To my Luke

Before you were born we chose you to have the name Lucas. At the time, we chose it because it was a name we both liked. How fitting a name it is now, as the name Lucas means "light." You are truly a light in in my life and in the world. You have the brightest smile and your eyes sparkle when you laugh. You bring so much joy to our family and friends.





My heart broke when we had to take you to the hospital to be admitted to the NICU when you were just a few days old. It was so hard to leave you there those nights. I think I prayed harder during that week than I ever have in my life.


Once we got you home again, our lives were consumed with yours. How could we ever imagine life without you again? Every day was a new discovery, a new joy.

I am so proud of you. It's hard to believe that less than a year ago you had only a handful of words in your vocabulary. One more rough hospitalization--full of tears and laughter, and now you are a jabber box of the highest order. Some of the things that come out of your mouth--where do they come from? You make us laugh so hard.

We have been through so much in this last year--

You got your first set of stitches--in your chin after falling on the side of the tub. Your second CT scan came after getting clocked upside the head with a gourd at a Halloween party (your first was when you were an infant--your head was growing so fast they wanted to check that nothing was going on in there. Now we know all is well and it is just your super brain inside that noggin!)

This was the first year I think you truly enjoyed the holidays. Halloween was a blast--you dressed up as a Texas Ranger and Daddy took you trick-or-treating. You especially loved the kids coming to our house for candy. When I asked you what kind of birthday party you wanted you said "I don't want a birthday party, just a Halloween party."

Christmas was magical. You loved the lights. You had so much fun opening gifts. We had snow on Christmas this year and you and Daddy had a snowball fight. Grandma Juli came to visit over Christmas weekend and you soaked up her love like a sponge. You got so many little Hot Wheels & Matchbox cars.

Things you love: You still love driving your "big red car" you got for Christmas last year. You love driving and parking your Hot Wheels. You get very upset if someone messes up your order of them. Your favorite books right now are The Lorax, Pigeon Wants a Puppy, Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late, The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog, and Curious George. You love to sing, your favorites are ABC's, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, Itsy Bitsy Spider, Twinkle Twinkle, and She'll Be Comin' 'Round the Mountain. Your favorite food is macaroni and cheese. Your favorite shirt is a navy shirt with a red guitar on it. Your favorite show is Curious George--you'd watch it all day if we would let you.

You became a big brother this year--and you are wonderful at it. You are so caring towards Will and such a good helper. You talk to him when he is happy and he smiles, you comfort him when he is sad. It has been an adjustment but you have done well.

So much snow this year! It has been a record-breaking year for snow and you have enjoyed every inch of it. Many snowball fights, a few attempts at snowmen, eating snowballs, and having hot chocolate in one of mommy's coffee cups. While we were snowed in we ran out of pull-ups and magically you became potty trained! Yippie! While its not perfect, you are doing pretty darn good and we don't buy too many pull-ups these days! I am so proud of you.

You go to school twice a week. You love it and they love you there. You know EVERYBODY! Not only do you know everyone's name, but you know who their parents and grandparents are and what cars they drive. Often when arriving at school you look around the parking lot and ask, "Where's Gabriel's car?" or "What's Breck's Grandmother doing?"

(okay, so maybe you don't like having your picture taken on the first day of school.)

We had a pass to the zoo this year and spent many summer days out there. Your favorite part is riding the train. One day we went to the zoo and you weren't much in the mood for the animals so we rode the train back and forth all day, had our picnic, and went home.

I love you thiiiis much! I love you as high as I can reach, and I love you to the moon and back. You are my first baby and no one can every take your place in my heart. You have a heart of gold and are such a sweet, caring boy.

Happy birthday, my little man! You are three!