SOME OF THE STUFF WE HAVE DONE THIS SUMMER

We are lame at blogging, but oh well. A lot has happened in the summer of 2011. We had Evie Bleu Byington on June 3, 2011. We haven't posted many pictures but we will, just picture Luke as a girl. We call her Luke 2.0 because she looks just like him as a baby so far. I have been working on the backyard this summer, getting it put in finally after the wall. Landscaping is such a pain when you are on deadline and have children that want to play outside. It is almost all the way done. We are getting more sod and curbing later this week. We will have pictures posted of the finish work. Bobcat was fun driving around though. It is much easier then trying to rake all the rocks out. We also spent some time with family. Both sets of parents came up in the summer to visit Luke and Evie. Luke rode Grandpa Clove's quad and we spent some time with Grandpa Byington in the "moving house" and on the rhino. I will post some pictures later of us down in Vegas from July. Enjoy Evie she is a lot of fun.

Peeka Turns One!

I'm two weeks late, and it's time for an update on us. Our little one turned one! Can you believe it? Wasn't it just yesterday I was bounding up and down the stairs, hiking the mountains up the street from our house, and begging this precious child to please get out of me? Why is it that those last few days seemed to drag on for an eternity, but the last year seems about as long my pinky nail? It is the most frustrating part about being a mother. Your children grow up way too fast.

Dear Luke Joseph,

I included the "Joseph" part of your name because, good heavens, you couldn't possibly be more identical to your father in the little person that you are becoming. You may look like me, but I believe you've acquired an innate capacity to remain happy despite any and all circumstances. You are known among our friends and family as "the baby who never cries". You spoil me. Please keep your sweet, mellow temperament. I'm not just asking. I'm begging.

I remember the first time we met face to face. April 6, 2009. Sorry about my double chin and puffy face on that first day. I hope it's gone now. I remember the first thing I said to you: "Hi, baby. Oh, that was so hard for me. Was that hard for you? I bet it was. I'm sorry." And it was hard. But even then, you were so calm and comfortable with this whole "life" thing. So easy, quiet, and content. After much deliberation, we think it may be because of the substantial amounts of Chicken McNuggets consumed during your stay in the womb. Or perhaps the three gallons of milk I drank every week. Either way, thanks.

The only thing better than growing and delivering you has been watching you grow into a little walking, talking toddler. I still can't figure out how or when it happened, but it's phenomenal and I am loving your sweet, chill little personality. I love that when we go on walks, you put your chubby little feet on the tray in front like it's a dashboard and you're rocking out to Bob Marley. I love that when you get excited about something, balloons in particular, your little arms and legs get all stiff and you make little grunting noises and quiver like your cousin Sophie. I love that you say, "cool" and "whoa" for everything. Reminds me of the Sea Turtle on Finding Nemo. I really love that you only have two teeth. Thanks for that, too! I love that you love Lilly and you already try to boss her around. Please continue to do so. I don't always act like I love your trash digging or your cupboard raiding, but for your cuteness, it's a small price to pay.

Kid, you are walking all over the place. Already, I'm struggling to keep up with all of your energy! You are so fun. I love you so much. I want you to be happy and always choose the right. Can you do that for me? Great. Thanks.

Love,

Mommy

A brand-new baby Luke. About 5 minutes old. Notice how awesome I look.

About an hour old. Happy Birthday baby boy!

Chubby at 6 months

And now!

Luke had a great first birthday. We went way overboard and threw him a great duck-themed party with friends and family at our church building. Thanks to everyone who came, and thanks to everyone who remembered this sweet one's special day and sent gifts and cards. He sure is loved and spoiled to the brim. Lots of pictures to come, we're just waiting for the discs in the mail (Grammy Clove). We also had his one-year pictures done, and we should get those back soon. We'll have to post them. We also made a movie of Luke that includes both pictures and video of our sweetie. Joey will try to get that up.

Sorry for the lack of postage. We've been busy. And thanks to you, Peeka, for being you! We love you!

Breastfeeding Mamas

The tragedy in Haiti has caused a great deal of suffering. Of those that have been affected, many are children, some just tiny infants. Most are now parentless. As I look at my own chubby, happy infant, I can't help but ache for those that are struggling before their lives has even begun.

Today, I found a way to help. Experts say it is recommended for infants who have undergone serious trauma to consume breast milk rather than formula, if at all possible. There are just some things money can't buy, and this is one of them. Milk banks across the US are now accepting breast milk donations of all sizes in order to fill the need of hungry babies in Haiti. Find out more here.

Luke and I have decided to go ahead and donate the majority of our stash to babies in Haiti. The supply that used to take up the better part of our freezer is down to a mere 300+ ounces of "good" milk, and since Luke doesn't take it from anywhere but from the tap, I'm glad it's going to a good cause. I would pump and donate too, if I wasn't already wasting away as it is. If you are willing and able, do it. It's such a good (and free!) way to help the tiny ones.

Small Things

I love to feel things, like anyone else. I just choose to be more open about it. I'm an emotional person, and I think it's important to go through life feeling as much of it as possible, because that is how we learn. I try not to push that on others, though, because in most cases it makes people feel uncomfortable to feel anything out of the ordinary. It's not "cool" to cry. I get that. I know.

Lately, though, I've felt as though I've been in a rut. There's been a real shortage of things that I felt actually move me the way that I need to be moved. I've always had a burning passion for sad things and hard things and happy things and real things. I need them. It seems that I've gotten lost somewhere between how our bedroom needs to be redecorated and how to get the stain out of that sweater. Things that don't matter. But sometimes mundane things take over, and we forget how to feel and relate and create. This, for me, has been the case lately, and without realizing it, I needed to be inspired by someone after my own heart. Someone with a love for words. And I have been.

I don't push things on others, because not everyone is like me. Thank Goodness for that. But, please, if you have a moment, you need to see this. You need to read it. Maybe you need it like I needed it. I haven't come across anything this perfect since I don't know when.

It's beautiful.

Peeka

Luke's new nickname. Derived from "Peek-a-Boo". I have a feeling that the poor kid is never going to know his name really is. I can see it now. He's going to walk into kindergarten and not answer to 'Luke Byington' when they call roll. And when they ask him his name, he's going to say, "My name's Peeka," or "I'm Stookie," or maybe even "They call me Fat One." We could write a book on all the things we call him!

Anyway, as promised, here are some pictures of Baby Luke. I apologize for the not-so-good quality. We truly took most of the holiday pictures with a camera I don't have access to yet. Even after I rotated them in iphoto, some of these pictures didn't stay the way they should. Not sure why. And, since the last time I blogged, he grew a tooth! Or at least the beginnings of one. He hasn't tried to bite me yet, but I'm sure going to miss that sweet little gummy smile of his as we watch it fill with teeth over the next few weeks. Also, yesterday, he stood by himself for ten whole seconds! Watch out, world. This kid is about to take over.

Always on the move!

Luke's Mountain (literally) of presents at Grandma and Grandpa Clove's house. He's excited.

Wearing puppy Mandy's Christmas hat

With Grandma Clove

Grandpa Byington teaching Luke a new trick.

Luke's bag a presents at Grandma and Grandpa Byington's house. He's interested.

With some of my cousins, Saydi, Heidi, and Abbey!

Luke, we sure do love you. Keep up the good work with sleeping through the night for 13 hours straight and only pooping when Daddy is home. You're my favorite.

Love,

Mommy

9 months

Two days ago, my little gumdrop had his nine month birthday. I can't believe that in the time he's been out of the womb and on the earth, I could have been pregnant with and birthed him all over again. Those nine months that he was hiding in the belly seemed to drag on and on, but the last nine months have just flown by and I hate it. At the risk of sounding cheesy, the time that Luke has been with us have truly been the most incredible and fulfilling of my life. I always knew I would love being a mom, but never to this degree. He brings a certain joy to me and to our family that I can only describe as celestial.

I was so madly in love with him from the moment he was born, swearing that there was never a more perfect baby, nor would there ever again be. I would feel a twinge of anxiousness every time someone would ask to hold him or even offer to change his diaper, even if it meant that I got a much-needed "break". I couldn't stand to be away from him for more than a few minutes at a time if I could help it. A friend of mine would reassure me that those feelings were strictly postpartum, and that they would soon pass with the hormones. Not so, at least for me. I know now that these emotions are not hormonal, but instead something divine, something eternally ingrained by God in every mother for her child. Thank heaven for that. This is what makes the bond between a mother and her infant so extraordinary. The combination of something gentle and fierce and passionate and almost exhausting in its consumption of the two people is nearly tangible at certain moments, often in the quiet instance of him drifting off to sleep or his squeal of delight at the sight of you.

If I have come to one conclusion in this time, I know now that it is not the CEOs or political gurus of the world that will change our society into something good and wholesome. It isn't the falsely attractive Hollywooders or wealthy athletes that create true beauty or bravery or greatness. It is motherhood! Motherhood is what brings forth the most significant manifestations of anything good or virtuous. One middle-of-the-night, cuddly moment, diaper change, and boo-boo kiss at a time. I am by no means a perfect mother, far from it in fact, but I am trying and I am learning. And I like that.

I case you can't tell, I'm deliriously obsessed with my new role as "Mama".

I'll get off my soap box now, and talk about something far more interesting to most - Luke. At 9 months, Luke is:

• Eating everything. He eats about 4 times per day. There is nothing this kid will not eat. Baby food, people food, perhaps the occasional dog food... just kidding. :) I would probably never let Luke eat Lilly's food. That's just gross. The other day we had hamburgers for dinner and he pulled Joey's hamburger right off his plate and started eating it. So, he did not inherit my eating habits.
  
• Nursing. About 4-5 times per day and once in the night at about 2 am. It doesn't bother me too much anymore. I just take the opportunity to get myself a snack as well! I do plan on nursing until he's a year old.
• Pointing. At everything! And when he points, he'll often say "Yook". (Could be Luke, could be look. We're not sure.) I think it's so funny when he wakes up from a nap with bedhead and a pouty face and just starts pointing at everything. Doesn't say anything, just points.
• Gone from Army crawling to regular crawling. And he is fast. A solid 3 mph.
• Pulling himself up on everything. Walls, furniture, toys, Joey and I, Lilly - anything within his reach. He'll walk along things as well, careful to put one foot in front of the other. He has tried to let go a few times, and much to his dismay, falls on his tushy.
• Still has no teeth. Yea for that!
• Watches his daily dose of Barney and Friends. I put him in his swing each morning with some puffs in his tray, turn on that oversized purple dinosaur, and I jump in the shower while Luke is quite entertained. It gives me a solid 30 minutes to get as ready as possible.
  
• BLONDE and Blue-Eyed. Still. Random!
• Says "mama", "dada", "nana", "baba", and we're working on "dog".
• Takes 2 long naps each day, and just puts himself to sleep.
  
• Has lots of friends in our neighborhood. The mother's lounge in our ward looks like the womens bathroom at a Lakers game. There are always women socializing while standing in line with hungry fussy babies, waiting for a chair. Hence, Luke has met every baby in our ward on a personal level, usually over lunch. Some of his besties are Payden, Elaina, and Madeline. All girls. Daddy taught him well.
• Laughs when he sees pictures of himself.
• Went on his first date last weekend with Payden. They shared a romantic dinner of puffs, fries, and bits of roll at Texas Roadhouse.
  
• Loves books, and will sit quietly through any story.
• Waves, on occasion.
• Has zero stranger anxiety.
• Is incredibly spoiled. Literally got a mountain of toys and clothes for Christmas. He doesn't even know what to do with himself.
• Has his 9 month appt. on Monday, so we will know his stats then!

As for us, Joey is working hard both at AFFC and in his calling as a Scout leader. In case you didn't know, Joey has such an incredible work ethic, and is like the Energizer bunny - he just keeps going! Working full-time, plus a fairly demanding calling, plus being an amazing husband and dad, it all is pretty tiring, but he never complains. I know, I'm lucky.

I've been keeping busy keeping up with the gumdrop, and have also been doing some freelance writing projects for some clients. I'm excited to finally be doing what I love and getting paid for it! Who knew? I wanted something I could do when Luke was napping that didn't interrupt my time with him while he is awake, and it's perfect. I don't have to leave him to go to work, and I can stop at anytime. It's a project in progress, but so far it's great. I've taken on a few more hobbies as well, with Christmas gifts and the new year and all!

As luck would have it, Joey has our memory cards at work, and we took the majority of pictures of the Holidays on my mom's professional camera. We also got some cute pictures and headshots of him at Christmas, but I don't have the link yet. So, no pictures at the moment, but I promise to get with it and get some up this weekend. Photo overload for sure.



*Please note: I am more than willing to accept any offers to hold, change, feed, watch, or play with Luke. The days of having to be near him every second are only in moderation now. While I love him ever so much, it would be nice to get a pedicure or visit a bookstore without my chubby company, once in a while. It is the love for an infant that is unchanging, not the anxiety over them. Just wanted to clarify. :)

Summer Memories

Well our family had a little dilemma. Brittney and I left our camera at my parents house and couldn't find it when it was time to come home. So all of our Thanksgiving photos could not be posted unfortunately. Plus, we are getting a cold front coming in from Canada later this week and are supposed to recieve snow for the next seven days starting next week. Therefore I think about summer. So here again is some more summer fun times!


Me and Sawyer were interested in this tiny tiny helicopter

Here is a picture of Luke, Sawyer, and me in front of the bomber.

Sawyer training to be a gunner

Lil Kel was up staying with us on Brittney's birthday after we got back with Manti so she came. I don't know if she like it as much. Is it me or does she look really young in this picture. I just saw her on Thanksgiving and I think she could pass for sixteen now! Crazy!

Here is Sawyer again.