Dear Luke, 24 months

Dear Luke,

2 years old.  Wow.  You are so big.  You are learning so much and growing too fast!  You have the sweetest heart of any kid I know.  It is so welcoming and tender.  You say "HI!" to everyone and want to know everyone's name.  You bring joy to anyone who is around you and people cannot help but notice your smile and sweet nature.
In the very near future you are going to be a big brother. Something I've been thinking about lately is how God chose you to be our first child.  That's pretty special and it wasn't by accident.  I am so lucky to have a big sister,  I look up to her so much and learn from her all the time.  I pray God gives you a wonderful friendship with your little brother, I pray you will have love and protection for him, and that you will want to be an example for him.

What an incredible responsibility and honor you have, Luke.  God knew you would be up for the challenge but you should also know it's a HUGE blessing.  You will be one awesome big brother buddy.  We are so proud of you.
Happy Birthday sweet boy!!!
Love,
Mom

 gotta have a Luke sandwich!!!

Dear Luke, 22 months

Dear Luke,
I haven't written you a letter since you were 16 months.  It's been 6 months! I've missed it.  As you can imagine, a lot has changed about you in 6 months...

You woke up this morning in typical fashion, peeking through the cut-out on the back of your crib, saying, "daddy!".  Your crib has been facing backwards for several months now because you figured out how to climb out of it.  Even with the mattress all the way to the floor you were clever enough to wedge your foot in between the bars and hop right of over it (not so gracefully, I might add).  The back-side of your crib is taller and doesn't have any slats so you haven't figured out a way over it... yet.

A couple days before you learned how to get out of your crib.  We should of known something was coming.

You love your Daddy.  You ask for him several times a day, and always when you wake up in the morning or from naps.  Often, Daddy is the one to get you from your crib in the morning.  It's your special time together- Dad's favorite time of day with you.  There are several days out of the week dad has to leave before you get up.  I tell you, "Daddy's not here right now" and then you respond, "Worrrrkkk.". 

You say everything we say.  Or at least you try to say everything we say.  Reading books together has completely changed.  We no longer read to you, you just to point to everything on the page and want us to tell you what it is, that is, if you haven't already told us.  We have these flashcards with pictures and letters on them and they have become your favorite play item in the house.  You sit for long periods of time telling us what you see on the cards, making all the animal noises you know, and saying "x-ray" when you come to the x-ray card.  You already know the letter R, E, and A.  You like to point them out on our shirt or in books.  You are so smart.  As much as you are talking these days and putting 2-3 word sentences together, you also have your very own language.  It cannot really be described, except that it's one of the cutest noises I've heard and makes us all laugh when you do it.  Good thing we have some of it on video.

Some of my favorite phrases you say right now are;

"old ju"- when you want me to hold you
"dare eee esss" which translates to, "there he is!"
"uuuug?" - always asked in question form- you love to give out hugs
"Biiiirrrrrrd"  You love animals, but especially birds
"cooo duue"  which is, "cool dude" what we say when you wear daddy's hats or put sunglasses on.

I see so much tenderness and curiosity in you and I pray that God will make me equal to the task of developing those things in you.
I love you Luker!
Mommy

Dear Luke, 15 & 16 months

Dear Luke,

We have been really busy around here.  For starters we moved.... again.  These past few months of looking for a house, finding one, offering, negotiating, accepting, waiting, closing, packing, moving, unpacking, painting, and renovating has been a whirlwind to say the least.  Now that we are moved in the new house and all most of the boxes are unpacked, it's beginning to feel more like "our" home.

As excited as I am to have this new home, a part of me grieves leaving the last one.  Not because I wanted to live there forever (believe me I was ready for some more space) but because we made memories there.  Memories of you crawling for the first time, taking your first steps, holding you while you were sick, and so many more.  Each of those moments experienced there are precious to me.  As you get older, you will come to realize I'm quite sentimental about... most everything.

I can already see the "eye rolls" coming my way.

I'm a person who grieves over every ending that life brings, good and bad. To me, change usually feels like we are leaving something behind.  When I was in the 1st grade, I remember crying over getting rid of our woody station wagon.  I was upset when I had to leave my 5th grade teacher and graduate to the 6th grade.  I hated moving to any new house because that meant we had to leave the old one.  To this day, the last day of anything makes me a little sad if for no other reason than- it's the last day.  All of this occasional over- sentimentality is just how I'm wired. 

However, just because I grieve over things that change doesn't mean I don't get excited about what change can bring.  Take you, for instance.  You are one ball of constant change.  Every day you are doing something new.  You are babbling new sounds, learning new signs, eating new foods, running just a little faster, and getting smarter by the day.  I get incredible joy over watching you do each and every new thing.  I must tell you, you have handled the change of moving very well.  You took to this house like you've always lived here.  We've been here several weeks now and you still enjoy running from room to room, exploring the nooks and crannies of the house, opening all the cabinets and doors, and dropping all kinds of objects off the catwalk on the second floor.

Like I've said in my letters to you before, change is a good thing.  Sometimes it brings wonderful new surprises and blessings and sometimes it's just hard.  Either way, change should cause us to acknowledge the One who is in control over all things.  Change has the ability to increase our faith and our understanding of who God is.  And those are good things, Luke.  I  can look back, so grateful for all the memories I made with you in our first home in Tuscaloosa, AL and our first home in Brentwood, TN.  And now, I can look forward with anticipation to the new memories we will make together in our home in Franklin, TN.  
Thanks for changing my life,
Mama

 This is what you looked like this time last year! Look how much you have changed! :) 

In these pics you are in your very first home in Tuscaloosa, AL.

 ..............

 This is what you looked like in December of last year.  

This was our first month in the Townhouse in Brentwood, TN

.............

Making one of our first memories with you in our new home in Franklin, TN.  

You are eating paint painting your very first pumpkin for Halloween. 

 You can still see the boxes in the background that need to be unpacked, but we're ready for Halloween!

In our new neighborhood having your first trick-or-treating experience. 

We got to meet our neighbors and their adorable 14 month old daughter who dressed up like a cupcake.  You ran right up to her and gave her a hug.  We are still not sure if you did that because you are friendly or because you thought she was a real cupcake.  ..... Ahhhhh memories :)

Dear Luke, 13 & 14 months

Dear Luke,

Where did the summer go?  We have been partying hard around here!   We've been enjoying all the things summer has to offer, as well as getting ready to launch the new church campus, search for and purchase a new home.  Needless to say, it has been one packed summer.  I may or may not have been a little stressed these past few months, but with out a doubt you have been my stress reliever.  All it takes is one giggle from you and I am reminded of God's incredible faithfulness.

One of your favorite summer activities was getting wet.  Your fearlessness in and around the water was a little surprising as well as nerve racking.   This summer we took a Hoffman family vacation to Indian River, MI in July.  It was so beautiful and we spent a lot of time at Burt Lake and Lake Michigan.  You went on your first boat ride with Uncle Josh and after getting over wearing the life jacket that squished your cheeks up to your eyebrows and forced your arms out like sticks on a snow man, you LOVED it.   You also had your first experience with Lake Michigan.  For your Dad and I, Lake Michigan is at the top of our list when it comes to favorite places.  It brings back such sweet memories or our childhood summers.  It was pretty great watching you enjoy it as much as your Dad and I do.

In addition to vacations we also celebrated weddings.

Took a visit to Holland to see your other cousins Emily and Abbi

And had lots and lots of trips to the zoo and to the park.

You have done a lot of growing and learning this summer.  There is a long list of things you learned to do, so if you don't mind I am just going to list them.
You can sign "more", and "all done"

You know what animals are which, but every animal makes the sound of a dog.  

You can stack blocks as tall as you can reach

You can run

You have 6 teeth

You love to sit in your reading corner and turn every page of every book

You are curious about everything and insist on exploring every space and corner of the new places you visit.  

You love to point and say "dat" which means- what's that?  

You have thrown some tantrums that include arching your back and falling to the floor

You give the sweetest kisses and prefer to give them out of the blue  

You say, "HI!" to every one who passes by

You like to find things on the floor and hand them to me  

You LOVE to be tickled.  You've learned to open and shut your hands, which means- TICKLE ME!

You give high fives and knuckles (dad's favorite trick)

You point at everything and you are learning to tell people how old you are by holding up 1 finger
You like to give hugs and snuggles. 

You like to put things under your chin and walk around with them there  

You are getting so smart and are understanding so much of what we say

I'm sure I am forgetting lots of cute tricks and milestones, but I hope you know that we have treasured each new discovery and want you to keep loving to learn.  We are so proud of you.  I have LOVED spending this summer with you.   Your Dad and I often comment that we can't believe God gave you to us.  We are learning new things about parenting all the time, mostly that it's really hard, but our very treasured responsibility.

I love you sweet Luke,

Mom

Luke, 1 yrs old

 A little photo shoot....

Dear Luke, 12 months

It's hard to believe this was going on 1 year ago today!  I've found myself thinking a lot about what was happening this time last year.  When you were born, the cord was wrapped around your neck.  We waited and waited for you to cry for what seemed like an eternity.  When I heard you cry for the first time an incredible sense of relief and gratefulness swept over me.  I thank God for you every single day, Luke. We know how lucky we are to have you.  You are a beautiful, healthy, sweet baby boy.

I have realized what a privilege it has been to be home with you this year.  What a delight it has been to spend these precious and fleeting moments with you.  I have been able to watch every change, every new development, and have been there for most every smile.  My heart is so full with joy over you.

It's amazing to see how much you have grown this last month.  I'm pretty sure you have gained another pound as your non-picky pallet continues to expand.  You've gone from a rather quiet baby to a big talker.  We've taken quite a few road trips this month and you've kept yourself busy talking to yourself for at least an hour each time.  Your only understandable words are Hi, da da, and Mom.  Yes, you call me Mom. Not mama, not ma, it's a very clear mom.  You love to play with blocks, push anything across the floor, and of corse eat.  You are such an explorer.  You are curious about each button, speck on the floor, corner of a room, and pretty much any space or object that is in a 50 foot radius of you.  You have no fear and in fact, love it when we hide around a corner and jump out to scare you.  Your fearlessness can be a great quality Luke, but when it comes to jumping off our bed or going face first down the stairs, we'll be forced to reign it in to keep you safe.  You understand a lot of words and are getting better at obeying the 1st time when we tell you no.  You love to wear your sun glasses out and especially love all the attention it gets you walking from the parking lot into the grocery store.  It's incredible how quickly you went from taking 1 to 2 steps to toddling around the house.  There are now more things to be baby proofed!

You have given us more love than your Dad and I ever expected.  We look forward to seeing how the Lord develops your personality and character.  We pray your sweet spirit, curiosity, independence, and determination remain as you continue to change and grow.  We can't imagine life without you and we always want you to know how much you are LOVED.  Happy 1st Birthday Luke!
I love you so much!
Mom 

Dear Luke, 11 months

Dear Luke,

When people ask me about you, my response is almost always the same. I tell them you're the best, that you're such a pumpkin, and you are so much fun. It's pretty great I can say those things about you almost all the time. Last night, before your Dad and I went to sleep, we both peeked in on you and saw you sleeping with a little smirk on your face. We had to stop ourselves from laughing out loud so we didn't wake you up.  It was such a precious moment. When we crawled into bed that night, we both hugged each other and thanked God for you.  

Guuuess whaaat? That pesky tooth that has been hiding for months finally came through! You have one cute-little-off-centered-tooth on the bottom and we are so relieved! No more toothless grin, but I gotta say, that little tooth is pretty cute. Especially since you try using it on all foods that make a crunch noise.  We've witnessed a few temper tantrums this month, refussal to take afternoon naps for 3 days in a row, and confirmation you do in fact understand the word "no". This month your personality has blossomed just a little more and there is no denying, you love to laugh. We can get you to giggle at pretty much anything and we do it a lot! Even when you're playing by yourself, you find all kinds of ways to make yourself laugh. We've noticed you are so much more engaged with the people and things around you. You notice all the ladies who smile at you in the grocery store, loud trucks that drive by, and the sound of the refrigerator door opening :). 

Grandma and Grandpa Hoffman came to visit this month and they got to love all over you. They gave you your birthday present early and you use it everyday. You push that toy all over the place. When you are about to hit the wall you stop, look back at me, and usually scream indicating you want me to come and turn you around. You haven't tried to take any steps on your own yet, but we catch you all the time standing all by yourself in the middle of the room. I have a feeling your crawling days are numbered.

My favorite new thing this month are your kisses. You think it's a game to give kisses and will give me 10 in a row before getting bored with it. Talk about melting a mother's heart.   

I have to take deep breath sometimes because your 1st birthday is almost here. I guess in my mind, when you turn 1 it officially takes you out of babyhood. Maybe that's not true, it's just this year has gone by so fast and I didn't expect how much I would love it. I guess as long as I catch you showing off those sweet baby-fat rolls on the back of your legs (as seen in this picture) I will feel like there is still some "baby time" left.   

I love you so much, Luke.

Mom