A Budding Soccer Player

Hot off the presses ... Christian and Daddy playing a bit of soccer this afternoon.

Wordless Wednesday - Christian's First Drawing

Okay, I can't make this a truly Wordless Wednesday today because I must tell you of the evolution of this toy.

Christian's Granny gave him this tablet for his birthday in November. For months, he preferred to turn it over to the back and bang the stylus on the back. Then he learned how to move the orange knob side-to-side to erase whatever we've drawn. Recently, I've tried to get him to grab the stylus and draw with it. At last ... success! So this is Christian's first drawing all by himself! I can't stand to erase it .... but eventually I must, so I captured this first work of art on camera.

Bella the Chunk

Jonathan took Bella to the vet today for her yearly exam. Turns out, Bella's clean-up duty after Christian throws food on the floor eats has caused her to gain FIVE pounds since her most recent vet visit late last year.

I gotta say ... I laughed at that news and proclaimed, "Bella's just like her Mom!" Who knows how much weight I've gained because I eat what Christian doesn't. As the old saying goes: "Waste not, want not!"

Jonathan informed me that five pounds is not good, as its 10% of her body weight that she's gained.

Well, I still think its funny. Really funny! :)

Jonathan is now calling her, "Bella Big Butt." I have made the proclamation that nobody had better assign the same nickname to me.

Bella Big Butt

How to Get Your Husband to Do Anything ...

Want to do something "girly," like say ... go to a "Flower and Garden Show" and you want your husband to go with you? Here's how you get around it: Make sure at least two of the three things on this list are present:

1) FOOD
2) Cool cars
3) A major sports venue

Turns out, this Flower and Garden show was being held at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale ... AKA "Home of the Arizona Cardinals!" and last year's Super Bowl.

In all honesty, the Flower and Garden show was a dud. But, it was the first time we'd been to the new stadium, so Jonathan was especially excited. He's hopeful that his beloved Colorado Buffs will play there during this upcoming college football season.

The area surrounding the stadium also has the Jobbing.com arena which is where the Arizona Coyotes hockey team plays and it also hold major concerts. Its where I saw the Celine Dion concert recently. The are is called "Westgate" and its filled with shopping, entertainment and restaurants. Jonathan has wanted to check out Westgate for a while, so there was an additional incentive to check the area out.

We had recently learned that the Gardunos restaurants in the Phoenix area had closed down. We reluctantly had lunch at the restaurant that replaced it, Camarones. However, we were happy to learn that Camarones is actually the same restaurant ... same food .... but there is a name change (which I'm confused by, as the waiter indicated it was owned by the same people who own Gardunos), and menu items are named differently. My beloved Chile Rojo is still there, just under a new name.

So it was a win-win-win-win situation for all of us. :)

Christian Turns 16 Months Old

Our Little Prince Charming turns 16 months old today! It occurred to me that I didn’t give updates for months 14 and 15 … ooops! So here’s all the updates for his grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, and the casual visitors to our blog:

The Vitals – At his recent Dr. appt., Christian was 22 lbs (15-20th percentile), Length was 30 ¼ inches (25th percentile) and his head was still way off the chart. Its funny to see him next to other kiddos because his head is usually WAY bigger than any other kiddo head. Well … he just has a lot of brain in there!

The Daycare Gig – Christian made it through his first three days of daycare with Melissa. He cries when I leave, so that tugs on my heartstrings ... a lot! However, I know I have to leave … so I just leave. He’s not eating very well over at her house, and then doesn’t eat very well when he gets back home. But I think it’s all part of the adjustment and he’ll gradually get better about it. I’ve noticed Christian is more clingy to me now. For example, if Jonathan and I hold hands during the prayer at meals, Christian pulls our hands apart. Yesterday at Lowe’s, I was talking to an employee about something, and Christian started to get upset (Jonathan was holding him), but as soon as we ceased our conversation and the employee left, Christian was fine. And he wants me to hold him more. I’m guessing its normal that during a transition such as this, a child will get more clingy to his primary parent. And honestly, it warms my heart that Christian wants to be near his mommy. :)

Walking – Nope, its not happening. He likes to stand on his own on our bed or a chair, but typically won’t do it on the floor where he’d be more stable. Go figure …

Talking – He has been saying “mama mama mamaaaaaa” since last week. Melissa mentioned hearing it, and when I told her I noticed it too, but it didn’t seem related to me, she said he was making the sound while looking towards the front door (where I departed). He was saying it a lot this weekend, but never to me directly. We also think he might be trying to say Elmo (his most favorite “person”). Christian’s cute little sounds change to an “Eh” when he’s looking at Elmo. Or, rather, “cooing” at Elmo. We also think he might be trying to say “Bella” (the dog). But all of that is speculative … or hopeful (however you want to look at it).

The Little Personality – Christian’s days of being a mellow, happy-go-lucky baby are waning. When he gets frustrated … whoooo-eeeeeee, look out! There are two videos we let Christian watch: “Pat the Bunny” and “Your Baby Can Read” DVDs. And he LOVES them. But if he wants to watch one, and we decline …. My goodness, you’d think it was the end of the world. Or if he wants us to read one of his books for the umpteenth time and we decline … my goodness, the tears that ensue. We do our best to not cave in. It seems the mantra lately is, “What would Super Nanny do?”

Sleeping – Christian, the world’s best sleeping baby, has started waking up around 11:00pm each night. When he’s done this in the past, we let him cry it out and he usually falls back asleep. But in the past few days, that course of action hasn’t worked. We’ve found he’s usually got a big of gas, so we give him some Mylicon and soothe him in our bed for a bit. And then, suddenly, out of the blue, he’s happy … and energetic – rolling all over the bed and laughing. Its really quite funny! But then we’ve got two very tired parents who, while amused, are just wanting to get some sleep.

It goes without saying: We just love Christian more and more each day (if that is possible). We love seeing his transformations and achievements. We love that he’s a funny little boy and makes us laugh and laugh. And we thank God for blessing us with being his parents!

An Inspiring Story About Being Creative and Living a Dream

Blogging is such a cool thing ... the way you can go from one blog to another, and then to another ... and that is why I have my list of favorite blogs on the left side ... so I (and you) can keep track of other peeps and their blogs. And, really ... looking at other blogs helps to inspire things to do on my own blog. If I had more time (ha ha!), I would do some really amazing things with my blog. Some day, perhaps ...

Many times I sit here wondering what kind of a job could I create for myself that woudn't be as stressful and time consuming as my current job. What kind of a job could I make money and be creative and just have a nice time.

Today I came across an inspiring story about a woman who decided to get creative with lampshades ... and the cool journey she's on now. Check out the story "The Reality of Happily Ever After."

Check out (and maybe buy!) the beautiful creations on Etsy! And here's her blog, Shade That Lamp.

AND ... notice the contest. If you blog, too ... hop on board!

The Dreaded Day Arrived ... and We Survived!

Christian is almost 16 months old now and has become very active and curious about everything. He really needs to be around other kids and not stuck at home all day with a mommy who is working. It was wearing on me to be working until midnight, and missing out on family time when Jonathan gets home from work. So I had to make the hard decision to put Christian in daycare.

My sweet friend, Ashlee, offered to help me out a few times a week, and she has always been my first choice for when I was finally ready to take Christian somewhere during the day. However, our houses are 14 miles apart, and two round-trip drives each day would take some time away from my work day.

Happily, we found somebody in our neighborhood who has just opened a daycare in her home. Jonathan, Christian and I met with Melissa on Monday and we like her a lot.

I dropped Christian off for the first time today, and left with tears in my eyes. Turns out, he did great (and I got a lot of work done)! Melissa's daughter is 13 months old and is walking and talking (as are the other children in her daycare), so we're hoping Christian will pick up on those skills.

He will be at Melissa's in the mornings. Tuesday - Friday (since Jonathan is home on Mondays). I'll pick him up before nap time at 11:00am, and so he can take his three hour nap here at home. That gives me SIX hours of uninterrupted work time. Combine that with any work I get done before Christian wakes up in the morning, and the work I can get done in the afternoon ... and I might not have to stay up working until midnight anymore. YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Christian was exhausted by the time we got home. Here's my little guy sleeping after his first morning in daycare. Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!

Oh and there is an added bonus: Melissa's home is 1.5 miles from our home. If I can get Christian ready early, then we could walk to Melissa's ... and that would give me a 3 mile round trip walk! And then I'd drive to pick him up at 11:00am.

Wordless Wednesday - The Cool New Stroller

Our Thanks to Ashlee!

For several months my friend in Buckeye, Ashlee, has kindly offered to watch Christian for me. She has a little boy, Isaiah, who is one of the cutest kiddos you'll ever see and is just a couple of months younger than Christian. Ever since meeting Ashlee, I've been anxious for the boys to spend time together, but my work schedule keeps us at home and unable to go out and play. Today I had a Dr. appointment and Ashlee watched Christian for me.

Lately, Christian has only been in the care of other people when we go to church, but they've had to call us out of the service a couple of times becuase he was upset and inconsolable. So I wasn't sure how he'd do at Ashlee's house. I suspected he'd do okay, since it was just Ashlee and Isaiah, as opposed to an entire room of active toddlers at church.

As I started to leave, Christian was sitting on the floor and reached his hand up to me. I tried to fight the temptation to pick him up, but I couldn't. And I had to leave. So I picked him up, handed him to Ashlee ... and left. Thankfully my anxiety about making it to the doctor on time was greater than my anxiety about leaving my baby boy. And I knew Ashlee would take very good care of him.

Overall, Christian did just fine ... although, he got fussy every time Isaiah would touch him. Christian would sit in Ashlee's lap and read a book, but when Isaiah came near, Christian protested. I feel badly about that, because Isaiah just wanted to be with his Mommy ... and there was Chrsitian, flipping out whenever Isaiah got near.

Thank you, Ashlee, for watching Christian today!

And thank you, Isaiah, for sharing your Mommy! :)

Here are some pics of Christian and Isaiah from back in November.

Wordless Wednesday - Turn the Volume WAY Up For This One

Happy Valentine's Day, INDEED!

The Valentine's Day surprise started with an e-mail from Jonathan on Friday, February 13 that let me know the UPS man would be bringing a package, and I was not too look at the return label. The box arrived, and I left it outside.

Saturday morning, Christian and I were sitting together in bed when Jonathan walked in with two cards and placed them down before me ... with just a hint of a blue box sticking out from beneath the cards.

A blue in the shade of .... Tiffany Blue. I know this color well! :)



I stared down in disbelief. I was speechless (for once). Before me, for the first time ever, was a Tiffany & Co. box.

When I could finally speak, I think I said something like, "Just getting a little blue box from Tiffany is enough!" Ha ha!

Many years ago, Jonathan and I went to to Chicago and stayed at a hotel on Michigan Avenue, and our window looked down onto Tiffany & Co. I would look down at the storefront, wondering what treasures were inside. Jonathan finally took me inside and I admit to feeling uncomfortable ... as though I didn't even deserve to be inside the famed store. I felt every employee was judging me and thinking, "Lady, you can't even afford to LOOK in here ... now shoooo!"

Several years later, I now own my own little treasure from Tiffany & Co. :) Thanks, Honey!! :)

A little side note: You may have seen the header graphic we had on our website for a few days prior to Valentine's Day. It certainly wasn't a hint to Jonathan ... I just thought it was a cute idea to change "Tiffany & Co." to "Lucero & Co."

Valentine's Day Bounty

We got up bright an early this morning to head to a nearby farmer's market, Tonopah Rob's. Below is our bounty ... tangelos, tomatos, eggs, grapefruit, dates, carrots, dill, and fresh banana bread, lettuce mix, and spinach. I just love living out here!



Not pictured: the uncooked buffalo roast (too graphic), the tasty breakfast burritos (too quickly into our tummies), the natural cleaning products (something's got to get me excited about cleaning), and one might tasty cherry brownie (it was simply amazing and is now digesting nicely).

Wordless Wednesday

Christian's First Haircut

Today we reached a new milestone when Christian had his first haircut. He already had really, really short bangs, but the hair further back on his head kept falling forward ... making his style look like a Donald Trump combover, so I had to intervene. I didn't have the heart to cut off the curls in the back, so they were just trimmed.

Overall, Christian did quite well! We brought his favorite books and his beloved Elmo blanket and Jonathan held Christian in his lap while reading the books. Not a single tear was shed!

So we hereby present to you the photos ... and a short little video, too! :)

Hi to Daddy!

Jonathan is in North Carolina this week. He checks the blog every day, and so Christian wanted to give a "shout out" to his Daddy!

"Hi, Daddy! I love you and miss you ... and the special waffles you make me! It has been very warm here - 80 degrees! Mommy takes me for a nice walk after lunch every day so we can both be outside for a few minutes. I miss you giving me a bath and putting me to bed every night because that is "our time" together. But Mommy is trying to do it just like you do it ... and that makes me happy. Mommy says you are coming home tomorrow, and I'm so happy! I can't wait to see you and hear you go "booogah booogah boogah" and shake your head like crazy!"

Wordless Wednesday Video

Just a few words: I was shaking my head, and Christian was imitating me. :)

Wordless Wednesday - Photos from One Year Ago

I Love Mondays!

Subtitle:. "My Husband is So Wonderful!"
For those of you who don't know, I have one heck of a crazy, busy job. Throw in a very active 15 month old little boy who I must keep happy, fed, content, clean and well-rested while I work and you've got an incredibly busy person ... ME.

Monday's are especially busy for me at work ... and thankfully, Jonathan gets Monday's off from work and is home with us.

On a typical Monday, I'm up as early as possible so I can get on the computer and tackle the work that has already started to accumulate. I stop for a while when Christian gets up and tend to him. Afterwards, Jonathan takes over ... all day long.

He'll typically take Christian and Bella on a long walk ... and then come home and feed Christian breakfast and whip up something for me to eat. Jonathan's speciality is homemade waffles for Christian. He puts in flax seed, blueberries, carrots, zucchini ... or whatever other nutritional food we have in the house. And he freezes the waffles so that later in the week, all i have to do is pop them in the toaster and voila! Christian has a nutritious breakfast to eat!

Christian goes down for a nap at 11:00am, and then Jonathan has some time to himself. He might go running, or read or whatever strikes his fancy - today he baked some bread (no kidding!). But he also usually makes me lunch and brings it to me at my computer. What a guy!

Christian wakes up from his nap somewhere around 2:00pm and he and Daddy and lunch and then play the rest of the day. I love to hear them down the hall laughing and having a good ol' time (and I must confess I'm a bit sad that I'm not part of the fun).

If I'm still working at 5:00pm-ish (and I usually am), Christian, Daddy and Bella go on a long walk while I keep working.

I usually make an appearance for dinner (Jonathan cooks ... or I cook ... depends on the day). And I take a long break for dinner and a little family interaction. When Christian goes to bed, I'm back to work again. Its a mighty long day.

So why do I love Mondays? Because Jonathan is a HUGE help and I get so much work done. He is an AMAZING DAD ... and he does everything on Mondays (he cooks, bakes, changes dirty diapers, bathes, entertains and STILL finds time to read and take a nap himself ... wow!). Such a wonderful husband and daddy!

Jonathan will be gone next week at out-of-state training. We'll all miss our "Monday With Daddy"!

Note: These photos are of Christian learning to read ... no kidding!! Look for info on an upcoming blog post.

Security Alert: We Have a Gate Breach

Christian kept his mommy on her toes today!

While I'm working during the day, Christian is free to explore the upstairs world. He's got his favorite spots, and I know what noises come from those spots - toys that talk, cabinets that slam, book pages that turn. The moment I hear an unusual noise of any kind, I spring into action to see what the lil' guy is doing.

Today Christian was very self-entertaining ... and wasn't at all interested in being in my office with me. I would check on him frequently, and all was well.

And then I heard a noise that doesn't belong upstairs. I jumped up to discover the source of the noise, only to find the gate at the top of the stairs was wide open. We keep it closed with velcro, and I had not heard the sound of velcro ripping apart (the velcro has become worn over time ... guess its time for new velcro).

I stood there - heart racing - thinking "What the ..." and then I heard that noise again and it occurred to me: Christian is DOWNSTAIRS playing with his toys!

My nearly-15 month old child had crawled down the three segments of stairs all by himself - and without incident! (Like most small children, he loves the stairs - but we are always by his side when he's on them, because all it takes is for Christian to be distracted for one moment, and he'll fall down, down, down ...).

I walked back to my office to get something, and headed back down to get Christian ... only to find he was halfway up the stairs again.

Later on, I discovered he's learned how to get up on the couch. I walked into the room to find him on the couch, peering over the side.

So that now makes a chair, a couch and the stairs that he's conquered. And he's still not walking. I guess climbing is more important than walking right now! :)

The Week of Philippians ... and Thermometers vs. Thermostats

Earlier this week, Jonathan sent me scripture to pass along to friends who are going through a hard time:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is
excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. - Philippians 4:8

In my post about Kurt Warner below, this scripture came to mind:

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" - Philippians 4:13

This past Sunday at church was the final sermon in a series from the Book of Philippians. The topic was about Paul being content and how we all should be content.

Lo and behold, in today's weekly e-mail from Skip Heitzig (http://www.calvaryabq.org/), was this message about Paul and his message to the Philippians that I want to share with you, our blog readers. Considering the many times the Book of Philippians has entered my life this week, I would be remiss if I didn't share Skip's e-mail:

Dear Connection Friend,

I've noticed that the world is filled with two kinds of people: those who are like thermometers and those who are like thermostats. The "thermostats" regulate their surroundings, staying steady so that the environment does not control them. On the other hand, the "thermometers" change with the situation, going up or down emotionally and spiritually depending upon the circumstances.

I don't know about you, but I'd rather be a thermostat like the Apostle Paul. He had bad weeks, good weeks, times of prosperity, and times of poverty. His environment was always in flux. Yet, instead of rising and falling with the state of his outward conditions, he was inwardly steadfast.

Paul wrote in Philippians 4, "I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:11-13).

What was the secret to Paul's consistency in good times and bad? Contentment. It's a good lesson for all of us. Unfortunately, contentment is not something we're born with. As Paul said, contentment is something we must learn. And that lesson comes through the happenings and hardships, the ups and downs of life.

Paul was a man who had experienced many ups and downs in his life. He was born of excellent lineage, given an outstanding education, was a leader among the Jewish elite, and was a Roman citizen. However, after his conversion to Christianity, he was forced to flee several towns, attacked by mobs, shipwrecked, and imprisoned for his faith. Truly, Paul had experienced many highs and lows in his life.

So how did he survive the trials and spread the good news of the gospel? He said it clearly, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." I love it that he didn't say, "some things" or "a few things." He said, "all things." The bottom line is simple: Christ in us strengthens us to do everything He calls us to do. Jesus won't abandon us in the hard times; He'll walk with us through them. We can find great contentment in that truth.

What about you? Has life turned up the heat? Are you responding like a thermometer, going hot or cold depending on the circumstances? Or are you allowing Christ to consistently regulate your life? This week, let Jesus be your thermostat. When things get hot, remember to say, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

In His strong love,

Skip Heitzig

Wordless Wednesday

Kurt Warner Gives Glory Where Glory is Due

I admit, I'm typically not a sports fan ... not until its a "big game" and there is an underdog playing. I always root for the underdog. And the Arizona Cardinals have been the underdog for 60+ years. So naturally, as a new Arizona resident I (we) watched yesterday's NFC Championship game.

By now ya'll know that Arizona won the game and is headed to the Super Bowl for the first time since their inception in 1898 (yes, that's right ... they are the oldest football franchise out there).

If you follow football, you probably know that the quarterback, Kurt Warner, is a Christian and is not shy about making public statements about his faith.

In case you missed this little statement Kurt Warner made after the game, here it is:

"… everybody is gonna get tired of hearing this, but I never get tired of saying
it: there is one reason that I'm standing up on stage today. That's because of
my Lord up above. I gotta say thanks to Jesus …"

Since I don't know much about Kurt Warner, I was surprised - and thrilled - to hear this statement. Jonathan was around the corner with the baby and I called out to him, "Did you hear what he just SAID!??!" It brought tears to my eyes!

In looking for this video online, I came across some people who say they are tired of hearing Kurt Warner constantly praising Jesus. Some criticize Kurt Warner for not acknowledging his own talent that brings him these achievements.

But, if you are a Christian yourself, you understand exactly where Kurt Warner stands: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" - Philippians 4:13 (which, by coincidence -or not - is actually a verse the pastor at discussed at church today!)

The Lord has given Kurt Warner talent and a voice that reaches millions of people on a day like today ... and should the Cardinals win on Super Bowl Sunday, millions more around the world will hear his profession that he is a follower of Christ. God knows what He's doing ... and He uses the ordinary to do the extraordinary: He uses a football player to help spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

I came across a blogger who also commented about Kurt's statement yesterday. He wrote

... you can’t always tell a true Christian when they

give God thanks for their success, but you can always

tell a true Christian when they give Jesus thanks for their success.

http://workingclay.blogspot.com/2009/01/kurt-warner-thanks-jesus.html

Kurt Warner and the Cardinals won the Luceros as fans last night! What a game ... and what a guy ... and what a God we have!

Onto Super Bowl Sunday ... go get 'em, Cardinals!

We Are ... Here!

Many of you are wondering where in the Phoenix area we actually live. If you've ever been to Phoenix, you problaby know that central Phoenix is surrounded by many, many other cities and towns - its the 5th largest metro area in the U.S.

We live in the Town of Buckeye, which is far west of Phoenix (about 40 miles or so). Here's a map (click to enlarge). Most of populated Buckeye is below I-10. ... Los Luceros de Arizona live above I-10:

According to Wikipedia: The town has a total area of 145.8 square miles (377.5 km²), all of it land. The town's very large planning area extends, at its widest points 48 miles from north to south and 24 miles east to west. Due to the amount of land that the town has annexed or plans to annex (up to 600 square miles), the population may increase to over that of the current population of Phoenix itself. Buckeye is projected to expand to over 380,000 residents by 2030, with some projections giving the city some two million inhabitants by 2050, which would make it the largest suburb in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area and possibly the United States.

Buckeye is a farming community and I've heard the "city folk" refer to Buckeye as "living in the country." It's true, there are lots of farms out here ... and lots of open desert space ... and lots of housing developments dotted across the landscape. I guess compared to living in Phoenix proper, we are indeed living out in the country. But ... we have cleaner air than the communities that are closer to Phoenix. Nearly every day, we can see a nasty brown cloud in the distance that is a grand, disgusting display of all the pollution that settles in the Valley. Who wants to breathe in THAT air? Not us!

Wordless Wednesday

Christian's Message to His Granny in Colorado