Friday, September 14, 2012

Hi, I'm Luc

 The other day I was looking at Luc sitting in his chair, babbling about something, swinging his sippy cup around, and I thought how much his personality has come out since he was only a few months old.
When he was an infant, he really felt like an extension of me, in the physical sense. He didn't have much of his own mind about things, so whatever I did or didn't do was what he did or didn't do. But now he's becoming his own person. He has his own personality, likes, dislikes, and already has a vocal opinion. I no longer see Luc as physically attached to me (minus him clinging to my legs while I'm making dinner, wanting to be held). I see him as a little man. Sometimes, I look into his eyes and there is something familiar, like an old friend. Or maybe I really do see him as part of me and see my own eyes in his.

Luc is like me in that:
-he sleeps lightly
-loves to be in water
-prefers carbs over veggies, but veggies over fruit
-loves books
-loves to dance to music, or just dance in Mommy's arms
-would rather be barefoot, with a minimal amount of clothes on
-wants to know/see everything (he's in a pointing stage to touch whatever he sees)

Luc is like Frederic in that:
-he's angry if you wake him up in the morning
-gets frustrated when he can't do things the first time
-prefers to be a little risky
-loves being outside
-likes salty food more than sweets
-a car ride can put him to sleep anytime of the day
-stands in front of an open refrigerator looking for something to eat

Even though Luc isn't making any sense when he "talks", he does understand certain common words we say now, like:
-Snackie
-Bottle/Milk
-Book
-Outside
-Go get it (when I toy rolls away out of his reach)
-1, 2, 3... not in a discipline way (though he does understand NO). He hates having clothes pulled over his head, so when I'm undressing him and get to the head part, I say "1,2,.." and with"3!", pull it over his head quickly. Then he smiles since I made it a 'game'. Now when I start counting he smiles in anticipation of 3.
-Luc also responds to a variety of names: Luc, Lukey Luc, Monkey, Bébé

Monday, September 10, 2012

Clark's Elioak Farm

Frederic and I decided to take advantage of the nice Fall weather Sunday and take Luc to see some farm animals. And since Luc got in for free, what did we have to loose?
The Clark's Elioak Farm is a family-owned farm in Ellicott City, since 1797. The farm has been open with attractions, activities, and animals for 10 years. It's not even 10 minutes from our house. Lucky Luc!

At the Petting Farm, Luc got to see goats, sheep, a pig, a duck, an Emu, a donkey, a horse, rabbits, chickens, and a turkey.
Luc liked the horse and donkey the most. He stared at the donkey for a long time. Frederic fed the horse some grass, and Luc leaned over to pet his ears.

When Luc can walk on his own, and run, we think he'll enjoy the farm a lot and we can make it more of a full-day trip. Not being able to climb on the Enchanted forest stuff (slides, etc), go through the mazes, or old enough to ride the ponies or Cow Train made for a short trip.



Hi Donkey


I'm going to eat you Turkey for dinner! Let me at him!
Ohh, nice horsey






"Wweee," says Mommy. "Not so much," says Luc.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Toothey Pegs

One challenge in life as a parent is trying to get a good picture of your kid's first teeth. A good picture is a nice reward for weeks of getting through the teething, sleepless nights, and crankiness.
We were successful in getting a picture of the top two

(Also showing off in this picture, Luc's first little haircut)

Friday, August 31, 2012

Nine Fine Months

Luc's 9-months Stats:

Funny Face
Weight: 16 lbs 10 oz
Height: 28 inches
Teeth: 2 front bottom, 2 front top

The Good:

-gets excited when he sees a dog
-loves to play with water
-will crawl away from you then go belly flat on the floor and start laughing if you say "I'm gonna get you"
-will laugh uncontrollably, at anything, when he's over tired before bedtime (great way to end the day)
-likes to steal socks laying around and hold onto them while he crawls around the room
-thinks it's fun to play with belts
-enjoys turning almost anything into a drum
-says "baba" "dada" "mama" "heeyy" "hi" "ooOOo" "na na" "neh neh" (none on cue though)
    * "Dada" is used when he's happy and playful
    * "Momma" is used when he's hungry or something is wrong
    * "neh neh" is used when he's bored
-waves
-holds a toy in each hand and bangs them together
-plays Peek-a-Boo
-turns off, and now on, light switches
-prefers to feed himself finger foods, especially Cherrios
-laughs when someone blows their nose
-walks from one end of the couch to the other while holding on
-claps his hands
-starts to bobble his head and bounce when music starts
-points to objects he would like to touch
-has stood by himself for a second (not holding onto anything)
-nibbles on cracker-like food with his new front teeth, while holding it
-Favorite Pureed Foods: anything orange-colored (carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, apricots, squash); blueberry & applesauce

Luc's favorite pastime- on a walk on the trails

The Bad:

-hates naps (still)
-having his nose wiped
-almost never will play by himself
-easily tires of eating pureed food and wants only Cheerios
-climbs up the stairs
-Unfavorable Pureed Food Choices: chicken, bananas, peas



The Ugly:

-throws himself back and starts to cry when he doesn't want to go into his carseat or stroller
-has pinched Mommy's arm so hard it left a welt and bruise
-will cry so hard when he won't sleep that he throws up



Thursday, August 16, 2012

The Beach

Luc Loves the Beach!

Last week Frederic, Luc and I met up with my parents and brother at Long Beach Island, NJ. We left just before Luc's first morning nap, and he ended up sleeping for 2 hours. The last part of the trip I sat in the back of the car with him and kept him entertained. On the way home, it was the same thing. Luc did very well in the car. Whew! We were scared of having a crying baby in the backseat on the 4-hour drive.

Luc loved the beach, the sand, the water. On the walk to the beach everyday, Luc's mood changed and he started to get excited. He didn't squirm when his feet dug into the sand for the first time. -He actually wanted to go for walks on the hot sand. Mostly, Luc loved to walk along the shore with the waves crashing at his feet and stare at the ocean.  We bought him a floating vest and Frederic took him into the ocean one day, but when the wave splashed Luc in the face, he wasn't so happy. We also bought a tiny inflatable pool that Luc could splash in and play with his toys. Too keep him from being wet and damp all day, he would sit next to the pool to play. He ended up taking his toys out one by one and sucking on them since they were salty and dipping them back into the water when they no longer tasted like the ocean.

It was perfect timing that Luc's second and third tooth started to cut in midweek. By Thursday/Friday his second bottom tooth had pushed through. His first top tooth came in a few days after. So needless to say, he was cranky and crying. And sharing a room with his Mom and Dad, with no A/C, the teething, and sleeping in a small pack n play (Luc rolls around the whole crib in his sleep), Luc woke up about 5 times per night and was up super early. I can't really call this a vacation for Me, but what can you do?

Here are some pics from the week:
No shirt, no problem! Let's play the drums!
That was a long, hot walk, Mommy. I'm pooped.

Somehow sleeping like this is comfortable.
I like to climb up people.
Luc & Daddy
I'm now a Beach Bum
I wanna walk, Daddy. Let's go!
Luc's footprint in the sand.

Mommy & Luc playin in the lil pool

Yum, salty ocean water tastes so good.

Luc's afternoon beach nap, on Daddy









Friday, July 27, 2012

Water Baby

Did I mention Luc loves to play with the hose while I'm watering the plants?




Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Eight Great Months

I'm not sure exactly what Luc's measurements are right now. But he's wearing size 3 diapers and 6-9 month clothing.
Luc is moving full speed ahead--- he's crawling with his knees and moving along pretty fast. He can be outta your sites in a second.

Luc also:
-sits on his own from laying down, crawling, etc. which often means he cries when he sits up in his crib while asleep, and I have to lay him back down
-pulls himself up to standing by himself, and smiles wide every time he does it
-starting to walk, with the help of pushing his walker toy




















-beginning to take risks by letting go with one hand while standing. But then slowly easing his way down to sit on his butt. One time he even tried to take a step away to get another toy, but soon fell.
-eating finger foods. Luc loves American cheese, Puffs, Graham crackers, Cherrios, and Rice cakes
-would rather play with a bib in his hands while eating his bottle than hold his own bottle to feed himself
-learning the word 'No" and doesn't like it
-warming up to "strangers" faster
-loves splashing in the bath or kiddie pool
-crawls across the room to pet Cali, play with her paws, grab at her tags, or use her to stand up. Cali is a real trooper!
-loves to have books read to him; it instantly calms him down
-loves to be outdoors, go for walks
-has discovered it's fun to play with the hose while Mommy is watering the plants, and get himself and Mommy soaking wet
-enjoys 'climbing' up your stomach/chest to your shoulders while being held
-is perfecting pinching...Ouch! 


Luc is super ticklish. His 'spots' are his feet, belly-near his bottom ribs, under arms, and neck (like Mommy). Sometimes I lay down and have Luc on me and I start to tickle his neck by blowing raspberries, he starts to bury his head into my neck, which ends up tickling me, and we we're both laughing hysterically.

Luc is still easily frustrated. He loves to be held, and does not like to play by himself. Luc loves toys or electronics that light up and make noise, but will instantly let you know when he'd rather roll around on the couch and chase after a pacifier instead.

It's still hard to get Luc to sleep for long. His average nap is 30-45 minutes. He sleeps at night from ~7:45pm to 5:30-6am. He's still waking up a few times in the night because he'll roll over to his stomach, and when it wakes him up and remembers he doesn't like to be on his stomach, he starts to cry. I guess most times he's too tired to remember he can roll himself back.

lil Monkey
This month Luc will visit the beach for the very first time. We're excited to see how he'll react to the sand and waves. He's already starting to pack his bags.