Boo!

Luke and Nolan are best little buddies already, and they're getting ready for their first Halloween! They're both so cute and holding their heads up so well, too!

Hugh Who?

Hugh Hefner has nothing on Luke. He can pad around in silk robes all day, but Luke's definitely the cutest in his Pooh Bear robe and slippers.

Pic of the Week

Luke is really starting to smile a lot more, and he couldn't be cuter!

Meeting Grace

Luke and Mikel's daughter Grace met the other day, and I might just venture to say that little Gracie might be his girl for life. The two hit it off -- he even put his arm around her. I'm just sayin' ... she seemed to like him.

Baby Noises

Luke's starting to coo. Several times a day, we get about a 30-minute stretch of adorable baby noises and some smiles.

Max, of course, can't stand not getting the attention. He's having a hard time adjusting. When I rock Luke to sleep and pat his little butt, Max situates himself on my lap, too, and nudges his head under my hand so I'm patting him instead.

First Date Night

Adam's mom and sister Amy watched Luke for us while we had our first date night since he's been born. Even though we didn't beat the stinking Longhorns, we had a great time! It felt weird, though, being away from him for so long. I almost couldn't wait for the game to end so we could go pick him up.

I really think I'm morphing into a cow. Amy laughed at me because I took my pump to the game, but I used it! Not actually at the game, but going to and from it. I have to build up a stash for when I return to work in about two weeks.

1-Month Old!

Today, Luke turned 1-month old, and he's getting so big! We took him to the doctor the other day, and he weighed 9 pounds, 5 ounces! We're starting to move into 0-3-month clothes because the Newborn clothes are getting a little too snug and short in the length. We've already had to move to 6-month socks, though, because he has big ole feet, thanks to me.

Sweet Baby

I don't think I've ever loved anyone like I love Luke. How can you not? He's just adorable, and he looks just like his Daddy.

Midnight Diapers

We've made it through all of the midnight diapers, and here are some of my favorite messages. These made me laugh! Mom tells me that it's most important to keep my sense of humor about everything -- how late you're up, how little sleep you're getting, how you can't seem to figure out why he's crying ...

My very favorite is my friend Ilaria's daughter Isabella's letter:

"Hi,

Me and my mom really liked the baby shower and we are wanting to babysit the baby only if you trust us. Hope you like the baby."

So funny and sweet!

Life Changes

In only three weeks, my life has changed for the better, and as my best friend Kim told me yesterday, "you'll definitely appreciate the small things in life after having a baby." Here are some small things that I've come to appreciate:

1. Getting out of the house. Adam watched Luke for two hours yesterday while I got a pedicure and went to Target. I've never been so excited to go grocery shopping, even though I did call him three times to make sure all was OK.

2. Time to myself. Yesterday I had to go to the bathroom while wearing Luke in the Baby Bjorn.

3. Going out. I should've listened to everyone when they said to go out to eat and to the movies when I was pregnant.

4. Eating. I schedule my day around someone else's feedings, and I tend to eat my meals standing up or walking around rather than sitting down.

5. Sleep. I've learned to sleep with one ear open.

All in all, it's a lot harder than I thought it would be, but it's been the most rewarding experience I've ever had!

Amazing Grace

Mikel and Zach had their baby last week -- Grace Rosemary was born September 6, and she was 7 pounds, 21 inches of healthy baby! She's so beautiful, and Luke and I are meeting her tomorrow!

Congratulations, Weigels!

Out to Lunch

We had our first successful attempt at a lunch date today. Luke and I met Michaela and Nolan for a quick 30-minute lunch. Luckily for both of us, the boys both slept through it. I wasn't too sure how it was going to turn out -- the other day I tried to take Luke to Target and had to leave the minute I walked in because he started wailing and my blood pressure skyrocketed.

Three Weeks Old!

LukeyBear is three weeks old today! He's gotten so big! Lately he's been sleeping in about 4-5 hour increments at night, which is great, because that means we sleep, too!

Adam's been sick with the flu for the past three days, so he's quarantined in our bedroom. I think we're both getting tired and are ready for him to get better. His fever finally broke last night. Luckily Luke and I haven't gotten anything...fingers crossed.

Max is getting used to Luke, sniffing him a lot and tilting his head to the side when he cries.

Adam is the master soother and has perfected the art of calming him down.

Little Red Raider

Luke and Adam spent their first of many nights watching college football together. Even though we weren't able to watch the Tech game at home, Luke was decked out in his Red Raider gear anyway. Hopefully the players felt the team spirit from Tech's littlest fan.

Meeting Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa Madden

Luke met his Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa Madden today (my mom's parents) -- he's their first biological great-grandchild. Grandma and Grandpa have seven kids of their own, so holding and entertaining babies are old hat to them.

Two-week Checkup

Luke had his two-week checkup today, and he passed with flying colors. He's gained nine ounces in 10 days and is now at 8 pounds, 5 ounces. And, he gained half an inch! They had to stick him in the heel, which made him absolutely hysterical and really tested my soothing powers in front of a room full of strangers.

Here are a some pictures from the last two weeks with our favorite little boy.

With our niece Lauren, Adam's mom and sisters Amy and Lanie.

I look a little out of it.

With my sisters Sue, Brooke and Katie, who were all in town!

Adam with his sister Lanie.

Itty Bitty

He's teeny tiny right now, but each month, we'll take a picture to see how he grows. He wasn't too thrilled about his first photo shoot. (I think Adam's hoping he'll grow into an all-star pitcher).

Thanks, Cassie, for this idea!

Is This What a Mommy Looks Like?

Gone are the days of a full face of makeup and a straightening iron. At least for a while. Lately I've been getting out of my pajamas about 10:30 a.m., then taking a quick shower, throwing on some moisturizer and voila! Ready for the day. Maybe by the time I return to work, I'll have my schedule down a little better.

Great Grandpas

Grandad Scott and Grandpa Meador don't seem to make the blog very often, but you can see that they sure are proud of Lukey.

Heading Home

Two days in the hospital is enough! We were ready to get home, around our own stuff. The drive home was a bit slow since we took a lot of access roads.

Changing Times

So Adam told me a long time ago that he wasn't really up for changing diapers, but I had a feeling he was all talk. We didn't even leave the hospital before he was changing one.

Luke and Nolan

Luke and Nolan are three days apart and bound to be the best of friends/cousins. They're going to have so much fun growing up together!

Meet Luke

Here he is! Eight pounds, one ounce and 21 inches of beautiful baby boy! Luke Steven was born at 6:53 p.m. Thursday, August 20, 2009. The induction started about 9 a.m. that day, and the real labor lasted about an hour. I couldn't really feel much since I had an epidural, but it was extremely tiring, and I looked at Adam at one point and said, "We're not doing this again for a while." Overall, it was the best experience I've ever had, and I couldn't be more happy with the outcome. Our lives are definitely better now that Luke's in them!
Both of our families were waiting anxiously for Luke's arrival, and they were waiting for a while. If I'd have known they were all standing outside the delivery room door, I'd have curbed my grunts and groans a little more -- ha.

40 Weeks!

Here we are -- the day before we were induced, two days before our due date. Dr. Sweeney surprised us at our last weekly appointment with a next-day induction because my blood pressure was getting a little higher than normal. So, that jump-started my 6-week maternity leave and Adam's week-long baby vacation. Onward to the hospital! Luke Steven is about to make his entrance into the world!