nine

Lucas turned nine today. Strange when I can remember the day of his birth so clearly, waking up at 4:00 a.m. with labor pains. Laboring with a doula in a giant tub in my bedroom. My one natural birth -- the fastest, the hardest and yet the easiest also.

As with so many things, it seems as if these nine years have passed very quickly, yet I also can't quite remember life without Lucas in it.

These days, this is what I see most often when I get out my camera and point it in his direction.
I managed to get a few shots today, but I had to concede that he didn't have to comb his hair. In our family, you don't have to do things you don't want to on your birthday.

Donette gems for breakfast with a candle, then he couldn't wait to open up the present from Max, even though we were the only ones awake. Eye-Link Communicators, texting for spies. He's all about being a spy right now. Good call, Max.

Grandma Mim & Grandpa Bob came for a birthday lunch. Lucas's only request was oatmeal rolls, so I built a simple lunch around them.

He got a Nintendo DS from Mom, Dad, Grandma Susan & Grandpa Fred. It's what he really wanted, but I don't think he let himself really dare to hope. He told us several times that he's never gotten such a big gift before. True, but it's fun to get a big surprise sometimes! Grandma Mim & Grandpa Bob gave him another game for his new system.

He wanted cream puffs instead of cake. No one complained.

Marc took him to a "dudes & kids" Primary activity this evening, then to Target to get another game with his birthday money from Grandpa Lou. They picked up the Transformers movie from Blockbuster on the way home and now are camped out in the family room with sleeping bags, enjoying a late night movie.

The only damper on his day is sickness. The poor guy has a fever, cough, etc. I only hope he recovers quickly because Landon's birthday party is tomorrow, and Lucas's is on Saturday!

I put one of his birthday invitations on the fridge. He put a magnet over part of it so that it now reads: "Lucas is turning important". I told him that he's always been important, but he says he's more important now that he is nine. I guess that's a sign of a good birthday!

I love you, Lucas Pookus!