Luke's Life Lately...

My SIXTH MONTH of Life has been pretty exciting, so here's what I've been up to lately...

The big news this month is that my first and second tooth came in! I got my first on the bottom on February 23rd and then my second bottom tooth on February 26th both while visiting Virginia. There's something about being around Nana that makes me and my brother's teeth erupt! Mom is loving my new toothy grin especially since I'm so so smiley! 

I am proud to report that I am beginning to sit like a champ! As you can see from many of Mom's pictures this month I am learning to stay balanced and upright. It's a new world from this sitting position and I'm loving it. Occasionally I get tired or lose my balance and almost topple over, so to avoid any bumps and bruises Mom will often sit me inside the boppy pillow now that way I'm surrounded by a nice cushion to soften my fall. It works like a charm. I'm even beginning to experiment with moving from a sitting to a tummy time position depending on what toys are within my reach. I just fold at the waste, lean forward and reach and then I can scoot onto my tummy with no trouble at all. 

I've also been doing a bit more rolling now and then too. I prefer to roll from my back to my tummy. Once I'm on my tummy I'd rather stay there or cry for help because even though I have rolled from my stomach to my back I just HATE doing it!

I had my six month check up and I now weigh 16lbs 13 oz and I'm 26 3/4 inches long. Grow grow grow, that's my motto. It was a great check up until the end when I had to get 4 shots. They are no fun, but I know they'll be good for my health in the long run. The doctor was pleased to see how well I'm sitting and Mom mentioned how I don't like to roll over a ton wondering if she should be concerned and he told her that's okay because some babies just don't do a lot of rolling. I'm that baby! 

I'm trying out sorts of new things this month. I slept in the crib in the nursery for the first time for almost a week since I was only waking up around midnight and 4am, but then I decided to participate in the 6 month sleep regression and I got a cold too, so I started waking up every one to two hours for a while. Since I was disturbing my big brother's sleep with all that waking, I won myself another extended stay in Mom and Dad's room. I'm excited for when I'm sleeping well enough to share a room with Levi, but we have plenty of years ahead for that, so right now I'll just soak up my time with Mom and Dad.

Speaking of big brothers, mine is the best and he loves me so much! He makes sure to hug and kiss me before every nap and bedtime as well as at random moments when he declares "Lukie's AWAKE!" followed by another kiss and/or hug. I love all the attention because I think he's swell too. He even asked to get in on my pictures this month. He doesn't love the camera most days, but he does love M&Ms, so he begged Mom to take some pictures with me this month because he was craving some MMs as he calls them. I guess I can look forward to MMs when I'm two too!

I'm into the bronx cheer these days too as you can see. The wetter the better! 

I also went to the nursery at Mom's Bible study for the first time. It was lots of fun to play with the other babies my age especially since I can get pretty squirmy these days when I'm just hanging out with Mom. The workers in the nursery said I was charming and smiley the whole time I was there and being there made me feel like such a big boy like my brother since he goes at church and at Bible study, so I was just waiting for my chance and that day finally came.

I visited Virginia again this month with Mom and Levi while Dad headed out to California for school. We were all excited to get out of the snow, but guess what...if you guessed snow, you got it...IT SNOWED IN VIRGINIA TOO while we were there. Not that it never snows in the south, but we were hoping to escape the winter weather and it followed us. Oh well, the silver lining was that Grandma and Nana both had snow days while we were visiting meaning we got to spend more time with them, a definite bonus! At Grandma's I moved into the high chair since Levi was ready for a booster seat at the kitchen table...any day now and Mom will start me on some solids! I can't wait to put the high chair to good use for its actual purpose. At Nana's I went for a swim in the big jacuzzi tub with Levi (and Nana in her bathing suit to hold me of course). I got in another visit with Aunt Amy and Uncle Evan and I got to meet Mom's friend Ashley who is expecting a friend for me in a few months. Then Mom and I drove to Richmond to meet up with her friend Celeste because Celeste had a little boy, Ian, just a couple months after I was born. It was just us guys and our Moms hanging out, drinking coffee and milk in our cases and having a nice chill time. I love getting alone time with Mom when I can, but I'm always excited to be reunited with Levi.

Once we headed back to Boston, our friends Aunt Haley, Uncle Justin and Sawyer came to visit and we all had a BLAST! We showed them all around Boston since Uncle Justin and Sawyer had never been. We kids even got to hang out with a couple fun babysitters while the grownups went to a Bruins game. Then on Dad's day off, we all went to the Children's Museum and they have a fun padded room that was perfect for me to play in...made just for babies, so unlike my last visit where I just watched Levi and snoozed a bit I actually got in on some of the action this time around!

There have been many firsts lately...
        Teeth.
        Successful time sitting on my own.

It's been a great sixth month of life out of the womb and I know I have LOTS of cool first life experiences to look forward to. Lately, it's been a WELL BALANCED and DROOLY SIXTH MONTH of life.

Project 52: 5 of 52

This week's challenge...Self portraits

Luke's Life Lately...

My FIFTH MONTH of Life has been pretty exciting, so here's what I've been up to lately...

As you can see, I've found my toes and I love to eat them...and show off my flexibility! Hey if I'm going to lay around and hang out all day, I might as well eat my toes?! Right?!

Mom has me doing my fair share of tummy time these days and I've figured out how to rotate, so at least I can more myself around a little to reach different toys and I'm really hoping to chase after my brother soon. 

I haven't been sleeping as well as I had been...fun for me, not so much for Mom. Sorry Mom. I'm just way more aware of the world around me and I hate to miss what's going on, so who needs sleep?!? Not this guy...don't worry Mom, I promise to find my sleeping stride again (at least I know she's praying I do.)

I had my first date with a babysitter when Mom and Dad went to the UVA vs Boston College Basketball game while their friends Andrew and Amanda were in town. Hanging out with the babysitter or should I say babysitters since we had company...it was a lot of fun especially when you have your big brother and twin pals to play with. I did great...took my bottle like a champ and was my usual charming self. I know Mom and Dad were happy to know they could get some alone time and I'd cooperate and still be happy as a clam. That weekend was a lot of fun actually because Levi and I got to hang out again on Sunday with Austin and Madison...those twins I mentioned...because we hang out with our moms to watch the Patriots play in the AFC championship while our dads went to the game. The Patriots won too...so it's on to the Super Bowl for them! I hope we get a parade!! That would be soooo cool! Fingers crossed...lucky for me, Mom and Dad have a pretty good track record with Boston sports since living here.

Then it was time to get ready for my big brother's 2nd birthday and my baptism. Both events were happening in the same weekend, so it was going to be one fun filled weekend to say the least! Nana was the first to arrive in town and she helped Mom with all the party prep. Then Grandma and Grandpop arrived followed by Tati, Uncle Chris and Talia. It was so exciting to have everyone in Boston again...since the last time they were here was my birth and I wasn't too with it. Give a baby a break...I had a lot to adjust to outside of the womb and I mainly slept a lot since life on the outside was exhausting!

Grandma and Grandpop gave Levi music classes for Christmas and I get to tag along, so first up for the weekend was my first music class. It was fun to hear all the songs and see all the bigger kids dancing and playing. My brother LOVES music class. I can't wait till I'm a little bit bigger and can really participate.

Then it was Levi's birthday party day. He had a Sesame Street themed party and it was LOTS of fun...we made Elmo hats and ate Sesame Street character cupcakes! I can't wait for my first birthday party! I wonder what theme Mom and I will pick...guess time will tell. I know she's trying to soak up this year, so I'm not trying to rush it.

Sunday was my big day...the day I was baptized. It was really special. My family was here both near and far...even my Uncle Victor, Cousin Maryann, and Jeannie, Micheal, Ali and Taylor and even more family and friends were with us since you can tune in online. Dad and Levi walked me around introducing me to my church family at Park Street while Mom shared her testimony and her hopes for my growing into a Man of God. Then Pastor Kris poured water on my head and prayed for me. Everyone was impressed because I didn't even cry...not even a quiver of the lip. There was a nice reception to celebrate afterward and I was wearing a cute blue hat to go with my outfit since my hair was wet and everyone kept commenting on how I was missing my signature look...you got it...MY HAIR! I guess it's not the norm for a baby my age to have such a head of hair. I personally love my locks...they definitely give me a unique style. It was a wonderful day and I definitely feel blessed.

Most of the family headed back to Virginia just in time to miss MY FIRST BLIZZARD! Tati, Talia and Nana hung around for the big weather event. I guess it's family tradition because my big brother experienced his first blizzard at just a couple weeks old. Once the storm passed we all bundled up and headed outside to play in the snow. Boy was it cold, but I could tell from watching Levi that playing in the snow is a lot of fun and luckily I live in New England where we have snow every winter, so I'll definitely get my fair share of playtime in the snow in the years to come.

Tati, Talia and Nana's visit came to an end and then it was time to cheer on the Patriots in the Super Bowl. We hosted Dad's fantasy football team at our place to watch the game and guess what...the Patriots beat the Seahawks...WE WON and that meant I'd get to watch a Duck Boat Parade.

Parade Day came and I got to watch the parade with Mom and Dad right off the front of the church. Talk about front row seats! The view was amazing. We hung out inside the church watching from the windows until it was go time and then I ventured outside with Mom on the little pulpit that hangs off the front of the church. There was so much energy and excitement in the air with all the fans cheering on the players. We even got to see all the championship trophies as the Duck Boats rode by and I think my favorite part was the confetti flying through the air. What a cool experience especially for such a young guy! I feel lucky to be growing up in a city that has such amazing sports teams and I know this is only the beginning of a beautiful relationship with the Boston sports teams. GO PATS!

There have been many firsts lately...
        Music class.
        Birthday party.
        Blizzard.
        Parade.

It's been a great fifth month of life out of the womb and I know I have LOTS of cool first life experiences to look forward to. Lately, it's been a EVENTFUL  FIFTH MONTH of life.

Project 52: 4 of 52

This week's challenge...motion

Project 52: 3 of 52

This week's challenge...focus

Project 52: 2 of 52

This week's challenge...black and white conversions

Project 52: 1 of 52

I've decided to work on a 52 week project this year where I post a photo each week in hopes of growing in new ways this year and taking my photography that next level. I hope you enjoy the journey with me because I know a lot of growth is bound to come out of it!

This week's challenge...low and alternative light sources