Lukes First Party and Decorating for Christmas

Luke had his first birthday party Saturday...OK, so he wasn't really involved, as it was a skating party, but you get the picture...daddy decided that it was a good opportunity to try on the duck lips, although he couldn't work the whistle. Sunday afternoon, the girls helped decorate while mom went with her mom and Luke to lunch. It's back to work tomorrow for David, and Tami is a little apprehensive, but she'll get through the day I'm sure.

Pilgrim Cookies and First Thanksgiving

The girls made Pilgrim Cookies, and had a great time. I had a great time eating the rest of the marshmallows with the melted chocolate. Luke celebrated his first Thanksgiving with this festive outfit, and slept most of the day...must have been the tryptophan.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to you all. We wish each of you and your extended families all the best in this holiday season.

Baby Houdini

Well, for tonight's entry, it was going to be something fairly generic...Luke ate and slept well today, no visitors, just a relaxing time spent at home, etc...you know, nothing much to report. But then, as Tami put him down, she said "let's try and swaddle him like you did last night". Good idea, he seemed to sleep a bit more soundly. So that's exactly what I did, wrapped him up in his nice soft blanket. Then it was into the bassonet, so far so good. Ten minutes passed, and he started to fuss, 5 more minutes and I went back to check. Tami said, he has to learn sometime, let's see if he will settle down. He starts to cry, then harder, then harder, then starts to scream, then starts to shriek. This definitely was NOT working. I go into the room, Tami had called me in there, sort of alarmed. And this, ladies and gentlemen, is what I saw...he had worked his way out of his blanket, halfway out of his sleepsack, and I have every confidence that given another two minutes he would have worked his way completely out of his diaper. The really funny thing was that he was laying there staring at us, not crying, motionless, either exhausted or proud of what he had accomplished. So that is tonight's entry in the fascinating, week old world that is Luke.

First Doctor Visit

Today was yet another monumental day, as Luke had his first visit to the doctor. He didn't seem to mind that much, other than being awaken from a sound sleep, stripped naked, poked and prodded, cold stethescoped, deprived of his regular feeding, and then the grand finale, heel pricked for a blood draw.....hooray. But he really did do well in the midst of it all, and got to be lazy the rest of the day....OK, so he gets to be lazy whenever he wants to, and we are thankful for that, so we can catch up on some much needed sleep. He does seem to be catching on to a bit more regular routine

We are also thankful once again to Amie and the MOPS group for providing another dinner, which does come in handy, and to Tami's mom Aileen for running to the store to get some much needed supplies and one REALLY big supply item. (Thank you!!!)

Bathtime and sleep

Today brought a few more visitors to see Luke, and his first bath here at home. OK, so it wasn't really so much a bath as it was a sponge off, but you get the picture. He seemed to be sleeping quite a bit more, and I think the milk pipeline is starting to arrive, so he should get on a much more regular schedule of eat, sleep, eat, sleep, look at a few things cross-eyed, eat, sleep, throw a major fit, eat and sleep. That bout sums up the day.

We also want to take the opportunity to thank Tami's MOPS group at church for making dinner which we had this evening. Each of the girls also got to spend some alone time with Luke, and tomorrow all three make their return to us here. I'd also like to mention that bethany got first place overall in her group at her gymnastics meet help today...hooray!

Well, until tomorrow, when I will sit Luke down in front of the TV, and we will watch the Cardinals play the Giants...

Home at Last

Stacy and Luke

Ellie and Luke

1:10AM: we have been home since about 1PM, and have tried to get as settled as we can after being gone for the past few days. Luke has been a trooper, and really only gotten upset once during the day, but a little rest and some more feeding seemed to take care of that. I tried to keep him occupied until it was time for his feeding, and it seemed to have worked out at least tonight. He still is a bit lethargic after today's little appointment with his circumcision (I would be a little lethargic too), but they said that will pass by tomorrow. Wait, it IS tomorrow. Good thing I'm a night person.

Erika was here tonight, and she did great holding him and getting him settled when he was squeaking. Yes, he squeaks, but that is something for a completely seperate entry. Todays pics are a few more of the visitors and shots from his first day home..

More sleep today, home tomorrow...

Today was certainly a more lazy day than yesterday, not quite so many people poking and prodding, both Luke and Tami. They were able to get on a bit more of a routine, eating more, sleeping more (hooray!) and some more visits from friends. Grandma and Grandpa Marcus came by again, along with Julie, Stacy (flying in from Seattle, and boy were her arms tired), Ellie (who gave Luke a blessing), Lorinda, and of course my sisters made another appearance.

Brandon called last night too, and he was very excited about his new little brother, and can't wait to see him when he comes in at Christmas time.

Tami is exhausted, but continues to make great progress, and is looking forward to going home tomorrow to those familiar surroundings. We are going to try and ease the girls back into the routine by taking them one at a time over the first few days and then have everybody back home on Sunday by the evening.

As for Luke, he was a perfect angel when most everyone held him today, as I think he's getting used to having all these people around. Right now it is 11PM, and he's off getting weighed. He lost 6 ounces yesterday, and we'll see how much he has changed since last night, then it's feeding time and hopefully off to sleep. If not, it's off to the nursery for a couple hours, as this is the last night mom and dad will have the advantage of that through night-time, so might as well take advantage of it. Tomorrow too is circumcision day, certainly a great moment in any newborn boys life (can you say aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa?).

But barring anything unforseen, by tomorrow evening we will be back home and then the real Marks Family Circus will begin in earnest.

Only 6204 more daily posts...

Bethany and Luke

Erika and Mom and Luke

Brooke and Mom and Luke

Grandma Marks and Luke

Grandpa Marcus and Luke

Well, Luke's first full day here on planet earth is drawing to a close, and by my calculations, that leaves only 6204 more daily posts until his 18th birthday. But right now we are trying to take it one day at a time, and I am sure Luke is feeling the same.

We had several visitors todaym starting with Grandma and Granpa Marcus. They certainly are excited about their first grandson. later, david's parents paid a visit, and both grandma's seem to have the magic touch already.

I had a few more visitors today, including Robyn and Aimee, good friends of Tami (thanks for the custom blanket Aimee), and Uncle Norman. I was a little fussy with my feeing today, but sure liked being next to my mom, and fell asleep several times in that position.

Today was also my first visit from my sisters, who each got to spend about 20 minutes each with me. Luke sure was cranky as they tried to hold me, but I hope they understand it wasn't them, it was just an interruption in my eating routine, which today was far from routine. They all seemed to really enjoy this first time with their new little brother.

Tami seems to be doing great, walking four times today, getting her IV lines out, and even got to get some real meals today. The doctors and nurses who were in today said she is doing great, and should be able to go home in just a couple days.

Well, it's about 10:30 now, and everyone is trying to get a few hours sleep before the next scheduled feeding. Until tomorrow, here are a few pictures from earlier today...

Luke's First Photo Shoot

Shhhh, first night's nap

Pssst, grandma, can we make a break for it?

This can't possibly be my father...someone call my nurse

Mom's first look

Just Out of the oven...




Whaaaaaaaaat?

We are very happy to announce the arrival of Luke Ryan Marks at 9:35PM, November 18, 2008 at Banner Gateway in Gilbert, AZ. He was delivered via C-Section after he made it obvious that he had no intention of coming out unless someone went in after him. Both doctor Bullaro and Messer were on hand, as I guess they decided that it would take two of them to wrestle him out of Tami, which proved true, as he had a hold of Dr. Bullaro with both hands as he entered the world. Everyone commented on his full head of strawberry blonde hair and full eyelashes. He weighed in at 7 pounds, 9 ounces, and was 21 inches long. He also made it apparent immediately before he even left the operating room that his plumbing worked fully on both counts, which the nurses were also very happy about.

It is now 3:30AM as I write this, and he has eaten twice already, and napped for a couple hours. Tami is resting comfortably herself (or at least relatively speaking after surgery), and we are all very happy again at our good fortune. For those of you planning to visit over the next couple days, we would ask that you call first to make sure it is a good time for Luke, as his days will be filled with feeding, tests, feeding, photo shoots, feedings, and everything else that comes with being a newborn.

We are blessed, not only with Luke, but again with the many friends and family members that have shared in these events with us. Thank you all...

Alomosssssst, should be any time now........I am saying by 9:40, but we shall see

Well, this is the first blog for the new and improved Marks Family Circus. It is 3Pm on Tuesday, Nov. 18, and Tami is here next to me in the hospital delivery room, just having had her epidural. She sure is glad for that, as it is starting to take effect... Everything looks great, and we'll keep you posted as the day progresses.

I guess this is all new to both of us, using technology as we wait for Luke's arrival, but lots of people are connected to us through the internet, so we thought this would be a great way to keep you all informed...so again, stay tuned, and we will let you know, and post some pics when he makes his grand entrance.

Thank you all so much for your support, especially through the last couple of months. All of us here at the Marks Family Circus appreciate it.