All the Help is Wonderful

We have been blessed with a lot of people wanting to help us through our first days, nights, and weeks of parenthood.
Both of our moms were here for the first couple of days to lend a hand and to hold the baby as if the ground was made of thorns.
Ellie stayed for a little over a week and helped make a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner among several other meals and she also managed to do some cleaning. You can definitely tell where Daunee gets her motherly abilities. It was a sad moment for the two of them when Ellie had to leave.
We weren't alone long when Daunee's aunt Betty Jo came up for a few days to solely stay up at night and watch Lucas so that we could catch up on our sleep. She also helped during the day after she got some much needed rest for herself.
We have enjoyed several meals from members of our church and between those and leftovers, we haven't had to cook for two weeks.
We want to thank everyone for all the help and we know that not everyone who wants to come help and see the baby have been able to. But that is alright. We will be making the family rounds this christmas. Lucas is excited to meet the rest of the family.

Quick guide to achievements

Here are a few of the achievements of Lucas.
He can already lift his head, basically from day one
He lost his belly button on November 29th.
He attended his first day of church quietly too,

He lost his plastic bell on November 3oth.
He moved up to a size 1 diaper on November 30th.
He first smiled at mom on December 5th, for her birthday.

Happy Birthday to Momma

Now Debra, I know you are sad to live so far away, but I have to blog about the babies first trip out of town.
It was today, Daunee's birthday. We went to Gillette to get pictures taken of all the grandkids. Daunee's mom made her favorite meal, chicken cordon bleu with cheesy potatoes. We also ate KFC for lunch, one of Daunee's favorite fast food restaurants. The one in Sheridan closed so trips to Gillette are the only time she can indulge.
So the prepartion for the short trip took a long time and a lot of crap. We had to make a list and begin checking it off. Sleepers, outfits, diapers, medicine, breast pump, bottles, blankets, boppy, and so on. Between the two of us we got things packed, loaded, fed and headed out of town. He does so good on road trips. Not a sound from him until a few miles from town. He had gone nearly three hours between feedings so that was really good.
A trip out of town, quite the two week graduation achievement. He actually rode on my lap steered the entire trip. Gifted I tell ya.

Two week Update

Wow, wow, wow, what a stallion. Here is Lucas at two weeks old. December 5th, 2009. He shared his two week birthday with his mom. He is stronger and stronger each day. He likes to lift his head up and he pulls out his pacifier and he waves and smiles and talks and walks. We are thinking of testing his i.q. but I am worried it will be higher than mine.

Happy Birthday to Me

Today was my birthday. December 4th. I am now 29 years old. I have a nice home, a wonderful wife and a baby boy. I still have my dog and the four of us make a happy family. I got my first Daddy card. It was all I wanted. Truthfully, I didn't want anything, but my wife and son bought me a cake and had candles and a card. They sang happy birthday to me and then we enjoyed the treats.
That was when I realized all I wanted was the first Daddy card and a quiet night with my family. It was perfect.

One Week Update and check-up

Lucas had his one week check-up on Monday 11/30. He is doing good. Right on schedule, if not ahead. He poops and pees and is gaining weight. He no longer has any jaundice and his belly button had fallen off the night before, Sunday night.
That night his plastic bell fell off and his circumcision looks good. He is growing so fast. He had to start taking eye drops to clear up a possible eye infection or it may be clogged tear ducts.
All in all he is doing wonderful and so is his momma. His next check-up is December 18th.

First Day of Church

Today is the first day of church for Lucas. He will be raised in a house that believes Jesus Christ is our lord and savior and that through him he will be saved. We attend Mountain Alliance Church in Sheridan, Wyoming. It is our old church with a new face, pastor, and meaning. We are still part of the Christian Missionary and Alliance church. We hope to dedicate Lucas Jeffrey Kennedy to the lord sometime in January. We hope to do it the same weekend we have the baby shower for freinds and family. You will be informed of when that is.

As for the service, Lucas was perfect, duh. He was asleep the entire time which made him quiet. What more could you ask for. Our congregation was in love with him and it almost felt like they were part of the whole process. They're prayers and support were a crutch we could lean throught the pregnancy. They have also brought us meals and gifts and have been very helpful. Thank you.

Baby's First Outing

I will post pictures later, but Lucas's first outing was to our local Christmas Stroll the day after Thanksgiving. It is a time when the historic main street is decorated for christmas and the streets are closed off to traffic. The local businesses stay open and the strets are busy with families taking in the holidays. The Fire department hands out free chili, the railroad gives out free hotdogs and numerous businesses offer hot apple cider and hot chocolate. Santa Clause is there to greet the children and begin his list of toys for the nice ones and the coal for the naughty ones. There are trolly rides and sleigh rides free for all to enjoy as well as several groups of carolers singing your favorite christmas songs.
Lucas did good. He saw a lot of people and basically slept the whole time. We were out and about for an hour or so and then it was time to get home for feeding. It was a really good time.

My dog....Schultz

I have promised my dog that because he has behaved so well, I would post a blog about him. He keeps hounding me to get it done and now I have the time.

What a special little wiener. He knew something was going on when we were getting ready to go to the hospital. He was quiet and mopey and not himself. Luckily his grandma Deb took care of him and actually walked him till his paws wore off. He loved it though.

He was happy to see us return and he was very curious about his new brother. Wanting to show him the ropes he instantly licked his face and began his story, but I stopped him short because Lucas was too young and overwhelmed by a talking dog.

Shultz wouldn't let that hurt his feelings and for the past couple of days he has been by my side and Lucas's. Already a loyal dog. We are happy to have him and can't wait for Lucas to take a nap with his dog. One of the 1001 things a child should do before they leave home.

Turkey Day

Well, it is Thanksgiving and that means another day to blog. We have a lot to be thankful for, good jobs, a business that hasn't failed yet, a nice home, good family and friends, a new pastor that has really brought our church around and of course the golden wonder, Lucas. So I hope all of you who read this are having a good day with your families and remembering those who couldn't be with you and think of all that you are thankful for and don't forget to thank God.

That said, here is my boys first Thanksgiving 2009.