Ash Wednesday

Baby Luke is over 9 lbs! Can you believe it?






Here's the wind-up... and the pitch!

The therapist in me longs to document things so I have continued charting his growth…every Tuesday. It’s pretty amazing to look back and see just how far he has come in 4 months time.

A couple of weeks ago we took Addy to the production of Peter Pan put on by Pineville High School and let me say that it was IM-pressive!! She & I were in awe the entire time. I have never seen Peter Pan before nor did I know the story so it was very special to experience it together for the first time…very special! Addy was not fond of “Capun Hook” but Peter Pan & Wendy spoke to her (in character) as we were leaving the auditorium and her, little face just lit up. Addy loves her daycare class and they have been learning Bible stories. When she reads to her imaginary friends “Say-Say” & “Doo-Doo” at home she retells the story of “Goliaf”…its hilarious.

As the warm weather rolls in we are looking forward to spending time at The Camp on

Cane River.

First Smiles

Luke has become a friendly little boy over the past few days. In an attempt to catch one of his sweet, little smiles I bet I took 100 pictures today...thank goodness for digital cameras.

He is doing great! We are still spending all our time at home. He loves being held and when he is not being held he will tell you (i.e. screaming at the top of his lungs) that he likes being held until someone picks him up. I am still enjoying every precious moment at home with him. I take full blame for spoiling him rotten!!! Yesterday I sat staring all day at 3 baskets full of laundry that needed to be folded and put away...I just couldn't bring myself to put him down. Finally at about 4:30 p.m. I decided to hurry & fold & put away the clothes before Jeff got home so he would think that I had a productive day...(wink, wink)

Luke had a follow-up appointment with the eye doctor last week and it went well. Dr. Kahn said that the blood vessel growth on the retinas are continuing to develop and he will see him once a month until the growth is complete. Worst case scenario would be that Luke may require a laser procedure on his eyes somewhere down the road but Dr. Kahn said that he doesn't foresee this being necessary based on how things are progressing now. Luke has also gotten 2 Synagis shots to hopefully prevent RSV (a nasty respiratory virus that can be really dangerous for pre-term babies). He tolerated the 2 Synagis shots and his regular vaccinations well. We go back for his second set of vaccinations and his last Synagis shot the first week in March.

Addy is slowly but surely learning what NOT to do with or around her baby brother. So far this week we have reinforced that its not a good idea to jump over him or hold your heavy, wooden jewelry box over him so he can "see it"...sheesh...

For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Psalm 108:4

Comparison

This is my first time to do a side-by-side photo comparison of Addy & Luke at about the same age. People have asked me who I think he looks like & its hard to say. Addy's little face and head were so round...I used to say that she had an onion head. Luke's face is definitely more oval shaped. There is no mistaken that little pug nose though...hee, hee, hee!

Singin' in the Rain

Addy got this umbrella for Christmas and she looooves it! Earlier in the week the weather was pretty funky but she didn't care. She pranced around on the driveway with her umbrella & was 1 happy, little girl.

Boogaloo 2009

Lesson on Faith

Our Addy is a strong-willed child...very determined & opinionated. She is trying at times to say the least especially when she sets her mind to something. People have told me that these are qualities we want our children to have but at this age with the combination of her personality & my desire to teach her discipline & respect we have some exciting interactions. Lately mealtime and bedtime have become an all out war. Last night during dinner Addy stripped her shirt off and started monkeying around so I walked over to her highchair to begin the battle. I was caught off guard by what she did & said...

She looked up at me with her big, round, brown eyes and patting her bare chest said in the most innocent, angelic voice, "Jesus is right there. Jesus is in my heart." She smiled softly then reached up and touched my chest & said, "Jesus is in your heart to."

Lump in throat, swallow hard!

It was one of my proudest moments as a mother to see the formation of Addy's faith beginning at such a young age. I found in scripture, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them." Mark 10:14-16 How I wish to embrace the simple truth that Addy was ministering to me...Jesus is in my heart, he's in your heart to. We are all God's little children and when we open our hearts to Him we can feel His hands on us blessing us each and every day.

Thank you sweet, baby girl for teaching me this powerful lesson.

Happy Day

We decided to meet my cousins Callie and Davina with their kids Cohen and Dani at the zoo on Saturday morning. It was such a gorgeous day! On the way to the zoo as we sat at the red light in front of Cabrini Hospital Addy pointed to the hospital and said, “That where Luke live…short pause...Poor lil’ buddy…short pause…We wait so long to bring him home.” I would love to know what she was thinking during each little pause.

Luke is really doing great!!! He has reflux and spits up a lot but other than that he’s just busy getting bigger and cuter by the day. He has outgrown all his preemie clothes and the preemie diapers!!! I laid him on his belly in the middle of the living room a few days ago and I was walking in an out of the room checking on him when I found him on his back. Huh? How’d that happen? I thought maybe Reese got sneaky and nudged him over so I put him back on his belly and sat staring at him to see if he’d do it again...after 30 minutes of nothing I gave up. That night before his bath I tried it again to see if he would do it with Da-Da watching and sure enough he rolled right over.

I am still at home with Luke and some days I don’t even crank up my car. I have always said that I could never be a stay-at-home mom but you never say never right? If I could I would trade in my full-time speech therapy job for full-time stay-at-home mommyhood in a heartbeat! When the weather is pretty we take walks around the neighborhood or swing in the back yard. We wait anxiously for Addy to get home then our evening routine begins…change out of “school clothes”, hand sanitizer, kisses, kisses, kisses, kisses, dinner, more kisses, bath, books, kisses and cuddles. We were advised to keep Luke at home and limit his visitors for at least the first month and avoid crowded places for the first 3 months. He has managed to stay well the first month home so we continue to pump the hand sanitizer and thank God everyday for all his healing grace and protection from germs. I’ll be going back to work on March 23rd and MiMi (Jeff’s mom) will keep Luke so that he can stay out of daycare while his little immune system is still maturing. We’re trying to work out a plan to keep him out of daycare for the first year.



This is where you can find Addy 98% of the time...the other 2% of the time she is in front of his face.


Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. James 5:13

HAPPY 3 MONTH BIRTHDAY LUKE !

Our lil' dumplin' is up to 7 lbs. & is doing great! He is having more wake time and doesn't seem to mind when Addy sneezes and he gets showered with half eaten donut. I feel pretty sure he is going to give Mommy that special 1st smile real soon.

We have been asked to serve as the local March of Dimes Ambassador Family for 2009. If you are interested in learning more about the March of Dimes or joining us in this wonderful cause click on the link to the right. Our goal is to raise $900 (as a tribute to the 9 weeks Luke spent in the NICU) for the March for Babies campaign.

Happy Birthday Mama!

~ A Mother's Love ~
A Mother's love is something that no one can explain

It is made of deep devotion and of sacrifice and pain

It is endless and unselfish and enduring come what may

For nothing can destroy it or take that love away

It is patient and forgiving when all others are forsaking

And it never fails or falters even though the heart is breaking

It believes beyond believing when the world around condemns

And it glows with all the beauty of the rarest, brightest gems

It is far beyond defining, it defies all explanation

And it still remains a secret like the mysteries of creation

A many splendoured miracle man cannot understand

And another wondrous evidence of God's tender guiding hand

~ Helen Steiner Rice ~

Hope you have a wonderful & happy, happy birthday!

We love you,

Bec, Jeff, Addy & Luke

Tomorrow is Tuesday

Feeeeeeed Meeeeee!

Tuesday has been our day since Luke's journey began. That was the day he got his formal measurements...even after discharge we went back on Tuesday. Hmmm, what will we do tomorrow? We don't have an appointment to be measured...I'm contemplating taking him to Kroger to test the produce scale. Do you think anyone would notice?

Nails 4 U

Addy ever so kindly gave me a pedicure today.

With Joy & Love

Luke survived his early arrival and lengthy stay in the NICU however the real test will be surviving his big sister!!! Addy is so in love with her little brother that she literally can not get enough of him. He is the first thing on her mind in the morning and the last thing she wants at night. As she peaks her messy head around the corner in the morning with sleepy eyes she says, "Where's little Luke?" She insists that he lay with her in her bed before she'll settle down for the night screaming, "I WANT MY BROTHER!!!" Last night we had to read him stories and a few days after we got home she just couldn't understand why he wouldn't get up and walk..."I want to teach him how to walk. Why he can't walk?"

Jeff and I are pretty much in love with Luke as well. I can not get enough sweet kisses on his soft little head and neck and hands and belly and cheeks and nose and toes...Goodness I just love him more everyday!!! Luke is a reminder for me how much God loves us and how his blessings and grace overflow in our life. Even on some of the hardest days over the past few months I always felt a sense of God's presence and a soft whisper saying, "Be patient and trust ME."

Yesterday we visited the NICU for a weight check. Every time they place him on the scale we hold our breath...hear the drum roll...then TAH DAH...6 lbs 7 oz!!! He has made gains in all areas (weight, length & head circumference) over the past 7 days and they don't need to see him back until the end of March. I made the comment to the nurse practitioner that he seems like a normal little boy and she was quick to say, "He IS a normal little boy. Relax and enjoy him."

I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:18

6 Pounder !!!

Luke had his second NICU follow-up this afternoon. All is well with good blood count & increases in weight, length & head circumference. We rejoice and praise God for every good day!


We couldn't be happier to finally be home and have our family all in one place however we do find ourselves missing Luke's NICU family. These wonderful people cared for and nurtured our tiny son for 2 months and we will forever be grateful to them for all the special care they gave not only Luke but our entire family. The mission of CHRISTUS is "To extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ" and we witnessed this ministry at its best each and every day in this very special unit.



Meet some of Luke's extended family...

Dr. Nijar admitted Luke to the NICU and followed him with the utmost care.

Dr. Castor also gave Luke wonderful care and attention.




Nurse practitioner, Lisa was in Luke's delivery and took him to the NICU on day 1.


Candace, nurse practitioner

Gary, nurse practitioner Jill, nurse practitioner & Stephanie, unit secretary

Wilbur, R.N. & Easter, unit secretary

Melissa, respiratory therapist

Respiratory therapist, Kevin was in Luke's delivery and assisted in his transfer to the NICU.

Tracy, R.N. moved Luke from his isolette to the open bassinet and gave him his first bottle feeding.

Tessa, R.N.

I will never forget Sara, R.N. coming over to comfort me the morning we received Luke's diagnosis of meningitis as I lay my head on Luke's isolette and wept. Sara also helped with the first day of Kangaroo Care.

Mary, R.N. was with us during those first couple of days which were very dark and filled with so many questions. She was always calm, confident, comforting and patient with all our worries.

Sweet, Sweet Laurie, R.N. always seemed to be thinking of ways to make Luke's little world more comfortable. On night 2 or 3 when I was up at 2 a.m. pumping I called the unit and was so comforted to hear Laurie say, "I found a warm blanket really soothes him". Laurie set Luke up in a special sling when he was sliding out of the sheepskin in his isolette and she set up the opportunity for Addy to meet Luke for the first time. The night before Luke's surgery Laurie took special care to stay a little later to make sure his pre-op and transfer went smoothly. Laurie is truly an angel!

Francine, R.N.Faye, R.N. was Jeff's favorite nurse!!! She decorated Luke's isolette with all the LSU stuff and kept us in stitches when all we wanted to do was cry. She was on when Luke was extubated and she gave him his first OG feeding. She let me hold Luke very briefly for the first time and was with him during and after his surgery. Faye was with us on the day of discharge and we really have a special bond with her as well as her phone number :)

Brandi C., R.N. was instrumental in Luke learning to bottle feed with and without rice cereal.

Brandi B., R.N. loved Luke like he was her own. Our long talks were always therapy for me.

Brandi B. & Jennifer, R.N.'s

also...Marion, case manager / Lee, unit secretary / Rhonda, R.N. / Phyllis, nurse practitioner / Sherrie, R.N. (Luke's 1st nurse whose sweet, smiling face I will never forget the first night we entered the unit) / Ellen, R.N. / Susan, R.N. / Heather, R.N. / Charmaine, Michelle & Randy, respiratory therapists / Linda & Carolyn, lactation consultants

THANK YOU ~ THANK YOU ~ THANK YOU

for being God's loving, healing hands.

You have touched us and our baby in a miraculous way.