Santa Cruz Trip

We had a great time in Santa Cruz last week. Scott and Brie's wedding was on Sunday, but we got there on Tuesday, so we had nearly a week to spend with everyone before the wedding. It was nice to get to see family that we don't see that often, and to introduce them all to Lucas.

Our little guy did great on the plane rides, which is everyone's first question when you tell them you traveled across country with an infant. He slept all the way there and most of the way back. The worst part of the trip were the couple of times when we had to put him in a carseat...his worst enemy at this point.

I think the trip was great for his social skills. He was seriously held nearly every second of the trip, except for when he was sleeping at night. This was good to get him used to different people, but was a challenge for me today because he expected the same amount of attention. We hold him all of the time anyway, but when new people are holding him they just sit or sway with him. When I hold him at home I often try to load the dishwasher, check email, etc....Lucas would have none of that today.

Another challenge as a result of the trip is that Lucas loved the crisp Santa Cruz air and was outside just about all day each day. This morning he was fussy, but as soon as I stepped outside he was all smiles. I guess we'll have to stock up on the sunscreen.

Here are some pictures from the week...

Cookout

We had a cookout with all of Lucas's play group friends last weekend. Here are some pictures of the cuties...

Naomi

Blane

Charles

Lucas

We missed little Nora...they were at the beach....

Colic Baby

It seems that little Lucas has developed colic. His one witching hour of crying in the evenings, which started at one month old, has now turned into two to three hours. It seems pretty classic - he sleeps well all night and is happy all morning, but fussy after he wakes up from his afternoon nap until he goes to bed at night. Colic is strange. There isn't a clear definition of it. Some say that it's related to gas and some say it's the baby's way of unwinding. Just about everyone, thankfully, says that it shouldn't last past three months of age.

Jeff and I try and console Lucas by holding him so that he is face down with his belly resting on our forearm, relaxing baths, full body massages, dancing, singing, feeding, and the list goes on. It makes for an exciting evening at the Schroeder home.

Here is another video of our happy "Morning Lucas"...


Video Hosting - Upload Video - Video Sharing

Naked Baby

First Vacation

We're all excited about going to California next week for our cousin's wedding. Lucas is excited about this trip because he will get to meet a lot of new family, but he is very excited because he will get to see his Grandma Johnson tomorrow and his Sa Sa and Grandpa Schroeder next week. (He'll see Grandma Johnson tomorrow because my parents are watching Mr. Tyson for us while we are away....so we are driving to meet her tomorrow for the exchange.)

Here is Lucas showing his excitement....

Mother's Day Photo Shoot

My first Mother's Day was really nice. We just took it easy and enjoyed spending time with Lucas...

Getting out more...

Lucas and I have gotten out of the house a little more this week. The doctors recommend that you limit their public outings until they are two months old, so when we go out I carry Lucas in a front carrier and put a blanket over his head. Instead of smiling at strangers in the stores, I avoid making eye contact so that they won't ask to see the baby. The carseat manufacturers make it so that a new mom can't go many places anyway. The seats are SO heavy, even before you add a 10lb baby.

Yesterday we went to lunch with a friend and her baby. We first talked at 11am and planned on meeting up around noon at her house. I don't know how, but we didn't get to lunch until 2:30. First her baby was hungry, then as we were walking out the door, Lucas decided he was hungry. We laughed at how there is no more meeting a friend for a quick lunch, or running a quick errand....at least not for a while....I'm sure we'll get better at going out with our babies.

I don't have any pictures of Lucas's lunch date, but here is a real time shot of him going down for his morning nap: We just started swaddling Lucas again. He sleeps deeper and longer because he doesn't wake himself with his out-of-control arms and legs...

Lucas sleeps in this co-sleeper at night and for naps, which allows him to sleep in the bed with us safely...

Sweet Babies...

Blane, Charles, Nora, Naomi, and Lucas

Good Morning from Lucas

Lucas welcomed the day by playing with his GT mobile...

Video Hosting - Upload Video - Photo Sharing
(You can tell by my reaction that Lucas is just beginning to share his smiles with us...)

Pictures from the last few days...

9lb 14oz Yogi

That is how much Lucas weighed in at on Friday at his one month appointment. Here are his other stats:

May 5th Appointment
Weight: 9lbs 140z (50%)
Height: 21in (25%)
Head Circumference: 37.5cm (25%)

He got a Hep B shot, which wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. He cried the "open mouth, red face, no sound" cry for a few seconds, but then he was okay. The worst part of his day was the car ride home because he was cranky when I put him in his seat.
Here is a picture of Lucas practicing his Locust pose so that he can impress his yoga instructing uncle, Scott, when he meets him in a few weeks.

One Month Old

Lucas is one month old today! He celebrated by getting up early, watching his first Baby Einstein DVD, eating a lot, going on a walk, going on his first public outing (Target) and getting a new pacifier (that he actually likes).

At one month Lucas likes being held upright and patted on the back, laying on his belly, baths, being outside, going on walks in the front carrier, being swaddled. Lucas does not like being on his back, going on stroller walks, being put in carseat when he is awake, being cradled like a baby. Lucas's first intentional smile, in my opinion, was on May 3rd for his Dad when Jeff got home from work. Lucas's usual schedule is that he eats about every 2.5-3 hours all day and night, with one long nap of about 4 hours around 6-10am and a 3 hour nap in the afternoon.

Pictures from today...

Locked in on the Baby Einstein video...

Hanging out...

Our 2nd Play Date and a Video

Lucas, Charles, Naomi, Nora and Blane

Lucas and Charles

Lucas and Naomi's 1 month old photo (both born on 4/4)

And this is just an uneventful video of Lucas (and Tyson)...if you're interested in seeing the boys in action...
Video Hosting - Upload Video - Photo Sharing

Chubby Cheeks

Lucas's face is filling out....4 weeks old today!

This Weekend...

Lucas FINALLY got his crib delivered.

He hasn't slept in it yet, but it makes the nursery look better... Lucas really likes his Georgia Tech mobile. He will stare at it for 5-10 min at a time...
Unfortunately Lucas doesn't like his pacifier. This moment was caputured before the binky went flying from his mouth.
We introduced a bottle on Saturday. It looks like he likes it here, but he didn't. I talked with some friends today who said to just keep trying. I am planning to work from home until he is 1 year old, so we don't HAVE to have him accept a bottle, but it would be nice to have the option.....
Todd and Daintry (Todd is Jeff's uncle) sent Lucas the cutest hat. I'm not sure if they intentionally got GT colors, but this hat will be perfect for cheering on the Jackets...