December 25, 2012. Luke's First Christmas Home!

This Christmas Season could not be more special and more joyful!  Luke is healthy, happy, and ready for Christmas!  We've had a few visitors to the house to wish us a Merry Christmas.  Uncle Jerry and Aunt Trish stopped by while they were in town.  We enjoyed spending the afternoon with them, and Luke had a chance to open his gifts while they visited.  It was wonderful to see Uncle Jerry and Aunt Trish, especially at Christmas!  Koko and Bob were able to come over for dinner and exchange gifts before leaving town for the holidays.  We always enjoy time with Koko and Bob, as they are dear friends.  They love Luke very much!  Mr. Russo, our neighbor across the street, stopped by to bring Luke a Mickey Mouse piano book of Christmas song!  This book has been a favorite, and I'm sure will be for many years to come!

On Christmas Eve, Luke and Grandma made sugar cookies for Santa, using Grandma Miko's cookie recipe.  He had so much fun, and really loved every minute of decorating and baking!  So did Grandma!  After the cookies cooled, Grandma helped Luke select a couple of the most special sugar cookies for Santa's Christmas plate!  Luke placed the plate of cookies on the little table in front of the Christmas Tree, so that Santa would surely find them!  Luke left him a glass of milk, too!

The next day we awoke to Luke's first Christmas morning!  There are, of course, no words to describe the joy felt by all of us that morning!  Luke could not believe his eyes as we walked down stairs!  Santa gave Luke a Lakeshore Red Barn with farm animals, mothers and babies.  Santa also gave Luke hand-painted glass Christmas ornaments from China.  These ornaments are so beautiful, and to know they are painted from the inside with very small brushes, makes them more amazing!  Mommy gave Luke a book about the Twelve Days of Christmas, with DOGS!  Mommy also gave Luke an FAO Schwartz Chocolate Labrador stuffed animal!  Grandma gave Luke a wonderful figurine of Micky Mouse dressed as Santa, getting ready to climb down the chimney with his bag of toys.  Mommy's friend from Colorado, Janet, sent Luke a great winter beanie from the Colorado State University Rams.  Lisa sent Luke a Denver Broncos ornament for the tree, as well as his first Denver Broncos shirt!  Mommy's friend from Fort Collins sent Luke his first Nativity with baby Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.  Luke loves the toy Nativity, and I can tell it will be a favorite for years to come!  What a wonderful addition to our Christmas traditions!  Luke's first Christmas morning was truly joyous!  Luke, Mommy loves you, and Merry Christmas!

Uncle John, Aunt Deb, Josh, and Ashley came over for Christmas dinner, as they do each year.  We always have so much fun when we get together, and this year was no exception!  After dinner, we all visited and exchanged gifts.  Luke received a red monster truck, a walking puppy that barks, and a shape-sorter tugboat for the bath.  

 

December 12, 2012! Luke's First Haircut!

Luke had a follow-up appointment with the Orthopedic Surgeon down in Cincinnati last Friday, December 7.  Beginning January 30, Luke will only wear his shoes and bar for 12 hours a day!  Celebration!  Run, run, run, baby!  He'll wear them starting at bedtime, and ending before he goes to school in the morning.  Nothing but fun!  I'm so happy for him, and just amazed at how quickly he is ready to go!

Luke had his very first haircut tonight... his hair was getting a little long!  He was upset for about 5 minutes, but quickly recovered.  The cool red car with the horn helped!  He paid no attention to the haircut after a bit!  I won't say much more, as the photos speak for themselves.  Photos at home in front of the Christmas tree to show off the handsome cut!  I love you, Luke!

PHOTOS ARE UPDATED!

As everyone knows, new Mommies are quite busy, and don't often have a free hand.  I am no exception, and as a result, I have been very delayed in posting new baby pictures of Luke since returning to the States from China!  I am pleased to announce that all photographs are now current!  I've posted photos back as far as the day of Luke's First Orthopedic Visit in late August!  He's quite a looker, and I couldn't be more proud of him!  As always, thank you to family and dear friends for all of your thoughts, prayers, and ongoing well wishes!

November 22, 2012. Luke's First Thanksgiving!

Today is Luke's first Thanksgiving holiday!  I finally finished Luke's China baby photo album this morning... I wanted to take it to Aunt Deb and Uncle John's to show everyone before Thanksgiving dinner.  Grandma made 2 pumpkin pies this morning... one to take to dinner, one for Luke!  Luke had his first pumpkin pie at Inspire Center for Learning's Thankgiving Feast!  He loved it, so Grandma wanted him to have his own pie! 

Thanksgiving dinner over at Aunt Deb and Uncle John's with Debbie's family.  We all had a lot of fun, and dinner was delicious!  Koko and Bob were there, of course... Luke loves to play with Koko!  He also loves it when Grandma feeds him pumpkin pie!  We'll put our Christmas tree up tomorrow!





November 4, 2012. Luke Joseph Turns 2!

Today was the big day... Luke Joseph's 2nd birthday, and his first birthday celebration in the States!  It couldn't have been a more wonderful day!  Luke woke up happy, and we were all very excited!  Grandma gave Luke a special Precious Moments keepsake early in the morning... a porcelain train with zoo animals, and one car for each birthday.  Grandma gave him the engine, 1st birthday car, and 2nd birthday car.  

Luke's birthday party began at 3:00 PM, and we were all so excited when our guests arrived!  I ordered Chinese food from my favorite neighborhood Chinese Restaurant.  We all had a big laugh, because the food was supposed to be delivered at 2:30.  I received a phone call at about 3:30 from the restaurant.  "Did you order food for a birthday party at 2:30?"  I answered yes.  "We forgot!  Do you still want food?"  I answered yes, again!  "Fifteen minutes!"  It was just so funny!  We will all be telling that story for years to come!  The food from the Chinese restaurant was delicious, as always, and everyone enjoyed!  We listened to Chinese music all afternoon.  Bob and Koko gave Luke his first winter coat!  I loved it, and Luke did also!  Luke's Aunt Gerry sent him a birthday card in the mail from North Carolina.  He was given 2 new pair of bib overalls, his favorite!  He recieved a cool new schoolbus shape sorter, a Dr. Seuss floor puzzle, and a great new electronic alphabet caterpillar from Grandma!  It was just so much fun for everyone!  Luke enjoyed his red and white striped Cat in the Hat birthday cake, and guests enjoyed cupcakes decorated in Dr. Seuss colors.  Thanks to all who were a part of Luke's celebration!