Christmas Cookies

Earlier this month it was raining for days on end and I just HAD to find something special for Luke to do indoors. We ended up going to Bed Bath and Beyond and getting a cookie press, which we used to make Michael's Aunt Michele's colorful Christmas butter cookies. Luke loved this project, and the cookie press was even easy enough for him to use on his own.

So, I decided that we would make one more attempt at making Christmas cookies this year. I had a box of Gingerbread mix from Trader Joe's (my favorite place!), so I whipped up the dough, we rolled it out, cut out the cookies, and Luke decorated them.

He had fun, but this was definitely a messier project than some of the other baking that we've done this holiday season.

Are they finished baking yet? (oh, yes, we wear underwear around a lot, especially if we have an accident in the pants and Mommy is just too tired - and large - to haul herself upstairs for a clean pair!)

Inspecting his work:

Pleased with the final product (this is before the taste test!):

The downside? Luke discovered that he is not really a fan of gingerbread** ... oh well, live and learn!

**Note to all Mommies: The TJ's gingerbread mix is super gingery and spicy - yummy for adults, not really surprising that it isn't a hit with kids!

Luke's "Candy House"

After I saw the Clark family post , I decided that I wanted to try to find a Gingerbread house kit for Luke to work on also (great idea, thanks Jo!). I happened to be out and saw one, so I picked it up figuring it would be a great activity for Luke and I to do ahead of Christmas on one of those mornings that I just needed something (anything) for him to do.

Needless to say, he LOVED it! A few times I did catch him trying to eat the candy instead of putting it on the house ... who can blame him, right?!

This was definitely one of those activities that entertained and was relatively easy, both in set-up and clean-up. And, he's enjoying having a few bites here and there for a treat after dinner!

Christmas in the Park

Luke spent the day with Day and Paw so that Mommy had a little time to herself. They took him to see Christmas in the Park, which he loved. Here are a few pictures from their trip downtown.

The BEST thing EVER

is when I say, like I have a million times since he was born, "I love you, Luke,"

and the sweetest voice ever replies, "I love you too, Mommy." No hesitation, no uncertainty, clear as day, and sometimes even followed by a kiss or a hug.

We are blessed to hear these words frequently right now, but I know that there will come a day when he won't say them as often. I wish I could somehow preserve that sentence, exactly how it sounds right now, so that I could listen to it over and over forever ... I'm positive that it will never get old.

The perfect book

Over the summer I was browsing Barnes and Noble for some fireman/firetruck books for Luke when I came across this one on the bargain shelf (LOVE that shelf!).
So, for all of the obvious reasons (we wanted to introduce Luke to the idea of being a big brother, the baby in the story was gender-neutral and we didn't then know the sex of the baby, etc.), this was a great book. So, I was sold on it before I even really opened it to read it ... but once I did I was certain that Luke had to have it ... the big brother's name in the story is Luke!

Almost as if on cue just a few weeks before his new sister arrives, Luke has decided that this book, which he previously had little interest in, is his absolute favorite. We read it several times a day and the pages are suddenly starting to look worn ... and, in my opinion, there is nothing better than a book that is well worn and loved!

The Bed Bug

This kid loves to snuggle in bed ... and he would stay in his jammies all day (I think maybe that comes from his Mommy!).

Mandala Holiday Party

Luke's school hosted a holiday party last night. His class performed several songs, the older preschool class performed, a ventriliquist entertained the kids, and then Santa Claus arrived. It was a really nice program and Michael and I are constantly amazed at how many fun activities they put together for the kids.

Unfortunately, the new tape that I bought for the video camera malfunctioned, so I missed nearly all of Luke's class performance (maybe this was fortunate since I had the camera all packed and ready to go with this new tape in the hospital bag!). The good news ... we didn't miss much. Luke, although he knew all of the words to the songs and the hand movements (he's performed them many times for us at home), sat on the stage and looked as though he had never before heard any of the songs they were singing. Oh well ... there's always next year :)!

Luke and Michael went to the back of the room for the other performances since Luke was in NO mood to sit down and watch! Although, once the ventriliquist took the stage, he was quite entertained and was laughing so loud we could hear him from our seats (too cute!).

Santa Claus was definitely the highlight of the evening. I was concerned that, although we've been reading and talking about Santa coming to visit on Christmas, Luke might not want to get too close to him. However, he proved me wrong. He looked a bit hesitant, but did not hesitate at all to tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas.

Patiently waiting for his turn with Santa:

What does Luke want for Christmas this year? Well, just ask and he'll tell you ...

"A pink lollipop. And a blue one too."

Where are you?

PEEK-A-BOO!

Luke and I were playing his version of hide-and-seek this week. Basically, this entails him hiding, and then me calling out "where are you?," and him replying, "I here, Mommy!"

Thankfully, he calls that out, otherwise I might not have found him in this new-found hiding spot!

For the love of firetrucks

For Luke's birthday back in July, he received a Fisher Price firetruck from Mommy & Daddy, and a more advanced Tonka firetruck from his buddy Jackson. We decided to let him enjoy one at a time, and only recently pulled out the Tonka truck for Luke. As you can see, he is in love with his "new" toy!

Christmas part I

We celebrated Christmas a bit early this year with Grandma and Grandpa. It was a really nice, low-key, fun evening together. Daddy made linguine with clams, we had a fire going in the fireplace (it's been unusually cold here!), listened to Christmas music, and, of course, opened a few presents.

"Are these for me?"

"Silly Daddy!"

A Thomas ornament:

Daddy helps me hang it on the tree:

Trying out the new train piece with Grandpa:

Enjoying a lollipop (currently at the top of the Christmas list - more on that in a later post):

"Buck-pa" and "Frey-ma" visit

How fun to have Grandma and Grandpa Saccento here for a long weekend! Since we aren't going to be together for the holidays this year, it was a great time to get together and celebrate. Grandpa (aka "Buck-pa"), Daddy, and Luke worked on getting the Christmas tree train up and running, a highlight for Luke.

Admiring the tree and train:

Snuggles from Grandma:

Just because you're cute

Luke, you just make me melt with how cute you are these days. AND, these freaking adorable underwear from Gina don't hurt either (they may be the cutest ones I've ever seen!).

So, of course, we had to have a little photo session...

You like the monkey underwear also, and were happy to dance around for the camera!

Potty training ... take 2!

This week we are revisiting the potty training. I have been watching you, Luke, and I KNOW that you can physically do it. Now, whether you care enough to do it is another story. Nonetheless, I have decided that this may not be easy now, but it is going to be even harder when I have a newborn in the house ... so here goes ....

• Monday was a disaster. I think we went through 6 pairs of pants.


• Tuesday was a bit better, with less accidents.


• Today, Wednesday, you had NO accidents! A few weeks back you spotted some very special Thomas the Train underwear while we were shopping. I told you then that we would come back to get them when you were using the potty. I picked them up recently just to have on hand when "the time" arrived. Tonight, you were rewarded with a pack of Thomas underwear - and you couldn't have been more pleased!

Keep up the great work :). We're so proud of you!

What we've been up to

Whew! Somehow, life is just always busy!

Daddy spent last week home from work, but worked at home just about the entire time. He and Paw worked together and extended the loft/storage space in the garage (a must for all of those items that come along with children!). He also did lots of the finish work on baby Mia's room. Just the decorations are left to be hung.

Mommy has been frantically Christmas shopping and trying to get all the loose ends tied up around here, just in case my little sister decides to come early (probably not, but Mommy is hopeful). I told her last week that her tummy was really big, and that her belly button looks funny (in case she hadn't noticed herself).

35 week belly (thanks to Steph for the cute shirt)

I think that perhaps I have been the busiest of all ... expanding my vocabulary daily and perfecting my potty training skills (more on that to come in a separate post).

Some of my absolute favorite things right now include:

*Song: Old MacDonald Had a Farm (I sang this all the way home from Uncle Todd's on Thanksgiving ... I was set off by seeing a McDonalds restaurant).

*Book: The Carrot Seed (I'm working on learning this one as well as I know "Brown Bear, Brown Bear..." so that I can read it to Mommy)

*Dora and Diego ("and Boots!" as I alway remind Mommy) ... I'm obsessed with these two right now

*Treats: Chocolate milkshakes, lollipops, and fruit snacks ... I will do just about anything to get my hands on one of these special treats

More updates and photos to come soon!!!

Love,
Luke