Big Sister Anna

I have to say that I am very proud of my little Anna. She has taken to being a 'big sister' pretty well considering how much of a change it's been in her life. Now, that's not saying that she can't be a little stinker at times - especially when it comes to Jaden. She is very aware that she is bigger than him and smarter than him...for now. I have to watch because she is quick to take things she wants from him in the blink of an eye - toys, books, popsicles. Jaden may be little but he sure has a powerful cry/scream. He generally doesn't just roll over when she takes advantage of him - he lets someone know!

As for Luke, she is much more confident in her baby handling skills this time. She tries to pick him up by herself and wants to hold him walking. She actually does very well but I'm still a cautious mother hen. At least this time I've realized that he's much sturdier than I used to think babies were and he can handle it. With that being said, I would not take my chances where Jaden is involved. He's the sweetest little boy but he's a bit of a bull in a china shop. He wants to kiss Luke over and over. I think the kiss ratio is at least 20+:1 for the rest of us. But he's quick to get up and try to jump on the bed if Luke is lying there or try to crawl over him to get to a toy before his sister. Protecting Luke from Jaden is definitely one of my top priorities after nursing and pumping!

Luke's first bath

My little Luke was born with a very interesting umbilical cord. There were actually two branches. One branch formed the umbilical cord that was attached to me and the other was about 2-3 inches or so long but stopped. Also, the one that connected us only had two vessels instead of three. Sometimes this can be an indication of kidney problems but the doctor said Luke was fine. Needless to say, it was a little bulky (and not very pretty) and I had actually been looking forward to it falling off. Well, that finally happened today! So, we were able to give Luke his first "real" bath. He did really well. I thought it might be a little more stimulating rather than relaxing since the whole "fam" had to be in on it. Anna and Jaden were close by getting into things they usually aren't allowed to since Chris and I were occupied and bickering, of course. But, he seemed to enjoy himself. He was very alert, he just looked around - no crying. Afterwards he smelled so yummy! I have two favorite baby smells - that special smell that only breastfed babies have and newly bathed babies. They're just so delicious!!!

Happy Easter!

Somehow we managed to get a picture of everyone looking somewhat pleasant. Jaden had tears streaming down his face and Anna was pouting and giving everyone "mean looks". After much threatening we got some cooperation. It's a good thing too because they all looked so cute in their color-coordinated clothes!
Luke and Uncle Richie
Luke in his Easter outfit. His little onesie says "just hatched".

The reason behind the name "Weston"

We have named our newest little one "Lukas Weston Tyree". Some folks have wondered where we came up with the name "Weston". When I tell you it will seem obvious to some of the people who have known Chris and I for a while - especially if they are from West Virginia. You see, I met Chris when I was on internship during my last semester of graduate school. We both worked at the state psychiatric hospital in Weston, WV. As we were discussing potential names we wanted to pick something that was special to us. We tried to think if a family name but the names we had to choose from had either been taken already, we're sort of "out-of-date", or were just too unusual for our taste. Then, one of us mentioned "Weston". We thought it was appropriate since "it all started and ends with Weston".

Easter egg hunt

The Easter Bunny stopped by our house a day early and left Easter eggs and little presents around the backyard for the kids to find. They had so much fun looking for the eggs. Some had candy and some had money!! He also left some books, games, and toys.

Making Easter eggs

Kissing bandit - Jaden loves to give Luke kisses! It's funny - he tries so hard to kiss him on the lips. Luke wiggles around but Jaden doesn't give up. He does that with other people too. When he tries to give someone a kiss they sometimes try to turn their cheek toward him. That just won't fly with him - he's got to plant one on you right on the mouth!



I think Anna has made Easter eggs with Grandma every year that she has been actually interested in making them. It's been a nice tradition - I hope we'll be able to keep it up! This year Aunt Megan got in on the action. She and Anna came up with some really creative eggs.

Making the traditional bunny cakes

Every year my grandmother would make special bunny cakes for Easter. My mom and Aunt Clarice have continued the tradition. Anna really looks forward to making the bunny cakes. Somehow they seem even more delicious when she helps!Then when it comes to eating them she wants to eat the head first then the butt - I'm not sure what that says about her...

A little visit to Galveston

Today we took a ride to Galveston, TX to see the beach and get something to eat. For an added treat, after supper we took a ride around town in a horse and carriage. We learned a little about the great flood of 1900. It was pretty neat. By the time we made it down to the beach it was chilly. That didn't stop Anna from getting her feet wet in the water!

Luke's first checkup

Luke had his first visit to the doctor today. He weighed 8 lbs. even and was 20 inches long. The doctor said that he was "perfect". Personally, I think all babies are perfect but more than that the doctor's report reassured me that everything was okay. With Anna we had to go to the doctor nearly every day for bilirubin checks and she had to spend her first week of life under special lights because of her jaundice. Our little Jaden came too early and had to spend his first month in the hospital. When he came home we were so nervous about how well he was eating, if he was breathing, we were desperate to keep him from getting sick. It took us a long time to be able to just relax and enjoy our babies. This time has been very different. I'm not used to this. Luke let us know he was here with big, loud cries (Anna never made a sound and I think Jaden may have cried once), he was able to go right back to my room and never had to leave (Jaden went straight to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and I had to look at Anna in an isolette under bili-lights from my bed), we came home after just 2 days and didn't have to go to the doctor for a whole week (Anna had blood checks about everyday and we had to visit Jaden in the hospital every day)! We were very blessed that even though he has the same blood type as Anna he didn't have the problem with jaundice that she did. She was soooo yellow! Anna had something called an ABO incompatibility since we have different blood types. This results in a more aggressive type of jaundice. Luke has type A blood but for some reason he did not need any treatment. God has truely blessed me and I thank him often for it! He's eating well, pooping and peeing well, sleeping well, and just being a very, sweet baby. He has fit in very nicely so far with our little family. We are all really enjoying him! Our little surprise has turned out to be just what we needed.

Sweet sleeping baby

Just enjoying Luke

We finally got to sing Happy Birthday to Chris and have some cake. He wanted to make sure he shared it with his newest birthday present.
Anna had asked to hold Luke. It must have been very relaxing because she fell right asleep!

Luke meets his Big Brother and gets to go home

Luke - two days old

(This might seem ridiculous but he's my last baby!!)

Everyday he looks different. It's so hard to tell who he looks like. At first, he reminded us a lot of Jaden, then he seemed to look like Anna but he doesn't look like either anymore. I guess we'll have to wait and see if he resembles anyone. But as I was reminded about something the kids' late Papa Jack would say, "Luke will look like Luke".

I have to say that I was nervous about Jaden coming to the hospital. I had originally thought I would stay a little longer at the hospital to let my body recover a bit longer before going home to Jaden. I love him all the world but he just doesn't understand the pain associated with having just had a cesarean section and I figured he would just want his "Momma". Since I couldn't hold him or pick him up I thought he would be really upset. But, I was getting a little bored in the hospital and decided I would rather take my chances at home.
Jaden walked into the room and went right past me to the baby. He was sooooooo excited! He looked like he might jump out of his skin. It was hard to keep him from touching him to hard or grabbing him. He had a smile from ear to ear the whole time. I was upset about my baby becoming a "big brother". It just didn't seem right because he was just the "little brother". He has adjusted very well so far and seems to be loving his new role.

He looks so tiny in the car seat. I needed more blankets to prop up around him. He just looks so fragile.

We made it home! Thank goodness we got that minivan just in time. It would have been a tight squeeze to fit everyone in our Accord.

Our first visitors

Our little Luke one day old

Our neighbor and life saver Laura. Laura lives just a street over from us and is a new transplant to Clute as well. Both she and her husband moved here in April and are adjusting to life in Texas along with us. While we are all at the hospital waiting for Luke to be born Laura stayed with Anna and Jaden. It was nice to not have to worry about them because I knew they were in good hands!
Anna was a little shy about meeting Luke for the first time. She kept a distance at first but slowly started to move closer and closer.
In no time she was holding him and feeding him a bottle. It's funny one of her first observations was about his hair. She said, "He doesn't have any qurls". (That's what she calls Jaden's curls).