Grandma and Grandpa Visit

Grandma and Grandpa came to see us last week. Trey had a great time with both of them, and my parents loved seeing Luke for the first time. Unfortunately we all got sick! It started with my dad and worked its way through the family. We are doing better now, but it sure put a damper on their trip. Grandma and Grandpa left the toybox much fuller than it was when they came. My dad loves that Trey is a "little motorhead" (as he calls him). He had a blast taking Trey to the motorcycle shop, to Bass pro shop to "drive" the boats and four-wheelers, and most of all to the toy stores to buy stuff we don't need. Trey had one toy motorcycle when my parents got here; he now has NINE!!! 

                                                                                                                              Little Motorhead

They also added quite a bit to our DVD collection. My dad felt guilty because he thinks he got us sick, so he bought a ton of movies for Trey to watch while he was sick. Mom spent most of her time adoring little Luke, and to my pleasure she even took the night shift for a few nights. We had a great time with them, but are already missing them. Fortunately, we will be seeing everyone in May when we are back up in Michigan for Aunt Melina's wedding!!!! How exciting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The hardest thing...

I've discovered the hardest thing about being a mom of 2...mommy guilt! Life used to revolve around Trey, and now it doesn't. I know that it is good for him to learn this lesson early, but sometimes it's enough to make me cry when he wants me to play with him but I can't because my hands are tied up with Luke. Trey really has been a good sport about everything, and I am much harder on myself than Trey is on me. Even though I'm with him all day, I reach the end of the night and I really miss him. I anticipated the lack of sleep, the round the clock feedings and diaper changes, the spit-up, the pain involved with recovery, and the feeling of unproductiveness. I did NOT anticipate how little time and energy I would have to give to Trey. The good news is that I have no recollection of going through the same thing when I was 3 and my sister was born. I have to keep reminding myself of that.

                                                                    Bath time gives Trey crazy hair

Luke had a 3 week check up yesterday, and boy is he growing! He has been a good eater from the get go, and he now weighs nearly 9lbs!!! That still only puts him in the 50th percentile for weight but we know that will change with his rate of growth. He is in the 75th percentile for height and has outgrown all of his newborn clothes. I put the little rompers on him and they are like floods.

                                                                                                                                    My baby is already getting so big!!!

I want to say a quick thank you to Gary's mom and to my parents as well. Gary's mom was here for 3 weeks helping us out!!! She cooked and cleaned and helped out with the kids. She left our pantry stocked full of food and we are eternally grateful to her. On the same token, my parents are en route right now to help me out while Gary travels for the first time since Luke's birth. They are looking forward to seeing the boys, and I am looking forward to the extra hands. Thanks so much. We love you all.

Adjusting to life as a family of 4

I know it has taken me a long time to get these posts up, and I'm so sorry! All of you with kiddies understand. Anyway, I have to say that we have been incredibly blessed!!! Luke is a pretty good baby. We still have sleepless nights and restless moments, but that's to be expected with any baby. Trey is adjusting to big-brotherhood as best as we can ask for now. He does get jealous every now and then and insist that we hold him instead of holding "[his] baby Luke" (he calls him, "my baby Luke"). He is a really great helper. He likes to get me diapers, feed Luke bottles, hold him, and help with baths. 

Luke is changing every day. He is filling out some, and eats like a champ. He takes almost double what Trey ate at this age in a feeding! His hair is getting a light red tint to it, and his eyes are a lighter blue than Trey's were, which makes me wonder if they will stay that way.

Trey is growing up so fast, and we can really see that now with the disparity between the two boys. He has become quite the thinker, and uses some very adult words such as, "actually". Gary asked him if he liked snow and he said, "no", and then he cocked his head to the side and said, "actually, I like Frosty the snowman". And just two days ago he looked down at my bare feet and said, "mommy, you need socks?" I said yes and he replied, "I'll find some for you". I told him that they were in my top drawer and he couldn't reach them. After about 3 seconds of deep thinking he said, "maybe I could use my step-stool". I was so proud of him in that moment for his problem solving skills.

We have become a wii family. Trey is REALLY in to Guitar Hero!!! At first he just wanted to play the drums, but as of last night, he decided to take the mic. He was singing about all kinds of stuff...fish, his truck, Luke, anything he could think of. Too cute!!!!!

I want to say a special thank you to any of you reading this. You have all been so supportive as we make our transition. We haven't had to cook dinner yet this week because you have all been so kind and generous and brought us food. We have had countless offers to watch Trey and run errands for us. We are so thankful for each and every one of you! God bless.