HOW CUTE IS THAT?

Our little man Luke has not been feeling well the last couple of days - another nasty summer cold. And, his Daddy had been out of town a couple of days on business.  So last evening when Marc got home, Luke crawled up with him on the chaise.  Within minutes, he was out like a light.  He hadn't napped that afternoon, and it was now 4:30.  A little late in the day for his nap, but due to being sick, and the fact that his Daddy was finally back, he could finally relax and get a few ZZZZ's.

A WEEK IN PICTURES

Grey Daniel - 1 week old

I can't believe it's already been a week since Grey came screaming into the world.  These past seven days have gone by so fast.  My Mom arrived two days before the blessed event to help me out.  Then my Dad arrived this past Saturday.  Having them both here was a huge help, especially with Luke.  Mom was able to watch him so Marc could be with me at the hospital.

Three days stay in the hospital is both not long enough and too long.  Not long enough, because the extra help with the baby is nice. Too long because you are just so ready to be home with your new family and in your own bed.

Grey seemed to rest pretty restfully in the hospital.  There is nothing more precious than a sleeping baby.

On Sunday, it was time for him and I to go home.  We got him all dressed up in his "Going Home" outfit.

Then we each took our picture with him.

He looks pretty ready to go home - so tiny in the car seat.

Once home, we were able to settle somewhat into a routine.  Grandma and Grandpa were there to help us with the transition, but would leave us in the evening so we could have quality family time.  Here are Marc and Grey getting in a little bonding time.

On Tuesday, Grey got his first bath (since birth).  He didn't seem to really mind it, but I could tell he didn't like being cold.  It's hard to keep a baby warm, when they can't be in the water yet due to the umbilical cord.  We never experienced this with Luke because his cord fell off in NICU.  Once we got him home, he could take a normal bath, which he loved (and still does).

He's kind of smiling, so the first bath at home must have been a success.

When we first brought Grey home, Luke didn't quite know what to think.  When he would visit in the hospital, Grey was a novelty, but not anything he thought we would be bringing home. However, once he got used to him being in the house, Luke was back to the adoring big brother.

He loves to give his baby brother kisses.

Like most all babies, Grey developed Jaundice when he was two days old, so after his first doctor's visit, we were told to put him in front of a window.  We went one better - we placed him under the skylight in the kitchen.  So in his diaper, in the 2' x 2' square of bright sunlight, Grey worked on his tan and the elimination of Jaundice.

Grey loves his new room.  Here he is just chilling in his crib.

Grandpa's main job while he was here was to hang out with his number one fan.  Here are the two of them, joined at the hip, like they were the entire time Grandpa was here.  Luke was very sad when he left this morning.

Here are Grandpa and Grandma Charles with their two newest Grandsons.

So far every morning, Luke has come in with me to help get Grey up to meet the day.  He is going to make such a great Big Brother.

Again, Marc and I are SO blessed with these two handsome boys.

GREY DANIEL HAS ARRIVED!!!!!

Thursday, 5.14.09

7:58 am

8lbs., 0oz.

21" long

Thursday, May 14, 2009 started bright and early at 3:30am.  I got up to get in a good shower before we left for the hospital.  We had to be there at 6:00am for the 7:30am surgery.

Here I am getting all prepped for the C-Section.

Everything with the surgery went very smoothly.  Marc was right there beside me to hold my hand, but I told him getting pictures was more important than holding my hand.

He was able to get this shot of Grey's umbilical cord being cut.  As soon as Grey's head was out and his mouth was free and clear...he started screaming.  He was pissed!!!

The most amazing fact to us was that Grey weighed in at 8lbs!!!  That's more than the twins combined.  No wonder I was as big with him as I was with them.

Here he is being weighed.  Check out the peach fuss!  Way more hair than his brother had.

As soon as they had him cleaned up, Marc brought him over to meet his Mommy.

Note the tears of joy in all of our eyes!!!!

Proud PaPa!!!!

Proud MaMa

Later that afternoon, Big Brother Luke and Grandma Charles came for a visit.  This video is of Luke meeting his Baby Brother.

Grey's birth was a completely different experience than with the twins.  The twins came so unexpectantly, that we didn't have time to think about it.  With Grey, everything happened as you would see on TV.  Thursday, May 14, 2009 was a perfect day.

HOW LUCKY AM I??

How lucky am I to be married to such a wonderful man, who would love me enough to give me these two beautiful gifts?

Here are the three most cherished men in my life.

Marc, I love you!!!!  And thank you for making me a mother!!!!

OMG... I'M HAVING A BABY TOMORROW...

Thank God!!!!!!!!!! I am SO over it!!!! Being sick for the last week really ruined the whole experience for me. You all know how much I loved being pregnant, but having a deep chest cold...not so much. I'm actually very nervous about the fact that I might start coughing when Dr. Hamilton starts cutting me open...and then where will we be?

Anyway, on my last day of "Bellywood", I am weighing in at 174lbs, and measuring 43.5".

I know that as soon as I see the sweet little face of my baby Grey, it will have all been worth it.

MOTHER'S DAY 2009

Mother's Day 2009 was a beautiful day here in Central Virginia.  The weather was perfect for spending the day with my two favorite men.  The morning started out with the best hubby in the world fixing me special "Mom" pancakes.  Then after we had all had breakfast, we went to a nearby garden center to buy a hanging plant and some vegetables for a little garden that Luke and I will try to take care of this summer.

Here are Luke and I with the beautiful hanging Impatients that he and Daddy picked out for me.

Grey's also in the picture, Luke just happens to be sitting on him.  A big belly makes for quite a great "seat" when holding a toddler.

Thanks boys for a wonderful Mother's Day.  I love you all!!!!!!

LUKE & DADDY'S MORNING WORKOUT

Here are a couple of videos showing Luke and Marc doing their daily workout.

They always start with pull-ups...

and finish with push-ups.

14 DAYS TO GO!!!!!!!

Well, our countdown is getting shorter and shorter.  We only have two weeks left.  As of now, we have the C-Section scheduled for the 14th at 7:30am.  Nothing like not being able to get one last good nights sleep before the blessed event.

Do you think I look bigger than two weeks ago?

AN EVENING AT THE BEACH

After it being in the 90's over the weekend, yesterday afternoon, it finally started to cool off a little bit.  After dinner, we took Luke down to the beach so the three of us could enjoy a beautiful spring evening.

Father and Son watching the water.

Here is a little video of Luke playing in the sand.

In only, every evening of the year could be this temperature.

BIRTHDAY BARBEQUE

This past weekend, Marc and I celebrated our birthdays.  As most of you know, Marc and I share the same birthday - April 26th.  I, unfortunately, am now officially middle age at 41, and Marc is a young 33.  Of course, with his gray hair, everyone still thinks I'm younger - gotta Love that.

To help us celebrate, all of our dear friends in the Hood, got together and organized a Barbeque down at our community pavilion.

Of course, we had to get a family photo commemorating the event.  In this photo, I am now 36 weeks pregnant.  Everyone kept asking me if I was sure I wasn't carrying twins again.  Do I really look that big?  The answer is YES!!  But really, I think it was just the outfit.

One of our friends was also celebrating his birthday this past weekend.  Gerry Kane turned 50 something on the 25th.  So the Barbeque was a triple celebration.

When we all get together, there is ALWAYS an abundance of INCREDIBLY DELICIOUS food.  Luke is shown here digging in to a fabulous assortment.

After filling all of our bellies, the three birthday folks went about opening cards and gifts. 

After the presents, everyone began chilling out listening to the great music that was provided courtesy of a couple of ipods from Marc and Pat Denny.

Here are Marc and his lake brother, Keith Myers.  They are usually attached at the hip.

While the adults enjoyed in their adult fun, Luke was completely entertained.  Here he is playing soccer with TJ and Aly.

Luke and his buddies - Aly Judy and TJ Myers

Luke had a blast running around the ENTIRE time.  But here, in this picture, he was standing still, chilling out, with his hands in his pockets.  Don't you love his outfit?

Luke is slowing wearing out by the end of the evening.  Here he is taking a break - sitting down and telling TJ how much fun he has had.

Some of the adults partook and a fun adult activity - Beer Pong.  Here are Marc and Tom Judy playing against Linda and Keith Myers.  I think Marc and Tom lost.

Luke has finally lost most of his energy.  Here he is quenching his thirst.  And actually, this was the first time any of us had seen him drink out of a water bottle without spilling it all over himself.  Way to go Luke!!!!

Daddy holding his favorite little boy.

The night was HUGE success.  We want to thank all of our dear friends and let you all know that we really don't know what we would do without you.

MORE OF LUKE

The following photos are just some moments I was able to capture of Luke just being Luke.

In this photo, he is showing us his LOVE of Baked Beans.  Even though he is getting really good at using eating utensils, with Baked Beans, he just can't get them in his mouth fast enough with a fork, so he just shovels them in with his hand.  This is the end result.  Also, he usually gets them all in his hair.

He is still sleeping very well every night in his Big Boy Bed.  This photo shows how he uses only the top 1/5 of the bed for sleeping.

Luke's crying face is my ABSOLUTE favorite face that he makes.  I tried to capture it here, but this picture still doesn't do it justice.

Brushing his teeth is a new skill that Luke is mastering.  I do the main brushing and then give him the toothbrush to practice.  It's hilarious how he moves his head side to side rather than the brush.  He's TOO cute.

This picture shows Luke enjoying Movie Time.  He still loves to sit in his Bumpo chair, so he planted him self in it to watch Toy Story.  I don't know if he will be able to share this chair with his little brother, who will need to use it to practice holding his head up.

Here is Luke sporting the sweat-band he got Daddy for his birthday. How CHIC is that?