Love Lukas

Hard Work

2009-11-19T13:55:00.002-05:00

Yeah, I am not good at updating this. I don't get the same amount of time alone to write out my thoughts as I used to. Lukas has a sixth sense to know when I am on the computer and comes to interrupt me.

Updates:

Lukas talks non-stop. Especially if I am on the phone - people ask "Is that Lukas talking in the background?" Yup. I try to get into a room with some quiet but he just follows or starts yelling.

Potty training. He goes the best if I put the potty in his room then leave, shut the door. Today he needed the addition of a few toys and a book to help the 30 second process go faster. When I do change his diaper he likes to tell me "No poops, only pee pee!"

He gets out of the crib. I delayed getting a "big boy bed" for so long because he wasn't getting out of the crib. Well that is over, and so is leaving him in the crib just a few minutes longer in the morning. I also can't resist the "Be snuggly with mommy?" at 3am either.

He also likes to pick up bugs by their legs, bulldozers, motorcycles, airplanes, dump trucks, climbing, jumping, running and doing things himself.

He also is a very good helper. He loves helping with the laundry, vacuuming, putting things in the garbage, baking, loading and unloading the dishwasher and sweeping! I hope he is always this helpful!

Worth the Wait... I hope!

2009-03-17T22:15:00.004-04:00

We have moved in to our new house!!! Still have a garage full of boxes to unpack but we will get to them sooner or later! Here are a few new pics of Lukas. At 3 feet tall and 30+ pounds he gets confused for an older child a lot. People are shocked that he isn't even two yet... I miss the little baby sometimes but then he is sticking something else into the toilet and I lose all train of thought but one only to make sure he doesn't stick his hand in also. He repeats every sound he hears from a word or a cough to a barking dog in the distance. Most of the time I am not sure what he is listening to and have to think about what just happened that he is repeating. I certainly pay more attention to motorcycles now than I did a month ago. He also is a tease... he loves to act like he is going to hand you something only to take it away at the last minute and giggle... but to give him credit he also likes you to do the same to him. When I eventually give in and give whatever to him he just hands it right back for me to continue... he is quite the "card" as Jim's mom would say. He also loves to shake it... he will dance to anything from country to hip hop to the dryer out of balance - the rhythm has gotten him!

Back in Business again...

2008-11-23T15:00:00.006-05:00

Thanks to everyone for the "encouraging" emails and messages about being absent for sooooo long! I do apologize. I can't say if I will ever be blogging again like I was but I will try to keep you updated.

Here are a few pics from over the summer and fall:

Lukas has a Cousin!!!

2008-07-20T17:01:00.005-04:00

Meet Colin!

Colin Christopher Berry
July 17th, 2008
8 pounds, 14.5 ounces

Who would have thought that my skinny little sister would have a baby naturally??? Oh yeah... did I mention that he is heavier and longer than Lukas was??? Craziness!!!

Congratulations Berry Family!!!

What a Year!!!

2008-06-28T21:18:00.012-04:00

A little "Year in Review!"

Lukas Andrew Ryan - June 25th 12:13am - 8 pounds 9 ounces

Happy 1st Birthday Lukas!

WOW!

Back in Business!

2008-06-04T18:53:00.003-04:00

Finally got the 'Rents house hooked up with wireless internet and my computer up and running! Did you miss us? We are living with my parents until our house sells in Glens Falls. Not the most ideal situation but we are making it work for now.

Lukas has been pulling himself up on anything that will hold his weight and has learned how to climb stairs with ease! Scary how fast he learned how to do all that!!! He has adjusted well to staying home with my mother while I go to work full time. So far I seem to be handling the new routine well also.

Our house doesn't seem to want to sell... it has only been on the market since March so I can't be too upset about it. I miss all my plants and flowers, most of which are in bloom for the first time. Hopefully the perspective buyers will appreciate all my yard work and make an offer!

Look what I can do!

2008-05-08T14:22:00.001-04:00

Partners in Crime

2008-05-06T21:28:00.004-04:00

Caught in the act!

Guh, hey buddy can you pass me an o?

And why I am helpless to stop it.

A 'Berry' Busy Life

2008-05-06T13:16:00.008-04:00

It was a wild few weeks here at the Ryan house, you might say it is 'ripe' with change. Between showings (I am calling them viewings) and open houses (again I am calling them open caskets - I am sick but it is getting me through the stress, ok?), job interviews and blueberry jam muliplication and conversion from ounces to pints back to ounces, to pounds per square inch over pi (I think I spelled that right?)... I wonder why I have two open Diet Coke with Lime sodies on my desk???

Well through all the miss calculations and lots more jam than we know what to do with (with the exception of one batch that a certain pregnant someone forgot to add the lemon juice) we had a great time. Jam is pretty simple (a lot more simpler than applesauce - hello! - to make but very messy!) Lukas didn't tag along this time... too overtired and Mom needed a break damnit!

Start by smashing the berries (again more math by guessing how much a certain number of ounces of whole berries will make a certain number of cups of crushed)

Then you bring it to a boil with sugar and lemon juice

When it does boil you have to be careful not to boil it over the pot. "Blow off the top!" Is now a phrase I repeat for the fun of it in a paniced scream - poor Aunt Sue.

After it boils for one minute you must add the liquid pectin "ALL AT ONCE!"

(It may be difficult to tell to the untrained eye but I am on the left, Becky - the pregnant one - is on the right.)

Now you have to skim off the foam. This takes a lot of concentration.

Next you pour into tiny favor sized jars. Again this also is no fun and takes a lot of concentration.

Wipe off the excess. Seriously we had a good time...

Then add the pretty bow!

Easy as pi! :)

Got Silk?

2008-04-21T09:27:00.003-04:00

(Lame but oh well)

We have switched Lukas from soy formula to soy milk with very good success. He also doesn't seem to mind that it is cold since we were using room tempurature water for the formula. We still can't get him to really even consider drinking water. Every once in a while he will tolerate juice but I have to work with him for a bit for that to go down. He also enjoys Cheerios - about every third piece makes it into his mouth. It has sort of become a game to him since his high-chair puts him right at snout level with Otis. After a couple o's make it into his mouth he leans over and lets Otis lick off the two that are stuck to his chubby hand, giggling so much that I don't have the heart to tell Otis to leave him alone. It is pretty gross but it is Lukas' world at the moment.

Jim and I did a lot of yard work this weekend. Raking and mulching - I can't wait to plant flowers!

Here is a silly pic of Lukas in his pack and play. Probably too big for it!

It's a bird, it's a plane, no it's Super Lukas!

2008-04-11T14:57:00.006-04:00

People... the boy is off the charts. He is over the 100 percentile in both height and weight for his age. He is 25lbs... which I was sure he was more... my achin' back... and 32 inches long. He is almost 3 feet tall at 9 months?!?! He isn't pulling himself up yet, but is getting very close! I am afraid he is going to be over the crib when he is able to. What do I do then? Build a cage? Use the dog crate? What??? Even the doctor was like "Look at that physique!" Maybe we should change his middle name to Clark Kent or Arnold? I should teach him to say "Hasta la vista, baby" and "It's not a tum-ah!"

Do they make cribs with twin size mattresses?

Love This Kid

2008-04-09T21:41:00.003-04:00

How much cuter can you possibly get?

NYC Trip Pics

2008-04-01T10:30:00.004-04:00

Just a few quick shots of Lukas' first train ride and 2nd trip to the Big Apple. He is such a good lil' traveler!

Having a bite to eat with dad.

Snugglin' with Aunt Becky and Blue Berry.

Peek-a-boo!

2008-03-24T16:28:00.002-04:00

Where is Lukas... Nelson found him!

Contingent on Life

2008-03-24T15:48:00.002-04:00

Lukas is almost over his cold. Poor lil' guy - we had some rough days and nights but we made it through. He doesn't like you to wipe away his snot. He finds it very disagreeable. I can't stand the site of it so we have had to battle a few times. He won some and I won some...

In the meantime we have put two offers on houses in Syracuse but no one wants to accept an offer contingent on the sale of our house. Why is there such a thing as a contingency offer if no one is willing to work with it? Our agent says the most important thing right now is to sell our house. A house in our price range averages 100 days on the market so we are going to settle in for the long haul. Instead of stressing I am going to enjoy my time left in Glens Falls! I lived in Boston for three years and regret not doing a lot of the touristy things like visiting the Hancock Building even though I lived blocks from it.

Jim's work is celebrating their 10th Anniversary by inviting all its employees to a dinner cruise around New York City and a night's stay at the Westin in Times Square. Let me tell you... we are feeling pretty fanc-ay! I am excited to get dressed up and have a nice dinner with my husband... even if all his co-workers and their spouses are there! Luckily having a lil sis living close to our hotel means we have a babysitter that comes to us! She gets to play with her nephew and we get a night out alone! Win, win!

Sickness with a Side of Stress

2008-03-16T22:29:00.004-04:00

Lukas has gotten his first cold. Yuck! Poor little honey bear! I don't like it. I like my baby healthy!

We have put an offer on a house in Syracuse... pending the sale of this house. If you haven't been able to tell - I hate this selling the house crap! I couldn't hate it more. Want to know what we did today? Jim, Lukas, Otis, Luey, Nelson and I hung out in the parking lot of Dunkin Donuts while we had our first open house. Want to hear a joke? Well pick up a copy of the Glens Falls Post Star and try to find our house. Not only is it the worst picture of our house ever, it is right next to another house for the same price. Smart thinking! See the directions??? Take Sherman Ave to Shippey Street... nope... that isn't how you get to the house... but there will be signs to guide you right??? Oh no... there aren't any of those... well maybe you will just have click your heals three times and say "there is no place like home" and you will find our house. I know I am not easy on people but the third strike was when our "replacement real estate agent" (our real one was out of town) shows up in jeans and a fleece vest - oh so warm and fuzzy. The sign thing was fixed after I did a drive by... yes I did a drive by - and called our real agent. The fake agent conveniently wasn't there when we got back.

Wuss.

My Boys

2008-03-10T22:51:00.002-04:00

Silly fun!

More Bath Time Fun!

2008-03-09T21:25:00.004-04:00

Jim mentioned the other day that we didn't have any real bath toys for Lukas to play with so on a quick trip to Target to pick up diapers and laundry detergent I came home with a few new things and forgot the laundry detergent! Pretty typical.

Bath Time for the Big Boy

2008-03-03T21:41:00.004-05:00

Would you look at him?! No little baby tub for him. I don't know if there is a baby out there that loves their bath time as much as he does. It breaks my heart to have to take him out.

p.s. It is official. The house is on the market. We haven't had the heart to tell our neighbors. Now they will find out with a sign in our front yard. Sad. Please say prayers for a quick sell!

Snow Fun!

2008-02-26T17:31:00.001-05:00

Lukas likes the snow - just not on his face. Can't blame him.

My Cutie

2008-02-23T21:45:00.002-05:00

Isn't he a fun guy?

Why don't you blog anymore?

2008-02-21T14:48:00.002-05:00

I apologize for being such a bad blogger. I should attempt - at least - a once a week post. Right?
Jim and I have been so busy trying to get the house ready to sell. Every project we tackle quickly turns into 5 more. I can't count the number of times I have been to the Home Depot and Lowes other than to say that Patrick in the Home Depot asks me how it is going every time I am in there. Another guy - I think his name is Rich - just looks at me and says "What do you need now?" I might be able to tell you what aisle something is in if you happen to see me there and are lost. I also can tell you how to install laminate flooring, a new countertop, a sink and do a little bit of plumbing! One thing I have learned is I SUCK at is spackling. I don't have the patience or concentration needed do a good job. I am all over the place. My ADD kicks in big time and I start over here... and then see a spot over here... and then oh look... I messed up there... and here... and well... I just suck at it. The bathroom walls were covered in a fantastic grey paneling. Jim and I love paneling. We love the way it comes off and leaves dried up glue swirls all over-that-are-impossible-to-sand-off-and-the-only-option-left-is-to-completely-rip-off-the-sheet-rock-and-put-up-new-and-thus-have-to-spackle. LOVE IT! Along with fake brick. More homes should have them!

As for Lukas - he is just great! We couldn't have asked for a better baby. He is such a happy guy. Always there with a big smile when your spirits need a lift. He isn't crawling yet - the doctor says that the big ones take a little longer. He is a good roller and sits up pretty well. He will put his hands together but I can't quite get to him clap. He pats a lot of things and still does the bobble head. He does say ma-ma, da-da, and ba-ba but doesn't really associate them with a meaning. The important thing is that he sleeps through the night no matter the loud noises or cursing going on in the rest of the house.

Happy New Year!

2008-01-08T18:20:00.001-05:00

Finally an Update

2008-01-08T15:56:00.000-05:00

It has been a while since I last posted but there has been a good reason and oh yeah... the holidays. My sister has been on my case to update the blog so here goes. We are moving back to Syracuse!!! Jim's job has asked us, for the 2nd time, to move back so we decided it would be a good time to go. We are going to miss this lovely area of Glens Falls and our sweet little home but we think it will be the best for everyone - especially Lukas. It was a hard decision to make but in the end we will be happy no matter where we are, as long as we are together!
Our real estate agent Joe came today to assess the house. He told us basically what we already knew from watching the many home shows on HGTV. We need to fix up the kitchen and the bathroom and we need to do if fast if we are going to make the April 1st deadline that Jim needs to start in Syracuse. I think we can do it. We are handy!
Lukas had his six month check up last week. Dr. Solomon said we were doing a good job! He is a healthy 22.6 pounds and 29 inches long. His latest trick is moving his head around like a bobble head doll. It cracks me up! He will be sitting in his jumperoo completely still except for his head swaying back and forth. He is full of smiles and giggles and makes my heart melt when I go in to feed him in the morning... no matter how tired I am. He also is sprouting 2 new bottom teeth! So much fun!

Meet Peanut... er no wait it's a Berry

2007-12-04T14:41:00.000-05:00

Lukas can't wait to play you Berry Peanut. This is my sister's sonogram. Please don't confuse things and think that I am pregnant. Please... not yet, not ready.

8 Random Things

2007-11-26T11:15:00.000-05:00

I got tagged from Amanda to describe in detail 8 random things about me. Here are the rules.

Rules: Once tagged, you must link to the person who tagged you. Then post the rules before your list, and list 8 random things about yourself. At the end of the post, you must tag and link to 8 other people, visit their sites, and leave a comment letting them know they've been tagged.

My goal with this blog was to just focus on Lukas but what the heck. I can talk about myself once in a while, right?

1. I am O-B-S-E-S-S-E-D with Project Runway! LOVE IT! In my recent trip to NYC I visited Bryant Park where they film the finale during fashion week! So exciting! I would have visited Mood (the fabric store they all shop at) but my lil sis wasn't feeling well (see no. 2) so our outing was cut short. I did see a woman with a Mood shopping bag, does that count?

2. My sister is PREGNANT! OMG!!! She just couldn't stand to be away from Lukas so she decided to make one for herself! She is due July 14th, I can't wait! Poor thing is very nauseous and totally exhausted. Get lots of rest!

3. I shake my fists when I get mad. Just like a little kid throwing a tantrum. I mostly shake one fist at bad drivers but have been known to shake one at my husband a time or two. "Don't you shake those fists at me!" Jim will say. Sometimes the shaken fist has a bonus middle finger, but that is very rare and is reserved for special occasions. You should feel privileged should you ever receive one.

4. I have an unhealthy crush on Michael Buble'. I know he is singing those songs to me and only me! I absolutely love his latest song "Everything" and I dance with/sing it to Lukas over and over and over...

5. I can eat my weight in mashed potatoes! Okay so most of you knew that, but there might be one person out there that doesn't know. I also make kick ass, melt in your mouth, light and fluffy, so good that you will want to bathe in mashed potatoes.

6. I can't eat seafood of any kind. Not allergic to it, just can't eat it. Not even tuna fish. It all tastes fishy to me and has a strange texture I can't get over.

7. I love to crochet! I am getting pretty damn good at it too! I was taught by my favorite Grandma and still call her when I am stuck. I also collect crochet books and just bought one about Crocheted Jewelry. Can you say Christmas gift ideas???

This is getting hard to come up with one more... I am considering reposting No. 5 because that is how much I love them! Let me think... oh...I can tie in Lukas with this one:

8. I am going to love Lukas so much that no woman is ever going to be good enough for him! :) (Anyone know where that line is from?) It is true I am going to be that overprotective mom. Can't help it. It is a good thing he has Jim as a dad to balance me out!

Well that was fun! I hope you enjoyed reading it! The only one I am going to tag is my sister because she needs to start posting!

Oh Passie!

2007-11-16T14:48:00.000-05:00

Oh to go back in time before I was pregnant and discuss with Jim that I didn't want to use a pacifier. Instead when Lukas was brought into the room, after an all night stay in the special needs nursery - the longest night of my life - came with one already in his mouth.

Shocked I waited until the nurses left and glared at my sister and said
"I can't believe they would stick that in his mouth without my permission!!!"

And then, in an exhausted voice I quietly heard Jim say
"Oh... you didn't want that?"

He had given the ok because I hadn't told him how I felt. Now Lukas isn't able to fall asleep without a "passie" (short for pacifier). I just can't bring myself to say "binky" or "nuk" so it is "passie." Jim used to tell Lukas "It is time for you to get your assie in the bassie with a passie!" There is no question that the passie works but I really don't want him walking around with one. Originally my goal was to get rid of it at 3 months but that has changed to 6 months. Anyone have any thoughts on how to whine him off the passie?

Sleep? Yes, please!

2007-11-12T13:27:00.000-05:00

Lukas no longer sleeps through the night. We aren't sure why he has decided that 4am is a good time to be awake: the time change, moving him from the bassinet to the crib, when we did the roof, the writer's strike? For whatever reason he has gone from sleeping about 12 hours a night to about 6 or 7. We try very hard to keep him on a schedule but what works one night doesn't work the next and so on. Countless days without sleep turn me into a complete idiot. I will admit to being no rocket scientist even when I have slept and have a normal hormone level but this is ridiculous! Recently while making myself a cup of coffee and feeding the cats, I flavored my coffee with wet cat food! No more multitasking for me! The lack of brain is particularly amusing to my fellow co-workers (Mary) who enjoy decoding my sentences, sometimes it is just the enunciation or the wrong emphasis. As long as we don't do anything too bad I think we will make it through. Here is one example that I found particularly amusing. Notice anything strange about this picture?

Lukas is backwards in his jumperoo! He doesn't appear to be bothered but I thought it was funny!

How big is Lukas? So big!

2007-11-07T11:01:00.000-05:00

When did this:

Become this:

And where did all that hair go? 'The area' is covered because there are just some things that don't need to be shared and because Ole Faithful never misses a chance. At 4+ months I am shopping for a bigger baby tub or some sort of seat to wash my little line backer in. I knew the kid was going to be big but I truly had no idea.

Why we lock the cats in the basement at night. Nelson is my snuggle buddy and now it appears that he is also Lukas'.

The bed he is sleeping on is next to the computer that I work from during the day. I like to keep him close!

Relief with a Sneeze

2007-11-05T09:37:00.000-05:00

The rough is DUN man! The dumpster/eyesore is gone today. We will be picking up tiny little pieces of shingles for the next year but it is such a relief to have that beast, literally hanging over our heads since we bought the house in 2004, finally finished. We had a lot of help from my Dad, Mom, Paul, Chris and Mary, and borrowed tools and wisdom from our neighbors Mike and Bob. You all helped us TREMENDOUSLY and we are truly grateful. Even those who wanted to be physically present and couldn't - you were there in spirit. Thank you all!
In addition to the roof we also were able to get rid of a lot of junk that is left over after you start (we are a long way from being complete ie. kitchen) a remodeling project. The piles outside and in our basement of "stuff that is going in the dumpster when we do the roof" are gone! What a cleansing feeling!
Deep breath in - exhale coughing.
Enjoying our relief will have to wait... we both are sick. For now we will be drinking lots of tea and orange juice and praying that Lukas doesn't get it!

Giggle thief!

2007-11-02T23:30:00.000-04:00

Trying to catch a giggle is hard! Here is one attempt. Sorry for the bad lighting. In the background Otis is jealous and is trying to get Jim to play with his ratty ball.

A Size Update

2007-11-01T12:37:00.000-04:00

Went to the new doctor's office today - SO MUCH HAPPIER! Love Dr. Soloman! The chunk weighs 20lbs. and is 27'' long. Lukas also got 4 shots and an oral vaccination and handled them much better this time around! I think I handled it better also :) no tears in the doctor's office! He also suggested that Jim and I get flu shots because Lukas is still too young to get one. Not sure how I feel about that having never gotten a flu shot... any suggestions?

Welcome to the blog all about Lukas!

2007-11-01T12:02:00.000-04:00

So I realized that I was sending a lot of emails with updated info and photos of Lukas and decided to create a blog that would not only save me time but allow you to check in at your leisure. Please leave lots of comments! Here are the latest photos of Lukas as a stinky skunk for Halloween.