Luca at 8 Weeks

Our little Luca is growing and changing so quickly. Here he is trying to keep his balance. I haven't been able to keep myself from kissing him whenever I can. I just love his yummy little baby skin and baby fat. :-) 

Luca at 8 weeks:

1. Still sleeps in our room 

2. Takes naps in his swing

3. Does not ever spit up (very amazed and grateful for this)

4. Always has dirty nails! It's like he plays in the dirt. 

5. Still loves to be held and rocked

6. Dislikes the car line when picking up big brother

7. Has stinky poo even though he only has breast milk

8. Most definitely is fighting cradle cap

9. Smiles and coos 

10. And is just the cutest thing ever right now 

Trying to savor each moment right now. I know this time is going to slip away quickly. 

Blueberry Muffins

So about a month ago I went to my local HEB where I saw some fresh blueberries. I thought, "Hey, those are healthy. I think I'll get some." Only... I know myself and I am not going to reach into the fridge and grab a handful of blueberries to snack on..nor will Jack or Todd. So I decided to bake blueberry muffins. I found a nifty recipe online and waited for a good opportunity to bake them. However... with Jack and Luca I never got around to baking them. Luca goes on sleep strikes during the daytime and Jack wants my attention ALL the time. By the time Todd and I get the two asleep at night, I am beat and don't want to make an even bigger mess in the kitchen than already exists. So the stinking carton of blueberries have taunted me and laughed at my culinary ambitions every time I opened the fridge. My first carton of blueberries went bad and I had to throw the whole thing out. I was so irritated by the waste of money and by my failure to bake. I purchased more blueberries and these almost went bad too but I decided TODAY is the day. I will bake those muffins if it is the only thing I do today! Now I know that after buying 2 cartons of blueberries I have spent enough money to buy freshly baked blueberry muffins from HEB or a bakery. But having the blueberries or blueberry muffins is no longer the point. It is about me actually completing something or finishing something I set out to do. Even if it is just baking a few muffins. I don't like feeling defeated so two carton of blueberries later we have blueberry muffins! Celebrate with me as I triumph over my own personal issues! :-)  

Blueberry Muffins-They better taste good. 

Cousins

Meet Amalia. My sister and I were pregnant together and had our babies a month apart from each other. Amalia is so very cute and we can't wait for Luca and her to grow up together. 

We traveled to Austin to meet Amalia and got a shot of our two boys with my sister's two girls. :-) Fun family get togethers. 

After Luca was born Hattie and Penny came for a visit. They got to spend time with Jack and Luca while Uncle Sean and Aunt Karen helped us out. They took care of meals, picked up groceries for us, provided entertainment for Jack and took care of the boys while Todd and I went out to dinner! Thanks guys.

Sweet photo of Hattie holding Luca

The kids enjoying some water fun outside

Couldn't resist posting this photo. Love this shot of Penny.

**Jack and Luca have 2 more cousins to speak of: Tucker and Sydney. We love you guys and we might have a trip to see you guys in the spring! 

My Boys

are growing and time is flying. 

Jack had his first day at his preschool last week. He is in the Early Childhood class now and it is a multi-age classroom. There are 3, 4 and 5 year olds in there. He has adjusted to his new teacher and "big boy works" nicely. There are several other Spanish speaking individuals in there including the teacher...which pleases me to no end! He really enjoys his time there and comes home talking all about what he has learned. This week he talked about the procedures for re-shelving his works and using the bathroom. He revisited the "dry pouring" and "sink or float" works. He also shared his new knowledge of the sphere and the ellipsoid. We are so pleased with the learning that is taking place. Lets hope it sticks!

Luca turned 6 weeks this weekend. I just love the weight he is gaining. I love me a chubby baby. His latest behavior is not so pleasing. He has decided to fight naps here and there and he has also learned how to cry loudly and for longer periods of time. Sigh. There goes my easy going baby. Not sure how we will ever make it through a church service. Not quite ready to put him in the nursery yet. On the brighter side, he still sleeps well at night and has started to smile for us. God knows I need those smiles. They melt my heart away and they re-energize me and make those fussy moments a little more tolerable. 

Big Brother

Answer to my last post: Yes, the top baby is Jack and the bottom baby is Luca. :-) Here is big brother playing outside in the sprinkler. He has grown into his big brother role nicely. He is very sweet to Luca. He no longer covers his ears when Luca cries. Instead he rubs Luca's head and tries to console him. Things that he has said to or about Luca:

"It's okay Luca. " 

"It's coming Luca."

"What's up with this little guy?" 

"What could he want?" 

"I sure am a good helper." 

Jack has had his moments of frustration and is generally more needy than normal but we cannot complain or blame him. He needs and wants all the attention that he once had. Things that he has said to us:

"Okay, I give up!." (When waiting for a snack)

"I need one of you in here with me."

"I need someone to play with me." 

"I'm bored." 

We are learning how to split our attention between Jack and Luca. Sometimes we do a good job and other times not so great. We pray that it is more of the good sprinkled with just a little of the not so great! :-)

Thing 1 and Thing 2

These are my two boys. They are in the same blankie and in the same bouncer. (Bouncer has since been replaced because the vibration died! Need that vibration.) Any guesses as to who is wh0? 

         

      

4 Weeks Old

Luca is 4 weeks old today. :-) He keeps us on our toes. He swings back and forth from being predictable with his sleep and eating routine to being completely unpredictable. I guess he just likes to mix  things up a bit here and there. 

Things we know about Luca at 4 weeks old. (Which may change tomorrow but today this is what we know.)

1. He likes to be held all the time.

2. He likes to be rocked. 

3. He does not like to be rocked right after eating. He will throw up.

4. He likes the white dog, white dog page found in Brown Bear, Brown Bear. (most visually stimulating) 

5. He sleeps in a bouncer with the vibration ON. 

6. He does not like his arms wrapped up in his blanket but requires them inside the blanket in order to actually sleep through the night. 

7. He snores and grunts while sleeping. 

8. He does not like baths.

9. He does not like walking after he sleeps. (contributed by Jack)

10. He does not like to play when he wakes up. (contributed by Jack) 

11. He likes his bottle at any temperature. 

12. He likes his Daddy most. :-) 

13. I think he may have the beginnings of cradle cap. ughhh.