May May May, Me Me Me!

Goose,

16 weeks old today, I can't believe it! You are growing and changing everyday- STOP! Just kidding, I love watching you change day to day. Sometimes it's hard for me to even keep up because you change so fast!  We don't go back to the pediatrician for another month, but we took it upon our selves to weigh and measure you. The last we checked (a couple of weeks ago) you were over 27 inches and over 16 pounds! All, of course, still in the upper 90th percentile. Mommy's big Goose- that's for sure!

So, May, it is a really busy month. Well, busy is the wrong term I guess, but May is a busy month, for lack of a better term. And just so we are clear early on, May is all about me, ok?! It's my birthday, May 9th, mine and Dad's anniversary, May 17th, and it's also Mother's Day! Aw- my first Mother's Day as a Mommy! It was wonderful and everything I imagined it would be. You and your Dad did good and and me feel very special! I got roses on Saturday, and a beautiful necklace from James Avery on Sunday. The necklace is an open silver heart with a solid gold heart in the middle and called "Joy of My Heart". It is definitely a great reminder of you!

We spent Mother's Day over at Granjan and Pops to celebrate my birthday and Mother's Day. Pop cooked steaks because that is my favorite thing of his. Of course, it was delish! Here is a pic of you with your Mamma and Granjan. You are so loved, my little man!

Now, May is quickly coming to an end. Memorial weekend was this past weekend, and we got to spend a lot of time with your grandparents. I took you to the pool and let you put your feet in the water (we don't have a swimsuit for you, yet) and there is NO DOUBT that you are going to love the water! You splashed around and laughed after fully investigating it first. You are so inquisitive, it makes me laugh.

Here are some other updates about you and your life:

Sleep? OH YEA, baby! You are a wonderful sleeper. Down by 9:30 sleep till 5-6 uninterupted! Now, naps are a little different. While you do take multiple naps throughout the day they are only 30-45 minutes each.

Food? You love to eat and are a great eater. Everyday you put down about 30-35 ounces of formula. But you give no warning when you are ready to eat. We say that you go from zero to freak out in less than 10 seconds when you are hungry and there is no rhyme or reason to your eating schedule so we can't really "plan ahead".

Play? ALL the TIME! You love playing and laughing. You have also figured out how well your lungs work, because you have a very loud happy scream.

Your also a BIG talker. TALK TALK TALK!

Still in 3-6 months clothes and in a size 2 diaper. You do fit into some 6 month outfits. I had to clean out one of your drawers and closet to put a way all of your 0-3 month clothes.

You look like you have a horrible comb over. I know, I shouldn't make fun of your hair, but, it really is kinda funny. You have super long hair on top of your head, but you are loosing your hair on the back of your head and one side (the side you sleep on) so when your hair is combed over it looks funny.

We have been taking you to church on Sunday mornings, and you do so great! Only last Sunday, Grandma had to take you out of the sanctuary because you just wanted to chat during the service. The past few weeks Pastor Swindoll's sermons have been about raising children, which has been really good for your Dad and I.
 

One other thing to note: I just recently resigned from my j-o-b because I want to be a stay at home mommy with you! This is truly bittersweet. If you would have asked me 4 months ago if I was going to be a stay at home mom, I would've told you no. And, if you would have asked me a year ago if I was ready to have a baby, I would have told you no. (I know, you couldn't have asked me these things, but you know what I mean). Funny how life changes, and how quickly it does so. I really do have a great job with Publicis and it's hard to let go of something that is so "good", but being able to spend the days with you and your Dad, when he is off, will be even better. I am so excited that we are able to make this happen, and I can't wait for June 13th- my first day of unemployment... and my first day with you! Your such a lucky boy to have both of your parents home as much as we will be.

Life with you is awesome! You are such a precious little boy. We are truly lucky to have you as our son!

Mom loves you, Goose!

It's April... Sheesh!

Master Luke,

Wow, my sweet sweet angel. I can not believe you are 11 weeks old TODAY! You are such a joy, and your Dad and I are loving getting to know you. Since it's been about 3 months since I last blogged, I thought I would share some of the highlights.

Starting with your birth!

Monday, February 13th. Your Dad I checked in to the hospital at about 8 pm. My doctor wanted me to check in to get a cervdil. This is a pill that is supposed to help thin your cervix... it didn't work, Ha. Monday night I laid in the hospital bed tossing and turning, thinking and praying, and lying awake anxiously awaiting your arrival. It was a pretty long night, but they had us hooked up to all the monitors so we got to watch your heart beat.

Tuesday morning, the doctor broke my water mid morning. Can we say gross! It was definitely the strangest feeling! Just a huge gush gushing out of my body- ick! I was still only dilated to a 2 and 50% effaced, so we knew it was going to be a long day.  Once the contractions started, at about 11-noonish... I am going based on memory here so bare with me... I decided to go ahead and get the epidural. OUCH! I felt E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G. 15 minutes after getting it, I told the nurse I was still feeling everything. They kept telling me to give some more time, that since I am so tall, it would take a little time to work. 15 more minutes, E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G, and contractions are strong. Boo! After about an hour, I was receiving my second epidural because #1 did not take. The good news is that this one did take, and it was actually a really good one- thanks goodness!

Time is still passing, all of the family is there waiting it on in the waiting room. I was pretty adamant that it only be your Dad and I in the room because I am just one of those that likes to be left alone when I don't feel good. I was finally unable to feel the contractions and since I didn't sleep that night, I was able to nap here and there.

2:45ish. I told our nurse, Carla, (whom, by the way, was SUPER AWESOME. Love you Carla), that I felt like I needed to poop. She just kinda looked at me for a second and then decided that she would check me. Dilated 10 cm, 100% effaced. Oh boy, here we go!

5:06. Luke Willson Kogler entered this world. That's right I pushed for 2 hours! Talk about being exhausted. It seriously took everything in me to deliver you. I was on oxygen, put into very strange positions, you name it, it happened. Your Dad was great, he stayed up at my head with me and talked me through it. The doc and nurse said that they could see your head full of hair every time I would push, ew! The last 30+ minutes were the worst. The epidural had started to wear off and they couldn't give me anymore. I really didn't know if I was going to be able to keep going, I was feeling the contractions again, and so so tired. The only thing I could think about was getting to hold you, and that kept me motivated to keep going. Out of all the contractions, there were only about a handful that I actually didn't push and just rested, whew! Pat on the back for Mama!

NONE of this even mattered the second they put you on my chest. You were the most beautiful baby! What "they" say is so true. The love, right then, that I had for you was the most overwhelming feeling. I knew, that being your Mom was the biggest blessing. Thank you Lord for such a beautiful healthy baby boy.  Your Dad was crying, I was crying, you, of course, were crying, but we were crying tears of joy. Me, well yea, I was crying because I didn't have to push any more. J/K. I do think that I fell in love with your Dad even more at that very moment. Just knowing that we made you, and to see the joy and love on his face, made my heart melt.

9 pounds 7 ounces and 20.5 inches long. A head full of hair. Perfect.

Here is a funny/ gross story: when your umbilical cord finally fell off, we placed it on the coffee table and Sierra must of thought it was a treat, because she decided to... eat it...

Watching you grow up and change everyday is so amazing. Just last Friday, at your 2 month well check you were 13.5 pounds and 24.5 inches long- all in the 90th percentile. Based on the internet you will be somewhere around 6'5"! You are already wearing 3-6 month clothes and in a size 2 diaper. We have watched you smile, laugh, play, sit up, stand up- your favorite. Just in 11 weeks you have changed A LOT, I can only imagine how fast the rest of this is going to go. Just a few weeks ago- 3 to be exact- you decided to start sleeping in 6 hour blocks! WHEW! Here are some great pics of you.

This was yesterday, 4/30! That makes you 11 weeks old.

2 weeks old!

3 days old! We are such a pair!

A few days old, sleeping on Dad.

Mommy's little thumb sucker. You work very hard to find your thumb, it's kinda funny to watch you.

Here is a great story about the picture above. You and I were visiting GranJan and Pop for dinner. I was holding you and well, you started to poop. I kept saying, "ok, this diaper has a maximum capacity"... Sure enough you blew your diaper and got poop, not just all over you, but my jeans, too! I had to do laundry and give you a bath! This is the picture of you after bath time, and now it's one of my favorite pictures of you.

This is you 3 days old! Already such a hamm! I bought the heart blanket and the crotchet beanie that says "MOM" in a heart from Etsy since you were born on Valentine's Day.

The picture above is you on your first walk in the stroller. You LOVED it! 

You in a milk coma. So cute!

Things you love:
Listening to country music when I am rocking you to sleep.
Standing up, with a lot of support of course.
Walks in your stroller
Driving in the car- you do so great in your car seat
Daddy singing to you. You do think your Daddy is pretty funny.
Watching t.v. In particular baseball or cartoons. When you were about 8 weeks old, it was a Friday night, and we had The Lion King on. Dad had you in his arms singing Hakuna Matata. I took a step back and laughed. There we were on a Friday night watching Lion King and singing to you. A couple of years ago, we would've been out with our friends at a bar or something. But this was a great place to be, I was loving it.

Dancing with Mom- mostly 2 step or swaying. We sway a lot while watching American Idol.
Sleeping on your tummy in your crib
Watching your mobile
Going outside

Things you hate:
Your swing
Not being held
Being wet! You pee one time and think you have to be changed IMMEDIATELY. We are going through diapers like crazy!
Reflux- but we have this mostly under control. Poor mush!
Non cotton sateen sheets- and I'm not joking. You won't just sleep on any sheet. You are so much like your Momma, a true bed snob!

Nick Names:
I do promise that your name is Luke. I promise. It is not Mush, Little Man, Bubba, Bubs, Handsome, or Goose but these are the few nicknames created.

Who do you look like:
This depends on who we ask. Those closest to Daddy, think you look like him, while those closer to me, think you look like me. I would say your a pretty good combination of the two of us. Your eyes are your Daddy's, your nose and chin are your Momma's, and you actually have Pop's toes! Right now, your eyes are still a beautiful shade of blue, they haven't changed much. We are wondering if they will stay blue, or turn brown like both of ours. Pop, Grandpa, and Uncle Brent are the only ones with blue eyes, so we shall see.

My mush, there is still so much to talk about. I could talk about you for hours! This is definitely been the hardest, most rewarding experience. You make life that much more enjoyable for your Dad and I. All I want to do is be with you. I now know what people meant when they said how having a baby will change your life, and you can't really explain it. You can't, because it's like no other. You are such a beautiful little boy, and you already make Mom and Dad so proud. We love you more then you will ever know. I can't wait for tomorrow and the next day and the next because I get to spend it with you.

Keep growing strong and showing us what life is all about. I love watching you experience new things, even if it is just noticing the ceiling fan for the first time. The eyes of a child, and we get to live it through you.

LOVE love LoVe you, so so much!

OUR FIRST EASTER AS A FAMILY OF 3!

Luke's Quarters

Dear Luke,

I thought I would share some pictures and video of your quarters! It is about 90% finished, so now is as good of time as any, right!? We worked hard on getting your room organized, painted and arranged, but it was such a fun process and a great memory that your Dad and I will always share.

 Here is Dad putting together your crib. The walls are already painted, thanks to him! He did such an awesome job painting. Side note: your Dad is pretty handy, so much so, that I'm pretty sure with some help from Grandpa, they could build an entire house or car. I know that he will enjoy passing on all of his wisdom to you! Get ready...

Here is a video of your completed room. I had to divide into 2 videos because it was on my iphone. Dad and I are very proud of how it all came together! It is a space where you want to spend time and are comfortable. I hope you enjoy your room for many years to come!

 

And some additional snapshots...

I wanted something different for your name, so I found these huge letters at Joann's. With a little bit of paint that matches the other walls, they look so fabulous against the red.

The bedding!!! I am so in love with it! Grandma did such a great job at sewing it. And a little pat on the back for your Mom for picking out the fabrics! The cute mobile is firetrucks and dalmatians, goes perfect with the color scheme!

Another side note: my work is throwing me a shower today in your honor! I know that Meredith and Cheryl have worked really hard to make it extra special. I will be sure to update you on all of the festivities on an upcoming post! I am super excited!

This weekend is going to be fun! Dad and I are having our last dinner date night as just the two of us tonight. We are going to dinner at one of my favorite spots, Benihana, for some hibachi (no sushi, boo)! Tomorrow night we are going to play Top Golf with some of our closest friends, and Sunday is the Super Bowl! We are headed over to a friend's house to eat and watch the Giants and Patriots battle. Next weekend will be our final weekend before you make us a family of 3! This is just too exciting, Mr. Luke!!! I am so ready to meet you!

I love you so much, and think about you all day everyday!

LYTM (love you the most),

Mom

Show off

Hello my sweet angel!

I am trying to be better about updating this blog as much as I can for you since you will be here in 2 WEEKS! That's right 2 weeks! Dad and I can't believe it! At our last doctor's appoinment, yesterday, she told us that she would be inducing on Tuesday, February 14th. Your birthday will be Valentine's Day! Your Uncle Brent is betting on how difficult your love life is going to be when you get older and start dating, because the girls want this day to be all about them, but it will be your birthday, so the day WILL be all about you. You just send those little divas to your mama, I'll take of 'em! Your Daddy will raise you right when it comes to how to treat young ladies, but I will be the one guarding your heart from those crazy ones- no one will hurt my baby, especially on his birthday, Valentine's Day or not! Okay, I'll quit with the crazy Mom stuff, we are still years away... But yes, unless you decide to come on your own, you will have the birthday of Love!

I thought I would share some pictures of you on this post. I haven't really got to show you off on this blog yet.

 

June 18, 2011- 5 weeks

We are pregnant! To our surprise a little bit, but super excited none the less!

8 weeks old!

Even though you look like a blob with a tail, Dad and I were very much in love! Already perfect...

 19 weeks!

The day we found out that our Baby Love is a BOY! I will always remember Dad's expression when the "turtle" was on the screen and the tech told us! I love your father so much, it was just priceless.

We did have another sonogram between these at 32 weeks, but we did not get any printouts. We were told that you were measuring 3 weeks ahead and that you weighed in at 5 lbs, 13 oz. My sweet boy being a show off- I love it!!

 This is the last sonogram we received at 36 weeks 2 days.

Measuring 2 1/2 weeks ahead and weighing in at 7 lbs, 7 oz.

The only reason we got this sonogram was because the week before my blood pressure went up a bit and they wanted to check to make sure you were not in distress. Of course you scored perfect on their little test, and the tech said you were perfect- duh- you are our son. My BP did go down, the doc just thinks it was a fluke. The good news was that we got to see your sweet face again and I was super excited about that. You were really squished in there but we did get a picture of your face straight on. You have my nose and lips- this just means they are big... it's a Willson trait... and you have hair! You looked so handsome in black and white, it just makes us that much more anxious to finally see you.

I also have the few belly pics that I have taken. Do not ever tell me anything else other then how beautiful I look for being so pregnant. You will learn this, when one day, your wife is pregnant with your child. She always looks beautiful, no matter how big she really is! Please do not judge my appearance in any of these! I can't believe I am posting these on the world wide web... here goes...

19 weeks

24 weeks

You will notice some of these are taken in the Publicis bathroom.

28 weeks

Seriously, do not judge me in this picture.

 

31 weeks 6 days

Christmas Day 2011

34 weeks 1 day

36 weeks

I will take one more picture on Monday the 13th, this is the day we actually go to the hospital to prepare for delivery. Now, everyone should guess your arrival time and your weight. The winner, whoever guesses the closest can be the first one to hold you... besides me and Dad... Ha! I like this game!!

My sweet Luke, for now, that's all the pictures I have of you to show off. I will probably be very camera happy when you are here, so I'm apologizing in advance. Also, do not ever tell me to stop taking your picture, I am your Mom, and I will take as many pictures as I see fit. Even if it is 20 of the same pose. You just keep smiling. I will scrapbook them for you, so that when your first girlfriend comes over, I can embarrass you... or your Dad I for taking so many of the same picture... Doesn't matter who gets embarrassed, we are super proud of you already and pictures are the trophies of you being a show off. 

I love you so much! I can't thank God enough for blessing us with such a wonderful gift. You are already loved more then you will ever know by so many people! We all are anxiously awaiting your arrival on Valentine's Day, but until then, continue to grow healthy and move constantly (it hurts sometimes) as you have been. I love being able to feel you move 4958409 times a day.

Love you the most,

Mom

Mid January? No, really it is mid January!

Dear Baby Love,

It really is mid January! Ah!!! Where does the time go? It seems to be a trend on how long time passes between my posts to you. I really do apologize, but I promise I will catch you up on everything that has been going on since the beginning of December when I last posted.

Today, marks 34 weeks and 3 days preggo. Crazy how fast this time has passed by! It really seems like just the other day we were telling people we were expecting you, and now you will be here in about 5 (give or take) weeks! I-N-S-A-N-E! Your Dad and I couldn't be more ready to meet you! You are now measuring 2 1/2 weeks ahead and according to our last sonogram, at 32 weeks, you were measuring 5 lbs 13 oz (whoa). I like to refer to you as an over achiever, you definitely don't want to disappoint in the size category when you are born! We knew you would be big, and now there is no doubt about it! The doctor is now talking about a date to induce you! She said that if you don't come on your own before 39 weeks, that she will induce you then. And just for the record, 39 weeks exactly, happens to be Valentine's Day! The bet is on if you are coming before then or if you will give a whole new meaning to Baby Love!

Our two showers were so super fantastic! We truly felt the love from everyone! The gifts couldn't have been any better, we really stocked up on the necessities and then some for you. Each shower was very special and unique, and I promise to post pictures of the events soon! My problem is, the pictures are on my camera, and I can't find the cable to connect it to the computer to pull off the pics! Ah! In the mean time, here are two pictures, one from each shower. I will post more pics soon and elaborate more on the showers then!

Aunt Michelle and Aunt Stephanie with your favorite parents at the couples shower Saturday night.

All of the Kogler ladies at the shower on Sunday. Your Great- Grandmother Kogler is 96 in this picture! What a blessing to be able to share all of this with her!

Christmas was probably one of the best yet! Dad was off both Christmas Eve and Day this year, which always makes it that much more special for me. The good news is, he will be off both Eve and Day next year, for your first Christmas- yay! Christmas Eve was spent with the Willson's over at Uncle Brent and Aunt Erica's We, of course, had our traditional matching pajamas that Gran Jan gives us every year and presents galore! Christmas Day, Dad and I spent the day at the Kogler's. We always open presents first thing when we get there, and then have lunch followed by lazy-ness and football. It was a great Christmas celebration. I am beginning to think that next Christmas will probably top them all!

Here is a picture of you on Christmas Day 2011! (31 weeks, 6 days)

New Years was pretty low key. Dad had to work New Years Day, so we just went to dinner on New Years Eve with some friends, and were in bed by 11. Didn't even get to ring in the new year! That's okay, my sleep is way more valuable to me, at this point, then watching 2012 come in. 2012 is going to be a BIG big B-I-G year!!!

Well, Baby Luke, that my darling, catches us up to current day. Your Dad and I are thrilled that we only have about 5 weeks left before we get to meet you. Until then, we pray that you are growing strong and we give thanks to Him for creating a perfect you!

With all of my heart, I love you so so much! See you in a few weeks!

Mom