3 month summary

I am about to jump back on the blog band wagon. September, October, November, and now December have been some of the busiest months ever! I won't bore you with everything that has been going on but just a few things...(this is an extra long post but I promise that the ones to follow will be short and sweet!) My jump drive is not working so I can't upload pictures to the computer at the moment. The next post will be all of the missing pictures from this post. So for now is just the boring text!

We traveled to Virginia to spend Thanksgiving with Greg's side of the family. We missed going last year, but with a 2 month old that needed a lot of care, we were not able to make our annual Thanksgiving trip. This was Luke's first trip to visit the beautiful countryside in VA. He did WONDERFUL! Praise God. We had a wonderful week full of playing outside on the farm, lounging around, eating a lot of yummy food, and best of all visiting with relatives we don't get to see often enough. We miss everyone already so much. Rachel, Greg's mom, is so loving and made everything just perfect for us. It was so nice to have the extra help with Luke and the extra relaxation! Diane, his sister, took the week off of work just to spend as much time as possible with us! It was so nice to catch up!

Luke had his 15 month check up on December 6. We made it from 12 months to 15 months with not ONE visit to the pedi! woo hoo! Here were his stats:
head-67%
weight-30%
height-85%
For anyone who knows about EB, these are phenomenal stats! EB children are typically on the smaller side. I'm sure he will slow down a bit but for now, GO LUKE GO...you show them!

Dr. J was so impressed that we have made it 15 months with NOT ONE skin infection. Can you believe it?? I can't. It must be the million baths, hand washes, and big box of alcohol swabs! Now let's make it 15 more months! Also, we were worried about having to put tubes in...well not anymore! Knock on wood, we have been a while with no ear infections either! I actually get teary eyed when I think about how good Luke is doing. We owe it all to our God and ALL OF THE FAITHFUL PRAYERS FROM SO SO SO MANY! THANK YOU!

Dr. J was still not too impressed with Luke's mobility. He is still not walking, but he wants to so badly! He is crawling better and better. I had no idea that he knew how to get up a stair. I found him at the TOP of the stairs the other day. I was a bit scared but SO SO SO SO SO proud! Once I told Dr. J that story, he was not as worried. We both know that his lack of movement is strictly due to EB. Some days he hurts worse than others therefore he doesn't "practice" everyday. I, myself, am a proud mom and am happy with where he has come! He is one tough little boy.

Luke is still not wearing shoes. My mom got him some Ugg boots lined in fur for the Winter and they are perfect. I am not sure what I am going to to when the warmer weather gets here. We will probably try wrapping his feet and buying bigger shoes...we will cross that bridge when it gets here! (I fought him to put some shoes on him for our Christmas card picture and they were off immediately after!)

Lindsay and I took the boys to visit Santa at the mall. We had them matching in there new Christmas PJ's and boots. The line was way too long to make them wait, so we did our own little photo shoot behind santa! I love the ages they are and think they look so cute playing together. They really know each other now and will sit and laugh and laugh at each other. TOO CUTE!

Greg and I celebrated (well, haven't really had a chance to actually celebrate yet, but will soon) our 4 year anniversary on December 16. He got me a new lap top so now I have no excuse for not updating the blog. I must say that these past 4 years have definitely been the best years yet. Marriage is the greatest blessing and I love our life together. He is a wonderful man. I always talk about how much Luke has taught us about life, well, Greg has taught me quite a bit too. He is the most patient, loving, kind, and giving person I know. He is slow to anger and quick to make a person feel better about themselves. He never expects much in return. He has shown me how to give generously and to make things about the other person. He has shown me how to be slow to speak and quick to listen, how to use the gifts we have been given for the good of others, and most of all he loves with everything he has...and he has so much. As I type this, I am in awe of what a Godly man he is. I love you Greg and can't wait to spend the rest of our life together. Thank you for being an incredible husband and a wonderful Daddy to our sweet boy. I would not make it in this world without you. You are everything to me.

Last Thursday we spent the evening driving to Dallas to celebrate my sister, Anna, get MARRIED! We now share an anniversary weekend with Anna and Marshal. I hope we get to celebrate some of the years in the future together! It was a wonderful weekend and we couldn't be happier for them. The wedding was BEAUTIFUL and so was the bride. Everything went off without a hitch. I was honored to be by her side as her Matron of Honor. Luke was the ring bearer and did fantastic! Since he doesn't walk, I carried him down the aisle and handed him off to Greg. It was such a special day for everyone. I don't have too many pictures on my camera because I was too busy taking pictures with her camera. I will post some as soon as I can get hold of them. Congratulations again to the happy couple. May God bless you both with many many wonderful years together. You will absolutely love being married. It is a precious gift.

That about sums up some of the major events that have been going on. We will spend Christmas weekend in Longview with my family. We will also be at the Texas Bowl cheering for the Baylor Bears here in Houston next week! Sic'em!

I love this time of year so much. We have SO much to be thankful for. I love love love our life and wouldn't change a thing about it. I pray 2011 is a great year!

The BIRTHDAY Post! (better late than never)

What a year, what a year, what a year!

In some ways it was the fastest year of our lives and in other ways it was a slow one. I will never, ever forget sitting in the Dermatology clinic room at Texas Children's Hospital, holding my 3.5 week old baby, Greg sitting as close as possible on my left, facing Dr. Bree (who we have grown to LOVE and will always hold a special place in our lives) listening to her tell us what no parent would ever want to hear..."IF he can get through infancy, he will probably have a good shot at life." Those words will forever stay stamped in Greg and I's memory. It was then and there that I could not wait to celebrate my little boy's FIRST birthday! And THAT we did!

I have learned more this past year than I ever thought possible..not just more...I have learned the more IMPORTANT things in life. I have grown in my faith, learned how to have HOPE, learned how to truly cherish everyday, become a little less selfish, become a better wife, the real meaning of team work, learned how to let others help, learned not to dwell as much on petty things, learned that I really have no idea what PAIN feels like, and SO much more. I still stumble ALL OF THE TIME; however, our God has used Luke to teach Greg and I what life is all about. For that, we are thankful.

Luke, if you ever read this some day, you are our hero. Your Daddy and I are so proud of you and all you have shown us during your first year of life. You are the toughest little boy and such a fighter. We can't wait to see all you will accomplish in the years to come! We love you more than anything sweet baby. HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY!

We celebrated TWO times over the course of his birthday week. The first party was in Longview at my parents house. It was small but special. The extended family came over for hot dogs, hamburgers, cake, and ice cream. It was great to see the family and for them to be there for Luke's birthday. Greg and I know without a doubt that this year would not have been as good without the prayers and encouragement from friends and family. THANK YOU for celebrating with us. THANK YOU to mom for putting the party together. It was perfect!






this was on his actual birthday at my mom and dad's house...we went in singing happy birthday to him :)


The next party was here in Houston! It was 'Candyland' themed and definitely a "sweet" success. Greg's mom, Rachel, and Billy flew in from Virginia for the special occasion. My mom and sister also came for party # 2!! It was everything I envisioned and more (except for the mega HEAT-Luke did not get to play outside :( )! THANK YOU to everyone who came to help us celebrate this wonderful occasion. We are so thankful to have so many wonderful family and friends who love Luke and have been faithful in praying for his health. God is good all the time! It brings tears of joy to my eyes every time I think of how far our baby has come and how amazing he is to handle each day so gracefully.

Here are A LOT of pictures from the special day. A friend of Greg's, who happens to be a photographer, was so nice to come to the party and take pictures. Thank you Tom Folder. www.folgerstudios.com

First Haircut!

Well, we finally caved and did it. There have been way too many people telling us that Luke needs a haircut, calling him a girl (ALL.OF.THE.TIME!), and making comments on his crazy hair that we did it...the first haircut. I was a little sad that my 'baby' wouldn't look so much like a 'baby.' And it's true...he looks more gown up. Handsome, I might add. It's a little short, but hopefully it will grow out better and not look so much like a mullet.

I already had my own hair appointment scheduled so I called to see if my hair guy (DZ) at Joesephine's could cut Luke's before mine. Greg met us there from work so he wouldn't miss a "first" then he took Luke home with him. Luke did great. I was a little worried because it was after MDO and he was tired. PLEASE excuse any shots of me in the pics...it was nasty weather and I opted to go with the no make up, it's nasty weather look!

Before








stay tuned...birthday post to come. We went to Longview this past weekend and had a small family party and this weekend is his big Houston party!