t, lee, and babies g

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

four months

Here is what Luca did during his fourth month:

- His four month stats: 15 lb 9.5 oz (51%ile), 24.75" long (31%ile), his head circumference is 44 cm (97%ile). The size of his head indicates how large his brain is :)

- He rolled over on November 9 for the first time, and he mastered rolling over both ways this month.

- Luca went to the beach for the first time when we visited family in Florida. We were so excited to see his reaction to the ocean water. The first time Lee dipped him in, Lee got a little excited and did it very quickly and poor Luca was startled and cried pretty hard. The second time, Lee did it a bit more gently and Luca seemed neutral about it. He made cute faces, but didn't cry or smile. We took daily walks on the beach and Luca napped through all of them. Wouldn't you if you were all cozy and snuggled up with the sound of crashing waves in the background?

- He really loves sucking on his hands. I mean, he is obsessed. It's hard taking his picture because his hands are literally always clasped together and in his mouth.

- He discovered the volume of his voice and a new grunting/gurgling voice sound. So he will randomly scream/grunt when we are least expecting it.

- He is usually always smiling and talking. The only time he cries is if he is gassy- which isn't very often (and of course if he's tired or hungry).

- He likes to be held and snuggle a lot of the time. But he also decided this month that sometimes he needs his own space to kick and roll around and yell.
- Luca dressed up as a redneck baby for his first Halloween.

Here are some four month pictures:

(his neck is getting stronger!)

(Halloween)

(his first dip in the ocean)

three months

I am so behind on these monthly update posts, but I am going to try and catch up as quickly as I can. Here is what happened in Luca's third month:

- at around 2.5 months he started sleeping through the night, from like 9 pm- 730 am

- he reallllly likes to be the center of attention. I joke that he is just like his dad in this area. Anyone who knows both Lee and me know how true that statement is ;). But seriously, he loves when you talk to him, as soon as you look away- he gets pretty upset.

- he hates being in his car seat unless the car is moving, so we pretty much hate red lights.

- Luca became partial to the song "be still" by the fray. If he is upset, trying to fall asleep, that song works every single time.

- he fights sleep, but he really likes when you sing to him. He calms right down and doesn't fight it as hard as soon as you start singing. My throat is usually sore by the end of the day because I sing a lot to him. Thankfully the fray works well when I need a break.

- if I take a video of him, he likes to watch/hear it as I watch it later on.

- he is so advanced, he already says words: mom, nana, hey, oh my, no

- he discovered his tongue- he loves to play with it, stick it out, etc.

- he sucks on everything- his fist is always in his mouth. He isn't interested in a pacifier- at all.

- he snores sometimes when he's sleeping.

- his second favorite activity, right behind sucking his hands, is that he really likes to blow lots of spit bubbles.

- my favorite thing: he wakes up every day talking and laughing. It is the best alarm clock anyone could ever want or need.

Here are some pictures of our super cute boy:

(he nailed the pout!)

Thursday, December 5, 2013

dedication

Lee and I always knew that we wanted to dedicate Luca. Our desire is to raise him to know and love the Lord. In fact, that is the most important thing to us.

Once we found out that we were going to be able to go to Connecticut after Luca was born, we decided that we wanted to dedicate him there during our trip. Walking into Crossroads to dedicate our son was a pretty surreal moment for me. I have sat and witnessed babies get dedicated for years. I have prayed for countless lives while watching parents- some I knew but most of whom I didn't- dedicate their children to the Lord. Before the service started, Lee and I took Luca in to meet with Mrs. Pat to learn the order of the service and what was going to happen/what we needed to do during the dedication. She also presented us with a red rose and a white rose, a bible, and a certificate. While she was telling us about the symbolism behind the roses and talking to us- I started to get really emotional. Partly because I was back in my home church, the one I grew up in. Partly because I was there to dedicate my son, my precious baby that I have prayed for and dreamt about for many years- way before he was conceived. But mostly I was getting emotional thinking about our Savior's love, and how thankful I was for the most miraculous gift I have ever received, my sweet baby boy.

The dedication was wonderful. Of course, I was afraid Luca was going to get upset right at the moment we were called up, but he did great. Since it wasn't a typical baby dedication service (since we were only in town on that specific date), we were the only ones dedicating our baby. Pastor Sean was the Pastor praying over us, talking to us, and asking us our intent. It meant so much that Pastor Sean was there because he was the Pastor that married Lee and me. It felt extra special to have him, three years and three months later, praying over us and our baby. In addition to Pastor Sean, Mrs. Pat was there holding Luca, anointing him with oil, and praying for him. That was also incredibly special for me since Mrs. Pat has been in my life since I was really little. She was there for me from when I was in Alpha, Omega, and Children's church, she was my JBQ coach, my camp counselor, and a loving support for me throughout high school and college years and still today. She played a big role in my life and has always prayed for me and with me in my 28 years of life, and now she is praying for my son. It meant a lot to us- as you can imagine.

While dedicating Luca, my parents and Lee's mom stood behind us. Supporting us, praying for us and Luca, and promising to help us raise Luca in His Word. Not only did we have our parents behind us, but also siblings, Lee's grandma, cousins, friends who are like family, congregation members that I have known my whole life- all praying over our sweet boy. It was such a powerful moment that meant so much to us. Knowing that we have people in our lives who love our boy, and who are lifting him up in prayer is a pretty incredible feeling.

I am so grateful for the dedication service. I am so grateful for the family members and friends who made it to the service, and who pray for Luca each and every day. While it was hard not having my entire family there (missed you so so much Sarah and Josh), we were so thankful for those that were.

Meg, my close friend and personal photographer took our pictures. I am posting a ton because I had a hard time narrowing it down- I just love them all! It was a special night that will forever hold a special place in my heart.