My name is...

I had to make a quick post documenting a first for Luke:) Tonight we were playing around with Gunner and I asked "what is his name?" as I pointed to Gunner, and he replied "Uke", pointing to himself. I was in awe because we have been working on him saying his name but he never attempted. So I asked him again as we looked at a picture of himself and he pointed to the picture and said "Uke". It was absolutely precious! Now, we just have to work on getting the "L" in there! Tonight after we were done reading his books, he pointed to the letters above his crib and I shared with him, "L-U-K-E, that spells your name," and he replied "Uke"! Our little boy is growing up so much I just want to cuddle him forever:)

Visit from The Yates!

A couple of weeks ago we had a great visit with my dear from Molly, her mom, and precious three little kids! Molly and I met in college and she is one of the sweetest, kindest people you will ever know! She and her husband Jarrod welcomed twin boys, Dylan & Grant, this past December and this was our first meeting. And you can't forget about beautiful little Nora! Luke and Nora had so much fun playing together in his toy room, then we ventured out to the Iowa Children's Museum. Molly was back visiting her home town just south of Iowa City, giving her husband a quiet house for the week so he could study for his boards. Jarrod is entering his fellowship year in Radiology. I would be absolutely thrilled and completely overjoyed if they ended up back here next year!!! (hint, hint) I think her mom would like that too:) It was a great visit and as always, not long enough!

The best we could do getting a picture of the four kiddos!
Luke showing Nora all of his toys!

Dylan and Grant...the sweetest little boys and so well behaved!

24 weeks

Baby Bump @ 24 weeks

(I do actually wear other clothes than just workout gear, it just seems whenever I think to get a picture, it is after we come in from playing outside or just lounging around the house!)

Some days I feel like time is flying, then when I think...I have 16 weeks left to go, I think we are moving at turtle pace! I am still feeling good, so I feel very fortunate. I have been making much more of a conscious effort to get out and walk daily which has been wonderful. The weather has been perfect and the morning air feels so refreshing! I am not craving anything really, just feel like I could drink 5 liters of water daily! I am making frequent trips to the bathroom at all hours of the night, therefore not sleeping the best. But then again, I think it is mother natures way of conditioning me for waking up with Baby. We have been so blessed with Luke, he is the best sleeper! Currently, Sweet Baby is measuring just over 1 pound and about a foot long, so getting back to the produce...about the length of an ear of corn! In a few weeks I will have my glucose test and my rogham shot being I am rh negative. When I think that in three short months this baby can arrive anytime, it makes me a little anxious. I am looking forward to a fun summer with Luke before I must divide my attention.

On a side note...I have a funny Luke story...yesterday morning he was playing in his toy room while I finished getting ready. I went upstairs to play with him a bit and when I walked in the toy room he looked at me, grabbed his diaper, and said "ah-booped, ah-booped". I asked him if he had a stinky, he shook his head yes, ran into his room, laid on the floor and held his legs up! It makes me laugh just thinking about it. Wow, I love this stage of constant learning!

Mothers Day Weekend 2011

Mothers Day 2011 with my little guy! Luke, you are such a special blessing to our family, you bring so much joy to each day, and we love you to the moon and back...
My wonderful mother!

After church we went to the Country Club to enjoy brunch, it wasn't as good as my mom's cooking, but we didn't want her to cook on Mother's Day! After brunch, Luke was lucky enough to get a ride on the golf cart with "Bop"

Luke enjoying the golf course, or at least playing with the flags on the putting green

Luke and Claire getting ready to go for a spin!

Claire is my great friend Michelle's daughter, they are just a few days apart in age. Michelle is a dear friend, and she was enjoying brunch with her family as well, so it was great to see them and let the kiddos run around wild on the golf course!

Luke is one lucky little boy!

He loved going for a ride with Maam-ma and Bop!

Saturday we enjoyed spending the beautiful day outside!

Here is Luke and Maam-ma going for a short ride while they work on the yard

Of course Gunner loved being outdoors ALL day long and running free on the farm!

One of many gorgeous views on my parents farm

Sean helped my dad in the field all day/night Saturday! He was a big help, so my dad could plant behind him and get ALL of his corn in! Sean always enjoys helping on the farm, although I don't think he knew what he was getting himself into spending 12 hours in the tractor! Saturday afternoon, Luke, mom, and I walked out to bring a little lunch to my dad and Sean. It was just like when I was a little kid. My grandpa and grandma Einck would come up to help with fieldwork and we would always walk out to the field and enjoy a little picnic snack!

My dad running the planter

Luke helping Maam-ma with yard work

Priceless Moments

I have not forgotten...I know it has been awhile and it is not because I haven't wanted to post, the time has been very hard to come by these past couple of weeks. I do owe a Mother's Day post from our fun weekend in Waukon, as well as a post from our fun family festivities this past weekend. We were so glad to have my brother Nate, his fiance Debbie, and her mom, sister, and family friend back from Seattle to spend the weekend with us as we gear up for their big wedding in July. We hosted a bridal shower for Debbie while the guys enjoyed Nate's Bachelor party. It was a fun, memorable weekend! (pictures to follow in an upcoming post)

Priceless moments with our Sweet Little Luke...

Mesmerized by the sight of this Sweet Little Boy, just minutes old...

There has been something on my mind a lot lately that I wanted to write a quick post on...for all you mom's out there, whether you are mothering one child, several, or anticipating the arrival of a new baby, I am sure you can relate. Lately, I am enamored by how quickly the time has gone raising Luke, and going with the anticipation of our sweet Baby #2. I find myself wondering how is it possible to have so much love for not only my husband, but for TWO kids!? When we had Luke, I never knew it was possible to have so much love for someone so new and small, how can I have more? How will I share my time and make sure Luke still feels so very special? These thoughts cross my mind a lot throughout the day as I view my expanding waistline. Lately, I find myself rocking Luke to sleep...why am I doing that, we never rock him to sleep? Well, it is because this sweet little 6lb 4oz baby is five times the size in a short 20 months, and I don't know how much longer I will get cuddle time with my growing son?! The moments are so bittersweet...I love watching him grow, learn new things, and am amazed at all the new words and actions, however its happening all too fast. In just a few short months we will welcome home a new baby and Luke won't be my baby anymore...I love our Sweet Little Luke more than I can put into words and for now...I am okay with rocking him to sleep, even though one day I will kick myself, but for right now this mama needs it! Last night I told Sean I was going to check on Luke after he had gone to sleep, little did he know I picked up our sleeping boy and sat in the rocker and just held him. Priceless moments...

Luke 19 month pictures

A few weeks ago we were home visiting my family and celebrating Easter early. We took the opportunity to have some family pictures taken, along with Luke's 19 month pictures. Auny Pole at aunypolephotography.com, check her blog out aunypolophotography.blogspot.com was kind enough to fit us into her schedule while she was also home visiting family. We love the pictures she was able to capture of our little guy and highlights his personality! Thank you Auny!

Our Family, Spring 2011
Mommy having a moment

Luke loves to walk holding both of our hands, it is so precious when he reaches for us both

"knock, knock"

"off he goes"

Getting ready to take off

our little boy

Anything I can find to jump off...this rock will do.

This little boy melts my heart to pieces.

Mommy & Daddy love you so much!

Easter weekend 2011

Lots of pictures below, but it is the best way to capture our eventful Easter weekend!

Saturday morning we ventured to Atkins, IA to Bloomsberry Farms to have breakfast with the Easter Bunny. Here is Luke visiting with the Easter Bunny!
Riding the horse

Luke with Ryan & Kyle (our neighbors who we went with) checking out the bunnies

Luke and Ryan trying to pet the bunny

...and again

Luke's favorite thing of the whole day...the large in ground bouncer

(I apologize in advance for all the pictures,

but this was pure joy watching him bounce. He loved it!)

Having so much fun!

Even when the big kids would knock him down, he still had fun!

Looks like a bounce house might be our next purchase!

After Luke got up from his nap, 3 1/2 hours I might add. I guess that is what running wild at the farm and bouncing like crazy will do to a little boy! We colored Easter eggs!

Coloring eggs, such a good helper

Our finished project of colored Easter Eggs

Luke geared up for an Easter egg hunt with our neighbors Saturday evening.

Our neighbors were kind enough to invite Luke over to join them in their Easter egg hunt.

Daddy & Luke at the neighbors Easter egg hunt

Luke and Kyle going after eggs
Kyle is one of the neighbor friends that Luke enjoys playing with weekly!

Look at what the Easter Bunny brought!

Our Family on Easter morning after church

Luke was thrilled with the "tuckers" aka suckers, in his Easter basket

Luke on Easter Sunday

playing in the kitchen with his new digger

checking out what the Easter bunny brought