Little Luke

We spent the weekend at my parents and had such a relaxing weekend. Sean sat in his tree stand ALL weekend long and came home empty handed. He and my dad went out tonight just before we left to "scope" out where the deer were at and sure enough they saw three BIG buck and several doe. Next time...

Luke had so much fun hanging out with Grandma & Grandpa, and of course his mommy while daddy went hunting. We had a great time watching the hawkeye game, but unfortunately the Hawks could not pull out a victory to secure Big Ten champions...boo-hoo!

This morning we attended mass with my parents and Luke was a champ! I was a little nervous taking him because his feeding time was scheduled to be smack dab in the middle of mass, but he hung in there, didn't say a peep, and was so content all through church.

I must say our little guy has become such a happy little boy. I gave up on dairy products about two weeks ago and it has made a world of difference. It may not all be the dairy, but it sure seems that since I gave it up, he is napping better and just an all around content little guy. He loves to lay on the floor and kick & scream...it is the cutest thing ever. I could sit and watch him do that for hours! However, Luke knows what he wants...he sure lets us know when he is done playing and is ready for naptime! Last night he went down at 8:30 and slept until 4:15 a.m then back up at 7!!!

Two weeks from tonight will be a very very very sad night in our house...I will be getting ready to go back to work:( Although I am excited to get back into the swing of things with my team, I am really going to miss hanging out with my little Luke all day long. I am loving being a mommy to his adorable little guy!

missing Kalamazoo

Today I am just really missing Kalamazoo...our beautiful house that we made our first "home", all our great friends, our neighborhood, and Gunner says he misses his BIG backyard. While I am glad to be closer to many of our family and friends, I expected the move 'back' to Iowa to be a much easier transition. In my heart I know it was the best thing for our family, and I keep telling myself that. At the end of the day, Sean and I just feel so blessed that in our short time in Kalamazoo, it made such an impression on our lives, there is so much that we will always hold so close to our hearts.

8885 Weeping Pine Lane

Our first home together &

Luke's first home

Our beautiful home & Gunner's paradise of a backyard!

Luke meets more family...

Wednesday Luke and I went to Cedar Rapids for a quick trip to meet his second cousin Hudson and meet some family. My cousins Kristin and Landon had Hudson one month before Luke and we were dying to meet their blessed little boy!

My Grandma, Aunt Marilyn, Aunt Barb, and cousin Erin drove down to meet the little guys, it was so great to see them! My Grandma Einck has been blessed with seven great grandsons!!!

Luke and I with Grandma, Hudson, and Kristin

(Luke is apparently not so happy here)

Great Grandma Einck with her newest Great Grandsons!

Luke and Hudson, their first of many playdates!
(Luke-9.04.09 & Hudson-8.03.09)

Hudson Landon Einck...too precious!

Luke with cousin Kristin

Great Aunt Barb and Cousin Erin

Great Aunt Marilyn (Hudson's Grandma)

Get Well Soon

Gunner's girlfriend Luna (Rozewicz) sent him a little treat today!

Here is our poor little guy...recovering very slowly. We knew this was going to be a long road for our boy Gunner, but it is so hard for us to see him like this. His cast and dressing came off last night. They want him to put a little weight on his leg, which he is pretty much refusing. He has started eating again, which is great news! He has been eating dog treats with peanut butter and his pills in the peanut butter. Not ideal, but the best way for us to get him to take his meds.
Overall, he is recovery nicely...we just have to be really careful with him on our hardwood floors so he doesn't slip. We put an old futon mattress out on the screened in porch so he has been spending his days out on the patio getting some fresh air!

Chillin' & a nappin'

WE HAVE A NAPPER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can I just tell you how happy I am to post today that Luke has taken to his nap times! We have had quite the time during our transition from Kalamazoo to Iowa City to get our little guy committed to naps longer than 15 minutes. An infant without a nap=MONSTER! Last week was our first full week in one place so I dedicated myself to really work on finding the times that Luke was ready for naps and sticking to it, sometimes we battled more than others. But I will say these last few days he has his 9:30 a.m and 12:30 p.m naps down to a tee, basically saying "mom, I am ready for a nap!" We are still working on his late afternoon one. Our other struggle has been getting him to nap somewhere other than my arms....well we accomplished that...I hope I didn't speak to soon! (PLEASE) Yesterday he was pretty fussy in his crib so I laid him on the couch next to me and he slept for two hours. Today I transitioned him to his bassinet for naps and he is lovin' it!!!

Luke met his babysitter today, Jackie. Jackie is going to be watching Luke for us when I go back to work so she is coming a few hours a couple of times week these next few weeks to get to know Luke before she starts full time. Luke went down for her this a.m without a fuss...GO FIGURE!

Luke just chillin out

Luke loves laying with his daddy!
This is what we do on Sundays...watch football!

Getting stronger everyday!

And here is our poor boy Gunner! His surgery went really well, but he is pretty laid up, as you can see. It is going to be a long three months of recovery but I know Gunner will be so thankful this summer when he can run and play like his ole self again, and better yet...go hunting!

Special Prayer

I wanted to dedicate my blog today to a few special friends who are at various points in their pregnancy. I am always reminded to keep them in my thoughts and prayers during this special time for a healthy pregnancy.

Father, we thank you for your marvellous gift; you have allowed our dear friends to share in your divine parenthood. During this time of waiting, we ask you to protect and nurture these first mysterious stirrings of life. May their child come safely into the light of the world and to the new birth of baptism. Mother of God, we entrust their child to your loving heart. Amen.

Luke meets more friends

Last Thursday one of my best friends from college, Carly and her daughter Clara, came over for a visit while her oldest daughter Ella was at class! Carly and her family just moved back to Iowa City in June from Chicago, so it is SO nice having them here. We had a great morning catching up over Starbucks and kiddos!
Saturday Luke met our great friend Matt Stockdale and his girlfriend Stephanie. They both live in Des Moines but were in town for the Iowa football game. They stopped by after the game, so we grilled out, drank some beers, and cried for the poor Iowa football perfect season-no more:(
****Gunner update: Gunner surgery was on Friday and it went really well. They said his ACL was completely torn and had lots of bone spurs. He was acting pretty goofy on Friday night from his anesthesia. Saturday he was up moving around, they took him outside and he started putting some weight on his leg. Sean is on his way to Ames right now to pick up our boy! I can't wait to see him, we have missed him so much around the house these past few days. He is going to have very limited activity these next few weeks and then leash walking only for the next few months. We can't wait to have our Boy back to his good ole self again and doing all the things he loves most!!!!

Luke with Carly

(This is not the first time they met, I just forgot to take a picture before!)

Clara (6 months old) is checking out her new buddy

Clara, Luke, and Ella enjoying a little football Saturday

Luke with Matt & Stephanie

Matt has the touch...Luke 'comfortably' sleeping!