December

Preschool work!

Not sure where Daniel was with the children on this occasion!

The gf Kerstkrans was delicious.
So glad for this Swedish holiday and husband!

From the neighbors!!

Lukas is 8!

We had great fun hiding the birthday cake! None of the guests could find it. Dirt Cake (crushed Oreos and gummy worms in the flower pot) was a real hit. And the cousins coming to celebrate put the icing on the cake :)

This 8 year old is really lovely. He's an excellent student, so eager to serve and please, a kind and patient big brother, and sooo silly when he gets in the mood. He can really get those hooligans belly laughing! We love you 8 year old! But stop growing up so fast...

 

Lukas' Birthday Photos

The Birthday Banner, Blog version! A photo for each month of the first year, then 1 each year.

Newborn
December 29, 2014 1:10 a.m.
8 lb, 2 oz; 20 in.
11 days late, and worth the wait!!

1 month
Weeks 1-2 - Happy and sleepy!
Weeks 3-7 - Overtired at night, new Mama and Papa didn't know what to do!
But he liked rigorous bouncing...
Week 5 - Started smiling :)
Week 6 - Uncle Jacob's family came for a visit
Weeks 5-8 - Lactation consultant to the rescue, poor child
now got enough milk and then happiness as well.

2 months
With GreatGrandma Eleanor
Sleeping better! We learned a bit more about early signs of tiredness...
How do those firstborns survive?!

3 months
Much better sleeper now! And look at those thighs.
So happy and delightful and much easier to care for :)

4 months
Holding things (like the book in the photo!)
Discovered his own hands and feet. So sweet.
So many smiles.
First Airplane trip - went to Orlando in April for BD prep with org.

5 months
Started giggling
Loves riding around in the stroller and doing anything outside!

6 months
His passport photo :)
Lots of giggling!! Peek a boo so funny, and the green dinosaur puppet
singing "This Little Light of Mine" also a real Lukas-pleaser.

7 months
The swaddle was replaced with Bunny, that faithful friend. Something to
hold and stroke instead of scratching his eyes and waking himself up!
Intentional waving - our extravert 💕
Smiling for the camera

8 months, just about to leave Mpls
Smiling, giggling, LOVING people

8.5 months, in Rajshahi at Paul & Karin's
LOVED all the attention from those baby-loving
Bengalis - "Hashy-Cushy!"

9 months, in Rajshahi with neighbor and Melissa's tutor

9.5 months, at MCC in Dhaka

10 months, in Lalmatia (Dhaka)
So friendly with everyone, will be held by anyone!
Lunged to Dhaka house-helper upon sight.
(Mama's a little jealous, wishing he preferred her.)
Put muri (puffed rice) in his mouth with much effort.
Sitting up from laying down even in his sleep, oh dear.
Can pull himself up to a stand. 

11 months
A very rapid scooting-crawl. (He never developed a different crawl!)
Now prefers Mama, and won't go to anyone else.
First tooth!
Fell back in high chair and hit his head on the floor-
so traumatic for everyone, but he was okay.

1 year!!
Ingrid made him a very BLUE cake and he loved it!!
We had our Lalmatia neighbors over for cake and
a ping-pong tournament in the parking area.

On his 1st birthday, in Sylet for Hanna & Isaac's wedding

18 months, in Switzerland with Grandpa & Grandma

2 years

3 years, Theo 7 months

4 years

5 years

6 years

7 years
Can you tell what his favorite cake is?!

8 years