Changes

It is amazing how fast Harrison seems to be changing. We have started giving him bottles every couple of days and as I fed him this evening I was amazed at how he would push the bottle away when he was fussy and how he would grab a hold of it to soothe himself. I can understand why mom and baby create such a bond when they breast feed. As I sat there feeding him he just stared and gazed at me for the first few minutes, looking at me as if he knew that I was his daddy and that we were sharing a moment.

I hope that he always looks at me with such amazement and love.

What it all Means

This weekend I had a great opportunity to head up to Northern Wisconsin to my brother's cottage in Hayward. I originally wasn't going to be able to go up but some last minute arrangements allowed me to surprise my grandfather who had flown in from Vancouver Washington to spend a weekend fishing and boating with my brother and father.

It was a perfect man's weekend filled with steak, beer and even a few actual fish. It was an incredible time, three generations of Lucas men sharing old stories of visiting grandpa, hearing stories of when my grandfather was young, and stories about my dad and his brother as kids.

The whole weekend I kept thinking of my own son and how I couldn't wait to share events like this with him when he grows up. How I hoped that he would be able to share in such moments with his grandfather, uncle, and myself. The weekend made me appreciate what life is all about...the little moments with those that you love and love you. Family is what makes you and I can only hope that Liz and I will provide as wonderful a family that our parents and grandparents have provided for us.

So we go back to our daily struggles, but refreshed with the true meaning of family, and what it means to be part of a unit that no matter what happens, you know, will always love and care for you.

You can see some pictures from the weekend here

One Month

Harrison was officially one month old yesterday. Four weeks feels like four days, yet it is truly amazing at how fast he has grown and how many changes we have already noticed. Every day truly is a blessing and a learning experience. Below are some of the things that I have learned through these first four weeks - enjoy!

• Whoever said "sleep is overrated" never had a newborn
• Little boys really do "spray" and the little pee blockers don't work!
• Dressing a baby is like trying to dress a snake
• 40 diapers in a week, seriously!
• Baby monitors are a blessing and a curse
  
• There are no such things as "plans"
• Mothers are saints - especially breastfeeding moms.
• Seeing your little boy when you come home from a busy day puts all your day's worries into perspective
• A baby sleeping on your chest on a Sunday afternoon is as good as it gets
  
• Hearing your child cry and not being able to do anything can break your heart
• Looking into his eyes and seeing an All-American or First Round Draft Pick is inevitable, remembering he has your athletic genes is reality
• As cliche as it is, fatherhood is truly the greatest and scariest experience all rolled into one...and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Technical Difficulties

I have been having some issues lately with our home computer. We are having trouble getting online and posting pictures, etc. I will hopefully have it figured out shortly (yes, I have re-booted and turned off my router :)). I have a few posts I want to write and some updates but need to get the issue resolved first.

Meanwhile, there are few more pictures up on flickr.