it can not be measured

the amount of love I have for this little boy. Not in ounces, pounds, ml's, cc's, grams or inches. it can not be done.

Easter Egg Hunt - #1

My friend from work Dawn told me about a small easter hunt near our house. It was hosted by the schnucks in O'Fallon. Amelia had a great time and really enjoyed finding the eggs! Luke enjoyed watching the kids run around and get the eggs!

put on or put out!!!

I am walking this year for the march of dimes. I am walking for many reasons and for many kids. As most all of you know, i work in a nursery. it is the well-baby nursery but we still see the pre-term kids. the ones who didn't make it near their due date. I also have friends who have had preemies. In their honor - Amelia Lucas and I are asking that you put on your shoes and walk with us or get your pocket book out and donate!!! I am very blessed that my kids were both term and healthy - not every one is so lucky! Please help out a wonderful organization!

one day... all babies will be born healthy
today... too many moms and families know the heartbreak of having a baby born fighting to survive
I've joined March for Babies because the March of Dimes champions the needs of moms and babies in our community and across the nation. The money we raise for March for Babies will help:
- support all-important research offering preventions and solutions for babies born too soon or with birth defects- educate women on things they can do to increase their chances of having a healthy baby- provide comfort and information to families with a newborn in intensive care- push for newborn screening and health insurance for all pregnant women and children
Please help by donating today!

The March of Dimes uses your money wisely: 77% of every dollar supports research and programs that help moms have full-term pregnancies and babies begin healthy lives. And your funds are used to bring comfort and information to families whose baby was born too soon, or sick. With your help we can do more!!

It's easy, safe and secure - just click to make your donation.

My personal Web page address for donations is...http://www.marchforbabies.org/9400strollers

who has stinky feet??

Mia!!

Miss Amelia

She had a few smiles for mom. She actually had more but 75% of her pictures were blurry.
Blame the photographer i guess!

Sir Lucas

I am loving this set of pics. Luke was expecially happy and had a ton of smiles for his momma!
and check out the chub. there is nothing sweeter than baby chub!

Mia on Madagascar

a severe injustice.

When we lived in dupo i was very jealous of my missouri friends. they have a wonderful program called parents as teachers. you get home visits from the school district. they come once a month and bring games for the kids. games like fishing that work on big arm muscles needed for writing (didn't know this), or stringing beads to help with fine motor skills.

I was super excited to move to our new home because they had a similar program - foundations for success. I met L through the program. she came to see the kids once a month. Mia loved her. we looked forward to her visits. L introduced us to M. Mia was instantly drawn to M. She loved having her come, and M was coming once a week! She is the nicest person. She would play with both kids and gave out wonderful advice for us as parents. she is so patient. I should have known it was too good to last.

We were told at our last visit that we were being dropped from the program. seems we don't qualify after the suits restructured the grant money. I am glad we got to meet M and L and have the visits that we did. It is just so upsetting to me that because I am educated and work, i am not qualified for visits. what message does that relay? that the suits only care about the un-successful? that the moderately successful don't need improvement or help parenting? and yes, i am bitter over being cut. On a brighter note - Here is a pic of M with the kids! Mia has been known to "call" M on her cell when angry with me. She tells her to come over right now!

somebody help me!

before luke could go forward, he went backwards. he didn't seem to mind until something like this happened.
once he was stuck, he was instantly mad! (i did rescue him after this shot)

i don't buy it

the sweet faces are a facade for trouble on the horizon!

seven months

seven months. seven. where has the time went? wasn't it just yesterday that i was sleeping with you in my hospital bed, snuggling you, loving how you smelled, moved, all the noises you made? Wasn't i just fretting about your circ, that you wouldn't cry too much, that it would heal quickly? And look at you now sir luke-a-lot! you are a big healthy boy! you continually make me smile, you melt my heart with your spike-y hair and cheeks - both sets! you are super sweet and still tolerate me snuggling you, smelling your hair and rocking you to sleep on occasion. sometimes i need to rock you to sleep, sometimes you need me to rock you to sleep. you are a wonderful sleeper, a wonderful napper and an all around wonderful boy! happy 7 months little one. i have loved every day with you.

happy and sad

A couple weeks ago, i invited my sister over for homemade tacos. It's a sure fire way to get whoever you are inviting to come over. We love homemade tacos in my family. We grew up watching my mom make her own tortillas, make the meat, stuff the tacos and fry them up!! My sister and I loved it when we could get one to"sample" while she was making them! After inviting my sister, it was leaked to my youngest niece Alyssa - or Aly as she likes to be called. So, we went from 3 to 4. ok. well, someone leaked it to my mom. Ok 5, wait - butch wants to come too. We are up to 6 people now. Ok - throw a few more tacos on the pile. Hold on - now someone has told my oldest niece Becca that we are having taco night at aunt jenn's! The count is up to 7! If Brent and Charles find out about taco night I will not be held accountable for feeding this crew!! Charles and Brent had other plans so the count stops at 7!! That is way more people than i have ever made tacos for by myself! Well, taco night was a hit!! I made 6 dozen tacos that night! that is almost one dozen per person! they were so yummy - we had beans, tortillas, tacos and all the fixings! And Becca brought brownies for dessert.
But this - this was the best part. My mom getting to sit undisturbed and play with her grandkids. On the left, is izy b. She is 5 days older than luke and about 5lbs his junior. Luke is on the right. Why does he look so sad? because izy b stole his sopia la giraffe! he loves him some sopie and was not happy that she had it!! He actually sat and wimpered until he got it back. then he as happy as a clam! Of course, izy b took it again so it went on all night. I think my mom - or Bia as the kids call her was in her prime! I was so happy to have everyone over for dinner, but even happier for my mom to have this time with the kids! And izy b granny went out the next day and got her a sophia la giraffe of her very own!

the cutest irishman!

3 month flashback

peaceful luke.

a rare glimpse

of bootylicious. She is very nocturnal since we had the kids - she comes out from approximately 8pm to 6am.
yes, the exact time that amelia goes to sleep till she gets up! concidence?? we think not! if i had a giant running
towards me at full speed yelling "kitty", i would hide out too!!

hello? 8 followers? are you there?

have you deserted me for a blog author that actually updates? couldn't blame you if you did! We are still here! Mia and Luke are fab - of course. We have been able to get outside a few times with this wonderful weather we have had peeks of, we went to a birthday party for dr. seuss' cat in the hat, and we, the parents of mia and luke, went on our first date night in a long time! We also celebrated valentine's day, luke turned 6 months old and is currently doing the pre-crawl rock. He is growing way to fast for his momma. My heart aches as he moves from one stage to another, leaving the baby behind. i know he is only 6 1/2 months but with each stage he leaves behind, i have to realize it's my last time with that baby stage. And as of tonight, he is almost an independent sitter. almost, you ask?? he can sit but will still just fall over backwards occasionally. Look for pictures and lots of posts soon!!

Luke's been busy

growing some hair!! Look at his new buzz cut! His poppa now referes to him as spike :)

My easter beauty

Mia at the park

on one of our beautiful spring-like days, i took mia to the local park. she had such a great time - we are praying for more great weather so we can get out more!!

where's mia?

there she is!!

my boys

sleeping quietly. one with a headache, one with a toothache. so very sweet.

funny boy