Letter to Baby

Dear Luke,
You are 3 months old today!  I know!  It went by fast for us, too!

We've loved watching you grow...and boy oh boy how you have grown!  You can still fit (although barely) into your newborn clothes, but you're fast approaching the day where they just won't be long enough for you.

You are such a good eater!  You now take 4 ounces of milkies every 2.5 to 3 hours during the day.  At night, you can go a little longer in between feedings.  And speaking of night time, you are now sleeping for about one, five hour stretch.  And then you're back to eating every 2.5 to 3 hours.  Like I said...you're a good eater :)

You've really been 'talking' up a storm lately, and it's a rare moment when you're quiet.  You're even a noisy sleeper :)  We like to say you get that from your Grandma.  You have been getting a little colicky at night, and it's wearing us down, man!  So if you could cut that out sooner than later, it sure would be appreciated.

You can really hold you're head up for longer stretches, but when you're tired it flops around like crazy.  That's okay, though...you're head is huge (just like daddy's) and we can't really see your neck so I'm not sure what kind of support you have for that monstrous thing :)

Sitting up on our laps is one of your favorite activities - you love the vantage point that activity provides. We're able to put you in your swing for longer stretches.  It's really nice that you can be happy swinging in the morning so mommy can fix her hair and have a bite to eat...so thank you, it's much appreciated.

So baby Luke, we can't wait to see where another month takes you, and us, on this incredible journey.  We love you oh so very much.  Your mommy has become pretty attached to you, and I think the same is true for daddy.

Love you to the end of the world and back.
Mom and Dad

fugetaboutit friday

It's friday!  Are you ready to fugetaboutit?  I am.

I'm ready to fugetabout all the crap that seems to be dripping from my nostrils.  Seriously, if snot were gold, we'd be drowning in riches.  (makes for a lovely mental image, right?)  I'm vowing to have a great time watching my favorite 5 year old nephews t-ball game (unless it's raining cats and dogs) and to get in some much needed cleaning around the house.

It's friday, so fugetaboutit, yo.

You Know You Love Pictures

Quite a few weeks ago I was dealing with the aftermath of giving birth and the roller coaster of emotions that ensued.  I was having a difficult time dealing with this new life as mommy behind closed doors.  But I would never have admitted that openly at that time.  I am so much better now and love this new life and wouldn't change it for the world.  But during that time, Chris surprised me with a gift:

It made my week!

Then we received our Census paperwork in the mail.  Luke's 1st Census!!

I was counted!

Luke turned 2 months old April 3rd and is now 8 pounds and 8.5 ounces!  Such a big boy!!

2 months old

Saturday before Easter Sunday we went to Conway to play with our wonderful friends Jennifer and Joe and their kiddos and joined them for a Easter egg hunt at their church.  

Luke's 1st Easter egg hunt.  He wasn't too impressed.

Easter Sunday we went to General Conference in Hot Springs with my parents and then had a big Easter dinner with the whole family!

Luke's 1st Easter basket included a book, chocolate bunny, Razorback blanket and toy.

We even dyed eggs for him!

Daddy and Luke on Easter Sunday

Luke is learning to love bath time and the screaming has stopped so we decided to document it with a picture.

He has an outie, but the doc says it's only temporary.  

I think it's precious.

And let's not forget about our 1st child, Baxter.  He's still adjusting to Luke and shakes when Luke cries, but for the most part he's doing great and we love our little pup dog!

Have a happy Thursday!!

Pictures from the past

Long, long ago, in a time I like to call 'pre-baby', I had a baby shower and some maternity pictures done.  I just got those pictures back and would like to share some with you.  If you notice, I look well rested and may actually be glowing.  Nowadays I look disheveled and the only glow is from all the coffee I drink to stay awake :)  Let's begin with the baby shower.

Emily threw me an awesome baby shower full of family and friends.  She implemented a paint your own onesie idea that I'm sure everyone loved.  My mom and Grandma even came from Hot Springs to party.

Emily even had everyone write a little note for Luke on their chalkboard. I absolutely loved it and secretly (well, not so secret anymore) wish I could've kept this chalkboard for his room.  But the picture will do :)

Now, onto the maternity session!  The balloons from my baby shower were still good, so we incorporated them into our session.  It was a lot of fun and rather exhausting!  These are just a few of my absolute favorites.

This next picture was taken in a parking garage where we sat between parking space number 4.  Luke's expected due date was March 4th, but the little booger just had to come on February 3rd.  He couldn't even wait one more day to make this number come to fruition.  :)

These next 3 photos are a series I fondly refer to as the awesomeness of wood blocks sprinkled with a little creativity.

And now for the final product: Luke.  During his hospital stay in the NICU, we were worried about having him fit into his car seat, and actually had been told we may have to purchase a new one made for preemies.  Thankfully, I had done my research and picked out a car seat that is good for babies as little as 4 pounds (never did I think I would have a 4 pound baby) and is one of the best car seats available.  The staff was thrilled to see that car seat and all was well.  On his last day in the NICU, Luke had to pass a car seat test, as do all preemies, and looking back, I can't believe he was this small!

I just adore those little wrinkly legs and knees and that tiny little head (which isn't so tiny anymore, a huge 14 1/2 inches around!).  I love everything about him and can't believe how much he has changed in the short 9 weeks he's been a part of our family.  Sometimes I think back on life before baby, and how much easier it was to hop in the car and go somewhere, or just fall asleep on the couch without worrying about waking up in time to pump or listening for a baby waking up, but then I think how much we've been blessed to be this precious little boy's parents and how much we are looking forward to watching him grow into a strong, kind, awesome man.  

Pre-Baby life is a distant memory and I wouldn't change it for the world.

fugetaboutit friday

I'm fairly positive I completely forgot about fugetaboutit friday last week, but i'm blaming my forgetfulness on 2 things.  One is that my child sucked all my brain cells out of me upon birth (seriously, I can't remember anything.  It's amazing I'm even walking upright).  And two is that last weekend was Easter, and I was preparing Luke's Easter festivities and couldn't be bothered with blogging.

But on this fugetaboutit friday, I vow to fugetabout drugging my dear son with Infant Tylenol yesterday just to have an hour without constant screaming crying.  I vow to fugetabout the selfishness that can consume people.  It's a long story and not worth telling, but let's just say this person has been selfish for years and I've seen the effect on family.  I am looking forward to this weekend, enjoying the beautiful weather and family.  I'm sure there will be lots of laughs and I'm looking forward to it.

It's friday....fugetaboutit.

Random Acts

2 days ago in the mail we received a gift from our realtor that helped us in our hectic search for a home.  It was totally unexpected as she had already sent a gift for Luke right after he was born (the cutest peace, love, and happiness socks you've ever laid your eyes on), but this gift was just for us as a housewarming present.  It was a address stamper.  And it can change designs without buying a a whole new stamper.  I'm slightly obsessed with it.  It's amaz-a-zing.  It's that type of thoughtfulness that makes me like people a little bit more.  Those little random acts of kindness.  I mean, she had to go online, pick a design, order it, receive it and ship it to us...how wonderful!  That thoughtfulness shown to people she got to know over lunch and a 15 or more house showings over a weekend.

Thank you all for your Random Acts of Kindness (hopefully) to everyone in your life.  It really makes a difference.