6 Months!

Luke had his 6-month checkup today. He's 26.25" long (50th percentile) and weighs 15 pounds, 7 ounces (25th percentile). Seems he's average length, which is surprising -- I've always thought he was really "tall", but I guess not. As for his weight, he's definitely on the low end. Maybe he'll start bulking up with the addition of solid food.

(he thinks Max is so funny)

I decided today that I'm going to start introducing formula. Maybe it'll help him sleep better. And, it might relieve me a little bit -- I'm pumping five times a day during the week. I love breastfeeding, don't like pumping. The other day, the ladies at daycare told me that Luke's bottles were the biggest breastmilk bottles they've seen in a long time. I took this as the biggest compliment considering all the work that goes into making them.

Sleepless in Seattle

We came. We saw. We conquered. On very little sleep.

Luke's first airplane ride was a success! And, we did what we came to do -- found and bought the dress! Suzy looked beautiful, and I can't wait until August for the wedding.

Thursday

I didn't sleep very well the night before we left. Scratch that. I didn't sleep at all. I think I had a little anxiety attack -- I'd really worked myself up, thinking about what could happen on the plane ride -- will he cry the entire time? will his ears hurt? will everyone look at us like we're crazy? Finally got to sleep about 1a, Luke woke up at 2:30a, got up for the day at 6:30a.

Mom, Luke and I left Thursday afternoon, so I worked a half day, zoomed to the daycare, picked him up, finished packing, pumped and drove to the airport. There's a lot more you have to take when you're traveling with a baby! I took two bottles just in case I wasn't comfortable breastfeeding in front of 150 people. So, I wasn't surprised when they pulled me out of line to check my bags. Got through it fine and made it on the plane. He was great! Just fussed normally -- when he was tired or sleepy. And, his ears didn't seem to bother him when we took off or landed. I spent most of the trip nursing him though, and most people were really sweet about it. One lady told me that she thought it was great that I was nursing, and another told me she loved that I could nurse in public so modestly (I had the Hooter Hider on). The man next to me talked the entire time. Hey -- if he didn't care, I didn't care ...

When we landed, I got all the way to the baggage claim before realizing that I left the bottles on the plane! Argh! I had to go back through security to get them, but there's no way I was going to leave them -- that's three pumping sessions! And, damn the luck. When I finally got the bag back, the bottles had spilled anyway.

Friday

We shopped until we dropped. It was so much fun! Sue took us to three shops, we sipped champagne, and found THE ONE! It's gorgeous. No pics -- can't ruin the surprise! It was also my 32nd birthday, so we had a little dinner, then hit the sack. Luke slept OK this night, but still woke up a few times. I think sleeping in the pack-n-play threw him off a little.

(saw this little girl at brunch and her outfit cracked us up)

Saturday

We had brunch with Michael's family, went to a doll museum (Mom was in doll heaven), then saw the wedding venue, which is totally awesome! They're getting married at a lodge on Bainbridge Island, so you have to take a ferry to it:

(he saw a bird and wouldn't take his eyes off it)

Luke really didn't sleep well this night -- was up every 2-3 hours! Not sure why ...

Sunday

Fly back to Austin. He really wasn't having it this time. I spent most of the trip bouncing him in the flight attendant area by the bathrooms. And, he did not want to take a nap! At all. You'd think with as little sleep as he had, he would. Nope.

Overall, the flights weren't nearly as stressful as I thought they'd be. Definitely not worth the anxiety attack I'd worked myself into! By this August, it'll be old hat. But, I know I could not have done it without Mom's help! Thank you, Mom, for being the best Mom and Grammy!

Carrots, Bananas and Pears! Oh My!

He might not be eating five-star cuisine, but Luke's little palate is getting to be pretty sophisticated. We started him on solids, and so far, we haven't found a food he doesn't like (except maybe avocado, but we're going to try again). Like Michaela and Morgan, I'm trying my hand at making his food. It's easy now, and I hope I continue to do it because it's been really fun. Just steam, puree, pour into an ice cube tray and voila! Twelve little meals. We started with pears, then carrots, then bananas, then apples. Last night I gave him a little avocado, but I ended up eating most of it because he wasn't really into it.

Next -- butternut squash!

Sitting Up

He's officially a sitter. He can't sit himself up, but he can keep himself up if he's propped into the position. And, he's pretty proud of himself. This new trick has provided endless hours of new entertainment -- think he was getting tired of laying on his back.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Call me crazy. I'm flying to Seattle with Luke day after tomorrow. Mom's coming with, so that'll really help. Honestly, I'm not sure I could go if she wasn't going, too. I'm pretty sure I'll start crying at some point on the trip, but maybe I'll surprise myself and won't mind the stares and glares.

We're going to visit Sue and help her wedding dress shop. Supposedly she has her eye on one already -- can't wait to see how beautiful she looks!

On the House

Sorry. The stupid pun titles just keep coming.

House has wood stuff up -- not sure what it's called, but it looks like a house now. Getting really excited! Still not excited to put our current house on the market, though. Have I mentioned that?

It'll be bittersweet to move -- our current house is where Adam and I dated, moved in together, got married, had our first baby. I'll be a little sad to leave ...

Raise the Roof

Sometimes my caption titles are so cheesy, it makes me laugh. House is coming along. Few more months, and we'll be ready to move.

Just for the record, I am NOT looking forward to staging the house again when it goes on the market next month. What a total and complete pain. I have to make my bed every day. Ugh. My friends Morgan and Kim make their beds every, single day! Am I the only one who doesn't?!

Happy 58th, Mom and Dad!

Today's my parents' birthday (yes, the same day), and they're 58! Supposedly, they were introduced by a mutual friend who thought it would be "cosmic" if they met since they shared a birthday. Lo and behold, it was, and they've spent 36 birthdays together -- that's more together than apart!

Legend has it, before the first date, Dad snuck a look at Mom -- he ordered nachos at the beergarden at the Armadillo World Headquarters (legendary Austin music hall -- Dad played there and Mom was a cocktail waitress when they went to UT), and Mom served him. Dad says, "she was the most beautiful thing I'd seen in my entire life."

Happy birthday, Grammy and Grandpa!

My Doppelganger

So. Doppelganger week on Facebook came and went, and I couldn't find a picture of mine. But as I downloaded new pictures off my camera tonight, I saw this one and thought it was me! It's Aunt Amy, who loves Lukey. The Scotts joke that she's a baby hog, but I think she's the baby whisperer because she can always get Luke to fall asleep.

Drooler

Luke makes me laugh. He has a constant string of drool that hangs from his mouth.

Getting Framed

They've started to put the frame up on the house. I try not to visit every day, but I can't help it. It's on the way home from Luke's daycare, so I do a quick driveby. I'm sure the construction workers think I'm a total creep.