Bath Time with Daddy!

9 Weeks Old:

Pictures

9 weeks old! Tummy Time.

8 weeks old...Santa hat.

6 weeks old

Our Family picture! 8 weeks

At 8 weeks to see Santa, Ed took this photo too!

Ed took this picture of Lucas at 7 weeks!

Weekly Updates No More...

9 Weeks Old:
Where to start...Casey and I are having so much fun with Lucas. We celebrated Christmas with both of our families, which was really wonderful. Santa was still able to come; I guess that means for the two months that Lucas has been here...he has been a good boy. :)

I have completely enjoyed being able to stay home and hang out with Lucas all day. I am starting to work in January, on a part time basis, from home, for my Uncle who works at Northwestern Mutual. We will see how that goes, we are not yet on a "nap schedule", but I am just so thankful that I have the opportunity to stay home and be with Luke.

Casey has been working really hard at work. They have been working on some video projects for his company, which have been hectic but a nice change for him. Fortunately, he has been able to take some time off from work for the holidays. Our three year anniversary is on the 29th of this month...seems so weird that it has been three years already since we got married.

Since seven weeks, Luke has been sleeping very well through the night at least six to seven hours without waking. On Saturday the 26th (two month's) he slept for ten hours straight....I'm not joking...I thought something was wrong. He is really smiling at us and cooing...making lots of talking noises. He is kicking his legs a lot and moving his arms. His eyes are turning from blue to a hazel color and his hair is turning to a lighter brown.

Well, in my next blog, I will try to be more of a modest Mommy. Maybe I will just post photos and keep my mouth quiet. :)

Ahhhh...

Latest Update:

Where do I start. Casey and I are absolutely loving being new parents. I never could have imagined what it would be like to have "our own" baby. I must say though...it is wonderful. Lucas is doing very well. Weeks 2-4 were the hardest weeks. We didn't get very much sleep and Lucas started these screaming fits. We figured out that he loves dancing to the radio...it seems to calm him down immediately. We also found out that he has a little silent reflex, not a lot of spitting up, but lots of gas in his tummy :(

He started smiling at week 4, which was super fun. I am really looking forward to his little giggles. At six weeks he slept for four days in a row for seven hours straight. :) "Happy Mommy and Daddy" ;)

I never imagined it would be so difficult to get things done, however. I find that when he naps, I have the choice to either nap myself, go to the bathroom, make some food to eat, clean the house, play with Dodge...he sleeps longer if he is sleeping on me. If I lay him down...I maybe have a half an hour at the most to go and do something.

But on Christmas he will be two months old and I can't believe how fast it is going. He is changing so quickly. But we are loving every minute!

3 Weeks Old

We are doing great. Although this is the most humbling job; being a parent. The hardest part for Casey and I have been his random screaming fits...it seems like nothing works...and if one thing works one time it won't work again. This has been the most exhausting. Lately, dancing and singing have worked great. He is sleeping pretty well though. He usually will do two three hour stretches and one two hour stretch at night. Got to run...another temper tantrum. :(

Lucas Edward Hogle Arrived!!!

October 26, 2009 at 6:57pm:


Lucas Weighed 7lbs 10 oz and was 20 3/4 inches long. I had my FOLI put in on Sunday at 11:00am and I started having contractions at 2:00am on Monday morning. At 4:00am, I was 3 centimeters dilated. Casey and I arrived at Evergreen Hospital at 6:00 to be induced with Pitocin. They started the IV drip to start contractions and took me off after two hours because I was laboring on my own. I am so proud to say that I had Lucas naturally. It was the hardest most intense experience of our lives, but it was absolutely well worth every second. My contractions came fast and hard and barely gave me time to rest. It was incredible how my body would shut down in between contractions to conserve all of my energy. It was almost like I fell asleep in between the contractions, I could not hear anything and could barely speak or move. Jennifer was the nurse on call that day for me and Casey and I could not have done this labor without her. She was incredible, she knew how to help keep me relaxed and move me right along. Anyways, we are so proud to introduce our new son, Lucas Edward Hogle.

41 Weeks

C'mon, 8 Days Overdue and I've Got Nothin':
So, tomorrow, October, 23rd, I am 9 days overdue and I think I have had less contractions, than I had two weeks ago. What's up with that. I went to the Doctor's on Tuesday and they did a Non Stress Test, which measures the baby's movements and heart rate. He looked great. I had an induction scheduled for Wednesday October 21st, but I pushed it back to Monday, October 26th to see if I could go into Labor on my own. I have another Non Stress Test tomorrow to make sure that he is still doing okay. Then, unless I go into Labor before Monday on my own. I will be at the Hospital at 5:15 in the morning on October 26th to be induced.

Last night, I did an aerobic workout to Mickey Mouse and Gang to try and spark some contractions...I had a few but nothing rhythmic. I went on a 4.5 mile walk today; again, I had a few contractions, but nothing consistent. Only time will tell.

Our Pumpkin Needs A Birthdate

Can You Guess Which Date? 10/2?/09
What day will Lucas' birthday fall on? We are down to the wire...the final week. The twenty-something of October. Who knows....at the rate I'm goin'...it would have likely been November, but fortunately, the Doc's won't let me go past 42 weeks. So, we ask again...when will be his birthday?

Pumpkin Patch

The Life of a Two Year Old:
I went to the Pumpkin Patch with a Mom's play group on Monday. It was great. We went on a Hayride, played in the corn box, pet the animals, and picked pumpkins. I think I had more fun than the two year olds' in our group. But the bumpy hayride, still did not send Lucas out.

Training in the Rain...

18 Miles in a Down-Pour:Casey and Whitney ran around Monroe in the pouring down rain last Saturday...18 Miles. They are both training for the Seattle Marathon at the end of November. I am just so impressed! Go Whitney, Go Casey!

Outtakes: Baby Videos

40 Weeks

October 14th Due Date has Come and Gone: Well, I don't know if you remember, but my original due date was October 26th (by my calculation) and the Doctor's changed my due date to October 14th. I went to the Doctor's on Tuesday and I was only measuring 38 weeks which would put me back to my calculation. Lucas has not dropped yet and I had no more progress in dilating. It is so confusing to me...am I really only 38 weeks or am I really overdue for my October 14th due date. Who knows. They scheduled me for a Non Stress Test for next Tuesday, which will check the fluid levels and the baby's movements to make sure he is okay. I have an induction scheduled for Wednesday the 21st...which should start labor. If everything goes okay with the Non Stress test...I may decide to move the induction back a few days to see if I can go into labor on my own.

The last couple of days I have had a lot of contractions, but they have not progressed. Hopefully, they are helping to move things along though :)

Casey and I are very happy and we are so excited to meet Lucas whenever he decides to come. But we are not in any hurry. We would like to minimize the amount of people who show up at the Hospital while I am in labor, but would welcome any Hospital visits once Lucas has arrived.

Thank you all for your love and support. We will make sure to keep you updated! :)

39 Weeks

Dilation Begins:

I went to the Doctor's on Wednesday the 7th, I am one centimeter dilated, nine to go. However, Lucas has not dropped yet. I am one week from my due date, October 14th. I have turned into a hermit. It's weird, but I don't want to leave my house much or go too far away from home. I have been sleeping in every morning and taking naps almost every afternoon. I am trying to store up all of my energy. :)

I am having fun doing all of the natural ways to induce labor. In the last three days I have walked over 8 miles, I have been rocking on my birthing ball, yesterday for lunch I had a spicy 4 star Phad Thai. Casey and I are ready for Lucas to come...but it is all on his time.

All we can say is don't expect him to come out before the due date. :)

38 Weeks

More Contractions, A Full Moon, and a Peanut Butter Parfait:
Well, I am feeling great. On Saturday the 3rd, I had a Peanut Butter Parfait. The story behind this, is that Andea, Casey's Mom had one with Nate and Casey and went into Labor. Then Andea was telling our friend Jamie Campbell about it and so she had one and went into Labor. Soooo, we were hoping that if I had one on the weekend of a full moon, that I might just go into Labor. It was close, Sunday the 4th, I had contractions all day long. But, never went into Labor. :) I guess that means more Peanut Butter Parfaits to come...

37 Weeks

THREE WEEKS LEFT :)

I had my Doctor's appointment on Wednesday and I am getting closer....I am not dilated, but getting closer. It seems weird that there are only three weeks left. The time is not at all slowing, it keeps going faster and faster. We got a "pack n play" at my shower last weekend, Casey and I set it up last night and put it in our bedroom. We are going to use it as the bassinet for a few weeks. It kind of hit home that this was happening within 20 days and that there would be a little baby in the bed so soon.

Family Shower

Sunday Shower:
My Aunt's threw me a wonderful shower on Sunday with my whole family. It was so much fun. The decorations matched his room and we got everything that we needed. Thank-you family. You are the greatest!

36 Weeks

Our Little Pumpkin:

My Dad had a great idea to paint my belly and since Lucas is due in October, I figured why not a pumpkin. I am obviously shaped like a pumpkin already. :) Katie did a great job painting a pumpkin! Thanks Kate!

I am feeling pretty good. I can't believe there are four weeks left. I had four hours of timed contractions on Wednesday the 15th. They were not very strong, but were coming often. :)

Work Shower

Girls Day:

My wonderful work friends from Northwestern Mutual threw me a baby shower last weekend. We had such a wonderful time. The food was delicious, the games were fun and visiting with my work friends was great. I had such a fun time! Thank you Vanessa and Julie for throwing me a shower. :)

35 Weeks

A few weeks behind:

And The Name Is...

Jr. Finally Has A Name:

( K I M M Y { L U ) [ C A S } E Y ]: Our name has our Son's name inside, kind of. Similar to the way Lucas was conceived, if Kimmy Lu mounts Casey, you get Lucas! HA HA HA

Kimmy Lu and Casey proudly present, Kimmy LuCas ey

"Lucas Edward Hogle"

"Luke, I am your Father" "Cool Hand Luke" "Luke" "LEH"

Date Night

Wine Tasting Event:

Casey and I were invited to a wine tasting event last weekend and we had a great time. However, I am allergic to wine and pregnant and Casey doesn't drink, we enjoyed some wonderful Jazz music! Although, I am not sure Casey even likes Jazz music...Casey did you even have fun on our date night? :)

34 Weeks

Big Belly Bump:
Less than six weeks to go...I am still feeling really good. There is nothing new really to report...other than the fact that I am starting to "nest" again. Casey says I am going nuts because he finds me just sitting in the nursery...whatever. :)

Our Beautiful Niece

Almost 7 Months! Avery is just way too adorable for her own good and her new little cousin will be the ugly duckling of the family. Isn't she the sweetest little baby girl. We are super excited for the little cousins to play together.

33 Weeks

Contractions Already??

Wow, it looks like I had a growth spurt this week. I know, I am wearing a stupid maternity tank top and it is still too short...what the heck. : My sweet Mother in Law bought me some maternity shirts though that would fit over my belly. Thanks Andea!

So, I was at work with my Mom on Monday, the 24th and contractions started. I began timing them at 10:58 am and I had about five an hour until 2:30pm that day. I wasn't really worried...I knew I was not in labor, but a little concerned that they were consistent enough to time at almost 33 weeks. I went home, layed on my left side and drank a lot of water. They stopped once I had my feet up and a lot of fluids.

So, I have been thinking, the latest they will let me go is a week over my due date, 41 weeks, which would leave me with a maximum of eight weeks and the soonest they will let him come without trying to stop labor would be 37 weeks, which would be four weeks left. So basically, anytime between 4 and 8 weeks we will have our little man! Or should I say, "Big Man"!

I was thinking about it today though. Most women have 16-20 oz of fluid and I am measuring 21.5 oz and I have an 8.5 pound baby in there so hopefully as soon as he is born I will have my sexy toned body back immediately. HA HA HA In my wildest dreams. :) It might be somewhat helpful and so therefore, I can be hopeful.

Ultrasound

Did you say, BIG BABY???
I hope all of you can make out this picture...it is my absolute favorite picture, but unless this picture is pointed out to you...it is hard to make out. It is a picture of our little guy with his right arm tucked up under the left side of his chin (kind of across his chest) and his left arm up over the left side of his cheek. The right side of his face is very defined, you can see his forehead, his right eye, his little nose with his nostrils, his lips and his chubby cheeks. :)

So basically, Casey and I have a little man who will weigh over 8 pounds when he is born. They are estimating around 8.5lbs. :) I have gained about 26 pounds so far, which my doctor would like me to try and maintain for the rest of my pregnancy. Yeah right ;) Actually, I have not been as hungry as I was for the first seven months of my pregnancy.

Well, so far, Jr. looks really healthy and is growing very well. We can't wait to meet him.

32 Weeks

Two Months Left...

I can't believe that I have two months, 8 weeks, and 56 days left. Everything is just flying. My ribs on my right side are pretty sore, I think it is just from my expanding uterus and or it could be his little feet jammed up under the ribs too. I had a wonderful baby shower at my house that my sister threw for me. It was so much fun and we had perfect weather for it.

My dreams are coming back again stronger than ever. I had a crazy dream that my sister sold my bed for three bunk beds, while I was pregnant, how am I supposed to be comfortable on bunk beds? : Ha ha ha.

Sequim Adventures

Visiting Gunga and Dumpity:

We got to visit with Andea's parents and it was great to see them. Unfortunately, we were all just a little too tired to head down to the beach, but we still had a good time. Their house is so hot that all of us took a nap except Nate, go figure, the new Daddy of the group stays up! :) It was great because we were able to get a generational picture with the Great Grandparents, Grandma, Dad and Avery.

Casey and I love seeing our new niece too. We had so much fun with her. She is getting to the point where she is recognizing us and smiling. I even got a few high pitch squeals as she was trying to laugh. Casey thought it would be funny to sleep in her tent so he crawled in for a three second snoozer. Playing with Avery makes us so excited for Jr. to come. Casey and I are getting so excited. We cannot wait for the cousins to play together too. :)