Check out the pythons on this kid!

Luke just decided to take a nap on the changing table right after his diaper change. I hadn't even gotten his shirt on yet when he went to sleep. I don't know how you look this cool 30 seconds after pooping your pants. For me that's nearly impossible.

"The ladies love me."

Happy Birthday, Luke!

Luke is one week old...and that week felt like one long, blurry, exciting, exhausting, rewarding day to us. We are grateful for the visits from all the grandparents. Luke got to spend time with all four this last weekend!

Here are a few more photos:

Pictures from Paradise

Click the pictures to see the full sized version.

"This one goes out to all my homies..."

Looks like a smile...probably gas.













Insert food.













I like Luke.













Another gas face.













Luke the couch gnome.













Sweetness.













Daddy loves Luke.













Grandma loves Luke.













Even Grandma's dog, Muffin, loves Luke!

Discharged!

We finally got to go home! We left the hospital Thursday afternoon, and we are so glad to be home. At the hospital they bug you every 20 minutes for something.















Luke had to pass two tests before we could leave: one for jaundice, and the other was called the Car Seat Challenge. Luke's jaundice was not serious enough to keep him any extra days. We still need to take him in for another blood test today, though.















As for the Car Seat Challenge, Luke had to sit in our car seat for 90 minutes without his heart rate or oxygen supply going down (small babies sometimes lean forward in car seats and cut off their own airway). We thought it was a dumb test since we live five minutes from the hospital, but whatever. He passed it like a champ. Plus he had a competitor - another small baby took the test side by side with him. I wish I had gotten a picture of the two of them "racing".















Anyway, we are home now. The doctor says we have to be careful about too many visitors right now since Luke is such a small guy. Once he gets a little meat on his bones he'll be more resistant to germs...but grandparents are germ-free and can visit whenever they want. (Thanks for helping last night, Grandpa and Grandma Talmadge!)

Thanks to all of you who were praying on Monday. We were scared but God provided strength for us and for Luke. Please continue to pray for Luke's health and Gretchen's speedy recovery. Thanks in advance!















The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. (Psalm 28:7)

Welcome to the Planet!

Luke Nathan Hanson arrived at 6:46 PM on Monday, May 14, 2007!
4 lbs. 13 oz.
18.5 inches
Cuteness Score: 11 (out of 10)



Luke wasn't due to arrive until June 1, but at Gretchen's routine checkup Monday afternoon the doctor noticed that she hadn't increased in size much since her last visit. They decided to do an ultrasound which revealed that the amniotic fluid was almost gone and the placenta was looking "a little old." Luke had not grown much during the last week or two.

Our doctor decided that there wasn't any benefit to leaving him in, so the best option would be to bring him out early by inducing labor. Gretchen called me at work and I hit the road (I drove a little faster than I should have).

During one of her longer contractions, Luke's heart rate dropped down into the 90s (normally 120 - 140). The doctor said that if it happened again they would opt for the c-section. Luke did really well for the next hour or so of contractions, but then his heart rate dipped again. All of a sudden it was go time.

I cannot tell you how nervous I was waiting to go into the operating room for my wife's surgery/son's delivery. Gretchen said they only made me wait 10 minutes, but it seemed like much longer. I just prayed. "The Lord is my strength" has never been more true for me.

I got to sit right behind Gretchen's head. The pain medication they gave her worked fine on the outside, but once they got inside her she felt a lot of pain. They started to adjust her meds, but Luke's heart rate was dropping again so the doctor said "I'd like to get this baby out." Gretchen scrunched up her nose, gritted her teeth, and took one (of many) for the team. They pulled and tugged and before long, Luke was among us!

All 4 pounds, 13 ounces of him screamed LIFE at the top of his lungs. They held him up for a quick photo, then took him over to the testing area where he scored very high on all his tests (that's what happens when both your parents are teachers).

Pretty soon we had him snuggled up like a little burrito and safe in our arms. He seems to be doing well. All the tests they have given him thus far say he is a healthy baby. We will be at the hospital for a few days since he was so small.

Gretchen is also doing well. She is healing up nicely from the c-section, and hasn't had too much pain. She is still moving slowly but is only needing ibuprofen for the pain at this point. She is amazing. I'll post some more pictures in a bit. God is good and Luke is cute.

More pictures below...

__________________________________________________________________

Luke and his mom

Grandma Hanson

Grandpa and Grandma Talmadge


Grandpa Hanson