18 Months

Now that I'm actually posting this, our little boy is almost 19 months! Where does the time go?! I know I've said it a million times...

We had his 18 month checkup when we got back from NY and he weighed in at 26 pounds 7ounces (gained 1 pound) and measured 33 inches long (grew 2 inches).

Jeremy and I say almost every day how much he is constantly changing and growing. He is such a little man, his own little person. He is "talking" so much more now, although he only has a few actual real words. He says Momma, Dada, Ball and Woah - along with a few other "words" that only we know what they mean hahaha He has started to shake his head 'no' sometimes instead of saying yes to everything we ask him. Sometimes it's super cute and other times not so much lol

He knows where all his body parts are even though the Doctor told us he only "needs" to identify one. Some of them I taught him and some of them he just came out with. It blows my mind how much he knows, proving that he is watching every single thing I do. The other day he had his paccy and I asked him for a kiss. He went to kiss me with his paccy in his mouth and I said "No, I want your lips!" He took his paccy out and pointed to his lips. He did the same thing with his tongue and butt. So even if he isn't saying too much, he sure makes us proud!

He has become obsessed with trying to get something out of a story or the sky, etc. He wants to touch or hold everything and he gets frustrated when he can't grab a dog out of a book or get the airplane in the sky! I think it may be my fault since I always used to say "Let's go get it!" Knowing him, he'd know just what that meant and took it literally, so I've started telling him we can't touch it, we just look with our eyes. Instead of going to get everything, we go see it : ) I swear I learn more than he does every day and I'm the Mom!

As always he loves his books and balls. The past few times we've left the house, whether to get in the car or go for a walk, he has to take 2 balls with him and there really is no way around it hahaha We are talking/planning on putting up a fence in the near future and I can't wait to put up a little basketball hoop for him. He finds every single one in our neighborhood when we go on walks and doesn't understand why he can't play, especially if he has his basketball in hand.

One thing's for sure and that's how much he is going to love his little brother! Every time we see a baby he gets the biggest grin on his face and points to it. If you ask him where the baby is he will point to my belly (or at least to me). Although sometimes he will point to his own belly, Dada's belly or anyone's belly that is around LOL

We don't have to go back to the doctor until he is TWO! We'll be there with Lucas before we are with Seth : ) - how crazy is that!? In the meantime we are living and loving life, enjoying this little guy God has blessed us with and awaiting the second one : )

Lucas Jay Thomas

Most of you have probably seen on facebook, but baby boy #2 officially has a name! Or maybe it's not official until he is born? Anyways, we landed on Lucas Jay over Christmas break. Lucas was actually on our list of names for Seth, but for some reason when the ultrasound technician told us he was a boy, we didn't like Lucas anymore. This time around it was on the top of Jeremy's list. I actually liked another name a little more, but after some time, I agree this one is right : ) 

I didn't know this at the time, but the name is extra special. It was actually Jeremy's name on the first day of his life! His parents named him Lucas and then changed it to Jeremy after he was born. Makes me wonder if Lucas will make his appearance on Jeremy's birthday : ) 

We had a checkup a couple weeks ago (at 24 weeks) and everything looks great. The doctor gave us the official word that everything looked as it was supposed to in the anatomy scan. She even said he has a ton of hair already (which can obviously change). I think it'd be absolutely insane if he came out with a head full of jet black hair like his Dada! I was measuring at 23 weeks and his heartbeat was 136. 

Lucas has gotten a lot stronger the past couple weeks. His kicks have started moving my whole stomach and he's been showing off while keeping me up at night a few times. Jeremy was finally able to feel him over Christmas break, but Lucas is already infamous for being still when Jeremy goes to feel him, just like Seth used to do. 

Jeremy and I moved things around in our bedroom to see if the idea I had in my head would actually work the way I had envisioned...

Our bed used to be up against the wall where the cubbies are. I actually really like our bed where it is now and I think we'll keep it there even after Lucas moves out of our room. The pack & play will go where the bins are and then we are thinking about getting a room divider to put in between our bed and his so that once he can notice we are there, he won't be able to. I just need to get some baskets to put in the cubbies since we are using the ones we used to have in there for Seth's toys, books and other miscellaneous things. I've enjoyed getting things ready bit by bit! We are soaking up our family time as the 3 of us, but absolutely can't wait for this little guy to come out and meet us all <3 

Sami came!!!!!!!

This girl has been an important part of my life for quite some time now and we've gone through a lot of it together - probably about 15 years now? Obviously, had countless memories and gone through some tough times as well, but we all know those are needed to strengthen a bond and remind us what is important in life. 

Family, chosen family, can't be replaced. 

 We always make time to see each other when we go to NY, but it just didn't get to happen this last visit. Luckily, she had talked about coming to see us in SC in January so we knew we could hold out for that. I never knew just how serious she was until she told me to pick her up on Sunday at 830 in NC! She was mortified when she found out it was a 8 hour round trip, but it was MORE than worth it to get her and the 4 hour trip back together was incredible special. 

We spent the next couple days showing her some sites, eating delicious foods, catching each other up on life and making sure we had both seen the necessary chick-flicks (Jeremy is a champ).

My bridge was floating when we went to the aquarium : ) 

Seth took about 2 minutes to warm up to her when he woke up the first morning. He hugged Jeremy and I while watching her, but as soon as she scooped him up and starting playing with him the next thing I knew he was holding her hand around the house and asking to go to her from me. He became quite attached to her. He cried the whole way home from the airport and again when he woke up from his nap and saw she still wasn't here. We are so thankful that she thought of us and made the effort (and spent the money) to come visit us. She holds a special place in the Thomas family hearts and we hope she knows that - and that she's always welcome <3 

Christmas in SC

Our house got a lot quieter this morning (more on that later) so I had some extra time to get our last Christmas post up. 

After we got home, we had Christmas as a family the next morning...

He loves this little tractor I got second-hand - the animals 'say' their sound when you press them down & the Farmer sings 'Old McDonald'. 

This puzzle was a lot smaller than I had anticipated, but it's been quite the hit! He's already mastered almost all the shapes! 

Jeremy's made comments about wanting a sleeveless hoodie for working out so I took a leap and found him one. Considering the fact that he hasn't taken it off since, I think I did good! LOL 

This new trinket has been well loved, too! 

Jeremy spoiled me with a new phone, an adult coloring book and a few gift cards to spoil myself with since he claims I only ever think about him and the boys! I, again, am so thankful for the time we got with family and all the blessings it brought. Both those far away and the time we got just the 3 of us. Next Christmas will look a lot different and we are soaking up this time until that change arrives : )