Four Month Check-Up

Luke visited Dr. Saksena today for his 4 month well visit. Everything looks great, and they said that he is such a happy baby!

His measurements:
Height: 26 inches (90th percentile)
Weight: 15 lbs 5 oz (50th percentile)
Head: 43 cm (75th percentile)

Conquered the Rockstar 'Do

Yesterday, Luke's hair was surprisingly fairly manageable. He looked quite different without his wild hair...

To a Better Place...

My sweet, wonderful Grandma went to be with Jesus last night at 11:45. She was ready to go home and left peacefully.

I am so glad that I had the opportunity to visit her yesterday and last Thursday to say goodbye. I rushed up there on Thursday when learning of her condition; however a few minutes before I arrived, she fell into a deep sleep, which she never really came out of. I talked to her, but it really bothered me that I didn't think she could hear me. This is why I am so glad that I visited her one last time yesterday... because, although she wasn't responding and not opening her eyes, she nodded her head ever so slightly when I talked in her ear. I told her that I love her and since I knew she couldn't respond I told her that I know she loves me too, which is when she gently nodded her head so minutely that one would only be able to see if staring at her closely. She hadn't moved for days except for making a couple slight movements, which that was one of them. I will always hold onto that memory because it made me feel so good inside.

The last time I saw Grandma awake was a few weeks ago. She was so thin and weak, but when we arrived she wanted to be moved into the chair beside her bed and she held Luke. She held him for about a minute or so before getting tired. Grandma had her memory all the way until the end- She knew who I was as well as Hudson and Luke.

She was so loving to all of her family. I will always remember the last few months when everytime I would visit Grandma, she would say "I am so blessed to have such a beautiful family. I am so blessed to have so many wonderful people who love me." She always wanted to make sure we were comfortable when visiting, asking if we wanted food or drink. I remember about six months ago when Hudson and I visited her, and she shared the graham cracker she was eating with Hudson. He loved it!

Also, Grandma loved to give Sees butterscotch lollipops to her kids/guests. She always had a box ready, even when we visited her a few weeks ago, she had Sees lollipops ready to give us. This was her thing... Grandma always had Sees lollipops!

• When she passed away, she was a loving mother of 4, grandmother of 12, great-grandmother of 27 and great great-grandmother 5 = 48 family members, including one grandchild and one great-grandchild already in heaven (this is only blood family and not in-laws).
  
• If you were to define the word 'sweet', it would be my Grandma.
  
• She was also a strong positive woman.
  
• She raised four wonderful girls.
  
• Grandma always called me "My Sweet Kara" and Derek "Pipsqueak".
• She had a wonderful sense of humor, sassy and always cracking jokes.
  
• Grandma would call me in college and leave me messages on my answering machine just to tell me that she loved me.
  
• Even though she was starting to get weak, Grandma came up to the hospital in a wheelchair to see Hudson after he was born.
  
• She adored Hudson and called him "My Little Kara". She also loved Lucas, commenting on his hair and adorable looks.
  
• She looked so cute walking down the isle on our wedding day.
  
• She was vibrant until the end... even enjoyed square dancing in her later years.
  
• Grandma would have been 93 on February 15th.
  
• She touched so many lives and will leave her place in many hearts.
  
• She is now with The Lord in Heaven, and she is busy catching up with all of her loved ones that preceded her.

I love you Grandma, and I can't wait to see you again one day!!

Brothers: 4 Months Old

HudsonLucas

Happy 4 Months!

Oh my goodness! Our little boy is 4 months old today! He is continuously getting more and more fun as he is interacting and playing now. He is also enjoying Hudson more, which is so cute to watch them interact. Now that he's getting out of the newborn stage, I'm excited for him to become mobile and play with Hudson. That will be so cute!!

What we will remember about Lucas at 4 months:

• He is going to bed between 8:00-8:30 each night and sleeping until around 7:00 (give or take).


• Most nights he will roll from his back to his side to sleep. During naptime, he prefers his stomach.


• He takes two naps a day. First is usually around 9:00 for about an hour, and the second is around 1:00 for 2-4 hours.


• He is wearing 3-6 month clothing.


• He is a drooling machine... maybe we'll get his first tooth sometime this month (which is when Hudson got his).


• Luke's hands are yummy! He chews on them all the time, which also causes suspect for a coming tooth.


• Luke loves to stand! He is so happy when he does this, and he can bear weight on his legs for several minutes now.


• Luke is grabbing at toys now, such as his rattles or the toys on his exersaucer and playmat.


• He found his feet.


• He isn't really interested in his paci much anymore. He doesn't use it at night, and he will occasionally use it during a nap. Since he really won't take it much anymore (other than that occasional nap), I'm hoping he is weaning off it now! Although, I do take it to church with us... sometimes it helps to keep him from talking or cooing too loud in the service.


• Luke is doing better about not having to see me all the time now. He is often content playing with his toys or entertaining himself.


• He spits up a lot less now.


• He still has the rockstar hairdo! He has lost some in the back, but it just keeps getting longer on top. It's starting to lay down a little more except for the section on the top back, which stubbornly sticks straight up! We've tried wetting it down, but it comes straight back up when drying. I keep contimplating whether I want to cut it, but I'm worried it will make it worse... that it will be shorter and still stick straight up, delaying the process even longer. Plus, it's Luke's little trademark, so we're keeping it for now! Luke wouldn't be Luke without it! We're thinking that once he starts sitting up on his own, it will begin to lay down better since he won't be on his back as much. Also, we figure that at some point it will have to get long enough that it will lay down better. I can't imagine it being six inches long still sticking straight up in the air... but you never know!

Luke just woke up before taking these pictures, so his hair is extra crazy! He's all dressed and ready for church!

Quality Lukester Time

This evening, Matthew took Hudson with him to hang out with the guys during their fantasy football draft. This left Mommy some quality time with Luke. It was nice to be able to give him my undivided attention for a while. Here are some pics of us having fun playing with his gym.

Having fun with Mommy!

My feet are the most fun!!

Wordless Wednesday

Yee Haw!

Lukester rode his horsey jumparoo for the first time last night. This was about 15 minutes before his normal bedtime, so we didn't get many smiles because he was pretty sleepy. I am excited to put him in it again when he wakes up this morning!

Of course, whatever little brother does Huds must try! We decided to snap a few shots with our boys afterwards...

Wordless Wednesday

Giggles and Grins

Here's a video and some pics of Huds and Luke playing with the Exersaucer. Luke really enjoys his new toy, and big brother was making him giggle!

One Day

We joined Mimi and Papa at their church on Sunday. After we picked up Hudson from his classroom, we showed him the sanctuary. While we were watching him run up and down the isle, we realized that he will be doing this one special day. This immediately reminded me of a lullaby that I used to play in the car while he was a baby, which ALWAYS brought tears to my eyes:

One Day

There may come a day
When you may long to say
You'll be forever true
To a very special girl
Who will bring joy into your world
And you'll pledge to give your love away
So now I pray...

May that moment shine
Like a diamond in your mind
And may the love you find keep two hearts as one
For a lifetime

Also, here's a link where you can listen to a sample of the song... It's very pretty!
http://www.amazon.com/Bless-Little-Patty-Cake-Praise/dp/B000008D5R

Bundle of Cuteness

We ventured up to Oklahoma City to visit our new nephew today. He is absolutely precious and sweet... A Bundle of Cuteness!! I wish they lived closer, so we could love on him more often! It's fun that we all have boys because they will all be very close in age and great playmates! Our visit was lots of fun, and Hudson enjoyed bonding with his aunt and uncle some.

While we were there, I completely forgot to take some pictures until we started down the road. Not only did I forget to take pics, but I forgot my camera at their house. When I ran back inside to grab it, Derek snapped a quick picture of Will and me.

Our New Centerpiece

Luke has become our regular kitchen table centerpiece. It's perfect for when I'm cooking because he can watch Mommy, and it's also nice that he can enjoy being with the rest of the family at dinner time. He is definitely the cutest and happiest centerpiece we've ever had!

Watching Mommy cook dinner

Here are the almonds, Mama!

Family Dinner Is that yummy, Dada?

Roly Poly

Before I left for work this morning, Lukester decided he wanted to show me his new trick... Rolling from his tummy to his back. I knew he was close! He rolled so quickly and with such ease, it was like he'd been doing it forever. Now our little Roly Poly can roll both directions!

My New Nephew!

I just became an Auntie to my first nephew, William Derek Ensminger! My brother welcomed his firstborn at 5:18 this afternoon. I SO WISH I could be there, but we are going in a few days to shower the new little man with hugs and kisses! I can't wait to meet him!!!

Fun facts:

• His birthday is 8-9-10


• William will carry on the Ensminger name for our family! If Derek had all girls, it would've stopped with him. That's also the same with Hudson and Luke... So far, they are the only ones carrying on the Arnold name.


• Will was 7 lbs 2 oz. and 20 inches

Wordless Wednesday

This is How I Roll

Today, Lucas rolled from his back to his tummy and then almost back to his back! His little head is getting lots stronger! He does mini push-ups all the time now. For about a week, Luke has also been "spinning" in his crib. He will push off with his feet and spin his body around facing the other direction. One afternoon after his nap, I was shocked to find his head facing the right side of the bed when I always lay him with his head on the left side. He can see his mobile better this way, which is one reason I think he turns himself around.

Working on my "mini push-ups"

I'm doing neck exercises!

Trying to roll back over to my back...I've almost got it! That's too much work, I'd rather chew on my hand! Huddle Bug watching all the activity from his fire truck.