One Month

Can't believe it has been a month since Luke was born. I have to be honest... the first three weeks seem like they took 3 years but the last week flew by us. Probably Mike going back to work may have something to do with time going faster. It was not too bad with him being gone... only a few days were bad. Lots has happened in the last month... having to do with Luke. It has been very trying for Mike and I both to learn Luke and his habits and ways. We forgot just how hard it was to have a newborn. Mikayla was a much better sleeper... all you had to do was put her in bed and she was out. Not with Luke... he likes to fight sleep. Since we are getting used to the about him it is getting a little easier... not easy but easier. At two weeks, we found out that he is allergic to my milk so we had to switch him to formula... expensive formula at that. Before we found out about the milk, if Luke was awake he was screaming... and when I say screaming... I mean SCREAMING!!! It was about enough to make Mike and I both lose our minds. Since being on the new formula things are getting better. He still is not a good sleeper but he does not scream all the time.
Around the same time as the milk issue we also found out that Luke is deaf. He did not pass the newborn hearing screening test but we did not think it was a big deal. Mikayla never passed it as a newborn, we just finally knew she could hear. Well, we realized he was not responding to any sounds... including Duke barking right beside his head. To make a long story short, we had him tested at Vanderbilt and the result was that his ears are not working properly. On September 10, he is going to be fitted for hearing aids. Lots of things to come for little Luke. I will try to keep updates when we have any. It is harder to keep this updated these days... I want to sleep during my free time.

Updated pictures

Some updated pictures of baby Luke and big sister Mikayla

Luke went for his first doctor appointment today. They wanted to get a weight check and a check of his jaundice... both were fine. He lost 5 oz before we left the hospital but had gained 2oz when he was weighed today. His jaundice number was fine also. To check his jaundice the nurse had to take some blood so he got his heel pricked and he was soooooo mad. Poor guy. He is eating great... I feel like that is all I do is feed him. Much change from the way Mikayla was as a baby. Last night he slept for a 5 hour stretch and also a 4 hour as well. I had to wake him up for both feedings!!! Mikayla was a good sleeper from the beginning also. Mikayla is still loving he little brother. She didn't know what to think today at the doctor when she was not the one being examined. I am feeling good... for the most part, enjoying having Mike home with us. He is such an incredible daddy and hubby!! So thankful for him!!
Mikayla reading the newspaper.

First Night Home

Our first night home was exactly what I expected. We were up about every three hours to eat. Eating is going very well. Luke is just a really good baby. We have been blessed with two beautiful, good kids. Put some pics on here from our first day home. Off now to feed my little man. More to come.

Luke's Day 2

Luke and Mommy are doing great. He has been such a good baby in the hospital... hoping when we get home today that this will continue. Mikayla LOVES, LOVES her baby brother!! She wants to kiss and hug him, show him her toys, and she also wants him to color with her. We are going to really have to watch her with him so she doe not squish him!! He is eating good. As of yesterday morning he had lost 2 oz. The pediatrician has him right now to do all his observation for today. He is also getting his circumcision this morning. Poor guy. Ready to get our whole family home... going this morning. Ready to sleep in my own bed and shower in my own shower. We will actually go on our first outing tomorrow. I have to go to the dr. to get my staples out. So glad that Mike gets to have 3 weeks off with us... have a feeling we will really need each other for these first few weeks. We ask for prayers for our first night home tonight.

Luke is here!!!

Luke Michael is here!!! He arrived today at 8:09am... weighed 6lbs, 3 1/2oz... 19 inches long. He has blonde hair!! Crazy since Mikayla had Dark Brown. We are all doing great. More later... wanted to get pictures on here though.

Don't have time to post anything but pics for now. Some of Mikayla's 3 year pics. 11 days till Luke comes. Hopefully finishing up our kitchen this week... finally!! More later!!

Let's see... where to begin??? Mike went back to work on light duty... and by light duty I mean very light!!! He is going to physical therapy three times a week. Not sure how much longer he will be going that often. He goes back to the doctor on July 19th... hoping he is release to go back to regular duty at work then. Hopefully he will be released to help with Mikayla then since I am having a baby soon after that. We have also had some bad luck with our house... water damage. Our dishwasher line busted and got our cabinets and floor. We have to have a few cabinets, entire floor, and dishwasher replaced. The general contractor is hoping to be done in a few weeks... just in time for Luke. For the time being I have cabinets and two dishwashers in my garage. Also, we have part of our pantry in Luke's room, making it a little hard to finish things. I will be glad when it is complete.
Mikayla and I had vacation bible school a couple of weeks ago. I worked with the 8 and 9 year olds and Mikayla actually went through. She had a blast... it is amazing how social she became that week. School really helped with her social skills but there was something about VBS that made really a social butterfly. She cracks me up... she loves to make people laugh.
Last Friday, we had Relay for Life for Cancer Society. Our group, which was through our church collected the most money of any group there. It was a good time but REALLLLLLYYYY HOT!!!
Saturday, I had my baby shower for Luke. We got lots of good stuff. I have such a great group of friends and family. I am going tomorrow to pick up a few more things for little Luke. Cannot believe he will be here in less than 5 weeks. I am at the point now where I am ready for him to be here... I am over being pregnant. Everyone in this house is ready to meet our little guy. He is very, very active... all elbows, knees, and feet at this point!! This pregnancy is completely different from Mikayla.
I have put lots of pictures on here.
Mommy and Kaykay... she is sitting on my belly... we are leaving for girls night out a few weeks ago.

My big girl... looking sooooo grown up in this picture

Showing her silly side

At VBS dinner/show with her friend Isabella

With her Shannon

In the firehouse at a new place we like to play at called Peekaboo Playtown

With one of her best buddies, Allie. They are playing in the school house at Playtown

Playing in the house with Isabella, Tessa, and Mrs. Liz (allie's mommy)

Cooking with Isabella

More fun at Playtown

Showing off her red tongue after eating all Allie's gummies

Playing with Allie at the Lego table

Mommy and Kaykay before Relay for Life

Showing off her sassy face before the shower on Saturday

Being a princess

Yummy food at the shower

Diaper cake that sweet Donna made for me

Presents for my little guy

Yes, this is Mikayla opening presents too... for her. We didn't want her to feel left out!! After she got gifts, she could have cared less what else was going on!!

Another gift for Mikayla... I think Brilee is ready to play

Bonnie, my aunt Susan, and my sweet grandmother... love these ladies!!

Kristy

Sweet Madeline

Mikayla playing with Brilee

My wonderful, beautiful friends who made this shower possible... Debbie, Shannon, Tabitha, and Christy.

With my sweet girl.