A Whole Lot of Firsts

First realization of how I got my mother's skin coloring

 First facial hair

 First time running with mom and dad

 First priesthood blessing from dad

 First time meeting my great-grandma and grandpa Goodell

 First time swimming

 First, and definitely not last, nine-hole golf outing

Role Reversal

For roughly three weeks I have spent each and every day with our wonderful baby boy. I have learned a lot throughout this process:

• Though babies only eat every three hours it seems like they eat every thirty minutes. I feel that the second I feed him and change him he is ready to eat again. I try to plan to accomplish something in between his feedings but anytime I plan something grand he decides not to sleep and instead wants to play until his next feeding thirty minutes later
• I understand why spiders lay so many eggs, it is because they have eight limbs. I only have four, and really only two of them work for what I need to accomplish. An example was yesterday when I tried to turn off our scentsy candle with my shoe, my shoe was covered with wax and I still had to bend over to turn off the candle. I constantly think "I wish I had just one more hand to hold Lucas, make his bottles and keep his pacifier in his mouth."
• Dinner should not be planned far in advance, instead it should be planned based on the disposition of the baby. If the baby is in a napping mood, homemade biscuits and gravy with a side of fresh banana muffins, if the baby is in a playful mood mac and cheese and if the baby decides to be a little terror cold cereal or frozen burritos work well.

• Showers are optional (up to three days). Even right now as Lucas sleeps I know I should shower but I did shower yesterday so I am good until wednesday. Brushing teeth is essential, if I am not going to shower for three days I better make sure my teeth are clean.
• There is no more demanding work than taking care of children. I only have minimal experience with one child but what I have experienced has been difficult but rewarding. The other day as Lucas decided to be held all day long (the same day of cold cereal for dinner) I wondered how mom's do it with multiple children, which leads me to my last lesson
• The mothers in my life are the most amazing people I know and I love and honor their hard work and dedication. I have often called my sisters and sisters in law to ask questions about how to get a baby to sleep, how long he should sleep, how much he should eat, how to properly soak poop stained clothes and a variety of other questions. I have called my own mom to ask what I can make for dinner in a short amount of time and to thank her for being my mother. I decided that mothers do not need 8 limbs, more hours in a day or sleeping babies, they have been blessed by God with talents and abilities that I just do not have. I love being with Lucas, it is a joy each and every day. I am also very grateful that my wife is a mother who has been blessed by God with skills and abilities that will bless our family forever. 

Here are some fun pictures that show how much fun we are having with this miracle baby boy and to document how big he is getting (9 lbs 6 oz).

Mr. Mom

Usually it's the mother who feeds the baby 8 times a day. Not around this place, it's The Mr.!

 

 Prayers were answered and The Mr. cleaned it all up, complete with a bowl of soiled wipes. (a technique I have yet to try) 

 The Mr. keeps the baby well rested...

 and leaves his mark on Luke's head (yes, that is drool, yes, I had just bathed him and no, I will never sleep with my head under The Mr. again)

 Fortunately, we have a Mr. Mom around here, otherwise Lucas would be hungry, poopy and tired. We  love you Mr.!

Since we've been home

We Made It!

Here are some pictures of our last few days in the NICU. We have learned so much about love and service over the past two months. We are so grateful for family, friends and nurses who have helped us to learn how to love. 

46 days can sure change a baby!

Pray for Poop

 This is baby Lucas. He needs your help. The boy is having some troubles with his bowel movements, i.e. they are not moving. Dr. Johnson says we need to pray for poop and if that doesn't work we may need to organize a neighborhood fast for poop. We don't want anyone to have to go without food, so lets hope the praying works.

 This is nurse Mandee. She is sent straight from heaven. On day three in the NICU Mandee asked me how I would feel about her requesting to be Luke's primary nurse. I had no idea what that meant, but I had watched her with him and with some of the other babies and I thought this could be a good thing. Boy am I glad I said yes. She takes care of Lucas for six days straight and then takes 7 days off to travel to glorious destinations; a trip to Hawaii, a week in Montana and Valentine's in Wyoming. I don't know why she ever wants to come back to Provo. She is a miracle worker with our little boy, she knows exactly what he needs to calm him down and always takes the time to watch over him so closely. We are hoping that our insurance will pay for her to come live with us for a few months when he comes home. Not only is she wonderful to Lucas but she also makes our visits to the NICU so much fun. We love Mandee and are grateful that she requested to be our primary nurse.

This is baby Lucas during the last hours of Mandee's six days on, he knows she is leaving and he is not happy about it at all!

This is Dad. Some of you may wonder what is my role when we come to the NICU. Ashley plays the role of fabulous part time mother and full time milk factory, I play whatever role is needed. I weigh the baby, fold pillows, silence alarms and change diapers. My favorite role comes right after Lucas eats, I get to hold him while he takes the rest of his feeding and try and get him to sleep, as you can see here I am getting pretty good.