The backyard has begun!

We are one of the few in our area that has yet to finish the backyard and we have started to feel bad about our weed-infested space of dirt.  Our neighborhood is known for having very small yards and instead having communal green spaces for neighbors to congregate in (turns out, it really does work - we know all of our neighbors and people do hang out and talk!)  Yet being from MN/ND, having a larger yard has always appealed to us.  The stars collided when our lot opened up - it has one of the larger yards in the neighborhood, but is still definitely manageable.

I not so fondly remember countless hours of mowing our backyard on the riding mower on Riverdale Drive (I was concerned about my tan and my dad was concerned about the little patches of long grass I left at each corner....I thought if I did it poorly enough he would eventually fire me.  Being the youngest, there was no one else to take over the 3-hour chore so unfortunately I was never fired.)  Zach also had the "pleasure" of mowing lawns at his parent's rental houses and at the amusement park, SummerLand, where he worked during the summer.  Although it would be fun to inflict that same lawn mowing torture onto our children, large yards in Denver are few and far between (not to mention expensive!).

For several months, Zach has been designing our backyard.  He is busy on the computer doing 3D models - and I have silently wondered if this was ever going to become a reality or was just something to keep him busy at night.  I am very happy to announce - the backyard has begun!  The rest of our neighbors have hired landscapers, but not the Bisek's (we are true Midwesterners and will do it ourselves!)  After staking it all out, Zach and his friend dug 13 foundation holes with an auger.

The cement truck arrived on Wednesday and the holes were filled...

And, finally a picture of Lucas smiling in his swing...

 

One Month

Lucas is already a month old,  we can't believe it!   

One month photo shoot picture (cute bear courtesy of Graham and Jodes!)....

We had the BEST time with Auntie and Uncle Jeff when they visited us earlier this month.  We certainly learned a few parenting tricks from the experts and enjoyed sitting out on the front porch catching up.  Lucas was definitely spoiled with all of their cuddling and attention. 

Check out what Auntie made (out of a little burlap and paint) for Lucas's room! Watch out, Martha!

Lucas is excited to see them again in a few short weeks and is ready to meet the rest of our families/friends.  We will be back in MN/ND August 31st - September 17th.

This past weekend Lucas went "swimming" for the first time.  I put swimming in quotes because he didn't like getting more than his toes wet.  (I think he is more of a 'hot tub guy'.)  After "swimming", he laid on one of the lounge chairs all snuggled up in towels and loved listening to all the kids and water while mom and dad got in a little sun and relaxation time.  We will see if he is up for more swimming at the lakes.

The past month has certainly been a whirlwind, nevertheless an adventure we are sure happy to be on every day. Almost every night we go out for an early evening walk to calm Lucas down before bedtime. It has become a ritual that I look forward to and gives Zach and I a chance to talk about our days and reflect on how much life has changed. As parents, we are learning each day - sometimes we make mistakes and sometimes we get it just right.  The stress can really get to you and teamwork, we are learning, is crucial. In only a month, it definitely feels like all the emotions (highs and lows) have brought us closer together...

The Stats (2 1/2 Weeks)

We had an appointment with the pediatrician on Tuesday and here are the stats for our Lucas...

Height      57th percentile (still at 21 inches)
Weight     76th percentile (a whopping 9lb 10.6oz....and Zach thought he wasn't getting enough to eat!)
Head        86th percentile (the Krieg boys still have us beat!)

The pediatrician said he looked great and we are very grateful he is so healthy.

With the family gone and Zach at work, it is now just the two of us.  It is definitely a little strange to not go to work every day and I vowed to not check my work email (which I haven't....).  I made a list (a very short one) of a few things I would like to accomplish during maternity leave...

1.  Go on at least 2 walks a day
2.  Make curtains for the nursery
3.  Clean out and organize the mud room
4.  Baby announcements

We have been doing quite well on #1 but the rest are still yet to come.  We anxiously await Zach's arrival each day so he can fill us in on his daily news.  Otherwise we have been busy walking at the mall (it is too darn hot to take Lucas out during the day), chatting with neighbors and just simply getting to know each other...oh, and the Olympics are fun to watch too.  Tomorrow we start Baby and Momma Yoga classes.  He is sleeping in 3 hour stretches at night....last night he even slept a 4 hour stretch!  We are slowly getting used to all the crying and Lucas is slowly getting used to us figuring out what he needs or wants.

I think he looks like his dad....

Zach (10 days old)                                                        Lucas (10 days old)