Six Months

Luke is six months old!

Weight: 19 pounds, 15.6 ounces (87%)

Height: 28 inches ( 92%)

Head: 46 centimeters (100%)

He is almost the exact size that his big brother was at this point.

It's just getting more and more fun with this big guy! 

Luke tried lots of new food this month: bananas, pears, avocados, sweet potatoes, peas and carrots.  Peas were the only ones that caused a bit of a grumpy face, but he still ate them up.  Wow, this kid can eat.  He screams if the spoonfuls don't come fast enough, and definitely protests when it comes to putting on bibs and having his face cleaned.

He's content to see if just about anything tastes good these days, even a truck.

Luke rolls over as soon as he is put down.  He can go from his tummy to back, but will only do it in his crib.  In fact, he does all kinds of acrobat looking moves in his crib.  Despite not crawling, he sure gets around in there.

His voice and scream is growing just like everything else.  Wow, the volume and high pitch is impressive.  Luke loves his mama and sometimes shows off that scream when I leave the room.

But he makes lots of sweet sounds too, including something that sounds like 'hi' and lots of 'b' sounds. It's so fun hearing him 'talk.'

I love that he found his feet.  Talk about one of the cutest milestones.  He really can suck that big toe like it's a thumb.

And, he continues to love his brother.

Yesterday I turned around and found Noah wiping off Luke's mouth after lunch.  He did a pretty good job too.  He has started showing Luke how to do things, like how to use a spoon, race cars fast across the wood floor, and throw a ball.  He says, "Mama, I show baby Wuke." Luke loves to watch and learn from his brother, even though his body has a little catching up to do with all of those skills.

Luke is Cute

He just discovered his hair this week:

 

 Still smiling even though those arms are too tired to hold him up.

It's true.

You have your own kids and suddenly you really do believe they are the cutest creations earth has ever known.

Noah's First Father/Son Campout

Yesterday Noah and Nate went up to Jenkinson Lake for their first Father/Son campout.  It was also the first time Noah has slept anywhere but a crib, so we felt like it was a bit of a gamble.  But rolling these dice paid off, and they both had a great time.

In fact, the first thing Nate said when he called as they were driving back home was, "He was so good.  He was so, so good." 

Noah stayed close while Nate set up the tent, and inspected it when he was finished.

And after that it was time for dinner, exploring and fun. 

Noah sums it up by saying, "Sticks and rocks."

But he also reported to me that he went on a 'hike' with Daddy and Braeden (our neighbor and Noah's big buddy) and found, "Big ants, siders (spiders), and beatle."

Once the campfire was going, they feasted on 'moshmewwos' (marshmallows) and made s'mores.  Noah loved throwing pine needles into the fire.  We're pretty sure he was the youngest camper there, at least from our ward.

And then it was bedtime.  Indeed, Noah was so, so good, but he set a new bedtime record: 11:30.  He was in the tent long before that, but closing those eyes and falling asleep wasn't easy.  They read books and Noah was quiet, but he'd sit up every time he heard a sound.  Eventually he slept, until about 2 a.m., when he said, "Hold you Daddy," and climbed into Nate's sleeping bag.  Maybe he was cold, who knows.  Nate found himself quickly getting squeezed out of his bag, so he left it for Noah. 

So did he sleep in?  Of course not.  But can you tell that this is the face of a guy who woke up, with just six hours of sleep, at 5:30 a.m.?

He was happy, and he loves camping -- just like his dad.  Noah and Nate walked down to the lake and threw sticks and rocks into the water.  They had 'pacakes' and eggs for 'bwekast' (breakfast).  And shortly after that, they were headed back home.

I wish I had been there, even just to watch.  But I settled for a big 'monster hug' when they got home and a two year-old's summary of the events.  I realized quickly after they left that Noah is kind of like the soundtrack of our family.  The house was entirely too quiet without him there.  I definitely prefer hearing things like, "Hi sweetheart Mommy," bulldozers being driven, and little feet running in the house over all of that quiet.  I'm sure glad it was one night.  And it's a good thing I have years to prepare before I send him off to scout camp, college or a mission. :-)