Here lately, I find myself wishing I could just freeze frame time. Heath and I get knots in our throats almost daily about either Luke or Landry, or sometimes both. I just never want to forget certain things. I really wish we could just capture almost every waking moment on video. So, this is for my kids... Kinda odd for it to be displayed on a blog, but a way to document things, nonetheless.
For Luke:
You really are my sunshine. I love almost every waking minute with you. I look at you sometimes and my heart just explodes. I wish I could be more like you in a lot of ways. Your innocence just floors me every now and then, and I never want that to be taken from you! I love it. I love how excited you get to go get new underwear at Walmart... I love how observant you are. You always notice the moon and the stars when we're out at night. You love Blue's Clues, and the way you prance around in front of the TV and sing along always makes me and Daddy giggle at you. You follow Daddy with your lawnmower when he's mowing, and you follow me with it when I vacuum. You love doing chores! When I sweep you follow me saying "My try" (Your version of "Let me try" and "My turn"). I love how you look in the mirror and simply just like the fact that you can see yourself. I wish I could keep the world from ever changing things like that about you.
You get so excited to do anything farm related.... anything Daddy related, really. Daddy puts you to bed at night, and you usually get up right before the sun comes up and come to bed with us. He hears you coming and opens the covers for you to get in bed. You get in and go right back to sleep! About a week ago, Daddy tricked you into going to bed early by telling you you'd get to ride his "big tractor" (the spray rig) with him the next morning. You were all about it! We woke you up the next morning and asked you if you wanted to go.. You calmly said, "Yep." Before ya'll left, you insisted on having your cap and sunglasses. And, when you first started identifying colors, you were dead on on every one except green... You called it "John Deere."
You look up to older boys whether they're 5 or 65. You like Jeeps and spot them on the road because Papa has one and lets you drive it. With your toys, you have a Daddy tractor, a Papa tractor, and a Guggy pickup. We've named the CapriSuns "Kade's juice boxes" (after Kade Stanley) just to get you off of chocolate milk when it's necessary. We use that a lot actually, "Kade goes T-T on the potty." "Kade is a brother like you!"
My heart can break for you in a split second sometimes. You have lots of fears. You're tremendously scared of dogs. You like Timber and Monkee... that's about it. When you're running as fast as you can towards something/someone you're excited to see, fall before you get there, and dust it off even though it hurt makes me get a big lump in my throat. I'm overwhelmed with pride when I see you hand over your favorite toy to a friend (you don't always!), even though I can see the war inside you about doing it.
One of the most entertaining things about you right now is your vocabulary. When you ask for things, you've started ending it with "Pweeaasseee." You'll say, "Mama, more chocwit milk pweeaaaaaasssee." -- When Landry gets worked up in a fit, you volunteer to take her from me. You sat down and patted your lap the other day and said, "Mere baby." -- You yelled out the door and invited the mail lady in not too long ago, "Mon in!" -- We were all eating at the Mall one day, and Daddy left to go get the pickup at the tire shop across the street while we finished eating. I knew you'd want to go if I told you were he was going, so I told you he was going to the potty.... This resulted in you asking me across the table in a very indiscreet voice, "Daddy poo poo? Mama, Daddy poo poo?" -- You hear every "hairplane" that flies over the house. -- You've asked for Coke in the nursery at church when they bring you juice. -- I cried on the phone with a sad friend one day, and you asked me over and over, "Mama, you k? You k, mama?" -- We call you Luker, and your version of that is "Gooker." We'll be going down the road, and you'll put your cap over your face and ask, "Mama, where'd Gooker go?" And I'll say, "I don't know, where did Luker go?" You'll pull the cap down and say, "Right there!"
You're a super sweet boy. Frustrating as ever at times.... Like, when you close your eyes as if it makes you disappear when you're getting in trouble. But, I look forward to every day with you. I'm blessed to have you as my son, and I'll love you forever.
Miss Landry... You've only been here for 6 weeks now, but we can't imagine life without you! You are just precious. We brag on you constantly for how good of a baby you are. I read the other day how sleep patterns for babies your age typically total 12-16 hours a day. You prefer about 20 hours!
You've completed our family in so many ways. Daddy and I both consider ourselves lucky to be able to experience what life is like with a daughter.
I saw Daddy fall in love with you as soon as you were born. I could hear him talking to you and calling you "pretty girl" before I even had a good look at you! He likes sitting in his chair and rocking with you, and you seem to like snuggling with him. He can calm you down better than I can sometimes if you get worked up.
You've started cooing and smiling more. I like getting a smile from you, and you're almost flirty in the way you give your expressions. You scrunch your nose up so that your top gums show, and I think it's super cute!
Just like with brother, I consider myself blessed to be able to spend my days with you. I look forward to watching you grow... I just hope it doesn't happen as fast as the last 6 weeks have gone. I love you more than you know. Maybe when you prefer less sleep, I'll get to show you just how much you mean to me. :)
