Simply Sara

"....clap your hands!" And that's just what Lucas did! I marvel at how a baby's mind works. Out of the blue and without any prompting, Lucas clapped this afternoon. A couple hours later, he clapped again several times in a row. Way to go, big boy!

There are few things I love more than a spring rain. I love the way colors outside look richer, deeper. Our backyard looks so comforting and inviting right now. (Except for the grass that needs to be cut and the dog poo.) But you understand what a I mean. Growing up, I began to associate a sense of melancholy with spring storms. A stirring or longing to snuggle with my love, sip hot tea, and watch a movie or read a novel. Oh, I just thought of the perfect place I would like to be right now to fully enjoy this rain storm -- sitting on a screened in back porch. Give me a warm blanket and a spiced chai latte and I'm in heaven. Unfortunately, none of those things are going to happen today. My precious husband is off to work, and I am rushing around the house packing for Lucas and I to be gone for a few days. We're headin' down to Georgia. I've been asking God to keep the rain here in the Upstate, but the weather channel's predictions have given me little hope. I ha...

So, the technical term for the past 11 days is "Nursing Strike". Matt looked it up online. In fact, he was the one who typed into the search bar on Google, "my baby screams when I nurse him". His ingenious search came up with some answers and tips to handle our situation. Lucas has been crying during just about every feeding for the past 11 days. He screams, arches his back, and carries on like he is in pain. We have taken him to the doctor, called the doctor, and sought advice from friends more wise than us. This morning, we can to the official conclusion that Lucas has somehow associated the pain of teething with breastfeeding and that is why he is having such a hard time. He doesn't have an ear infection or cold. He doesn't have reflux, and he will take a bottle without any tears. My emotions have been up and down all week. For each minute of eating another 3 minutes of tears transpire. For a breastfeeding mom, I have felt somewhat rejected. Th...

Thanks Ken for teaching me how to make a link.

Check out that spread! YUM! I come from a family of great cooks! And wonderful people!!! Here I am with my aunt, mom, sisters, and a cousin!! As you can see, the family resemblence is very strong. 4.15.06 

Our happy family 4.15.06 

Happy Easter! 4.16.06 

Wow, what a weekend. Happy Easter everyone. We three are exhausted from a long weekend of traveling, time with family, and lots of good eatin'! The only damper on the great time was that Lucas was cutting a tooth. And still is. For almost a week, Lucas has been fussy and completely off schedule. Thursday I decided that I had had enough and took him to the doctor to get his ears checked. Thankfully, he is well, but the only advice the doc could give us to deal with the crankiness was orajel, tylenol, and rest. The tooth hasn't broken through the skin yet, but every day we're praying that it will so that Lucas will be out of pain. At least until the next tooth tries to wiggle through the gums. Poor guy. **sidenote** "Thanks Andrew for teaching me how to wave last Thursday!!! I've been waving both hands at my family all weekend!! And for some reason that makes everyone smile and act silly! Maybe you can teach me to crawl next!" Luv, Lucas

Last night, we went to a cookout at the Beaty's and Lucas did another "first" for us. Matt was holding Lucas' hands while he was standing up. I was in front of them cheering Lucas on, when he started putting one foot in front of the other and "walking" towards me. He must have taken 5 or 6 steps holding Matt's hands! We were overjoyed! And in that moment, I felt like God said to me, "Looking at how I am taking care of our little boy. Every part of his life is in My hands."

10 Mintues, 30 wipes, 20 sheets of paper towels, cleaning spray, a change of clothes and lots of soap later...... Mommy, Baby, and Exersaucer are clean again. Why couldn't Matt have been home today?

I've been having the strangest dreams lately. Everything is so vivid and real that I often find myself asking friends (when I am awake) if I already told them something, because I dreamed about it the night before. Last night's dream was no exception. My wild dreams were filled with interactions with the Mafia, picking out evening gowns with friends, and a modern day Ark. Weird. I love recounting my dreams to Matt because he always gives me the most ridiculous looks and then says, "How in the world do you come up with this stuff?" Sometimes I can go back over each detail and determine the source of the strange images filling my slumber. Other times I have no clue about the origin. I'm blaming my wild imagination on television. Having extended cable opens up a world of channels full of reruns, reality shows, and other odds and ends. We have noticed Lucas being very attentive to the television when it is on, and I must say that is starting to freak me out. I...

Our big boy at 7 months 4.2.06 

This eating thing is so much fun! 4.2.06 

Lucas loves being with his Grandma and Cousin Alyssa 3.30.06 

Lucas is 7 months old today. Everyday brings new changes as he is exploring his world through taste and touch. Here are the "Mommy check-up" stats: Approx. Weight: 16 pounds Eye Color: Hazel (like Mommy's) Eye Lashes : Long (like Daddy's) Hair : appears to be brown, but there isn't enough to tell yet Nose : adorable (not sure who it came from) Smile : gleeful Teeth: none so far Language : "Hey" "Da-Da" "Ahh-n" "Kkkk" "guh" Personality: laidback, content, charmer, engaging Motor : rolls from front to back and back to front, loves to "stand", props up on extended arms, sitting up, not yet crawling, pass objects from hand to hand, picks up small items using whole hand He loves it when : Daddy tickles his tummy with his nose, Mommy kisses him on the leg, Annie is in the room, he is the center of attention Food : breastfeeding 4x a day, rice cereal, pureed peas and carrots Favorites: "Itsy Bitsy ...