Photo Shoot By E. Van Dyke Photography

My very good friend Emily came to do a photo shoot of Luke before he gets any bigger and the baby wrinkles disappear. Thank you Emily. You have some mad skills. Check out her stuff here!

Tender Mercies

It's been a week and a half since little Luke came into our lives and I have not had a moment to journal my experience yet. Life has been enhanced and challenged all in the same moment.

The labor and delivery couldn't have gone more smoothly. I wish all birthing experiences could be as wonderful as this one was.

We received a call at 8:50 am on Tuesday morning letting us know that the hospital was ready for me to come in for an induced labor at anytime. We later learned how lucky we were to get in as I was the first one on the list and they only had one bed open that day. We quickly called Jolea and Ryan's parents. Jolea came and stayed with Max until JoAnn and Paul got there. Then Jolea came to the hospital to be there with Ryan and I for the birth.

We arrived at the hospital around 10:00 am and I opted to have the epidural first, as the anaesthesiologist was very busy and I didn't know when he would get to me if I waited. Having gone 6 hours of intense contractions with Max without the epidural, I figured I had experienced enough of the "birthing pains" and didn't feel the need to repeat such an experience. I had the epidural administered around 11:00 am and by 11:15 I was started on the petosin.

After one push with the nurse and one push with the doctor, our Luke came to us pretty effortlessly at 3:13 pm. In fact after the nurse had me push once she paged for Dr. Watabe to come immediately. Jolea actually filmed him running from his office across the parking lot and he wasn't taking his time! Luke must have been on his way out. Dr. Watabe came into the room around 3:11 pm and like I said, Luke was here at 3:13 pm.

Because he came so quickly and because the cord was wrapped around his neck, he was very bruised and swollen for the first few days. After the swelling went down and his blue tint turned to a very pretty pink, we were able to see that he had received two little black eyes from his journey into our world. He is our little bruiser for sure!

Ironically both he and Max came on the 24th, both weighed 8 lb 10 oz, and were within 1/2 inch of each other in length. Luke looked almost identical to Max when he was born; while there is certainly a striking resemblance, Luke is taking on more and more of his own look with each day.

While we were in the hospital, Max contracted a nasty cough and cold which has made coming home with a newborn very difficult. Max hasn't been able to be around the baby much and we are constantly having to tell him not to touch the baby's things. Our hands are raw as we are washing around the clock and the laundry has doubled as we need to change from our "Max" clothes to our "Luke" clothes when holding the baby. Ryan actually was fighting a sinus infection while I was in the hospital, but was able to get over it quickly. Max seems to be getting over the worst of the sickness, but about 3 days ago, I caught it and unfortunately I cannot take anything for it because I am nursing.

Luke actually seems to be adjusting the best out of all of us. He nurses well, sleeps well, and is just a really good baby so far. We even have him sleeping in his own little bed (by our bed) which is something we didn't ever get down with Max. Max on the other hand has had a hard time with the transition. While he isn't at all mean to the baby, and generally likes Luke, he has been acting out in ways that have left us speechless and broken sound barriers we didn't know existed. With Mom always nursing the baby, and now with Dad back at work, I think his little world has been rocked. The fact that he has been sick and I haven't been able to let him near the baby hasn't helped the situation.

We finally had a good night last night and hope has returned. The baby slept in between feedings, Max slept the night through in his new big boy bed (in his own room), and Ryan and I were able to get more sleep than we have in two weeks. I felt very blessed when we all woke up at 9:00 am this morning. I thought to myself "We are going to make it. We are going to make it." The night before, none of us were asleep before 4:00 am as Max had a major melt down in the middle of the night. So last night was for sure a tender mercy.

I need to express my thanks to all of you who visited, called, text, brought meals,etc. We love and appreciate your friendship. And to JoAnn (Ryan's mom), Jolea, my mom, and most of all, my sweet husband, I could not have managed the past two weeks without all you have done for me and our family.

We are so excited to be a family of four and realize the tender mercy that our children are to us.

Introducing LUKE PAUL LOVELESS

LUKE PAUL LOVELESS

Tuesday, February 24th, 2009

3:13 PM

8lb 10oz 20 inches

Update on Baby Boy Loveless

Here's the update...

He's still not here. I am scheduled to be induced on Tuesday if he persists to be stubborn. I had contractions sparadically throughout the night and day today. We really thought he might come last night, but alas, just another sleepless night that ended up with Ryan, Max and myself all sleeping on the couch at 6:00 a.m.

Who knows...maybe tonight will be the night. I can only hope as my belly continues to torpedo outwards and I walk like I just got off a horse.

Torpedo Belly

I realized that I don't have any pregnant pictures of me this time around. I had to steal this one from my friend Julie Kay's blog. This was at her shower 2 weekends ago. She is due on the 23rd and me on the 24th and we have the same doctor so we might be in the hospital at the same time.

This pregnancy has been different in so many ways, but the most noticable I suppose has been where the weight gain has come. It honestly feels and looks like it is all in my belly. It's like someone put 2 watermelons end to end and attached them to my abdomen. As soon as the baby comes, I'm sure I will realize all the other places I've gained the weight, but with Max I carried him more around. This guy is straight out...and it HURTS!! We call it the Torpedo.

Law of Attraction

Max & McCade--State Fair 2008

Isn't funny how when you've just traded in your brunette locks for blonde ones, you notice all the other pretty blondes around you? Or when you've gotten a new dress, 10 other friends in your ward got the same one? So it goes with pregnancy. Everyone is pregnant it seems like. Everywhere I look, there they are. I realize that in Utah County, there is always going to be a slim margine between the pregos and non-pregos, but I suppose the law of attraction kicks in and when I'm pregnant, it seems like the whole world around me is too.

Soon, very soon, we will be adding another little boy to the family. Now I'm noticing boys in duplicate. It makes me happy. Things are moving along, says the Doctor. I'll leave it at that for any sensitive readers.

A Very Special Birthday Shout Out

Happy 32nd Birthday to.... From....
So happy to be this...
We love you Ryan. Hope you have a great day.

A few things you may not know about Ryan:

Loves cookies, sandwiches, dark chocolate and anything creamy

Relaxes by watching TV

Very sensitive to anything scented

Picky about perfumes, collars on tee shirts, lawn care

Quick witted and Smart

Will watch an occasional DVR'd Oprah Show

Obsessed with running and BYU football

Dislikes tomatoes & most seafood

Shows he DVR's: The Unit, ER, American Idol,

The Office & Documentaries

Isn't: tidy or handy Is: clean and helpful

Prefers to hang out with: Max and Me, his brothers

Loves getting a lot accomplished in a day

Collects pocket knives

A "shoe" guy

Ready, Set...Wait, I'm not Ready.

With only about 5 weeks to go until an induction, I'm feeling somewhat behind in all that I have to do. I go to the doctor this week and will hopefully get a scheduled induction date around the 24th. My doctor mentioned doing this at the last visit but I really didn't want to be induced if I didn't have to. Then Ryan tells me he is most likely going to be traveling internationally for a week or more at the end of March so he thought it best that we have the baby as soon as possible so I could be as recovered as possible by the time he leaves...hence setting the induction date for at least a week earlier than my original due date.

Am I ready? Yes and no. I am honestly over the whole pregnancy thing. I am not one of those people who loves being pregnant, but I don't mind it until I start with the no sleeping and the awkwardness of having this protrusion out in front of me that makes pretty much everything uncomfortable. Everyone comments on how I have this ball/torpedo extension of my torso. So yes, I'm ready to trade the beachball in for the post-delivery flab. I think I would rather deal with that at this point. Am I ready to have a newborn at home? No. Too bad there isn't a way to not be pregnant, but to give yourself a little more time before endless feedings, weird after birth pains, and even more sleepless nights begin.

Right now I seem to be in this mad frenzy to get my house organized and ready for another baby. It hadn't occurred to me that it is no use washing the baby clothes and blankets yet because oops, we don't have a dresser to put them in.

So my list of things to clean, organize, clear out, and purchase occupies my mind in those inevitable 2 hours that I wake up each night and can't go back to sleep. On that list...catch up the blog. So that is what I have done in the the following 4 or 5 posts. Heaven knows I wouldn't have anything ready to bring the baby home in should he decide to come early. I'm fairly certain that catching up the blog wouldn't be a priority so I hope you appreciate my attempt to share our mundane but what we think significant happenings of the past two months.

WHAT--2009?

Being almost 9 months pregnant and with all the new challenges that a 2 year old brings to going out, I generally try to avoid too many unnecessary outings. As such, I sometimes forget that we are in a new year. I was writing out something the other day and as I wrote 2008 and then corrected my mistake I realized the world around me is moving on from day to day, month to month, year to stinkin' year with or without me. Don't get me wrong, we rang in the new year as we always do with Ryan and Jolea and lots of food and treats. We went to Jolea's house and actually spent the night. We figured why stay up until midnight, wake up a sleeping kid to put him in the cold car and drive home, when we could just sleep over, sleep in and go sledding the next day! So that's what we did. Jolea and I went to bed promptly after ringing in the new year and the Ryans' stayed up until 3:30 am playing the PS3. The next day after a late breakfast we bundled up the kiddos and walked down to the park and went tubing. Max seemed to enjoy himself and especially liked swinging and sliding.

But somehow after ringing the new year I suppose I tucked away the fact that it was actually 2009. I didn't even make a resolution list as I usually do. I mentally noted that I would like to stop with the Diet Cokes and eat better; that was quickly followed by another mental note--I have to relinquish my love for soda, chocolate, and pretty much everything else I love in a few short weeks as I begin nursing. Why punish myself now for the sake of starting a resolution with the new year? I mean, this whole year is going to be a post-partum resolution. I've mentioned the diet, but there is the returning to exercise (which I am looking forward to but dreading the pain), the giving up even more sleep than I already am, the committing myself to getting the baby, his big brother, and his parents on some sort of routine, etc. I figure why make a list. It's pretty much made itself for me.

So welcome 2009--I guess you've already got me pinned for punishment and some wonderful new pleasures as well.

So This Is Christmas-2008

Christmas Morning at my in-laws in Tooele

I had such great intentions of starting a Christmas Journal. I saw the idea on a show and loved it. You scrapbook (first problem) the outside of a plain journal with cute Christmas paper and add tabs inside for each year. For many years you have a journal filled with memories from each Christmas--what activities you did, fun traditions, funny anecdotes, gifts given and received, stresses, etc. As mentioned above and while very minimal, I was lost at the scrap booking. I haven't even taken the time to jot down the musings of the 2008 Christmas season, so I thought I would at least take a moment to blog about our holidays.

PARTIES & OUTINGS

• The Nutcracker @ Capital Theater
• Xango Semi-Formal Christmas Party @ the Grand America (again we won nothing, but the employee gift ensemble was delightful)
• Neighborhood Kids Christmas party for Max at the Stewart's home
• Johnsen Family Christmas Party in TooeleThe nativity great-grandchildren...and Max... interrupting Silent NightGrandma Johnsen--annual Johnsen family Christmas party in TooeleGreat-grand kids do the white elephant gift exchange--Max is threatening to steal Camilla's gift
• Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at my in-laws in Tooele

Max loves his "PaPa"

TRADITIONS (New & Old)

• Johnsen family party is no longer on Christmas Eve; it's the Saturday before Christmas and the adults no longer have to do the white elephant.
• Loveless Family Christmas Eve at Ryan's parents home includes Christmas Eve dinner, Luke 2 video and a Christmas sing-along.
• This year Mark brought in a new tradition--watching "The Gift"--you know, the one where the little boy gets up early to milk the cows for his dad. I don't think the grand kids cared, but all the adults seemed to be a little touched. As parents, we would all appreciate such a gift from our kids.
• Loveless Family Gift Exchange on Christmas afternoon
• Our weekly FHE consisted of showing Max the nativity and trying to get him to realize the baby was Jesus. He seemed confused, but did grasp the concept of mommy, daddy, baby, and of course, cows, horse, sheep, and star. We were pleased with that much. He learned the "Asleep" version of "Away in a Manger" and liked to pretend he was sleeping.
• This year Ryan and I started a tradition of writing down a gift we want to each give to the Savior for the month and also one for the upcoming year. We have a dedicated ceramic gift box that we put our written down gifts in and we will pull them out next year and evaluate and decide on another gift.

CHRISTMAS MUSINGS:

• Ryan gets so excited every other year when we overnight it in Tooele. He never forgets to remind me that Santa delivers gifts not to his mother's very elegant upstairs tree, but only to his father's very brightly lighted and ornamented downstairs tree...complete with water bubble lights and Santa head ornaments.Papa's tree--where Santa leaves the gifts
• Our first year to have two trees, one upstairs and one downstairs. As I added to the elegant tree this year, Ryan continually reminded me that Santa would not be leaving presents at that tree. He insists that next year we have colored lights on the the dedicated "family ornament tree" downstairs. He wants to be in charge of it from now on.
• Outside lights--my, oh my. We realized Ryan's intense aversion to heights. After much time and serious contemplation, Ryan returned safely to ground and hired a friend to hang the lights.
• Max thought Santa was Jesus for about two weeks.
• Max's first visit to see Santa. He realized he wasn't Jesus and he also realized that he wants nothing to do with him up close. We now have the very classic screaming on Santa's lap picture. He did tell everyone that Santa says "HO,HO, HO"

Max on his new rocker pony

GIFTING AND RECEIVING:
This year we were determined to get the shopping done early so that we could enjoy the holidays. We were successful and I even had it all wrapped about a week and a half prior to Christmas. We also wanted to stick better to a budget. We weren't as successful as we wanted to be there; surprisingly it was Ryan who over did it.

MAX

• Gave: joy, laughs, new vocabulary, dancing, tantrums, kisses and hugs and the magic of Christmas as only a child can give
• Received: Wiggles guitar, books, rocker horse, vacuum cleaner, light saber, blocks, drum, pop gun, outfit, Wiggles DVD and slippers, animal block puzzle

Max's favorite thing to do--help unwrap every one's gifts... ...and take the trash to PaPa who would "gobble it up in the big bag" Max with his pop-gun
RYAN

• Gave: lots of time and effort to the new ward, especially in organizing, delivering, and giving to the Sub for Santa, time studying for the CPA, running a "run for it's money" 954 miles for the year, special Daddy time to Max and always, precious moments with me
• Received: new electric razor, remote control airplane, shoes, shirts, tie, sweaters, sweaters, sweatersRyan gets what...another sweater?
  CALLI
  
• Gave: cooking, cleaning, cooking, cleaning, diaper changing, home organization; exchanged her running shoes for morning sickness, weight gain, prenatal vitamins, and sleepless nights; motherhood and nurturing, cute neighborhood gifts
• Received: black boots, brown suede boots, scarves, jewelry, maternity coat, gift certificate, a new little boy on the way
  
  
  Likely Max's favorite gift--the vacuumMax helping Uncle Jeff unwrap a gift