I'm Two!!

Hello again from the big 2-year-old. I am proud to announce that I have successfully made it another year. Each birthday is a blessing and I have not been sick except for a couple runny noses this year. I guess we are doing something right. When Mommy and Daddy see that I may have some sinus congestion or runny nose they just up my treatments to three times a day and I usually make it without "the bug" making it to my lungs!
As for my birthday, Mommy and I spent the day eating all of my favorite foods and going about our normal routine. Daddy had to work because he took some time off to be with Mommy and me the week before. Here I am enjoying my first yummy food of the day, CINNAMON ROLLS!!For lunch, Mommy and I stopped by and picked up some McDonalds. I had a cheeseburger and fries!!After a well deserved nap, Daddy got home and we proceeded to CHUCK E CHEESE!! Here I am taking a little ride with my pal Chuck. We had a marvelous time.I took a ride with these funny looking Teletubbies. At least that's what my Mom said they were. I have no clue, I only watch Spongebob.I took a little ride down the slide and then Dad made me go jet skiing. It was very bumpy and I could not finish the ride.Ahhh, my favorite game of the night was skee ball. My parents love it too and we ended up playing this game several times.Dad and I took a ride in a semi cross country, a little boring if you ask me. And of course, we could not leave without a ride with Barney. P.S. My Mom despises him.Then my Mom found a very cool game. SPONGEBOB!!! I won tons of tickets playing this game because it only requires you hitting one button and whatever number you land on is the number of tickets you win.Then to my other favorite part, the pizza. I think I ate two or three pieces. I was very hungry.Before we left we got a visit from Mr. Chuck e Cheese himself. He sang a little song for me and then it was off to pick my prize and go home for presents and brownies. Daddy picked a very cool nerf ball for me and cotton candy for Mommy.At home I got to open my presents and play with everything for a while. Mommy and Daddy put together my play kitchen. Here it is when they finally finished putting it together. I also enjoyed my answering machine. Mommy and Daddy leave me messages and then I play them all day long. Thanks Jason and Jess for the great idea.Mommy made fudge brownies for me as I do not enjoy cake and ice cream.The next day I got to play with my new Aquadoodle. Mommy loves the fact I can carry around the "marker" and only get water on things.School is still going well and I have learned the sign for please. Now we are trying to put more than one sign together. I also have a new infatuation with the commercials for the Chia Pet and the Clapper. Don't ask, I have no idea. We will be traveling to Iowa for Christmas and will hopefully have good weather for the big trip. And now an update from Mommy.
Thanks Luke. I have finally regained my full strength and have made it back to work. We got a call from my doctor saying the baby was normal, meaning no genetic defects. They have no reason as to why the baby's heartbeat stopped. We were also told it was a boy. I was sad because I really wanted Luke to have a brother, but who knows, maybe someday he will. I hope this update finds you in good health and happiness. Jake and I are ready to leave 2008 behind. We are really striving to move back to Iowa and leave everything behind. We are literally wanting to sell most of our belongings and start over in Iowa. We feel a fresh start is what we need. Next time we write will probably be in the new year. Hooray for 2009!!

Take care,

Jake, Amber and Luke William

A Note From Mommy

To all of Luke's faithful readers. We received some very tough news last Tuesday. At Mommy's routine OB visit we found out the baby no longer had a heart beat. We were very shocked and heart broken. Dr. Miller estimated we lost the baby around 10 weeks.
On Thursday I went to the hospital for a dilation and curettage. I had general anesthesia and was in recovery for a few hours. I lost 3 pints of blood so they were not sure I would be able to go home. Fortunately I was able to stand by myself without getting dizzy. I have felt very sluggish for the last 5 days but my strength is slowly coming back along with my blood supply.
I do not know what the future holds for us but Jake and I have a lot of decisions to make. We have tried so hard to do the right thing and give our future children the best shot at life without CF. We have decided not to do any further invitro procedures as this has become very costly and let's just face it, not fun for me. I guess God is telling us we were not destined to have a child this way.
I will see Dr. Miller on the 19th for a check-up. Hopefully she will be able to tell us what happened. They did send a tissue sample from the placenta for analysis. An autopsy was not possible because the baby was too small. We will keep everyone posted.
On a happier note, Luke turns 2 tomorrow! We are looking forward to a day of fun and fattening food. I am leaving you with a picture of Luke to brighten this letter up.

Amber and family

Happy Turkey Day

Hello everyone. Thanksgiving means a trip to Iowa for our family. It was a long drive, but we arrived safely Wednesday night. I was a bit tired when we got there and may have been a little crabby, sorry about that grandma & grandpa. The next day we had lunch with Grandpa Bob and Grandma Kris and then had dinner with Grandpa Bill and Grandma Ann. Uncle Jason was home for the weekend from Cedar Rapids and Uncle Josh & Aunt Maria flew in from Philadelphia. It was a long day and we stuffed ourselves full of food and family.

On Friday we took a trip to Cedar Rapids to see Jason, Jessica, and their new baby Kenley. She is so small and cute. Here are a few pics from our visit.

Later that night we went to visit grandpa Larson out at Eden Valley. We had dinner and Daddy and I hung out by the campfire for a little bit.

Saturday was Daddy's B-day so he celebrated by cutting firewood with grandpa while mommy and I went to visit my great-grandma Dorothy.

The rest of the time we just split our time hanging out at the two grandparent households in Maquoketa. Here's a pic of me sitting on grandma's lap and looking at myself on the computer. Grandma's screen saver plays pictures of me and I could stare at it forever. I think I may be a tad bit narcissistic. Wow, say narcissistic 5 times fast!!

Mom and Dad also bought blocks for me while we were in Iowa. Uncle Josh helped me build big stacks and then knock them over.

Lastly I wanted to update everyone on my schooling. I am not talking just yet, but I am using sign language for "more", "eat", and "all done". Yesterday was also a big day because I learned how to wave goodbye at school. The teacher was putting a toy away and she waved bye to it so I just copied her and everyone started clapping and smiling so I'll have to keep waving at everyone I can. Take care everyone.

Luke