LUKE'S FIRST KID'S BIRTHDAY PARTY

This past Saturday, Luke and Grey attended their first birthday party. Our friends, Colin and Jennie Monette's youngest son, Tyler, turned 3. It was a Thomas the Train themed party, which was right up Luke's alley.  He loves Thomas the Train.  The big attraction of the party was a moon bounce - not so much up Luke's alley.  I put him in the moon bounce when the bigger kids were jumping around, and Luke got jumped on and bounced around.  Needless to say, he didn't stay in very long.  He was content, to help Colin out, and take on some minor yard work.

Later, once the big kids were out, Luke got back in the moon bounce with Daddy.  He wouldn't jump on his own, but he liked jumping with Daddy.

After the kids burned off some energy, they all sat down for some lunch and cake.  Luke liked being at the head of the table.

Before we left, Luke got to spend some quality time with the Birthday Boy.

Grey got to meet his god-parents for the first time.  Here he is with his Godfather, Colin.

The day was a lot of fun for Luke, and we all look forward to seeing the Monette's again this summer.

SWEET LITTLE GREY

I know you have all been wanting to see 

some more pictures of our precious little Grey, so here are a few.

Here he is in his sun hat getting ready to go for a walk 

strapped to Mommy's chest in the Baby Bjorn.

I think I actually got a little smile out of him.

Sleeping Beauty.

Another sweet smile!!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!

Marc and his two boys out for a day on the boat.  Father's Day 2009 was spent enjoying the beautiful, but windy, weather on the lake.

LUKE & GREY

This is the first time that Grey has sat in the Bumpo chair, and of course, big brother Luke had to get in on the action.

It looks like Grey is thinking..,."who the heck is this crazy dude behind me?"

FOUR WEEKS OLD

Today, June 11th, marks quite a few milestones here at the Faucheux house.   Baby Grey is now 4 weeks old, Luke is now 21 months old, and Marc and I met for the first time 6 years ago. Where has all the time gone?

Grey doesn't seem too enthused about having his picture taken.

The Faucheux Brothers are just too adorable...that's just one unbiased mother's opinion.

Please stay tuned for video of Grey.  I have shot two different ones, but have not had any luck uploading them...but, I'll keep trying.

Check out the sidebar photos for Luke's 21mos. pic.

BEACH VIDEO

Yesterday was a beautiful beach day.  Even though it was a little chilly in the morning, the afternoon turned out to be just perfect.  I shot this short video of Little Man Luke who is sporting his new Inner-Tube shirt.

A TRUE FAUCHEUX THROUGH & THROUGH

PaPa Faucheux, and all the Faucheux ancestors, will be SO proud.  Today, on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, Marc brought us home a real treat...fresh seafood - crabs and shrimp.  Luke was introduced to this delicious delicacy, by trying both the shrimp and the crab. He seemed to enjoy each.  

Here he is with his own crab.

Here he is eating the meat out of a crab claw.

So he definitely acquired this taste from his Daddy's side of the family - not his Mommy's.  He has done his CoonAss heritage proud!!

FIRST FAUCHEUX FAMILY FOTO

Finally, the sun has shone this week, so at a neighborhood event, we, the Faucheux Family of Four, took the opportunity to have our first family photo snapped.

BROTHERLY LOVE

Luke and Grey's first photo together.

Luke wasn't quite sure what to think of holding his little brother like this.  As soon as I snapped this photo, he pushed Grey forward to get him out of his way.

OUR OLDEST SON

Just some of the latest pictures of our oldest son.  Sadly, our youngest son has fallen into the "Second Child" syndrome, where not as many pictures are taken of them.  Since he's still not all that active or awake for long, not as many pictures have been snapped.  But keep checking back to the blog.  His day will soon come.

Anyway,  here is Luke earlier this week.  He's been sick all week, and one day we had a hard time waking him up from his afternoon nap.  Marc brought him out to the couch thinking that would wake him, but as you can see, that idea didn't work.

Yesterday was a nice muggy day, so we went outside to get some fresh air and play with bubbles.  Luke kept wanting to blow the bubble wand, but his idea of blowing was to put the wand in his mouth.  I kept trying to explain to him that it wouldn't taste very good.  So when he wasn't trying to eat the wand, he enjoyed trying to catch the bubbles.

Here he is with his very first Happy Meal.  Daddy bought it for him to hopefully help him feel better earlier this week.

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!!!!