Bottle

Yay, Luke got his first bottle today!!! This is a happy day for Mama! It means I can have a little more freedom and it means my body gets a little break! (You breastfeeding moms know what I'm talking about!) Aaahhh, relief. =)

Daddy gave him his bottle and he did very well! Luke ate just over 3 ounces! Way to go baby boy!

1 month old

Luke is one month old (yesterday)! I can't believe he's already a month, I know I'll say that every month, but my goodness this month really did fly by. Luke is doing well. He eats really well, still every 2-3 hours during the day and every 4-5 hours at night. He loves to be outside, just like his brother. If he is upset and we take him outside he almost always calms down immediately. He enjoys sitting in his swing outside, usually puts him right to sleep. He also enjoys his bath, well once he's in and warm he does...but then he sure gets upset when we take him out. I don't blame him though, it's cold when you're all wet and just taken out of the nice warm water. He is becoming more alert every day, I can see him starting to really look at things. He started smiling at us about 2 weeks ago, and I can't get enough of that smile. Unfortunately we haven't seen it a lot, but he seems to be showing us more every day. He does cry quite a bit, mostly in the evenings, but also randomly during the day. Not sure if maybe he has reflux or colic, or just likes to cry. We're figuring out things that help calm him down and hopefully by his 2 month update I can say he doesn't cry any more. He is happiest in the morning, he likes for me to hold him so he can look around the room. This morning Isaac wanted to hold him, so we went in Luke's room and Isaac sat with Luke on his lap in the rocking chair. It was a precious sight! Luke was so content and happy! He smiled at me a couple of times, and then he looked up at Isaac. Isaac was talking to him and kissing him on the head, Luke then smiled at Isaac a few times! It was so sweet to see that interaction!

Family weekend of fun!

Luke enjoying his swing on the back porch.

Admiring the hot rods with Daddy.

Picking blackberries with Daddy.

I think pulling the wagon was Isaac's favorite part of the morning.

Emmy, Isaac, Mama, and Luke

All four of us after the berry picking!

We had a great family weekend this past weekend, full of fun activities! In trying to keep Isaac from getting bored or feeling left out we have done more in the last couple of weeks than we used to do. Kind of funny, huh?
Friday night we ventured out to a real restaurant for the first time with Luke. A group of our friends were all getting together for dinner because a friend that lives in Dallas was in town visiting. We got the restaurant and had to wait for over an hour for a table, oh my goodness, we were nervous about if we'd actually get to sit and eat or if Luke would wake up and need lovin. Well, he did awesome! He slept through the entire wait, the time at the table, and then woke up right as the food came...bummer. Carl was able to hold him and coax him back to sleep so I could eat, then Luke sat with me and looked around while Daddy ate. He waited until we were all done to demand his food. Thank you Luke! Isaac had a great time at the restaurant, too. He played in the sandbox with the other kids. He really enjoyed that, more than I expected, even though he did not want to get his hands dirty. He gave us all a good laugh when he wanted to climb through a tunnel, but refused to put his hands in the sand. Then during dinner he sat next to our friend's little girl, she's almost a year old, and is super cute. Isaac took good care of her, feeding her each bite of her food. He is such a sweet boy.
Saturday morning we started the day bright and early with a trip to Kings Orchard to pick blackberries and blueberries. Emmy, Gumby, and Cameron all joined us and it was definitely a fun time! Isaac loved picking the berries, but I think he might of enjoyed pulling the wagon even more. =) Luke had his first ride in the Baby Bjorn, and he was perfectly content, slept through the entire adventure.
Saturday evening we took the boys to their first car show. Again, Luke slept through most of it...which was a good thing because he was not very happy on the way there. Isaac on the other hand really enjoyed the car show. He said every car was Isaac's hot rod. As Emmy would say, "He got it honest." He is a car guy just like his daddy.
Sunday was another fun day, which started with some pool time here at the house. Isaac thoroughly enjoys his kiddie pool, so while Carl mowed I played in the pool with Isaac. I think Isaac's favorite part of the morning was when we sprayed Daddy and his lawnmower with his water gun. Luke joined us outside, he slept in his swing. The boy loves being outside, it always relaxes him. Then on Sunday afternoon we went over to a friend's house for a pool party. It was kind of a mini reunion for Carl and some high school friends (some of which we see often, some of which he hasn't seen since high school). It was great to visit with everyone and of course the kids all loved swimming! Isaac was a little apprehensive, but he did swim with Daddy. Luke was a great boy during the party, slept some, ate some, and then just hung out happily with us.
I am so thankful for the fun times with my boys! I am so blessed!

Pool Day!

The pool day started with tears.

Daddy played on the side very patiently...

...and eventually he was convinced to get in, and he loved it!!!

Playing in his new pool at our house.

Luke sleeping in my arms...his favorite place to sleep.

We decided today would be a great day to go for our first swim of the summer. We were not sure how Isaac would do, but we were excited to try swimmimg at Oma and Opa's house. Unfortunately it started out rough, but thankfully Daddy is very patient and encouraging. We all sat on the side for about 30 minutes playing with toys, and eventually he made his way in. By the end of the swim he was completely comfortable! He enjoyed the floats, being in Daddy's arms, and even put his face in the water!

Yesterday Soo Jin gave Isaac a kiddie pool for our house...which was a hit, although he would not get in it. Well, today was a different story! After the swim in the big pool I guess the kiddie pool was not so intimidating. He had a blast playing in it this afternoon! Thank you Soo Jin for the pool and the fun water toys!

Luke spent the day watching Isaac swim and sleeping. He is sleeping in my arms as I write this entry...he is a cutie!

2 week update

Wow, the past couple of weeks have gone by fast, I can't believe Luke will be 3 weeks old on Sunday! He is doing really well, and we are all adjusting quickly to our new life. Isaac loves his baby brother, he constantly wants to hold him and kiss him. Luke is becoming more alert, everyday he is awake more, which is so fun. I love watching him with his eyes wide open looking around the room, checking out his house and family. He is a cutie, with moments of screaming, but thankfully more moments of sweetness. Isaac is becoming a big boy before my eyes, his sentences get longer everyday, he can do things now that I didn't expect him to do for months. He is really handling all of the changes really well, I am so proud of him!

Both of the boys went to the doctor for check ups this week...here are the stats:
Luke: 7 lbs 7.9 oz, 20.25 inches - he's growing well!!! (not surprised though, he's quite an eater!)
Isaac: 25 lbs 12.5 oz, 34.75 inches - gosh he's so big!



I also have to add a HUGE thank you to all of you who have helped us through this period of transition. The meals that have been brought over have been a tremendous help, it's so nice to not have to worry about what my family will eat and not have to take the time to cook. I'm not much of a cook anyway, so the meals are also great because they have given us a variety of new foods we don't normally eat. Carl loves that! I'm going to have to get these recipes from y'all so I can make these meals again, they were all so yummy! Also, thank you to our parents...we would surely have gone crazy by now if it weren't for all of your help, love, and support! There are no words for how truly greatful we are for all of you!

Happy 2nd Birthday Isaac!

Birthday Boy!

Happy 2nd Birthday Sweet Isaac!

Playing on Daddy's lawnmower.

Birthday cake with Daddy!

Watching his birthday candle burn the two away!

Jumping on his new trampoline!

I can't believe my Baby Isaac is now my Big Boy! He turned two on Friday, and after having Luke home I can tell that he is a two year old! He is huge, definitely not my baby, but still my baby in my heart. He had a great birthday, we celebrated as a family of four and then had the grandparents over for dinner and cake! Isaac loved all of the special attention!

Isaac is really growing into a sweet little guy, he is very social, always asking for people to come over. He loves to give hugs and kisses, and must hug and kiss everyone before he leaves anywhere...this includes the dogs before we leave the house. He loves to play outside, he would live outside if we let him. He has a slight obsession with speed bumps; every little bump is a speed bump and he must walk, jump, or drive his car over it. He enjoys watching Elmo, and this is actually the only thing he will sit still for, but don't be fooled it doesn't last long. He is a great eater, he will try anything, and likes almost everything! Definitely didn't get mama's taste for food, thank goodness! He is quite the talker, too, he will talk your ear off, whether or not you understand it is a different story. I can understand all of it, but most people can't...he's trying though. He likes to sing songs, dance, and count. Old MacDonald is his favorite song, he says "EIEIO" while I sing the rest...he can't get enough of it! He has an impressive ability to remember everyone's cars. As we drive around he constantly points out everyone's cars by the maker (Ford, Chevy, GMC, Toyota, Buick, etc.), it is incredible! So if he's seen your car a couple of times you are one of the ones he talks about as we drive around.

I am so blessed to be Isaac's mama, and can't express how much I love him! These past two years have been amazing, watching him grow and learn...I can't wait to see what this year has in store for us!

Mother's Day Blessing

Our family of three just over 12 hours before becoming a family of four.

Last pregnant picture (taken right before we left for the hospital)


Put me back in there!

Sweetness

Heading home!

Isaac saying hi when we got home.

Our new family!

The Lord has blessed us this Mother's Day with an amazing gift...our son Luke. He was born at 1:10 am, what a way to start our day! I was having contractions all night on Friday and all day Saturday, so we thought he would be born on Saturday, but he waited until Sunday morning, and I just love that!

He weighed 6 pounds 12 oz and was 20.25 inches. He is doing really well, and is just precious!

As I layed there after he was born watching them clean him and just staring in amazement at my beautiful son, my second son, I was just hit with so many emotions. There were a few Mother's Days in the last few years that were really hard on me. As we struggled to get pregnant Mother's Day was a tough day, and now a day that was once difficult will forever be one of the most special days of my life. Through my struggles I always reminded myself that God had a plan, and of course that's easier to say than to always fully believe, but over the last 2 years God has shown me that He was always in control; and His plan is way better than mine! I feel like God giving us the gift of our son on this special day is His way of showing us His love and His constant presence in our lives. I can only praise God for my beautiful children and sweet husband!