Owls

We had another snowfall last night and once again the ground is covered in white. Sarah came over for a visit and we went looking for the owls. Hootie has been sitting quite regularly in the tree across the driveway from the nest box. I assume because it is close to mating time and she is making sure the box remains available. Here is Sarah checking her out.She used to sit in another tree , next to the one she is frequenting this year and she was a little easier to see. Even with the white snow on the branches she blended into the trunk if the tree.

Even though Sarah and I were standing right under her and ,we were not being quiet ,she stayed right there . She even took a little snooze. A couple of times she would look down on us and occasionally she glanced up but, for the most part she ignored us.

Dave checked the connections to the video camera in the box and we were hopeful that would fix the problem. Alas, that was not the case. We are assuming the problem is at the box. Dave is afraid that when we were cleaning the box out in the fall we may have pinched, or pulled a wire. I am not sure with how close she is watching the box that he will want to climb up there. We shall see what we can do. I know I will be disappointed if I can't count the eggs this year. Keep your fingers crossed!!

Changes

I am sure if Jesse were writing this he would be the first to admit...what a difference 2 weeks can make in your life. It has been fun for me to watch Jesse with Lukas. First at the hospital when they wrapped him and handed Lukas to Jesse. To witness that moment was a joy for a mother to see.

I was able to capture part of that moment on video.

My few minutes to hold Lukas came next and then Amy's parents got their turn. After that they took him to clean ,weigh and measure him. Jesse kept a close watch.

Once you bring the little bundle home, reality starts to set in. Although at the hospital now, you get to spend more time with your baby, it is still a different feeling. You are now the only ones he has to rely on. At least by now the diaper changes are no longer a surprise.

Part of the joy is never putting him down. I have gotten to watch Jesse as he looks at his son with so much love.

Here are the 2 men in Amy's life enjoying a hockey game. Go Wings! You can never start them out to young you know! He is so small in Jesse's hands, the hands that will always protect Lukas.

Jesse and Amy make the perfect picture holding Lukas. A beautiful new family ready for whatever comes along.

Well, what a difference 14 days can make in your life. The responsibility, the joy, the lack of sleep, and the incredible love. Love for another human that you never thought you could feel. You my son have just begun and amazing journey, one that I hope you take the time to enjoy. One minute they are so small and you turn around and they are grown and starting a family of their own.
Enjoy these moments, take them all in. Remember them all!

Lukasitis

OK, I admit it I have the sickness. You can call it Lukusitis or grandmaitis.. you pick the name. You can ask anyone and they will tell you I have it BAD. It is infectious....how can it not be when you see this little face!

We went to visit Jesse, Amy , and Lukas yesterday. Aunt Sarah was suffering from some withdrawal symptoms and she needed to hold Lukas. They had a little conversation. I am not sure what they were discussing, but they were intense.

The conversation went well, and you can see Sarah was feeling much better. It is amazing how just holding him can make the symptoms go away.

Grandma was being very generous and let Sarah hold him first, but then it was my turn. He was very sleepy and I know it doesn't look comfy .......but......within a few minutes

He was more than content and fell right to sleep.

He stayed asleep right through lunch. You know, it must be love when you don't even care that you have your picture taken with your granny chin showing. Not only that but you let someone take the picture ,and then you post it for all to see.

Someone was feeling a little left out. While we we taking pictures Schaffer was resting his head on Amy's foot.

Proud and Happy parents. Most nights Lukas's is sleeping for a few hours, and giving them some much needed rest. I am sure it is hard for them to imagine ,what life was like not having this little joy in their lives. They really could not be happier!

The proud Aunt and Grandparents. I tried to convince Sarah and Dave to distract Jess and Amy while I snuck Lukas out the door, but they would not cooperate.

Lukas really loves his Grandpa. Here he is sound asleep in Dave's arms
I love looking at the two of them together, especially when Dave doesn't know your watching them. Don't you just love this picture?

I told you being with Lukas is infectious. We drove home, we walked in the door, Dave hit the chair and before I walked from one room to the other this is what I found. We all know who is getting older!!

We all could visit with Lukas and his parents everyday. Dave asked Jesse and Amy how old Lukas would have to be before we could take him for 5 weeks traveling? Now you have to remember that we let Sarah and Jesse go with there grandma and grandpa Ward for that long when they were, 9 and 6. I think Jesse said HMMMMMM, and Amy indicated it may be after he is 30. We shall see!!

On another note Hootie and Blowfish are back and making their presence known. Last night at around 5 o'clock they were right outside our bedroom window having a very loud conversation. We have had a couple of beautiful weather days and with the snow melting I finally found the cable connection to the video camera. We still need to find out the problem but, at least we are making progress. I wouldn't let Dave climb to the box on Saturday because it was too windy. Last thing we need is another broken bone. I am getting a little antsy though as I know they will be using the box soon.

Trial Run

Well, we decided to try the video feature on the blog. You will have to let us know if it worked. We thought this was so cute with his little bubble blowing.

Another visit with Lukas

Today Lukas got the meet his great-grandma Stark. Great-grandpa was going to make the trip but couldn't make it. Lukas was happy to meet the family.

Great-aunt Nancy was able to come along and couldn't wait to get her hands on him. We really wanted great-aunt Janet to come along but she has a really bad cold. That's ok because it just gives Grandma a excuse to make another trip down, not that she needs one!!!

I think Aunt Nancy thought he was awesome. She is convinced that he liked her best!!! I think she may have a fight on her hands...hehe.

We settled in for a visit and a game of pass the baby...everyone needed their turn. While Great G-ma was holding him he decided to leave her a gift.

That brought mom into the game. As you can see Lukas was not to happy about what was going on.

Once he realized that mom was going to put him in his little hoot-hoot outfit he calmed right down!? Ok, so maybe it wasn't the outfit.

I was going to turn this picture but , decided you could all just turn your monitors instead. Hey I can't be doing all the work here!!!
After the big change Grandma got her chance. Looks like a pretty comfortable napping spot. As you can see Schaffer kept watch.

The biggest problem I have is letting him go and leaving. I told Jesse and Amy the other day that we were going to have to sell our house and move across the street. Actually his aunt Becky suggested we just move their house up here. :)

Not to be left out. On Friday Dave and I were out shoveling the driveway...AGAIN! when I heard the owl hooting. We have only seen them once earlier this winter so I was surprised. I went down the drive and there she was sitting in the pine tree . I say she came to congratulate us on our new Grand baby.

I am sorry that Great grandpa and Aunt Janet couldn't make it this time. We will make the trip soon and as always I will have the camera at the ready. Amy thinks Lukas may see spots for the rest of his life!

Reflections

It has been a few days since Lukas was born. It has been time to reflect on this wonder. For a long time everyone thought I didn't want to be a grandma, and nothing could have been further from the truth. I wanted Jesse and Amy to start their family when they were ready. Not just because I wanted to be a grandma. I was thrilled when they told us they were expecting. You could see how happy and excited they were. When they asked me to go along to one of their ultrasound appointments, I could not have been more honored. To watch both their faces when they saw their baby, was very moving. Then they allowed me to be with them at the hospital for the delivery. Jesse was so supportive and caring. Amy was so brave and strong. When Amy's mom and I heard his first cries there were a lot of hugs . Jesse had a smile from ear to ear, with tears in his eyes.Right away you could see the love in both Jesse and Amy's eyes. As a parent to see your child become a parent is pretty amazing. I am sure the feelings are different for everyone. For me to see Jesse holding Lukas for the first time was beyond words. Lukas seemed very content in his daddy's arms. I remembered the day Jesse was born and all the feelings of love I had for him, and now here he was a father. Time sure does fly.
Right after Jesse got to hold him it was my turn. What a joy!! It seemed so surreal. You start imagining all the things you want to do for and with him. Jesse says he is the 2034 Tour de France winner so I will be cheering at more bike races.

Sarah and Jesse have always been so close and it was nice to see them together with Lukas. Sarah is so excited to be an Aunt and she will be a great one. She is such a caring and thoughtful young women. I couldn't be more proud of her.

You start to ask yourself the what if questions. I think all parents wonder, if I had done some things differently, spent more time, said different things. You know the what if's. I have had those thoughts. Things with Jesse and I have not always been easy. Both he and I know we have always loved each other, but there have been moments when I was not sure we liked one another. We all have regrets, but I would not change one experience that we had together. Because,, without them he would not be the wonderful man he is today. To have not gone through those things may have changed who he is and I wouldn't want that. I am sure, Jesse will ask those same questions. No one is perfect and we all make mistakes, we just have to learn from them. You will be a great dad.

To Lukas, I promise to be the best grandma I can. To love you and spoil you. To share with you stories about your dad, and your family. Thank you Jesse and Amy for this precious gift. He will be treasured always. You will have many adventures good and bad. Just remember, it is all worth it in the end. Hold on to all your memories they grow so fast.

I love you all!!

First Day Home

Lukas went home from the hospital yesterday and Dave and I went down to visit and brought dinner. They are all happy to be home. Amy and Jesse are doing well and other than a lack of sleep are thrilled to be settling in.

Dave and Jesse with the celebratory chocolate cigars!
I have had a couple of complaints that there are no pictures of me with Lukas so here they are. I would rather hold him all the time but, when I can't, I take pictures......a lot.

See Grandma has the touch. It's either that or he is just exhausted from the last couple of days.

Now it was Grandpa's turn. He kept his cool and talked to Lukas.

Success, see Grandpa has the touch too. I seem to remember Dave saying he doesn't hold kids till they are a year old. How things have changed.

He remained content and happy the whole time we were there.

Just because he is TOO cute!

Aunt Sarah bought him a swing and he really loves it. Amy put him in it while we had dinner and he fell right to sleep. It was nice that they were able to relax and enjoy a hot meal. Those times may be few and far between for awhile.

I went to my mom and dad's today to share photo's and stories of Lukas. I think this is so cute, my mom sitting in front of a computer. She agreed with me, Lukas is a keeper!!