Double Stroller Time!

I had purchased a double stroller to use with Luke and Troy to get around. Now we are using it for Luke and Lydia. It comes in handy for sure. This is our first walk with Lydia on a beautiful Colorado evening. She slept the whole time of course.

Another Museum!

On another day out on the town they also went to the history museum but Luke fell asleep in the stroller. Daddy enjoyed it though!

Children's Museum with Daddy

Daddy and Luke have had a ton of time together after the arrival of Lydia. So they have taken advantage of it and gone to many fun places. The Children's Museum was at the top of the list. Luke had a blast there. There were so many neat things that even at 18 months, he could really enjoy.

Train section: All aboard!



Hair Care!






Road Construction might be in his future!

Sunday: Great Family Day

It has been mentioned to me a couple times that there are no pictures of Drew and Lydia. So we took some today after church. We actually made it on time and Lydia slept through the whole service. Luke, however, had a rough time being left in the nursery. Tough changes for a little guy. He has been needing lots of extra hugs. His world has definitely changed.






Brotherly love-we are getting there.

Big yawn


Pose

Momma and Lydia

Update time! 3 new posts!

I have posted 3 new posts with pictures for all those that have been asking. It is harder now to find time to post.

God has been so good to our family. I can not count all the ways!! Drew and I have been talking about the way God has created things. Anything that is a blessing almost always requires sacrifice and hard work- how else would we learn to appreciate the blessings from God. These are my thoughts this week as I think about raising two children now.

So an update: Breastfeeding is going well, but it seems that is all I do because each feeding takes so long since Lydia is so sleepy still. Things are going much smoother the past couple days. Lydia had to adjust her nights and days and is still doing a little of that but is getting much better. She has gained some weight back as of Monday's doctor's appt. So she is on the right track. Luke is adjusting well and getting to spend lots of time with Daddy. I miss holding him and can't wait til I can pick him up again. I miss him even though he is still here -I just can't spend as much time with him right now. I know that will change soon though as Lydia gets older and faster at eating. Drew has been such a great help with everything. He has been enjoying his time with Luke so much, I know his first away trip will be tough after this few weeks at home.

My mom left yesterday and I was so sad to see her go. I know it will be a while before I see her again and the kiddos will be so much bigger. She was a great help to us for two weeks and I miss her terribly. We love you Yai Yai.

So that is all for now. See pictures below. Thank you for all the calls and emails and meals from my wonderful church family. I ran out of cell phone minutes again so haven't been able to call anybody but they start over tomorrow so I am going to try and catch up on my phone calls. Love to you all from the Gess family.

Big Brother Luke's favorite thing: Bath time!

Luke is almost 18 months old. I can't believe how big he is! I think it is hitting me hard how time flies now that Lyida is here. It seems like just yesterday, Luke was her size. He is talking up a storm using many sentences and repeating everything he hears. He never misses anything. His brain works a mile a minute and he is so much fun. Of course he loves to throw a fit when he doesn't get his way, but he is learning to obey mommy and daddy more every day. He is such a blessing.

First sponge bath!

I do not like the gross yuckiness that you have to wait to dry up and fall off of the belly button before you can give real baths. So sponge baths in the meantime have to suffice. Here are pics of Lydia's first bath: Eyes wide open.

Coming Home on July 4th!!

What a better way to celebrate the 4th of July! My c-section experience with Lydia continues to be so much better than the experience with Luke. So I was feeling good enough to go home on Saturday. So off we went our family of 4. That sounds weird saying that out loud. The kiddos got dressed up for the occasion. Daddy and Luke spent there alone time while I was in the hospital shopping the incredible sales at the outlets by our house. So Luke got a lot of big boy clothes that make him look so much older. Plus he having a growth spurt and he looks like he literally grew 3 inches over night. He is almost 18 months old and to me he looks like he is 3. He is adjusting well to Lydia. We have been home for a week and he is getting sweeter towards Lydia with occasional hugs and kisses. He still is clinging to Daddy and not sure what to make of the baby that is constantly attached to mama. He is doing well though and I know it will continue to get better. Lydia wore home a festive 4th of July outfit and bow (made by Carianne). She looked like a little firecracker. So here are some pictures from Saturday.

This look says: What is going on here?


Little beauty in 4th of July outfit- Courtesy of Bella and Carianne's bow making talent.


Big brother- helping pack everything up to go home. He looks so big to me in this picture.

Ready to go home!

Tired mama and baby made it home!

Beautiful Lydia!

I am on my way home this afternoon with Lydia. I am feeling good (an amazing difference from Luke's delivery). Lydia kept me up the whole first night, but slept great last night and I was able to get some much needed rest. Luke is a little more interested in her now which is so cute to watch. Here are some more pictures and i will post some of going home later. Thank you everyone for all the emails and visits. I haven't returned calls yet but will as soon as I can. Love you all.

Lydia Faith Gess

Lydia is here. 7 pounds 4 ounces. 20 and 1/2 inches long. She looks just like Luke with white blonde hair and blue eyes. We were supposed to come in at 5: 15 but got on the freeway and the interstate was closed for construction with no prior warning. We finally made it 45 minutes late. Then we were bumped for a brave mom birthing twins. So by 8:35 Lydia Faith arrived. I did have a lot of scar tissue so things took a little longer, but she was healthy. Nursing is going well so far and i pray that it continues that way. Thank you for all the prayers. Here are some pictures from this morning.

Getting ready for delivery





Lydia Faith Gess

Fun in the Sun!

We had a fun day too at the park with Luke running through the water. It was about 90 so he wasn't freezing this time. He had a blast. He was full of hugs and kisses all day too which was wonderful. We had a great day spending time together.