Some February fun

Still feeling sick, but the cold medicine is keeping me going. Suffice to say, I can't wait until the weekend arrives. In the meantime, let's look at some pictures from the beginning of February.

Just like a rabid NFL fan, Lucas apparently felt ripping his shirt off during the Super Bowl broadcast was a great idea. This weekend, I'll try and remember to post a funny video of him dancing to one of the Super Bowl commercials.


Yogurt aftermath.


I guess today's theme is barechested babies. Here, monkey boy drinks his milk while crouched on his chair at the table.


I decided to buy Rock Band 2 with money I'd received for my birthday, and here, Lucas tries to show off his drumming chops. Of course, of all the pictures in this post, this would probably have been the ideal one to have seen him sans shirt.


Ok, maybe I spoke too soon on drumming. Mick Jagger, anyone? Let's just hope his lips stay normal sized.

Blecch.

I was going to post something tonight, but I feel sick as hell. I think Lucas passed something on to me since he's had a regular cold going on for the last week or so. Or maybe I have Fifth Disease too. Well, whatever the case, I'm heading off to bed at the unprecedented time of 7:30 (for me, anyway). Hopefully, I'll feel better tomorrow, and we can start seeing his February photos.

Night all.

Friendly Neighborhood Lucas

In the latest health news, a couple of other kids at Lucas's daycare have got Fifth Disease so it's more than likely he'll end up with it, if he hasn't already contracted it. Although I'd never even heard of it, apparently it's extremely common and to be honest, it doesn't even sound as bad as getting a cold. You get a rash, maybe get a runny nose and slight fever, and that's it. Lucas already has sensitive skin so who know if we'll even notice a difference.

The next couple of pictures are from way back on Jan 31, but coincidentally enough, that's the same outfit Lucas wore to bed tonight. Go figure. One of Lucas's favorite things to play with lately is Play-Doh. He even tries to say it, but it comes out as Bo-Do or something like that. Marilu could tell you better than I could since she hears it more often.

As you can see, he has a little container that contains all his Play-Doh items. We've bought even more Play-Doh stuff since then so that barely contains his current inventory.


He hasn't quite figured out how to get the lid off yet. I guess he needs just a little more finger strength.


I just thought this was a cute full-body shot of him in his Spider outfit.


Here we see him intent on working the Play-Doh in some sort of nifty shape.


And then inevitably, it all comes back to this. Every Play-Doh play session so far has been halted since he either tries to bite a piece off, or he actually does manage to get a chunk in his mouth and he fights us to prevent us from removing it. Oh, the timeouts he's had and no doubt will continue to have.


Just wanted to add that although he is speaking really clearly yet, he definitely is getting closer to being able to talk. He has some "words" that are very close in sound to the real word so he knows what he's doing. As far as him understanding us, he's doing fantastic. We can give him multistep tasks and he will usually be able to follow them. For instance, we can tell him to pick something up off the floor and throw it in the trash. He'll grab it, run into the kitchen, open up the cabinet door, throw the object in the trash basket, and then close the door. It's really quite neat to see him learning almost in front of our eyes.

Anyway, that's all I got for now since it's quarter after midnight, and I'm getting tired.

Visit from the grandparents

My mom and Kevin, known to Lucas as Grammy and Grampy, visited at the end of January. I have a few pictures from their visit, but I think the majority of them ended up on my mom's camera. Never get in the way of a Canon-wieldin' grandma.

Here Grammy and Lucas read 101 Dalmatians, one of Lucas's favorite movies as of late. Of course, the inverse is true for me: the more I see that movie, the more I want Cruella DeVil to win once and for all.


Now this is an unexpected shot. Lucas is looking straight at the camera and both grandparents are staring at him. Sigh...


Remember the really cute (and amusing) photo of Lucas from a few weeks back where he was wearing reading glasses. Well, the following is from the next day, but this time it's in video!



Finally, portrait of a true couch potato. Lying on the couch AND eating potato chips.

No rhyme or reason

Hey all, it's been a busy time lately since we had visitors in town (Marilu's brother Steven and his gf) and then I went ahead and got sick a couple of nights ago, which has put me in a non-creative mode. To tide you over for now, here's a couple of random pictures.

Lucas doing what he does best--acting weird.


This picture amuses me. For some reason, he pushed both of his chairs right up to the stove. He never did anything further, such as use them to touch the top of the stove. However, the positioning of the chairs just makes it look the most boring television show EVER.

Strolling through January

Yes, this is another one of my patented "catch up" posts. I just uploaded from the camera a couple of nights ago and realized I'm a bit behind, like usual. At least you won't have to worry about me running out of material anytime soon.

Here's a cute one of Marilu and Lucas from Jan 9 showing off his new moccasin-like shoes.


Back on Jan 10, he still hadn't quite grasped the concept of sitting at the chair instead of on top of the table. He's since gotten much better. Not perfect, but much better.


If I'm not mistaken, we were trying to get him to wink. It's so cute when he tries to wink since he can't figure it out just yet. He ends up closing both his eyes, and his mouth opens up like his "say cheese" smile. I'll have to try and get it on video. Just adorable. As for his outfit, ya got me.


During the football season, we taught his how to do the touchdown signal that the referees do. Here he proudly displays what he learned.


And wrapping up today's entry, the macho action movie star tries to hide from the paparazzi when they catch him in his scandalous pink hat. Oh, the shame!

Uncle Toots

In other sad news this week, Marilu's Uncle Tom (more affectionately known as Toots) passed away on the weekend after a long, off-and-on battle with cancer. I only had a chance to meet him twice--he read at our wedding in 2003, and we visited with him in Newfoundland in 2007--but I feel I know him better than those brief encounters would imply since both Marilu and her cousin Tanya frequently spoke of him and had nothing but good things to say.

During that vacation to Newfoundland, Marilu took some pictures of Toots and Lucas, and I'd like to repost a couple of them here. I'd like to think this might help some of you enjoy a happy memory in this sad time, and it will also be a way for Lucas to look back in a few years and see one of the many family members that loved him that he'll never have a chance to know better.

Peanuts

Well, we just got some crappy news regarding Lucas: he tested positive for a peanut allergy. The allergist said 1 in 10 kids grow out of them, but I don't really like those odds, so yeah, great.

I know it's not the end of the world, but it's still going to cause a (relatively small) lifestyle change for us, and it could be life-threatening to him down the line so it's depressing. One of the few upsides I see to it is that with so many kids having peanut allergies nowadays, it should make the world an easier place to exist than a decade or so ago when it was a tiny fraction of people with it. And the fact that peanuts appear to be the only nut he's allergic to so down the line, he can try other nuts if he so chooses.

Anyway, there you go. I can think of better ways to celebrate his 20 months.

20 Months!

Just so everyone is aware, Feb 16 is/was Lucas's 20 month anniversary. Technically, it's now the 17th, but since I haven't gone to bed yet, I'm going to go ahead and act like it's still the 16th. I still find it hard to believe he's been with us that long, but when I look at him now and see him acting like a little boy and compare that with how he was in his first year, where he could barely crawl (let alone walk and climb on things), it's amazing to see how far he's come. Unfortunately, we didn't take any pictures today, but here's a picture from January that shows he's definitely not a baby anymore. And that he's most certainly my child!

Gotta learn somehow

Lucas tries his first popsicle...



...BRAIN FREEZE!

Lots of videos - Part 2

I wasn't on the computer much last night so no videos. However, I didn't forget. Here you go!

For some reason, Lucas got it in his head that it would be a good idea to run around in his 101 Dalmations top and NOTHING else. Hilarity ensues.



We've been trying to teach Lucas how to wink, and it's very amusing when he tries since not only does he close both eyes, but his mouth contorts into his "cheese" smile. Check it out.



This is another attempt to get him to wink, but this time, there's a prop! Short but cute.



And finally, Lucas and my dad goofing around during our vacation.



Back to photos tomorrow. Hope you enjoyed!

Lots of videos - Part 1

I've been meaning to convert, upload, and post a bunch of videos from the last couple of months for a while now, and I finally found time this weekend (about 2 hours ago, actually). There's 9 of them in total, and I'm going to spread them out over 2 posts rather than having one giant honkin' one. Expect Part 2 up tomorrow night. Or, if you simply can't wait, they are already uploaded to my YouTube account so just check em out over there. So without any further adieu...

The first video is from Dec 22, our last day in Ottawa before our vacation, and also the day we did our Christmas gifts. I took several videos of Lucas opening gifts, but I'm wise enough to realize they aren't that thrilling to everyone else so I've only included the following one from the Dec 22, and that's just because Lucas's reaction to tape stuck on his fingers amuses me.



The next one is another "Lucas opening a gift" video, but it's from Christmas Day itself, when we're already in Florida. Nothing too special about it, but it's a cute video of my brother Jared helping Lucas open a box that is bigger than him (Lucas, that is).



Remember the pictures of Lucas hugging and kissing the stone turtle in front of my dad's place that I posted a few weeks back? Well, here's a video of Lucas interacting with it. He really liked that thing.



There was a fantastic playground near where my dad lived that we brought Lucas to one night. We didn't get many pictures, but I like this short video I took of him in a car at the playground.



Finally, I now have a video to go with those pictures I posted of Lucas feeding the ducks and geese. It's so much better when you get to hear squeals of excitement.



Watch this space tomorrow for 4 more videos!

Early January

Some random pics from early January.

If you are going to drink a beer, Lucas...


...you need to learn how to control yourself (and before you ask, no, there wasn't anything in the bottle).


I can't recall if I've mentioned it before, but Lucas loves his 101 Dalmations outfit. However, on New Year's Day, for some reason his pants AND diaper ended up off of him and he was running around with just the top. The picture doesn't show it very well so I'll try and get a video up in the near future. Funny stuff.


Honestly, there is nothing in the beer bottles. He just thinks that anything shaped like a bottle should give him liquid of some sort.


This had accident written all over it, plus it showcases how weird our kid can be at times. Not only did he decide to stand on one of his vehicles, but he did it while holding the little shopping cart. It amused him so more power to him.

New Years's Eve! (remember that far back?)

Wow, you know you're running behind on the photos when it's February 1, and you are just about to post the New Year's Eve photos. My bad.

Before I get to the photos, I'd like to mention that Lucas had a new milestone tonight, one that came out of the blue actually. It was the first time he used the toilet. Not only did he use a toilet, but it was an adult one. Though come to think of it, that's probably not that uncommon. Anyway, Marilu was holding him over it just prior to his bath since almost without fail, the first thing Lucas does when he gets in the bath is pee in it. So we gave him a chance to take care of that tonight. The attempt was half successful. No pee but he did manage to poop. Just another step down the road to getting rid of diapers, I guess.

So, back to December 31. Adult life is truly on pause for now as evidenced by our attendance of kid-friendly New Year's Eve parties. Since kids can't even stay up to the New Year's, it's not really the same thing, but what is, nowadays? Besides, I can't recall the last New Year's Marilu made it to midnight either so it's probably for the best.

Earlier in the day, before the party, Marilu was folding laundry and Lucas decided my boxer briefs would look just wonderful on his head. Hence, the following...


Once we got to the party, Lucas spent like 20 straight minutes at or near the food trays. All the other kids are playing and there Lucas is, chowing down like we never fed him. I guess that's proof he IS my kid.


Houston, we have a problem.


He hasn't stuffed things down his shirt in a while so that phase may be over. So hold on to this picture for the happy memories.


We tried to get all the kids on the couch for a group photo, but it was impossible to get full cooperation. Lucas actually waited patiently for a while, but at some point, even he decided enough was enough.


During the party, they simulated the dropping of the ball. Like any smart male, Lucas took advantage of the opportunity to steal some kisses from the ladies.





And finally, a couple of photos with Mom and Dad.

Wise beyond his years

First off, much apologies for the long delay since my last post. My mom is visiting this week, and since she's usually the one that complains from afar that I haven't posted in a while, her lack of emails caused me to completely forget about updating. Well, that and the massive migraine I had a couple of days ago, work being busy as hell, and any number of other things. That said, I'm back, and oh boy, is it ever worth it.

The best thing about the following pictures, which culminate in what may very well be the funniest Lucas picture yet, is that none of it was staged. Not only did he grab the glasses himself, but apparently, he also sat down with the book without any prompting. I'd like to say I was there to see it live, but just like you readers, I'm viewing it after it's passed through the lens.




If that last picture doesn't make your day, well, I don't know what can.

Christmas Vacation in Florida - Part 3

Wow, I'm really surprised no one commented on that last entry with the sunglasses. Those were definitely some of my favorite pictures in a while. Oh well, to each their own, I guess.

Ok, let's wrap up our vacation down south. Before we left, I wanted to make sure I got a couple of pictures of Lucas and my dad playing around.



Then we got the "3 generations of Deal men" picture that we usually take at the end of each time we get together.


Afterward, we drove back up to the Atlanta area and stayed the night with my college friend, Clairanne, and her family. She has 3 boys, and the older two are a few years older than Lucas so it was quite an experience for him as most of his friends are right around the same age. As you can imagine, getting a picture of all 4 of them looking at the same time AND smiling proved impossible, so here's the best of the ones I took.


Later on, Lucas inexplicably decided to ride the youngest one.


The next day, we got on the plane, spent what felt like forever in airports, and finally returned home exhausted that night. For a reminder of what it was like for the little guy, check out the entry I posted the night we got back.

It Came From the 70s!

Just a quick interlude before part 3 of the Florida trip. Seriously, do baby photos get any better than these two? At least one will find its way up on my computer wallpaper for a while.



Oh, and there is a new entry right below this with lots of pictures from our vacation. Enjoy!