Preston had an unusually negative report from daycare today, three red dots when he almost never has any (all green most of the time).  He got reds for things like not listening, bullying, being disruptive, and spitting.    We were not happy and will have you know that he lost all privileges and fun things for the evening: no tv, tablet, tractor, or lemon juice boxes.   And an early bed time.  Anyway, there is a silly side to all of this.  On the way home from school I always talk to Preston about his day, and he seemed prepared for the conversation.

Me:  Preston, tell me about what happened at school today (in a more stern voice than usual)
Preston:  You don't need to worry about that right now.

I was literally speechless.

Luke is 19 weeks today.   In the first picture he fell asleep on his new quilt from aunt emily, and the second picture is one that his teacher sent me from daycare.  I love to borrow other people's photos these days!

I started my new job at Lehigh University yesterday.  I've only been there for 2 days, but it feels like it has been a month.  I've had 2 different orientations, training sessions, a staff meeting, lunches, introductions, computer set up, etc.  My days are SO full.  It's all good and exciting, but I do miss my boys.  It's totally different than the Symphony in all the best ways.  I'm certain that once I find my routine that I won't be so exhausted anymore.  

I feel bad that I haven't been able to keep up with Lukey's little life on here as much as I should.  He's starting to roll over already, from front to back, and he met his Aunt Emily for the first time over the weekend!  She was here a few times to visit with the boys.  Preston got to spend the whole day with her on Monday, and Luke was with her for the evening.  He is still having a hard time at daycare.  I'm supposed to go check out some gas drops at Babies R Us (Sorry Erin, I didn't get to do it tonight :-( ).  I was hoping that once he could roll and sleep on his belly that things would improve, but so far he still isn't a great napper, and cries out a lot.  I hope, like most things, that I'll be able to look back at this and say, "thankfully we are done with that, I can't believe he used to be so fussy at daycare."  In the meantime we will keep trying things.  
On a happier note, he is also starting to giggle a lot more, loves to play "airplane" with me, and is eating prunes like a champ.  He's also had bananas, and we're going to branch out into some other foods in the coming weeks.  He loves to eat in general and fusses if I don't get the spoon back in his mouth fast enough.  He also likes to hold the spoon and shove it in his own mouth, which makes for a HUGE mess, but what else can you really expect.  He's growing up so fast - even faster than Preston, who, by the way, is not a toddler anymore by my standards.  He is a BIG kid, and acts like one.

Preston is something.  I'm not quite sure what to make of him.  He thinks he's the boss of everyone, yet he's adorable, sweet, funny, creative, thoughtful, caring, and conniving... all at once.  He is a master negotiator:  I'll eat TWO more bites of my dinner and then I'll go watch TV again.  His tablet is a relatively recent thing/obsession.  We have come to a point where we have to set a timer (although it's usually a fake timer, and he doesn't fight us often when we tell him his tablet time is up), and he could play for hours if we let him.  I need to find him some more educational games!  So far he loves Dr. Panda games, but they don't have much value.   
Have I written about the PNX?  That's his railroad. 
What about slicing the "carrots" in his play kitchen.  They are supposed to be wooden slice and bake cookies, but because I don't really use them in real life he thinks he's actually slicing up carrots.  Makes a mom proud to know that her son knows more about veggies than cookies! 

We also went to Gigi and Grandpa's house over the weekend.  John and I went to see Meet Me in St. Louis at a local community theatre, a fun little night out!  Seriously, as I type this it all feels like it happened weeks ago. 

Stealing some photos from Emily!

He even has the whistle pattern down:

Preston:  Lukey is getting shots today, but not me.  Right, Mom?
Me:  That's right, but you get shots in a few months when you turn 4.
Preston:  I'm not turning four anymore.  I can just stay 3.

Luke had his four month visit today.  He's big,  17 and a half pounds.  He did gets shots, and everything looks great.  We have more of a game plan for keeping him happy at daycare.  It includes reflux medicine, smaller and more frequent bottles, and learning to roll over on his own!  He's also starting some first foods, Daddy's new favorite job in the evening.  

The weekend seemed to fly by!  We went to Dorney park on Friday night.  Preston loves the big rides that he can do with a grown up.  The dragon boat ride that goes back and forth is his favorite! 

Grandma and Grandpa made an unexpected trip to visit Liora and Talia late in the week, and they returned with the infamous Jumpy Jump.  Preston was chilling in this contraption at 14 weeks.  I was 16 weeks when I took my first jaunt, but who's counting.  I'm still working on the jumping part, but I absord my surroundings.  And demand to be bounced by whomever gives in to my demands.  It doesn't usually take much persuasion. 

I was lounging with Grandpa one evening after dinner.  We were having a grand time when out of nowhere I looked up to find his eyes closed.  Mom thought this was one of the more hilarious moments from our vacation.

We just got back from a very busy and mostly-internet-free week at the lake, so we both have a lot of catching up to do.  Luke had a bunch of "firsts": first boat ride, first float in the lake, first time in the jumpy-jump, etc.  And Preston went camping for the first time!

You can see the entire photo album HERE:
We'll share highlights and stories over the next few posts. 

Grandpa neatly packed all of our survival supplies in the canoe, and we set off on the treacherous paddle across the lake.  Our landing was thankfully smooth on a land called "Blueberry Island." Weary from our travels, we set up camp hoping to soon turn in for the  night.  But then I had to go potty.  

So Daddy and I climbed back in the canoe, paddle back across the lake, and we made it just in time.  Our adventure then continued.

When Daddy and I navigated the great waters for the third time, we arrived back on the island to a friendly campfire.  Mommy commandeered a kayak in order to pay us a visit, but sadly could not spend the night (due to a fussy baby).  We rested our heads on solid ground as the sun was sending its last rays over the horizon (Daddy was disenchanted by camping, and wants a do-over with a real pillow next time).  We slept warmly and awoke to a beautiful morning.  The tent disassembled quickly, and we packed the canoe to continue our journey.  Like the great Louis and Clark, we forged our way into remote lands...
Then we decided we were hungry and headed back to the cottage for breakfast!

I've grown to like swimming.  The water needs to be warm, and I prefer not complicating the situation with silly things likes a bathing suit.  Show off my stunning physique?  Don't mind if I do!
Mom took advantage of my penchant for nakedness by washing me in the pool.  I might as well be clean, I suppose.  And swimming was a great way for me to cool down on the hot days, not to mention a great distraction from whatever ailed me.  I fuss a lot, and swimming makes me stop.  Oh, and if you spit up in the lake or pool?  No big deal!  
Spit-up is a bit of a problem for me (but mostly everyone else) lately.