The Many Faces of Lucas

I just had to share this amazing series of pictures Mike took of our sweet boy. His name means "light" and that is exactly what he brings into our lives. I hope you are all having a nice Saturday. What are you up to today?

Grandparent Projects

One of the many things I love about my parents is that they usually have some sort of project to do with the girls when they come over to their house. Hannah and Leah loved the time when my parents created a fun scavenger hunt that sent the girls looking for clues all over the place. Just last week, my dad had a science experiment set up that involved seeing which was lighter: syrup, water or oil. He also helped them construct a "Tin Man" out of foil, a Dr. Pepper can, nuts, bolts and electrical tape (when they were going through a serious Wizard of Oz phase). My mom always has a craft closet full of fun activities like beads for making jewelry and of course lots of markers, crayons, paints and paper. I cannot even count the number of cakes and pies and other treats she has allowed them to help her with. She lets them put on one of her aprons, stand on a stool and cook with her. And just the other day I noticed a bunch of empty milk cartons in their garage. When I asked what they were saving them for my mom replied, "Your dad is going to use them to make a bowling set for the girls."

Last Wednesday night Miss Leah spent the night and she came home with one of her special Papa projects.

She and Papa made a dollhouse out of an old cardboard box. Papa did all the cutting, while Leah drew the windows and doors. And I'm sure she helped with the overall design.

I'm so grateful to have parents that are willing to make each and every visit special.

Tenkiller 09

Last weekend we headed back to Lake Tenkiller with our friends, the Reutlingers and the Millers, for another weekend of catching up, playing games, eating delicious food, and lots of just being outside together. My aunt and uncle graciously allowed us to use their lake house once again (thank you John and Mary!!), and this year we all took our kiddos with us! Since last year's lake trip, all three of us couples have added another baby to our families, so that made for six adults and eight kids all under one roof! Amazingly, it didn't feel crowded at all. Mainly because the older kids played outside almost the entire time and the three younger ones were all immobile and hung out in slings, bouncy seats and strollers. There is something so incredibly special about friendships that have stood the test of time. Friendships that feel more like family and that just grow deeper over the years. We're talking friendships where you can just be yourself, hang out in your pajamas, act silly, and laugh until you nearly pass out. Here are a few of the many pictures I took over the weekend. My friend Angie also blogged about our weekend over at The Greatest of These, so check out her pics too. Em, Angie, Nikki and Pumpkin (a.k.a. Lucas)

Hannah and Leah at Tenkiller State Park

The Millers

The Reutlingers

The Galloways

We're already looking forward to next year!

Photo-tag

I got this idea from Teresa at Affectioknit, and I thought it would be fun to play along. To play the photo-tag game, you have to open your first photo folder, go to the tenth photo and then tell the story behind it. The above photo is the tenth one for me. The picture was taken last October out at Lake Tenkiller. It's our friend Reed examining the hard, round fruit on this scraggly, little tree. Right after I took this photo, we dared him to actually eat one. Which he did. Apparently it was extremely sour because he made the funniest puckering "wow this is sour!" face soon afterward. If only I was able to post that photo! We all died laughing. Funny thing is, Mike and I and the other two couples involved in last year's lake antics, are heading back to Tenkiller this weekend for our annual October trip. I'm sure I'll have tons of photos to post on Monday.

I'm not going to tag anyone specific, but if you want to play along, just go to your photo folder, open the first folder, find the tenth picture, and then tell the story. Let me know if you decide to play!

Siblings

I realized the other day that none of my kids will ever remember a time in their lives without having a sibling there with them. Since I had my twins first, I never got to experience life with just one baby. As an only child, the whole idea of having siblings is new territory to me. I am grateful that they will always have someone to play with and someone to share secrets with. And although they don't realize it now, they will be really thankful for each other as adults. Hopefully they will live close enough to each other that their kids can all play together too. Now sometimes all this wonderful "togetherness" leads to arguments and hurt feelings. Take this morning, for example: the girls were in a huge, screaming argument over who would sit in which car seat on the way to school. Silly, I know. But it was a big deal to them. We eventually worked it out (not before I thought I might lose my mind, however!) and we made it to school on time. But, even though the girls fight sometimes, they do spend the majority of their day playing together and enjoying each other's company.

I try to reinforce to them how special it is to have not only a sister, but a twin sister! And that in our family, we respect each other and love each other no matter what. It's a learning process for me. I sometimes have to ask Mike, "Did you fight with your brother and sister like this?" But I'm slowly figuring this sibling thing out. And I can't wait to see how Lucas fits into the mix as he gets older.

Shot Day

My little guy went to the doctor today for his two month check up which included three shots and one oral vaccine. And I actually showed up for his appointment on the right day! Oh, did I forget to tell you that story? Well, last Monday I hurried around and got Lucas to his pediatrician precisely at 10:30. Picture me pushing a stroller and armed with my purse and a diaper bag while also juggling my car keys, sunglasses, etc. I was the epitome of harried mom. BUT, I made it on time. I signed my boy in, then took my seat feeling pretty proud of my timely accomplishment. A few minutes later the receptionist called me up to the glass window and said, "Mrs. Galloway, Lucas has an appointment next Monday at 10:30, not today." I think the lack of sleep over the last two months has officially affected my brain.

Fast forward one week and once again, I arrived at the doctor's office on time. Miracle! This time, they were ready for us. First the nurse weighed him (11 lb. 9 oz) and measured him (22 inches). Then we waited for the doctor to arrive. I love our pediatrician. In fact, she was my pediatrician when I was little, so she knows us well. She looked our boy over, I asked my usual list of questions, then the dreaded moment arrived. The nurse walked in holding three needles ready to poke into my sweet boy's chubby little thighs. I held Lucas' hands down and proceded to talk to him in a hushed motherly tone when he felt the first prick. His face instantly squished up into a terrible frown and a loud wail shortly followed. Two more quick pokes and he was done. It was over in a matter of seconds, but I certainly felt bad for him. He doesn't understand the shots are necessary. He doesn't understand what polio or pertussis could do to him. Thankfully, he settled down quickly and we headed home where I snuggled up with him and took a nice long nap together. There's nothing like the steady, rhythmic breathing of a cute baby to lull you into dreamland.

PS-- Book Recommendation: Small Steps by Peg Kehret. This book is the author's own story of her battle with Polio. It is shocking, sad and yet heartwarming. And it gives you a great reminder on why we vaccinate our kids against such a horrible disease. You can find this book in the young adult section. I used to read it out loud to my class every year and they always loved it.

Autumn Walk

Yesterday was a perfect fall day. The girls and I spent the morning playing, reading books and making a collage. Then, late in the afternoon, we decided to meet up with my dad ("Papa" as he's affectionately called) at a park to play and take a walk. The weather was beautiful and the sky was bright blue as we spent nearly two hours enjoying the outdoors together. Here are some pics of our day-- and get ready for quite a few as I went a little camera crazy.

Lucas was wide awake and happy as we arrived at the park. He is always curious about his surroundings, so he enjoyed looking around.

I love to look up and see sunlight streaming through the leaves. In Oklahoma, the leaves haven't really turned any colors yet. And even when they do, it is usually a short lived event. Oh well, I'll still take a tree full of bright green leaves any day.

Not only do I love looking up at the sunlight, but I enjoy looking down at the neat shadows it creates as well.

Leah on the tire swing.

Hannah in the sun

Rolling down the hill

I wonder what she's thinking about?

Starting our walk. Leah used her stick to point out which paths we should take because she said it looked like the tip of an arrow.

Exploring a soggy riverbed

Sweet Leah in Mommy's shades

We found lots of grasshoppers. My girls are not afraid to pick things up to get a better look.

We also spotted lots of deer tracks. If we had been walking the trails at twilight, I'm sure we would have seen a few.

The girls thought this patch of goldenrod was very pretty. And I agreed.

Leah went in to check out the flowers, but quickly came out as she spotted all the bees flying around. Apparently they thought the goldenrod was quite nice as well!

As we neared the end of our walk, I looked down to see Lucas sleeping soundly. I think if I were being pushed in a comfortable stroller, listening to the words and giggles of my two big sisters and letting the sun gently warm my skin, I would fall asleep too.

In the end, we came home sweaty and tired, but full of fresh air in our lungs and a perfect autumn memory.

What are you doing to enjoy the change of seasons?