Newborn Pictures

We did Luke's newborn pictures with the amazing Elizabeth Wiggs. It was quite an experience. Isabella did not want to keep a barrette or headband in her hair. When I would finally get one in she would either pull it out or it would slide right out of her glossy, fine hair. She also did not want to smile for many pictures. We were making all kinds of silly sounds and faces to catch just one moment. Luckily Elizabeth got some great shots. I don't know HOW she did it. I am seriously amazed.

In our family shot Isaiah was literally ON TOP OF ME. He kept pushing in to me and I would lose my balance and fall over. The baby was sliding out of my arms and Isabella just wanted to squirm out of Mike's lap and get to her fruit snacks. Or anything BUT the picture. hahaha

This was actually a pure, sweet, real moment. Isaiah LOVES this baby with ever ounce of his sweet little heart. He wakes up every morning wanting to kiss him and snuggle him. While we were trying to rally Isabella, Isaiah was sitting just enjoying his sweet brother. I told Elizabeth, "forget Isabella let's just get this" hahaha! This was THE SHOT that brought tears to my eyes when I got my proofs back. Warms my heart every time I see it.

Mike and I got in on the action, too.

We sent the rest of the crew home for Luke's solo shots. His poor tummy was a disaster and he pooped on every single swaddle she used on him. When we unswaddled him he would cry and it was hard to get him calm enough to start working with again. He actually did better with the chaos of everyone being there than he did alone while it was quiet. Go figure. Again, she still got some great shots and I just don't know how she did it.

And another for the Bama wall! ROll TIDE Y'ALL!

THANK YOU, ELIZABETH, FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND TALENT! You really worked a miracle this day!

One Month Stats

 

Weight: 9lbs 15oz 

Height: 21 1/4 inches  

Eating: 3 ounces every 2.5-3 hours 

Likes: swaddles, baths, snuggles, mommy, white noise and sleeping

Dislikes: changing diapers and pooping

Sleeping: you are a snoozer. I try to keep you up after your first morning feeding and the one at night before bedtime. The rest of the day you snooze. At night you sleep 3-4 hours between feedings and go right back to sleep in your bassinet. 

Outings: church, cappy and Ebbie's house, jewelry store, grocery store and target, zoo, Harrison's house, a funeral, voting location, doctors office and a couple of restaurants. 

You are such a sweet baby. I love how calm you stay with all the crazy chaos that fills our house. You just snuggle in close to me and go along for the ride. Your brother loves you with such devotion and your sister loves you in her own silly way (Hahahaha). 

I love you!

Luke's BIRTHday

We went in to the hospital on Sunday, January 31 around 830 pm.

 Around 10pm the nurse started my first dose of cytotec. This medicine softens the cervix and can cause contractions. I was a little nervous I wouldn't be getting any sleep that night but luckily for me the contractions were very mild and I slept right through them. I got my second dose at 2am and went back to sleep until 6am when they started the pitocin. I slept again until almost 8 when I got up to brush my teeth, put in contacts and freshen up. At 830am Dr Williams came in to break my water. I was still only dilated 1cm. Within five minutes of my water breaking I dilated to 4.5 cms. Mike and I just hung out and watched episodes of "Suits" while we waited for the real fun to begin. By lunchtime I was dilated to 6cm and I was pretty relaxed. 

Mike offered up hand massages and applied pressure to my pressure points each time I had a contraction and I even worked in a few cat naps. Around 1230 the contractions rapidly got closer and more intense and for the first time in three labor experiences I had back labor. Oh. My. Wow!!!!  That was some crazy stuff. Luke was sunny side up so at 1pm the nurse put me in a position called "the pretzel". And that's exactly what I looked like. A big, fat, fluffy pregnant pretzel!  The first pretzel session on my right side lasted 30 minutes. Then I rolled to my left side and made it through 20 minutes before stuff got REAL!  I called for the nurse at 1:50 and told her it was go time. She had just checked me at 1 and I was only 7-8 centimeters so she wasn't sure but I was!  I wasn't allowed to push until my doctor got there because Isabella came out so fast. At 2pm my doctor came In and I pushed through the first contraction. Head out!  Second contraction came and so did the rest of Luke!  He was born at 2:11pm on February 1, 2016 weighing 9 lbs 2oz. 

We moved up to our mommy baby room about two hours later and the IJ's got to come meet their new brother. Isaiah was so excited and couldn't wait to hold him. Isabella wasn't sure what to think. 

I will be honest, I didn't want to share him too much. Soaking up all the sweet baby snuggles I can get. 

After all our visitors left around 9 that night he got his bath. 

Then we snuggled in for the night. 

Welcome to our family, Luke Michael!  I love you more than you know and can't wait to see how God works in your life

Four Weeks

Day 22

Yup, he spit up as soon as I clicked the pic. 

Day 23

Snuggle day!

Day 24

This boy loves bath time. He doesn't make a peep and either looks around or passes out. 

All three kiddos have worn this shirt. Isaiah (L) Isabella (M) Luke (R)

Day 25

Soaking up these blue eyes while they last. 

Day 26

Day 27

You love your mommy and your moby wrap. I swear you can smell when I leave a room. Almost immediately you start whimpering for me. This wrap helps me get lots more done. Ps...I love it as much as you do!  

Day 28

First trip to the zoo!  We tried the stroller.....

But ended up right back here. 

Three weeks

Little buddy, you still aren't gaining any weight so your pediatrician asked that we go to straight formula or strictly pump and bottle feed so we know how much you are getting. I went with the pumping! Hopefully we hit your birth weight soon and can go back to breast feeding. My supply has dropped some on the pump. You are really a pleasant baby though. You only cry when you poop or when we have to change your diaper. You love a good warm bath, the sound of running water and you seem to enjoy snuggles with the IJ's in the mornings.  You are the perfect addition to our family. 

Day 15

Day 16

Day 17

Day 18

Day 19

Day 20 

Day 21

Two Weeks

We have been doing weight checks with your pediatrician and you dropped down to 8 lbs. I thought the breastfeeding was going well, but apparently not. We started supplementing with formula but you still prefer my milk. You are showing signs of the same milk allergy your sister had so we are supplementing with soy now. You gained 8 oz in four days and we will go back to all breast milk when you get back to your birth weight. You are such a good baby. You really only cry when you poop and we have to change you , but who could blame you with that nasty diaper rash?

Day 8

You were pretty restless at your newborn session but our awesome photographer still managed to capture some precious moments. Your umbilical cord fell off today, too. 

Day 9

First trip to the grocery and you snoozed like a champ in your moby wrap. Thanks for making it such a pleasant experience. 

Day 10

Day 11

Warming up after your first real bath. 

Day 12

Day 13 

My sweet new Valentine!  We hung out at home and got lots of sweet snuggles. Daddy made me a yummy dinner and you came along in your wrap. 

Day 14