Can I just say how much I am loving on this little boy right now?
It was almost bedtime…that’s when we get crazy with the no pants parties over here.
Okay, obviously, I’ve loved him all along. But over the past couple of weeks, he has just been boggling my mind with the way he’s soaking in information and seemingly understanding SO much more by the minute! He’s got a sassy little smirk that he loves to show off when he knows he’s doing something wrong, which – can I just say – is SO hard to not smile at?! He was actually about to give me the side eye in that photo above because he was getting ready to reach for the lamp chain. Little stinker.
I don’t intend on writing monthly updates for Lucas through this next year, but I’m going to check in every few months or so, because I can only imagine how many new things he’ll be doing a month from now…or even a week from now.
Lately, one of his favorite things to do is most definitely eating with a fork…and much to my surprise, he can actually do it.
Granted, he’s no pro, but he can manage it. And when he gets frustrated, he throws his arms in the air (photo #2 above) and just goes at it with his hands (photo #3).
Some other fun favorites of his these days? Anything that opens and closes (especially the microwave, closet doors, and the my glasses case), anything with buttons (hello, iPhone being his favorite thing ever), imitating our sounds and hand gestures, dancing (omg I cannot stand the cuteness), and vacuuming.
Yes, vacuuming.
Lucas has always been fascinated by the vacuum, but now he actually wants to help his daddy anytime it comes out. He pushes it along and pulls it back, and is in his glory the entire time. We’ll just say he definitely takes after his daddy on this one. 
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So now I’m going to completely switch gears and finish up with a little WIAW because, well, it’s Wednesday.
Here’s some goodies from yesterday…thanks, as always, to Jenn for hosting!
Breakfast
One of my favorite go-to’s for when I don’t give myself enough time to pack a breakfast: Starbucks Spinach, Egg White, & Feta Wrap with a grande iced coffee.
But if I’m being honest…I prooooobably had enough time to pack myself breakfast yesterday morning. I just really wanted one of those darn wraps.
Mid-Morning Snack
Hey, you guys aren’t surprised by this one, are you?
I absolutely eat peanut butter and bananas at least 5 days a week, if not everyday.
Lunch
Again, nothing too new, but I did decide to add a few newbies to this salad.
Amongst the usuals were some strawberries, deli chicken, and sliced almonds, which all really gave this salad a fun, unique twist and taste. Gotta love that sweetness from the berries and the extra crunch from the almonds. What are some of your favorite salad toppings these days??
Mid-Afternoon Snack
A couple of hours after lunch I found myself craving something sweet, so I dug into my slice of banana bread.
This was my other weekend baking adventure and, I’ve gotta say, it’s making its way to the top of my favorites list! I’ve gotta get this recipe to you guys ASAP.
Mid-Afternoon Snack
Shortly after I got home from work I needed a snack, so I snacked on a couple handfuls of these Blue Diamond Almond Nut Thins.
I just bought these for the first time last week and I am obsessed with them. SO good.
Dinner
You GUYS. This dinner? We’re talkin’ bacon…baked with brown sugar. Hell. Yes.
At the recommendation of my boss, actually, I decided to try baking our bacon in the oven with some brown sugar sprinkled on top (I did 400 degrees for about 20 minutes). My lord, it’s a game changer. And it makes one heck of a BLT.
BLT sandwiches and side salads were the name of the game and they. were. heavenly.
So if you take away anything from this post, take my advice and try this bacon. Okay? Promise???
Dessert
I haven’t had anything yet as I’m typing up this post (it’s Tuesday night) but I wouldn’t be surprised if some ice cream makes its way into mah belly. 
Alright, I’m outta here! Make it a great one, my friends!
Oh my word that bacon must have been heavenly!! Love when kids start getting their own little personality, soaking up information and communicating a lot more. My little nephew is two now and he’s such an incredible sense of humour!!!
Oh my… My bacon adventures can be found here:
http://arctic-post.blogspot.fi/2014/08/bucket-list-bacon.html
Let’s say I still need to work on this, maybe the brown sugar will finally convince me? :)
Lucas is just too cute rockin’ the Batman shirt!
And I think you may have just changed my life with the bacon tip.
Bacon with brown sugar cooked in the oven is AMAZING! Not that it happens often over here but my dad makes it occasionally for family breakfasts / brunches and itz ridiculously good! Definitely worth the splurge!
I learned that bacon tip from Ina Garden a few years ago and it was a total game changer! The bacon is crisp, sweet and well, perfect. Yum! Also, I totally pull the same thing about “not having enough time for breakfast” so I can grab one of the wraps. Hehe. So good.
That bacon….ohhh my gosh that bacon. I can’t wait to make that.
Last Christmas, my mom made these fabulous bacon wrapped club crackers. You put a teaspoon of brown sugar on a club cracker, wrap it I bacon, and bake it at 375 for about 20 minutes (I believe). OMG! They were amazing! Great little appetizer for parties.
Holy CRAP. They sound INCREDIBLE!!
There was another one where you substitute the brown sugar for parmesan cheese. It was pretty good, but not nearly as good as the brown sugar bacon bites. :-)
I love the photo of Lucas looking at the fork like Hmmm…what is this and how shall I use it. I can’t believe how much he has grown in just a year! He’s certainly a cutie!
That bacon looks amazing! I’ve never tried making it in the oven, but I’m going to give it a go.
Two things:
1. My girls LOVE the vacuum, too. They stand at our “baby barricade” that separates the living room from the rest of the house (two large plastic storage totes stacked in the open space between the couches) and headbang while I vacuum around them. I’m not kidding. They look like they are at a metal concert. It’s so funny.
2. Bacon baked in the oven is the only way to make it, hands down. Brown sugar is a nice addition. But if you want crispy, delicious bacon every time, make it in the oven on a foil-lined baking sheet. You can set it lower (like 350-ish) so you don’t have to be on burn alert as much, and in about 20-25 minutes, you have crispy bacon! My mom taught me that trick years ago, and she picked it up from a restaurant she worked at in high school. :-D
Awe-Some-Ness!!! Thank you Courtney & Kayla for the bacon tips!!! I don’t make bacon very often – occasionally on a Saturday or Sunday morning maybe, but these tricks may be game-changers for me! May have to add an occasional BLT to the dinner menu! ;-)
P.S. Courtney, what dressing do you use on your lunch salads (if any)? They always look so good! Great stuff!
I’m a big fan of Ken’s dressings! The lite balsamic and lite northern Italian are two of our favorites over here :)
OMG, love the Ken’s Lite Northern Italian. My fave, too!
And you are so welcome on the bacon info!
Fabulous info on the bacon, Kayla! Thank you!!!
Gosh what a cutie! And how fun watching his personality bloom! Nut thins are my go-to gluten free cracker. They are delicious with cheese! That bacon! Oh that bacon. We have tons of tomatoes from the garden and may have to amp up our BLTs over here by adding brown sugar to them before they bake!!!
i am always amazed at the rate i go through the jar of peanut butter at my desk. it’s insane.
Your meals always look so appetizing. Can I come eat dinner with you sometime?! LOL :)
Oh … and your baby boy is just so precious!
Haha, anytime! C’mon over ;)
Have you considered doing post on what Lucas eats? I’m having a hard time coming up with new things for my 11 month old… This is one picky baby! Haha!
Lucas is too cute!
Yes, I was actually thinking about doing that for a fun spin on WIAW! I just keep forgetting to take pictures of his food, haha. But it’s definitely in the works!
Love Lucas in his little super hero t-shirt! So adorable. :-)
I don’t eat bacon, but I now have a HUGE craving for a BLT made with tempeh “bacon.” Thanks a lot! ;)
I loved that video of him dancing you posted last night!! He and Ford could have a dance party together… this stage is so much fun.
Okay that bacon looks amazing!
I totally feel ya on this being one of my favorite phases! They’re like little sponges just soaking things in left and right. Hunter will do something, and I sometimes have to do a double take and wonder where in the world he learned it from because I surely never taught him it! Haha.
That bacon sounds amazing! I’ve cooked bacon in the oven before, which I love since it’s not nearly as messy, but the brown sugar addition is a new one to me. Definitely need to try it pronto!
that’s so funny about Lucas and the vacuum! If he keeps it up, there’s going to be a girl reaaaaally appreciating that in about 20 years ;-) I always make bacon in the oven – it’s easier and less messy. Haven’t tried the brown sugar thing though, I’ll have to get on that!
I love how animated his facial expressions are!! And now I need to try that bacon!
It must be so fun to watch him grow and learn! He’s going to test you in the years to come lol
Bacon with brown sugar!!! Definitely trying that within the next few days. YUM!
bacon strips… and bacon strips…and bacon strips… and bacon strips..
(epic meal time. they taught me about candied bacon. yum!)
Okaaay, your boy is absolutely adorable. I’ve been following your blog for a while, but have never (or maybe I have, I don’t even remember!) gotten around to commenting, ha! But I love this post and now really want to try bacon with brown sugar. How have I never thought of that?!
Your little guy is such a cutie!! Haha, I love the batman shirt, so adorable!!
Try this variation of brown sugar and bacon. . ..
Put 2 cups of brown sugar and 2 tablespoons of chili powder in a cake pan or cookie sheet with sides. Mix well. Wrap bacon slices around pretzel rods or grissini (boxed long thin breadsticks available at most grocery stores). Roll bacon wrapped pretzel rods/bread sticks in sugar mixture and place on foil covered cookie sheets sprayed with nonstick spray, and bake at 375 until crisp. Heavenly!
Woah woah woah….that sounds insaaaane!!!
My son also LOVES to vacuum. We got him the dyson ball kids vacuum for his birthday and he still loves it to this day. Added Mom bonus is that it actually (minimall) suctions! May be a good Christmas item for little guy :)
I TOTALLY just went and ordered that for Lucas on Amazon for Christmas, haha. Thank you so much for the tip! ;)
Ohhh, I already make my bacon in the oven but haven’t tried it w/ brown sugar… that obviously needs to happen next time! Thanks for the tip!