Choo Choo!

 For Christmas Lucas got this super cute train set which included a train track and 4 cars (Lizzie destroyed the engine almost immediately). He pretty much ignored this fabulous toy until recently when he became OBSESSED with all things train. The first words out of his mouth in the morning are "choo choo!!" and he says them nonstop all day long. Sometimes I make the mistake of singing the Thomas theme song at the wrong time because when he hears it he points to the tv and says "choo choo" willing it to magically turn on and play Thomas. I find myself wondering if it is normal for kids to have an obsession at this age. It has to be. Or it is just his normal :)

Lucas is lucky to have chosen an obsession that apparently is common in this area of the country. Model train construction/maintenace seems to be a pretty popular hobby because there are several "seasonal displays", museums with train areas, and childrens play centers devoted to trains. Ross and I even saw a model in the basement of an open house. Below are some pictures of Lucas at Entertrainment Junction - one such childrens play center/model train display that we took him to recently.

Notice the gigantic sock on Lucas's left foot? Yeah, he might have a broken leg. I'll update after his orthopedic appointment tomorrow.

Long Time Gone!

Well...I know I have been a major slacker when it comes to the blogging realm and I am now prepared to start back up again. Suffice it to say that I have been struggling to keep my depression at bay and with the help of my family, friends, and this wonderful new group of ladies I have been hanging out with (the MOM's Club of Fairfield), I think I am once again back to where I need to be mentally. I hate that I have this chemical imbalance that can sneak up on me at any point...it is a terribly scary thing that I often don't realize is bad until I am so deep into it I can't get out of bed or I find myself at the end of the tunnel and realize, "holy bajoly...where have I been?!?!? I was there again!?!?!!!??!"

So, now I am back and will get back to my 30 before 30, my product reviews, and general commentary of life in the Gille household.

Lucas got this adorable Buckeye outfit at Christmas from NanaGarry's retirement party!My stylish sweater dress - every season deserves one splurge item, right?Lucas with Uncle SteveI turned 29!! And yes...I still like Funfetti cake with Carnival icing in cupcake form :)Lucas is eating larger pieces and is learning to take bites of things. He love peanut butter right now so we are at a stalemate of food introduction and creativityLucas is working more on his gross motor skills by climbing into things (although I think he is a little behind because he doesn't pull himself up onto things or run)Lucas laughing during his Easter egg huntDying easter eggs with Koolaid

Walking!

Lucas has finally decided to explore the vertical mode of transporting himself around...WALKING! He took his first two hesitant steps the same day that OSU lost to M*ch*g*n which made that loss not as bad as it could have been. It turns out that Lucas is walking and Michigan still sucks :)

I wish I could say that Lucas is a walker (or runner) since it has been two and half weeks since these first hesitant steps; unfortunately, this is not the case. It almost seems like he has not figured out the benefits of walking other than getting smiles and exclamations from his parents. And you know what? He is an expert cruiser/crawler/scooter so maybe that is contributing to his late walking. Here are a few videos of him walking...

Oh Christmas Tree!

It is that time of year again...time for the smell of fir trees and cookies, listening to carols and celebrating the birth of Jesus. We had a beautiful day (in the midst of rain, rain, and more rain) available to go pick out a tree at the tree farm in Ross, Ohio. I remember going to the tree farm when I was little. It was always such a special event in my family and seemed to kick the season off right. One year we had terrible weather - I think there was a foot of snow on the ground and my dad had to dig out the tree before cutting it down! I'm sure Lucas won't remember this particular tree picking event but I hope this tradition is one he will come to treasure like his mother.

While we are talking about trees...I feel the need to tell you about the dilemma of decorating it with a baby and two ornery dogs. First off, you can't put any ornaments that are glass or will easily break toward the bottom. Second, anything that is round and looks like a ball must be out of the standard poodle's reach (last year he kept thinking they were toys dangling there for him to take!). Third, heavy ornaments must be at the top on the thick branches. So, you end up with a lot of ornaments at the top. Geez. So, if you are someone who likes to gift ornaments to others, keep in mind their household makeup before purchasing - a thought I never had until this year :)

In the field with Daddy and Bompa

Sooo Pretty!

Our tree!

The trees loaded up and ready to go...doesn't that barn just inspire you to be a photographer? It is so rustic :)

Lucas's first glance of the decorated tree - We decided to decorate during his nap so he awoke to a different tree in the living room

It didn't take long for him to find his "First Christmas" ornament. It is a wooden figurine of a little baby boy and was sent to us from his great aunt in Germany

The tree

Cincinnati Children's visit

It is official! Lucas had a successful visit at Cincinnati Children's Hospital :) The final results from his bloodwork this time showed no elevated liver enzymes and completely NORMAL organ function! Yay!! We have follow-up bloodwork in 6 months but other than that he is good to do more important things...like sit in his toy bin :)

I must take a moment to reflect on the miracle of life. It will never cease to amaze me how precious the gift of life truly is. There are potential roadblocks and trials beginning at conception, continuing through pregnancy, and then lasting throughout life. At this moment I have either close friends or chance meetings with strangers that have revealed this truth. I pray for strength for those Mommies and Mommies-to-be every day and hope they feel my support.

First Haircut

As you can tell from these first two pictures, Lucas was probably due for his first haircut a looooong time ago. It was beginning to look a little like Tom Brady in the back...and there were a few strands in front that were getting interlocked with his eyelashes. The final straw was on Halloween when more people thought he was a little girl than a boy. They didn't even ask if he was a boy or girl! Nope, they just skipped to, "oh, how old is she?" I don't know why I was putting it off so long. I guess I just feel like once those first little baby whisps are gone he officially is a toddler. And, sure enough...he looks so grown up with his freshly shorn locks.
He really did not enjoy the clippers

Sporting his best Magnum from Zoolander

"Don't hate me because I'm beautiful"

Puppy Love