Two weeks old!

This past Wednesday was Luke's 2 week old birthday.  Every day brings something new and so far I'm loving every minute.  I'm not getting a lot of sleep, but I knew that going in so no surprise and no complaints.   We learn a little more about each other every day and I am so grateful that I have this time with him.  He's just an amazing gift that I get to keep unwrapping.  Sometimes I wonder if someone's going to knock on the door and ask for their baby back, as if he's just too good to be true.  It's just hard to believe that something so wonderful is ours.

This is my serious face!

So what is he like now that he's a big 2 week old boy?  Well, he's enjoying a pacifier, although he's not great at keeping it in his mouth, so I spend a good amount of time popping it back it back in.  He's sleeping a little less, and looking around more.  He likes to cuddle and really likes to be walked around when he's grumpy.  He loves to sleep during the day and save his energy for night time.  Night time is Mommy-Baby time.  We get up every 2 hours or so to eat, and sometimes to walk around.  We change the diaper and Mommy hopes for sleep.  Sometimes I get a few hours straight, sometimes not.  But I know it's not forever and I'll sleep again eventually so it's not so bad.  And Joe's parents have been here visiting and I've gotten to take a 2-3 hour nap most afternoon's which is a lifesaver.  And they get lots of baby holding time which makes everyone happy.  He's lucky to be so loved, I know his grandparents are really going to miss him when they go home next week.

Mmmm, paci :)

So what have we been doing up until now?  Well we've had visitors.  My dad came up and enjoyed some time with his newest grandson.  Grandma couldn't make it because she was sick, but hopefully next week she and my Dad will be back to shower him with love and attention.  My Uncle Paul and Aunt Diane also came by to see him.  It was great having them here and I never get tired of hearing how cute Luke is so it was a great visit. 

Grandpa and Luke

Aunt Diane and Uncle Paul (my Dad's brother)

                                                     












Joe took the first week and a half off of work to be home with us.  He helped so much and really gave me the time I needed to recover from the c-section and focus on Luke.  For Luke's 1 week birthday his Daddy surprised us with a super cute outfit from Janie and Jack (my favorite children's clothing boutique in Charlotte).  Luke wore it for his newborn pictures which I am dying to see.  Our photographer is putting them in the mail on Monday, and I'll be sure to post them when they arrive.   Daddy also got a little gift for Mommy.  A beautiful heart ring from Tiffany's to match the heart necklace he gave me when we first started dating.  I can't believe how thoughtful he is.  I love that the necklace and ring match and the symbolism behind them.  

I'm sure there's so much more to tell you about Luke, but I have limited time with this sweet boy napping. I'll catch up more soon!

Once again, thank you for being a part of our journey.  We are really grateful for the love, prayers, and support of our family and friends.

Much love,
Joe, Krystyn and Lukas

Born on the 4th of July!

Our sweet little man was born on July 4, 2012.  Lukas Paul Smith arrived at 3:32pm weighing 8 pounds 13 ounces, and was 20.5 inches long.  Today Luke is one week old, and the time has just flown by.  His Daddy and I are madly in love with this sweet boy.  I'm sure we're like every other set of new parents, but every face he makes is the cutest we've ever seen.  His cries are adorable, he sounds like a kitten, just little mews.  He's just as laid back on the outside as he seemed to be when I was pregnant.  He loves to sleep.  I have to wake him up to feed him...which I know sounds crazy.  But he lost 11.5% of his body weight the first few days and we're working to catch back up.  That and I am not sure that he would wake up on his own to eat, he really loves his beauty sleep.

Luke's Birth Story:   I went into early labor the Thursday before Luke was born.  We made a few trips to the doctor and hospital and although the contractions were 3-5 minutes apart, there wasn't enough progress to keep me there so we were sent home.  Needless to say, the next few days were painful and exhausting.  Finally on Tuesday July 3rd my water broke.  We arrived at the hospital around 6:30pm and checked in to have our baby.  Our Midwife and Nurses thought he would be here by the next morning.  My contractions were extremely painful and lasting 3-5 minutes each.  They decided to start Pitocin to try to get things moving faster and to deal with the pain I had my epidural put in, and God bless that Doctor.  It kicked in immediately and I was so grateful!  Unfortunately after laboring for a full 24 hours since my water had broken with no real progress, we realized that Luke's head was simply too big and it was time for a c-section to keep him safe.  His heart rate had dropped dangerously during the night and we were seconds away from an emergency c-section.  It was the worst feeling Joe and I ever experienced.  It was terrifying.  Thankfully after several long minutes they were able to stabilize Luke through positioning.  I really dreaded the c-section, but I'd spent the hours since his slowed heart rate terrified it would happen again, and was willing to do anything to get him here safely. Once the decision was made, everything went very quickly.  I signed the papers and Joe and I headed to the O.R. to meet our son.  When Luke came out time stood still.  They brought him around so that I could see him and we could hear him crying.  Because there was meconium in the amniotic fluid, there was a team in the O.R. that immediately took Luke and checked him.  Thank God he was completely healthy and scored 99 on his apgars.  They let Joe cut his cord and wrapped him up.  Then they handed him to his Daddy and they brought him over to me.  I'm sitting here crying thinking about that moment.  I couldn't even say hello to him because I was crying too hard.  Looking at my son, seeing him here safe and sound was the best moment of my life, hands down.  I am beyond lucky to be his Mommy.

We spent the next 4 days at the hospital and I am really grateful for that time.  I needed it to recover from the surgery, and Luke needed it to deal with his jaundice and weight loss.  The nurses and lactation consultants were amazing.   And we took full advantage of having them there.  We were released with flying colors and on Sunday we were able to bring our baby home.  He's been completely spoiled ever since.  His Grandma and Grandpa Smith were here a few days before his birth and have been snuggling him like crazy ever since. Daddy and I can't get enough of him either.  We could hold him 24/7.  We can't wait for the rest of our family and friends to meet our boy, we know they'll be just as in love with him as we are.

Joe has been amazing. Even though he isn't getting much sleep either, he has waited on us hand and foot.  He's cooking, cleaning, and still finds time to ooh and ahh over his boy and take a million pictures. I don't know what I would have done without him this past week.  I am so lucky to have him for my husband and Luke is blessed to have him for his Dad.  He's taking the very best care of us and I am so appreciative.

So here I am, typing up his birth story while my sweet boy is next to me.  Every once in a while he will stretch or make a cute new face and my heart melts a little more.  I wish I could freeze this time forever.  He is perfection.

Joe and I want to thank everyone for your thoughts and prayers and well wishes.  We look forward to keeping you updated on our little man as he grows.  We are so incredibly grateful and happy and love that you are here to share this journey with us.