Pictures and Videos

Since I didn't attach any pictures to their development update posts, here they are.

Reading his dinosaur book.



Daddy and Lukas playing his new Ni Hao Ki Lan Wii game.



This picture would have made a lot more sense if I could have taken it without the flash. So deciding between seeing Lukas in the picture and the picture on the wall, I voted for the cute kid. He's playing with his View Master projector.



playing dinosaurs



Sleeping on our bed is sometimes the only way I'll get a nap.



She's getting so strong.



Gazing intently at something.



Watching her mobile for the first time. She thought it was fantastic.



Lukas is washing his cars in his car wash.



Corina raising her head.

1 Month Old!

Corina celebrated her 1 month birthday this past Tuesday (April 27th). I think I always say this, but I can't believe a month has gone by already. We are still adjusting to being a family of four. I won't say it's easy, but it is such a blessed feeling to have TWO amazing children.

Corina at 1 month:
- weighs 9lbs 10oz
- is breastfed....which is an accomplishment for me because I was unable to breastfeed Lukas.
- eats every 2-3 hours during the day
- sleeps 6-8 hours at night. Since Lukas was such a great sleeper, I keep waiting for her to not sleep well. I am keeping my fingers crossed, though, that she'll keep this up.
- has at least 30 minutes of awake time after each feeding.
- likes to look at contrast light and dark and lines. Lights are fascinating right now, but as long as it's a contrast she'll study it.
- studies what she looks at. She doesn't just gaze at things, she looks at and studies them.
- knows Mommy, Daddy, and Lukas' voices.
- will turn her head toward sounds. She especially likes to find and look at Lukas when he's talking.
- can hold her head up for about 15 seconds at a time.
- has some hilarious expressions.
- is unfortunately very gassy. Aside from being hungry, this is about the only thing that makes her wail.
- loves her Mommy, Daddy, and Brother every day!

Celebrating

We celebrated Lukas' 3rd birthday with a trip to the mall on his birthday to do all the fun things we don't usually do. So he was treated to a carousel ride, riding several coin rides, and eating a very yummy lunch. We took a few phone pictures, so the quality is not very good.







This past Saturday (April 24, 2010) we had his party. He received some fantastic gifts! We had planned his party for a local park, but when we got there to set up realized that park was being used for a walk or fundraiser of some sort. There was no parking, and the park itself was packed. So we quickly changed plans to have it at the elementary school playground near our house. The kids had a blast!

Here's only a tiny (and I mean tiny, Ashley went a bit crazy with the camera) sampling of photos from Lukas' dinosaur themed party. If you attended you were photographed.

Friends: Olivia, Joshua, Kaleb, and Lukas



Brontosaurus birthday cupcake cake. It was yummy!



Kaleb, Lukas, and Joshua trying to blow out the candles. Since it was in the back of the van (due to lack of a table) it was kind of hard for them to blow out.



The boys eating cupcakes and drinking lemonade.



Corina and Paizlee hanging out at the party.

Afternoon Activities

The past couple of afternoons our activities have been:

breathing treatments for Lukas,



and sleeping for Corina.

3 Years Old!

Lukas at 3 years old:
- weighs 27.4 lbs
- is 38 inches tall
- enjoys playing with friends, dinosaurs, school, games (or at least his version of them), science, cars, books (especially the cd read along kind that he can "read" himself), playing outside, playing on the computer, and his favorite tv shows.
- knows the routine for everything he does, and wants to be in charge of it.
- is very curious. We have some wild and crazy discussions while trying to explain the things he asks about (which is pretty much everything).
- is have listening difficulties both at home and at school. He's definitely entered the "I don't care what you say, I'm doing it my way" stage.
- knows all his phonics. He's beginning to sound out words, especially if someone directs what letter to sound out next in a word.
- seems to know everything. I feel like I haven't taught him any of the concrete things he knows. He only seems to need Mommy and Daddy explanations to understand concepts.
- can name and describe half a dozen or more dinosaurs.
- is currently working to add cutting and gluing responsibly to his list of accomplishments.
- has an amazing imagination. Listen to him long enough, and you'll hear some very interesting things. :)
- is an amazing big brother!
- loves his Mommy and Daddy more and more every day!

Bluebonnet Pictures 2010

This year we found a huge field of bluebonnets across from Eric's office to take pictures in. Thankfully (even with a uncooperative almost 3 year old) we got good ones of everyone.

Amazingly the best picture of Lukas was when he tripped and fell, then started laughing about it.



He was so ready for her to be out of his lap, but he cooperated enough to give her a sweet kiss.





It was so sunny that no matter how we placed her, there were shadows.

Playing with Friends

Kaleb and Lukas playing cars.



Addison, Alex, and Lukas on the playground after school.



Corina and Paizlee hanging out.



We are all so blessed by our many friendships! We thank each and every one of our friends for being exactly who you are!

Easter 2010

Aren't they cute?!



My little model!



So pretty!



He is waiting for his surprises (his Easter baskets).



Swayne family of FOUR!



This is the routine Lukas went through during his egg hunt.

Amazing!

I have got to be the most blessed woman in the world! I have two amazing children who are healthy (well Lukas tries to be at least), beautiful/handsome, and perfect!! I simply cannot believe that God blessed me so much twice. Lukas is an amazing big brother. He is certainly in the "I need attention" phase of Corina being born, but he is so sweet and gentle with her. I can't wait to see how their relationship develops over the years. I hope that one day Corina loves and appreciates her big brother the same way he loves her.

Lukas holding Corina for the first time by himself.



He is playing cars with her.



Reading her a book.



He is showing her his wind up alligator.



Lukas being silly. (Sorry about the odd orientation, but it uploaded funny.)



Corina at one week old.

Corina Grace Swayne

Corina was born via c-section on March 27, 2010 at 12:13 pm. She weighed 8lbs 10 oz and measured 21.5 inches. She lost a little too much weight while we were in the hospital, but she's now gaining it back so doctors aren't worried anymore. She is healthy and beautiful! She looks almost exactly like Lukas when he was born, so I'll have to make sure and label all "clothing non-descript" pictures.

Ready to have a baby!!





Mommy and Daddy and Corina



One of the nursery nurses made a bow for her hospital hat. It was so cute!



A family of four!



Mema and Grandad meeting Corina.



Uncle Ryan and Aunt Ashley meeting Corina.



Papa meeting Corina.



Corina and Daddy.



Mimi meeting Corina.



Corina and Mommy.



Getting ready to go home!





All ready!



A very proud big brother holding Corina by himself.