The Great Pumpkin

Caroline gave Luke her first Halloween costume to wear this year.  Unfortunately, we didn't get many trick-or-treaters, so only Graham and I saw the little pumpkin.  He was terribly cute.  

Miscellaneous Cuteness

These pictures are just some cutie-pie moments we captured and thought we'd share.

Bumbo

We've found that children's products often have the dumbest names (Bumbo, Boppy, Binkie, etc.).  This is a prime example.  The Bumbo is an awesome invention - it's a squishy foam-like chair that helps babies learn to sit up straight.  I put Luke in his Bumbo for the first time today (it's recommended for babies 3 months and up but his neck is really strong so I thought I'd try it for a few minutes).  He seems to like the independence of doing it himself.  Then I realized that I only have a few more months of being able to just cuddle the daylights out of him before he gets mobile so I took him out of the Bumbo and smooched all over him.  Luke's not crazy about the smooches, as you'll also see from some of these pics.

best seat in the house

Luke feels quite comfortable taking the best seat in the house away from his daddy.  He is so easy-going that he'll just sit here, then eventually he'll slide down the leather but he won't complain at all.  Graham likes to prop him up and then watch him slide.  So cruel.

Petting Homer

Luke and Homer shared some cuddle time tonight.  Homer kept sticking his nose in front of the camera, but I was able to get a few cute pictures.  When Homer decides to pay attention to Luke (which doesn't happen often), he is very patient with him.  Luke is still not sure what to make of Homer.

Growing so fast!

I can't believe how fast Luke is growing up.  Two weeks ago I saw his first non-gas-induced smile, but he wouldn't let me capture it on camera.  This past week, I took him up to the family cabin in North Carolina and he started smiling much more, almost laughing even.  I've snapped a few pics of the cute little grin.  He also started holding on to his rattle and shaking it around.  I don't know if he's made the cause and effect link of his shaking the rattle, but he does seem a little amused with his new trick.  He'll hold on to it for several minutes at a time.  

Fairy Godmother

This is Luke with my best friend, Carey Andrzejewski (pro. ahn-JEV-ski).  She and her husband, Mark, will be Luke's godparents when he is baptised (sometime this year).  Carey and I have been best buds since we were 11 years old.  She recently received her Ph.D. and is on faculty at Auburn University. Mark is an extremely talented chef in Auburn.  He is also one of the smartest people I know, and really the only other Bama fan in Luke's life besides me and my cousins Christen and Andrew.  I'm hoping for some strong influence there on the SEC loyalty front.  

Monday at the Park

We took advantage of Graham's day off for Columbus Day and went to Piedmont Park with Homer and Luke for a walk and a picnic.  We were not the only parents with dogs who had the same idea, but Luke was by far the cutest kid there.  A little Yorkshire terrier puppy talked trash to Homer (who outweighs the Yorkie by about 90 pounds) - poor Homer looked really afraid and backed off.  We were all very embarrassed for him.

Luke's New Trick

Yesterday, Luke discovered he can stick his tongue out.  He does it constantly now.  It's really cute, but I'm certain he's secretly backsassin' me.

My Boys

I caught a really sweet moment tonight between Graham and Luke.   

Homer the Guardian

Today, Homer took an interest in Luke for the first time.  Luke was having tummy time and Homer decided to take a few sniffs.  Then he plopped down beside Luke to stand guard.  Luke didn't quite know what to think about such a big snout in his face.  I learned, about five minutes after these were taken, that Luke had delivered a nice "fudge" in his diaper - which probably explains Homer's sudden interest.

Grandparents

Graham and I anticipate a lot of spoiling to come from these four people.  That's what grandparents are for!

First Outing

This was Luke's first walk around the neighborhood (he's about 2 weeks old here).  He looks like such a little man!

Cousin Caroline

Luke's first (and only) cousin Caroline loves to hold him.  He really loves her too - he seems perfectly content to be in her arms.  I think they're really cute together.

Luke's first few days

These are some pictures from Luke's first few days at the hospital.  He was born on September 4, 2008, weighing 8 lbs. 3 oz., measuring 21 inches long.  Soon after he was born, Luke had some respiratory problems (pneumothorax, and a partially collapsed lung) which meant he had to spend 4 days in the intermediate nursery of the NICU.  He recovered quickly and went home with a clean bill of health.  Since then, he's been growing like a fiend.  He's the love of our lives.