Luke Discovered His Tongue

I had to post this because he had us all laughing so hard. I thought anyone who decides to check us out might get a kick out of it too.

Grace's First Day of Kindergarten

Ready for school. She got all dressed up in her new outfit and literally bounced out to the car. Once we got there she couldn't stop smiling. She told me last night not to embarass her (already!). So I tried really hard and she was the one that gave me a kiss before we left. I can't believe she is so big. I was proud of myself, only a few tears on the way home. I couldn't be too sad because she was so happy.

Need a Smile?

This will make smile unless you have a heart of stone. Grace was playing with Luke and the rest is self-explanatory.

New Year

Well, I know I am halfway through January already but I thought I should post something for the new year. We are doing well. Luke is growing like a weed. We went to his four month check up last week and he is 13 pounds and 23 1/2 inches. He finally made the chart for his growth curve and is in the eighth percentile. Yeah.

Grace had her five year old check up and Kindergarten shots. She didn't like the shots so much but was really brave. (I promised her a milkshake if she would behave.) She is also growing. I can't seem to keep her filled up. She is always telling me she is hungry and starving. She is 43 1/2 inches and 45 pounds. She can't wait to go to school next year.

Kaitlyn hasn't had her check up yet. We go next month on her birthday. She is kind of having a rough time right now. She wants to be big like Grace and thinks she can and should get to do everything her big sister does. I have decided with my two girls three is much worse than two. It is hard for me because she is usually my sweet cuddler, but when she is mad you can't talk her out of it. I hope it is just a phase because I miss my happy girl. Her smile will just light up a room.

Well, Sam is really busy. The first of the year is so full of activities for the school that he is gone usually 4 nights a week. (Miss him!) He works so hard. I am so grateful for him. He is such a wonderful husband and father.

Well I will post some pictures and say see you next time.

Christmas Pajamas

Luke's Christmas Outfit (Thanks Horschels)

Getting Bigger

I know some might be tired of baby news but that is basically what our lives revolve around right now. Luke is doing fabulously. He is around 8 lbs now and 20 inches long. He is a very strong boy and has been rolling over from his stomach to his back now for about 4 weeks. He even did for the doctor at his two month checkup. She was amazed and said that term babies don't usually do that until 4 months. He just seems in a hurry to catch up. But for those who don't believe me (Suzzie), I finally got him on video tape.

The girls are loving having a little brother. In fact, they love him so much we sometimes have to just make them leave him alone. He can't hardly be on the floor unless it is after the girls go to bed. The almost literally smother him with love.

This was Halloween. They are all so cute. Grace was Snow White. Kaitlyn was a China girl (she says Kai Lan if you watch Nick), and Luke was the cutest giraffe you've ever seen. My children love Halloween.

So anyway things are going well. I could use some sleep, but most new mothers do. Wouldn't change having Luke for anything!

Home Sweet Home

Luke got to come home on Monday, September 21, 2009 after 24 days in the hospital. We are so glad to have him home. Life can get back to a more normal routine, and we feel like are family is whole now.

The girls love him. Grace can't leave him alone and wants to hold him all the time. Kaitlyn searches the house for him every morning and then tells me that, "Luke is so cute!" He will be very well loved.

In this picture, Luke is telling the paparazi, no more pictures. So glad to have him home!!

Doing Well

Luke is doing really well. In a week, he has improved immensely. He no longer has the CPAP (oxygen in the nose), they took out his IV because he is on full feeding through a feeding tube, he is no longer in the NICU but the NSCU (Neonatal Special Care Unit), and he has been removed from the isolette or incubator. He is doing really well for his age. He is regulating his temperature and respiration on his own. He just needs to get bigger and most importantly learn to eat on his own. Hopefully, when he can eat without the feeding tube he will be able to come home. We all miss him so much. The girls have been able to see him a couple of times, but they really want him to come home, as do Sam and I. A couple of hours a day with him just isn't enough. We sure do love him. He is already a definite member of our family.