Adventures in Babysitting (Day IV and V)

Our time with Luke has come to an end, but we so enjoyed our time together! Thursday morning I woke up bright and early with Luke and let John sleep in. Luke was so happy to see me and was so full of silliness in the morning. What a great way for both of us to start the day. He shrieked with joy and just wanted to be in my arms. And ate a banana like a little monkey. In the afternoon, we took Luke to a new playground. He was pretty excited to check it all out, but even more interested in picking up all the sweet gum balls that have fallen from the trees. And he also cannot resist walking past a good acorn. I think he definitely has an appreciation for nature!

In the evening we took a stroll around the neighborhood to allow Luke to get his wiggles out before dinner. After a nice bath, he headed to bed a happy boy. We heard him singing himself to sleep. (Yes, it was "Pink Cadillac.") How cute is that?

This morning John let me sleep in because I was exhausted. Not because Luke was up all night or wearing me out, but because all week I burned the candle at both ends by staying up late and getting up early with Luke. I assume parents make this adjustment pretty quickly! It only took a few days for it to hit me. John and I spent the evenings watching some good TV and when John would head to bed, I read my book. I was reading The Help by Kathryn Stockett and wanted knock it out, so that's what I did and it caught up with me. Luckily John returned the favor from yesterday and allowed me to catch a little more sleep this morning.

One of our proudest achievements of the week was teaching Luke how to say "up." He really likes to be held as much as possible or on our laps when we are sitting, so we helped him communicate with us instead of grunting and whimpering. We started with "Up, please" but decided to trim it down to just "up" and will add "please" later. At first we would ask, "Say 'up'." And the cutest little voice would say, "Uuuuuuuuuuup" and his voice would get really high at the end. It melted our hearts. Soon after, he would say it without being prompted or we would just ask "What do you want?" It is amazing to watch him learn and communicate with a new word. I even rewarded him when he needed to sit in his high chair because he was eating breakfast--he looked at me in such a sweet way and said, "Uuuuuuuuup?" So I thought for a second, but then realized if we were trying to teach him this and he did it completely on his own, then he should should be rewarded. Hopefully now he won't just run around the house screaming "Uuuuuuuuup!"

This morning we spent some time with him before Keenan and Monte came home. We didn't have too long with him because they came home in the morning. It is strange being in "baby mode" and taking care of a little one, then not having him around all the time. I even panicked for a quick second when I thought I heard a baby sound at home, but quickly realized Luke isn't here. I guess that was my instincts kicking in.

Now I am sitting outside, while John grills some potatoes and salmon for dinner. We are back to our normal lives now at our house, but it doesn't really feel 100% complete. We definitely got used to looking after another and not just ourselves. Luckily Keenan and Monte invited us to come by anytime this weekend because it will probably need to happen. This girl is already having some Luke withdrawals.

In a sleepy cocoon.

Brushing a one-and-a-half-year-old's teeth isn't the easiest thing to do.

I can do it all by myself, Uncle John.

Either really into this page or wanting to turn to another, preferably with "tractors."

This will do.

Adventures in Babysitting (Day III)

This morning we heard Luke humming a song John taught him (Bruce Springsteen's Pink Cadillac) and saying Uncle over and over again on the baby monitor. What a cute way to wake up! He was happy to see me first thing and is such a sweet, jovial baby in the morning. John took him out for a quick walk with the dog and Luke was lucky enough to see the trash truck in action. I should mention there aren't many things more important in his world than tractors. Trucks, lawn mowers, large cars, and some random objects with wheels count as "tractors." Anyway, Luke stood there in awe and as the truck driver picked up on that, he honked his horn. It pretty much made his morning. And this afternoon we took a short walk around the neighborhood and we saw another "tractor." It was actually just a riding mower, but still required us to stop and discuss its awesomeness.

Tonight we ventured out to dinner and it was funny to watch us prepare. John asked, "Do we need to bring diapers or something?" We have never taken Luke out and about alone, always out with Keenan and Monte or babysitting Luke at home. Luke was excited about our dinner adventure and exclaimed "Yay!" after we told him we were going to have a pizza party. That's what he always says after you mention a pizza party. John and I found a nice table to sit at, pulled up a high chair, and ordered dinner. The table definitely wasn't baby proofed and we tried to get to everything before Luke did, i.e. metal plates, silverware, etc. Then he decided he wanted to stand up in his high chair, so I kept catching him trying or giving me the side-eye. Every once in a while, he let out a screech or did something crazy. It's hard to keep a toddler entertained until the food comes out! John looked at me and said, "Do you think these people think we are bad parents? Do you think all new parents feel this way?" I think we definitely felt under the microscope, but in all honestly I know we weren't. The restaurant was a family place, many kids around, and Luke fit in perfectly. I almost think Luke sensed our apprehension and thought the new environment equals new rules. The older ladies in the restaurant loved him and stopped by the table to say goodbye. Luke befriended everyone on the waitstaff. Throwing his arms up in the air and grinning ear-to-ear as they passed might have had something to do with it. He loved the pizza and definitely ate his fair share. We needed to wrap things up at the restaurant because Luke was full and getting delirious. That equals crazy slap-happiness. At the first sign of this we asked for the check and jetted out of there. I have to say it was a really fun experience for all of us! We love showing Luke off and were happy to share a fun evening with him. The pizza party took its toll and Luke was ready to crash when we got home. He walked himself to his room and drifted off to sleep so easily. We are looking forward to another fun-filled day with him tomorrow!

John and Luke enjoying the pizza party.

Chowing down.

John insisted we get a photo of Luke eating pizza "like a dude."

What a dude.

So full and ready to go home.

Making the trek to bed.

Put me to bed. I'm ready.

So sleepy.

One last pose before dreamland.

Videos from Day I

Adventures in Babysitting (Day II)

Today has been just as fun as yesterday and Luke is now fast asleep. This afternoon we took the dog for a little walk, Luke played cars with Uncle, I made dinner, we ate together, had bath time, and then Skyped with the gradparents. I am amazed how quickly the time has gone. Luke's at the age where he loves to play, but his day still needs to be structured. So by the time we make dinner, eat, and get him a bath and ready for bed so much time passes. We ate a little after 6 and he crashed at 7:45, so I feel like we've been going non-stop since this afternoon. I guess that's what little ones do! :) I just sat down at my computer and my sister Kyleigh IM-ed me on Facebook. She said, "I wanted to talk to Luke! I called you." I guess I am getting a taste of what moms must feel like because I haven't had a second to think to take my phone out of my purse. So now I have some missed calls to return.

Tonight we had to put Luke in time-out. That's a first for me. When I was young, we were just sent to our rooms and when I was old enough to babysit time-out wasn't really a thing yet. So tonight John and I agreed that if he threw his food one more time, he would go to time-out. So the food was thrown and Luke was disciplined. He didn't seem to mind though. He just sat there for the whole minute. John kept telling me not to look at him, but I want to make sure he isn't doing something crazy. I did catch him banging the back of his head, although lightly, on back of the door with boredom. As I walked over to release him from time-out, he leapt up and exclaimed, "Yay!", added some toddler talk, and jumped in my arms. I was glad to my sweet little guy back.

But I definitely feel like I am getting the hang of all of this and I just simply adore Luke. Even when he bites Uncle (Yes, he did tonight. And it was hard. John thought about time-out, but by the time he recovered from the bite we didn't think Luke would have put the two together if he went into time-out). Or throws food. Or chucks his spoon across the room. He is the sweetest little guy and I can't wait to spend more time with him tomorrow.

One of my favorite things to do is put him in adorable outfits. I didn't know I would enjoy this part so much, but I do. How cute is this bear shirt? Luke's thrilled about it too, ha.

Gimme that camera!

Luke's impression of a New Yorker. "What's a guy gotta do to get an orange peeled ova heea? Ah, forgetaboutit."

I was very impressed he fed himself yogurt with a spoon.

Bath time.

The cutest little guy!

And just to make this a multi-media post, here are some videos. You might cry from the cuteness. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Adventures in Babysitting (Day I)

John and I have been lucky enough to spend our week babysitting Luke while his parents are having fun in the Caribbean. We've been really excited about watching Luke, but at the time time have had some insecurities about it. What if he cries for hours on end? Doesn't go to bed? Wakes up at 3 am and screams his head off? Doesn't eat? Gets sick? Keenan left wonderful instructions and day 1 didn't offer any of those troubles, so let's hope for smooth sailing from here on out!

We picked Luke up from daycare yesterday around 3pm (he still goes for part of the day to keep schedule). We found him playing outside with his friends. I said his name and he stopped in his tracks as he recognized me. He ran over to his Uncle Johnny and gave him a big squeeze. I should mentioned that there aren't too many things in this world that he loves more than his Uncle Johnny, or as Luke calls him "Uncle." We scooped him up and headed to his house. After an afternoon snack and a quick dog walk, we headed to the neighborhood playground for some serious play time. He hit up every attraction at the playground and was worn out after an hour of play.

Once we were home, he showed us he worked up a great appetite while scarfing down his dinner. I must add that we knew he was finished eating when he started throwing pieces of his bread everywhere. I know we aren't supposed to laugh, but when he does something naughty he gives this little adorable grin that is so hard to discipline! I'm sure this is one of the many battles of being a parent. I must add that earlier in the day, John showed his concern about having to change a dirty diaper by saying, "What are we going to do when he has a dirty diaper? 1-2-3, not it!" I guess since he played that card, it had to be me. Everyone knows the "1-2-3, not it!" rule, but I just haven't had it played on me for about 10 years. On his own he suggested we take turns, so I thought that was rather fair of him. We will see how squeemish he get's tonight! Ha.

We had a little more play time, then it was off to bed. He fell asleep a happy, tired little boy. This morning he couldn't have been happier to see that we were still there. What a adorable little guy! Can't wait to pick him back up in a couple of hours. (Videos to come soon!)

All smiles on the swings.

Gotta be quick on the playground and I'm not sure if the playground was made with uncles in mind!

Working his way up the slide.

Loves the spiral slide!

Lots to see and do.

Not so sure about all of this.

Luke and (an extra excited) Uncle Johnny.

Luke is the self-appointed neighborhood-waver. He waves at all bicyclists and cars as they go by.

Almost bed time.

Singing something.