Letters For Lucas

Wonders, Mishaps, Blunders and Joy.. commentary on my life as a mom in the form of letters to my son

14 Months

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Unbelievably another month of milestones is behind us.

At 14 months, you:

  • Can ‘ask’ to go to bed, for food and a bottle.
  • Had your first Subway kids meal! You are no stranger to Subway, but this was very exciting for me, seeing as I eat there 2-3 times a week. No more sharing turkey and cheese.
  • Know what sound kitties, dogs, cows, snakes, monkeys and sheep make and your dad and I ask you all the time because it’s adorable and hilarious.
  • Know where your head, belly, toes, nose, teeth and ears are. We ask you about these a lot too.
  • Recognize pictures of “mama”, “dada” and aunt Leah, whom you call “Eah”
  • Still enjoy Kindermusik class and swimming lessons and we have signed up for another round of each.
  • Got your first haircut and it instantly turned you into *sigh* a little boy.
  • Have molars starting to come in and you are taking it all in stride. Thankfully, teething has never kept you awake at night or been a big issue for you at all.
  • Caught your second cold from me this week. Sorry. We have both been a mess.
  • Can get on and off the couch which scares the bejesus out of me!
  • Can walk up stairs…with reluctant assistance.
  • Took a tumble down 5 stairs this week (of course, the week Daddy is away), which scared a whole lot more than the bejesus out of me.

You are a busy little bee and into absolutely EVERYTHING. I can’t turn my back for a minute without you grabbing for my cup of water, items out of the refrigerator, or heading right towards the toilet. It’s exhausting and wonderful watching you play and discover and become your own person. You are caring and funny and delightful. Keep on keeping on.

The best is yet to be.

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A Love Letter

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Three years ago, I married my partner, lover and friend.

In just three short years, we have experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows.

A month and a half after we got married, my father-in-law underwent heart surgery for a congenital heart defect. He made it through with flying colors and today is better than ever, but this was a very emotional time for us as newlyweds.

A month later, both of my parents died of carbon monoxide poisoning while living and working as educators in Tunis, Tunisia. My husband was amazing during this, the saddest and most confusing time in my life. He took my younger sister and I under his wing and helped us plan a double funeral, a trip to Tunisia and navigated us through countless decisions regarding their estate.

During this time I could not give him what he gave me and I will forever be grateful. He listened and held me and encouraged me to do whatever I needed in order to adjust to my new “normal”.

While I walked into walls for nine months trying to keep my wits about me and a career I loved, we decided that the best thing for me to do would be to leave my job as a marketing manager to focus on my grief, settle my parents estate, spend time with family and start planning a family of our own.

With hope in our hearts, just 10 months later, we welcomed to the world our son Lucas. Our pride and joy and new reason for living.

In three years, we have made our house a home, taken wonderful trips together, cried together, laughed together, fought like cats and dogs, grown stronger as a couple and as individuals and made two three. We recently suffered a miscarriage but are slowly, but surely bouncing back stronger than ever. I can’t wait to see what our future holds.

A wedding anniversary is the celebration of love, trust, partnership, tolerance and tenacity. The order varies for any given year. – Paul Sweeney

I am so lucky to have found this incredible man to go through life with. A man that makes my toes curl and my blood boil; makes me laugh, makes me think and forces me *kicking and screaming* to be the best version of myself. He is a wonderful father and a good person.

I don’t say it enough, but I appreciate everything you do for me and us and I love you. Happy Anniversary, Todd. xoxo

The best is yet to be.

This is my 300th post!! How fitting that is a love letter to my husband because without this blog, I’d quite possibly be a bigger pain-in-the-ass than I already am!

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Baby’s First Haircut

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Someone got his first haircut today and someone else took 37 pictures of it.

Although he wouldn’t wear the cape and wasn’t crazy about his head being squirt with water, Lucas did great with mom and dad looking on and a cool VW convertible Bug to sit in.
I thought I’d be a lot more emotional about yet another first milestone that proves babies do grow up and he definitely does look different – older somehow, but overall I did just as well as he did.

The best is yet to be.

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We’re Walking!

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Lucas’ 13th month came and went and I didn’t record (or share) any of his milestones. The biggest and most exciting of which, he started WALKING!!!

HALLELUJAH AND HIP HIP HOORAY!!


Not that I was worried or anything, but he is one of the last in our Mommy & Me group to get up and go.

He has been flirting with it for a couple of months, taking a step here and there, but finally last week, it all clicked for him and he took off. He still seems to prefer crawling because he’s a pro at it, but he can walk all over the house and it is darling to watch. I’ll try to figure out how to post a video.

The other big accomplishment of note is how vast this little boy’s vocabulary is getting and how much he understands. Here is a list of all of the words he either says, retains and/or recognizes:

Mama 🙂
Dada
Bottle
Bubbles
Balloon
Up
Uh-Oh (although he says Uh-Eh)
This
That
Yes
Pat
Diaper
Toes
Head
Belly
Bath
Dog
Banana
Book
Brush – as in his teeth and hair

I have mentioned Lucas’ little tiny stuffed monkey before and how he can pick it out of a group of several other toys (A Onederful First Year), well now he can make the monkey walk and talk and uses a high pitched little voice that simply melts my heart.

Talk about melting my heart, Lucas can now also blow kisses.

I don’t know what I would do without this adorable, smart, funny little person in my life. He brings me so much joy and fills me with a love I have never known.

The best is yet to be.

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Birthday/Update

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I have been trying to write and post this ALL. DAY. LONG., so forgive me if it just turns into a hodgepodge…

I had a wonderful birthday weekend filled with some of my favorite things: pancakes, a big fat juicy cheeseburger, Berry Happy frozen yogurt, a champagne brunch with good friends, Lucas’ first swim lesson, some great laughs and quality time spent with my little family.
Oh, and a couple of SUPER frustrating phone interviews with (not so) potential nannies. More on that in another post!

I also saw not one, but TWO movies at the theater! What a treat. I LOVE going to see movies at the theater; the giant screen, the dark room and the incredible surround sound. It’s enveloping, albeit expensive. My husband and I saw Get Him to the Greek on Saturday night and I saw Knight and Day with my sister yesterday afternoon. Both are very entertaining, but definitely worth waiting for on DVD.

My husband, who has been working from home (or a nearby coffee shop) for the past
several months (89 days, but who’s counting?) is supposedly moving into his new office this week and I am giving him my old industrial desk for something prettier. Remember this from my post, A Place To Call Her Own?
Guess who reads my blog? What an awesome birthday gift!! It arrived today, in three enormous boxes, which will probably sit in our foyer for a week, but it’s here and it’s mine and I love it. Thanks, P. xoxo

Second best birthday gift? My sister got me tickets to see Lady Gaga in August at Staples Center and I can’t wait for that show!!

I am a lucky lucky girl!

I’m looking forward to what’s in store for me at 38. Whether it’s a growing family, move to a new city, another exciting trip across the Atlantic or even if things remain status quo, hopefully I will gain a greater sense of self and my place in the world as a wife, mother, sister and friend.

No matter what the future holds, I know that the best is yet to be.

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Just A Mom

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It was one year ago today that we were discharged from the hospital with our new little bundle of joy. We were so excited to bring you home, but also couldn’t help but wonder, what are these nurses thinking, are they really going to let us take you with us?

This photo was taken moments after we arrived home.
Somehow we survived that first day and night and every day and night since then. A whole year of parenthood!

A whole year of…

onesies, burp cloths, blankets and bibs
nightly feedings [sleep deprivation]
(mis)identifying cries
buying more diapers (or batteries) than we ever thought we’d need
discussing poop
checking in on you as you sleep
hugs and kisses
trying to make you giggle
proudly introducing you [showing you off] to our family and friends
taking more pictures than ever before
figuring out how to operate all the different contraptions and how they work to carry and keep you safe
laundry
calling you everything but your name
making ridiculous sounds, noises and faces
lullabies
hanging out on the floor playing with you and your million toys
finding creative ways to keep you engaged, happy and above all quiet
love
confusion
worry
guilt
relief
surprise
bewilderment
beginning to trust our instincts

What a monumental year! Yay for us!!

Thank God the first year only lasts the first year.

Now that you are a year old, I suppose I can’t be considered a “new” mom anymore, can I?

Now, I’m just a mom. 🙂

The best is yet to be.

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A Onederful First Year!

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Today you are one year old! While some days certainly seemed a lot longer than others, one year never went by faster!

One year old. Wow!!

Looking back on all of your monthly milestones, I am in awe. You have grown so much, learned more than I ever thought you would and are becoming your very own little wonderful person full of character and charm.

Like every other month, this was a big one full of lots of firsts; like:

  • Visiting Legoland
  • Graduating from your second Kindermusik class
  • Graduating from wearing the Doc Band (read all about our experience here)
  • Sitting forward in the car!!
  • Knowing where your belly, head and toes are
  • Picking your lovey and a favorite little stuffed monkey out from a pile of several other things
  • Can follow simple commands like, ‘go get it’ and ‘put this in there’… we are still working on ‘no’ and ‘don’t touch that’
  • When asked a ‘who’, ‘what’, ‘where’, ‘when’, or ‘why’ question, shrug your shoulders and turn your hands up. This is the most adorable thing I have ever seen a toddler do!
  • Developed a love affair with every household appliance we own… hence the reason to learn the word ‘no’!
  • Attended two more birthday parties (for a grand total of six in just your first year of life!)
  • Your eyes are still blue and I think it’s safe to say that they are going to stay that way. 🙂

We celebrated your special day yesterday at home with a BBQ, balloons, cupcakes and plenty of gifts. Your two aunts and grandparents came to visit and it was a lot of fun.

I will never forget the day you were born and how I held you in my arms until the sun came up, just staring at you in complete adoration. What a great day. Happy Birthday, son. I love you.

Your destiny is waiting and the best is always yet to be.

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Graduation Day 2

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Two graduation days in two weeks!? See We Did It! for last week’s reason to celebration.

Today, Lucas successfully completed his second eight-week Kindermusik class! Another diploma for the refrigerator door. 🙂

This was a great class and we have, once again signed up for another session.

The best is yet to be.

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We Did It!

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Since my February 26, 2010 post, You Should See The Other Guy, if you are one of my (three) regular readers, you may have noticed after my tag line I have been counting down the 100 days of Lucas wearing the Doc Band.

Today is Day 85 and it is Graduation Day!! 15 days early!! We are so excited.

Your head has moved almost 11 millimeters, which we have been told for a baby that started treatment so late (you were 8 1/2 months when we began this process) is superb!

Call me biased, but in my eyes your head was always perfectly shaped, but I would be lying if I said I didn’t see a noticeable change in the shape and yes, even improvement in the symmetry of your facial features.

I can’t praise the staff at Cranial Technologies in San Diego enough for their care and courtesy, but it’s really Lucas himself that was the trouper. He made this so easy for us because he never once fussed (unless he got too hot) over having to wear the Doc Band around the clock. I don’t even think he noticed having it on and in some ways might even miss it.

I grew during the last 85 days too… I learned that I will do whatever is necessary to help my child and that no matter what our future faces with him, we are proud of him.

I learned that your family, friends and even strangers on the street might just surprise you with their kindness, support and understanding.

I also learned to have a little more compassion for those that have way more serious health issues.

We have come a long way and I am thrilled to be done with it!

The best is yet to be.

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