My Baby Luke

My baby is about to turn one! He won't be a baby for much longer, a fact that is really pulling at my heart strings. I really can't believe it's almost been a year. I am feeling a little guilty today because I haven't blogged about him as much as I should have. There are a lot of things I just haven't recorded yet, and I've missed out on some great opportunities. I'm going to try to make up for it, so let me tell you a little bit about Luke.

He is an eater! Holy cow can that boy pack in the food. Case in point - for breakfast this morning he ate two whole pancakes with a side of applesauce! He will eat anything I put on his plate and then he has to try anything he sees me eating. I know he eats way more than Ashlyn or Trent did at that age, but he is definitely smaller than Trent was. Remember Trent's thighs? They were huge! I am curious to see all Luke's stats at his one-year appointment.

Not only does he eat anything he can get his hands that is edible, he goes for the 'inedible' as well. I'd like to think I keep a pretty clean house and don't have a lot of trash on the floor, but I have pulled all sorts of things out of his mouth. Really, it's amazing what he's found. His favorite thing used to be the rubber caps off of door stops. I was constantly taking those out of his mouth and replacing them until I got smart with a little bit of super glue and took care of that problem.

He is up to all sorts of tricks. He can clap. It's adorable. He can crawl. It's tiring. He can feed himself. It's messy. He can 1) climb up the stairs, 2) slide down the stairs, 3) pull himself up to standing, and 4) open drawers. All four of which have resulted in numerous bumps, bruises, and smooshed fingers.

He is teasing us with his verbal abilities. He has said 'mama', 'hi', 'Ash', 'Ashlyn', and 'Dad' - but he won't say them frequently and he will rarely do it on demand.

He's doing everything a boy his age should be doing. And I am extremely grateful to have a healthy, active baby who continues to grow, explore, and learn. My only complaint about this kid is that he won't kiss me! No matter how hard I try, he just won't do it. (Well, not very often anyway) Now, I know he loves me. He showers me with hugs and love, but if I pucker up, that stinker turns his face away. No kidding. Drives me crazy!

Even still, he brightens each and every day with his beautiful smile and infectious laugh.
I love him.

A Graduation & A Celebration

Yup. I done did graduate! It's actually still a little hard to believe. It took me so darn long to finish that I'm still convincing myself that it really did happen. Maybe once I get my diploma in the mail it will seem real and final. But for now, I at least have picture proof that it happened:

Yeah. Nice try Brian. There is a reason why I am usually in charge of the picture taking in our family. But hey, don't worry, it was just a once-in-a-lifetime event. No big deal.

Just use a little imagination and picture me walking across the stage in my cap and gown with a big smile on my face, reaching out to shake hands with the department chair (who also happened to be my main professor during my college career) and the dean.

*SIGH*

Anyway, moving right along. We did capture a few photos after the event, outside of Kingsbury Hall, so not all was lost.

It actually was a really nice day. We got up to the University a little bit early so I could gather up a few last pieces from the ceramics department and some memorabilia from the bookstore. A special thanks to my parents and the Eyres for coming to support me. The actually ceremony was nice, but I had to sneak out a little early so that we could go all the way across the valley to Herriman so that Ashlyn cold get her dance pictures taken.

Afterwards we went out to dinner with most members of my family. And the next day I slept in and enjoyed my new freedom. Lovely.

I need to thank a few people:

• First, to Brian, my wonderfully supportive husband who never complained when our kitchen island was covered in clay. And who stepped up and cleaned the whole house (including scrubbing the toilets and mopping the kitchen floors) without any promptings from me, when I had to stay at the U really,really late. I love you.
• Second, to my talented brother Aaron, who believed that I had some artistic talent as well and talked me into going to school with him. Of course he graduated in a much more timely manner than I did and is now in medical school. What can I say?...some of us take the long road.
• Third, to my sister Mindy, the best darned babysitter a girl could ask for. Thank you for making it possible for me to go back and finish! I was so lucky to not have to worry, knowing that my kids were in great hands.
  
• Fourth, to my parents, because they are just awesome and extremely supportive, and believed I could finish when I doubted myself.
• Fifth, to my uncle Wes (an amazing artist who's work I have always admired), who asked me every time I saw him over the past six years if I had graduated yet. I can finally say, "yes!"
  
• Finally, to everyone else who encouraged me to go back and was excited for me when I told them that I finally was!
  

A week after my graduation, I had my graduation celebration. The weather didn't quite cooperate, even though the weatherman said it would all week. They promised clear skies and 80 degrees. But what we got was gray skies, rain, and a heck of a lot of wind. For those who stayed past 9:00, the wind stopped and it was quite a pleasant evening, especially sitting by the fire. So it goes.

I don't think any of the kids noticed how cold it was since they were burning off so much energy in the bounce house. I think I need to purchase me one of these! It was fabulous.

I have to give a shout out to my dear friend Emily, who also graduated from the U on the same day as me, with an English degree.

I have known her since 7th grade Algebra and she is one of my most "comfortable" friends. Now what I mean, is that I am completely at ease and comfortable in her presence. We have know each other for almost 20 years and no matter how long it has been since I have seen her last, when we get together it is never awkward. We can always just pick up where we left off and talk about anything and everything.

We got together on the night before our graduations for pedicures and a big ol' slice of cake from the Chocolate Cafe. We sat and chatted until they kicked us out at 10:00. I am so grateful for her and her friendship. And I am so glad we were both able to reach this milestone together. We did it Em!

Did I mention that I graduated from the greatest school in Utah?

I Actually Did It!!

I can now officially say that I have run a half marathon! I feel so cool. I actually started getting excited during the week leading up to the big day. After Mindy and I ran 11.5 miles the Saturday before, I knew that I could actually do it and was looking forward to accomplishing this goal. I was even more excited and proud of myself when we went to pick up our packets the night before the race and I was able to pass by the 5k table and go to the half marathon table instead. I resisted the urge to stick out my tongue and say, "neener neener neener" ;o)

My spirits were slightly dampened when we woke to snow that morning, but it didn't last long. The excitement and energy of the crowd made up for it. It really is an awesome feeling to run with so many people who have worked as hard as you have to get to that point. I guess I have neglected to mention that it was the Thanksgiving Point half marathon on April 30th. We ran all through the gardens, grounds, and golf course at Thanksgiving Point, and it was so beautiful. Even though it was slightly chilly (which didn't matter once we started to run), it was a perfect morning. The thin layer of snow just added to the beauty of everything. I have already decided that I want to do this run again next year, and I have Mindy to thank for getting me into this running business. She was an awesome running partner and I loved spending so much one-on-one time with her during our training. I made her high five me at every mile marker and when I saw the 12 mile mark I got all choked-up and teary-eyed. Mindy said, "Yay! That's the farthest you've ever run!", and it hit me that I had just run 12 miles and with just over one mile to go I was going to reach my goal. It was a great feeling. I think I had a perma-grin from that point until I reached the finish line.

Brian started snapping photos as Mindy and I turned the corner and ran down the final stretch to the finish line. When I looked back at the pictures he took, I was amused at our exact same movements. I guess if you run together, you start running in sync with each other.

It was so fun having my husband and children there to cheer me on as I crossed the finish line. Part of the reason I want to continue running is to be an example to my children and show them that exercise is important. After we finished our race, we had to hurry over to the kid's 1 mile fun run. When we got there, the race had already started, but we did it anyway. My kids started out strong, but the "fun" of the run quickly died and they proceeded to whine and tell me how tired they were, that they needed to go to the bathroom, that they were thirsty, etc. We came in dead last. I think they'll take after me and not catch the running bug until they are in their 30s! Oh well. They each got a medal and were quite proud of it. They had no idea how badly they had done and even told Grandmom and Grandpa the next day that they had won the race and showed off their medals!

Next up? I'm thinking of doing the South Jordan half marathon on July 9th. Anyone want to join me?

Things I Missed In April

April started out on a good note with April Fools Day. I haven't ever really gotten into the whole practical joke thing. But this year I actual did trick my kids by making them chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes & gravy, and peas for dinner - aka: wafer cookies covered in PB and crushed corn flakes, vanilla ice cream with caramel sauce, and airheads rolled into tiny balls. They totally fell for it. It was pretty funny.

Brian spent a couple of days at a five star luxury resort in California, so me and the kids spent a couple of days at my parents house. Luke has become extremely mobile, which in turn, means that he is into anything and everything he can get his hands on. While staying at my parents home, he found the lids to my mom's pots and pans and found himself a new chair.

Luke also found himself stuck in/on Brian's nightstand. He climbed up, but could not figure out how to get off, which was great for me because I was just a couple feet away from him in the bathroom and was able to get ready for the day without worrying were he was and what he was getting into.

I walked downstairs one day to find Ashlyn "decorating" Trent. Kids can find amazing ways to entertain themselves with the simplest of objects. They used the excess from some sticker labels, and after Trent was done, Ashlyn "decorated" herself.

Luke partook of his very first spaghetti dinner - definitely picture worthy!

Trent tried his hand at combing his own hair and was quite proud of his new do.

Warmer weather increased our outdoor play time, which was wonderful. Ashlyn and Trent took advantage of every opportunity they could. Unfortunately, Luke often had to watch from the side lines.

Oh, and the kids got a trampoline, courtesy of Grandpa Mike. It has provided hours upon hours of entertainment, and some darn good exercise to boot.

Warmer weather also means yard work, which Brian has started to tackle. We have big plans, but a small budget. We will probably finish it about the time we are ready to move again ;o)

And that takes care of April...I am really hoping to stay up to date in May. We'll see. I'm not making any promises.