Things I Never Thought I’d Let My Kid Do

*Play with keys.  They’re so dirty.  Filthy.  But when it’s the only thing that will keep them quiet… you win Baby Luke.

*Look like a ragamuffin.  But, when he won’t stay still and he has to wear something, sometimes he’s going to leave the house looking not so put together.  Last week on my way to school when I dropped him off with Bonnie wearing a ridiculous mismatched outfit I told her “don’t judge Luke’s outfit, he picked out his clothes this morning.” :)  Do you think it’s too early to use that excuse?

*Play with a pile of sale ads after I’m done clipping coupons and he pulls them all off the table and is having a ball.  I couldn’t take them away, he was having so much fun!!  They’re all cleaned up now… no thanks to Luke.  You win again, my little friend.

There are so many more things that I’ve thought “I would never let my kid do that” about, these are just the only ones I can think of at the moment.  Of course when I want to blog about something, my mind goes blank.  I just think it’s funny how perspective changes when you have your own child.  I never understood babies with keys and cell phones in their mouths until my own child disregarded all of his colorful, interactive, stimulating toys for a ring full of dirty keys. 

Last week I asked my Mom not to give Luke the unused electrical cord he had been playing with (it was a short TV hookup of some type) and the next thing I know, it had been replaced by a purse with a nice long strap very similar to his favorite cord.  My kid has a man purse.  And he just looooves to drag it around.  Aunt Bonnie put some blocks in it so he could tote his goods from room to room.  Tommy, naturally, is completely shocked and appalled that this kind of thing goes on at Grandma’s house. :)

I feel like everything has been very hectic lately, and I can’t even keep track of my days.  Friday evening we skipped Tommy’s softball games because they were late again and I don’t think late games are a good idea for Luke.  Amanda and I walked down to the water and back and I, again, almost had a heart attack and died.  Amanda is five months pregnant and barely breathed heavily.  Amanda found out today she is having a GIRL!!!!!!!!!  I had already bought so many boyish gifts because Amanda convinced me she was having a boy, but now I have big girly plans for gifts.  We are so excited!!!!!  Especially Tommy, who thinks that me holding Baby Girl Magill is going to immediately make me want to make our own baby girl.  He’s a very brave soul who’s ready to jump into parenthood again while I’m still recovering from this havoc wreaking little fella. 

Yesterday and today I had a hair show at the Baltimore Convention Center, which is where I officially graduated.  My last day of school was Thursday, but I still had 13 hours to complete, which I got by attending the show the past two days.  My Mom is out of town, so Luke stayed with my Dad’s cousin Margie and her husband Tom today.  They took excellent care of him and I didn’t have to worry even a little bit about him because I know they did everything to keep him happy!  He’ll be going to another sitter through Thursday, and then Friday we’re heading to Ocean City for the weekend!  I am soooo hoping to be able to take him down on the beach, but I know it’s going to be a handful of sand directly in the mouth, and then our trip will probably be over, but it’s worth a try. 

Well, this post ended up being way longer than I intended!  If you made it to the end… thanks for caring! 

Oh, two more Baby Luke things.  He has two confirmed teeth on the top.  There is possibly a third, but he is SO squirmy he won’t let me get a good look.  So, definitely two on the bottom and two on the top.  Secondly he is pulling himself up to standing position from sitting so well, especially on the couch.  He’s getting so big!!

Somewhat Lazy Sunday

Soooo… as my teammates know we didn’t make it to March for Babies this morning.  I don’t really have a great reason for skipping out, I was just really worried about the weather and I didn’t know what I would do if we got a storm in the middle of the walk, and I couldn’t leave Luke behind with Tommy because Tommy was cutting grass and trying to get stuff done outside before the rain.  But, I still wanted to walk.  I thought maybe you guys would feel me with you in spirit :)  I had planned to start walking at 9, just like the real walk, but Prince Luke decided to sleep in until just before 9:30!!  So, when he finally got up I gave him breakfast and we headed out.  I had planned to walk 5 miles, but after four I was DONE!  I am honestly glad that I didn’t go to the official walk today because me after walking down to the water and back was not a pretty sight.  I was truly embarrassed by what a huffing, puffing, sweaty mess I was.  Right past my street is a very steep hill, which begins the descent to the water.  It was a blast going down it.  I was borderline jogging!  On the way back up I almost quit.  Like I seriously wanted to sit in the middle of the street and catch my breath.  I am way more out of shape than I had ever imagined. 

Despite my ridiculous description of my walk, it was a good experience and I’m glad I finally made that walk that I’ve been meaning to do in the 2 1/2 years since we moved here.  I hope to do it more frequently.  So, I feel terrible for not going, and I hope Taking Big Steps for Little Feet had a great turnout and a good time!     

Here’s a few pictures I took when we got down to the water.  Luke LOVES being walked in his stroller.  He started out very excited, he was sitting straight up holding on to the bar across his seat.  Then he kind of starting laying back a little bit, and then was finally so relaxed he fell asleep :)

For the rest of the day we’ve just been relaxing.  Have you all seen the movie “Up?”  Oh my gosh!  Most depressing Disney/Pixar movie ever!  I mean, I know it ended happily but there was some serious heartache in that movie!  We’re heading to Marsh Hall for dinner with my family pretty soon. 

P.S.- I passed the first half of my state board test yesterday :)  Sooo close to finishing school, taking my other test, becoming licensed, and getting in the salon!!

Spring Season Begins!

Tommy played his first softball games last night and unfortunately they didn’t win either game.  They played well, though, and it was pretty close.  Silly me thought that Luke would just sleep right through the games, but he was up the whole time.  We left around 10:30.  So far it doesn’t seem to have thrown him off too badly.  He took a bottle around 5:30 this morning, and then slept in until around 9. 

Amanda played last season, but being 18 weeks pregnant is kind of holding her back this year :)  So, she just took really good care of Luke!

Tommy pitching

me and my big boy

Uncle Mitch and Luke

Tommy and his BFF

Luke didn’t get a bath last night, so he just took a long fun bath.

When Tommy gets home from work this afternoon I’m going to take the written portion of my state board exam for cosmetology.  Say a prayer for me please!!  My stomach is in knots!

8 Months

Luke turned 8 months on Monday and I haven't taken any new pictures since Sunday, so I don't have any new pics to update this post, but just wanted to post some 8 month stats.

*Luke is about 18.6 pounds and is in a size three diaper and 6-9 month clothes.
*He is very squirmy and is into everything he shouldn't be. In a room full of toys he will go for shoes, cords, and electronics.
*Changing his diaper and clothes is now a two man job. He immediately rolls on his stomach as soon as I lay him on his back. Will this ever change?
*He holds his own bottle most of the time now.
*He is very vocal and says "mama" and "baba" alot, though I don't think he knows what either of them are.
*He is sleeping through the night sometimes and has done it for the past three nights in a row! A record!
*He loves being outside and I hope he stays that way!
*I've mentioned before he's crawling, going from crawling to sitting up, and has pulled himself up in his crib a couple of times. (His crib is now lowered to a safe height!)
*He's much better around groups of people or people he doesn't know. Thank goodness! I wasn't sure I could hear him cry his way through another party or holiday!
*He apparently finds me telling him "no no" very amusing. This morning when I was trying to steer him away from Grandpa's shoes I would tell him no no and he would look at me for a second and then get a big smile on his face and let out one little chuckle before heading for the shoes again... I've got my hands full.

He's so much fun and I love making him laugh and seeing him grow and change every day! I'll have some new pictures tomorrow!

Half Marathon Day

Well, today is the day Tommy has been training for for just twelve short weeks.  Maybe thirteen.  Anyways, not a long time for someone who has always been in shape, but has definitely never taken on anything this difficult.  So, he had really high hopes, but sadly didn’t finish as well as he wanted to.  He finished in just under three hours.  We are so proud of him and wish he was more proud of himself!  The marathon started and ended in Blue Crabs Stadium and we kept anxiously waiting to see Jason and Tommy round the corner into left field.  Jason came around that corner… but no Tommy.  My heart dropped.  I was so scared!  Turns out Tommy got a cramp and had to slow down somewhere in the ninth mile.  They argued- Tommy wanted Jason to go, Jason wanted to stay with Tommy.  He ended up going ahead without him.  Jason crossed the finish around 2 hours, 34 minutes and stayed down on the field until Tommy came through and he cheered him to the finish :)  Tommy has said throughout his training that he’s never running again after this, but since he didn’t do as well as he wanted, I think he’s already making plans to do much better next year.

patiently waiting for Daddy

patiently waiting for Jason

Jason heading toward the finish line

Tommy coming in with his best friend’s encouragement

don’t they just look miserable??  Well, they were.

Tommy and my Mom.  She made it 8 miles and we’re so proud of her!

Jason and Brit

enjoying an ice cold beer to finish off their 13.1 miles

Now, two Luke related things.  His top tooth finally decided to poke through!  Hopefully he’ll find some relief from the pain now.  Secondly, I forgot to mention that he’s now a pro at going from crawling position to sitting position.  He can crawl across the room, sit up and play for a while, crawl some more, sit up and play some more.  Very cute!

Busy Saturday

Today Luke and I accompanied BOTH of my sisters in their hunt for the perfect wedding gown.  We went to Serendipity (the new place in White Plains) and David’s Bridal.  Bonnie is pretty sure she found “the one,” but Carrie still has some searching to do.  Luke was a complete angel and rolled right through his naptime with only a little fussing.  He gave his approval on a couple of the dresses :)  Then we went to the grocery store and came home to relax for about an hour before heading to Jason and Brittany’s.  Today is Brittany’s birthday and she bravely donated bone marrow to her Mom earlier this week, so she’s taking it easy and relaxing.  We brought dinner over from Ledo’s and then Brit’s sister Michelle and her family came over for cake made by her brother-in-law Jesse.  We stayed until way past Luke’s bedtime, so he crashed as soon as we got in the car.  Tomorrow morning is Tommy and Jason’s half marathon, so Tommy is in bed early tonight resting up to kick some butt tomorrow!

Luke… lay off the booze buddy!  Doesn’t he look drunk in this picture?!

Michelle holding Mason, Brittany holding Chase

Chase- 5 months old

Brit and Michelle

making a wish!

Jason and Brittany

Mason

Oh!  When Luke woke up last night (no luck in the sleeping through the night dept. last night) he was STANDING on the side of his  his crib!  It scared me so bad!  The crib was like up to his waist, so one little tip and he could have been on the floor!!  Needless to say, lowering the crib was definitely on Dad’s to do list today. 

It’s an early night in the Baldwin house tonight.  Tommy, Luke, and Krystal are all in bed and I’m watching While You Were Sleeping for the 100th time. 

Same Old, Same Old

Pretty sure this week was one of those crappy "auto pilot" ones where it just feels like I floated through it in a sleepy haze. Not sure what's up. Actually, I think I do know what's up. I'm so burned out from school and can't wait for it to be OVER!

Luke has some very stubborn teeth that are causing him alot of grief! His little gums are so swollen and he pretty much tries to put his whole hand in his mouth to gnaw on it. He's been feeling a little better the past couple of days, and slept through the night again last night. I think that makes four or five nights in the past two weeks. We're getting there!

On Wednesday I put some grapes in the freezer for a while in the little "safe feeder" mesh bag thing and let him chew on them. I know they were nice and cold and soothed his gums and he LOVED it. He went through about 6 grapes sucking the juice out. Shortly after he finished with the grapes I noticed a rash completely covering him except for his arms and legs. It was on his face a little bit, down his neck, and all over his chest and back. Small red bumps everywhere! Hundreds of them. He didn't seem bothered at all, and was really tired, so I put him down for a nap and kept an eye on him. It hadn't changed at all when he woke up so I called his doctor. I told her that he had grapes for the first time, but she didn't seem to think that was the cause. She said to just keep an eye on it and if he became ill or it got worse to call them in the morning. It was a little better in the morning, and is completely gone now except that his skin still feels rough, but do you guys have any idea what it could have been??

Here he is enjoying his grapes... which he may not ever have again because I'm freaking out about the rash!