My Luca!

(Since I can't seem to get my act together enough to do a family shoot for my own family, I promised myself I would do a photo shoot of each of my children for their birthday and then write a special post about them. Well, since Luke's birthday happened to fall just a few days before the big wedding, I just didn't get to it. But I couldn't bail out on the first birthday of the year - so even though it is a month late and actually Nathan's birthday today -I'm still working on his post - I figure it is better late than never. Here we go.)

What can I say about my man Luke? First, I tell you why I took these pictures, because it is very telling about just who Luke is. It was not the planned photo shoot, but a few pictures snapped before jumping in the car to church. Why? Not because he looked so dashing and debonair, but because of what he said that was so funny, I didn't want to forget it, and snapping a picture was the fastest way to preserve a memory since we were going to be late for church.

So, as we were getting ready, Luke brings me this old clip-on bow tie, even though I had selected another tie for him, and he insists he wear it because, in his words, "I look like a boyfriend in that bow tie and all the girls are going to want to kiss me."

Well, I sure wanted to kiss him, and I did, too!

He was so excited to wear that bow tie, assured that he was hot stuff, and we heard about it all the way to church. I'm sure the girls noticed the stud-muffin in their midst, the one sporting that classy bow tie!

Oh, how he melts my heart!!!

(This is the one kid who is always willing to pose for my camera)

When I was pregnant with him, I refused to find out what I was having, too afraid to find out that my last chance would be another boy, afraid that I would be sad and down for the rest of my pregnancy. It was a smart move. Certainly the prospect of a sixth boy and all those ridiculous prego hormones would not have been a good combination.

So I found out that he was a boy when they yanked him out of my womb in a C-section. It all happened so fast. Another boy, I was told, then they let me catch just a glimpse before Dennis and the baby and most of the entourage of medical personal took off to another room, leaving me all alone, except for the doctor stitching me up on the other side of the curtain.

A boy. Another boy! Tears flowed freely, I remember, dripping into my ears, since my hands were strapped down and I could not wipe them away. Another boy? Why Lord? He knew how much I wanted, needed, a girl. How could He do this to me? Why? My fate was sealed. I was morning the loss of the idea of the daughter that I really, truly believed was coming, and I was so glad I had those few minutes of solitude at that moment where I could have a good cry while I felt the numb tugging and pulling of the doctor stitching me up on the other side of the curtain.

But then...

But then they cleaned me all up and moved me into my room, and finally laid that sweet baby, that sweet little man in my arms, and I knew. I knew why the Lord had not sent me a daughter, because he had someone really special in mind for me. It seems He knows me better than I know myself and loves me so much that he sent me exactly what I needed.

He sent me Luke!

What a sweet, wonderful, beautiful baby he was. I loved having him with me. He was so portable! Where before I would look for opportunities to get a break from my little ones, even for just a few minutes, I had to bring this one with me- everywhere. He was my companion, still is, and I love it.

Luke always makes me smile! Always (even when is is driving me crazy!).

Last month, when I took my mom to lunch in Old Town, I happened to have my camera and my kid, so I decided to make this his official photo shoot - dirty shirt and all.

Lukie is an independent little soul. If he wants it, he goes and gets it, and if the answer is no, he sneaks around and gets it anyway. And when he gets caught, he sure knows how to work the charm to get maximum outcome with minimum punishment. Nobody can ever be too mad at Luke for too long.

Yes, he is a charmer, and a mighty fine kisser too! That boy loves to kiss his momma! He like to really pucker up good, and holds my face in his hands and really gives it to me good. Kissing is seriously one of his favorite passtimes. Lets hope that changes before he hits his teen years!

Lukie knows how to have fun, and is always moving! Go, Lukie, go!

Luke is so busy with life and learning new things. Last month he decided he wanted to learn to dribble a basketball. He was determined! Within a day he went from only getting in a couple bounces before it got away from him to dribbling it all over the house like it was no big thing. I couldn't believe it!

He loves school and is beyond excited about kindergarten starting this fall! He is still trying to figure out days, weeks, and months, though, and how far exactly is September, and that 6 months away is quite a bit further than 6 weeks or six days (he gets them all confused), and all the good stuff seems to just be so far from now, and when is his next birthday again? A year? How long is a year anyway, and why does he have to wait SO long for it?

Luke is curious about the world and loves life and people. I think people love him too!

He has charmed the neighbor across the street and whenever Luke seems him outside, he has to go visit! (He used to climb under their partly opened garage door, but we got him to stop that practice, thankfully!) The neighbor gives him baggies of M&Ms. Luke says, "You better give me more - I've got a whole family." The neighbor got a kick out of that and gave him his own M&M dispenser and a Costco sized bag on M&Ms to go in it.

Oh how I love this amazing little man!

He is always good for a laugh!

Having a conversation with Luke is always great entertainment!

Sweet silly boy!

Luke has a thing for earlobes. He LOVES earlobes. He loves to play with people's earlobes. When he is in the car or in church, he will often reach over and fiddle with the earlobe of which ever brother is next to him. He gets so frustrated by my earrings, and is constantly trying to pull mine out so he can have the sweet satisfaction of fondling my lobes without those obtrusive earrings. He still loves to be held (I am SO glad! "sit with me, Mom," "Hold me, Mom"), and always reaches back to grab an ear, sometimes falling asleep that way.

And Luke is always, always, always telling me he loves me! Always. Out of the blue he is always saying "You are the BEST Mom in the whole, wide world and I love you!" Those exact words, all the time. Sometimes he sings those words and makes up whole songs about how much he loves his mommy. He always tells me I am "D-ful" which is Lukespeak for beautiful. I can't help but stop and just take it all in! He has no idea what those sweet word and songs do for me! No idea.

Oh Lukie! I can't believe you are 5! And so excited about this big wonderful world and being old enough to go and explore it all. And I am so excited for you. But please don't be so quick to go! Keep those kisses and mommy songs coming, and keep telling me how much you love me and how - "D-ful" I am, and if you let me hold you, I promise to take my earrings off.

Promise.