A Little About Luke.....

Last year I started something I'd like to continue as an annual tradition.  Right around Olivia's Bday, I wrote about what the last year meant in terms of her changes/development/new learnings.  Since I'm not the best at keeping up with baby books, I'll look to this someday as my refernce!  :)  Have you heard - Technology is changing the way we do things?!

So, for Luke, he had a pretty eventful year.  His first one, right?  Pretty basic you might think.  He learned to sit up, roll over, crawl, walk....all the normal things babies do. 

Since I have early dementia these days, I'll at least document that he learned to walk the Sat before his first bday.  And, lucky for iPhones, we got just about his very first steps on video! 

Here are a few other things that make 'Luke Douglas' who he is today:

- He has a lot of teeth coming in.  6 right now as a matter of fact.  Ouch.  Hence the reason he has an index finger in his mouth at all times.  But, he has his two bottom teeth in and they are quite messed up!  There is a gap in between that could probably fit 2 or 3 add'l teeth.  Poor guy.  Right now it looks kind of cute, but someday...maybe not.  I pray his real ones close the gap someday!
- Luke learned to play peek-a-boo at an early age.  His favorite prop was usually menu's at a restaurant.  But, blankets and clothes work well.  Anything really.  He has a thing for putting clothes on top of his head. 
- His favorite pastime is dumping out his crib after any sleeping occasion.  All 6 pacy's that are usually there.  His baby pillow pet and his blanket.  In violent fashion.  We can usually hear the pacy's flinging across the room after he's awake.  And, he's not mad about it.  Just likes to throw things.
- Speaking of....he has a great relationship with our dog, Eddie.  So, Luke finds it necessary to look out for Eddie and provide food for him.  If Eddie is in the vacinity of Luke while he's eating, he's throwing down his food for Eddie to catch.  Eddie now goes outside when Luke eats. 
- Luke LOVES his bath.  He has never once cried going in and actually walks/crawls to the bathroom as fast as humanly possible when he hears the water go on.  And, he'll stay in as long as you'll let him. 
- Luke still sleeps in his sleep sack.  He looks a bit ridiculous now that he's one, but since they make them big enough for one yr olds, I put him in it.  It's is 'calming' thing.  He knows the minute he gets in it, it's bedtime.  And, he sleeps really, really well, so I'm not going to even attempt to mess with our routine!! 
- Luke won't move if you lay him on his back on the ground.  Anywhere else (bed, couch, etc) he'll roll right over and sit up.  But the floor, he just lays perfectly still.  We think it's because of his changing table.  We use it every time to change his diaper, get him dressed, etc.  So, he lays there perfectly still for us.  I would expect him to wiggle and try to get out of that situation.  Nope.  Not this little one.  It's really kind of weird that he won't move if on his back on the ground.  Now, it's a fun little game for us bystanders.  It's quite funny.  You can leave him there, go into the kitchen, get a drink and he's still there on the family room floor.  I guess we could teach him to roll over, but that would take all the fun out of it. 
- My favorite thing...he's a very cuddly guy.  If I ask him to give me hugs, he lays his head down on my chest.  He'll give me kisses and loves to snuggle.  This melts me. 
- He also loves his sister.  If I were to be accurate on this account of the last year, I would probably say that at times is is a love/hate relationship.  Only because Olivia wants to treat him like an American Girl doll.  He doesn't always go for that.  But, when the moon strikes just right and the stars are aligned....he actually lets her play a bit with him.  And, he even lets her put bows and headbands in his hair.  :)

Happy Birthday my little man....

I never knew my heart could be this full of love.....Happy 1st Birthday-  Luke Douglas!! 

the Month of Milestones.....

Big week for us at the Lane house.  I only have a few minutes to write a quick post.  But, in a nutshell, here's what we've 'experienced' in the last 6 days....in order:

- We started preparing for our first hurricane (which thankfully is hitting elsewhere)
- Luke started walking.  Most of you have seen the video.  If you haven't, you are mostly missing out on hearing Kyle and I scream like the over-excited parents we were on Sat. 
- Olivia started her 1st day of Kindergarten
- Olivia learned to ride her bike, with confidence....(important to note)
- Luke turns 1 tomorrow!!

I think I'm in denial about Luke turning one.  It has been such a great year.  And, I know he's my last, so I'm all nostalgic about him turning a year and wish there was someway I could slow down time.  Like all parents.  Same with Olivia.  She's turning into such a girl.  Not sure if I'm ready for this or not. 

Anyways....I'll write more on this a bit later.  Off to escape the commute before the hurricane-that-is-not-hitting-us-hits-us.  :) 

Profiling

I spent last week at an offsite (here in Miami).  In one of the breakout sessions, we did a profile assessment to learn different communication styles, behavioral styles, etc.  I love this stuff.  It fascinates me to know that we are made up of this DNA 'stuff'...some of which can change, some of which is just how God made us.  And, that there are people smart enough to figure out what questions to ask to allow us to see all this on paper. 

Here are the quick buckets of where you could get placed:

D - Dominance; likes to get results, make changes and have impact.  They are direct, compelling, believe in their abilities and will take risks. 

I - Influence/Interpersonal; like to get results through people.  They are extroverted, like changing situations, and will accommodate other's wishes.  They would rather flee than fight and 'have a way with words.'

S - Steadiness/Stability - indirect and introverted, prefer a stable environment, following through on projects and accommodating others.  Make good team players, listen and have patience.

C - Conscientiousness/Cautious - indirect and lean toward order, precision, rules and policies.  Take great pride in their work, respond with facts rather than feelings.  Prefer logic and accuracy.  Ask 'why' a lot. 

Any guesses on where I netted out??......................

It was fun to go around the room and try to take guesses of people's personalities before knowing where we all fell on the test. 

Me = High 'C', closely followed by a pretty high 'D'.  I had a little bit of 'I' and almost zero 'S' in me.  I guess 'steady' would not be a word to describe me.  I guess listening and patience are two areas I could develop.  :) 

Based on where you ranked for each letter above, you added them up and on a chart, it uses just one word to describe your profile....'Creative' was my one word.  I can live with that.  I actually really like it.  It was better than 'perfectionist'.  My finance guy got that one.  If you're the finance guy, I think that's probably the one you'd want over creative.  Maybe the Enron finance guys were 'creative' and not 'perfectionists'.  Maybe they were just in the wrong role.  Hmm??  (kidding!)

Funny enough...one of the traits of high 'C's' is the use of sarcasm.  I think I have that one nailed. 

Value to an organization with this pattern - initiates or designs changes. 

Watchouts for my 'personality'...many, I'm sure is what you're thinking.  But, 'bluntness' is one of them.  Remind me to tell you about me the bathroom story when Kyle and I were house hunting.  It was not my greatest moment.  But, I sure could've used this feedback then.  (No, it's not a gross story....I just really stuck my foot in my mouth with someone else in the bathroom). 

Our instructor used an elevator analogy to best describe all the profiles.
D - would get on the elevator and push the button, without care if anyone else needed to get on.
I - would get on, hold the open button and wait until everyone was on board.
S - I can't remember....see, those listening skills need to be sharpened. 
C - this person would get on and then guess weights of everyone and add them up to make sure they weren't over the weight limit. 

This describes me to perfection!  I count everything.  All the time.  I think it's the one OCD habit I have. 

What do you think you would be on this test???  Have you taken it? 

Looking Through the Files..

And I found this....just makes my heart melt.  I truly cannot believe that Olivia has grown up so incredibly fast in just two short years.  Lord, help me through the next 15 (and then some) because the last year has made my hair turn grey and we're not even in kindergarten yet!! 

Is it possible to stop time?  I loved this age.  So sweet. 

Did I Fail to Mention a Haitus??

I think so.....

It looks as if it's officially been 2 months since my last post.  A new record.  And you thought I was slacking before?!? 

I'll post a longer update in the next few days.  I feel like we took the entire summer off!!  Not a bad problem, but need to get back in the groove of things. 

Here are a few pics for the time being...

The little man....isn't he handsome??

Kyle and I were lucky to sneak off to the Caymans for a VERY quick trip.  But, it was long enough to relax and enjoy the sun. 

No kids, beer in hand and beach 5 feet away...what more can you ask for?

Our self portrait! 

Olivia at dinner with me in NYC! 

Smiley little man...being kissed by Eddie!  An hourly occurrence. 

Look what Luke got into??  Guess what we did this weekend??  - BABY PROOFED! 

The Party Continues.....

I think we have been on a non-stop party for the last month.  And, the fun continues this weekend!  I just flew back in town from a trip and I'm sitting in the airport lounge waiting for my parents to get here!  I cannot wait to see them and I know I'm not the only one in the house excited for their arrival! 

Two weekends ago, we hosted 3 functions back to back in our house.  We had our neighbor over Thur night before he left for the summer in NY.  The next night, Olivia had her last soccer game and we spoke up too fast and decided to have the 'end of season' pizza party at our house.  Last year we introduced our 'kid friendly' version of 'Jingle Bells and Cocktails' party, Miami-style.  We invited Olivia's class and all the families over for an end of school celebration/pool party.  So, why not repeat, right?  Well, her class grew from 11 kids last year to 18 this year.  Nonetheless, a great time was had by all.  And, similar to last year, the party (on paper) was from 3pm-7pm.  Well, the last guests left at 11pm!  The kids had a blast and were worn out for days.  That alone qualifies as success! 

This past weekend was a little bit of the same, but fortunately, none of the action occurred at our house.  Our pool, our dog and our wallet took a little break.  Our neighbors have a weekend family home in the Keys and we were invited to spend some time with them down there.  If you haven't been to the Keys....it is definitely a life-style that could grow on you if you have any ounce of 'laid backness' in you!  You just feel like you need to be sitting on a beach chair, margarita in hand, watching the sunset.  It was heaven.  Pure heaven. 

And, miracles do happen!!  I finally got caught up, as many of you know (sorry!) and got caught up on...oh, just about the last 9 months of photos!  All uploaded to Snapfish.  If I can figure it out, I will attach a link here to the pictures in the Keys.  Beautiful...am I repeating my self?

The best part.....we're going back down there this weekend with my parents!!  Today is my Dad's birthday, so we'll celebrate tonight.  Tomorrow we are getting a loaner of a friend's boat and getting a tour of Miami from sea.  Friday, Olivia graduates (yes, from preschool!) and then we're off to here.  7 pools.  I don't know who will test them all out first...Olivia, my mom or my dad!!  I'll let you know.