My baby is TWO

My baby turned TWO on February 9. My BABY! I think I've become more sensitive since Everett has been born, hormones maybe ;) But I when I look at Everett and see how little Luke once was and how much he's grown I just can't believe it. We had a great time celebrating his birthday with a day just for Luke. We think his love language is quality time so we had just that - a day full of quality time just for Luke! Billy had been traveling all week so Luke's first surprise was to wake up to a big breakfast with his most favorite person, daddy. It was a feast of his favorites - blueberry pancakes, sausage & orange juice. For lunch we met up with his Gigi & Big D at another favorite, Chik Fil A. The staff made it extra special and brought out a balloon and ice cream with a candle ... yet another reason why we love Chik Fil A. After nap time we let him open his present from us which was a tricycle, so we of course spent the entire afternoon outside. That night we had Nana and Papa & a close friend over for supper: pizza & fruit salad topped with the cake he so preciously (is that a word) asked for: Chocolate with M&M's and orange frosting on top. I'll blame the lop-sidedness of the cake on the narcotics & sleep deprivation due to the c-section a week earlier ;)

So our sweet Luke.... He is full of life. And he takes in every bit of life as well. He is an observer, not quite the life of the party. He absorbs everything and takes a while to warm up to anyone or anything new. Quite sensitive, actually. He is a child of repetition and tradition. If you do something one way one time then that's what he expects from now until forever. His memory is amazing/scary. His sense of direction as well - the fact that he can tell us which way is "this" and what's coming next on a certain road is unbelievable. He loves music and instruments, especially on Sunday mornings. It's recently become our bribing tool for getting him to go to Sunday School - he gets to come and worship with the guitars and drums and Mr. Jad afterwards. He absolutely adores each one of his grandparents. They each share a unique and special bond with him which he loves. He is our quality time child. To sit down and read a book with him or lay on the floor to play a game fills his little heart right up. His affection for his daddy can compare to no one. He is still not much of a snuggler unless, of course, he is with daddy. He is very vocal and verbal and once he gets going he doesn't stop. He loves to speak of himself, such as, "Good job, Luke" or "Dat's right, Luke" or "Luke doin it dis way." He is also the master of trying to negotiate... two more of this, one more of this, do it this way, other one, etc. It can be funny at times but we are trying to teach him that he is not in authority around here... hah! He loves to learn and explore. He is very hands on and loves to play "games" or have craft time. He brings so much laughter and amusement to our lives. We are so thankful for our spunky, energetic and sensitive Luke. Here's a few of Luke's favorites at age TWO!

Favorite Person:

Daddy, of course.

Favorite Foods:

hot dogs or sausage

Chikfila nuggets

broccoli

zucchini

blueberry and raspberry greek yogurt

chicken

shredded cheese (but not cubed or sticks..)

cashews

peaches, blueberries, apples, pears, kiwis...any fruit is a win

Any and all sweets - mostly M&M's

Favorite Activities:

ANYTHING outdoors

T Ball

Reading books together, not by himself

Going to the library for craft and story time

COOKING - the boy loves to be in the kitchen with me or outside grilling with daddy

Digging holes

Drawing circles. It's kind of his obsession right now.

Any art projects or coloring

Favorite Music:

The Wiggles, Hot Potato - All. Day. Long.

Most worship music...anything with a Hallelujah, glory, great or praise gets him a little excited.

Favorite Things:

Firetrucks, ambulances, police cars

Trains, especially the one you can ride at Pullen Park

Ducks and geese

Elmo's World

Favorite Sayings - things HE says that I LOVE:

Any sentence he speaks of himself using "Luke"

"Hot diggy dog!"

"Good job, mommy!"

"Hey little buddy, Everett!"

"Whoa der, tiger"

"Glory to GOD"

And here are a few of my favorite pictures... insert mommy tears here ;)

2 week old

6 Months

1 Year Old!

18 Months

And here is he is, all big and TWO!!!

So...What's it Like...

They say when you get married you realize how selfish you are. And then you have a baby and you realize even more how much of your life is - or was - all about you. And then you go and have another baby.......... (and all you mom's of more than 2 children are laughing right now).

Billy and I have decided that if you wake up each morning expecting and knowing that this day is in no way about yourself, then you're good to go. Which is funny because that's the entire premise of the gospel anyways. I thought I was already more about others than myself. However, the Lord is still in the process of doing a work in me and He is not finished yet, thank goodness. And thank goodness His mercies are new each morning! So after taking me 4 weeks to understand that really my job is to serve my King by serving my family and putting myself last (taken to a whole new level now..), the question "What's it Like?" is much easier to answer and I am no longer staring like a deer in headlights. It is busy. The things that I thought would be hard aren't as hard and the things I didn't really think through have proven to be a bit more difficult. Everett is precious. And seeing Luke as a big brother is also precious and wonderful. And then seeing my two little boys with my handsome husband ... be still my heart. I am in love with how God has shaped my family right now. But the day to day - let's be honest - life with two is tiring. I am constantly needed by the husband, the children or the dog. I rarely sit down to eat, and when I do it is quickly interrupted by my littlest one. Most meals or beverages I prepare for myself I find later in the day untouched and cold remembering that I was supposed to eat at some point. It is inevitable that the minute my body lays in my bed sweet Everett wakes up. Some mornings I wake up feeling like I have nothing in me to give after a night of no sleep. BUT. God, in all His goodness has given me joy in those moments (er...my husband would probably beg to differ that I have joy at 3 am....truth.). He gives me laughter with my husband at 5 am as we wonder how on earth we're supposed to function on this day. He gives me snuggles with my Luke and conversations with him that keep me giggling and amazed as we go about our day. He gives me glimpses of Himself as He sustains me in my weariest moments. And I am continually reminded that in all the tired, in all the mess, in all the "being needed" He. Is. My. Portion. In those moments of frustration, impatience and irritability, I see my need for a Savior. And because He loves me I can love my family. Because He sustains me I am able to meet their needs. I am able to give more because of the sacrifice my King gave for me. I am able to give grace because of the grace He has given me. I don't want to ever forget my sinful state or think that I've got it all figured out...so I am thankful that through my husband and through my children God is continuing a work in me. So the gift of my family is just that. A gift. Tiring? Absolutely. Draining? At times. But most definitely worth it.