Luke's First Month!

I have fallen behind on blogging, so I'm trying really hard to catch up.  I'd like to at LEAST do a monthly post.  What better place to start, than Luke's first month of life?!

If you're the type of who doesn't like photos of a cute baby (what, I'm a little biased, okay?) then skip ahead!
And so, the story begins.

As you know, my mom was here when Luke was born. 

Here's Luke (the day we brought him home) wrapped in a blanket my mom made for him.

She came to stay with us in June, awaiting Luke's arrival. My dad came out here shortly after Luke was born. He was able to stay for a couple of weeks. I absolutely loved having him and my mom out here with us. Here are some photos of my dad meeting Luke for the very first time.

Mom was the one to trek to Sacramento and bring my dad back to our home.  Here are the proud grandparents with the newest addition!

Mom said four hours was too long to be away from baby...

Before my dad came, my mom and I slept on the couches downstairs. Luke slept in a bassinet between the couches. I slept downstairs because I was unable to go upstairs while healing from Luke's birth. Mom slept downstairs because she couldn't get enough of her grandbaby, even at 3am. Those first several days, someone had eyes or ears on Luke 24/7. We wanted to make sure we would catch him if he stopped breathing again. Each night, when Luke would wake up to eat, I would get up and nurse him. Then I passed him to my mom. She burped him and changed him, then laid him back down. This helped greatly- I was able to get a little more sleep than if I did it all myself. Carl took weekend shifts, so he was able to stay rested and continue to work during the day. When my dad arrived, he relieved mom's night shift.

Little sleep in our house meant many naps would be taken!

These are the best kind of naps to take with a newborn..

My dad jumped right into the swing of things, changing diapers and all! When I watched him interact with Luke, I felt like I was watching my old baby videos in real life. Luke's Poppa completely doted on him. I think it is safe to say that Luke has him wrapped around his little finger.

And, most of you know my dad...quite the funny guy!
Well.....let's just say....
Poppa had a lot of fun with Lukey...

 

(He made sure Luke's eyes were staying shut for the few seconds the glasses were on!)

The lovin' never stopped.

Both of my parents cooked us dinner every night, and helped do anything and everything we needed with Luke. They stayed up nights with me, changed Luke during the night so that I could get a little more rest, ran errands, repaired household things, helped me prepare the nursery, and helped in about a thousand other ways. I am so thankful for their help and the time they were here with us!

Here is Luke having a conversation with his Momau!

 Luke hanging out with his Poppa (and Belle)!

 
Luke LOVES going outside!

 

One very early morning, Carl put Luke in my arms.  I looked down and he had the biggest grin on his face... that's when I KNEW that he knew who I was.  I quickly pulled out my phone and snapped this shot!

Here's a shot of Luke with Daddy and Austin when Austin returned from Florida!

Luke and his Momma!

 

Luke's first sponge bath! (Had to wait for the umbilical cord to fall off for a real bath!)

Here's Luke with a quilt his Great Aunt Cathy made him out his my grandmother's pajamas! 

Again, on a quilt made by Luke's Great Aunt Cathy out of my grandmother's pajamas!

Luke and Daddy!


Daddy and Mommy with Luke!


Mommy and Luke!


Luke sleeping on Momma!



My cousin Gillian made Luke this little giraffe with a bib that has Luke's name cross-stitched on it.  Isn't it adorable?  Our cousin's daughter (Georgia) has a giraffe that she loves named "G" so we are calling this miniature one "Baby G" after Georgia's giraffe, and after cousin Gillian who made it!

(Side note- I'm having way too much fun naming Luke's stuffed animals...)

My mom laid Luke on my chest one afternoon and he scooted in as close to my face as his little body could manage.  Melt. My. Heart.


One of Luke's first smiles captured on camera!  He's wearing an outfit from his Aunt Mia!



Here is Luke with a book that our dear friend Laurel made for us.  It's a very heart warming, touching book of Luke's first days.

Luke and Daddy

Below, you'll see Luke sleeping on my mom with "Poppa Bear."  My dad wanted Luke to have a stuffed animal that plays a heartbeat sound to help him sleep, so he got him this bear.  That's why the bear was named after him...Poppa.  :)

Here are a couple of comparison photos of Luke now and when he was 28 weeks gestational age.



I LOVE it when he sucks his thumb- I think it's the sweetest thing ever! (And it's the un-drop-able pacifier, too!)



Here is Luke laying on a blanket his Great Aunt Donna made for him!


Here's Luke in his bouncy seat from his Great Aunt Cindy and Great Uncle Brian!

Luke's first real bath! (He LOVED it!)

Luke talking with Daddy!

Luke hanging out with Daddy!

Luke hanging out with Momau!

Luke hanging out with his Poppa (and Sugar)! 

 Belle cuddling up to Luke! 
 

Mom and Dad, thank you oh so much for coming and helping. We love you and can't wait to see you again!