The Big One

I am a horrible blogger. I'd like to charmingly suggest that it's because I am busy being such a good MOTHER! Anyone? Anyone? I should make more time for this blog, there are so many wonderful stories to tell.

Dear Luke,

Today is your first birthday, as I type we are exactly 25 minutes away from 8:32pm, the exact moment of your birth. You are asleep, I kind of hoped you'd be awake for it, but you're not feeling too well and have slept a lot today. Your dad and I hate when you're sick, it is painful for us every time we hear your cough or sneeze. We have been SO INCREDIBLY LUCKY in regards to your health. You have been amazingly healthy, this is only the 2nd time you have had a cold or anything even resembling a cold. I'm thankful, beyond thankful, for your perfect health. I pray every day that it continues.

I haven't written here in about six months and I'm sorry for that. We are a busy family, always on the go. You have absolutely flourished, though, and that is something that I should keep you posted about. You've turned into a little boy in front of my eyes. Up until about 6 weeks ago, you were VERY into the "cuddle nap". Which meant that just about the only place you would take a nap was in my arms laying on my bed. I LOVED every one of these naps, even though sometimes I would obsess about being able to do laundry or clean the house. I realized that stuff could wait, there were not an unlimited number of cuddle naps. I am so glad I took those moments with you because you blew through that sweet little phase. No more cuddle naps, Mom!

You have firmly declared your independence. You are too big for all the cuddling and squeezing and willyoustopkissingmemom??? Unless you are completely in the mood, there is very little cuddling going on. You're still a lover, though, don't get me wrong. You are sweet and smiley and you do give hugs and kisses - just not constantly like I want to.

We had a wonderful Christmas filled with friends and family. On Christmas Day Santa came and brought you many wonderful gifts. You loved the Christmas lights on the tree. It was a magical time for me, having Christmas with my very own little family. We did lots of celebrating.

It seemed like you were allllllmost crawling for a very long time. Bouncing up and down on your belly, rocking on your hands and knees. You were so funny about it, when you realized you couldn't go anywhere you just sort of got interested in whatever was immediately in front of you. We had a good time waiting for you to get up and go. When you finally did it was ON. You were in your pajamas in the front room and you just came towards me. Amazingly, I had my cell phone camera going and so I caught it on tape! Just about the next day you were pulling up everywhere, but that is no surprise. You have held weight on your feet since you were just a tiny baby. You are now EVERYWHERE and you continue to get faster! Your playroom is where we spend the most time, you have so many toys!

Your first Easter, sadly, I had to work. The Easter Bunny brought you your first Bible and a few other fun things to play with. No candy for you! You and Dad came to Easter Brunch at Memphis National and I was very glad to see you both. You looked so handsome, everyone said so! You are, and always have been, wonderful to take to a restaurant. You really are always in a good mood!

You were baptized at Hope Presbyterian Church on April 18th by Dr. Craig Strickland. Your Granny Kat and Papa Jones were there. Your Godparents, Aunt Danielle and Uncle JC were there, as were many Burks'! We had a lovely day and were so proud and happy to dedicate your life to Jesus Christ.

The week leading up to your first birthday was pretty crazy! I got sick and spent a few days in the hospital. You spent a couple nights with Aunt Liz and Uncle Dave. Mema and Pa came quickly with Rheagan and Justin and they were so happy to see you and be able to care for you! Aunt Julie and Uncle Scott followed a few days later and then we all got ready for your BIG PARTY!!! Only......it was not to be, exactly. We had plans for a huge outdoor bash at Memphis National but the weather had other plans. Horrible storms and tornado warnings took over the weekend and so we quickly moved the party to our house. We had a wonderful time! Your dad made cotton candy for everyone and you had very special cake. Lots of family and friends around made it a very special day.

I am having a little bit of melancholy because of your birthday, I have to admit. One year ago this moment I was in surgery, nervously awaiting your arrival. It has just FLOWN by Luke. We have been having fun, that's for sure. You are absolutely adored by your Mom and Dad and the rest of our family. You are such a special, happy boy and I count my blessing every day. This year has been the best year of our lives and I am overjoyed to be your Mom.

It's 8:32 pm. May 4th, 2010. Happy Birthday, Sweet Luke. Sweet Dreams. May the next year bring us as much love and happiness as the one we are leaving behind. I love you SO MUCH.

Love, Mom

Months 5 and 6

Dear Luke,

I need to do this so much more regularly for you but you keep me pretty busy! We have had a very exciting fall!

TWO trips to South Carolina - one for Halloween and one for Thanksgiving! In October we flew to visit our family and while we were there we went and spent some time in a cabin on Lake Marion for Halloween. You were a dragon and just the cutest little guy around! We had a lot of fun and you were every bit as good as you always are. We changed time zones for our trip and then Daylight Savings Time ended and so I expected a nightmare from you! Nope, no problems, you just go with the flow. You love our family! Everyone just lights you right up! Of course Aunt Julie is hilarious and your cousins are soooo interesting!

We got your 6 month shots when we got back and Dr. Hanson and his staff continue to be impressed with you. You got a flu shot and an H1N1 shot, which I was nervous about but I'm glad you've got it. You've barely even had a runny nose in almost 7 months. I am beyond happy about that.

For Thanksgiving we drove with Dad and you rode in your new big boy carseat. No more baby carrier for our Luke! You couldn't have been better on a 12 hour drive! We were shocked. Very little drama from you, you're just as relaxed as can be. Your whole schedule was messed up, hardly any table food, weird sleeping hours, no bathtime every night. You're just so adaptable. You go to sleep as soon as your head hits the matress no matter where you are. You really bonded with Mema and Pa this trip and I am so glad. I am glad you don't realize yet how much we miss them. We had a great time, my little Turkey.

Rock and Romp in October was a lot of fun. We went to the Ornamental Metal Museum on the Mississippi River downtown and had a great afternoon with music, friends and fun. I am so glad we have things to take you to and do that are so family friendly. It means a lot to us to be able to share the things we love with you.

There are so many little things that you don't do anymore that I still miss. The little chin tremble and the Yertle the Turtle stretches have been replaced with a mouth WIDE open in excitement all the time and a baby who sleeps on his stomach with his butt up in the air. Your ears aren't hairy anymore and the mohawk is gone but you have all of this beautiful golden brown hair on your head. You look like a little boy now, not so much like a tiny baby anymore. Not that you were ever tiny.........

You love to talk, babble babble babble. We are very interested in everything that you have to say! You can roll over every which way and scoot yourself around. We never know how we're going to find you in the crib in the morning.

You love music! You start to smile by the time I get halfway through the word 'shoulders' in the song, "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes". You love the little "Luke and Mommy" tune that I sing to you regularly. You always smile when someone breaks out in song! You like to sing yourself but it mostly is screaming. Happy screaming, but screaming!

You're so curious! You never stop taking everything in! You love your room, your toys. You've displayed a preference for Sesame Street and Yo Gabba Gabba, both of which are fine with us!

You love to eat! You sit in your highchair and open your mouth when you see the spoon! So adorable. You haven't had anything you hated but you seem to prefer fruit and you're not wild about the cereal by itself. We're playing around with lots of things, including a little mesh "feeder" that we put frozen fruit in and you just go to town! You get so mad when you drop it or you can't get it in your mouth fast enough! You're really developing a little temper but we only see it once in a while.

In the beginning of November you started to sit up by yourself. The look of pride on your face is priceless. You are just so pleased with yourself! Everything has changed for you now, the world has expanded greatly and you don't want to miss any of it! You still love your bouncer, you are very active in that. We can put you in the pack and play and you are so happy to be able to play with your toys!

You have TWO teeth! Two tiny bottom teeth, so cute!

Of course, you are starting to form more words than sounds and the first one you put together was, "Dadadadadada". We can't be 100% sure that you know what you are saying but I honestly think that you do. It doesn't surprise me one bit that it's Dada and not Mama. You reallllly make me work for it. Dad just cracks you up, he's so funny!

You're a smiler, that's for sure. You have a more sunny disposition than you used to, you were a bit more serious as a baby. You've always been very laid back. You wake up happy, you go to bed happy. You definitely have unhappy moments but they are few and far between and you ALWAYS want either food, sleep or attention. You've taken to a "Mama Nap" on many of the days when we're home together. You're tired but you're not going to sleep anywhere but laying down on my bed with me curled up in my arm. I love the Mama Naps except that yours are always shorter than mine and I wake up to you kicking me in the stomach. Mama Naps need to be closer to 2 hours than they are to 30 minutes.

Your Dad and I look at you and look at each other and wonder how on earth we got so lucky. We have never been happier, we love you more and more every single day. We are a happy little family, the 3 of us.

Love, Mom

Text Messages!

On the day you were born I sent out the following text at 243 pm, " Today's the day! 10.5lb baby and we're going in!!!"

The messages I got were great! I've been meaning to transcribe them for ages, I don't want to you to every forget how many people wished us well and celebrated your birth. We are sooooo lucky, Luke. The world is filled with all kinds of people and I'm certain that we're surrounded by some of the absolute best.

Wendy - Yay!!!
Jim Larkin - Yeah! Go fot it!
Bronson - Awesome - love y'all!
Danielle Youngblood - Oh my god!!! I want to call but I'm sure you are blowing up! Need anything?
Kevin Brahm - That's awesome, good luck!
Woody - Hell yeah! Good luck!
Sean Greene - yea!
Lisa Nerren - Wow! Good Luck, let us know when he gets here!
Bianca - Do you need your bag or anything from your house? We are excited! Tell AJ to call if y'all need anything!
Andrea - What?!?!? Julie said c-section tomorrow! Ur haing him TODAY???
Danielle Youngblood - Just talked to ur hubby! We will be thinking of you!
Danielle Jaworski - Oh my gosh! YAY!! Let me know when to come see you two today!
Hunter Burks - Congrats
Aggie Patterson - Yay!! Let me know when he is here and your up for visitors!
Kim Cloyd - Yay! I just got chills. Where are y'all? Let me know when he's here...do you or andy need anything?
Bonnie Walker - Aww congratulations! HOpe all is well!
Corrie Carozza - AHH! CONGRATULATIONS! No wonder you've been on my mind! Love u! xoxo
Brittany Ray - OMG! Congratulations!
James Smith - I'm praying for you guys good luck don't forget to name the baby bubba moses jones the III
James McClafferty - Congratulations!
Beth Prieur - That's awesome!
Liz Jones - Heading to the hospital - this is 653 pm
John Crawford - U done yet? We got a baby or what? 825pm (almost!!!)
The next text is a picture your Dad sent to my phone of himself in his cap and mask.
John Crawford - Congrats 952pm
Then some pictures of YOU! from Dad's phone
Corrie Carozza - Luks is sooo cute and healthy looking! Hope yer holding up alright! xoxo
Bronson Culver - Good job! Perfect!
Ryan McLaughlin - Awesome! I'm so proud of you, you made a baby!
Jim Larkin - Awesome! Welcome Luke!

The next day -
840 am
Jim Larkin - how was Luke's first night?
Lisa Nerren - Congratulations! Do you feel like having company today?
Bonnie Walker - Just checking up on you and the little one!
Kim Cloyd - Can you have a visitor after I get off work? How are ya feeling? Wendy posted some pice and luke is beautiful!
Bonnie - I'm so hpayy for you! What hospital are you at?
Brian Pope - I just heard today!!! Congrats!! I'd ask if you were feeling okay but I know the answer!
Sean Greene - Alright!
Bart Howell - CONGRATULATIONS TARA!!! Tell Andy He's a pimp!
Nick Pierson - Congrats mother! We have to set up a playdate sometime soon!
Lindsey Whiteaker - Yayay! Tara that's great! He looks perfect! How's it going?
May 6th
Bianca Burks - Hope everyone is doing great this morning!
Jamal - Congrats! Call us when you get him home so we can come see him!
kevin Brahm - good looking little boy! Congrats again, how have you been feeling?
May 7
Bianca Burks - do you go home today? hope you are feeling good. Graham said today is odd day, one of 6 this century that is all odd numbers, good thing luke came early!
Ross Smith - Congratulations! I heard you had a linebacker! Tell Andy congrats for me please.
May 8
Dan Chartrand - Congratulations!
May 10 - Mother's Day
Kim Cloyd - I hope you have a wonderful first Mother's Day... when things settle down I want to come over. Give luke a hug cuz he is so lucky to have you!
Michael Glasscock - Happy Mother's Day!
Bianca Burks - Happy First Mother's Day!
Christy Graziano - Happy Mother's Day! The baby is beautiful! Congrats, hope you are doing well!
Leia Walsh - Happy Mother's Day!
Graham Burks - Happy Mother's Day!
Shawn Walker - Happy Mother's Day!
Andrea - Happy Mother's Day!
Woody - Happy First Mother's Day!

June 8
Frank Robilio - Congrats on your baby boy!

Months 4 and 5

Dear Luke,

How time flies when you're having fun!

I'm running the risk of absolutely GUSHING at this point but there's nothing else I can do! You've simply blossomed right before our eyes into the most adorable little boy every! You're so friendly and warm to everyone, it's amazing.

The month of August was full of activity. Mainly, I went back to work and you and I started learning the meaning of "SCHEDULE". You love, love, love your babysitter, Krystle and I am so thankful for that! You smile when you see her and you cuddle with her. She and her husband Andrew have a little boy, Ethan, who is 2 months older than you are and while so far you've only showed a passing interest in each other but we're hoping you become friends!

Going back to work was hard for me. I cried the entire weekend before I went back and then when I dropped you off I was strong. It was so very strange leaving you with someone other than a family member or close friend. You're less than 2 miles away from me so I don't feel so worried.


The month of August saw some big milestones for you. Laughing - first at your Dad, of course! Also rolling over! You started rolling over and immediately started sleeping on your stomach - completely freaking us out. You're fine, though. You're comfy and you only get stuck in the bars of the crib occasionally!

Your laugh is such a fat little giggle. You are so funny! You really are a sunny little man. You smile at everyone, you just have a good time!

On August 23rd we started trying to give you solid foods. We started with organic brown rice cereal and you were NOT impressed at all. You had a "What the hell is happening right now??" kind of expression on your face and you wore more than you ate - you still do! We tried bananas which you seem to like much better.

I have decided to make all of your baby food, which I am really enjoying. I have felt so much guilt over not being able to breastfeed you that I think this is giving me some control back. Knowing that you are getting the best possible foods makes me feel great. Your father and I have been very motivated to eat much healthier, also.

I started big! I start everything big and then try to figure out my mess later. I went to Whole Foods and bought carrots, sweet potatoes, pears and plums. We've tried them all, along with peas. You are getting better at eating them all the time. You seem to like them all so far, although I'm sure the fruit tastes better than the vegetables!

We celebrated my 32nd birthday on August 26th, just you and me hanging out at home. Later, you went to your Grandparents' house while I went out with my grown-up friends.

Sadly, we lost our beloved dog Max on August 29th. Your Dad and I were really hoping you and Max would have a few good years together but it just wasn't meant to be. Max was a wonderful, wonderful dog who loved everyone - especially kids! He was my faithful friend for 6 and a half years, we got him when he was 2. He was definitely Mommy's Boy, so I'm not sure he was thrilled when you showed up - he lost a lot of attention. He would have come around, though, I'm sure of it. He would have loved Little Boy Luke much more than Lump of Baby Luke. He would have been great about eating your leftovers! Things that I want you to know about Max, that I never want to forget:

Like a cat, he purred when he was happy.
His favorite toy was a rubber heart on a rope. LOVED IT! I had to buy a new one every other month!
He had the softest ears but didn't want anyone to touch them.
His favorite movie was "The Last Samurai". We think he liked all of the horses.
He was not a fan of "American Idol". : )
He loved to ride in Dad's truck, especially when we took him for ice cream.
He only liked to play outside if he had human company.
Whenever he came inside, he ran all over the house until he found me.
Before you were born we moved his bed out of our bedroom into the living room to make room for your bassinet. He slept on the floor next to me instead of his own bed.
He and Maggie loved to play together in the morning.
He loved to roll around on his back and play with his toy.
He slobbered EVERYWHERE.
I'm going to miss him for the rest of my life.

The next day we had a Sip and See party at Papa Jones' house. It really helped to be around so many great folks, and you were just a huge hit in your Cowboy hat.

On September 2nd you had your 4 month check up w. Dr. Hanson. You were 27 inches long and weighed 19lbs 11.5 oz. You continue to surpass grown milestones and are a perfectly healthy boy!

On September 4th, your Dad and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary. It was also a big day because you turned 4 months old that day - the significance of that is that the risk of SIDS is almost nothing after 4 months. I'm crazy, I know. I got a huge bouquet of roses at work from your Dad and the card said, "Happy 5 years and Happy 4 months". He knew how much that 4 month mark was weighing on my mind. It was a very low-key day. We went out to The Happy Mexican with you for dinner and just hung out around the house.

On Labor Day we hung out with friends and Danielle and JC's house. You got to see your friend Graham, which is always fun. You're bigger than he is but he can crawl around.... you need to get it together!

You have been on a pretty regular schedule, which is great. You wake up between 630 and 730 most days (the other day it was 930!!!) and you take 4 bottles. We give you some solid food around 830, then you have a bath and a book and are generally sound asleep between 9 and 930. You're so much fun to take care of!

You spent last Saturday with Aunt Danielle. You two just hung out together and ran some errands in the morning and then went to a big Fall party for the afternoon and evening. You didn't even get brought home until 9pm! A little off schedule there, Aunt Danielle!! That's ok, you seemed to have the best time - it was almost like you wanted to tell me about it when you got home. You were trying to talk to me and rolling around on the bed, in the best mood! I'm so glad you are able to leave the house with your family and friends and have such a good time. It makes me so happy that you are enjoying the people who love you.

Defying all possibility, you are wearing size 12 month clothes. This is really bothering me because I tried to get ahead of the game and buy things that would fit you during appropriate seasons and now it's all shot to hell. For example, I bought you Halloween stuff last November when it was all on clearance. Can't wear it. The other day you were wearing a "Kiss Me I'm Irish" shirt that I bought after last St. Paddy's Day. Not going to be able to wear it much longer!! You're just hilariously big!

Right at this moment you are sitting in your high chair playing with a toy, happy to be hanging out in a new spot. I tell you all the time, and it is so true..... You couldn't be sweeter!

Love,
Mom

Months 2 and 3

Dear Luke,
The last 2 months have just FLOWN by. I genuinely can't believe how fast you're growing. I feel like I was just pregnant yesterday! We started off June with a visit from your Aunt Julie, Uncle Scott, and cousins Rheagan and Justin. They thought you were just great! Justin was especially interested, he thinks you look like him! While they were here we went to the Memphis Zoo, we had a big cookout with many friends, we went to a Memphis Redbirds Game, The Peabody Hotel, Incredible Pizza, Jason's Deli, Pei Wei and much more. You slept through pretty much everything. You really crack me up.

Father's Day was just a relaxing day. We hung out around the house, you and Dad both wore Phish shirts. You had just started discovering the Circles decals on the wall next to your changing table. You LOVE them. You were mesmerized! You started off just staring at them and soon you were making faces at them and talking away. Then you were SMILING at them! You woudn't smile at ME, but you sure loved those circles. We made up a song about them and everything. It's called Circles and Mom. On Father's Day we took a lot of pictures of you and the circles.

You really started smiling at the end of June. You're getting less stingy with the smiles, thank goodness. It's the best thing I have ever seen. You smile with your whole face, I swear even your nose looks smiley. Your eyes twinkle and you just let loose! The first time you smiled for me was a day that I really needed it. It was a wonderful moment that I will never forget.

Now you smile when you see me, and your Dad, too. You smile in the morning when I come and get you out of your crib. You LOVE when we lay down and you can sit on our chests looking down at us. That's when you're smiling the most. You love standing up on us like that. You're more and more vocal every day, babbling away at us. You seem to have a lot to say and we are eager to hear all of it! You are very happy with the attention.

You seem to really enjoy both Dad and I. Like I expected, Mom is for cuddling and Dad is for fun. The dogs are the same way! You are soo interested in Dad, all his faces and noises. And as for me.....well, there's no place like Mom. You are just a cuddly little man!

In July we really got down to business. July 1st was your 2 month checkup and first round of immunizations. Dr. Hanson said you are "off the charts" as far as size goes! You weighed 15lbs and 6oz and were 25 inches long. You are outgrowing your clothes faster than I can buy them! Lucky for us you look good in everything!

We went to the Lake, Papa Jones and Granny Kat's house, for July 4th. You were certainly the hit! We were in a boat parade and we came in second. I still think that's crap, but I'm over it. You were as good as you always are!

A few days after that I got really, really brave and we FLEW to South Carolina to see Mema and Pa and the rest of the family. Actually, we flew to North Carolina and then rode with Aunt Julie to Florence. You couldn't have been easier for me to travel with. We had a great time hanging out with our family and everyone thinks you are fantastic! We have a great big family and so much to be thankful for.

I'll be honest with you, since before you were born I pretty much braced myself for the worst. I figured you'd be colicky and difficult. I tried to be ready for all the challenges and horror stories you hear from new moms. You have been A DREAM. If I had known it was this easy I would have started having babies YEARS AGO! I feel sorry for your future brother or sister, you will be hard to top. You're just pleasant, content and easygoing. We have settled into a nice routine and I truly enjoy your company. You rarely cry, mostly you complain. You're very vocal, but it's more like you're yelling at us than crying! Demanding whatever it is that you want at that moment.

You've started drooling like a madman, which is funny. You are still trying to get after those hands along with everything else you're starting to put in your mouth. You love the plastic keys, and you REALLY love the little lion Mema got for you that has the cheeks that light up when you squeeze him. You still have a big affection for ceiling fans. You're neutral about the bathtub, nothing special there. You love the swing and you are really after the little dangly animals on the bouncy chair. You're having so much fun reaching for things.

The expressions on your face are priceless. You are so curious, so concerned. Your emotions are so genuine and large. When you're unhappy your bottom lip sticks out about half a mile and your whole face just crumples. I have to tell you, no one will ever take you seriously if you keep making that face. It is HILARIOUS. Everyone who sees it just cracks up. It is the funniest face I have ever seen a baby make. I almost wish you would do it more, it's that funny! Sometimes when you REALLY are mad and you're going to cry (which has been like 5 times, total) you open your mouth to let out a scream and nothing comes out! Your face gets red and screwed up and you look like you're screaming and then.....nothing. Also, pretty funny.

Right now you sleep from around 11 until 7 in the morning, you have a bottle and you fall back to sleep on the Boppy pillow on my bed for a few more hours. You're pretty spoiled, I can't believe we haven't just started letting you sleep in bed with us all the time. You would MUCH rather be with us than all alone in your crib 8 feet away! You've been that way since the first night in the hospital. You love togetherness. And so do we.

Luke, you're the best little guy I have ever met. You are my Sweet Potato, my Munch, my Luvah Man. I hope that every day of your life we can show you that our greatest blessing, God's Greatest Gift....is you.

Love,
Mom

Monthly Newsletter - Month One

Dear Luke,
What a whirlwind of excitement you caused coming into the world! I keep thinking about the day you were born and playing it over and over in my mind. You are more blessed than you know yet. You had a wonderful welcome into this life - so many visitors, gifts and most importanly love. You are very, very loved.

Coming home from the hospital was a great day! First, the nurses gave me two pain pills instead of the usual one so I was feeling faaaantastic! I got cleaned up and cleaned our hospital room while you and Daddy dozed in the bed. We were ready to go in no time! A few last checkups from the nurses and we were ready to go. Speaking of nurses - don't ever let anyone tell you that doctors are in charge. Nurses run hospitals, I saw that first hand. Granny Kat came to help us go home, she drove your Dad's truck home while he drove you and I in my car. It was a short ride and a beautiful sunny day. It was May 7th - your original due date. Later that evening Mema and Pa arrived. I suspect there was some speeding going on during that drive from South Carolina - I don't think they could have gotten here fast enough!

There are so many moments to remember from this month. The sweet noises you make when you're eating or burping are my favorite. The not-so-sweet noises you make when you're upset even make me laugh. Sometimes your face is just priceless. You are SO MAD about whatever it is you're squalling about. It's funny to me when you are just doing it for NO reason. Well, it's funny to me during the DAY, not in the middle of the night for no reason. Sometimes I actually laugh in your face. You look like your Dad in these moments. They are rare - you are a content little guy. Sometimes when you're hungry or STILL hungry I'll put your head on my shoulder and you'll start going after my cheek with an open mouth. I know, I know it's just that you're looking for food but to tell you the truth I pretend it's kisses. I love it and I would let you do it all day if I didn't think you'd starve to death! You are also trying so hard to suck on your hands or fingers. You can get them to your mouth but you haven't realized how to keep them there yet, it's funny to watch. You get excited when you get them trapped against my body and you make the loudest sucking noises. You also burp like a grown man. Where is that coming from???

Mother's Day was May 10th - you were only 6 days old! It was a wonderful day! I dressed you in my favorite little outfit - green! - and we just had a lovely day. Your Dad gave me a beautiful locket that I can put your picture in. It was especially wonderful because I got to spend it with MY Mom as well as you.

Speaking of my Mom - you are lucky she got here when she did! She's like the Baby Whisperer and I don't think you got put down for a minute the whole time she was here! She helped with your first sponge bath - it seemed like it took 4 adults in the room to handle that! She and Pa were lifesavers, helping with the house, getting us to appointments, making food. What a rough time it would have been without our family.

The other night your Dad was changing your diaper and I walked in and looked at you and said, "I don't mean to alarm you, but we're Mom and Dad." I hope you have a good sense of humor and some thick skin because if you don't it's going to be a long ride! I can't wait for you to appreciate sarcasm, it's my favorite form of wit! I'm also a fan of passive-aggressive behavior, at least when I'm the one using it to my advantage. You're father is much less tricky and very rarely gets mad. Yes, you can show him this when you're 16 and have stolen the car/snuck out of the house at night/failed math etc... I just figure we should get our cards on the table. We're good folks, but not without our quirks! We're not too complicated, we're just happy, good-natured people who love each other and love life. The serious crazy branches on the family tree are a little further out. Not much further, though!

We had a couple of rough nights, you and I. When Dad went back to work and your Grandparents went home it was just the two of us. There were some tough moments and some tears from both of us. It really didn't take us long to get to know each other better. You are pretty predictable. You eat ALOT and you need your diaper changed ALOT.

You're a great sleeper, I guess you could have inherited that from either one of us (sorry!). You like to be rocked to sleep and you like when I sing to you. I sing a lot of Beatles, and some Journey, Neil Diamond and random tunes. You're a fan of "How Much Is That Doggy In The Window?" At about 2.5 weeks you started sleeping through the night, more or less. I think 5 hours in the middle of the night is a fantastic start. One night you slept from 2am until 9am and I actually woke up just before you did and PANIC! struck. I was absolutely CERTAIN in the 3 seconds it took me to get out of bed and into your room that you had been kidnapped or worse. But you were there, awake, just starting to squirm around. 7 hours - that's a record for you so far. Really, about every night you go to sleep between 11pm and 1am and sleep until 5 or 6. Then you eat and go right back to sleep for 3-4 hours. I am soooooo lucky! The best, the absolute BEST is when you fall asleep on my chest all curled up in a little ball. We call that Mama Time and I think it might be your favorite time, too.

I'll go on record here and say that I tried my level best with the breastfeeding. No idea what happened there but it just hasn't worked out for us. I haven't given up, though, because I know whatever you do get is better than nothing at all. That's all I'll say about that until I bring it up in front of your high school girlfriends. When your umbilical cord stump fell off you were about 2.5 weeks old. Your Dad found it, we didn't save it or anything, that's disgusting. In my mind I was thinking, "Slow down! Stop growing up!" I should apologize to you in advance for the drama you're going to have to put up with each time you have a milestone. I'll be the one running behind the school bus in my robe sobbing and yelling, "MAH BAYBEE!!!" Can you just stay a little guy forever? It'll be easier on the both of us.

You are more and more active every day! You are liking your bouncy seat more all the time. I brought you a mirror the other day and hung it from your activity gym thingy and you're really loving that! I don't blame you - I love looking at your face, too. You look at your toys a lot more all the time, you're not playing yet, but you can see them! You seem particularly impressed with the giraffe. We do have a bit of a frog theme going on around here lately, also. You love lights, ceiling fans and tv. You like books for a minute but you aren't really following plots just yet. Maybe I shouldn't have started with Harry Potter??

I realized last week that as hard as it is being a new mom I am really enjoying every day with you. You're so much fun when you're awake and aware! You're beautiful when you're asleep. There's not a moment that I don't like. You fuss a little bit, not much. You're just GOOD. You're a good baby. I think you're getting to know me a bit, too, and while you're usually a pretty serious little guy, today I think you actually were pleased to see me when you woke up.

So far this month our outings have been slow and small. At first a couple of doctors' appointments, then Kroger. That was a big step for me, believe it or not! Then we went to visit everyone at my job, that was exciting! We had dinner at Papa Jones' house last week and they were very impressed with you! This weekend we went to El Porton and sat on the patio with Graham and Bianca, their little guy Graham III, John and Wendy. Then we hung out at their house and weren't you just as good as gold! You slept the entire time at the restaurant and then when you woke up you were just as pleasant as could be for everyone. JC came over and he held you for a while, you were an angel! We took a walk the other day around the corner to visit a friend, if it weren't so hot I would take you for more walks - we have to start getting up earlier Luke, we're sleeping the days away (hint, hint). Yesterday we went to Cozymel's and had lunch with Kim - you also slept through that restaurant experience.

You're a lucky little boy. There are a lot of people in the world who love you and celebrate you and wish you the best ever. We're lucky, too. We're so thankful that you're such a healthy and perfect boy. I'm the luckiest of us all because I get to spend my days with you. It's a privilege to be your Mom, Luke, and I'm cherishing every single moment. I can't wait for the rest of our lives.

Love,
Mom

PS - Your father just said at this very moment that he thinks you cannonballed your pants. HEE!

The First 48

Having never been in the hospital before - as well as being a first time Mom, I didn't know what to expect. I can't say enough about the staff at Germantown Methodist. We definitely had our favorites, but everyone was great. Even the older nurse who told me that my Sock Monkey slippers looked like President Obama. Andy and I were in shock after she left the room. It was probably 2 am. Did that just happen?? Too funny. She actually asked me if people told me that a lot. Umm....noooo. Who says that stuff??

The first night is very hazy. I know Andy handled most of the baby stuff - changing, etc. I think I tried feeding him but not much luck there - 2 weeks later, still not much luck! I was sooo itchy. I considered sending Andy home for the back scratcher. It was just never enough! I had these things on my legs that pressurized every few minutes, to avoid clots. A triage nurse had told me to turn over every hour or so and that way the catheter would hurt much less coming out. This still does not make much sense to me. For all my worry about the stupid catheter, I barely knew it was there - coming or going!

Day 2 was EXHAUSTING - and I barely got out of bed! The nurses were in every hour all night long and then at 8 am the real onslaught came. Doctors, Nurses, Pediatricians. Andy's brother came by pretty early. Around noon Big Graham, Justin and Hunter came in. Lisa, Jim and the girls came. Wendy and Bianca came, Andrea came. Papa Jones and Granny Kat came and so did Debbie and Bullet. It was literally non stop from 8am until 8pm. I was up and about a little bit. I took a shower - not fun. I was trying to keep moving, I walked laps around the hospital floor.

The nursery was 10 yards or so out of my door and so I passed it on each lap I took. I loved seeing all the babies - and comparing them to mine, who was always much, much bigger! This particular evening there were 2 babies in there, one was in an incubator and the other had the bilirubin blanket on him for jaundice. 11lbs was no walk in the park but looking at those two little guys I realized exactly how lucky I was and how much I had to be thankful for.

Andy and I were trying to get to know Luke but it was hard in a hospital room. Andy was a real trooper, sleeping on that awful couch for 3 nights. Lights on, lights off. People in and out. We were all struggling by the end. There really is no place like home.

Luke was hairy. Still is! Tiny blond peach fuzz on his shoulders, back and ears. Side burns and that wonderful head of hair! He has a rosebud mouth, like his father, that crumples up when he sleeps. He makes the sweetest faces and noises. Tiny little cooing noises at first - he didn't break out the big guns until a bit later. From the first night he was so strong! We marveled over how much control he has over his head. It's not just a wobbly thing on top of his body, he's got it almost completely under control. He stretches out his neck and looks like a little turtle.

His first nickname is Mr. Lonely Hearts. From day one he showed us his preference to be held, especially while sleeping. It's not too scary sleeping in a hospital bed with a newborn but I knew that being at home would present a challenge. He just really likes togetherness. In the hospital it was so easy because there was literally nothing else I had to do, so holding a sleeping baby on my chest was no problem. He snored a little bit, too, which was funny. The snoring from his father does not seem to bother him at all. I don't know how that's possible, but I guess he's used to it!

Wednesday morning he was sleeping soundly - we all were - when they came to take him for his circumcision. I tried not to show it but I was a wreck. I was very uncomfortable with this procedure and Andy knew it. I know, I know it's pretty necessary but that didn't make it easier for me. And then the way it happened! One minute we were both dozing together all cozy and warm and the next minute he's gone and they're going to do THAT to him! My first bout with separation anxiety! I was just DYING for them to bring him back, which they did in about an hour. And he was sound asleep! They said he didn't take it too badly but I don't believe them. I think that's what they tell all of the mom's. He does not appear to have any lasting damage, though, so I guess all's well that ends well. I was in the shower when they brought in the consent forms the day before and so Andy had to sign them. Good, he can be the official one who ordered the Deed to be Done. I maintain deniability.