My first mother's day

Little Luke is now 4.5 months old. Time has flown by, hasn't it? We celebrated my first mother's day by going to church and out to lunch at a French cafe. I look forward to the gift Tom gave me... a massage. Carrying around a baby (even though he is not heavy) and breastfeeding are creating tight muscles in my back. We went to the driving range last week (first time I hit balls since Luke was born) and I learned quickly that I lost all my strength and flexibility the past few months.

We took a few videos of Luke, so you can see him in action. He is a man of motion (which is why I think he is so skinny). The first video shows Luke laughing at Tom. In the second video, I am helping Luke learn to walk (yes, he has shown a preference for standing and moving on his feet).






Enjoy some of his recent photos:


Luke did not enjoy his sunglasses


Laying on his surfboard


Luke likes daddy's mouth


Adelaide and Luke napping during church


Luke's first Portland Beavers (baseball) game


Grandma Eileen and Luke at book babies


The bubbles


Grandma and Luke played while mommy was at faculty meetings


Luke and Kyle at "Babies and Me" group


Luke tolerates his tummy time now


Family photo for mother's day - we are wearing red for Pentecost


Happy mother's day, Tammy

Luke's holy bath

We enjoyed an exciting weekend with friends and family for Luke's baptism. Tom's brother, Doug, came from Chicago to meet Luke and witness the baptism. During Doug's visit, Luke saw several Portland attractions. We had lunch on a tour boat, shopped at Columbia Sportswear, saw the animals napping at the zoo, and watched a UP women's soccer game on Friday. After Tammy's grandmother's 1-year memorial service on Saturday, we had great Chinese food, took a ride on the tram, visited the science museum, and went out to dinner. Sunday was Luke's big day at church - he had a water awakening, both spiritually and physically. We were blessed with so many friends and family who celebrated Luke's baptism.


On the boat



Our family on the boat



At the science museum



Ready for the big day



The baptism



Luke wore Grandpa Mark's baptismal gown and used Tom's baptismal blanket



Luke with his Godparents



Friends and family who came to the baptism



Having fun with Uncle Doug




The VanDeGrift men

Spring-time Fun

We have enjoyed some of the early April spring-time weather. Luke has enjoyed the zoo, spending a day at a fun center with his cousin, watching soccer games, and going to the park. Enjoy some of his recent photos.


Tammy and Luke with the elephants



Is he cute or what?



Tom and Luke



Having fun at the "fun" center



Luke is "talking" to Tom



Luke likes hanging out in the swing

Happy Easter!

We continue to enjoy life as parents. Watching Luke develop new skills brings us lots of smiles. His most recent favorite activity is to "converse" with us. He tries to mimic our sounds and says "oooohhh" often. Since our last post, Luke has experienced his first computer science conference and his first holiday - Easter. Luke, my mom, and I attended a conference for computer science educators in Portland. Because so many of my friends attend this conference, we had a little party at our house. We also enjoyed hosting my extended family for Easter this year and Luke met some of his relatives for the first time.

Luke entered our family NCAA pool this year, too. He chose his teams based on what arm moved first after I gave him the team line-ups. Needless to say, he is in last place in our family pool.

Here are a few recent photos:


Luke and Sarah


Luke and Naomi (also a first-timer at the conference)


Luke cheered for Michigan State (despite Tom's allegiance) during the NCAA tournament


Our family on Easter Sunday


Mark, Anca, and Luke on Easter. Mark filled up his Easter basket!


Luke enjoys his new chair


Luke is dressed in Michigan colors!


Luke visited Tom at work one day and met a few of his co-workers

Luke and I

Luke and I had our own guy time this past weekend. We went on a walk (I got some coffee). When we got back Luke enjoyed a little nap an then some food. There is not a lot that happened so I don't have a lot to say. But we both survived and in fact had fun.

(This picture is not from that day, but Luke hanging out with Tammy one afternoon enjoying a little outside time.)

More "Firsts"

Life has been busy lately for our family, and we enjoy every minute with our little man. Luke has experienced a few more "firsts" in his life.

During Presidents Day weekend, Luke went on his first "trip" to Seattle to visit our friends there. Kimmy and Alan were extremely gracious to host us with a potentially loud baby. Fortunately, Luke managed well on the trip. He had just one hour of extreme fussiness (I learned that Luke does not like Indian food...too bad for me).




Tom's parents visited for a week in late February, so Luke met his grandparents for the first time. During their visit, Luke had his first trip to the zoo.






Luke saw a UP basketball game for the first time. Even though he has attended several games, he always slept through them. During the Pilots final home game, Luke woke up and watched the second half. Unfortunately, the Pilots lost to St. Mary's.

Luke went to a UP baseball game for the first time. The Pilots were crushed by Oregon State (2-time national champions) 16 - 0. Luke and I attended the game with our neighbors, who have a daughter that is three weeks older than Luke.


And, finally, Luke slept "through the night" for the first time last night. He slept for seven straight hours. Previously, he slept 4 to 5 hours for the longest night stretch. We are hopeful that his 7-hour sleeping pattern continues.

A Valentine's Love

We love our little Luke very much - a kind of love that we have not experienced before. Luke is doing well and is becoming more interactive each day. Some of his recent experiences include:
- enjoying (napping through) the Superbowl game
- seeing snow for the first time
- getting sick (he had a bad cold for over a week)
- batting at toys
- going to "baby and mommy" meetings
- going to the Golf Show at the convention center
- visiting Tammy's colleagues at school

Enjoy his recent photos:


Luke in his plastic tub


Luke's one month birthday - Meara sent a bunch of burp cloths and books.


Resting peacefully


Luke can drink mom's milk from a bottle.


Luke sees his first snow


Feeling snow for the first time


Luke is starting to smile...


Luke can punch in his skinny body


Luke bats at toys