Big night out

Last night Luke had his first ever (paid) babysitter! Brianna, one of Luke's main teachers at school, babysat Luke last night, and David and I had 5 whole hours out and about by ourselves! It was so great knowing that he was in excellent care with someone that knows him well and even better getting out without a car seat in tow. We hit a few places downtown to watch the NCAA tournament games, had a bite to eat and met up with some friends. It felt like old times! Well, until we had to wake up at 5am to care for a baby. In the real old times we would have slept in and then gone out for brunch.

Poor Little Man is sick with a fierce cold. His nose was a faucet today, and by the end of the day he was inconsolable. Now when Luke cries real tears- and lots of them- come out. It's so much harder to see him crying when tears are streaming down his face!! Oh how I miss the newborn "dry" crying. (Wait a minute- no I don't.) Apparently several babies in daycare were sick this week so I'm not surprised. Now David and I are just waiting for it to hit us. (David's only caught one of Luke's illnesses and I've caught 4 so maybe the odds are in my favor this time.)

5 nights ago, after Luke woke up for his 3rd feeding in the middle of the night, David decided that it was time that we let Luke cry it out. (Yep, I'm blaming David. It was his decision.) So, at 4:30am we let Luke cry it out for the first time ever. After about 15 minutes he stopped crying, so David went in his room to make sure he was ok. Not certain if he was asleep or awake, David leaned over his crib. Unfortunately, Luke opened his eyes, saw David, and the crying started right back up. Luke cried for another 35 minutes. Not going to get him was a completely unnatural feeling. It took a lot of effort not to go into his room, pick him up and hold him in my arms. I was so relieved when "morning" finally came, and I could finally feed him. I cannot believe it but I actually missed the middle of the night feedings! Since that first night, Luke has not made it through the entire night yet (so much for your 3 night rule Becky!) but he hasn't had to cry for more than 5 minutes. I'd say that middle of the night feedings are over, but who knows what tonight has in store.... the rules don't apply when he's sick:)

Since our baby is getting to be such a big boy- almost sleeping through the night, almost sitting completely unassisted- we decided to graduate him to a big boy tub. Carrie bought him this great inflatable tub that you put in the bath tub. We tried it out on Saturday, and while he really enjoyed sitting in the tub and playing with bath toys (which won't fit in his infant tub) we found it too hard to wash him since he's not yet sitting well enough. So, we went back to the infant tub. However, we did find a way to utilize his inflatable tub until he's old enough to bathe in it:
It's a great way for Luke to sit in his room without us worrying that he'll fall over! This way, if he falls he has a 4 way bumper.

Finally, the other day David and I were playing "catch" with Luke with a little ball, and he was CRACKING up. He laughed harder and longer than I have ever heard him laugh. Luke had a similar experience at daycare with a bouncing ball. So, David bought him his very own bouncing ball. At first Luke was afraid of it- can you blame him? It's bigger than his head!- but yesterday morning he conquered his fear:

Growing up

The past week has seen 3 new firsts. Before I share them, I just have to show you some new pictures of my precious little guy. I love these pictures. I could just eat him up! (Especially because he was SUPER fussy just moments before and after these pictures were taken. He turned on the charm just for the camera so his audience would think he's an easy baby.)
Still enjoying his tongue curls.
Ok, now on to the firsts.

#1 Luke rolled over for the first time! Last week we had some work done on the house. Because they were working near Luke's room, we set up the pack n' play in the sunroom so Luke could nap away from the noise. Naps did not come easy that day given the commotion. I finally put Luke down in the pack n' play and let him cry it out for about 10 minutes. When he stopped crying, I went in to check on him and saw that he had rolled over on his stomach! I was in a pickle: Follow the 'Don't wake a sleeping baby' rule or follow the 'Back is best' rule?!?! You can see which won out. For the record, I stayed within eye sight for the duration of his nap to ensure that he was breathing.
#2 Luke and Daddy have discovered the swing. David first put Luke in a swing while we were in the mountains, and since the trip David has taken Luke to the park up the street a few times. The other day Luke was swinging next to a 2 year old who, as David tells me, wasn't swinging nearly as high as Luke. David was very proud. Clearly, Little Man enjoys the thrill.
#3 I saved the best for last. Luke is now able to sit on his own for about 15-30 seconds! I am so excited for the freedom this will buy us. Here's a quick video of him in action.

Mountain Man

Last weekend we spent 3 wonderful days in the mountains outside of Brevard, NC with my sisters and their families. We completely lucked out with the weather, scoring temperatures in the 70's! We had 3 fantastic days. We went for hikes, canoed and paddle boated on a lake, played cards and games, ate a lot of great food, played ping-pong and Wii, spent an afternoon in Brevard, and still managed to squeeze in a lot of relaxation.

Luke spent a lot of quality time with his cousins, aunts and uncles. Here he is the first morning with Gabby and Leah. (Gabby's bedhead is quite impressive!)
Aunt Becky and Leah fed Luke some solid food. Becky even got him to like carrots!

Luke's cutting a tooth, so while in town to buy toothbrushes and firewood Daddy bought him a new, soft chew toy to help with the process.

During the trip, Luke discovered his tongue. His ability to curl just the tip is very impressive indeed!



Here are Luke and David enjoying a lazy morning in bed. Luke did well sleeping in the pack n' play. We're thankful that he sticks to the same night time routine while away from home. (We'd be even more thankful if he'd sleep through the night!!)
Olivia got some time with Luke.
And Leah was never far from his side!
On Saturday, the crew (minus David, who hit the golf course instead) headed down the mountain to Brevard. We had lunch at a soda shop (delicious milkshakes!) and then did some shopping at a great toy store. It was my first time in a toy store since Luke was born, and it felt really great to buy my son a few toys actually knowing what he likes!

The house where we stayed has great views! Here's some shots from the deck.


The hot tub was broken until the very last day. Even though we had to be out of the house by 10am, the kids still found some time to take a dip.


It was a fantastic long weekend. It is so wonderful to see Luke with his cousins. How many days until we go to the beach??

Snow days

Yesterday Greensboro got 4-5 inches of snow. UNCG was shutdown yesterday and delayed today. Even David's work was delayed both days! I have never before been excited to have my classes canceled, but Luke has put a different spin on snow days. I was so happy to keep him out of daycare for an extra day, giving him 4 consecutive days at home. Of course, Luke is too young to go outside and play in the snow, but we did manage to get him out for some quick pictures.
I cannot get over how big my little man is getting. Lately every time I pick him up I am shocked at how much bigger he feels! We need to weigh him soon to see how much he's gained.

Today I introduced Luke to carrots. He has really enjoyed rice cereal, sweet potatoes and bananas. Carrots, on the other hand, were not well received. In fact, after the first two tastes he refused to open his mouth for them. I was alternating rice cereal and carrots, and for the cereal he'd open his mouth but for the carrots he kept his mouth shut. It was quite amusing. It's the first time I've really seen him express an opinion on anything! Still, I'll get him to eat carrots eventually:)

5 months!

March 1, 2009

Dearest Luke,

You are 5 months old today! I can hardly believe it. You are growing up so quickly. I look at pictures of you when you were first born, and I cannot believe how much bigger you now are! This past month has seen a lot of new developments. Most significantly, you are now eating solid foods (this weekend we introduced you to bananas!). You also now have great head control, can sit happily in the bumbo seat, can grab objects with both hands at the same time, and are almost rolling over. You have some new favorite activities too, like playing in your exersaucer and chewing on everything you can get to your mouth. To make room for these new activities, you have kicked some old favorites to the curb, like your swing and pacifier. You really are changing each and every day! Now when I look at you I can envision the little boy you'll soon be. Watching you develop has been an honor.

I keep reminding myself to enjoy each and every day with you because these days with you are truly precious. I look forward to all the months and years ahead of us, but right now I am really treasuring you at 5 months. This is a fantastic age! There is no better feeling than holding you in my arms. I am excited to watch you grow, but part of me wishes you'd stay my little baby forever:)

I am so humbled that God entrusted you to me and your father. I want nothing more than to be a loving mother to you. You are a joy, and I love you more than words could ever express. When you are old enough to read this I hope you realize how happy I am to be your mother. I will be forever grateful for you my precious son.

All my love,

Mommy

p.s. Your family has tuned in to see new pictures, so here are some pictures of you. When we first started taking pictures of you next to "Bear" you were so much smaller than him, and now look at you! You two are almost the same size.