New Years

What are we doing New Years Eve???? You are looking at him....

Our miracle in 2009

We will be ringing in 2010 with our little guy! I felt really guilty getting a babysitter, as we have two wonderful girls here in town but know they have much more fun things planned that babysitting. Wow how our lives have changed, oh so wonderfully! 2009 has been one of the best years of lives and we can only look forward to all the milestones to be made in 2010. Luke has been such a wonderful blessing to Sean and I, along with all our family. As I type, Luke is enjoying his independent playtime in his jumparoo just jabbering away, adorable. Sean and I plan on having a pretty low-key evening. I made some chili today and we are going to watch a movie and drink wine...sounds pretty relaxing to me! Unfortunately I will not be eating any chili, apparently I made it super spicy. Mitch stopped by to visit Luke and had a bowl before he left and the sweat was rolling...I don't think Luke would appreciate me enjoying a bowl.

Happy New Year! We wish you joy, peace, and many memorable moments in 2010!

loving being lazy with Luke

It has been a great few days just hanging out with Luke and being lazy! We have "Luke's ciruit station" set up in our living room with all his new toys! We are still working on a "nap schedule", although he is napping so well, the times are just inconsistent, depending on what time he decides to start his day. This morning he surprised us both and slept until 7:30 a.m!!! YAY!
He has started to put everything in his mouth, his fist, my hair, my fingers, you name it...it goes to the mouth! You can hear him sucking on his fist from my a mile away. He started recognizing himself in the mirror a couple of weeks ago, but now he finds humor in himself! It is so cute, he will look at himself, laugh, and turn away then look back at himself and do it all over again...he is growing up right before my eyes!
On a different note...can you tell I am totally in love with this little boy! Sean and I will sit and just stare at him, reminding ourselves how blessed we are by our cute, sweet little Luke. Okay...on a different note...Santa brought me a Pilates reformer machine!!! I started doing Pilates last November at our Athletic Club in Kalamazoo (I miss Kalamazoo) and I absolutely fell in love with it. I continued doing it up until I was 15 weeks pregnant, I felt so good doing it. So I gave myself a jump start to "2010 get body back"! I started working out on my Pilates machine last night! I am loving it and made commitment to myself to do it at least 3 times a week. I was feeling very motivated and ordered a Kettle bell and videos, so my plan is to do those on my "off Pilates" days. I have always enjoyed working out and love how it makes me feel. I don't want to lose sight of that, however I have found it to be more challenging to find the time, so I am hoping that these two workouts will keep me feeling good and get me back into shape!

Wonderful Christmas

CHRISTMAS 2009

This little guy made our Christmas

Our family (minus Gunner-he isn't allowed in the house)

Daddy and Luke

Our family is growing...2009 we added Kate & Luke

all the guys

and the Gals...always outnumbered

Luke opening gifts from Grandpa & Grandma (one of many)

Luke with his uncle Bryan & Godmama Kate

with Grandpa & Grandma

with his Uncle Nate

Thanks Nate and Debbie for the adorable outfit, the cutest little boy on Christmas!

and with Uncle Mitch

Luke's stocking at Grandpa & Grandma's house

We had the most wonderful Christmas 2009! Having Luke around made the holiday so much more meaningful for not just Sean and I, but our family as well. We made the trek to Waukon Wednesday, because of the "threatening" winter storm. However, it never ended up being as bad as they anticipated in our part of the state. It gave us one extra day at my parents to hang out with everyone. We got back home last night, after a wonderful five days with family and lots of holiday cheer! Luke is going through withdrawal, Sean and I can't give him enough attention to make up for what he experienced the past few days. Grandpa and Grandma Einck just can't get enough, and his uncles & godmama...a whole nother story! Luke is very blessed!

Santa brought Luke this musical kick pad, he will lay on the floor and kick the pad for hours if we would let him. It plays music when he kicks, which makes him even more excited and he kicks harder and faster, absolutely hilarious! He is laughing more and more each day, grabbing and putting everything in his mouth, and smiling 24-7! I am taking this whole week off to spend at home with Luke and I LOVE it!

Our living room officially looks like a daycare center...our motivation to buy a house SOON! We are putting "find a house" on top of our list for 2010! I hope you all had a very blessed Christmas with your family.

lots of pictures

We are up at my parents to celebrate Christmas with the Eincks! We came up a day early because of the "Christmas 2009 winter storm" that was forecasted to hit. We got to the farm just in time. My older brother Nate flew in from California on Tuesday night, Mitch drove up after work last night (the roads were horrible for him), and Bryan & Kate are suppose to arrive Christmas day from Chicago. We are hopeful the weather will cooperate with their travels. We are having a great time hanging out!

Luke's first time seeing Santa. The expression on his face is priceless "who is this guy?"

All my boys!

Luke's first Christmas with his mommy & daddy (12.22.09)

Luke and Grandpa

Daddy being a bad influence

Luke is taking a good long look at Uncle Nate! This was his second time seeing him.

They had fun playing yesterday!

Uncle Mitch's turn to play!

All smiles:)

"I heart my uncle" San Fransisco!

We bought this onesie when Sean and I visiting Nate last May.

Can't get enough

I just can't get enough of this little guy!

We have been having so much fun with our little Luke! He has been smiling like crazy and has added the most adorable little laugh to that smile. Last night Luke and I were talking in the mirror and he kept laughing at himself, it was SO precious! He was cracking himself up!

Luke met his new babysitter, Ms. Judi! They had so much fun yesterday! He has been loving his jumparoo and is fascinated by all lights. I know it sounds horrible, but he loves to sit and stare at all the lights on the TV. He is so cute, he will sit in his little bumbo, chillaxin', watching tv with his daddy.

Last night we ventured out to the mall once again to buy Luke his "1st Christmas ornament". He was such a good boy and again, loved the lights and all the people. He is becoming quite the chatterbox and gets so excited when he talks.

Christmas has a whole new meaning to our family this year. We are reminded everyday what joy this little person brings to our lives and he gets so much excitement and happiness out of the little things in life...we need to remind ourselves of that as we can get so busy with our lives. Luke reminds us to slow down and enjoy all the "little things"!

Safe Travels!

Christmas with the Merrick Family

This weekend we celebrated Christmas with Sean's extended and immediate family in Pekin. We drove in Saturday for a nice afternoon visiting with all Sean's aunts, uncles, & cousins, along with his parents, and brother family. In addition, we celebrated the immediate family Christmas last evening, it was Luke and Connor's first Christmas. Our nephew Connor was born in February, so the he clearly had more fun opening presents than Luke did.
We are having a lazy Sunday watching "Hangover" and wrapping the final gifts for Christmas. This week we will travel up to my parents on Christmas Eve day for the weekend. My brother Nate is flying in from San Fransisco on Tuesday, and Bryan & Kate will join us from Chicago on Christmas Day. We are so thankful when everyone can get together to celebrate the holidays together! I am really looking forward to having a few days off to share with our family and spend this wonderful time with Luke. I am planning to take the week off between Christmas and New Years and am very much excited for that time off!

An attempt to take a family picture...

although Luke was not interested in looking at the camera

Merrick Family Christmas 2009

busy week

This week has been such a crazy busy week. I had to fly to California for a two day meeting, my first night away from Luke:( Thank goodness for my mom, she came to stay with Luke while I was gone, which made it easier, but it still wasn't easy! I feel like I hardly got anytime with my little guy this week, it just makes me sad thinking that the week went so fast, a week that I didn't get to hardly spend anytime. Time goes so fast, each week means so much! He was in such good hands, Uncle Mitch even came to play with him while Grandma was here babysitting. Luke is smiling a ton, and has starting laughing...it is hilarious! He makes me smile, he melts my heart! Unfortunately Sean was out of town most of the time too, so Grandma really got "Luke all to herself"!
I am certainly struggling right now with the time my work demands of me and leaving little time for my family. I am hopeful that with each day and each week I can manage my time more effectively to be a better wife and mother. I cherish every moment I have but some days there aren't enough hours in the day to enjoy it all!
This weekend we will be traveling to Pekin, IL to Sean's parents house for Christmas with the Merrick family! The start of Luke's first Christmas festivities...Christmas has a whole new meaning for our family this year. We have been blessed by the greatest gift of all!

Precious Luke

doesn't get any cuter than this...

then again I am his mother and am allowed to think he is the cutest ever!

We've had a pretty low key weekend. With me being under the weather and Sean being in Florida, there wasn't much on the agenda for the weekend. Luke was an absolute angel yesterday...I think he knew his mama was sick so he took two long naps so I could get some rest too! Sean returned yesterday early evening, he was so anxious to love on Luke! He missed his little boy so much. It sure makes traveling a heck of a lot harder when we have this precious little boy at home waiting! I have my first overnight away from Luke on Tuesday night and I have been dreading it since I found out I had to be in California for a meeting. My mom is coming down to stay with Luke and Sean which gives me a little more comfort, but it will be so hard for me to be away from him. I absolutely love our bedtime routine and how he cuddles with me before he is ready for bed. Luke has been sleeping 10 hours consistently for the past two weeks...we feel so blessed!

Today was a very festive day. I got all my Christmas baking done, all the presents are wrapped, and we even took Luke to see Santa. We met The Slattery's in the Amana Colonies to visit Santa, fortunately we got a great picture of Luke on Santa's lap before the camera died. So we missed the most adorable picture of Luke and Clara (she is four months older than Luke). Clara was grabbing at Luke, being quite the little flirt, and Luke started smiling back at her...it was so darn cute. I will upload the 'one' picture we did get when the battery is charged!

Hope you had a great weekend and an even better week.

Winter Wonderland

our little football player

Luke experienced his first blizzard! We haven't ventured out yet in the frigid temps yet. Sean was suppose to fly out yesterday for Florida, which didn't happen so we spent the day both working from home and Luke enjoyed the "snow day" with us! Sean flew out today and said it is 60 degrees down there. Quite a bit different then the single digit temps here.

I am a little under the weather...the minute I head back to work and expose myself I come down with a horrible cold. I just hope Luke doesn't get sick. My hands are raw from washing them nonstop! As I type, our little guy is curled up on my chest snoozing...these moments are priceless. I could spend hours cuddling like this...all we are missing is Sean! He gets back Saturday and we can't wait. This weekend we hope to get some Christmas baking done...it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

catch up

I am playing a little catch up with my blogging and pictures. Since I have been back at work, my time spent blogging seems a little insignificant when I have my wonderful husband, precious little boy, and rambunctious dog to keep me busy! It's been quite an adjustment being back and work and I am hopeful that with every week it gets a little better each day. We are snowed in today, so it's a "pj's and catch up on emails" day. I am pretty good about getting Luke dressed everyday, but today he just looks so cozy and comfy in his warm fleece winter pj's so that is what it will be! We got close to a foot of snow and super high winds today. It is still snowing and travel is not advised across most of the state. Sean is suppose to fly to FL tonight but I highly doubt any planes will be taking off from Cedar Rapids today, at least I hope not!

This from my last day before I returned to work "coffee and kiddos" with some great friends, Carly and Summer.

Clara (7 months) Ella (2 1/2 yrs old), holding Siri (3 months) Luke (3 months), and Asher (2 years old)

Luke's first attempt at sitting in his Bumbo seat (12.04.09)

Gunner's making sure that everything is okay.

I think he is doing pretty well! He usually sits in this for about 5 minutes then he gets "bored"! This picture is bittersweet to me...he is so darn cute but he looks SO big...growing up way too fast! Although he still is a little cuddler and I love it!

Grandpa put him to sleep.

This was a lazy Sunday afternoon at the farm, lots of football and naps with Grandpa!

Another nap, this time Grandpa decided to take one too!

3 months old

3 months old with his "Bryan Bear"

Luke turned three months old on Friday, December 4th and he is just so much fun.

Luke, what are you doing these days???

-you are responding to people talking and smiling with a HUGE, precious smile

-you are a kicking fool-you are consistently sleeping 8-10 hours a night (Alleluia!!!!!!!!)

-you weigh 14 lbs

-we moved you up to size 2 diapers

-you still like to catnap during the day, some days taking a three hour nap

-you love to be talked and read to

-you stand on our laps and jump jump jump (we will be putting the jumparoo together SOON)

-you are a happy little boy, cooing & talking a lot

-you are still mesmerized by lights, you are loving the Christmas lights and fireplace

-you have had lots of babysitters (Grandma & Grandpa, Christine, Jackie, Bre, Linda & Dennis, Bryan& Kate)

-you are wearing 3-6 month clothes

-you have long legs and big hands

-you love to lay on your back and kick

-you tolerate your tummy time for just a few minutes

-you started sitting in you bumbo seat on 12/4/09

-you like to take naps in your swing

-we still swaddle you at night and you sleep so good

Your mommy and daddy feel so blessed by you, such a healthy, happy little boy!

Christmas Shopping

Today Luke and I went shopping in LaCrosse, WI with my mom. We had a very successful, yet exhausting day and Luke was an absolute champ! He got lots of attention and Grandma got to show him off to quite a few friends we ran into. We started our day shopping at 10:30 and concluded at 5pm, with just a quick stop for a sandwich and back at it. Luke enjoyed every minute of the shopping excursion except the last 20 minutes on the drive home, he was hungry! He laid in his bassinet stroller, kicking and smiling away, while all the shoppers adored him.
I still have a few people on my list to shop for but put a major dent in the shopping today. I may revert to online shopping for the remainder of the gifts. Shopping is a lot of work...I now know what "shop til you drop" feels like. I never remember it being this exhausting, but then again I have never shopped with a three month old either!
While the girls and Luke shopped, Sean and my dad stayed back at "deer camp"! It was open shot gun season today in Iowa. I have to laugh...pretty plush "deer camp" these two have!
They were successful today with one, but will be back out tomorrow as well.
Tomorrow is "wrapping day"! Let the Christmas music sound and go to town wrapping all the gifts we bought today. It is beginning to look and feel a lot like Christmas and I love it, this is my favorite time of year. This year it is so much more meaningful and special to share it with our little Luke!
I survived my first week back at work. I am hopeful that every week will get a little better. I definitely struggled this week and didn't want to put Luke down all night long! He is getting so fun. He is smiling a ton and loves to lay, kick his feet, and squeal. We have discovered he LOVES Grandma & Grandpa's fireplace.
I hope you all have an enjoyable weekend, stay warm!

AWESOME

This little guy is AWESOME!

(this was taken from my phone this a.m...sorry for the quality but I couldn't resist)

It's been a few days since I have had a chance to blog...I returned to work this week and am finding time to blog is hard to come by. Every chance I have when I am not catching up on a thousand emails, I want to spend with my boys! Do you blame me? This week has been a very challenging week for me returning to work. I knew it would be hard, but didn't realize just how much I enjoyed spending all day long with our little Luke! I feel like I miss so much that when I have the chance to be with him, I don't want to put him down. He is smiling SO much lately, the biggest, cheesiest grin ever and it just melts our hearts. He has started smiling in response to both Sean and my voices, which just makes me want to cry! This little guy knows his mommy and daddy and we couldn't be more proud. Tonight we went on a family outing! Sean and I decided to get out of the house for dinner and Luke was an absolute pleasure. About a month ago, there is no way we would have ventured out at 5:30 for dinner...that was his fussy time. He was so content and loved ALL the attention he got from every person that passed by.

He has been consistently sleeping from 9pm-5-6am, with the exception of last night...I felt like his newborn days...midnight, 3 am, 430am, 6am...come on Luke! So let's cross our fingers that it was just a rough night and he gets back on schedule!

I can't believe today is only Wednesday! Why is it that while I was on maternity leave my days and weeks seemed to fly like no other! I am hopeful that with each day it will get easier for me and the adjustment will start to feel more right.

So I will say in advance that my blogging will probably be cut back, as much as I love doing it and want to keep a great record of our growing family to look back on down the road and follow our daily happenings, I just need to spend time with my boys and love on my little Luke so much because I miss him when I can't be with him.

Thankful

WE ARE SO THANKFUL

As Sean and I drove to Davenport yesterday to celebrate Thanksgiving with most of his family, we spent the drive reflecting on how thankful we are for the great gifts God has given us! This past year we have undergone a lot of changes and so many times I would sit and think to myself, "this is a lot". A great friend reminded me that God never gives us more than we are not able to handle. Which is so true, and when we think it is a lot, it is the amazing family and friends that help us make it seem "less chaotic". Although the changes that took place in our lives are true blessings, welcoming our sweet little boy to the world, new jobs, moving, selling a house, and trying to find a house, it can be overwhelming when it happens all at once. We are overwhelmed with joy by the arrival of our healthy baby boy, Our Little Luke! We have so much love for this little guy and can not begin to describe just how blessed we feel that God has chosen us to parent this sweet little boy...we are thankful! We are so thankful for our wonderful family, amazing friends, and jobs to provide for our family.

12 weeks ago today our lives were blessed by this sweet little boy

Mommy snuggling up with little Luke after I got out of the OR

Sean admiring our beautiful little boy!

This is one of my favorites.

The nurse took this of Sean while I was still in the OR

Daddy and our Sweet Little Luke

The best gift in life

Daddy and Luke (probably watching college football)

Birthdays

During the month of November we are blessed to celebrate two very special birthdays. My mom celebrated her birthday on Tuesday, Luke can't wait to celebrate Grandma's birthday with her this weekend!

Today is Sean's dads birthday, Don turns 60 years old today. We are having a birthday celebration tomorrow evening in Davenport for Sean's dad.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday Don!

W Gallerie

Yesterday Luke and I went to Cedar Falls to have a few pictures taken by the same photographers who took our wedding photos.

Going to miss this little guy

This precious little boy has changed my life! I have spent every waking minute with him the past 11 weeks, next Monday I return to work and I am going to miss our little Luke more than ever! Now, granted returning to work for me will be going to our home office in our basement for the first few days, but bare with me...it will still be so hard to not be upstairs with him knowing that he is just right there. The good news, I can sneak a visit every now and then when I am really missing him. Luke has become such a happy baby for us and he just melts our hearts. This morning Sean went into his room at 8:30 and he was just laying in his crib, content as can be, just a smilin away! Last night we put him down at 9:00 and he slept until 5 a.m...in my book that is sleeping through the night! If he continues to sleep like a rockstar, it will work out great when I go back to work cause I can feed him, put him back down, and start my day!
This weekend Luke had lots of visitors, his Grandpa Merrick stopped by to visit him on his way to Des Moines Friday, Saturday he met the Kettmann Family (Chris, Julie, Evan & Gavin), Heath & Alicia Christians came to watch the Iowa game with us, and Kate & Nate Guess stopped in after the game was over! Sunday he saw his Grandpa & Grandma Einck, Uncle Mitch, Uncle Bryan & Aunt Kate, and Russ and Mary Jo Meyer (my parents good friends) We had a house full of visitors this weekend and Luke loves it!
Friday night Luke met a new babysitter, Christine. Sean and I went out to the Children's Museum Gala, a formal fundraiser for our local museum. We had a great time getting all dressed up (ok, I had a nice time getting all dressed up, it's been awhile!). We enjoyed the evening with great friends, good food, and several cocktails! Thank you to my friend Carly for inviting us, it was so fun!

This is how we shop...

Luke had a couple shopping outings yesterday! First, I hauled him up to Cedar Rapids to exchange a few things at TJ Maxx, then off to lunch at Panera with Uncle Mitch. Then, last night we decided to venture out as a family and get our long awaited video camera. For our anniversary, which was in AUGUST, we decided we were going to get a video camera...better late than never! Also, Sean had intentions of buying me a gift for the birth of our child...well, with Luke's arrival coming three weeks early and the "last minute" shopper than Sean is, I just got my gift...again, better late than never! So our first stop was Best Buy for the video camera, then off to the jewelry store!!! Can I just say they were the fastest two purchases we have made...that's what happens when you shop with a sleeping 10 week old! We also introduced Luke to Scheel's (sporting goods store). Sean told Luke, "get use to this place...this will soon be your favorite store!"

This is how Luke shops! So content...we should do this more often!

Lazy Wednesday

our little monkey

The weather has just been crappy...rainy and dreary. Let's hope it clears up this weekend for Iowa's last home game, there would be some disappointed tailgaters! We are having some friends over Saturday to watch the game and catch up.

Luke and I have just been hanging out these past few days. I feel like there is so many things that I need to get done but I just want to cuddle and play with my cute little monkey. I am having a hard time thinking of going back to work, I just want to spend every minute with our little Luke knowing that I will never get this time back with him. He is smiling a lot and has this cute little scream...his legs get a movin' then out comes a little exciting scream! He is napping much better which makes him such a happy little boy. The past few nights we have put him to bed around 8:00-8:30 and he is sleeping until 4 a.m then up for the day around 7 a.m, I can handle that! I never thought I would say this, being the "sleeper that I am", but I enjoy our little nighttime feeding. When he is all done he just cuddles up on me, so peaceful...I could sit there for hours, it melts my heart!

Luke met his friend Claire last Friday

Claire's mom, Michelle, is one of my best friends from high school and we had these two sweet little ones 9 days apart!

Luke met his buddy Ryder Laing on Monday night. Ryder was born in June and I have a feeling these two little guys are going to cause some trouble together! Randy and Megan are good friends we have gotten to know through our work. They came over Monday evening for dinner so we could introduce our two little guys to one another!

Megan and I with the two little guys!