Our weekend

FAMILY FUN!!!

the guys reinacting the last play of the Iowa/Michigan State game

The Merrick Family

Our Family

Mitch wanted to be in the picture...he is a little upset he isn't the "baby" anymore!

Our little farmer!

Grandma and her little hawkeye

Luke and mom cheering the Hawks onto victory over Michigan State!

These are our lucky tshirts!!!

Luke stayed up late to meet his Uncle Nate and see Uncle Bryan again!

Luke was so happy he got to celebrate his Uncle Nate's birthday with him...

Thanks for coming to Michigan Uncle Nate!

Uncle Nate flew in from San Fransisco and Debbie came all the way from Seattle to meet little Luke, AND cheer for the Hawkeyes!!!!!

FINALLY....I got to meet all my uncles!

CHEERS! So good to have the family all together

We recruited our great friend Mike Rozewicz to becoming an Iowa Fan...this is the year!

We had a great weekend with our family in town for the Iowa vs. Michigan State football game...How about those Hawks!?!?!?!?! It was such a great game for us Hawk fans, and I am so thankful that my brother Nate got to witness another victory. He flew in from San Fransisco for the weekend to meet little Luke and cheer the Hawks onto victory.

The weekend consisted of great people, lots of food & drinks, laughter, more drinks, hawkeye victory, family pictures, lots of "Luke lovin", and its always ends with a sad to say good-bye to everyone. We don't get everyone together all that often, it's just a few times a year that all of us can be together, although we always make the most of it, it is still hard to see everyone leave.

Last weekend in Michigan

Big Blues

As sad is it is to say it...I must write that this is our last weekend in Michigan. Kalamazoo will always hold a very special place in our hearts...this is where Sean and I made our first home together, which we will miss so dearly. For the first time we made a house "our home" one we will be ever thankful for. This home was where we brought our firstborn home to, this was Luke's home. We met so many amazing people during our short time in Kalamazoo, but know the friendships will last a lifetime. We are very blessed by all those who we have met and enjoyed so much. Today I went out to run a couple of errands and on my drive back home, I took a little extra time just taking it all in. I absolutely love the area we live in and our neighborhood.
It is gorgeous, especially this time of year. It made me sad to think that I won't be driving through our beautiful subdivision but just a few more times:( As with every step on our lives, we will cherish the memories and friendships forever as we move onto the next chapter. We feel so thankful for the opportunity to move back closer to our family, especially now that we have our Sweet Little Luke. We will be making the official move this coming Tuesday.

How are we spending our last weekend in Kalamazoo...my family is all coming into town for the Iowa/Michigan State football game. Grandpa and Grandma Einck are arriving today to help watch Luke while Sean is gone and the rest of the clan is arriving tomorrow evening. Nate is flying in from San Fransisco and Debbie is flying in from Seattle. This will be their first trip to Michigan and first time meeting Luke! We are so excited to see them, we haven't seen them since Sean and I visited California in May.
Tomorrow Luke will be seven weeks old and he will be getting his shots at the doctors office...I am not looking forward to that appointment. Sean will be getting back in town just in time to go with...I could not handle it alone! If the weather cooperates we are hoping to take Luke to the pumpkin patch and apple orchard. However, it doesn't sound too promising.

Have a great weekend and enjoy this beautiful Fall!

single mom this week

So I am learning what it is like to be a single parent...tough! Sean is gone all week so it's just Gunner, Luke, and I. Even though I am nursing and take care of all the feedings in the middle of the night, it is SO nice having an extra set of hands around the house for all the little things I forget about. Not to mention of our little guy decides he wants his day to start at 5:30 a.m Sean has been so good about getting up with him and letting me sleep a little longer. Today Luke thought 5:30 was a great time to start his day! He is really starting to coo..., kick, and flap his hands like a crazy man these days. I keep asking him when I am going to see a smile other than his precious sleep smile he cracks!

The weather is gorgeous...this is what Fall is all about. Yesterday my friend Carrie and I went for a long walk, today I am meeting a couple friends, Carrie and Carie (neighbor friends) for lunch, tomorrow I have my 6 week check up, and Friday Luke has a doctor appointment...busy week for Luke and mommy!

This weekend Luke gets to meet his Uncle Nate and Debbie. They are flying in for the weekend and while they are here they are going to the Iowa vs Michigan State game with the rest of my family. It will be nice to have one more family weekend in Michigan before the move next Tuesday.

Luke misses his daddy

Happy Birthday Nate!

Today is my brother Nate's 31st Birthday and we send him greetings from Michigan to California! Luke can't wait to meet his Uncle Nate next weekend when he comes to visit!

pictures, pictures, and more pictures...

Luke with Uncle Mitch...they met for the first time on 10.07.09

with Sarah...she was in Iowa City for the IA vs. Michigan game and stopped by for a visit! (10.10.09)

with Kate, she drove down from Cedar Falls when we were in Iowa City to visit!
It's been over two years since we have seen each other...it was a much needed "catch up session"
(10.10.09)

with Great Great Aunt DoraLee, she was on her way back from Chicago and stopped for a few minutes (10.10.09)

The Merrick Family all decked out for the Iowa vs. Michigan homecoming game (10.10.09)

with Dana, she drove down from Rochester to visit while we were in Waukon (10.12.09)

Linda and Dana checking Luke out during their visit (10.12.09)

Grandpa taking a break from the farm to hang out with Luke before we headed back to Michigan one last time (10.13.09)

Daddy taking a break from work to hang out...the joy of working from home! (10.16.09)


6 weeks old...

in the outfit I bought for Luke to go home from the hospital in, it finally fits

6 WEEKS LATER

GO HAWKS!!! Way to beat the Badgers!

(outfit from Uncle Mitch)

10.17.09

Iowa

I apologize it has been so long since I have posted...we have been in Iowa since last Wednesday and I didn't bring my computer. It has been kind of nice not having it...never thought I would say that.
We spent a few days in Iowa City visiting daycares and friends, watching Iowa football, and a very special day on Sunday...Luke's baptism!
Sunday after Luke's baptism we packed up and headed to Waukon to stay with Grandpa and Grandma Einck while Sean went to Omaha for work. Luke has been enjoying his first trip to the farm and experienced his first snow!
Luke met so many people this trip...Uncle Mitch, Great Grandma Einck, Great Grandpa and Grandma Hackman, Heath & Alicia, Kevin, Danielle, & Connor, Carly, Joe, Ella, & Clara Slattery, Sarah Erwin, Great Great Aunt DoraLee, Kate Guess, Dana Johnson, & Linda DeBuhr!!!
We are heading back to Michigan tomorrow...home sweet home...for a couple more weeks!
I will post all our great pictures from the week soon!

1 month old

Today Luke is 1 month old! Little Luke what have you been up to...
-you LOVE LOVE to be held at all times, we are working on getting you to go down for a nap all by yourself

-you don't like to nap too much during the day

-you are getting up around 2 a.m and 6 a.m for nighttime feedings

-you are eating every 2 1/2-3 hours during the day

-you do not like your swing or bouncy seat all that much, although you are beginning to tolerate your swing

-you love going for walks with Gunner

-you had your first bottle on 10.03.09 when we went out to dinner

-you had your first babysitter on 9.17.09 (Grandma and Grandpa Einck) while mommy got her hair done

-you love laying on mommy's chest and hold your head up

-you don't like your pacifier that much, you always pop it out and get mad

-you are a little grunter and have recently started to squeak like a dolphin

-we call you our little monkey or little monster

-you had your first non-grandparent babysitter 10.2.09, Carrie Eliuk and family

-you average 3-4 outfits a day due to major blowouts

-we had to buy a wipes warmer because you hated the cold wipes, now changing your diaper is much more tolerated

-you are sleeping in your bassinet in mommy & daddy's room

-you enjoy your bathtime

-you love to sleep with you hands up by your ears and your legs crossed

-you will occasionally suck on your fingers

Luke & Daddy-ONE month old

Luke & mommy-ONE month old

Luke all ready for college football Saturday!

Yes...Luke has found his thumb

This is how daddy and Luke watch football

a few "firsts"

A few of Luke's firsts from the weekend!

Luke with Carrie at the hospital, his first non-Grandparent babysitter!

Friday evening Sean's work had a going away party for him, so my dear friend Carrie was kind enough to watch Luke for a couple of hours so I could attend the party and say good-bye to many of Sean's co-workers that we got to know so well during our time here in Kalamazoo.

Madison & Caitlyn, Carrie's little helpers, love having Luke over! Luke is thinking "lots of pink"!

Madison keeping Luke company
Little Miss Caitlyn keeping a close eye on Luke!

Luke's 1st date with Melina Rozewicz...chaperoned by both sets of parents at Fieldstone (10.03.09)
Last night we ventured out to dinner with our great friends Mike & Deb Rozewicz to Fieldstone Grille, one of our favorites in town. Luke also had his first date with their sweet daughter Melina! As you can see from the picture Luke was giving her the silent treatment for the first hour, then he broke loose and showed off his temper...not a GREAT first date! We will see if she accepts a second date??? He was not a happy camper towards the end of the evening. Luke wearing his first of many hawkeye outfits (gift from Grandpa & Grandma Einck) yesterday as he cheered on the Hawks to victory over Arkansas State. It wasn't a pretty win but it was a "W". Next week will be a big test...vs Michigan. Luke will get to cheer the hawks on from Iowa City with Grandma Einck! My mom is kind enough to watch Luke for us so we can tailgate a little before the big homecoming game! We really had to twist her arm to stay back to watch Luke...absolutely NOT!