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Luke had his very first ophthalmology appointment yesterday. The clinic was impressive. The play area was entertaining enough to keep his attention while waiting to be seen, they had Jungle Book showing in all the kid exam rooms, and they test everything using toys instead of your typically lights and lenses. He had fun I think. Oh, and the ophthalmologist was funny. He sang and made noises the whole time he was examining just to keep Luke's attention and he explained how he was about to put on his "funny" light hat before doing so, etc. He was really good at what he did. Even with waiting 20 minutes for his eyes to dilate, we were in and out in 45 minutes...not bad.

And...the outcome was that according to the technician Luke had beautiful eyes, which she noticed while dilating him. He was supposed to be upset by the first drops that feel like "shampoo in the eyes", but he didn't even frown at her. Then, according to the doctor, he was a very strong boy, based on his repeated high-five slaps. And he also said his eyes, on the surface and behind, are perfect and his vision is perfect for his age. Great to have verified, although with his aptitude to spot planes and helicopters miles away we probably could have come up with the same diagnosis.

All in a Day

He "helps" a lot in the kitchen.
James introduced the noodle to this incredibly dangerous way of shopping, riding in the basket instead of the seat. Now, of course, grocery shopping can only be done with two adults, one to push the noodle and the other to actually push the groceries. Luke loves it.
And...all the fun in a day wears him out. He sleeps mostly with his legs propped up on the bumper through the rails, sideways. He always has one paci in his mouth for sleeping and an extra in his hand. The other hand typically has a death grip on his blue giraffe blanket. He sleeps like a champ though, never has any problems going down at night and you are guaranteed at least until 6 am before you hear his first peeps.

Mary Lou in the Making

Luke attended his second session of gym class. Yes, gym class for little people. It is a hoot! First off, he was accidentally registered for the wrong class, and as such he is the youngest. The class is designed for 18 mth to 3 yr olds. But he copes. He deviates a bit, well, a lot. The music is the real problem. The instructor gives some instructions first (like run in a circle, tickle your mom, gallop like a horse, touch your toes, etc.), as most of us sit in a big circle. Then, after the instructions, the idea is that the kids and parents will follow the instructions as the music plays for a few seconds. Then, the music stops, more instructions, music starts, we do our activity, etc. Luke does great - he wanders along with several other kids while the instructor gives instructions. He is not the only deviator, UNTIL, the music starts. When the music comes on the other kids notice the activity, join the circle and perform as instructed. Not, Luke. He notices the music, stops whatever he is doing wherever he is doing it and dances his heart out. On occasion he'll join the running circle as you pass by, as long as it isn't going too fast for him to dance and run at the same time. If it is too fast, he just makes his way to the middle and proceeds with a little Jackson routine.



Luckily, shortly thereafter, we move into explore time. This is his forte. He knows how to explore. Some kids get in the way at times, to which he just reaches out ,grabs a shirt, and pulls them out of the way. We have gotten a few dirty looks from other parents, but, hey, he's only 15 months old, these older kids should understand, right? Right. Mixed in with explore time are 2 or 3 activities for the day, like front rolls, balance beam walking, or swinging like a monkey from the bars. He has been able to do them all with some help. I mean, he didn't actually ever hold the bar tonight, but he did swing with his spotter's help and that counts in little people gym class. Besides, he looked cute, and we got pictures, which are below. Oh, and he is also a bit advanced. There is one activity where all the kids get on top of a parachute and the parents drag them around in a circle. Luke is the only one able to stand the entire time as we spin them around, never mind that he is supposed to sit down...this kid has balance.



The instructor threatens to take him home due to his extraordinary cuteness and pleasant demeanor. Similar to last night. He went to the nursery at church with about 5 other kids. Three of them wouldn't stop crying until they called in reinforcements. They all said Luke just walked past them and gave them "the look", which I find rather funny. He only knows "the look" because he learned it from us at home; he gets it when he is fussy for no apparent reason. Mister high and mighty, little do they know. But, still they went on and on about how pleasant he was. I'm pretty sure anyone inviting him into a room with all new toys would find him rather pleasant...he knows what he likes.



Anyway, still cute, still having fun, still our favorite baby...

More Beach Pics - Fishing Trip

James, Dad, and Jeffrey went red fish fishing one of the days we were there. See below..they caught red fish, along with some unknown species.

Jeffrey's proud moment with a minnow!
Who knows what this is? James' catch.
An eater.
Fried red fish anyone?
Between the three of them we could have eaten a week!

More Beach Pics of Family

David LOVED the beach!
The shovel became a small point of contention, as Luke hasn't learned the art of sharing yet.
A view of the crew.
Michael tolerated the beach, but I think prefered the pool.
And, if maw was there that was even better!

More Beach Pics

Luke at the splash pad.
Shoveling water at the splash pad.
A view of the pool from our balcony.
A few of maw's boys.
Luke trying the water as long as dad was holding on tight!

More Beach Pictures

"So big" at the Waterfront park. Man, it was hot that day, but still we walked out on the dock and got to see tons of planes overhead. Luke made sure we didn't miss a one.

Beach Bum in the Making

Just returned from Luke's first beach trip! We met the Anderson grandparents and Uncle Jeffrey, Aunt Lynn, cousins Michael and David at Perdido Key this past week. Luke was a champ on all the plane rides and the drive to and from the airport. He did startle a few people in the airport as he mocked the fire alarm that was going off overhead. Just when it stopped he picked up the noise, so those around us couldn't stop panicking just yet...he sounded just like the alarm!



As for the beach - he liked it, but wanted to hold on to someone tight. He refused to walk in the dry sand though. I guess it felt too much like work to him. We did more pool time than beach time, and after every stop rewarded him with some play at the splash pad, which was hands down his favorite. He drank the water, scooped the water, tossed his ball through the water, and just generally enjoyed getting wet



He didn't sleep as well as he does at home, but stayed on schedule with his morning and afternoon naps pretty well. He just didn't sleep in like we would have preferred, so 6 a.m. was our wake up call each day.



Check out the pictures chronicling the plane ride all the way down to the coastline...

He watched the clouds as long as he could, then succumbed to sleep.
A view of the beach from our room.
As long as there are toys involved, he'll go anywhere.

Luke's most fun moments included the elevator trips. He ran out to the elevator, pointed for you to push the button, then picked one of the three elevators to lean on, awaiting the door opening. As soon as it opened, he'd check the gap, run on, look out. Then as soon as it stopped he promptly turned around and waited for the door to reopen. He knew exactly how it worked, and I'm pretty sure he could have made it back to our room all by himself - he has a knack for directional memory.