Lukie's Second Halloween.

Little Cowboy Luke, Halloween 2008.

With Daddy and his friend Nick on South Ferry boat to Shelter Island (10/31/2007) .

October 31, 2008 was Lukie's second Halloween. In 2007, he was a little pumpkin and a little tiger for Halloween. He was about 3 months and 4 days old at the time. I still remember Charlie took the South Ferry to pick us up and we went to his office on Shelter Island. It was a little cold but Lukie was happy and smiled for the people on the boat.

Little tiger in the car, Halloween 2007.

Time has passed by so fast. This Halloween Lukie was 15 months and 4 days old. He is a cute little cowboy. Lukie woke up from his nap feeling cranky. I dressed him up right away. We went trick or treating pretty early, around 5 o'clock. Charlie and I put him in his wagon and we went around the park close to the house. He got the concept of knocking on doors after three houses. He seemed to like it and was fascinated by the many people walking around wearing costumes. We got home with a lot of candy.

Daddy pulled Lukie in his wagon to trick or treat.

Next morning, I let Lukie try the candy. Charlie and I don't want him to eat sugar but I let him try and was very glad that he spit out each one after chewing it. He doesn't like chocolate and he doesn't have a sweet tooth.

Disappointed: 15 months checkup

Sitting in the leaves after helping Mommy and Daddy rake. He smelled like a wet dog after that.

Today I took Lukie to see the doctor. The appointment was pretty early, at 9:30 a.m. Lukie woke up later than usual today, so I just gave him Cheerios with whole milk. He took only 3 spoons and was done. I was thinking that I would feed him again after the doctor visit. The doctor visit this time was very disappointing for me.

Lukie's position on the growth chart has dropped. His weight is low.

I'm so sad. I feel like I didn't do a good job feeding him. His height is 30.5 inches, 1.25 inch taller than 3 month ago. That places him between 25th-50th percentile in the USA grow chart. His weight is 20.5 pounds, only 1 pound up from 3 months ago, and below the 5th percentile. His head is 18 inches.

Doctor Santoso was very concerned about Lukie's weight. She asked me about about his eating habits and activities. Lukie has been eating pretty good but Dr. Santoso said he isn't getting enough calories each day. I told her that some mornings he can finish the inside of an entire whole wheat bagel with butter and she said that's a lot. I always give him fruit or Baby Bella cheese at snack time. I'm also still breastfeeding him 3 times a day. She recommended that I give him more foods with "good fat" and lots of calories for his growth needs.

Another problem is that Lukie doesn't like to drink cow's milk at all. I keep trying to get him familiar with it but he won't take more than one sip.

Instead of the usual 18 months checkup, I have to take Lukie to check his weight next month. Dr. Santoso wants to see his progress. He should gain at least a half pound by then.

Foods Luke is allergic to: pomegranate and butternut sqash.

A face only a mother could love

Lukie's Milestones

He says the following words: Mama, Dada, Mamaw (Grandma), Papa (Grandpa), Yai Yai (Kun Kai, "Grandma" in Thai), Up (meaning cup), Up (meaning up), Ice, Mamboo (mangmum, Thai for "spider"), Ba Ba (bye bye), Baiii Maiii (bai mai, Thai for "leaf"), Dogg-a (dog, but uses for cat too), Olf (olive), At (meaning hat), Rah (rice), Titty (kitty, Grandma's black cat), Ssstah (star), Mum Mum or Um (hungry), Dishhh (bus, don't know why), Buppup (helicopter, emulating the sound), Bah (ball, his favorite word), Babo (bubble), and Awa Yua Yuuu (I love you!).

Sign language: Flaps his arms like a bird; Blows a kiss; Moves his hand like an airplane (with airplane sound); Baw Beah ("No more?"), hands out with palms up; Gestures when you say Kap Kun Kap (Thai for "Thank you") or Sawadee Kap ("Hello"), hands together; and he can pretend to eat.



Lukie can climb up and slide down by himself!

Aquatics class for Lukie

At 8 months old in the small pool in the backyard

Ready to swim with Mommy

Lukie and I have been attending a swimming class at a fitness club for more than 2 months now. He loves water. I like the pool here because it is very clean. Lukie is the youngest student in the class (he started at 13 months old) .

After 2 months I can see his progress. He can put his face in the water for a second. He loves to jump into the water. He is brave enough to be under water for 3 seconds. He knows the signal when he has to inhale and jump into the pool while holding my two hands. The signal is when I blow air onto his face and count "one, two, three and jump." At first he didn't like getting his face wet but now he seems to be okay with it.

Lukie at first swimming lesson, 13 months old.

The instructor said from the beginning of the lesson that Lukie is very calm and that he will learn pretty fast. After 5 weeks passed I noticed that he started to blow air out of his mouth and tried to put his face into the water to blow bubbles. Lukie does pretty good with floating. In his class the instructor tries to make babies or young children get familiar with a lifesaver. Lukie loves pool toys, especially the "ball." I love to play with Lukie in the pool, too. He loves me to spin him around in the water. He laughs very loud when he makes a big splash in the pool. Well, what can I said? He loves water.

After swimming class, when I take Lukie home, he eats like a horse. Woo-hoo! I love it.

Pumpkin Farm in Southampton NY

Lukie had a lot of fun at Watermill Pumpkin Farm in Southampton. It was very cool but Lukie still ran around like never get tired.