Failed Settlement Conference

PRESS RELEASE: Philadelphia, PA – DECEMBER 2, 2011

This being his first Christmas, Luke met with the big man yesterday to discuss ratification of the terms on their prospective gift agreement so that they could end the 2011 Holiday Lockout and begin a long standing relationship over the next 10 to 12 years… After measuring each other up, significant deliberation and much negotiation …

I am sad to report the two sides could not come to terms and remain at odds, the lockout will proceed…and Luke left the negotiating table very disappointed and rather upset… 

A press conference is scheduled for later this week to discuss the next steps.  Luke’s camp released the following statement via twitter: “We are highly discouraged with the results from our initial summit.  We were optimistic headed into the meeting believing the representatives from the North Pole were ready to deal since they were sending an individual with full settlement authority.  I don’t know where we go from here.  All options are on the table…including Judaism…or possibly taking up Kwanzaa.  I’ll have a long talk with my Mommy, Daddy, Lester and my stuffed animals.  We’ll decide what’s best for me and move forward despite this disappointing setback.”Representatives from North Pole, Inc. were unavailable for comment.

Luke's first Thanksgiving

Luke had a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoyed wearing all of his turkey pj's in the week leading up to the holiday!

And playing with his little turkey from Grandmom McGrath...

The day before Thanksgiving, Luke enjoyed being his mommy's helper as she baked and prepared dinner...

Thanks for my chef outfit, Aunt Colleen and Uncle Rich!

Luke also like helping his Pop cook!

The night before the big day, Luke got a short visit from some of his away-at-school cousins, Laura, Rachel, and Hilary and his aunts, Ruth and Maria.   He loved all the lady love...

On the big T-Day, Luke dressed up in his finest and enjoyed spending time with family. Luke loves his Aunt Arlene and Uncle Walt. 

And his Uncle Johnny...

Mommy, Daddy and Luke!

When it came time to sit down to a feast, Luke decided he was tired and took a nap.  Don't worry...he was able to enjoy some sweet potatoes and turkey later.   

Jack was in charge of keeping an eye on Luke in the monitor...

After dinner, Luke enjoyed playing with everyone. 

Now that Thanksgiving was over, he got to pull out the Christmas gear with the hat his grandmom made him!

Overall, it was a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Obviously, we all had a lot to be thankful for...



A busy weekend...

The weekend Luke turned 7 months, he was a busy bee...he went to his first LaSalle Homecoming and his first marathon (specating...not running, of course).

Luke was so happy to able to visit with our cousin Molly while at homecoming.  Molly is a student at Lasalle and personally responsible for making Luke a campus celebrity.  While visiting the library's bathroom for a diaper change, two sorority girls took one look at him and squealed, "Is this LUKE?!"  Apparently, Molly likes to show off his pictures to her friends.  Luke's daddy was a little jealous as he never got so much sorority lovin'....

Luke loved watching the game with his daddy...

And his mommy...

But he was a little tired...

And could barely keep his eyes open...

We hope Luke loves LaSalle as much as we do!

The following day, Luke and I woke up early and headed into the city to cheer on our friends, Denise and Mandy, as they ran the Philly marathon.  Luke was bundled up in his stroller...

which was apparently very comfy.  Watching other people run tuckered him out...

Luke was a little confused...

Luke was so proud of his Aunt Nisey as she finished in less than 4 hours and accomplished a personal record, that he jumped in a picture with her and Ben! 

However, he still gave her the stiff arm...

It was so exciting seeing Mandy cross the finish line!  Luke is so proud of his Aunt Nisey and Aunt Mandy!  Congratulations, girls!

7 months!

I'm not quite sure how it happened, but Luke turned 7 months a couple of weeks ago (I'm a little behind in posting, as you can tell!).  Luke continues to be such a happy and content baby.  He still sleeps through the night and has begun to take consistent and good naps throughout the day.  In just one month, he has become such a good eater!  His list of foods include brown rice, barley, oatmeal, green beans, peas, sweet potatoes, zuchini, squash, pumpkin, carrots, avacado, pears, banana, turkey, and puffs.  His favorites are sweet potatoes, avacado, and banana.  He gagged at green beans the first time he ate them but doesn't seem to mind them when mixed with rice.  He also loves to eat "puffs."  He grabs a bunch in his hands and kicks his feet wildly as he shoves them into his mouth. 

We are working on baby sign language, and Luke seems to be getting the hang of the "more" sign.  If we stop for too long in between bites of food, he slaps his hands together until we give him more!  Its not consistent, but he's getting there.  We've also been working on the signs for "drink," "diaper change," and "all finished," but those may take some more time.

Luke has started "army" crawling and can scoot himself all over his playmat.  He has gotten up on all fours but doesn't seem to know what to do once he gets there.  He is slowly learning to pull himself up when playing with mommy and daddy, but isn't quite into standing on his own. 

At 7 months, Luke is so curious and observant.  He stares at people until he "figures them out."  There is no getting anything over on him.  Where we used to be able to take something out of his hands and hide it behind our backs, he now will look around us until he finds what he wants. 

My favorite new development is him reaching for people.  He puts his arms out directly to the person he wants holding him, and when those arms are pointed in my direction, my heart bursts!  The only down side to this is that he is starting to get a little more clingy.  If Matt or I leave the room for a second, he starts complaining!  Hopefully, this phase will pass quickly!

Luke is so much fun at this age.  He loves to play, and his laugh is infectious.  I love watching him discover things every day!

Check out those thighs!  They are just delicious!

Bathtub fun...

This boy is just like his mommy...has to have the last word...

Playing around

This boy likes to play...his favorite thin to do lately is sit in front of his toy bag and dig through his treasures. So cute...

He loves his Jumperoo, too.  Thanks Mrs. J!

Playing while Daddy watches the Eagles game is a favorite of his, too...

A trip to the playground with Jack.

Luke was very excited for his playdate with his cousin, Jack.  He wanted to impress, so he told me he thought he should wear a shirt and tie...

Jack was nice enough to push Luke on the swing, and Luke couldn't take his eyes off his big cousin.

All set to go down the slide for the first time!

Best buds...

The end of this video makes my heart melt...

T