Jonah's big brother

Lucas gave a talk in primary this morning so Aaron and I went over for closing exercises. Jonah had started to get fussy and wouldn't settle down so Aaron took him to the back of the room, rocked him and walked with him. He didn't want to leave because Lucas was getting up to talk but Jonah still wouldn't stop fussing. Then when Lucas started to give his talk, Jonah swung his head around and immediately stopped crying. Aaron turned him around so he could see Lucas and Jonah didn't make another peep.

Let the games begin...

Summer has officially begun today and we've been more than ready. Lucas said one of the main things he was looking forward to was being able to go to the library and read whatever book he wants instead of the prescribed books in his school reading program. So we've gone to the library and came home with a stack of summer reading. Nana came the last few days with 40lbs of strawberries and we made 40 gallons of strawberry jam. Well at least it feels like it. Below is reading time on Nana's bed. Even Jonah got into the act.


Jonah turns 6 freakin months old next week and I can't hardly believe it. His talents are never ending like turning over, eating his weight in formula every day and being a happy, contented baby. He's quick to smile and laugh and share his constant stream of drool with all who hold him.


We went for a family walk and Jonah sat in the stroller without his car seat for the first time. We didn't hear a peep out of him as he just stared at everything.


Lucas wanted to be sure his brother would be protected...


Lucas has mixed feelings about ending the school year. He won't miss homework but has loved his teacher and friends. Yes, the kid will be starting the 4th grade in the fall and his mother is getting grey hairs just thinking about it. My mom made a comment that Lucas has entered the stage of life where he will actually remember these times for the rest of his life. We better make them good.



Lucas has loved cubscouts and has a great group of boys and leaders. For the end of the year bash they all made marshmallow shooters and went to war. Boy heaven.



JB has started solid food which means mess all around. I make my little corn and peas and carrot ice cubes and he enjoys chewing on the bib while I try and feed them to him. I love this picture because you just start to see a hint of the cute, patented half smile he inherited from his daddy.



And here he demonstrates yet again the burrowing cave-sleeping he inherited from the dog.

Brace Face

My baby got braces this morning. I can't believe how much older Lucas looks with those 4 pieces of metal stuck to his front teeth. He needs an expander for a while since his jaw is too small for all the permanent teeth waiting to come in. Hopefully this will keep him from having teeth pulled in the future and a shorter time with braces later in life.




Hanging out before bed.

End of an Era

We mourn the loss of a plate. Yes, a marker-colored, homemade beloved plastic plate Aaron decorated in the 4th grade. After 25 years it's been loved to death and will be missed at our dinner table.

Jonah [hearts] Lucas

I worried that my two boys were born too far apart to ever really have a super close relationship. But I shouldn't have. Lucas was the one who first came up with the name Jonah and stuck with it until we all were in agreement. Lucas always weirdly stated that his new little brother would be his twin and he was right... And these days Jonah can not get enough of his big brother. He knows him. Any time Lucas comes into the room and Jonah hears his voice he strains around to find him. During dinner Jonah is usually on Aaron's lap and will just stare at Lucas until Lucas will look over at him and then he bursts out laughing. Lucas can always make him laugh and squeal, which is his new trick. He made up some baby songs that Jonah adores and we all are singing these days. Yesterday Lucas went in to check on Jonah who had woken up from his nap. On the baby moniter I heard Lucas talking to him about when Jonah turns 8 he wants to be the one to buy him a pocket knife and how he'll teach him how to use it and be safe. I love to see them together and it will be an interesting relationship to watch grow.

Too cool for school

Lucas is a lot like me. He has a closet full of clothes but finds a few articles of clothing he feels comfortable in and wears them everyday. He's very picky about how he looks and what he feels good in, especially his pants. He'd wear the same pair for weeks on end if I let him. Today was his last day for these shorts. Wearing the same clothes is one thing but dirty clothes is another. Lucas can't quite understand why 3 days is my limit.


Yes, I know. He has a big round head. And a sweet smile and a yummy, slurpy kiss.





Typical looks by both boys when Lucas holds Jonah.


Glad I checked on him.

Deja Vu

Last week I took Jonah to the zoo with some good friends and their kids. The whole time I was shaking my head saying to myself, haven't I done this before? Wasn't it Lucas that was napping in the front carrier? And yet it was forever ago that I was here with Lucas, our zoo pass and a different pack of friends. It's now Round 2 and I'm starting back at the beginning. Jonah brings back so many memories of Lucas it makes me smile everyday. Attending playgroups that are just as much for the moms as they are for the kids, scouring the house for pacifiers wondering where in the world they could have hidden themselves this time, freezing homemade baby food in our ice trays, bouncing the fussy baby the front carrier while making dinner and counting the minutes until daddy gets home. I find myself singing songs I haven't sung in years, reading books Lucas and I used to love together, smelling that same spit up smell in the neck of my baby that I actually love. And I find myself enjoying it even more the second time around. I'm a lot more relaxed. I thoroughly cherish and appreciate this wonderful miracle we've been given. I've learned to savor the little moments because they go by so quickly. In no time at all my baby is going to be 9 year old boy roller blading around the house listening to music on an IPod and telling me I don't need to lecture him on the merits of choosing the right every time he tells me about the goings on of his friends at school. He knows it all already.



JB's smile is all Lucas.




Cotton got a shave last week that was definitely needed. I like him again even if it was way too short and he looks like a rat dog. I've gotten some books from the library to try to teach him a few manners, like not barking at all the big dogs when we go around Greenlake. It's embarrassing. Luckily most owners think it's funny to see such a small fry take on dogs that could eat him for breakfast. But every once in a while I get looks from owners like, how dare you take him out in public and let him actually bark. I've added "dog training" to my long to-do list in life.


Lucas takes after his father and loves to run. I find it's one of the things in life where he really pushes himeslf. He stated to me he doesn't want to be on a team but just wants to run for fun. Lucas and Aaron are going to sign up for a few races this year and they love to train. I'm actually running a little myself, if you can call my pathetic shuffle a run.