Lucas is 18 months

This is incredibly late, but we were waiting for his doctor to come back from maternity leave before we did his 18 month well visit.

He weighed in at 27lbs 12.5oz
(was 25lbs 10oz)

and is 32.75 inches tall!
(was 31.5)

He's at the stage where he just looks at you and smiles when you tell him to stop something. Jeremy reminded me that Seth did this too and that I will survive......

He is 200% independent! He doesn't want help eating, he doesn't want to hold your hand while walking, he doesn't you to carry him - just don't touch him. He's got it all under control.

Among animal sounds he can say "woah" "yay" "mama" "dada" "hippo" "sorry" and "hi" - we are working on "all done" "thank you" and "please". 

Most of the time him and Seth are best buds, but sharing and always wanting what the other one has can make life a whiny hot mess sometimes! We are also always copying exactly what big brother does. Sometimes this ends badly. Life is an adventure. The hours are long but the days are fast. Before I know it we'll be planning birthday #2......ahhhh!

October

I don't have a ton of pictures from October. I think the zoo was the highlight of our month that I shared with you guys earlier! We have been super busy, but mostly just with the day-to-day tasks! 

Seth is no longer napping, but sometimes it catches up with him...

He's also obsessed with taking pictures!

And it ended with our traditional night-in Halloween 'celebration'.....

November is absolutely INSANE with my book business. We will also be busy celebrating Thanksgiving and planning for our first solo Christmas! 

Let the holiday festivities begin!

Meals from 11/1- 11/16

And just like that, it's November! Here's what we plan on stuffing our faces with the first two weeks of the month.....

-Spaghetti Casserole

(recipe here)

-Leftovers

-Swedish Meatballs

-Leftovers

-Broccoli Chicken Casserole

(recipe here)

-Man Pleasing Chicken

(recipe here)

-Burgers

-Chili

-Date Night

-Leftovers

-Grilled Chicken

-Sausage Dip Stuffed Peppers

(recipe here)

-Leftovers

-Burgers

-Chicken Chimichangas

(recipe here)

-Ginger Beef

(recipe here)

What new things have you been trying?!?

Our weekend at the Zoo...

Our countdown chain ran out and we headed to Seth's favorite place in the world. It was about 65 degrees, all of the animals were out and we had the perfect day! 

When we got to the gorilla exhibit, we had a surprise! We didn't know there was a 10-day old arrival! I could have literally sat there all day...

This is their older guy, I think a few months old now!

My two gorillas! 

After asking to ride the giraffe's, we told him he could ride the horsies! Thank goodness he was JUST tall enough! 

Often when we go, this guy is hiding. 

I love watching him roam around! So beautiful.....

The baby lions are growing! And there's a new batch inside, too! 

I can't believe both boys just walked up there and fed her! 

We love our zoo adventures! We've decided it's our family's mission to visit a zoo in every state! LOL