Lydia or Levi?

Yes we already have names picked out for number two. It was not purposeful that they all start with an 'L'. That is just what we liked from the beginning.
Anyway, we find out in a few weeks if it is a Lydia or a Levi. Here is a 14 week ultrasound picture of #2. Healthy and strong so far. I am 18 weeks now! Here is the little bean.

Where is Luke?

Do you ever get that sudden scared feeling? Where is my toddler, I haven't heard any noises in over a minute. Well, that swept over me the other day. It only took me a minute, however, to find him quietly sitting inside of Drew's closet after he almost tore it apart. He works quickly. His new thing is sorting too. I have no idea what he is doing, but he does. He breathes heavy with concentration while moving objects from one place to another and in a certain fashion. It is adorable.


He has also started reading books recently for long periods of time. He babbles incessantly while turning all the pages. It is so funny. How these little minds grow is amazing!

Fun in the snow!

Luke got a cool snow suit from Aunt Dee and Uncle Jonathan. So we tried it out when the weather was nice but there was still snow on the ground. Luke loves the outdoors, so he had a blast and kept tumbling down the hill on purpose and eating lots of snow.

Luke's birthday cupcake!

Luke turned one on the 17th of January. He has never had chocolate and he loved it. Then he made a face like "My tummy hurts". He also stayed up late playing with all of his presents. He had a blast. I can't believe he is one already. This year flew by. My batteries died in my camera so I only got three pictures. Note to self: always have spare batteries on memorable occasions like first birthdays. However, we did get a lot of video.


Cool, fire! What am I supposed to do with it? Blow?


What is going on here with this funny hat!

Birthday trip to the aquarium!

For Luke's first birthday we went to the aquarium. He had so much fun, especially trying to lick the drains in the floor. So weird. But they also had cool tunnels that he could crawl through.

At the aquarium to eat after a long day.


I can't walk anymore. I am pooped.


A tiger at the aquarium. Weird. But cool


Underwater!


Tunnel, my favorite.


After another drain. Yuck


La La (Laura) and Luke

Denver Zoo

Well, Drew had last Monday off and we were going to take Luke to the zoo because it was free day, but I got sick and had to postpone. So we ended up going at the last minute later in the week. It happened to be almost 75 degrees. It was crazy. The zoo turned out to be lovely. So many cool animals. Luke caught on to what was going on only if the animals were moving. If they were sleeping he couldn't pick them out. Here are some fun pictures.


Chasing the mean geese!


Stooped down to watch the hundreds of ducks

Looking back and forward!

Because my thoughts are all over the place, I thought I would just blog and look at last year and think about the future and 2009 and what it may hold.
When I think of last year, the first word that comes to mind is Whoa.... The year started out with me begging my body to go into labor, feeling as if I was going to pop. However, a week overdue I was induced with Luke. The labor itself was quite an ordeal with 16 hours and then the doctor saying there is no way this kid is coming out. After a c-section and quite a long surgery to repair the damage Luke's arm caused to my cervix. I was in recovery and holding our first baby boy. After the longest week in the hospital every (daily construction above with jackhammers, etc.) I was ready to be home. Luke has been a go getter from the start. Always ate more than humanly possible, did everything ahead of time (keeping me on my toes), and is now going to turn 1 on Saturday. Thank you Lord for this sweet baby boy of mine. The way our family is now 3 and how blessed I am to have Drew and Luke.

The next thing that comes to mind is little miracle Reece. My sister and her journey to this miracle has inspired me so much and so many others.

I think of my mother who decided to pursue her 30 year old dream of becoming a nurse as well as my sister and aunt.

I also think of the things we have earnestly brought before the Lord in prayer and how He has faithfully showed us His plan and will for our lives and the lives of those we have prayed for. My faith has strengthened knowing that my plan is never the best and that my peace in life comes when I daily seek after Christ through His Word and prayer.
My husband has been such an example to me in these areas, and I am so thankful that he daily leads us to seek Christ at the center of our family. We celebrated 5 years this year. What a thrill and a blessing it is to be his wife.

And finally I think of finding out about #2 on the way. As we look to next year, knowing that we will have a baby in 6 months I am excited, scared, a number of emotions. Luke will be 18 months old which is the distance between Drew and his brother. I am excited to know that Luke will have a close sibling with whom to share life and grow together.

Also as I look forward, I pray that God will continue to mold me into a woman of faith and Christ that continually seeks to put Christ first. That God will strengthen me to be a mother that will raise my children to love God with all their heart and that I will be a wife that exemplifies Christ to my husband.

After all this rambling, I have posted picture from Christmas.

Wild Dunes, SC after Christmas

We spent a week at the beach after Christmas with all of Drew's family.

Luke with all of his cousins on Drew's side.

Jacksonville, FL the week of Christmas!

We spent Christmas in Florida at my sister's house with everyone in my family.My mom made us all matching pajama bottoms. We had a great time.

Christmas morning and Luke's first Christmas.


Tracey, Amy, Ella, and Reece Christmas morning


Sara and Sean (my sister and her fiance)


Tracey, Amy, Ella, and Reece on Christmas Eve





Cool shades

Beaufort, SC Before Christmas

After leaving Clover we spent some time in Beaufort with Drew's brother's family.

Cousin Alexandra


All the guys


What is on your head daddy?

Clover, SC Before Christmas

We left for SC before Christmas. Luke got the flu the next day after we arrived. I then got it two days later. No doubt after Luke threw up all over me for two days. So pitiful. Anyways, after we recovered thanks to the ER and rehydration I felt much better and so did Luke.

Pirate Luke with his cousing Jacob

riding a horse after recovering from the flu

This is comfy!