Updates are on the way, I promise!

Hi everybody! It's been awhile since we posted anything new about our Life with Luke, but that's not because there's nothing new to share with you...just the opposite...it's been busy! Since we last posted, Luke has grown tremendously - you'll see when Rich and I get some photos on here of Lukie now! We celebrated Luke's 4 month birthday on the same day as is Aunt Stef's birthday (July 14th), and Little Lukie was Christened the next day by our friend Father Eddie O'Toole. We planned Luke's Christening around Father Eddie's trip here from England, where he lives, and had the opportunity to have our friend baptize our baby - it was a day we will cherish and enjoy telling Luke about when he gets older. Our attempts to get Luke's photos taken at Kiddie Kandids, however, were NOT something we remember fondly - it took 3 separate attempts, on 3 separate days, to finally get the pictures we have. But the effort was worth it because Lukie's pictures, in his adorable Christening outfit, are just gorgeous! Thanks Leenie and Joe, for the gift certificate to Kiddie Kandids, and Thanks Mom for buying Lukie his outfit! A post on the Christening with photos is on the way so you can all see what I'm talking about.

Luke is full of smiles and very aware of his surroundings now, and grabs everything he gets close enough to get his little hands on. Beyond just smiling, Our Baby Boy shared his first giggle with Rich and me on July 22nd - and it was the sweetest sound we've ever heard! Luke has also, as of July 24th, graduated from sleeping next to us in his cradle and has moved on to sleeping in his crib in his room. This step was harder on me than on Luke - I liked him right next to me, but Lukie has grown too big for his cradle so I must grow as his Mom and allow him to move to his crib. He's still not sleeping more than 3-4 hours at a time, but Rich and I are optomistic that will change soon...we hope! :)

Thank you for your patience as we find the time to get recent pictures on here - we want to share Luke's beautiful life with everyone who is interested - thank you for checking in!
Love, Us

Outings

Luke was born at the perfect time of year - Spring was in full effect by the time we were allowed to venture outside our home with him, and we took advantage of the beautiful weather by taking Luke out and about.

Rich and I take Luke and Kyle for walks around the neighborhood regularly - here is a family photo of us in front of our home after one of these walks...

We're not that good at positioning the camera when using the timer, as you can tell!

Much better when we take pics of each other...




We also took Luke over the Verrazano Bridge and into Brooklyn for the 1st time in his brand-new life! Jen, Mike & Jenna came out and walked 3rd Avenue with us, and of course we had to go to the Little Cupcake House for some treats before heading back to SI. Thankfully the Cupcake staff didn't mind us taking a million photos while we enjoyed our sweets...


Jenna, Jen, Rich and Luke


Luke looks so tiny while being held by Mike!


The Rivera ladies and Little Luke


Luke has also already been to the SI Mall!
He was so good while we shopped...


He even ate in the food court with us!



Luke is worn out after all of his adventures!

Spring holidays

Since Richie worked and I wasn't ready to take Luke out and about yet on my own, Luke, Kyle and I spent Luke's 1st Easter at home.
Since Luke couldn't object, I spent the afternoon dressing him up in his various Easter gifts and having a photo shoot! Good thing he slept through most of it..


Luke and his Easter basket from Mommy & Daddy, in the shape of an airplane, filled with Easter toys he received


Speaking of Easter toys...


Luke with one of his Easter bibs


Luke, awake and looking confused because he woke up to find himself with a bunny tail and ears - thanks Aunt Irene for the adorable outfit!


Uh oh - he's had enough - no more pics, please!

Thanks to everyone who called or sent cards wishing Luke a great 1st Easter!

Thank you also to everyone who thought of me on Mother's Day! Richie bought me a gorgeous TagHeuer watch with a mother-of-pearl face in a shade of blue/gray that reminds us of Luke's eyes, and we 3 spent the day together. Here's a family photo of that day.

Other special visitors - Dad's side

Luke met some of his paternal relatives and family friends at his Grandparent's home...

Aunt Rosie and Luke were buddies in no time


Cousin Jeanne and Luke


Juliet holds Luke for the first time



...and another while we were in Brooklyn!

Cousin Liz and son Matt in Bay Ridge with Rich and Luke

Other special visitors - Mom's side

Here are just a few of the special people in Luke's life, who got a chance to visit him...


Aunt Jen holding Luke, with the Build-A-Bear that Jenna made
especially for Baby Luke


Aunt Irene and Rina, who brought Luke a million gifts the weekend we came home


Aunt Mickie kept us company the first day Rich went back to work


Cousin Janine meets Lukester


Here's Nonna Rina, holding her Great-Grandson whle Aunt Rosette looks on


Aunt Sandra and Nani coo at Luke

Aunt Stefanie and Luke

Richie's sister Stefanie came here from Colorado in April to meet and hang out with her nephew Luke. We spent the days Stef was here both at home and out and about - Stefanie even followed in Elena and Joe's footsteps by daring to spend the night with a newborn! Here are just some of the photos from Stefanie's time here...



Stefanie came over the night she flew in to meet Mr. Lukester


Stef & Luke in the Regal Red Chair - which actually belongs to Stefanie!
(If you've been to our house, you know this chair)


Mommy and Luke at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, which we went to with Stefanie and Joan...


Visiting Daddy at the firehouse in Brooklyn that same day



The Sere Siblings and Little Sere

Us: March-April

Here are various photos of us from the 1st month of Luke's life...


Mom's 1st look at her Little Luke


Daddy's so proud of his tiny bundle of joy!

Luke with Mom and Dad on his 1-week birthday - March 21st:


Ooh, we love him!






Rich took this picture in sepia light - Luke looks just like the 4D sonogram we got at 20 weeks pregnant!



Luke is so small, his feet fall out of his newborn-sized onesies. Here Daddy kisses the escaped piggies!



Whoa - look at those eyes! We don't know what color they'll be, but they sure are intense!


Momma Mishie and Baby LRS


Lukester and Pops, chillin' in bed

Our Pisces Baby

Little Luke's astrological sign is Pisces, which is symbolized by 2 fishes swimming in opposite directions. We thought this would mean he would like the water, but it took a few tries, as you can see from these bathtime photos...


Mommy's hand strategically blocking Luke's peesch - although Luke is too upset at being in the bath to worry about anything else


All dried off but still pissed off


Mom and Dad making sure their Little Fish is OK after a bath


Warm and cozy in his giant bathrobe and booties


Lukie lives up to his Pisces sign - he likes the bath now!


Lukie gets a kiss from Daddy for being such a good boy

Thank you for caring!

The Main Man

Lukie got many visitors, cards and gifts welcoming him, both while we were in the hospital and after we came home. Rich and I took pictures of all of the flowers we received, and the UPS man became a daily visitor, delivering all of the thoughtful gifts sent by so many people to Luke. We want to say THANK YOU to EVERYONE who thought of us when Luke was born and came home, and to those who trekked out to the hospital to visit, or came to the house to see us. We are blown away by how many people took part in our happiness over Luke's birth and homecoming, and are truly grateful for all of the well wishes.
THANK YOU!


The flowers Rich brought me in the hospital


Lukie wonders - are all these gifts for me?


Holy Cow, I can't believe it!


Must be because I'm so cute!


Luke yells - THANKS AGAIN!