Denise's Discourse: For Luke on his First Birthday

Saturday, July 19, 2008

For Luke on his First Birthday

Dear Lukie,

How blessed we were to have you enter our lives! We decided to have you on pure faith as we didn't have much of an income. We prayed endlessly that Daddy would have a better job by the time that you were born so that Mommy could stay at home and take care of you. Our prayers were answered and Daddy started a new job just one month before you were born.

You came into the world without much trouble, two weeks early. (Mommy was even able to drive herself to the hospital.) You weighed nearly 8 lbs and 15 ounces.

We have had so much fun with you this year. You are such a sweet and darling baby. Your first year was full of adventure. You went to the beach. You had surgery to have your fingers separated. You moved from Maryland to Michigan. You took your first plane ride.

You waited to learn to crawl until you were 10 months old. (Just enough time for us to get most of the unpacking done.) You crawl by using your right foot to drag your left leg. You have 3 1/4 teeth. You weigh 21 lbs, almost. Your favorite meal is bread, cheese, blueberries (or grapes) and diluted carrot juice. You like sweet potatoes, too.

You love bath time and lights. You go CRAZY when the vacuum turns on. You chase the vacuum and flap your arms, squealing. You love it when your Daddy comes home from work. You are so excited to see him that you kick your feet and flash your magnetic smile. You LOVE balls, the phone and remote controls. Rolling the ball is your favorite game. You adore your big brother. He can make you laugh like crazy especially when you are riding in the car. You can't sleep without one of Mommy's silky undershirts. You cling to it all night long. And you make the cutest little noise that sounds a little like humming when you are trying to fall asleep. Your hair is out of control! Curly and adorable. You can say Mama, Dada, cat and good. (Well at least, Mommy thinks you can!) You can climb the stairs. You can't jump enough. You love to see dogs and to chase our cat, Nala. You really enjoy dancing on your own or in Mommy's arms.

Oh Lukie Luke, we love you more than you can imagine. Thank you for making this year so joyful for us.

With so much love,
Mommy and Daddy

10 comments:

hdknowles said...: We miss his sweet smile every morning when he wakes up - he has such a great temperament in the morning - and he loves to mimic his Pop Pop and he loves those eyeglasses. Happy Birthday Luke - boy did this year go by fast. Love, Pop Pop and Grandma; July 20, 2008 at 12:59 PM
Corinne said...: SWEET post. He's a darling :); July 20, 2008 at 9:04 PM
Karen said...: That made me cty! It goes by too fast, doesn't it?; July 21, 2008 at 12:55 AM
Karen said...: Actually, it made me cry, not cty...I guess it's getting late...; July 21, 2008 at 12:56 AM
Roger & Sue Hilt said...: Happy birthady Luke! What a wonderful posting. One day maybe I will get to meet you in person. Love and hugs. Aunt Sue; July 21, 2008 at 6:49 AM
Malin said...: Happy Birthday Luke, Hope it's a good one! Time flies and we look forward to reading of future milestones...

Malin and family; July 21, 2008 at 1:23 PM
Jen said...: Awww, how sweet of you to put that together for Luke. He may not enjoy it now, but he will definitely love to see it when he's older.

Is he 1 already? It's not possible.; July 23, 2008 at 8:56 PM
Anonymous said...: Beautiful pictures, beauiful kids, beautiful parents! :); July 24, 2008 at 12:41 AM
holly b said...: very sweet. my little girl loves the vacuum too! I can't believe it's been a year already... it seems like just a couple of months ago we were sitting together at playgroup...; July 24, 2008 at 6:50 PM
Kim said...: What a big boy you have become luke! We love you so much!!!; July 28, 2008 at 5:37 PM

FROM THE LITTLE MAN'S MOUTH...

Jackson constantly makes me chuckle at the things he says. Here are some of the things I get to hear each day:

2/2011
After one of the very few times I had a burp and right after my parents left after coming to visit:
J: You have your father's burp.

8/3/2020
D: Your uncle is getting really skinny, he's been on a diet.
J: Why?
D: Because he wants to be more healthy.
J: Maybe you should try it.
D: Why?
J: No reason, no reason.
D: Maybe Daddy should try it.
J: No, Daddy is skinny enough.

7/30/2010
While I am jammin' in the car to my girl Mylie Cyrus:
L: Shub up, Mommy.
D: Luke, in our family we don't say shut up. That's not nice.
J: What he's trying to say is that you need to be quiet. You are not a very good singer and you can't dance.
D: If I can't sing, why did I get into a high school for kids who are singers? And, I CAN dance. I was on a dance team and we went to the National Championship. We came in 19th place out of the whole USA.
J: 19th place? Was your trophy the size of an ant?

7/15/2010
After Luke asked, "Who is Jimmy?"
J: Jimmy is Daddy. But you can call him Cornelius.

5/2010
While my sister was visiting and I was singing in the car:
J: Was mom this annoying when she was growing up?

8/30/09
Just after I found Jackson crossing the street on his own:
D: What would happen if you got hit by a car and died?
J: I would get to see Jesus and then be a kid in heaven.
D: But Daddy and I would be SO sad.
J: You're young, you can have more children.

4/26/09
We were invited to have dinner with a family that we don't know very well in the neighborhood. While eating a dessert of brownies with the sweet (Caucasian) family:
J: My Dad LOVES brownies ... that's because he is brown.

3/7/09
After attending the Father/Son bowling banquet at school:
J: Daddy, my friend said that he didn't know my Daddy was black.
B: What did you say?
J: I said that he isn't black, he's BROWN!

2/28/09
On a rainy day when I wore my hair curly to church while pregnant:
J: You look just like my Aunt (who has curly hair), when she used to be fat.

2/12/09
D: What do you think about moving to a new house down the street?
J: Why?
D: Because we could save money and it is in better shape.
J: Oh, so it is a square, ok.

12/08
After Mommy told him not to do something:
J: You NEVER let me eat junk food.
D: Well, I have to make sure you are healthy and take care of you.
J: Daddy can take care of me.
D: But Daddy has to go to work.
J: We can get a babysitter.
D: But then you would have to stay with someone that you don't even know.
J: I know, we could get a robot to be our mommy!

10/29/08
While walking past some Halloween decorations:
J: Why do they have to put that stuff around. It is terrifying.

10/9/08
After getting in trouble for hurting his brother:
J: You don't love me.
D: That's not true, I love you very much.
J: You don't love me. That's why I have to live this miserable life.

10/7/08
As we are pulling into the school parking lot for "Movie Night".
J: This isn't the movie theater!
D: I know, the movie is at your school.
J: That's awkward.

9/30/08
J: Mom, who do you want to be on The Beauty and the Beast?
I want to be the cup, Chip.
D: I think I'll be Mrs. Potts, the teapot. She is Chip's mother, you know.
J: Are you sure? She has LOTS of cup children.
D: What's wrong with having lots of children?
J: Then they would cry all the time and be stinky. You would go crazy!
D: Yeah, maybe I should be Belle.

9/28/08
Randomly, as we are driving:
J: Mom, can I have this car when you die?

9/21/08
After giving an Article of Faith at church:
J: I had stage fright, but I kept my cool.

9/12/08
Disclaimer: You will only get this IF you know this rap song and wonder how on earth a 5 year old would know it.

After hearing someone talking about Fifty Cent, the rapper, on the radio: (And, yes, I'm sure his name is spelled incorrectly.)
J: Fifty Cent? What is that?
D: Oh, it is a singer guy.
J: Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. Singing: Fifty Cent, back on that gangsta tip....

9/12/08
After just coloring my hair:
D: Jackson, do I look any different?
J: Yes.
D: What part of me looks different?
J: Well, you have a pimple.

8/20/08
When meeting the principal at his new school:
J: Kids have to go in your office when they do bad things.
Principal: You seem like a very nice boy, so I'm sure you won't have to worry about that.
J: We'll see.

8/10/08
During sharing time in church (with 7-8 adults in the room) Jackson raises his hand. The teacher has just told them that watching a bad show could make it harder to feel the Holy Spirit. After he is called on: "My Mommy and Daddy watch bad shows after I go to bed."

8/9/08
While admiring a massive garden at a friends house:
J to the family: "Why do you grow so much food? Are you poor?"

7/29/08
Me: "That boy, Om, in your swimming class looks a lot like Jr."
J: "No, he doesn't."
Me: "Really? I think he does."
J: "Does he speak Spanish?"
Me: "I don't think so."
J: "Does he have black car?"
Me: "No."
J: "Does he like Cars?"
Me: "I'm not sure. I didn't say that he WAS Jr., just that he looks like Jr."
J: "Does he have the same parents?"
Me: "No."
J: "Does he live in MD?"
Me: "No."
J: "See, he doesn't look like Jr."
Me: Maybe you're right.

This morning (7/25/08) Jackson said that he missed Daddy. Daddy called at that moment. This was their conversation.
J: "Daddy, why did you turn off the light last night?"
B: gives explanation of why he turned the light down, not off.
J: Irritated, "Then I say to you, GOOD DAY SIR." The phone is immediately dropped.

This morning's conversation 7/24/08:
Jackson: "I'm going to fart."
Me: "Please don't use that word. In our family we say, toot."
J: "Fart means throw up."
Me: "Actually, it means toot."
J: "Actually, Your mother didn't teach you very well."

After I swerved the smallest little bit while driving the new car, "Um, MAYbe you should get a license."

Randomly, "Are we going to church today?"
My response, "No, it's Tuesday. Why?"
"Hello Mommy, you're wearing make-up."

As we are introducing ourselves to our new neighbors:
"My Mommy is a nice stranger. She believes in Jesus."

Whenever Mommy wore makeup: Whispering to Daddy, "Tell Mommy she is a beautiful princess." Then, after Daddy would say it, Jackson would deny that he had any part of it.

During an argument with Daddy over who was Mommy's boyfriend, "You already had your chance (while pointing to our wedding picture), she is my girlfriend now." 2.5 yrs old