Santa

Santa Clause has not been well received this year. Lucas loves looking at him from afar and says "ho ho ho" whenever he see's Santa. But, come within 5 feet of Santa and Lucas is running the other direction. My mom was recently watching Lucas in a store while Peter was trying on some shoes and there was a manikin wearing red pajamas and a Santa hat, Lucas took off in the opposite direction crying after coming too close for comfort. We aren't going to push the issue. We have tried seeing Santa twice now. Maybe next year he will want to sit on Santa's lap, I can't really say I blame him. To an almost two year old, Santa has got to be a bit frightening. But, Lucas does love wearing his own Santa hat around the house. He is loving the Christmas decorations, he says "ooohhh" "pretty" most every time he sees any Christmas lights, and he calls reindeer horses, love it!! .

Palm Springs

We haven't been home much recently, we have been on the go! We recently spent a week in Palm Springs. What a beautiful place. Neither Peter and I had ever been there before and it certainly is a nice place. Although the location was beautiful, the experience of traveling with a 19 month can make things interesting. When we finally got back into the shuttle at the San Francisco airport we were laughing hysterically. It really is comedic watching Peter carry six bags including a huge car seat (luckily we have the carrying backpack) through the airport. With all of this bulky luggage getting through security is interesting. Then our bags always have to be inspected due to Lucas' liquid medication. Once we are redressed, Lucas is back in the stoller and re-shoed, and Peter is loaded back up again with all of the luggage maneuvering through the crowds with his 'double wide' load is a challenge. The actual one hour plane ride was a lot for our little active boy. He learned how to manipulate the window shade up, down, up down...(you get the picture); same with the tray table. Then he wanted to run the aisles. He always wants me to hold him, but I am quickly running out of lap space and he doesn't like that very much. Luckily we had some pretty patient people on the flight with us. The hotel room in Palm Springs was beautiful, but had stairs in it. I have never seen that before.. Lucas only fell down them a few times when he was trying to roll the suitcase down them. The minibar, now that was another story. Apparently when you check in they "unlock it for your convenience." Well we didn't' realize until the last day that it was an 'automated' mini bar so every time you lift or move something in the refrigerator you get charged. Luckily we discovered this before we checked out because Lucas had racked up quite a tab. Needless to say, Lucas and I tried to keep ourselves busy and out of the hotel room while Peter was at the conference during the day. We found a fabulous mall, park, and museum. The museum had adult things like a pizza parlor and grocery store in kids sizes. Lucas loved playing with the carts and the cash register. So fun! So all in all, a fun trip, but you just have to laugh at the end at how exhausted you are at the end of a 'vacation' with a toddler.

Prior to our trip Lucas had a pediatrician apt. He is holding steady in about the 50th percentile for weight and height and 75th percentile for head circumference. He weighs a little over 28lbs and I can't recall his height. He is doing great, but his fear of the doctor only seems to be getting worse. Hopefully this will reverse itself at some point.

I am hanging in there. Second pregnancies are certainly a lot different. Between all of our traveling, working, holiday party's, etc. I am exhausted. My doctor is a bit concerned that I may be over doing it. I had an apt. this week and she did a quick ultra sound and said, I had better start taking it easy. The baby is doing well, it is just my body is not liking all of this stress and activity. It is cute, she really kicks when Lucas or Peter talk to her. We are enjoying being back at home for a few days until next week!! There is no place like home!!