First Christmas

{I really love this picture of Miles looking at Jesus - so sweet!}

We had a wonderful Christmas! Thanks to Miles we woke up early Christmas morning and after he had his breakfast and a clean diaper we headed for the presents. Miles didn't really get the whole ripping into the paper thing at first, but caught on just in time to rip into his last gift (see above).
After we had our own little family Christmas we headed to my parent's house for the traditional crepe breakfast. I can't remember a Christmas without crepes! I made some fresh fruit sauces while my dad busted out what seemed like hundreds of crepes. After breakfast we exchanged gifts with my family and got to talk to my little brother, Andrew, who's on a mission in Hawaii. For those of you that are wondering he's doing really well and will be home in October 2010!
After chill'n with my fam for a few hours we decided it was time to go home so Miles could take a much needed nap. The kid is a nap snob and will only nap in his crib (he'll have to learn to sleep at grandma's soon enough though). After Miles' nap we headed over to Gabe's parent's house to finish off our Christmas day feasting with the traditional crab & shrimp dinner. Afterward we exchanged gifts and sat around watching the kids go crazy.
Miles was so spoiled, but then again so were we :). We had such a great day and hope all of you did too!

Major Milestone #10

I'm not really sure when to count this milestone, because it happened so gradually and he hasn't really mastered it yet. Last week Miles started to take his first steps. He would be really brave and enthusiastic about it one day and then not really care about trying it again the next. If he really thinks about it he can walk a pretty good distance, but most the time he will take one or two steps and then dive into you. I really think he'd be walking all over the place if crawling was so easy and efficient.
It actually makes me sad that he is so close to walking, because walking is big boy business and I'm not ready for my baby to be a big boy yet.
Here's a little snippet of him walking behind his Christmas present from Grandma & Grandpa Lucero.

11 Months Old

Miles is growing up so fast! He has learned some really fun things this month. I know most of you are probably bored of these posts, but I have to document these exciting (to me) events.
Miles...
12.2.09
-has mastered the art of waving.
12.8.09
-will do a little jig when he hears music.
12.10.09
-top tooth #2 popped through. Total number of teeth, 4.
12.18.09
-loves it when I brush his teeth.
-has been sleeping through the night for over 2 months now!!
-pushes his cars around on the floor - SO CUTE!
-knows how to open all my cupboards and make a huge mess with everything inside.
-eats pretty much anything/everything.
-is getting so much better at drinking from a big boy cup, without spilling.
-will not sit still for anything! He tries to wiggle away while I change his diaper or get him dressed.
12.19.09
-will finally say "mama" when he points to me. I love it!
12.22.09
-can walk!! He doesn't do it all the time but if he really thinks about it he can do it.
-can turn the lights on and off.
-top tooth #3 popped through. Total number of teeth, 5.
12.23.09
-will play peek-a-boo with me. He covers his eyes and everything...SO CUTE! It's my new favorite thing.
12.24.09
-top tooth #4 popped through. Total number of teeth, 6!

Why We Celebrate

May we always remember the true meaning of Christmas.

"To catch the real meaning of the spirit of Christmas, we need only drop the last syllable and it becomes the Spirit of Christ."
-President Thomas S. Monson

Dedication

If any of you lack motivation just take a lesson from this man.

A Post NOT About Miles

I can't believe it is already the middle of December! Let's rewind about 7 months...

It was a rainy, blustery day in May. I was all dressed and pressed, ready to walk across that stage after 5 long years. Yes, I have taken you back to my graduation day. A day I had awaited with much anticipation, a day that seemed to take forever to finally arrive. As I stood there taking pictures in all my glory with my sweet 3 month old baby all I could think was, "Yay, I'm done. I'm finally done. I don't have to do anything but love on this sweet little boy for 8 long months."

Well those 8 long months are quickly coming to an end. I start first internship rotation January 4th, 2010...which mind you is only 2 1/2 weeks away!! I have been instructed to contact my first preceptor by this Thursday to coordinate everything for the rotation. Holy smokes time really does fly when you're having fun!

I have been experiencing an overwhelming sense of excitement, sadness and extreme fear. I am excited to get back into the groove of things and feel productive again (since I don't get dressed til about noon everyday). However, I am extremely saddened to have to leave my sweet Miles for so long everyday, even though I know he will be well taken care of it is hard to think that I wont be the one doing it all *sniffle & sigh*. Most of all though I am so scared! School feels like so long ago, I honestly don't feel like I know/remember a single thing. What if I show up and my preceptors think I'm a joke because I don't know half the stuff I should?

Hang on I'm having a mini panic attack...

Wow, what a scary thought!

I do have some good news though. Remember how I was supposed to drive all the way to Davis county for months (Jan-April)? Well, I worked with my director about a month ago and we had things worked out for me to go to Box Elder county instead. Not quite as far, but still through the canyon - boo. Then, yesterday I got a call. Jennie (my director) told me that Logan City School District called her and "begged" for an intern. Lucky for them I was eager to stay in Cache Valley and not have to commute through the canyon all winter. So needless to say the Lord out stretched his hand and gave us this amazing blessing! We will save oodles on gas $$, I will be safer (I'm a terrible snow driver), and most importantly the time I would have spent commuting I can now spend with Miles :).

Wow! My life is about to change; drastically!

Little Chef

Miles: Hey mom, while you were making dinner I decided to make dessert.
Mom: mmm, looks delicious. Make sure you stir it up good!

Things I've Learned ::Part 3::

1. When people say, "cherish every moment, they grow up so fast." They aren't kidding!!
2. Mobile babies require lots of energy, but holy smokes they're fun.
3. You can take on the world when your baby starts sleeping through the night!
4. Babies are just as bad as puppies when it comes to begging for food.
5. If Grandma offers to take the kiddos for a few hours - let her!
6. Have lots of fun during the day so you don't feel guilty about the relief you feel when bedtime rolls around.

7. Never, I repeat, NEVER leave the house without wet wipes!
8. Take advantage of any snuggles you get.
9. Never, unless under peril of death wake a sleeping baby.

10. Always keep the camera within arms reach. You never know when you'll come across "the cutest thing you've ever seen".

Like these sweet faces I get when I go get Miles after his naps.

Curls

I absolutely LOVE these little curls!!Just when I thought he couldn't get any cuter!
Miles, you may never get another hair cut!

10 Months

I know I say this every time, but holy smokes time goes by SO fast! Each day just gets better and better. Miles is so much fun right now; he has been such a busy little guy and is so curious which usually leads to mischief.
He is so close to walking, I mean seriously close. He still loves bath time and even though it's freezing he still loves being outside. He absolutely loves to dance and thinks his Daddy is the greatest! Here are a few more highlights from this month...

11.1.09
-He started to walk along the furniture
{slow & steady}
11.4.09
-He has decided he likes to crawl under things. Who doesn't love a good tunnel :)?
11.12.09
-He jabbers all the time. His favorites are "dadada", "mamama", and "nananummmm".
-is getting his top teeth.
11.20.09
-top tooth #1 popped through!
-Total number of teeth, 3.

Miles you are so much fun and we love you to pieces. Daddy and I are constantly taken aback by your cuteness and can't believe we are lucky enough to be your parents. I can't even put into words how much we love!
I haven't taken a lot of pictures lately {yea I know, bad mom}, but we got the cutest one of him during Thanksgiving dinner yesterday. Unfortunately it's on my mother-in-laws camera so you'll just have to take my word for it {at least until I get a copy}. In the meantime here are a few pictures of Miles doing some of his favorite things.

He absolutely loves Finding Nemo {don't judge me}

And we wouldn't call him Mr. Mischief if he didn't love doing this!

We sure have a lot to be thankful for and hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

So Much Better!

After Twilight I told myself I wasn't going to go to anymore of the movies, but I am glad I did. New Moon was so much better! There were a lot of improvements, though some of the special affects weren't all that special. Overall though I really enjoyed it!

OK so now that I have more time I thought I would hit up a few of my favorite (and least favorite) things about the movie.
Favorite things: Jacob standing shirtless in the rain, Jessica's "like" attitude after the movie, Victoria's beautiful, vibrant red hair, the meadow was actually a meadow {that was one of the things I hated most about Twilight}, and Jacob after their "group" date to Punch Face {haha}.
Least favorite things: Edward's nasty hairy chest {come on he's supposed to look like perfect smooth stone - did anyone picture him with hair?}, Alice's vision of happy vampires frolicking through the woods {can we say cheesy}, and Bella's not so devastated reaction when Edward told her he was leaving {sorry Kristen I just didn't feel it}.

FINALLY!

Let the record show that Miles Gabriel Lucero started sleeping through the night at the age of 8 months. That's right, we have been sleeping soundly for over a month now!

It has been so wonderful to actually get a full night of restful sleep. He goes to bed between 6:30-7:00 and will usually sleep for 12 hours. He has been such a good little sleeper lately and we are feeling much more energetic these days.

We know that after all this time you probably want to let out a cheer on our behalf. It's okay, really, go ahead just let it out.

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly...

Good: starting solid foods.
Bad: the monstrous mess Miles makes while learning to feed himself.
Ugly: poopy diapers after starting solid foods (Whooeee).

Good: snuggles & loves from your kiddos.
Bad: they don't last.
Ugly: trying to snuggle Miles after a booboo and getting pushed away.

Good: watching Miles learn to crawl.
Bad: chasing him down as he heads for the garbage can.
Ugly: not catching him in time.

Good: working out.
Bad: listening to Miles cry while I work out.
Ugly: almost stepping on Miles as he cries while I work out.

Good: fall weather.
Bad: forgetting a blanket when we went to the store.
Ugly: a major down pour as we sprint for the door unprotected.

Good: Miles & mommy baking together.
Bad: mommy eating all the brownies.
Ugly: mommy trying to put on her pants after eating all those brownies.

Good: watching Finding Nemo with Miles.
Bad: having it memorized word for word.
Ugly: repeating the words in my head as I try to fall asleep.

Good: watching a movie in bed.
Bad: waking up just in time to catch the closing credits.
Ugly: realizing we are getting old & boring.

Good: my crazy, exhausting, wonderful, adorable family
Good (x2): is FOREVER!

ROAR

{not the best pictures; this kid will not hold still!}

Happy Halloween

9 Months...

and falltastic pictures!

I can't believe how big Miles is getting. He is already 9 months old, only 3 more months until my baby is a year old!?!

Here are a few highlights from this month...

9.29.09
-He is mobile...he started to crawl!
-He loves to dance. If he's in a bad mood just start dancing and he becomes all smiles. Seriously adorable.
10.6.09
-He can pull himself to standing and will use any means to do so. This can be painful!
10.12.09
-Our chubster weighs 20 lbs!
-He has out grown his infant seat.

-He has started feeding himself cereal puffs. He is so proud of himself {we're proud of him too}.

-He is such a busy little guy and gets into EVERYTHING, especially the things he's not supposed to.
-He will slobber on my cheeks if I make kissing noises, I think he's trying to kiss me back.
-loves to clap.
-is VERY slowly learning how to sleep through the night.
-likes it when I play in his hair.

my wonderful, adorable sister Morgan!
She helped me take these super cute pictures.

You've gotta have a few mommy pictures :)

-He likes me to read to him, right now his favorite book is Jungle Tumble {a hide & seek book}.
-He still loves being outside, so naturally he had a blast taking these pictures.
-He loves his grandparents, aunts, and cousins...well pretty much everyone. He is such a social butterfly.
-He still loves bath time, we are both soaked by the end.
-He loves to be held...ALL THE TIME! He'll follow me around and try to climb up my legs until I pick him up.
-He's just to dang cute!

He is growing up so fast, but he gets more fun every day. I love this age/stage. He is so full of energy and curiosity, it is so fun (and exhausting) to watch him explore new things.

We love him so much!

Thanks Honey

Mr. Mischief

I think these pictures speak for themselves!

For Eternity My Love

Here's a recap from the last 6 years...

Dated for a year and half.
Fell in love.
Got married in the Logan Temple on 10.17.2003.

Moved into our first super tiny apartment on the Island.
Went on our first road to Zion & Vegas for our honeymoon.

I dropped out of school.
Quit my part-time job & went to work full-time for Dr. Cunningham.
Gabe decided he better stick it out and stayed in school.

Celebrated our first anniversary in Park City.
Which became a tradition for about 4 years.

Gabe got in a bad car accident...one of the scariest days of my life!
Gabe Started working in the detail department at Wilson's.

Went on our second road trip to San Diego for Spring Break.

Moved into a slightly bigger apartment.
Gabe got promoted to sales.
I decided to go back to school.
Quit my full-time job for another part-time job at Darrell's Appliance.

Took our third road trip to Seattle.
I flew to Chicago to visit family.
Had a fabulous time!
Missed Gabe like crazy!
{I'm behind the camera}

Quit Darrell's to get a more nutrition related job at Avalon Hills.
Moved into a bigger apartment thinking we'd soon start our family.

Took our fourth road trip to San Fransisco & Santa Cruz.

Gabe graduated.

Found out I was pregnant!

Went on our fifth & final road trip just the two of us.
Headed to Yellowstone & Grand Teton with Gabe's family.

Moved into our current apartment to get ready for baby.

Miles was born.

I graduated.

That's right 5 cars, 2 diplomas, 4 apartments, 7 jobs, 5 road trips, 1,000,000,000+ kisses, 1,000,000,001+ hugs, 1 sweet little man, and 6 years later Gabe is still the love of my life, my eternal companion, my best friend. He is my perfect fit!

Happy Anniversary! I love you!!