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: