LOVE HIM!

Beau and one of his buddies-

Bath time!!!

Awwwe! Beau-cephus!

Isn't this little guy somethin!? He is so fun! Beau can roll over and is starting to eat a little cereal (and butterburr's cinnamon twists, and potatoes, and tasting everything :) ). We had our first outside day yesterday- YAY FOR SUNSHINE!!! We went for a run in the morning and then the big boy helped me plant a few trees and water the yard. He LOVED it! Of course, he had the cutest little hat on- I will have to get a pic with him wearing it. We LOVE this little boy! He can brighten my day with one little toothless grin (or those billybob teeth- haha).

So, when I have time again (hahahahaha) I will post some super cute pictures of our little family. Life seems to be a never ending, fully enjoyable, fast paced ride. I have gone back to work 32 hours/week with Health West and I am still teaching dance at Cope's on Wednesday nights. Luckily, I have the best babysitters in American Falls for Beau, so it makes going back to work much easier. Beau goes to Pammie's about 3.5 days each week and he gets to hang out with Grandma Teenie on dance night (I don't know who likes this day more, my mom or Beau:)). Fortunately, everything is working out nicely.

There hasn't been one day in the past few months where we have had nothing to do! Some of the highlights are the Jason Aldean/Luke Bryan concert (FABULOUS- I would have to say that Luke Bryan SMASHED Jason Aldean when it comes to performing, but JA is still a stud), Dance competitions in IF and Pocatello (my girls are so much fun- they did especially well at the POC competition! We received 2 overall high point awards- YAY!), PC Junior Miss (Andrea and I were Brittney Duffin's hostess moms- it was SO much fun! She's a great girl), I judged Buhl's Junior Miss (something I have always wanted to do), and Beau and Seth had their first night out on the town at the rodeo (minus mom).

A little more on our fun little guy: Beau is now topping the scales at about 16 lbs, he's about 26" tall. He's over the 100th percentile for height and right around the 95th percentile for weight. He's giggling and chatting daily, finding his feet, tongue, and other body parts little boys somehow seem to find:). He's watching us eat our food- fork to mouth- and it's amazing how he is learning new things every day. Beau loves watching the fan! He is starting to be a little Michelin Man- we just can't get enough of him!

THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY!

Sleepy smiles. Beau had just finished eating and was on the verge of a good nap when he busted out this cute, toothless grin!


hugs! This new "mom" stage is the best ever! I had to go back to work last week...it was the hardest thing I think I have ever had to do. Fortunately, Grandma Teenie has helped me and Seth out this month with watching Beau. Thanks Mom! Miss Pamela is going to be his babysitter come March.

cuddle time:) Seth sure does love spending time with his little boy! He is so cute with him, especially when he helps get Beau ready in the morning! That is when we get the best smiles and chats.

eternal families. Beau's blessing was on the 7th of February. All of the family was out to support him on this special day. Seth was so nervous- but he did awesome!

Beau is now 2 months old and developing such a cute personality!!! He is a little chatter box- like his mom;). He had to get his shots yesterday- he was so strong! He cried just a little, and was in a pretty good mood for the rest of the evening. He weighs in at 13.8 lbs, 25" long and is getting stronger and smarter every day! He lands in the 95 percentile for weight and is off the charts for his height (surprise surprise!).

Seth and I are LOVING our little boy- he is so fun! It is crazy how fast they grow and even more crazy how fast time flies. We are so fortunate to have such a fun little family!

The greatest gift in life

I honestly think that the greatest gift in life is the opportunity to be a mom. There is nothing more amazing to me than being able to be home with my husband (who is an awesome dad) and our perfect little Beau. He is such a great baby, we are so fortunate. Beau has changed our lives forever and we are so thankful for him! Here are a few of the best changes:
1. Having a little person who is completely dependent on your love and who is willing to return that love unconditionally, even though he can't vocalize what he wants yet.
2. Sharing a whole new experience with the love of my life (Seth), and being completely on the same team at all times.
3. Looking into the bright eyes of my baby boy at 3 a.m. while giving him a midnight snack, and crossing my fingers that he will go back to sleep after he is finished eating!
4. BATH time is so much more entertaining! Beau LOVES taking baths.
5. Time has become such a precious commodity- time to spend with Seth and Beau, time to get a few chores done, time for sleep (HA...does that exist anymore?!), time left before I have to go back to work. It all goes by so fast, yet it is so much more fulfilling now.
There are so many new things to notice as Beau continues to grow and develop. I can't believe 6 weeks have already come and gone!


Finally!!! Grandma and Grandpa Lusk came for a visit and got to love on Beau. He is so excited to come hang out with you this weekend, Grandma C!

I am so glad we were able to take this picture- Grandma Bette is one of the most amazing ladies I know! I love her!

Official initiation into motherhood- getting peed on while changing a diaper, in the back seat of my car, in the parking lot at the hospital, with more errands to go. Dang, I love this kid:)

I LOVE little bummies!

This is my favorite outfit of his! It has little cleat feet:) He is sportin his Charlie Sheen "WILD THING" hair with his Major League get up. It will be so fun when we can get a ball in this kid's hands!

2 little buddies

Ali & Beau...he's so handsome, long and totally boy! She's got some cute cheeks and is dainty like a girl!


2 proud daddies!!! Seth- I love you! You are a great daddy!


I'm a mommy!!! :)

Some soon to be spoiled grand babies with Grandpa Rawhide and Grandma Teenie!

Our studly little man, Beau.


LOVE HIM!!!

Grandpa Steve- get feeling better so we can get a pic of you and Grandma CaroLynne!!!

Beau-dacious little man!

Our last 2 weeks have been a blur! Seth and I are so excited and happy to bring home our little Christmas Beau! He is a happy and healthy little guy and we love him so much! It's amazing how your life can totally and completely change in the blink of an eye when you bring that little one home! Seth made me laugh- on our first family car ride home (Christmas afternoon) Seth said his fingers hurt...from using his blinker so much! haha- the parental precautions have kicked in! Beau is a good little boy and STRONG too. He sleeps pretty well, eats really well:) (he gained 8 oz. in 2 days:) ), and is bright eyed and bushy tailed for the majority of the day. Every cute little sigh he makes puts me on edge for fear that his breathing will hesitate again, but I think I'm just paranoid. Here is an updated mug shot of Beau:

This is my favorite face Beau makes- it's the "I'm just waking up and I need to stretch every muscle in my body" face.

So, here is how the whole production went down (in a nutshell):
Seth and I went in for the BIG induction (to which I was opposed) on Dec. 20 at 7:00 p.m. I was barely dilated- barely at a 1. So we began Cytotec to hopefully speed up the process- one pill every 4 hours. So after 12 hours of minor non-labor contractions almost every minute and a little low back pain, I had only dilated to a 2...UGH!!! So we began the pitocin drip. Typically, pit works pretty well to kick start induction and is increased by 2 mL per 15-30 minutes. Usually, it's time to push after 10-12 units (max is 24)...by 3 p.m., I was at 18 units and still only dilated to a 2... Basically, the induction didn't work. So Yoli, my super cute cuban doctor gave me a 3 hour break- finally! I was able to eat some real food!- while she debated c-sect, cytotec, or pit...Seth and I did stairs at the hospital, and tried our best to pass the time and at 6, she decided to give me one more chance with the cytotec. Miraculously, it worked! 4 hours later, I was at a 4, so they started pitocin again. At 1, she broke my water and the real contractions began. At 330 a.m., I was hooked up with the epidural (a GIFT), and at 7 a.m., it was time to push.

After 1 1/2 hours of pushing, 2 vacuums, and 3 doctors, Beau made his way into our hearts forever! Seth was the best coach and partner. I LOVE my husband and I am so lucky to be with him! He seriously kicked some butt and he is the cutest dad ever. It is so amazing how your heart can change so fast. We love our little boy! (and he loves his grandmas!):

For Beau's side of the story- poor little guy- after his rough trip into the real world, I was trying to feed him and he wouldn't suck, so I held him for a minute. He made the cutest little sigh, then he did it 4 or 5 more times. So I checked to see if he was breathing, and it was really shallow- so I did the hand off to Sethro and when I did, his blanket fell open and his legs were blue, legs and arms limp. Fortunately, our nurse walked in at that moment, swooped him up and took him to the NICU where he was given oxygen and hooked up to several monitors:

They tested him for infections, meningitis, and blood on the brain. He had 6 blood tests, 1 spinal tap, antibiotics, and an IV in the right and left hand and his little noggin' before he left the NICU. After he conquored breathing, he had to learn how to suckle so he could eat on his own. Then Beau had to pass a car seat test before they would clear him to come home on Christmas day. He passed! So Seth and I were able to take the best present ever home with us that evening.

To make this saga even more exciting- Beau developed jaundice! So he had to be under the bili lights for almost 3 days. It was so hard for both Seth and I to not be able to hold our little guy for almost one entire week! I'm sure it wasn't enjoyable for him either.

Both Seth and I are so thankful for the outcome of this pregnancy. We have a studly, strong little man who we love. Portneuf was amazing. Family and friends...THANKS FOR EVERYTHING!!! We appreciate all the prayers, support, and love sent our way!

One last exciting note: Seth and I are Uncle Seth and Auntie Hai again!!! Casey and Andrea had their little baby girl 5 days after Beau. Her name is Ali Noel Clinger and she is a cute little thing!

We just can't get enough of this little guy!

Beau Abram Lusk

Beau finally made his entry- and rough it was!!! Story and pictures yet to come...:) Thanks for all of your prayers and thoughts- both Beau and I are doing well and Seth is the best dad in the world! We finally made it home after 37 long hours of labor and almost 4 days in the NICU. Seth and I are so thankful and happy that our little boy is home with us, safe and healthy, and Portneuf ROCKED with their delivery of care. He was born 12-22-09, 7.11 lbs, 21.5". We were able to bring him home on Christmas day. Honestly, no one could ever give us a better Christmas present-EVER!!!!! LOVES!

Seth & Hai