Three weeks

It's hard to believe it's been 3 weeks since Luke was born...although in some ways it seems like he's always been here as a part of our family. He is a good baby, for the most part, eating well, sleeping pretty well (although mostly in my arms, which so far is fine with both of us), and overall is pretty content. The other kids are still loving him...they don't ask to hold him quite as often, but none of them can walk by him without taking a peek and kissing him (and of course touching his face with their dirty little hands). EVERY time that I nurse him, Jack comes over to say, "Oh, I think he likes his milk." None of them has shown any signs of jealousy toward Luke, which is really a blessing. They haven't been angels this summer (there is lots of tattling and squabbling lately), but things have gone about as smoothly as I could have hoped for. Of course, I've only had 2 total days by myself with all 4, thanks to Jared taking the first week off work, Mom staying with us the 2nd week, and the kids going to stay with Jared's parents the first half of this past week. THANK YOU!! Fortunately, Mom is going to be able to stay in the States for the rest of summer (WOO-HOO!!!!!!!!!) and will probably plan to spend a couple of days each week (at least) here helping me out. I am so thankful that she is willing to do this, and that Dad is sacrificing having her there with him so that she can take care of us! When Jack was born, she had to go back soon afterward, so she missed a lot of his newborn phase. She is excited about being here for all of that with Luke. And I did manage to tough it out with 3 kids without her here, but I am SO thankful she will be here to help me this time! Thanks, Mom!

Well, if you suffered through my update, you deserve some pictures! Enjoy!

Uncle Dobie and Aunt Maggie came to visit...

...and witnessed Luke sucking his thumb for the first (and only!) time.

Jack loves holding Luke, and we'll often look up and see Jack sitting on the couch with the boppy pillow around him, just waiting for someone to bring him a baby to hold!

Luke sleeping in Dani's arms

Look! I have a belly button now! The kids were very excited about this. Luke, not so much.

"Hold everything! You're gonna put me WHERE??!!"

Clean and happy! (And probably pooping, judging by the grin)

Wiped out after bathing, nursing and filling up his diaper...

"Oooh, that was quite a burp!"

Chillin' with my paci

Jack, after 3 weeks, is an old pro at multi-tasking with Luke!

Daddy is also quite the multi-tasker

That is some cute bedhead!

Noah and Jack share a room and, for a couple more weeks (we're getting bunk beds), a full size bed. So, Noah starts out in our bed and we move him when we go to bed. When we went in the other night to move him, this is how we found him sleeping:

Luke took his first road trip, to BG on Saturday. Jared and his dad went to the Smalling family reunion, but we weren't ready to take Luke out with that many people yet. So the kids and I stayed at the Smallings' house and the kids enjoyed the pool!

Apparently, if one float is good, 4 are better...

Noah was glad to get a turn with his "adorable" brother...

"Hey, look who's holding me!" (alternate title: "Luke has already learned to make a weapon out of his hand")

Luke with Grandaddy

Luke's first nap with Memaw (she was sleeping, not upset!)

*photos from Monday, June 16 through Saturday, June 28, 2008*

All I can manage are pictures

Here are some pictures, in lieu of some really interesting things I would blog about if my brain were functioning again. But it is not. So enjoy a little Luke-fix...I know I am!

From Daddy

Luke Wesley Smalling was born Friday night at 10:15 PM. He weighs 11 lbs and 1.25 ounces and measures 22 inches long (no, that is not a typo). Both he and Melanie are doing well. We are all now home from the hospital and settling in.

For all of those who mourned with us, I ask you to rejoice with us today. The Lord has been merciful to bless us with another child, not that we may forget our sorrow, but that we may marvel at His incomparable goodness.

May the Kings of kings look down upon us all today and find us in wonder of his majesty and thankful to be his children.

"He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair." Isaiah 61:1-3

Jared

11 1 1/4

Yes, that is his actual birth weight! Luke Wesley Smalling arrived at 10:15 pm on Friday, June 6, 2008, weighing in at a whopping 11 pounds 1 and 1/4 ounces, 22 inches long. His footprints barely fit on the card. Needless to say, I am feeling much relief :) It was a long day, but we are SO very thankful for our FINAL little one. Luke is nursing well, and enjoying quite a bit of content time showing off his chubby blue eyes. He is the softest, squishiest baby I've ever held and I cannot get enough! The kids were so receptive to him at the hospital this morning and were sad that it was not yet time to take him home. Jack was especially loving and protective, even warning the nurse who took Luke for a hearing test (which he passed) that she needed to make sure not to drop his brother! Let's pray the goodwill continues...

Dani has a blog post (and probably LOTS of pictures) ready to go, and I'm still to tired to do more than the basics here, so Dani, you officially have my permission to blog away!

Hoosier Daddy

Jared here, folks. Melanie and I are in the hospital earlier than ever before. Melanie is getting to start walking around and continue the "all natural" labor. We would appreciate your prayers for us as Melanie attempts to go sans pain medication again.

We also want anyone who reads this to know that we give glory to God for our new son at this moment. We have learned that God's plans are not our plans, but in everything He preserves us and guides us.

More to come...

Where is Luke?

Still fattening up in here, I assume. I go tomorrow (Fri) for an ultrasound to make sure things are still going well in there. As long as they are, the plan is to keep waiting.

Since I'm now too lazy to blog anything remotely interesting, even about my kids, you can read about what they've been up to at mygrandkidsdani.blogspot.com . Thanks, Mom!

And here's another link for you...over at Rocks In My Dryer, WOW music is giving away TWENTY boxed sets of 17 CDs from the artist on the WOW Hits 1 album. That's a lot o music.

And that's all the linkiness I have for today.