9 months old!

I still can't believe that Lucas is 9 months old. We've now known him longer than we knew about him before he joined us. It's amazing how different and more wonderful our lives are than 1.5 years ago.

He's hard get Lucas to stay in one spot long enough to look at me...so I was delighted to get this shot.

In the last week or so Lucas has started to lean to get people's attention. It started when I was wearing my glasses more; he would lean out so he could look me in the eyes. And now, anyone that isn't giving him the attention he desires...he works to get in their line of sight as best he can. He's a smart kid.

After the birthday weekend, Lucas and I got sick. Lucas luckily just got a bad cold while I got something that knocked me out for a couple days. I had to take 3 days off, which is unheard of. But a sign that both of us doing better was eating a big dinner. Here Lucas is acting like he likes my chicken philly. Small kid...big appetite.

And these pictures are when we were starting to feel better but still a little under the weather...you can see it in his face.

Lucas was fascinated by the rain drops falling on the deck. He liked watching the rain splatter...and the sound his hands made hitting the sliding door. Hard to know which he liked more.

So happy to have Lucas acting like himself again and close to full health! With each passing day that Lucas got better, Nathan and I kept saying "it's good to have him back." He's sharing his joy with others once again.

Nathan's 40th Birthday

Yep, you read the title right...Nathan just celebrated his 40th year of life. And yes, he also has the young Thomas genes. I believe it was just last year when Nathan said on several occasions that he was in better shape than some of the college kids on the basketball court. He'd like to say it again this year but he's only made it to the courts once. However, he still doesn't look a day over 35.

We had the great fortune of spending Nathan's birthday weekend with our Peoria friends; 10 adults and 6 kids at a house in Galena, IL. We had a nice time. It's hard to keep track of who was doing what and when, but everyone played well together. It's hard to say that looking at these pictures, but Nathan wasn't harmed in the process. ;-)

Nathan was falling asleep while talking with people and while others were talking, but it was way past his bedtime...10 or 11pm. Here Jake is trying to put ear muffs on the birthday boy.

And this was the last picture I got to take of the weekend as my camera fell off a table shortly thereafter, but it's a fun one of Campbell. It was a little dry in the house.

Thankfully Jeff and Jen had their camera with and were able to capture a photo of the whole group. I'd say it's a success to have more people looking at the camera than not. :)

Happy, happy Birthday to the greatest husband, father, and friend anyone could ask for! We love you very much Nathan!

Garf's Birthday

People can't guess Garf's age by looking at him as he's an active, healthy, and happy man. He came over for a visit the weekend of his birthday and the weekend before Nathan's big 40th birthday celebration. We took him to Gil's Supper Club for dinner...for great fried chicken. The boys got dressed up for the occasion so I needed to take a few pictures.

Any guesses on Garf's age? Five years ago he was exactly double Nathan's age. I think this is a great one of the guys...

 Lucas got three of his upper teeth during January. It's hard to get him to open his mouth enough to see the top teeth; it takes both of us to get a picture and, even at that, they're not very good ones.

Just some fun pictures of our little guy...

Catching up

My apologizes for the huge break is posting. I'm not even sure where the last month has gone. Luckily we took a few pictures to help remember/document our lives.

When Nathan moved into his new office to fulfill his duties as the interim vice president of student affairs, Lucas and I went into the office one evening to help Nathan get settled. Lucas tested out the chair and draw to make sure they worked okay. Lucas also helped me in dusting and reorganizing...or getting himself covered in dust and removing items from shelves after I put them there. :)

"What? I don't know what you want, but it's not going to happen." (practicing being a vp)

"Okay, you found my weakness..."

"I'm filed under C for cute."

"Daddy! Can you find me?"

Lucas continues to be a happy and laid back kid.

Enjoying a little lunch.

 

Playing...and before he knew it, he was in the corner. Lucas was a little surprised when I called his name...

 And then he smiled and started to play with me.

"Hi mommy! Don't you want to pick me up...aren't I cute?!"

8 months

It's hard to believe Lucas is already 8 months...only 4 more months until he's a year old. Time is flying by and I don't think it's going to slow down. 2013 is off to a good start. Nathan has started in his new role as interim vice president of student affairs, Lucas is pulling himself up on everything, and I'm starting to collect data for my dissertation. It's going to be a busy, but hopefully productive, year.

Here are a few pictures from our 8 month photo shoot.

Here is was so set on getting the hat off his head that he used both hands...and then fell down. Ooops.

Nathan got him laughing so hard...

He still loves clapping and waving, and he's added whistling, crawling (army style), scooting on his rear, and pulling himself up on any and every thing. He's grown up a lot.

Check out this devilish face...

He can stand up straight but he also feels pretty comfortable standing this far over. I guess whatever works.

What a happy and fun little guy!

MO Christmas

As soon as we got to Mexico, Lucas was ready to play with Auntie Kristi. Kristi did a great job finding 'toys' for Lucas. They drummed for a while.

Lucas also wanted to play with Grandpa Thomas.

On our Mexico Christmas morning Kristi helped Lucas check out what Santa gave him in his new stocking.

Garf gave Lucas his own bag of chips to play with...it's the perfect size bag for him and makes the noises he loves the most. Thanks Grandpa!

It's obvious he's happy with this gift.

Kristi also gave Lucas some creative gifts...a container of stars that he can shake and chew.

Lucas with his stocking and the big bow he liked playing with.

He's checking out his nice new stocking.

Lucas was back at the card table with Nathan; I think Nathan won this game...but I won the following morning.

The Thomas family Christmas 2012 photo...what a loving family!

Lucas not enjoying the cute pj outfit mommy wanted him to wear.

Nathan and Lucas playing peek-a-boo with the rest of us. Lucas initiates the game and is good at moving himself so he can hide and then show his face. It's pretty impressive...and cute.

Daddy reading Lucas one of his new books from Garf & Kristi.

We had a great time in MO. Thanks for the wonderful visit. Sorry Lucas made sleep a bit of a challenge for all of us. We had a very merry first Christmas!