Sweet Luke

Oh man, I am enjoying this little buddy. One is possibly my most favorite age. This guy is so happy. He has a great little sense of humor and his personality is showing more and more. Definitely fits right in with our clan. I just want to cuddle him all the time. Luke could not be any more perfect for this momma.

Lily

My little Lily girl is just such a burst of energy!  She is so busy! 
If I can keep up with her, we do just fine. 
If not, we end up with things like a whole bottle of fish food in the fish tank sort of days. 
But you know, she is such a joy to to have around.
She is chronically happy. 
She wakes up smiling and ready to go, talking all cute in her little voice saying, "Good morning mommy!"
She is happy go lucky.

 Exceptions are only when a sibling wrongs her or gets woken up from a nap.
Then, as we put it, she "Hulks out".
Or sometimes we say she "Released the Crackin."
I can't really describe in words what she sounds like.
I guess a loud, growly, scary voice is the best I can do.
She is pretty funny, even then.
After she calms down again, she is back to her silly, care free, happy self.

This girl loves bananas. 
Since they stay in the fruit basket where she can see them,
it is impossible to convince her that they are not free for the grazing.
I am up to buying 5 or 6 bunches a week.
No matter how many I buy, they never last more than 2 or 3 days.
She is half monkey that one.

She has also been known to get out of the house and take a leisurely stroll down the street.
As if it is just normal for a not quite 3 year old to take walks and visit with people along the way.
This has resulted in locks up high on doors, padlocked gate, and updated family rules on who is allowed to open the door or go outside in the front. 

Oh yeah, she is absolutely the polar opposite of shy. 
She talks to anyone like she has known them forever.
And also gets right in their personal space.

We have our first biter in the family.
It is NOT Lily.
She is usually the victim.
The other night she came crying to us.
She cried, "Carter bit my noders!"
After a few prodding questions we realized that noders=shoulders.
Poor little shoulder.

Whenever she poops, she comes up to me and says,
"Mom, I'ma poopy!"
Whenever she passes gas she laughs and says,
"Oh, I parted!"

When she gets an owie, she says,
"I need a damp!" (stamp)
When she must be taken out of the chapel she yells,
"Don't give me a time out!"

Peter was talking to her the other day and she informed him that she is not Lily.
She is Lily-the-baby-with-a-blanket!

Lily also has the best fake laugh ever. 
It is very forced sounding and is so funny.

Did I mention that she is happy? Like, really really HAPPY.
Like contagiously happy.
When I watch her at play,
I see the absolute pinnacle of childhood innocence. 
Not a care in the world and happy just to be alive.

 So grateful for Lily and her larger than life personality.
5th borns are hilarious!

  

How to not start eating more healthy

My heart is in the right place. 
Really, it is.

I have studied nutrition and found philosophies that
I completely agree with in the last couple of years.
It's basically the Word of Wisdom with all the fun scientific facts
and studies behind why it is so awesome.
I have some great books and tools to make it happen affordably.

I love going to Winco and filling my cart with tons of fresh fruit and veggies.
And with tons of whole grains and nuts from the bulk food.
Although, I don't love the extra time it takes to package and label it.
But when I think about what an amazing bulk sections my favorite grocery store has,
and how affordable it is.
Which really makes eating whole food doable.
I am okay with the extra few minutes it takes
and I am getting to know the area very well now.
And I love how I mostly stroll right through the meats, cheese and dairy without much to do with it.
Just one or two things we still can't give up.
Like cheddar and whole milk for little people.
And am grateful that I can pass up the $3+ per pound ground beef.
Knowing that we don't need it anymore.
I feel so triumphant as I check out with a cart full of wonderful healthy food.
Spending only about $100 a week for this bounty.
And get a little smug about how amazingly healthy I am
compared to all the processed food in ever single cart around me.

But don't let me fool you.
Because even with the best intentions
I get a little lazy.
Once you get this stuff home, you have to do something with it.
And the kids may not like it.
And they will complain to you unmercifully.
And you will know it is your fault for raising them on mac n cheese.
You will also notice that it is a lot more work than mac n cheese.
And a lot more dishes pile up than making mac n cheese.
And then it is soccer night twice a week.
Or whatever else seems to come up every night.
And you just stop wanting to fight the battle.
So you pick up a $5 pizza on the way.
Or stop for dollar burgers.
Or your weakness, Panda Express (I don't know why! This is a confession, okay?)

Then by the end of the week
My van is full of remnants of our guilty pleasures.
And about half of my healthy food that I was smug about at the store
remains in my cupboards.
And our fast food budget
that really should be $0 per month, but its not,
is totally blown.

So why is it that now that we eat healthier,
we eat more fast food than we ever have before?
It's a problem.
Covered in lame sauce.
The End.


 p.s. this is an insomnia at 4am rant

Luke Turns 1

Luke turned 1 on September 9th. The last month before his birthday he was very busy learning to walk and getting a few teeth all at once. We had a double birthday party with cousin Kara. We made Luke this fun owl cake(sorry the pictures are so bad):


Luke loved the candles and singing. He was just fascinated with everything going on. Lily helped Luke blow out the candles.

Then he got to attack his own little cupcake:



He was trying to eat the peach rings that were the eyes and I started to worry that he would choke so I stuck them in his bib pocked out of the way.  Mr. Smart E. Pants went right in after them and got them out!


That cupcake never had a chance.

Luke is a little mamma's boy.  I love it.  He likes to be held and cuddled.  I just have to squeeze him and kiss him and smell him all the time. Although when mommy starts to maul him too much, he wiggles away.  He loves to make eye contact and then give you a huge grin.  He also loves to be tickled. Although I think he laughs even more over the anticipation of being tickled.     He loves to interact with his siblings too. When they involve him in their play it is quite a treat for him.  Especially the favorite game at our house, Luke tag.  Peter chases the other kids around while holding Luke out and Luke giggles and kicks his legs.  Everyone just loves little Luke.  He definitely brings our family more unity.   Luke is exploring the world in full force these days.  He walks around playing with anything he can get his tiny hands on and putting everything in his mouth.  We have gated off half the house to try to help him learn a little at a time and keep him safe. 
 I can't believe my baby is already a year old.  He has been a joy to have in our life.  He is my little buddy and I must say, I love 1 year olds.  This is a great age.  We love our Lukey.