Playing Catch Up

Love this!

See ya later Mom and Dad...

Testing out the playgrounds

V-day party at school

The past couple of weeks have gone by in a blur. Our weekends have been fairly laid back with just the right amount of activities and events to attend. I started the weekend off early last week by going to Luke's Valentine Party at school. I think he had downed 2 juice boxes by the time I got there. Since we do not normally give him juice he was flying high by the time the party was over. The fact that everything the kids ate, besides the fruit I sent, was sugar, sugar, sugar did not help matters any. Luke has moved up the the 2-year old room now. It was strange to see him as the smallest one in the class. He also does not talk as much in this room. I guess because he can not get a word in among all the other kids.

Saturday we spent the morning cleaning and doing errands. That night Paul and I enjoyed our Valentine's out while Nonna kept Luke. We went to eat at California Pizza Kitchen. We stopped fighting fancy Valentine destination restaurants years ago. We walked in, sat at the bar, ate some yummy food and were on our way to the symphony in less than an hour. Jim Brickman was the special guest with the Nashville Symphony. The show was amazing! I just love the symphony. It is wonderful that Nashville has such an amazing venue to enjoy. When we got home after 11 Mom told us that Luke had fallen asleep shortly after 7 which is really early for him.

Luke coughed a lot after we got home which kept Paul and I awake a lot of the night. He slept in the next morning and we did not think he was feeling too good so we decided not to go to church. Once he was up and going he did not cough at all anymore. We wanted to get away for a little while so we headed to Franklin. I was craving bbq at Puckett's. We got there about 11:15 and there was a line out the door to get in! It was too cold to wait outside so we found a nice little meat and 3 off the square which was just as good. We also made a stop by USA Baby to look at playgrounds. We still haven't made a decision about what to do though. We had a wonderful weekend together!

Super Bowl Weekend

Lauren and Luke help Nana
celebrate her birthday!

Luke doing a little dance for everyone.

The first weekend in February was a great weekend for us. Andrew and Mandi were in town from Florida and we spent all day with them at Nonna's. Somehow we did not take a single picture that day! Luke learned to say "Andrew" which made Andrew's whole trip worth it! It sounds more like "Andooo" but it is cute. Andrew and Mandi spoiled him for the day which was fine by me. Aunt Mandi even got him to take a nap with her in a big bed which allowed me to take a nap...yay!

On Super Bowl Sunday we went to the Troutts to celebrate Nana's birthday and to watch the game. We had so much fun. We had all the usual football tailgate food and enjoyed watching the game and commercials with everyone. Luke made it through the entire game but was fast asleep before we were out of the driveway. Luke enjoyed a lot of attention that day, too. Luke has a new favorite friend in Uncle Jon's girlfriend, Kristen. He just loved her that night. He started calling her "Meme". We really do not have a clue where that name came from. I don't think Kristen minded though. Luke insisted on trying to brush her teeth, comb her hair and tickle her face!

The big news we shared with our families that weekend is that we are expecting!!! We are due in August. After our first ultrasound the end of January we decided to wait and tell both of our families in person. Since we knew Andrew and Mandi would be in town and that all the Troutts would be getting together the same weekend we thought it would be perfect. Everyone is very excited. I have to admit it has not completely sunk in with me yet. Luke knows there is a baby in my belly and likes to talk to it. He also thinks it lives in my belly button...very cute!

Fun in the Snow

Not sure what to think about this

Middle Tennessee has had more snow "events" this season than I remember in a long time. We have had 3 measurable snow falls so far this year. We got out and played in one of the last ones. Luke really did not seem too impressed. He liked to call the snow, "ice". He would not get on the sled and did not want to make snow angels. I actually do not blame him for that--it is too cold to lay in the wet snow. He did like to stomp around in it. I took advantage of the snow and did a little sledding down our driveway. We really had a good time playing in it!

Fun With the Girls

Luke was really excited when Hanne woke up!

Emma preferred to eat the cookie
dough before we cooked it

The kids had a blast cutting out their cookies

Supper was interesting with 3 kids!

Bath Time!

Last Sunday Emma and Hanne came over to play so Katherine and Rico could enjoy an evening out. The kids had so much fun together! It took them a few minutes to get going but once they warmed up to each other there was no turning back. Hanne was asleep when they got here but was great when she woke up. She didn't seem surprised at all to wake up in a different place. She is such a great baby.

Luke and Emma played and played. We made some Valentine's cookies which the kids enjoyed better raw than cooked! Supper was a feat within itself. We were having pasta to which Emma replied she ate her noodles cold with cheese! I did my best to oblige her and she ate pretty well. Luke, of course, ate circles around Emma! Hanne was great and enjoyed her baby food. Luke was such a mess after supper Paul decided to put him in the bath. Emma insisted on getting in, too. The loved it! Emma liked "washing" Luke's hair. We found out when Katherine and Rico got back that Emma does not like her hair washed at all. We had such a great time and can't wait until the girls come back to visit again.

Two Years!

January 2nd, 2008
Our lives forever changed

One Year Old!

Two Years Old!

It is hard to believe that two years have past since we brought Luke home from the hospital. So many things have changed! Every day is still an adventure but in a different way than in those first few weeks at home. We continued the tradition of taking his picture in Paul's shirt to see how much he has grown. He did not really want to cooperate but we did finally get one!

We went to Luke's two-year check up on the 5th. Dr. Patterson says he is doing great. He is talking well and putting words together to form phrases. He enjoys puzzles, reading, trucks, blocks, dancing and music. He was 33 1/2" tall and weighed 29#. He is still below the 50th percentile for height and above the 50th for weight. We think he is just perfect!

The After-Party

Luke loves his new Ride and Learn Bike
from Uncle Jim, Aunt Claudia and
Cousin Lauren

Luke is still somewhat shy around large groups. As is usually the case, he became a wild man after most everyone was gone. Virginia stayed and visited with us after everyone left. Luke loved having one-on-one attention from V. She colored with him and retrieved his balloon countless times. They built tunnels out of the sofa pillows, played with the blocks and some of his other new toys. We were so glad she stayed and hung out with us!!!

Luke Turns Two!!!

I had to help Luke blow out his candle.

Uncle Jon and Papa got in on the
present opening action.

Luke wore his tool belt most of time

Virginia put Luke's name and "2" on his
hard hat.

Uncle Jim did an awesome job
keeping with the construction theme!

Luke wanted to go to Papa
as soon as he woke up.

We all enjoyed some munchies to get the party started. I made some sandwiches and cut them out in to the shapes of a cement mixer and front end loader. We had some nuts -n- bolts and some yummy chicken dip that Nana made. After eating Luke opened his presents. It is so hard to know what to get him for his birthday since it comes on the heels of Christmas. I told most everyone to get him clothes. Luke is so sweet and usually shows as much excitement for clothes and shoes as he does toys. I know this will probably change starting next year. We were so glad all of our immediate family could be with us to celebrate Luke's 2nd year!

Preparing for Luke's Party!

Since Luke enjoys any kind of truck and tool we decided to have a "Construction" party for him this year. I found lots of neat ideas on the internet. Really, what did we do before the internet came along? I made a cake in the back of a dump truck. Everyone really got a kick out of that. We used Luke's various trucks and tools to do most of the decorating. I thought everything turned out really great.

Of course, we could not get Luke to take a nap today before his party. Everyone was coming at 2:00 and he fell asleep about 1:15, go figure. We let him sleep until about 2:30 when we heard him crying. I guess all the commotion woke him up.

Welcome 2010!!!

Playing with Luke's favorite -- blocks!

Go-Go!!!

Say "cheese"!

Auburn played in their bowl game at 10:00 am on New Year's Day. Nonna, Uncle Andrew and Aunt Mandi came over for New Year's brunch and to watch the game. We basically watched the game and let Luke entertain us. We let him play with our old digital camera. He loves to take pictures. He always says "cheese" before he snaps it. He is now trying to master using the tripod. Too funny. Maybe a career as a photographer is in his future?!?!

Auburn fared a little better than UT and was able to eek out a win over Northwestern. It was an ugly game and really neither team deserved to win. There were so many turnovers and penalties. But, a win is a win, I guess.

New Year's Eve

Luke joined us for a picture

On New Year's Eve we went to Jimmy Kelly's with Andrew and Mandi. This was actually the third year that Paul and I have gone there for New Year's. I really enjoy the corn cakes and the steak are good, too! Since UT was playing in their bowl game at 6:30 we made 5:00 o'clock reservations. We had to laugh when we showed up a few minutes early and the doors to the restaurant were still locked! We went back to the car to wait for them to open. While we were waiting a few more patrons showed up, all of which appeared to be in their "Senior Years". As Paul laughingly said that night, we used to close establishments down on New Years, these days we open them up! It truly is telling of our age.

After a great dinner we went back to Nonna's to watch the first half of the UT game. We made our exit at halftime so Luke could get in bed at a decent time. I did not make it much after that. I was in bed before 10:00! Gone are the days of staying up to ring in the New Year!

Lauren's 11th Birthday!

The Birthday Girl

Luke played with Lauren's
balloon so much it popped!

Nana almost caught the shrimp!

Luke tried to help Nana and Papa
decide what to order

Lauren turned 11 on the 29th. To celebrate we met them at Kabuto on the 30th. We were not sure if Luke would enjoy the loud environment and the entertaining chef, but he loved it! It was fun to watch him react to the chef. By the end of the night we had to bring him out of his flannel shirt because he got so hot. Lauren is a little shy so she was not real excited about having all the attention, but she was a good sport about it. I have to admit I was tired of eating out and really was not wanting Asian food, but it was so good!

Luke loves Lauren and I hope they remain close cousins although they have 9 years separating them.

Christmas at Nonna's House

Andrew is all smiles opening presents

Showing off my new coffee maker!

Nonna and Aunt Mandi
taking it all in

Paul loves to get car washing supplies

Luke was still enthralled with his old toys at Nonna's

Monday the 28th we went to Nonna's for Christmas. She was feeling much better by lunch time that day so we decided it was OK to go ahead and get together. Instead of Nonna cooking us her annual beef tenderloin we opted for take-out steaks from O'Charley's. They were not near as good but it sure beat all the cooking and cleaning a homemade meal takes.

We all enjoyed opening our presents from each other. Luke got lots of clothes and some Legos. He still loves to play with blocks!!! We were all pretty worn out by the end of the night. This evening officially brought our Christmas season to an end. It was a great Christmas with the exception of the stomach bug! We truly are blessed with wonderful friends and family that we are able to share the most cherished time of the year.

Christmas in Tullahoma

Smith Family photo -
minus Nonna

Luke thanking Nanny for
his cool rain boots!

Luke LOVED his boots!

Andrew modeling Nanny's new winter hat

Cynthia helping Luke with Mr. Potato Head

Andrew and Mandi got in to Nashville very late on Saturday night. On Sunday, December 27th we went to Tullahoma for Christmas at Nanny's. The stomach bug struck again...this time Nonna got it. So, we went to Nanny's without Mom which was kind of weird. We all had a good time, though. We have not exchanged gifts for several years now. My cousin, Cynthia, and I talked a couple of months ago that it would be fun to draw names this year and do a gift exchange. We had so much fun! It was neat to buy a gift for someone and then to see everyone open their gifts.

Luke got more than anyone. We decided to leave him out of the drawing so he got Christmas and Birthday gifts from everyone. He received way too much! Of course, he loved it. He got lots of Mr. Potato head stuff, some cool trucks from Thomas and some neat rain boots from Nanny. He insisted on putting his boots on as soon as he opened them!

Several days later my Nanny ended up with the stomach bug. We still aren't quite sure how he got it. Andrew also got it on Monday night. He must have contracted it as soon as he got to Mom's Saturday night even before she knew she was sick. All in all, 9 members of our family have had the stomach bug over the holidays, yuck! It is amazing how susceptible people are to "little people" germs. I work in a hospital and am exposed to illnesses all day everyday but I rarely got sick until we had Luke. Just about anytime he picks up something at school I get it. Oh well, that is the price you pay when you have kids! We still did not let it damped our Christmas!

Christmas Morning in Gallatin

You know Luke got whatever he wanted
with Uncle Jon and Nana looking on

Luke showing off his new suitcase from
Papa and Nana

We know Luke will have a blast
in the ball jump!

Once I was back to the land of the living
I helped Luke open his presents

When I got to Gallatin I started feeling better pretty quickly. I specifically did not hug anyone or even get close to anyone. I did not prepare any food or really eat much of anything. I did not want the bug to get passed on. (More on that later).

We had a great time, as always, at the Troutts for Christmas. Paula does such a great job of making everything so festive and making everyone at home. Nonna joined us for Christmas for the first time this year. It was great to have her with us! She did nap duty for Luke while we continued to open presents which was nice.

Luke received so many fun things, but also some practical gifts. He got a neat suitcase set with his name and a tractor on them. He will get to use these when he visits the grandparents for an overnight stay!