Two Months!

We had Lucas's two month doctor appointment and here are his latest stats:

Height:  24 inches (86th percentile)
Weight:  14 lbs (78th percentile)
Head: 16 inches (92 percentile)

He is a BIG boy and is near the top of the charts in almost every category!  (We met a 4-month-old this weekend that was the same height and weight as Lucas!)  We are so grateful that he is healthy.  He screamed at the top of his lungs during the shots, but recovered quickly.

Getting his height checked....

His two month photo shoot pictures...

 

He is smiling and cooing more and more everyday which is so much fun!

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)

Lucas Gregory Bisek

Our little Lucas joined the Bisek family on Friday, July 13th at 1:35am.  He is a pretty big boy at 8lbs 3oz and 21 inches.  He arrived right on his due date, which didn't surprise his Type A, timely parents.  My water broke on Wednesday night and we headed to the hospital with our packed bag.  After lots and lots of waiting, they induced labor to get things moving.  All in all, the labor was a great experience (how quickly you forget the pain....) and the nursing staff was incredible. 

Our first family photo....

We have been very lucky to have lots of visitors thus far.  Ya-ya (my mom) came and stayed with us for a week.  Everytime we turned around she was washing another piece of clothing, making a bed or filling our freezer...we miss her very much!  It wouldn't have been a visit from her without a happy hour...and yes, Lucas was along for the happy hour too!

Hanging out on our front porch...

Our first walk to Starbuck's...

 

The day my mom left we were lucky enough to have Grandpa and Grandma Bisek arrive!  Jim and Ginny love projects so they set about staking trees, making big pots of soup and watching Lucas so I could head to Target.  It is sure going to be strange when it is just Lucas and me.

 

 

 

Lucas has been sleeping for three hour stretches at night so we are not feeling terribly sleep deprived.  He is a very content baby and loves to go for walks which have to be worked around the 95+ degree heat.  We are loving parenthood and enjoying all of Lucas's little facial expressions and noises.  We are looking forward to our next visitors who arrive in 2 weeks - Auntie Sarah and Uncle Jeff!

Getting Impatient (39 Weeks)

You know you are starting to really get big when strangers start asking you how many "days" you have left until you are due or when everyone in the women's restroom line insists that you go next or when co-workers are disappointed when they see you arrive to work each day and exclaim, "No baby, yet?!".
 

It feels like a constant countdown but we are trying to enjoy the last few moments before Baby Bisek arrives.  This past week, we found ourselves not making plans or doing much of anything in case the baby would decide to come....and then we found ourselves very bored of looking at each other and talking about when the baby might come.  So, this weekend was full of activities - 2 farmer's markets, swimming, a trip to Boulder, an exhibit at the Denver Art Museum, one last visit to our favorite oyster bar (I had to just watch Zach eat the fresh oysters!) and Zach even got in a 14'er, Mt. Bierstadt.

The nesting instinct again has been kicking in.  Since I don't like to clean and the house is pretty well organized with the recent move, the freezer is now jam packed.  I knew I wanted to make some frozen meals so who else do I call but the family Martha Stewart, a.k.a. my sister, Sarah.  Of course, she had recipes, websites, tips and tricks for all things related to freezing meals.  I told her I was going to make all the recipes she sent me in one day....she laughed and told me to pace myself.  It took me three days.

Chicken Cordon Bleu

    

Banana Bread

French Market Sandwiches

 

Mozzarella Basil Stuffed Chicken

 

Mexican Lasagna

Southwest Grilled Pork with Vegetables

A very full freezer!

People at work have really gone crazy throwing baby showers for me.  Today was the third shower I had at work - I guess that is the benefit of working with so many different departments throughout the hospital.  The cake says it all....



A Typical Bisek Weekend (37 1/2 Weeks)

I just love our weekend routine.  Saturday mornings start off with coffee on our bedroom deck, followed by a delicious made-to-order breakfast by Zach.  Then we get on our bikes and head to the rec center for our Saturday morning swim.  Really I just walk in the lazy river and Zach actually swims laps.  Being in the water has been absolute bliss for me during my pregnancy and I have even attended a few water aerobics classes (I am still too scared for water zumba class).  Saturdays usually consist of errands, a nap and a trip to the frozen yogurt shop. 
Our neighborhood has an area 2 1/2 blocks from our house called "The Green".  There are lots of different activities happening there including Saturday evening outdoor movies, concerts and the Sunday morning farmer's market.  The last two Saturday evenings we have attended movies and concerts on The Green and every Sunday morning we go to the farmer's market.  Have I mentioned how much I LOVE our new neighborhood?!

We can actually see the farmer's market tents right from our house!

Sunday evenings we love to go to Jazz in the Park at City Park.  We bring our picnic, sit and enjoy the music and watch all the kids running around.

Our weekend routine may change a bit after the baby arrives....but I am hopeful once things settle down we can get back to our routine with the baby in hand!

37 1/2 weeks (yes, I am counting every day now....)

The Tree Farm and Circus Fun (36 Weeks)

The Tree Farm has always been this far off place we have heard about through its catchy commercials on TV.  On Saturday, we actually got to experience it.  Why not go and purchase trees on the hottest day of the summer?  Zach's boss lent us his truck and off we went.  It didn't have a/c or automatic transmission - did I mention it was 95 degrees and Zach is more confident in my stick shift abilities than his own?!  So, I drove the truck 45 miles to Longmont, CO and arrived with a completely soaked shirt and a bad attitude. 

Once we arrived however, it was pure bliss.  They actually drove us around the 40 acre property in a golf cart as we sipped ice cold water.  We left with 6 trees crammed in the bed of our little truck...Zach was a little shocked when I insisted on hitting up the drive through for ice cream before I got back on the interstate.  However, he has learned not to get in between his 8-month pregnant wife and food....and look at the beautiful trees we have!

On Sunday, I hosted book club.  We read the book, The Night Circus and our food theme revolved around circus food - carmel corn, carmel apples, corn dogs, peanuts, animal crackers, ice cream cones, corn on the cob, root beer floats, chocolate covered bananas....we went a little crazy with the food theme!

After the food, the ladies threw me an impromptu baby shower....I love my book club!

Baby Bisek is going to be a reader with all these wonderful books...

36 Weeks!