Austin's "Star of the Week," September 2013

Austin was the Star of the Week in his kindergarten class the last week of September.  Tyler, Harry Peter (his stuffed hamster), and I were so excited to come to his class.

Mary and Anna helped Austin make his poster.  Austin proudly explained it to his class.  He called on the kids as they asked him questions about his favorite things.  We discovered lots of the boys in his class like Star Wars, hamsters, motor homes, and the Jazz, too.  It was fun to meet some of his friends and be part of his class for the morning.

 

September 2013

September we spent at home, falling in love with our baby...

 

  

Austin built many Lego creations.

And we fell in love with Tyler some more.

 

Grandma and Grandpa came to stay for a week and were a tremendous help. Grandma Joy kept telling me she really felt like they needed to come visit from Oregon the third week after the baby was born.  I tried to talk her out of it since it is such a long drive for them, saying I would be feeling fine by then.  It turned out Anna got very sick with a kidney infection that week, with fevers up to 108 degrees.  Grandma and Grandpa's help was very much needed and appreciated.  David and I are both very grateful for parents who, on multiple occasions, have followed the promptings of the Holy Ghost and provided love and support for our little family.

Grandpa Edstrom and Uncle Bruce came to visit.

Mary helping out during a diaper change:

The "little mouth" face:

Is that a smile?

Sarah takes such good care of her baby dollies.  She feeds them and swaddles them and puts them to bed when I do the same for Tyler:

 We love this little guy!

August 2013

We were waiting for baby Tyler to get here for most of August.  The kids did lots of crafts.  The kids sent these bumble bees to Dad's work, telling him to "sting your boss if he isn't being nice."

Mary and Anna made blankets and quilts for their stuffed hamsters and bears.

Mary's hamster, Helena, and Anna's bear, Snuggy, accompanied us on a trip to Jungle Jim's.

Mary was a little worried here because she dropped Helena right before blasting off.  Luckily, a kind attendant rescued her.

 

 

 

Smoothie popsicles:

Hanging out:

Dance party:

We love our Sarah!

Anna colored her kindergarten silhouette.  I think the likeness was more striking before she picked up the crayons, but I love it this way, too.

"The Strongest Man"

Just before Tyler was born, Austin made up a song for me.  It is still a big hit at our house:

"I'm the strongest man,
And you don't even know me.
I'm stronger than your husband!"

Welcome, Baby Tyler!

Announcing the arrival of:

Tyler Bradford Luke

Thursday, August 29, 2013, at 11:10pm

7 pounds, 11 ounces

20 inches long

Fathers and mothers, next time you cradle a newborn child in your arms, you can have an inner vision of the mysteries and purposes of life. You will better understand why the Church is as it is and why the family is the basic organization in time and in eternity.  —Boyd K. Packer

We are delighted to have this sweet little boy join our family.

First bath:

 

 

Grandma and Grandpa Luke held down the fort while we were at the hospital.

The kids were excited to hold Tyler when they came to visit.

Sarah thought she wasn't getting a turn at first, but she quickly replaced her tears with a smile.

"I think he is a really cute new baby, don't you, Mommy?"

A kind nurse named Mary let all of the children listen to Tyler's heart:

 

All dressed to go home!

The kids can't get enough of little Tyler. 

 

  

 

Stretch a baby!

 

There is nothing like a new baby to bring a bit of heaven to your home.  We are so blessed to have this child come to our family.