ONE year old

2 days old

1 year old "Bryan Bear"

"here mom, you can hold him"

"who do you think is going to win today, Iowa or Iowa State?"

Luke Michael Merrick, you turned ONE year old last Saturday, September 4, 2010. Mommy is a week late getting this updated, but it has been a very busy week and you have been a very sick little boy. You woke up on your birthday with a runny nose and we thought you were getting your two front teeth. The next few days it was just a runny nose and lots of drool, for sure we thought those teeth were coming. Unfortunately, as it turns out by Wednesday night, mommy knew something wasn't right. You had spiked a high fever Wednesday morning of 103 and it never went away. I had to be out of town on Thursday/Friday so I ended up taking you into urgent care Wednesday night and sure enough, your very first ear infection, double ear infection. Needless to say, mommy and daddy took turns sitting up with you all night long. Luckily, you slept better for daddy on Thursday night while mommy was away for a meeting in Des Moines.

Today you attended your first Iowa Football tailgate, and you LOVED it! You loved all the people, and you even got your picture taken with some cheerleaders. We left when the game started to come home for a nap, while daddy, Grandpa, & Grandma stayed for the game.

So, Mr. Luke what are you up to at one year old:
-you are getting just one bottle of whole milk at bedtime, we are working on letting that go
-you love to eat fresh fruit
-you drink out of sippy cups and you love drinking out of big boy cups too
-you are wearing a size 4 diaper
-you weigh 22 lbs
-you wear a size 5 shoe
-you are wearing 12-18 month clothing, some 9 month still
-are run everywhere, your preferred mode of transportation
-you like to push you car around
-you love to play with Gunner
-you are saying "mum, dada, please, book, brrrm (tractor), truck, neigh (horse)"
-you wave hi and good-bye
-you give high fives
-you love to blow kisses with your back hand
-you love eating turkey burgers, sweet potatoes, and yogurt
-you like to ride in the cart at Target & the grocery store and wave Hi to everyone you see
-you are sleeping 11 hours at night and taking 2 naps a day
-you like to walk outside and see the trucks
-when we ask you to read books you run to grab your favorite monkey book
-whenever you see a tractor you say "brmmm"
-you still like to jump in your jumparoo
-you like to help unload the dishwasher
-you feed yourself really well
-we are working on going down the stairs
-you run to mommy & daddy to give hugs to all the time and it melts our hearts
-you have a fake laugh that is to die for
-you just stared to pout, you will drop to the floor and lay face down
***I am amazed that we have a one year old and when I think back to a year ago today, I know exactly what we were doing. Sean had Luke laying on his chest while we watched the Iowa/Iowa State football game living in Kalamazoo. Becoming a parent has been the most rewarding and amazing experience we have enjoyed. We are amazed everyday at how much Luke is learning each and everyday. When I was pregnant friends would explain to me how great being a parent was, and I never could have ever imagined how it would feel. We have truly enjoyed this year to the fullest and while I am asking for time to slow down, I love watching Luke learn new things everyday. He is a very curious little boy, loves to laugh and smile, loves to make people laugh, and gives lots of free hugs and kisses! We love this little boy more than we could have every imagined and can't imagine what we use to do with our days!
Everyday is such a great day, nothing beats starting your day by walking into Luke's room and he is standing in his crib with the biggest smile. He will start jumping up and down when he sees us and then run a few laps! I love it!
Luke, you have filled our lives with such great joy and we have so much love for you. Thank you for being the sweetest boy!