Amazing kid (August 17)
Today is Lucas’s 8th birthday. Over the past few weeks we keep saying to 
each other, “has it really been eight years?!?” I’m sure kid birthdays have a way of doing that for a lot of parents, but when your kid has been through what Lucas has — barely surviving the first week of his life, living with a tracheostomy and ventilator, a near-death experience when he was three… I could go on — it feels even more triumphant that we’ve made it this far.
We also find ourselves getting nostalgic about his different phases of his life, which are often fueled by the fact that we have a 2 1/2 year old who is going through similar stages. “Remember when Lucas was two and he demand that we read the same three books over and over again, and therefore could recite them from beginning to end as if he were reading it himself?”… “Remember when he was Ida’s age and loved his Roy and Silo penguin figurines so much that he carried them everywhere?”
More than anything lately, watching Lucas hang out with his suddenly much-more-interactive sister has been wonderful.
The other day we got Lucas in the bathtub and Ida insisted on getting in with him… which, as both of them grow bigger, proves to be somewhat of a challenge. But we pulled it off, and then watched as they had a hilarious exchange about the plastic dinosaurs that Ida brought along. She went through them one by one “ceratops… kylasaurus… stegasaurus… rackisaurus… t-rex!” holding each up to Lucas as she named them. And Lucas just beamed. In fact, he turned red with joy and could hardly speak he was so proud of her. Finally he managed to sputter, “she knows all her dinosaurs!!” Then Ida started plopping them one by one into the water and saying, “down he goes… and swiiiiimmmm!” And Lucas turned even more red with laughter and shouted “do it again Ida!” as she grabbed another dinosaur and plunged it into the tub, sometimes smacking his leg in the process.
It’s hard to explain how happy it makes us to see them interacting in this way. There are other games that they play together but almost always with our help, and on this occasion they were going at it alone, fueling each other, cracking up. But one thing really struck me at that moment: just how amazing Lucas is to feel so much pleasure and pride in watching his sister. You could imagine it being very different, because when Lucas gets lowered into his bath chair there’s not much he can do on his own. He can’t pick up the dinosaurs himself or do much to splash around and play, except with our assistance in holding and guiding his arms. So at that moment and many others, Ida is walking embodiment and demonstration of his own limitations. Yet is he resentful or upset about it? Not a bit. To the contrary, he feels pride in all of Ida’s ability, and absolute pleasure to be able to just sit back and witness her doing her thing. What a kid. And Ida clearly sees it, too. She sometimes declares, unprompted, “I give Lucas a hug!”
Comments (42)
Claudia Rodriguez
August 30th, 2017 at 2:59 pm
Amazing, awesome kid! Felicidades Lucas!
Tahira Faune Alford
August 19th, 2017 at 6:38 am
Happy Birthday, Lucas!
My family loves to read of your adventures! Big hug from new york- I wish for you many more days of mommy hugs and daddy hugs, lil sister hugs and dinosaurs. Xo!
Love from a work life compadre,
Tahira
Marney (Alexis's Mom)
August 18th, 2017 at 3:07 pm
Happy Birthday Lucas! Wow, you are getting to be a big kid. Third grade-amazing. Art and I met you when you were very young when you lived in Washington,DC. I too have loved your writing and enjoy hearing about your trips. We are glad you are enjoying being a big brother to Ida and teaching her about the dinosaurs. That is very important.
Sending hugs,
Marney and Art
Akiba
August 18th, 2017 at 3:01 pm
Happy Bornday young Prince! Burke thanks for sharing this. It makes me really appreciate my crazy 13yo who is presently driving me crazy. But it also reminds me of how awesome you are. Miss seeing u on the battle field. But knowing a bit about u as a father is even more. I kno this is for Lucas but in hunkering u am honoring him. Apple’s don’t fall far and his tree is strong. Blessings to ur family and you good sir! God’s speed. Peace
Aaron, Evan, Earl, Winslow and Bert
August 18th, 2017 at 10:35 am
Happy Birthday Lucas! Much love from all of us!
Gramma Hanson
August 18th, 2017 at 10:29 am
Happy Birthday Lucas!! I love the picture of the two of you.
And it was WONDERFUL having you here.
Have a great rest of the summer.
I can’t believe that you are a big third grader.
Love,
Gramma
Jon frasz
August 18th, 2017 at 9:06 am
Hey Lucas have a Wonder -Full Day !
You Are lucky to have such an AMAZING Sister, and Mom and Dad too :-) If I ever get to Seattle I will definitely look you up ! Happy Birthday !
Have FUN!
Jennie "CC" Vinson
August 18th, 2017 at 7:41 am
Happiest of Birthdays to you Lucas!! Look out for a birthday hamster dance party video to come your way shortly! Had so much fun hanging out with you and your mom and sister last week. I hope this is your best year yet! Love, CC
Franny
August 18th, 2017 at 7:02 am
HAPPY birthday Lucas!
Colleen
August 18th, 2017 at 6:33 am
Happy birthday, Lucas! I’ve never met you but have kept up with your adventures, and know and love your kickass mom and dad. Love from central New York!
Emi
August 18th, 2017 at 6:02 am
Happy 8th Birthday, Lucas! You are an awesome big brother! I bet you taught Ida all the dinosaur names. Hope you had a fun birthday! Good luck for this school year. I hope you find many good books to read, and new games to play.
Jeannie Brown
August 18th, 2017 at 5:39 am
Happy belated Birthday Lucas. I love hearing about your interactions with you wonderful sister. I am amazed by you and the excitement you bring to your family. Have an incredible next year and many, many, many more!
Katrina
August 18th, 2017 at 5:19 am
I hope you had an awesome 8th birthday Lucas!!! I was on a plane all day yesterday and just saw the news! YOU’RE 8!!!!!! HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Here’s to more fun times with your sister and parents and hope I can visit again soon!
Kristin B.
August 18th, 2017 at 5:18 am
Happy birthday, Lucas! You don’t know me, but I read your blog and have really enjoyed following your activism since Trump was elected. I think you set a great example for children and adults, and I wish you the best for the year to come! Happy birthday!
Erin Ward
August 18th, 2017 at 4:17 am
Wishing you a very Happy Birthday Lucas!
-Erin, Mark & Will
Andrea Parra
August 18th, 2017 at 2:23 am
Lucas happy birthday!! Feliz cumpleaños!!
I hope I can learn as many dinosaur names as you do.
Big hug on your eighth birthday!!!
Marisa Franco
August 18th, 2017 at 2:06 am
Lucas, happy birthday!!!!
Wishing you the best birthday and year to come!
From all the way in the desert of Arizona, marisa
🎉 🎂 🎈
Chase Barnes
August 18th, 2017 at 12:11 am
Hi Lucas. Happy Birthday my friend. Even though we have not met yet we shall soon. Me and you’re father are good buddies from back in the day. I am going to the Seahawks game on December 17th so hope to run into you then. And get to see you’re lil sister too. Cheeba…
Deva
August 18th, 2017 at 12:04 am
Rosemary, Dan, and I wanted to wish you a very happy birthday Lucas! I hope you had a great day! Here’s a little Stegosaurus for you, too!
. .
/ `. .’ \
.—. .—.
| \ \ – ~ ~ – / / |
~-..-~ ~-..-~
\~~~\.’ `./~~~/
\__/ \__/
/ .- . \
_._ _.- .-~ ~-. / } \/~~~/
_.-‘q }~ / } { ; \__/
{‘__, / ( / { / `. ,~~| . .
`””=’~~-.__( /_ | /- _ `..-‘ \\ //
/ \ =/ ~~–~~{ ./| ~-. `-..__\\_//_.-‘
{ \ +\ \ =\ ( ~ – . _ _ _..—~
| | { } \ \_\
‘—.o___,’ .o___,’ “Stegosaurus”
Margo, Neil, Zoe and Ingrid
August 17th, 2017 at 11:24 pm
Happiest of birthdays Lucas. 8 years is a really special one. You’re officially a really big kid and I know you’re a great big brother. I hope you had a very special birthday!!
Celina and Isabella
August 17th, 2017 at 11:11 pm
happy happy happy birthday Lucas!!!
We want to wish you the very best and many more birthdays to come.
keep writing blogs we love to read your adventures.
big hugs
Isabella & Celina
Susie (wave, turnip?)
August 17th, 2017 at 11:09 pm
🎂❤️💥🎉🎊❤️💩!
Translation: Happy birthday Lucas! I love you! Here is a poop emoji)
Sarah Lawton
August 17th, 2017 at 10:39 pm
Happy Birthday, Lucas! I’m impressed that you have taught your sister so much about dinosaurs. You both know way more than I do about them.
Jen Bilbao
August 17th, 2017 at 10:10 pm
Happy birthday Lucas! I enjoy reading your blog! It is amazing to see what you are able to do and how smart and funny you are. Greetings from Germany from Jen! 😙 #TogetherEvenStronger
Barbara Oswald
August 17th, 2017 at 9:58 pm
Barbara Oswald wants to wish you a very happy birthday Lucas. Eight is great!🌴🐊🐍🐢🐛🌴🐲🐉
Judi Beck
August 17th, 2017 at 9:37 pm
Happy, Happy Birthday, Lucas. Just like everyone else, I can’t believe how you’ve grown in 8 years! You are a totally amazing guy and I hope that your birthday is as special as you are!
XXOO Judi
Yantra
August 17th, 2017 at 9:13 pm
Happy Birthday Lucas! I love your writing and the great pictures.
Kate, tadd, Dorothy grey and Finley!
August 17th, 2017 at 8:45 pm
LUCAS!!! Happy happy birthday sweet boy. I can’t believe you’re already 8!!!
We have some Dino books to return and would love to hang when we do. I’ll text your mama to figure it out. May you have a spectacular bday and may you love 8! Xx kate, dg, Finn and tadd
Marsha Schumacher
August 17th, 2017 at 8:39 pm
Happy Birthday, Lucas! You are one awesome 8-year-old kid. Ida is a very lucky little girl to have such a terrific big brother.
Marshs
Matt B
August 17th, 2017 at 8:15 pm
Happy birthday, Lucas! It’s great to read your blog and hear about what you’re up to. Have fun being 8!
Love, Matt
Sadie waddell
August 17th, 2017 at 8:09 pm
Happy birthday lucas🤴🏼🎉🎊
❤️ Sadie
Elizabeth Marum
August 17th, 2017 at 7:58 pm
Happy Birthday, Lucas!! I wish I was there to celebrate with you! Meanwhile, I am very happy that the new museum at the University of Washington will have some really great dinosuar displays and research from the great archeologists here in MT. But you were here and saw their great work. I hope you can come back and bring your family and that excellent camper your guys travel in.
Lucas, Happy Birthday! I hope it’s a wonderful day and a great year!
Elizabeth
Adele Rolider
August 17th, 2017 at 7:53 pm
thank you for this post. so needed: this Kind inspiration, wow. i love Lucas from a distance in a wonderful way And i will probably want to reread the bathtub scene:) with love, appreciation and gratitude: adele.
Beth Perry
August 17th, 2017 at 7:51 pm
Happy Birthday Lucas!!!! Hope you had a great celebration. 8 years old–wow!!
Dana Arviso
August 17th, 2017 at 7:47 pm
Happy birthday Lucas! It’s been a joy to watch you grow up over the years. Hope this year brings you some new and amazing experiences!
Great Aunt Kit
August 17th, 2017 at 7:31 pm
Happy 8th birthday, Lucas 🎉🎂🎈🎁👍🏻
Great Aunt Kit
August 17th, 2017 at 7:29 pm
How sweet 😊 Great Aunt Kit
Judy
August 17th, 2017 at 7:09 pm
Happy happy Birthday Lucas. Being 8 is getting pretty grown up now and you are doing such a good job being a great big brother. We wish you many more happy birthdays with lots of candles on the cake. Hugs from New Mexico. judy
Tio Sha
August 17th, 2017 at 7:02 pm
I can’t believe it has been 8 years already!! Lucas you are a bright star, I wish I could be there to celebrate your birthday this year. I am sending you goofy animal faces and silly riddles from far away.
Also Lucas, I remember so many years ago wondering what it would be like when you started posting on this site in your own words. It’s been so fun to read your posts, please keep telling us stories!
Love, Tio Sha
Ingrid Savage
August 17th, 2017 at 6:34 pm
So beautiful !!! You have created an amazing family and we are so proud to know all of you ❤️‼️
tom
August 17th, 2017 at 5:48 pm
Happy Birthday Lucas!!!
lots of love, tom
Chris Lione
August 17th, 2017 at 5:35 pm
Really? Eight years? Amazing. Happy Birthday Lucas!😸
This is one of my favorite posts. How wonderful that Ida and Lucas love each other so much and have so much fun together.
I can’t continue without saying what exquisite parents they have. Krista, Burke, you are so amazing. You showed Lucas and Ida how to have terrifically fun lives in spite of the extra care most parents don’t have to deal with.
It’s shameful that Tom and I haven’t been out West in so many years. We will make it happen. 💑
Sending you all our love, and big birthday kisses for Lucas and Ida.
Chris and Tom
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