Stylin'

Jake has a certain sense of style all his own which often makes me smile, sometimes laugh, but always feel proud of my stylin' boy.  Here's one full outfit he put together...

Backyard Smores

Kevin got a fire pit for Christmas, and it's been fun to have a fire to do some roasting without the hassle of a full camping trip.  It's nice to have friends join in on the fun too, so we invited the Dishmans over one night for hot dogs and s'mores.  Here are the kids enjoying the sweets...

Teaching

I know Jake will help teach Luke so many things and it's fun to see him already taking that job seriously and doing it so sweetly.  One afternoon, we ate lunch on the back porch and hung out enjoying the nice weather.  Jake decided it was a good time to show Luke all his tools and how they work.  Luke really is paying attention...

Cowboy Day

 Jake is definitely a clothes person.  From the time we knew he was going to have a little sibling, I thought he might enjoy helping dress him, and it's definitely been true.  One Sunday morning, he decided he wanted everyone to dress up in their cowboy boots, and Luke wasn't about to be left out.  Kevin, Jake and Luke all dressed in jeans and boots that day as decided by Jake.  Here's Luke's cowboy look....

Luke's "boots" are house shoe style boots we also had when Jake was a baby that were passed down from Cohen.  Here's the proud big brother cowboy holding his little cowboy...

1 Month

Luke turned 1 month on May 13.  He's still looking a little scrawny, but he's definitely growing.  I think I'm appreciating this stage of life even more than I did with Jake because I'm more laid back.  Even though I have to juggle more with 2 kids, I'm doing my best to enjoy Luke and take every moment in rather than taking it for granted. For our 1 month photo shoot, we brought back a special blanket of Jake's.  Our dear friend, Chez, made this when I was pregnant with Jake and we took all his monthly photos with it, so I thought I'd do the same with Luke...

Jake definitely had to hop in...

This is my favorite because of the look on Jake's face.  He looks so happy and proud...

Jake also took some photos of Luke.  I actually think his photographs turned out better than mine!

Here are the top things I want to remember about this time of Luke's life:
*How tiny and sweet he is, especially his feet.  I can't believe how small his feet are!
*How I enjoy nursing him (even in the middle of the night).  I feel a closeness to him that no one else can have, plus I love the faint baby smell there is when he's that close
*How wonderful it is to have him asleep on my chest
*How he makes unbelievably loud grunting sounds.  We're even calling him Sir Grunts-a-lot
*How he also makes sweet, soft cooing sounds
*How he curls up like a little frog
*How I like to stroke the back of his neck where his hair is...it's so soft

Happy 1 month!  I love you, sweet boy!

More of the boys

First thing's first...to answer the last post, Laura Beth was right: Jake is the top picture and Luke is the bottom.  Now on to more pics.  It's great seeing Jake get more and more comfortable holding Luke...

 Jake's also really good at entertaining his little brother.  Here he was showing off a box full of toys...

  Nothing's more precious and peaceful than a sleeping baby...

Who's Who?

 Can you tell who is who?  Believe it or not, this is not the same baby

 

Answer to come in next post!

Lounging

Here's some shots of Luke lounging around.  Overall, he's pretty laid back...

Just like Jake did, within only a couple weeks home, he decided he doesn't like his hands swaddled up and fought his way out of the swaddle.  Here's one preferred sleeping position...

Also, a little lounging awake time...

Our boys

I LOVE seeing Jake interacting with Luke.  He's so sweet and thoughtful, and more comfortable with him each passing day.  I'm trying my best to treasure these moments in my heart b/c photos don't do justice to the sweet moments I'm witnessing.  There is definitely a reason why there are times for professional photographers--I am a horrible photographer and am not at all capable of capturing what I want.  In all these pictures, either Luke looks like he's being tortured, they are a little blurry, too bright, or Jake is making a crazy face.  Oh well, it helps with the memories.  Here are my best attempts at capturing them together..

First Family Outing

 After one full week of being spoiled by extra help from our families, it was time to be on our own as a brand new family of 4.  Luckily, Kevin took the first day off so we could settle in slowly to the dynamic.  It was a beautiful day, so we decided to introduce Luke to one of our favorite family activities: a picnic in the park...

Jake was happy to be out enjoying the great weather...

 He had lots of fun playing on the great playground while Luke snoozed away...

Cousins

Chad, Cassy, and the kids came for the day the Sunday after we were home from the hospital.  It was especially cute to see the girls' reactions to Luke.  Campbell was especially interested in the new baby...

The difference between the boys and girls is pretty distinct.  Cohen and Jake were too busy playing with each other to pay much attention to Luke, while the girls doted over him.  It definitely seems like girls are born with some sort of maternal instinct...

 Here's Uncle Chad and Aunt Cassy...

Heading to church

Luke was handsomely dressed and ready for his first visit to church.  I had to get a picture of his adorable outfit compliments of Chez.  Here's both cutie boys in their coordinating blues...

 Luke wasn't too happy about the photo shoot, but I still had to capture him in these adorable elephant overalls.  It's a little blurry b/c he's flailing his arms, but even when sad, he's precious...

Game 3

 Jake's 3rd soccer game also marked Luke's one week mark.  The game came during a cold front, so we all bundled up.  Here's Luke ready for the game...

Here's how Luke actually spent the entire game; nestled underneath this blanket in his carseat.  I don't think he was affected at all by the cold...

 Here's Jake bundled up and ready to go...