Letters For Lucas

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

Ink

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I missed you while I was away, but my trip to Vegas was everything I hoped it would be and more. I got a little sun, won a little money, had some amazing meals and shared lots of laughs with my friends and got inked!

I got my first tattoo in 1993 with four high school girlfriends, all of which I am still friends with: Katie, Kendra, Kristin and Sara. We were all in Phoenix for a mini reunion, attending the graduation of our friends and after breakfast one morning with nothing else planned to do, we decided to get tattoos. We couldn’t agree what we would all get, but we did agree where we wanted to get it (our right hips).

We soon found a tattoo parlor and after consent forms had been signed and we drew numbers to see who would go first (I was third), we were pouring though albums of artwork and scouring the walls of the shop to find the perfect design. I chose a sunflower, my favorite flower. Over the years, everyone has added to their tattoo or got another one (or more).

They say once you get one tattoo, you are likely to get another….

I got my second tattoo, a beautiful angel wing on my right ankle, in August 2002 on a weekend visit to help your aunt Leah move into her dorm at U of A. She was going to get one then too, but chickened out at the last minute. She has since gotten one and has had it embellished.

After dinner on Thursday night at Nove at the Palms hotel, my friend Diana and I both found ourselves at Huntington Ink, the most over priced tattoo shop on the strip! We were committed so there was no turning back. My newest addition, taking all of three minutes and didn’t hurt a bit, is two small stars on the top of my right foot. I have been wanting them for almost three years and had often drew them on to see how they would look. Once my parents died, I really wanted them in their memory.

Tattoos are permanent and each one of mine has deep and personal meaning. I have no regrets about any of them; they are a part of me and I love them.

The best is yet to be.

Day 26/100

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Viva Las Vegas

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March Madness* AKA “The Big Dance” refers to the annual NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament. This tournament, held late March through early April, is a single-elimination tournament in which 65 teams compete against each other over the course of a three weeks for a shot at a national championship.

During this time, teams will be moving up one tier at a time, working through to the Sweet Sixteen, the Elite Eight, the Final Four and eventually into the finals. This is the season where basketball nuts become completely crazy cheering on their favorite team in the hope for a championship.

March Madness is also one of the reasons for my annual weekend girl’s trip to Las Vegas! What better place to watch college ball, hang out with my friends, enjoy some fine dining, pampering, the pool and do a little gambling, dancing and celebrating? I have been looking forward to landing on this page of my calendar for weeks….

My good friend, Kathryn’s birthday falls right smack dab in the middle of March too, so she is the other reason we go. Although, we try not to let it go to her head, after all, she has earned the nickname Birthdayzilla for a reason! Kat, if you are reading this, you know I love you.

This year will mark my seventh trip, but some have been going for 10 years! I missed out last year because I was pregnant and Vegas is not a whole lot of fun if you can’t drink, plus is hard to escape all the cigarette smoke, so I am really looking forward to this year’s getaway.

This trip will also mark my first TWO nights away from you. So far, I have spent six single nights away from you, but never TWO consecutive nights and I’m a little nervous. I know you are in good hands, that’s not what I’m worried about. I’m worried about me! I am going to miss you so much, but I am going to try to enjoy the time away and be in the moment. I wonder if you’ll even notice that I’m gone?

*The term “March Madness” was coined by Henry V. Porter in 1939. Originally the term was used to refer to the Illinois High School Basketball Tournament. Later the NCAA picked it up after a small legal battle with the Illinois High School Association. March Madness was then used to refer to the collegiate national basketball tournament. This was started in 1939 by National Association of Basketball Coaches and only had eight contending teams at the time.

Bear Down, Arizona!! Oh, wait, they didn’t even make it to the tournament this year (the first time in 25 years!). 🙁

The best is yet to be.

Day 23/100

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Someday You’re Going To Have A Wallet

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Your dad and I get a kick out of talking about all the things you are going to do, be and have like; a wallet, a suit, car keys, a cell phone, a cup of coffee, your own apartment, a date, an interview, etc. and it makes us giggle. We only know you at nine months, so to think of our little nine month old Lucas having and doing all these things is silly and sweet.

You have so many firsts to look forward to!

We’re trying to remember and document all of your first everythings, but there will come a day when you experience firsts that we won’t be a part of. Really big, super exciting, weird and wonderful firsts like; your first day of school, the first time you tie your shoes, your first kiss, your first broken heart, the day you get your driver’s license and your first car (not necessarily the same day, mind you!), your first pay check, and many years down the road, the first time you truly realize your life is your own.

You will make decisions that will affect your entire life. We hope they will be good ones. You will make mistakes too, but if we’ve done our job, hopefully you will learn from them.

We want you to have every single opportunity that we had growing up…education, travel and exposure to different cultures, as many pairs of sneakers you can wear out and books you can read, family game nights, vacations and open, honest conversations around the dinner table, a lifetime of warmth, security, support and the best of memories. In short, we want for you what any parent wants for their child: EVERYTHING! 🙂

That’s not too much to ask, is it?

The best is yet to be.

Day 22/100

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Party City

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It has been a magical first year…so far, we still have three months to go and I can’t wait to celebrate! What they say is true about having children, the days are long, but the years are short. You were once, not so long ago, a tiny newborn and now you are a growing, learning, changing, on-the-go, toddler and this has been the best year of my life.

Back to the celebration part…

I was surprised recently to overhear fellow moms already planning their soon-to-be one year old’s birthday parties and down right shocked at how elaborate these plans sounded. What, I don’t understand I thought to myself, what is there to plan? Place your pride and joy in their highchair, let him go crazy with a cupcake, take a dozen cute photos for the baby book and toast your partner to a job well down. Hip hip hooray, you all three survived the first year!

I don’t believe that children’s birthday parties need to be huge, over the top affairs or include entertainment in the form of hiring the Wiggles, a man on tilts or renting a bouncy castle. Why do parents do this to themselves? Who needs that pressure? When did birthday parties get so out of hand?

Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE birthdays and I think they should always be celebrated so that birthday boy or girl, no matter what their age, feels extra special on their special day. For a one year old, that can be done simply; at home, surrounded by family members, cake and ice cream and balloons. Even when you are old enough to have real friends to invite to a party, it doesn’t need to be a ton of work or super expensive to be memorable or fun. Otherwise, it’s an event for the adults, especially if alcohol is being served. 😉

When I was growing up I only remember having one some what bigger than usual birthday party and it was for my Sweet Sixteen. It was a blast! My mom had designed a scavenger hunt and got all of her friends in our neighborhood to participate. It was great fun, but it was also held a full month and a half before my actual birthday because I have a birthday that falls right smack dab in the middle of summer, when everyone I knew was on vacation, including me and my family. We might run into that with you too, since you are also a June baby. I’m sorry!

My birthdays growing up usually consisted of having my favorite meal for lunch (a Kid’s Meal at Burger King…such a treat!) or dinner (my mom’s lasagna, which is always better the next day) and then going to a movie of my choice with my mom. Great days!

At any rate, birthdays are suppose to be fun and not contests to see who can outdo each other. Needless to say, we don’t have any plans yet for your big first birthday, but I know they will include family, lots of photos and a hose. 🙂

The best is yet to be.

Day 16/100

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My Sister, My Friend

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“Having a sister is like having a best friend you can’t get rid of. You know whatever you do, they’ll still be there.” – Amy Li

We’ve been there through life’s sorrow and pain

But together we have always endured the strain
We’ve argued and bickered and made each other mad
But if you weren’t my sister, my life would be so sad
We’ve cried till we laughed and laughed till we cried
Sometimes for no reason; we didn’t even know why
We’ve whispered our deepest secrets only sisters could share
I love my sister dearly because she really cares
So whether we are together or we are far apart
You’re my sister, my friend and forever in my heart.

I love you, Leah.

Happy 26th!

The best is yet to be.

Day 12/100

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Nine Months

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What a month! You are turning into a toddler right before our very eyes…

This month you:

  • Attended your third birthday party.
  • Went to your first Super Bowl party and watched the New Orleans Saints (31) beat the Indianapolis Colts (17).
  • Met my favorite dog, Winston.
  • Learned how to clap and can do it upon hearing “clap”, “pat”, “good job”, and “yay Lucas” AND seeing it on TV.
  • Went in a swimming pool for the first time.
  • Had professional photos taken at Sears Portrait Studio.
  • Have almost eight teeth! The last three weeks have been torturous waiting for those incisors to break through.
  • Were fitted for and started wearing the Doc Band.
  • Fell in love with the swing and everything else there is to see and do at the park.
  • Love cause and effect toys (Silly Town, blocks) and games (peek-a-boo and hide-and-seek).
  • Are able to roll a ball back to me, hand me objects and feed me snacks from your stash. There are Cheerios and puffs are over this house!
  • Had to have your crib lowered because you are almost at the stage where you are pulling yourself up on things and that’s just dangerous.
  • Rock back and forth on your hands and knees and scoot backwards. Thank goodness we had the house baby proofed in anticipation of you crawling soon…we hope. 🙂
  • Your eyes are still blue.

The best is yet to be.

Day 11/100

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Social Butterfly

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We were suppose to do a group activity today with our Mommy & Me group, but I just wasn’t up for that yet, so instead we went to the park. It was your first visit and to say you loved it would be an understatement. Between watching the other children play and the dogs chasing balls and the nearby train zooming by, you were in heaven. There was so much for you to look at.

You were also thoroughly tickled over the swings!


Even though I thought I was sort of “hiding out” with you today, we had our first Doc Band inquiry as well. A little girl wearing a T-shirt that appropriately said “Social Butterfly” came right up to us at the park and asked me point blank, “Why is he wearing that helmet?” to which I replied after taking a deep breath, “The back of his his head is a little too flat so the helmet is going to help make it perfectly round like yours.”. Easy enough.

She stood there for a moment and then said, “Well, he’s not crying, so it must not be hurting him.” and then fluttered off.

Good point.

The best is yet to be.

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Pool Time

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On Sunday, we met your aunt, uncle and cousins in Palm Desert and stayed the night at the brand new Westin Desert Willow Villas and you got to try the pool for the first time!

I wouldn’t call you a water baby just yet, but you certainly weren’t scared and didn’t cry.


I think you had more fun playing with a plastic cup on the sidelines.

One thing is for sure though, baby, you need a tan! You are as white as a piece of paper.

The best is yet to be.

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Eight Months

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I love watching you grow and change from month to month, week to week and day to day and would be a millionaire if I got paid to watch you. Quite simply, I find you fascinating and a joy to be around.

You are eight months old today and what a month it was. In the last month you:

  • Wore shoes for the first time…yesterday.
  • Sit comfortably in shopping carts and high chair making grocery shopping and the dining experience so much more enjoyable for everyone involved.
  • Fell off the bed (on my watch). 🙁
  • Learned to wave your arm as a form of greeting hello and bidding farewell.
  • Love bath time and I would say it is one of your favorite activities of the day. You love to relax in the tub and splash and play with your rubber duckies and frogs and chew on the wash cloths and feel the spray of the shower water.
  • Look like you can’t wait to take off, but aren’t crawling yet, just rolling over and scooting backwards.
  • Began attending Kindermusik class with our Mommy & Me group and seem to really be enjoying it.
  • Sprouted your top two teeth and now have a lateral incisor on it’s way. I have to say that teething has got to be the hardest thing to watch you go through.
  • Eat two solid homemade baby food meals a day.
  • Self-feed finger foods Cheerios, Puffs, Wagon Wheels, carrots, etc.
  • Love playing with anything that’s not a toy (remote controls, plastic bowls and lids, measuring spoons, cell phones, daddy’s caps, straws, silverware, keys and pens are among your favorite).
  • Getting used to using a sippy cup.
  • Dare I say, have a schedule consisting of a morning nap, an afternoon nap (sometimes) and always a 7:00 bedtime.
  • Have an increased self awareness, greater focus on your surroundings and what appears to be a genuine curiosity.
  • Show affection by touching and licking our faces, grabbing and reaching for us and the ever present big wide smile whenever we walk into the room.
  • Have kept your beautiful baby blue eyes.

Happy eight months, baby.

The best is yet to be.

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