An Afternoon With PopPop

We were excited to find out that Dallin's dad, Brian, was going to be in Houston for meetings and would be able to spend Sunday afternoon with us.

Jack made big plans. We went for a walk, showed PopPop our dog, had dinner, and played with the cool airport set he brought. Luke even let PopPop hold him a few times without tears.

Jack is still wondering where Nana was though. When PopPop left, he asked again where she was.

We had a great time and feel so lucky that he came by to see us!

The Happiest Toothless Wonder

It's amazing the difference in Luke's mood since he got his tooth pulled. He no longer spends the day whining and begging to be held. He smiles more. He plays on his own. He likes his brother. He walks more. He gives lots of big open mouth kisses. We are so happy to have our happy baby back. It was totally worth the trade off of having a goofy grin. We love his happy toothless grin!

The Night Hat

For Jack's first Christmas, he had a Santa suit, complete with a Santa hat. He found the hat and had now decided it is his night hat. He squeezed his big head into the hat made for a little baby and slept in it most of the night. Them he insisted on wearing during his nap. I don't know how it can possibly be comfortable. He's such a goof!

More Tricks Than Treats

Last Halloween our family was a little busy. Luke was days old, Dallin had just arrived in Louisiana with a moving truck full of our things, and the kids and I were in California with my family. So a lot of the Halloween traditions fell by the wayside. My wonderful Aunt Shari took Jack trick or treating, but that was it. I have felt a little guilty.

So this year I vowed to make Halloween more fun. We read books, baked treats, made decorations, went to lots of parties, the corn maze, and the pumpkin patch, and carved pumpkins. And it's a good thing we did all that beforehand because the day of ended up being a bust.

We had made big plans to go trick or treating with friends. But we ended up spending the whole night before throwing up as a family. We managed to catch a flu bug. I didn't tell Jack it was Halloween all day because I didn't want to disappoint him. We cancelled our plans with our friends. It was a bummer.

We did light our jack o lanterns and took the kids in the wagon around the block. But after a few houses, Jack said he was done and ready to go to bed. Someone gave the kids money - that was Luke's favorite part.

This year we got the nasty flu trick. Hopefully next year there'll be more treats!

Something's Missing

Maybe you've noticed that there have been a lot of pictures of Luke looking unhappy lately. Poor boy has not been a happy camper over the last few weeks. Not sleeping well, not eating well, very clingy to Mommy, whining and crying all day.

I took him to the doctor - nothing. At the same time we noticed his tooth (which grew in missing a chunk) was starting to look discolored. So we made a dentist appointment. They asked if it was an emergency and since I wasn't sure, I said no (I am kicking myself now for not getting him in sooner)

A week and a half later he went for his first dentist appointment. He loved the office - so many cool toys. The dentist checked his tooth - yes, it was decaying. When the tooth came in funny, it was weakened, making it susceptible to decay. And the nerve was exposed. No wonder he was so miserable.

We had two options. She could try to put a crown on it, but that would require putting him under and then there is always the chance of having to continue dealing with it. Or she could pull it. He wouldn't have to go under and we would be done dealing with the miserable tooth. So we decided to pull it.

It was the saddest thing. They strapped him to the table in a little straight jacket, gave him a shot at the site and quickly pulled the tooth. He was so sad and upset. He even threw up on me and himself afterwards.

Once I saw the tooth, I felt super guilty that he went with that in his mouth. But the red part was in the back, so I couldn't see just how bad it was.

He already seems to be feeling much better. He only woke up once last night and has been in a better mood this morning.

The mouth is starting to heal already (that's why it looks like there is white where the tooth was). Hopefully this is the return of our sweet little Luke!

Fall Fest-a-thon

We had another very busy Saturday.

We went to TWO fall fests.

First we went to Jennings for their branch fall fest.

The weather had cooled considerably the night before, but it was pleasant in the sun.

Luke's fan club was there and he even left with lipstick on his face.

Such a ladies man.

There was a covered wagon and we went for a fun ride.

Then it was time for trunk or treat.

Mickey Mouse had a blast.

He had fun playing all the games too.

That night we went to our ward's fall fest.

Luke brought his new wagon and it was a hit (ignore his unhappy face, he really did like it!)

Jack had to fit in a nap between parties.

And he loved getting his face painted with a cool Mickey Mouse.

We had a great, busy day, but were exhausted by the end!

It's Fun to Turn One

Our little man turned one on Friday.

Jack was more excited than anyone and couldn't wait for Luke's birthday.

They day before he begged to go down for quiet time so that it would be closer to Luke's birthday.

He was disappointed when he woke up and it STILL wasn't Luke's birthday.

But Jack and I made this awesome sign.

When we woke up and it really was the birthday, Luke opened the fun cards and gifts that had come in the mail. Thank you for thinking of Luke!

That afternoon, his wagon from Nana and Pop Pop arrived.

He and Jack both love it!

Luke was so happy, he could kiss someone.

He and Jack just chatted and played the whole walk together.

That night we took Luke to Raising Cane's because he loves the chicken and Texas toast.

It did not disappoint him!

Then it was time for some present action.

He loved ripping the paper.

His big brother got him a telephone.

And of course try it out for himself.

Jack was very interested in the whole thing.

Luke's big gift was a Elefun - a game where balls pop out of the elephant's trunk.

It's been a bit of a fight, since they both REALLY want to play it.

Then it was time for cake.

He touched it once and didn't like the mess.

I fed him a couple of bites, but he wasn't interested.

I think he was too full from his big dinner.

All in all, it was a great day and we had an awesome time celebrating with the best one-year-old in the world!