Jabber Box

Here are some funny little videos we caught of Luke talking.

Exploring the Great Outdoors.

Today was a deceiving weather day.
The sun was so bright all day long.
It looked MUCH warmer than it really was.
(Only 40 degrees)
So we headed outside to kick the soccer ball around.

It was fun....for a minute.

But apparently there was too much to explore.

He had so much fun running around.
I can't wait for spring & summer.
We're going to have so much fun in the great outdoors.I just LOVE this boy. Oh.
By the way,
Happy Belated Valentines Day.

Who doesn't love a heart shaped pizza on Valentines Day?
Even if the heart is split into two kinds, because we can't agree on the same kind of pizza.

A daily battle

Three times a day, I get to see this lovely face. And the little glares.
And scowls.

I don't know where he learned these faces!
Luke still hates to eat. I mean, I'm sure he likes it, but he is SO picky.
Hopefully this phase will end.

It's a good thing it only lasts when he's strapped into his chair. For the most part when he isn't being changed or forced to sit down and eat, he's usually pretty happy.

This is latest face.
(It looks like the one Britton makes).

All is well

P.S. About the pillows

A couple of people have asked me where I got the pattern for the pillows. Well sorry people but I made it up myself. I'm not much of a pattern person. In fact I've never tried even using a pattern yet. I have one. I need to use to make a skirt...but to be quite honest I'm scared. I think I do a better job just thinking it through it my head. If you think about it, it's quite easy actually. So if anyone really wants a pattern, I'll do my best to come up with one. Let me know. Thanks for all the encouraging comments!

A few little projects here and there

So lately, I've been working on a few projects. I wanted to share, not brag, but inspire, because I get all my inspiration from other people's blogs and their projects and ideas.


I have been having the hardest time trying to figure out what to do with this wall in my dining room. This is what I came up with last minute, I wanted it decorated before we were having some people over. It isn't my favorite, but it works for now. I had to work with a zero budget-things I already had.

The mirror was already there, I repainted the frame black. I painted the pic off to the side-really don't like the frame, but I'll change it down the road. I had a scrap of wood that I painted and used some old nobs off of an old dresser and hung a wreath I had.In our little hallway I've been wanting a coat rack for the longest time because if we don't have a place for our coats they just get thrown all over the place and it drives me crazy. Someday we will have a closet for these sort of things.

Look familiar? I used the same stamp and nobs as the one above. I made this before the other one actually. I like this one better than the other one too.

Easy-peasy.

I am just a beginner with sewing, but it is my new hobby!
These are our plain, old pillows. I decided I needed to add some color to our living room. It is mostly browns and cream colors.

To start the process of sprucing up the room I started with these pillow covers. I love the fabric and especially the button. It's not much, but you'd be surprised what small things like pillows can do for a room. And these were SO easy. I made one in about an hour.
Next...
I am SOOO excited about my next project for our living room. And can't wait to share it. It is definitely going to stand out. It has to do with an old chair we got off the tree lawn (gross, I know). However, I have a feeling it is going to be a much bigger project than I had expected...but it will be worth it!!! Hopefully I can get it done in the next few weeks.

When we are out of school it will be nice to decorate on somewhat of a budget. I am starting to discover that my style of decor is more of an artistic, eclectic style with splashes of bright colors. But if you were to come to my house today, you wouldn't see much of that because my decor is based on what people gave us for our wedding, mixed with odds and ends of things we've bought or collected. As for now I can only dream about decorating our future home (sounds corny, I know). I am really looking forward to this summer to hit all the garage sales and get all the thrifty finds I can. We both really enjoy making something new out of something old!

The Boy

Since Luke has hit his one year mark, he has learned new tricks and is always keeps us on our toes. He is still just a little guy, only in the 10th percentile for his weight. As for his head, well he's almost off the charts. He's gotta make room for all those brains! Just after his birthday he had an ear infection, poor guy. He usually bounces back quickly. One of the gifts he got for his bday was this cute puffy coat. He looks like such a stud in it.
He has also been the most PICKY eater ever! So the other day we found a booster chair and the one that hooks to the table (pic below) on craigslist for FREE and since then he has been eating so much better. I think he likes eating with us at the table, rather than being in his high chair.

He's clapping in the picture, because instead of saying "Say cheese" or "Smile" for the camera, if I say "Happy face!" He just claps and smiles. Whatever works!

He is so smart and continues to amaze us by how fast he is growing and learning new things. Lately he has been the biggest copycat. Mimicking us at everything. It's so funny. The other day we were about to kiss (me and Matt) and right before we did Luke starting making the kissy sound. His favorite things to say are "nana, nigh-nigh, mama, baba, dada, papa, up."

It's strange having a one-year-old. We aren't quite sure what to do with him. He's not a fan of reading books or watching shows and he's still too young to color. He'll play on his own for the most part or he'll just have days where he wants us on the floor all day playing with him. It's funny how you have to readjust everything to fit the new stage they are in. If anyone has any good 1-year-old tips, please let us know!

A Time to Celebrate!

First and foremost, I want to say Congratulations to Matt's brother & his wife, Dave & Meg for the arrival of their new baby girl, McKelle Megan Clark! She the little 5lb 5ozer baby. And she is ADORABLE!!!! We are SO excited for them. Since they live closer than the rest of the family, we are hoping to go on a little road trip to visit them in a month or two. She is a doll!

On to the next big news!!!!
Our little Lukey turned the big ONE on Saturday!!!
He is very loved. He got a lot of awesome gifts.

He finally graduated to a big boy car seat (actually, he's still a bit short and a pound too light). And to help all his slips and falls on our wood floor, especially by the fireplace, Gma & Gpa J. got Luke a nice big puzzle mat. His gpa J. also sent him a old remote that lights up.
I think it's his favorite toy. We treat it like a real one, so he always REALLY wants it.

Some of the pieces of the mat are big enough to make a box around him, over his head.

This was Lukey first thing in the morning, on the big day.

What a sweet little smile!

Daddy singing Happy Birthday to him.
Note: The sun came out for quite a while on his birthday!

Gma & Gpa Clark sent out this teepee for Luke and he also loves it! He has so much fun running and out of it.

(Notice his new BFF in his hand)

Later that night we invited a few friends over for cake and ice cream.
Luke has become a VERY picky eater and almost didn't want his cupcake.
"Uncle" Jason is showing him that its yummy.

I think he enjoyed it in the end.
Afterwards he was running around, chasing his friend Lilly around giggling the whole time. It was his first time having any real sweets.

Thanks to all of our friends who came to celebrate and a big thanks to all the family and friends who sent gifts and birthday wishes!












We are so thankful for our little Lukey and to have him in our lives, as a member of our family. We are also grateful to have such a wonderful first year with him. He was blessed with good health and development.
We love our little Luke!