CHRISTMAS 2010...and other things

For Christmas this year we decided to go to Boise and Brigham City. I don't think Luke quite caught onto the whole Spirit of Christmas at 3.5 months old, but he definitely added true joy to our Christmas. There were many firsts for us on this trip: first family flight, first Christmas, first time Luke saw Cabelas, and unfortunately, Luke's first ear infection. We found out on Christmas Eve about his ear infection--no one's idea of a good time.
Taking care of sick children has always been my job as a nurse. Taking care of my own sick child is now my job as a mother, and I think that being the mother is much more challenging (and it was only an ear infection, I realize)! I have a deeper empathy for the children and their families that I worked with as a nurse. Speaking of work, I have decided after 7+ years of working full-time as a nurse, it is now time for me to be in the home with Luke. I know this is the right decision for our family at this time. We feel very blessed that I am able to stay home.

Back to Christmas...

Before leaving on our trip we decided to have our own family Christmas. Luke's stocking was full of exciting things like bottles and rattles from Santa..he couldn't believe his eyes. :)





His grandparents knew what he really wanted and took care of him.





Luke loves his new outfits and feels like the true "King of the house" in his new "throne." He doesn't look like a demanding dictator, does he??? Looks may be deceiving... :)




While we were in Boise, we celebrated Bryan's 31st birthday. Bryan's mom made him a carrot cake that was delicious! It seemed to taste exceptionally good for breakfast, I love the holidays!



Bryan's side of the family has a big get-together on Christmas Eve. Yummy food, good company and fun games were all part of the evening.

This "antler" game was very entertaining-I'm not sure how to describe what happened here. However, Aunt Margaret attempts to point out the similarities between her, Rick and the deer in the background. I didn't buy it. :)





Bryan's mom also rounded up some chimes, young and old enjoyed this musical activity. We love Christmas music.






Luke was able to meet his great-grandparents. What a great heritage we are blessed with in our family.






Meeting his cousins, Gracie and Molly. He and Gracie had an impressive staring contest.




Nothing but giggles with cousin Aubrey...the antibiotics had kicked in by this point and he was feeling more like himself again.





Luke loves his Uncle Tom...smiles were easy to come by when Luke was in Tom's arms.






We enjoyed time with our family and also time with just each other. Thanks to both grandmas for watching Luke while Bryan and I got out for a bit!




One last picture, because I've only posted a few, of baby Luke! Thank goodness he is feeling better!!!


Hope you had a Merry Christmas! Wishing you a Happy and Healthy New Year!

'Tis The Season

We have been very spoiled by the weather in Colorado lately. We have enjoyed sunny days in the 60s, it has been wonderful! I think that Winter might have decided to arrive finally, but it was so nice while it lasted!

We have looked forward to decorating our home for Christmas and carrying on traditions in our family.



"The stockings were hung by the chimney with care..."



"Oh Christmas Tree..."

I bought this tree at a garage sale for dirt-cheap, pre-lit and all! Not too shabby? There might just be one or two shorts in the wires for the lights, so once we found the exact spot, hands off! :)

One tradition that Bryan and I enjoy is that of graham cracker houses.Bryan is very precise in the construction and final touches of his house.



I think that I am still in the mode of "pile as much candy as possible" onto that house!



Luke also participated in the tradition, well, he was at least present.


There is something incredibly special about having Luke in our home. We feel so blessed, particularly this time of year.

3 months!

We can't believe that Luke is already 3 months-old! Well, sometimes it feels like he should be 3 years-old! It is fun to watch him discover the world around him. He seems fond of discovering
more of the night world and manages to wake up several times at night...oh well! Maybe at some point we'll get a little more sleep around here! :)

He assumes his boxer position quite regularly to study these things we call hands. Or, he is trying to get a message across that things aren't going his way... "put up your dukes!"

We took Luke on his first fishing trip. He didn't catch anything, but as you can tell, he was thrilled to be part of the action. We've been practicing the phrase, "Fish On!!!," hopefully on his next fishing trip he will be able to use it.

We needed to take a break from all of the "excitement" of fishing. The sun was out and it was a little bright, so I took matters into my own hands.

"Pretty fly, for a white guy..."

Here are some fun and random pictures of our little man.


"Tummy time"












I'll interpret this smile..."I am 3 months-old and lovin' life!"

Thanksgiving

It is amazing how a person that is so small can take up such a huge amount of time! Hence, the blog has been neglected lately. I'll need to back track a few weeks in order to catch us up on recent events.

We decided to make the trek to Utah for Thanksgiving by car this year. We evaluated the weather and decided that we could make it before the storm would hit...we were wrong. We made it about 15 miles outside of Evanston, Wyoming when the white wall of snow was upon us. The majority of semi-trucks were pulled off on the shoulder placing chains on their tires. We knew we were in trouble as we inched along in our Accord . Our suspicions were confirmed when we saw the sign on the freeway informing us that I-80 was closed, bummers! Who wouldn't want to spend a luxurious night in Evanston with a 2-month-old??? As Bryan pointed out, we made it to India in better time (no exaggeration). However, once we made it to Utah, it was well worth it. We were excited for Luke to meet more of our family and friends.

Cousins Sydney and Madi gave Luke plenty of attention, and he loved it...

We even had a sign on the door, letting us know which room was ours, or correction, which room belonged t0 Luke.

At times, things were a little crazy with all of us (23!) in my parents house. However, my dad was able to find his own serenity.



Luke was also able to find his own quiet time amongst all of the holiday happenings...


As part of the Thanksgiving festivities we brushed up on some bowling skills at the local bowling alley. Dan was also brushing up on his turkey trot dance, in anticipation of obtaining three strikes in a row.



Sad to say, no additional turkeys at the bowling alley, but Bryan did manage to make the "Today's High Score" board. He felt like "the man" and attempted to show his competitive edge in the picture below.


It was a great Thanksgiving. We were glad that we could make it (to Utah and back home!) ...probably our first and last winter road trip with a baby. :)

Yakety-Yak!!

I promise that we did not hang our child upside down in order to obtain this video. My technology skills, or lack thereof, prohibited me from being able to turn the video right-side-up. I think it is still quite enjoyable. What can I say? I'm definitely a first time mom. :)

2 months...and counting!

We had Luke's 2 month appointment yesterday. This was his first round of shots. He wasn't too thrilled about that part of the appointment (or his parents). One day he'll understand. :) Our favorite part was finding out how quickly this little guy is growing!

Weight: 14 lbs 9 oz (97th %tile)

Height: 24 inches (86th %tile)

Head: 42.3 cm (95th %tile)

Our pediatrician joked that maybe they measured around his cheeks and not his forehead--we really like our doc. Maybe he isn't so "little" according to the growth charts! We're quite proud of Luke and his growth achievements. He has been experiencing more reflux-type symptoms lately. We decided to try him on Zantac and see if that helps him. Let the guessing game of parenting begin! Otherwise, he is doing great!

One of Luke's favorite things to do lately is to hang out on the couch.







However, he thinks that he is a "big boy" now and can sit up like one. He just needs a pillow or two by him and he feels like he is one of the guys. Bryan and Luke have enjoyed quite a few Saturday afternoons together, just like the picture below, watching college football.




The post-game discussion...

I love this picture.




Luke has also discovered his hands, much to his delight. He manages to gum them quite regularly. I can't believe how quickly he is changing, maybe he is turning into a "big boy."

Luke's Blessing

Yesterday was Luke's blessing. It was such a special day for our family. We were lucky to have both sets of grandparents make it! I cannot believe that Luke is almost 2 months old already. He is such a joy in our lives.