Luke William Payne

Choosing the perfect name for our children had never been a challenge until Luke came along. 
I know that Rachel Lynn was meant to be Rachel Lynn and Maggie Ila was meant to be Maggie Ila. With both, the spirit confirmed to me so strongly that those were their names. No question about it, no changing it. 
Luke was different. I agonized over choosing his name. No confirmations, no peace on the matter. Even days after we brought him home I would ask Tyler, "Are you sure Luke is right?" 
Tyler replied, "Yes, he is our Luke. Luke is just right."
Tyler was right- Luke is perfect.
The name has settled on me more and more as the days go by and as little Luke's personality starts to surface. I love this little boy so much! He is such a sweetheart. He gives me big smiles all day long (after a full tummy of course!). I already can't imagine this crazy life without him. 

We have an amazingly talented photographer in the ward--- who happens to live only two doors down from us! I asked her if she'd be willing to coach me through a newborn session. Honestly the last thing I wanted to do 8 days after a C-Section is a photo shoot, and I am so glad that I asked for help or it probably wouldn't have happened. They turned out soooo great! My friend shot some and I shot some… it took 3 hours to get these between the pee, poop, spit-up,fussiness, and wiggliness! We were both sweating by the end of this photo shoot! 

Here are the shots she got--- LOVE THEM!
This one makes me want to buy a new lens…. like bad. I think it's my favorite of them all.

So why Luke you may ask? 
 Because there's nothing like a good, strong, MANLY name. 
I love that it's common, yet not so common. I love that its a good cowboy name. I love that it's from the Bible. It is just right for this little man. 
Definitely the cutest little man I've ever seen!

Why William for his middle name?
Some of you may not know that Tyler's first name is actually William. 
As is his father and his grandfather. We feel honored to have the pass down name of such amazing men and didn't want to let it stop at Tyler. 
So William it was! 

I am in love with this close-up. 8 days old and already has them chubby cheeks! And I love to look at his little fist in this one. 

Those first few weeks I was just baffled every time I looked at him… A boy? Really, I have a son?
YES, YES I DO!

Absolutely no mistaking him for a girl… I love his masculine features. 

And here our the ones I took…
hehehe… love that football beanie...

Doesn't this one just make you swoon? 

I love how this one focuses your attention to his nose and brow… I already think he looks like his Daddy. 

And this one would be my favorite of all the ones I took… mighty proud of this one!
Everything from his toes to his little face… perfect.

This one is a close second… fun angle!

Can't forget a little toesies picture! 
Nothing like baby feet. 
nothing nothing nothing!

LUKE WILLIAM PAYNE
Yes, it's just right. ;)

Happy Halloween 2013!

We kept it super simple this year and wore our dress up clothes for Halloween. 
The cure my Mom guilt I bought the girls some princess shoes and tiara's to complete their ensemble. 
They didn't complain! Not to mention they were ESTATIC to get to wear "Mommy's makeup!" haha.
Rapunzel and Cinderella… 

Daily I tell Rachel how beautiful she is… it goes something like this…
Mom: "Rachel, you are soooooo beautiful!!!"
Rachel: "I know Mom."
It makes me so happy that she know's how beautiful she is. I hope this never changes. 

Miss Maggie… 

Just beautiful! She has the Cinderella look down.

My favorite!

Whoever thinks brown eyes aren't stunning need to look at this picture… Sometimes it's hard to capture the sparkle of brown eyes but once you do they are breathtaking. 

Luke was asleep in the baby carrier during all the festivities but I got a few instagram pictures the day after… 4.5 weeks old!


Hey there little boy! Next year you'll be all into the Halloween business, but for now… let's cuddle. ;)

Luke William Payne

Our little man is finally here!!!

Much like the night before I went in to have Maggie; I couldn't sleep a wink. Not to mention I was the most uncomfortable I have been the entire pregnancy in those last few hours. I'm sure that those little babies know they're about to be here and they are as anxious and jittery as you are. Two anxious jittery bodies in one makes for a long night.
I got up at 4am to shower and make the final preparations.
And then we headed to the hospital!
This is right before they wheeled me into the operating room… 
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A BOY!

I'm going to take a minute here and speak a little about my C-Section experiences.  Having Rachel was an extremely painful experience for me- emotionally and physically. I agonized for years after having to have an emergency C-Section with her, mostly because I feel so strongly that it could have been avoided. Sometimes I feel as if something so sacred- natural childbirth- as been denied me. Every time I become pregnant this sorrow comes back and I fight feelings of trying to go for a natural birth regardless of the risks. However, every time I pray I know that this isn't the answer for our situation.
I am a very strong and independent person. I like to get things done myself.
But this is something that I've have to lean completely on the Lord and my husband to overcome.
With all this being said, I move forward and think of all the positive and beautiful moments I've had with my C-Sections. Each time it gets easier- mostly because I know how to prepare myself and because I research and find the best doctors. I am so grateful for my opportunity to be a Mother and a healthy body that allows me to have children. I still am in awe in all that the human body is capable of, and how quickly people can heal. It's just remarkable.
 The fun part about C-Sections is knowing when the magic is going to happen. I love the knowing. As we drive to the hospital and the moment draws closer and closer, there's a spirit in the air that can't be denied.
This time was the best of all because this time Tyler got to be here with me. For Rachel, I was put under and neither of us experienced her first moments. For Maggie, Tyler was at Ranger School. And this time for our Luke, we both got to do it together.
There was a peace that came over me as soon as Tyler entered the operating room and they began the procedure. My amazing doctor had the biggest smile and my husband was squeezing my hand.
Doesn't get much better than that!
And then, before we knew it… Luke arrived!
A whopping 7lbs 14 oz! 20 inches long!

It felt like an eternity before they handed him to me, although it was only a few minutes.
For me, this is the strongest craving, biggest urge, and most earnest desire I've ever felt----
GIVE ME MY BABY!

First kiss…

After my first kiss the whisked him away to check his lungs… he wasn't crying as loud as they would have liked due to the amniotic fluid in his lungs.
Tyler got to go back with him while I was still getting stitched up.
He took lots of cute pictures… only MINUTES OLD!!!

They kept trying to make him cry but he wasn't having it…
"What do ya'll people want? I'm chilling out here!" hehe

I was going crazy in recovery waiting for them to come back.
Luke will you please cry for the doctors?
Then came all my demanding texts to Tyler---
I WANT TO HOLD MY BABY! Give me my baby! What in the world is taking so long? Is he okay??? Punch a nurse and bring him to me now! (okay, not that one but I thought about it… haha)
Isn't he the cutest baby ever???!!!

Awwwww, finally.
Hey there little man, I've waiting a long time to hold you in my arms.

Momma and baby…

We did it!… Again!

Having a few peaceful moments with Daddy before the girls arrive...

We could hear the girls coming from all the way down the hall. It was like a stampede! 
Of course Rachel was more than ready to finally hold her baby brother.

She's been asking every night before bedtime for months now… 
"And when is Luke coming again, Mom?"
Look at her face… love at first sight.

Kisses for Luke...

Maggie's turn to hold him! 
She thought he was pretty cool too...

She loves the baby… but gets tired of him real quick. Unlike Rachel who is willing to pass on dinner to keep holding the baby.

Counting fingers and toes… Yep, they're all there!

Nana and Pop with their first grandson...

Grandma Payne getting her first dose of little Luke… with Rachel nearby of course...

The next couple days in the hospital were wonderful with Tyler there. 
He was so helpful and supportive. Made me feel like a champ when I stood up for the first time, encouraged me as I took my first unbearably slow walk around the nursing station, and held me up as I cried in the shower. Oh and don't forget assured me I was as beautiful as ever and that I'd be feeling better in no time. 
Husband of the year???… ahhh, YEAH!

I always forget just how tiny those little feet are.
Pure perfection.

Welcome to the Payne Family little Luke!
We love you more than you'll ever know.