To My Hubby, My Best Friend, and the Best Daddy - Happy Birthday

I know, I know - an update FINALLY! I didn't realize how many people read my blog until I started receiving "hints" about wanting to see updated pictures of Luke. I have even heard - why don't you join Facebook so you can just add pictures quickly without an explanation. NO WAY! Facebook is not for me...I will stick with blogging...



In the above picture, you see the two most important men in my life - Landis and Luke. Of course, way before Luke - there was Landis - my husband and best friend, and now, my parent sidekick and the best daddy in the world. On Saturday, this sweet man that I spend my life with will be 33. It's hard to believe considering that we met when he was 17!!! Over the last 16 years, we have experienced more than some couples experience in 20 years of marriage and each hurdle has brought us closer. Landis is the only person in the world who will be completely honest with me - good or bad, and, at times, he's the only person that my stubborn self will listen to. He somehow knows what I need to hear and when I need to hear it. Landis also makes me laugh everyday and I'm not the only one - he has more friends than anyone I know - why? Because he is entertaining, funny, and dependable - what more could friends ask for? And, now, we can add to his great list of qualities - he is a great daddy. When Landis gets home and talks to Luke, Luke's face lights up and he smiles a great big smile - he knows who his daddy is and he already loves him. I can't wait to see Luke and Landis grow closer and closer as Luke gets older. One day (before I know it), they will be walking out the door together with their golf bags. :) So sweet... :) So...to Landis (who I will have to force to read my blog because he never reads it), I love you more than words can express - you are the most important person in my life and I'm so glad that God put us together. I couldn't live without you. Happy 33rd Birthday! I look forward to celebrating many more with you.



Here's a few other quick updates...



Back to Work on Monday:

I'm trying not to dwell on it, but, it's inevitable, I head back to work on Monday and I'm not looking forward to it. I have cried quite a bit and plan on crying some more. I've prayed for peace and comfort and God is rewarding me with that a little more each day. I'm actually doing better today than I was a week ago. I have the comfort of knowing that Luke will be well taken care of by my mom, my mother-in-law and a Christian lady who kept some kids of ladies that I work with. And, I get to look forward to the summer - I only have to work about 3 months and then I have a few months off. Even with this positive outlook, I'm going to need some prayers - please pray for me as I walk out the door and leave my little man for an entire day on Monday. I know that it's going to be difficult...



Another prayer request...

I have a prayer request that I cannot write about publicly, but I want to put it out there like this...please pray that God will continue to give me patience, restraint, and the ability to wait on him to work in one area of my life. I am wanting to take control and make my own moves when I know the Lord is telling me to WAIT on Him to work, so please pray for me. I can't wait to see what the Lord has planned.



The rest....UPDATES ON BABY LUKE....



Luke is doing great! He continues to be the sweetest baby ever. He is smiling very easily, cooing quite a bit, and at times, laughs out loud. He is very strong. When lying on his back, I grab his hands and he pulls his neck because he wants me to help him into a sitting position. He loves a sitting position, which is why I was happy to see that he can now sit in the BeBe pod...take a look...

While I have been out of work, I have taken Luke over to my grandparents' house every Wednesday so Luke can play with my mammaw and granddaddy. He loves his time with them and, of course, Luke is the highlight of their day. Here are a few pictures of Luke playing with my granddaddy....

Some more cute pictures.....

Look at those fat rolls...can you believe that??? Luke wore a onesie one day last week when the weather was nice...

One of the few pictures that Luke is with me...I'm always the one taking the pictures so this doesn't happen a lot...

Luke in his Baby Bjourn...he loves this thing...he loves to sit in this while I do things around the house...he is such a busy body...he does not like to sit still, so this helps us both out...mommy can do house work and Luke can look around...and, of course, my educator self is talking to him the whole time..."Look, Luke, this is a red shirt, look at the bowl, there goes Madi, this is soft..." Can't you just hear me? Luke shouldn't have any problems with language development (he, he)....

A few more cute pics...

Last, but not least, (I don't have any pictures yet)...BOB update...remember on my last blog we were waiting on the car seat adapter for the BOB stroller so we could begin running, well, the piece is here and we have gone running 2 times....so, how did we do? Pretty good considering I haven't run since I found out I was pregnant. Landis and I have tracked out a 5K path Creekside park in Archdale, a fairly challenging path with several large hills. We are walking/running the path in intervals right now with the goal of shortening the walking intervals a little each week. I have been pleasantly surprised in how my body has adapted back to working out pretty quickly, especially considering that I have been selected to push the stroller. Pushing a stroller while running burns 30% more calories, so as you can imagine, it requires more exertion. I am enjoying the challenge and Luke is enjoying the riding, and I am very proud of Landis who is hanging right with us and he hasn't worked out in quite some time. :) We are aiming to run a 5K sometime this spring - I will keep you posted. :)

Until next time...enjoy this beautiful weather and the longer days... :)

Toddy