Ghoulishly Handsome 2 Month Old

Luke is two months old already!  He is definitely sporting the 3-6 month apparel though.  It is so fun - an entirely new wardrobe to dress him up in:)  Luke had a couple notable milestones this week.  The first is that he is able to sit in his little Bumbo chair and hold himself up for a little while, until he gets tired and kind of falls over.  He really enjoys being in it though, so we've been putting him in it a little more everyday.  The second milestone is that Luke slept in his crib in his own room for the very first time on Saturday night.  He has been sleeping in the bassinet next to our bed for the past two months, but since he was 8 weeks old on Saturday we decided to introduce the crib.  He did great!  He slept his normal amount (3.5 hours, then 2 hours, then 1 hour) and we were able to use our fancy new video monitor to make sure all was well.

Activities of the week:

- On Tuesday Donna came up for a fun shopping outing to Historic Long Grove.  We went to almost all of the adorable shops in that cute town, had lunch and got a good start on our Christmas shopping (at least I did!).

- Saturday we went downtown to visit our friends Kathryn and Madeline.  We had a great time catching up and enjoying the lovely fall weather on their friend's front porch.  

Kathryn and Luke, sporting his pumpkin hat and booties (thanks Cise's!)

- Saturday night we carved pumpkins, just in time for Halloween.  Luke didn't really pull his weight, but seemed to enjoy watching the action.  I did a pretty standard face, but Matt did a really cool Halloween penguin.  Those flightless birds really like to get into All Hallow's Eve you know.

- Sunday was Halloween.  I had done a little photo shoot with Luke in his festive Halloween sleeper, but on the actual day Luke decided to dress up as a cow.  He was pretty darn cute.  
I had swim practice in the afternoon, but Matt was all set with tons of candy, ready for our first suburban trick or treating extravaganza (we were out of town last year).  Then we ended up having only 4 kids come!  Apparently we're off the beaten path of those candy hungry kiddos.  More for us, I guess!

- Lastly, Monday Luke had his 2 month doctor appointment.  He's growing up so fast.  Here are the updated stats:

Weight: 13 lbs, 2.5 ozs - 90th percentile!!!!
Length: 23 inches - 50th percentile
Head: 40.5 cms - between 50-75th percentile

For those of you who heard about our issues with thrush a couple weeks ago, I'm sorry to say that it is back!  Noooo, say it isn't so!  So we're doing another round of treatment.  Needless to say I'm not pysched about once again having to boil everything that comes into contact with my milk or his mouth.  Ugh.  Fingers crossed that we beat this nuisance for good this time.  Other than that, he is a healthy kid!

Checking out my wrist rattle, thanks Jenae and Jeremy!

Working on our scrapbook and enjoying our first cozy fire of the season.

Happy Birthday to Grandpa Emil!

65 years young today!

Can't wait to see you to celebrate in person:)

Baby Joggers, Bottles and Bridal Showers - oh my!

Hanging with my best friend PJ

This week was slightly less hectic than last, but still with some fun activities.  The beautiful streak of weather we've been having continued and we got out there and enjoyed it.  I got the OK from the doctor to start exercising again and boy was I happy to hear that.  I swam, I biked, I ran - and now I'm sore!  It felt so good to be active again though.  Donna was very sweet to come over and hang out with the Lukers while I worked out, and they went on their own power walk.

With the end of my maternity leave looming, Matt and I decided it was time to introduce a bottle to Luke to make sure he would be able to eat well when I went back to work.  Matt did the honors and there was no problem - Luke is very flexible with how he gets his food it would seem!

On Saturday we welcomed Matt's coworker/friend Dana over for a visit.  Thanks for coming all the way up to LF, Dana, it was great to see you!

Then on Sunday Luke and I went up to WI to co-host a bridal shower brunch with Kristin & Mom for our cousin Melissa Walker.  She and her fiancée Sean are getting married on December 11th.  It was a great party and hopefully Melissa felt how much she is loved by all of her family.

Cousin Jessica and bride to be Melissa

Donut cake

Cousin Katie with Luke

Sunday night Luke and I had a sleepover at Kristin, Cory and PJ's house. Then on Monday we accompanied K & P to their music class in the morning and then had a fun lunch out before heading back home.

At the Chancery

Luke has been able to interact with his baby toys a lot more these days.  He actually seems to enjoy his activity mats vs just laying there!  And he is still very smiley.

Sleepy monkey

"I like chicks, man."

Staring contest with Daddy

A Busy Week

My maternity leave is half over, I can't believe it!  Week 6 was a busy one with activities almost every day.  In Luke development news, he is starting to smile with some regularity now.  It is SO cute, Matt and I can't get enough of it.  He is also growing a ton, almost too long for some of his 0-3 month sleepers already.

On Tuesday Jenae and Jeremy, Matt's cousins from Colorado, were in town with their two adorable little boys.  They were nice enough to take a day out of their busy schedule to come over for a visit, so everyone else came over too!  Congratulations to Jeremy for kicking butt in his first marathon - awesome job Jeremy!

Great Grandpa Boyd

Jenae charms Luke

River and Lennon

Jeremy and his little friend

On Wednesday Luke had his first "playdate" with my friend Bethany's 3 month old son, Rio.  Okay, it was really more of a playdate for the Moms:)  Bethany and I went to business school together and are excited that our little boys are so close in age.  Thanks for coming guys!

Thursday was Walgreens Day!  Luke and I headed over to the big WAG to meet all of my friends/coworkers.  My team was so sweet to have a little pizza party over their lunch staff meeting in honor of our visit.  It was so great to see everyone and introduce Luke to all the people who watched him grow in my belly for 9 months!  Then that night Luke and I had dinner with two of my girlfriends from work, Kate and Kristin.  Our other friend Patrice and her baby daughter Morgan had to cancel at the last minute, but we are excited to meet Morgan soon, born just a couple days before Luke!

My boss, Amy, with Luke - a natural mother of boys!

Kate and Kristin

On Friday our dear friend Gui, the Brazilian Birthday Boy himself, came down from Milwaukee to meet Luke on his way down to Purdue's Homecoming.  It was his birthday, so Luke insisted on making brownies for him.  Always a joy to see Gui, and we got to go on a beautiful hike before he headed out.  

Saturday we headed up to Wisconsin for a visit with Shelley, Rob and Alyssa Nolden.  They live in NJ and were in town for the weekend so we had to take advantage!  Shelley was a bridesmaid in my wedding and we were practically inseparable in high school.  Andrea & Kevin were nice enough to host our luncheon, with Luke & I, Kristin & PJ, and the Nolden's all there.  So great to see everyone, can't believe we all have kids!

Kevin and baby Josie

Shelley and  1 yr old (almost!) Alyssa

Saturday night we had a Fall Feast at Mom and Dad's house, complete with a fun bonfire in the backyard.  

Grandma and Mom (& Dougal)

Aunt Susan

Luke's first bonfire

Dad helps PJ roast marshmallows

Finally, on Sunday our friends Jeff & Sarah came over to watch the Bears game and meet Luke.  Jeff is Matt's closest friend from high school and Jeff & Sarah just had their gorgeous wedding in July.  Great seeing you guys!

So long until next week!