What is the right thing?

I don't have kids (plural) and I haven't made a recent trip to the store, but this pretty much sums up my existence right now, except I haven't felt great about my Mommy skills for some time now.  Luke has been struggling with his sleep for the past few weeks and it's constantly on my mind.  He was peacefully sleeping 7 hours in a row at night for about 2 months and now is sleeping 4-5 in a row if we're lucky.  :(  There are so many ways to help a baby learn to sleep and Kevin and I have read and debated so many ideas.  What we have realized is that no amount of read books or blogs or ideas or philosophies or advice can secure a restful night of sleep.  Every child is different and, unfortunately, there is no one size fits all plan.  Wouldn't that be great?  Do A,B,C and say bippity-boppity-boo and your child sleeps through the night.  I don't think that's going to happen.  So, our tactic...a little trial and error, reading, reading, and more reading, and attempting to do what's right for Luke.  I've been a parent for almost four months now and in these four short months I have learned oh so much.  I believe the most challenging thing about being a parent is trying desperately to do the right thing, but sometimes most of the time, not knowing what the right thing is.  So, there you have it.  My honest, for real, put it all out there parenting struggle.  
Now for the good stuff...Luke is still a happy, joyful little boy.  He is constantly learning and growing and the days are just not long enough to soak him in.  I love him more than I thought possible and although Kevin and I might not be getting sufficient sleep, I know that this too, shall pass.  In the meantime, I will sleep when I can, pray for wisdom and a reprieve, and look forward to the sunlight in the morning.

Photo of the Day: Icy Morning

Even though 'snowmangeddon' has been long gone for a day now, we woke up this morning to a beautiful winter wonderland.  So pretty!

3 month activities with Luke

Luke is almost 4 months old, so I thought it was about time to get up the activities I've been doing with Luke during his 3 months of life.  Below are the fun things Kevin and I do with Luke.  It is amazing how fast babies change, I know it's cliché, but so true.  

• Sometimes I turn on music on Pandora and dance with Luke.  It's tons of fun for me and Luke kind of likes it, too.
• I bought a birthing ball when I was pregnant and it has come in handy post-delivery.  Right before Luke goes down for a nap, I put him on the exercise ball, tummy down.  If we don't have the ball out, we do tummy time with him for about 5 minutes and he sometimes rolls over, with the help of the rug.
• Luke has just started loving peek-a-boo.  This is so fun!  Kevin uses a small piece of fleece to play this game with Luke and he loves it.
• I use tickle sticks to stimulate Luke.  I say a little rhyme while I tickle his nose, ears, toes, hands, and head.  Sometimes Luke is into it and other days he definitely is not.
• A mirror is available to Luke during tummy time and play time.  Luke loves the mirror.  Not only does it make him happy (yay), but it helps him focus, track, and learn about what the face can do. 
• Luke is learning to use both of his hands together.  We have been giving him a basketball to play with (aka put in his mouth).
• Luke still loves being read to and we continue to use the same books.  Kids love repetition and Luke is no different.  I loved using Eric Carle's books while I was teaching, but I love his books even more now that I'm a mom.
• Kevin's parents gave Luke a Yoda doll for Valentine's Day (from Star Wars).  Kevin uses his 'Yoda voice' while they play with the toy.  I cannot stress enough how much I love this.
• We've had some fresh flowers in the house, thanks to Kevin's parents and Kevin's sister.  (Thanks guys!)  I have been taking the opportunity to let Luke smell them as much as possible for some scent stimulation.  

kevin reading to luke

luke and his basketball

our ever changing play basket

Sources:

http://www.whattoexpect.com/playroom/playtime-tips/why-babies-love-mirrors.aspx?xid=nl_YourDailyNewsletterfromWhattoExpect_20130118

http://www.babycenter.com/0_lets-play-weekly-activities-for-your-babys-first-year_1501475.bc#articlesection3

Meeting Great Grandma Hines

My Grandma came all the way from Dubuque to meet our little Luke.  That's a 5 1/2 hour drive...Grandmas are pretty darn great, especially mine.  My parents picked her up and drove over here for the weekend.  We spent our time together watching Luke play on his gym, playing with Luke, holding Luke, reading to Luke, listening to Luke's giggles (he had his first giggle when she was here), oh, and we did go to the city for lunch.  (Just so you know, it's still weird to say 'to the city'.)  It was a special time and I am so grateful to my Grandma and my parents for making the trip.  Hopefully we will be able to make a trip to Dubuque sometime soon so Luke can meet the rest of my Mom's family.

P.S. My dad found out he is cancer free on Friday!!  God is good!

4 generations

great-grandma hines and luke

Luke's Dedication

This past weekend was very special.  Our little Luke was dedicated to the Lord at Christ Community Church.  We have been going to this church for about 4 years and have found it to be a wonderful community.  Our hope and prayer is that we can raise Luke to be a Godly man and his dedication was the one of the first steps.  Thank you to the family and friends that are devoted to helping Luke in his relationship with God.  It takes a village you know...we love you all!
Below are some pictures from our weekend...

cooper listening to mae play the guitar

hiking...this was about the only patch of snow in fields full of mud.  let's just say we took baths when we got home.

about ready to go on stage

luke's dedication

betsy and brett with luke

uncle john feeding luke

the forristall family

the hasley family, minus my dad who had to leave early to teach

3 months old

Luke is 3 months old, yes, I know, 3 months.  Ridiculous.  Where has the time gone?  I don't know where it's gone, but I do know that the past 3 months have gone fast.  Our little boy is growing up and doing so many delightful things!  It's hard to be sad about him growing when he's a smiling machine and so much fun!  
Here are some tidbits about Luke at 3 months:

• Luke can hold his head up and look around.  Not only does he hold his head up, but his legs go up in the air as well.  He likes to do the 'Superman'. 
• Luke loves to lay under his gym.  He smiles at the lion and gets ahold of the monkey and elephant whenever he can.
• Luke enjoys books, including, The Very Busy Spider, Brown Bear, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, A Wish for You, To Think That I Saw it on Mulberry Street, and Five Little Monkeys.
• Luke sleeps swaddled with a pacifier.  He takes three naps during the day and sleeps for about 6 straight hours at night.  He is a crabby kid if he doesn't get his rest.
• Luke smiles when he's talked to, especially if Daddy is making crazy, silly noises.
• Luke has discovered his hands.  He can put them in his mouth, and sometimes just stares at him with wonder.  
• Luke can hold onto a rattle or stick for a few seconds, but still doesn't know what to do with them, yet.
• Luke takes a bottle from Dad at night and eats almost 6 ounces.
• Luke wears cloth diapers during the day and at night, unless we go into 'town' for awhile.
• Luke still loves bath time.  I think he would stay in there for an hour if we let him.  It is a special time for Luke and Daddy.
• Luke looks at himself in the mirror when he's under his play gym.  He has started to smile at himself, which is just so darn cute.
• Luke adores looking at our living room fan.  I don't know what it is about that fan, be he could look at it for hours.
• Luke likes getting walked around the house.  Daddy always does this with him and takes him our closet to smell Mommy and Daddy's clothes.  (One day I walked into the bedroom while Kevin was doing this and I was like, 'what are you doing???!'  He turned around and Luke had a smile on his face, so I guess he enjoys the smell of Mom and Dad!)

Luke is such a happy boy and it's amazing to watch him learn and grow each day.  Hopefully the next 3 months will go by a little slower, but I have a feeling it's not going to happen.

luke loves his daddy

i could kiss this kid all day

sporting a tie like daddy