lucas).  20 week ultrasound is August 18^th.

18 1/2 weeks along

Hmmm….well, I think that is probably it for now.  Talk to you “soon”.

As before, cut and paste this and it will take you directly to YouTube. Don’t include what is in parentheses!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnEMXdiQCpg (Rolie Polie Olie)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7rnAZo_5Fc (walking to Mommy on Mother’s Day!!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BS7a8BoEo0o  (Lucas playing & talking)

Lucas has his 6 month check up next Thursday!  I weighed him a few days ago, and he weighed 23 lbs!!!  Boy, this kid is growing!  He seems to be enjoying all of his solids…we have oatmeal and rice, carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, green beans, bananas, peaches, apples.  He’s a good eater!!  He rolls over CONSTANTLY…back to tummy back to tummy and so on….Today, I had him on a blanket in the living room and I left the room for a short minute (if that) and he was under the coffee table when I got back.  Yesterday, I read in my baby blog that I get each week from BabyCenter that he should start (soon) putting a toy in one hand and then transferring it to the other hand.  He did that today!!  I was dressing him and he was holding a toy in one hand.  I put the other arm in the shirt, and when I was ready to put the other arm in (the hand he was holding the toy with), he transferred the toy to the other hand so I can put that arm inside the shirt!  Impressive!!  I don’t believe I have seen him do this before (unless I haven’t been paying attention).  He also walks beautifully, of course with us holding his arms!!  He’s going to walk before he learns how to crawl.  He still can’t seem to get his arms up (and his face off the floor)!!  We are still working on his sitting unsupported…not there yet.

Justin is coming for a visit in two weeks from today!!  We have booked my flight to Albuquerque over 4th of July!  And I’m planning on going to MI in August.  At the end of July, I’m going to a concert with some friends (Journey, Foreigner, and Night Ranger)!!  What a busy, but fun filled summer!!!! 

Ok, this is longer than I intended…I have to get to bed now.  Goodnight!  Love you all!!

Bethany

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Awww….Thank you, Lucas!!!!  Mommy loves you, too! 

Dear Lucas: I’ve carried you within my body. Slept with you on my chest. I’ve kissed boo boos. I’ve been spit up on, peed on (I can’t even count how many times), pooped on and spent sleepless nights in the rocking chair, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m so proud to be your Mommy. I love you, Lucas, with all my heart.  I had the best FIRST Mother’s Day a mommy can ask for!  Thank you for making it the best, Love.

Love Always,

Mommy

I Love You, Lucas

I LOVE kissing those cheeks!

I love when you hold my hand!

I LOVE snuggle time!!

First Mother's Day, 5/8/11

First Mother's Day

You can cut and paste and then watch!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeKGEu0OmdM (Me rolling over from back to tummy…looking at me grab for my toys!!; recorded on 4-15-11)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faIYR7CVOqg (me playing…don’t worry, Mommy didn’t keep the blanket over my face!; recorded on 4-14-11)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDta8rleGNo (the kitties and I…I LOVE to watch the kitties…and play with them…and pet them…they are so soft!!; recorded on 4-17-11).

Handsome Like My Daddy!! (taken on 4-17-11)

Okay, I’ll tell you!  I weigh 19 lbs, 7 oz (95th percentile…shocker, huh??!!), 27 inches long (95th percentile…with how tall daddy is, does that surprise you??), and my head is 17 inches (only 70th percentile, but the doctor said that’s average/normal).  I got some more shots, and did really well, only cried some.  Mommy on the other hand did wonderful this time.  She didn’t cry at all.  She was still sad, though.  She doesn’t like to see me hurt.  The doctor said I’m looking good, and a healthy BIG boy!!  She was REALLY surprised on how strong I am.  She almost dropped me because I like to fling myself backwards.  She caught me, though!  She says I’m doing well.  She said I can start eating single grain oatmeal now twice a day and a fruit in the AM, veggie in the PM and 20 oz of formula.  I’m ready to tackle all of that!!  I rolled over when I was at the doctors!  The nurse saw it.  She was proud of me!

I’m playing with my toys more and more and can grab and pick up off the floor!!  Everything still is going in the mouth.  I also like to chew on fingers.  One day, I was eating on daddy’s finger like people eat corn on the cob…back and forth, back and forth!!  I like to arch my back (and then twist it somehow) when I’m playing on the floor, which gets me to go on my side.  On Monday, Mommy put me on the floor on my back.  She went downstairs for just a few minutes and came back upstairs and guess what position I was in??  I was on my tummy!!!!  AND Mommy missed it!!  She was so happy for me, but a little sad that she missed it.  She likes to do “Rollie Pollie Ollie” with me (that’s what she calls it).  She likes to take my feet and flip me from side to side and eventually rolls me over.  I laugh!  Since Monday, I continued to roll over throughout the week.  I was rolling over alot on Wednesday, but Mommy still didn’t see me.  She was excited to work from home on Thursday so she could catch me.  Awwww…I fooled her.  I rolled over like 8 times, but it was when she wasn’t looking!!!  She caught me on Friday though…FINALLY!!!  I roll over like there is no tomorrow now.  I can only do it from my back to my tummy though.  Still need to work on tummy to back.

CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO…all you have to do is cut and paste and it will take you directly to the video:  (This is the rolling over video from 2-8-11…I know it’s old.  Mommy still has to upload the video from this past rolling over video (she recorded me on 4-15-11.  Will do that this coming up week.  Check back soon).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4N3y67kE00
I can stand on the floor by leaning against the couch.  I do really really really good and I keep myself up for a few minutes without falling!!!  I’m going to be walking soon!!!  Also, I can “scoot” myself on the floor by pushing on the floor with my foot.  Can’t seem to get my head off the ground though.  But I can move a little bit!

I ate carrots this past weekend for the first time, and bananas!!!  I wasn’t sure on the carrots and have this funny face every time I try it, but I eventually get used to the taste and eat it.  I liked the bananas.  Daddy has given me applesauce a few weeks ago.  I also had oatmeal yesterday for the first time, but I didn’t like that at all.  Mommy is going to “cool off” a bit with giving me solids, but slowly ease in to it.  She is having fun feeding me!!  When I was eating my rice this weekend, I had fun and grabbed the spoon, which got food all over my hands…AND then….I grabbed my toes.  It was a mess, but SO MUCH FUN!!!  I like to get messy!!  Mommy taught me to grab her finger instead of the spoon.  It’s not as messy that way.  But I guide the spoon into my mouth!!  YUM YUM!!!  I do that with the bottle, too!!  I know when it’s coming!!!  (Update:  I started writing this a few days ago….I had rice today, and I liked it!)

YUM YUM YUM, carrots on 4-10-11

CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO…all you have to do is cut and paste and it will take you directly to the video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nJzUi5g4nM

Hmmm…what else??  I’m still not sleeping through the night, but can sleep 5 hours before I am up again (usually between 1-2 am).  And then it seems to be another 4 hours before I wake up again.  During the day, I still eat about 3 hours.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE to giggle!!!  Mommy is trying and trying to record it, but once I see the camera, I’m mesmerized by it and stop giggling and just stare at it.  It frustrates Mommy a bit, but she will keep trying!!!

Ok, I think that’s about it for now.  Love you all!!! 

LuCaS

PS.  CHECK OUT THESE OTHER VIDEOS:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8Sj8eBcIQs (playing with Daddy)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9gP45C3czA (tummy time)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kocTTxFG6Vg (Lucas talking)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbPe8Xf9NM8 (sleeping and smiling…check out my facial expressions!!

My mouth hurts and I don’t know why.  I feel this jabbing feeling, like something is cutting my mouth.  Mommy said I’m teething.  I don’t really know what that means.  I’ve had these white things on my bottom gums since my last doctor’s appointment, which was January 20th.  Oh yeah, I don’t want to relive that day…that is the day I got those shots…the ones that made Mommy cry more than me.  I don’t like to see Mommy sad.  Anyway, back to this teething thing.  The doctor said that it’s either teeth coming in (must be something to do with that teething thing Mommy was talking about) or “pre-teething cysts”.  Mommy and Daddy feel a little more on my bumps on my gums.  I was a bit crabby today, so Mommy put some not so tasty stuff in my mouth.  I’m not sure what I think of the taste.  Mommy said it’s orajel and that it will make my mouth better.  I wasn’t too crabby after that.

EVERYTHING goes in my mouth right now.  Toys…and I especially LOVE my fingers.  I have even tried putting my entire hand in my mouth!!  I drool like crazy.  Maybe it has something to do with that “teething” thing again.

See...everything goes in the mouth!!

Mommy and I played alot today when I was on my tummy.  She would roll me over on my back, then back on my tummy, then back on my back, and so on.  She did it pretty easily, so maybe I can start doing it on my own soon.  The last time I rolled over on my own was February 8th, and I haven’t done it since then.  I have also put my knees on the ground and put my butt up in the air…does that mean I’m going to start crawling soon??  If that’s the case, then LOOK OUT, HERE I COME!!!!!!!!!!!!  haha…I’m so silly! 

Oh yeah, and I had my first experience with rice last night.  It was in the bottle, so I didn’t make a mess.  Mommy was hoping I would sleep longer.  HAHA…nope!  Was up at 3 hours from when I ate last.  Mommy and Daddy are going to try the rice in the bottle for a week, and then attempt at feeding me by a spoon.  Mommy is really trying to get me to sleep through the night.

Ok, it’s past my bedtime now, so I better end now and get to bed.  Love you all!!!!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

My side of the family came to visit right after Lucas was born…Lucas’ grandma and grandpa, Aunt Lesha, and Uncle Justin. We had a great time, although Steve and I were still getting to know our little one.  At times, it was a bit stressful, but it was nice wonderful having my mom there.  Justin stayed at our house and helped around the house, such as folding towels!  That was nice.  We all went to Steve’s mom and dad’s for Thanksgiving.    My family arrived on Wednesday and left on Sunday.  I was sad to see them leave.

Grandma enjoying cuddle time!

What a proud Uncle!

Aunt Lesha enjoying her nephew

A few weeks later, Lucas’ Great Grandma B and (great) Aunt Dawn came for a visit!!  It was nice having them here for a visit as well.  By the time they arrived, Steve and I were in a little more of a routine, and getting to know our little one more and more.  It wasn’t so new to us anymore, and we were figuring things out.  We even got to play some cards!  We went shopping, and had Christmas together.  Great Grandpa B didn’t come this time, but is planning on coming to visit this summer!  Lucas is excited to meet him!!    We took a 4 generation picture!!!! We had a great time, and was sad to see them leave as well.

Four Generations!!!

Great Grandma B having fun holding Lucas!

Christmas 2010

On December 18th, we attended the annual Theisen Christmas Party.  It was nice to see Steve’s side of the family and show off our little one!!    We had a wonderful 1st Christmas with Lucas, and looking forward to Christmas 2011!!

Theisen Christmas Party 2010 (date on picture is wrong). Lucas wearing his Santa outfit! Isn't he so cute????!!!!