Tuesday, June 17, 2008

A Rainy Day




Well, we had a great first night with Luke. Luke went to bed around 9:00p.m. without a fuss. The rest of the family, except for me, turned in shortly thereafter. I stayed up till the wee hours tinkering with spreadsheets--which for me is a sick kind of therapy. Luke woke up once during the night, cried briefly until I was able to get him situated again with warmer covers, and then slept until 7:00a.m. So, again, a great first night. When he awoke, he was pretty reserved. I think he was just trying to get himself oriented to his new surroundings and new faces. He was pretty snuggly for most of the morning, especially when he had one of his two bottles for the day. The Nicholsons went down for breakfast while the Mortons slept in for a bit. Luke ate lots of food, probably because he did not eat much the first day with us. So, we were glad he had an appetite and shocked to see one of our kids eat vegetables and fruit with glee. We had no formal plans today. Because the weather was rainy and dreary, we just decided to stick close to the hotel and keep things simple. Our one excursion was a trip to the local department store. That is right, it was time to introduce him to our family tradition--SHOPPING! He handled the experience pretty well but never once said "I want this or will you buy me that?" So, unless he was saying it in Mandarin, he has a lot to learn about shopping as a Nicholson. There was lots of neat Olympic items, but we decided to wait awhile before purchasing. Cole did get a new jacket--think urban Chinese chic. That purchase was an experience because we were personally ushered through three different counters and six different staff, to an old mechanical "slide" credit card machine. So, in the end, the jacket will either be free because the purchase will never get recorded or it will cost about $600 USD because it got processed about 20 times. After shopping, we fed Luke lunch and put him down for an almost 3 hour nap. During that time, we all exercised and I watched Tiger win the US Open playoff. Again, because it was rainy out, we spent the afternoon playing cards and playing with Luke once he awoke from his nap. We did get to see more of his personality this afternoon. He can make his feelings known pretty clearly--when he is happy he is all smiles and laughter. Like most of us, he can turn-on-a-dime, cut his eyes, and let you know he is not happy. The best/worst moment of the day was when Melissa took his bottle to fill it with juice. He was deeply wounded by what was meant to be a kind act and promptly closed his eyes, opened up his lungs, and cried for about 10 minutes. So, quite a nice tantrum that was our best reminder of what it is like to have a toddler again. In all seriousness, it was a nice bonding moment for Luke and Melissa.


I do have to say that one of the great blessings and joys in the experience has been how well Cole, Shelby, and Piper are doing with Luke. They really do like Luke and are just doing wonderfully in their interactions with him. They play with him and work with him and hug him and talk to him and just love him more ways than I thought they would. There have even been fights over who would hold him, who would stroll him, who would carry his bag. If it lasts until we get home, I count myself a lucky man to have ever seen it at all. I will remind them of these moments when he is in their rooms destroying something, spilling something, interrupting something, etc.


And lastly, I can tell you we were able to finally get access to your comments from the last two days. For those interested, I will only discuss the problem one-on-one and with no cameras rolling. If you want to know what I know now and how I know it, then simply whisper "nitecruzr" the next time you see me. Otherwise, thank you all for your prayers and love and humor.


Dave


20 comments:

Anonymous said...

I get chills every time I read up on you guys! I am SO excited for you- Luke is absolutely adorable! So glad to hear how well things are going. I can't imagine being at your point some day! Amazing...
Abby

Jason, Kate and Tait Miller said...

Sounds like he is a typical toddler boy! That's awesome! He sounds like he is adjusting well! Are mom and dad? Dave- I know you totaled up all that you paid me over the years - you wanna add to that? I'd be glad to watch that sweet little guy! Enjoy the day- hope it's not too rainy!

Anonymous said...

Finally, we get to see his beautiful smile!! How precious he is!! Shopping is a great family tradition to introduce him to early on...gotta love it!! Love to all - Auntie Em

Unknown said...

We love that smile!!!!
The Forest City Nicholson's

Holli said...

He is just BEAUTIFUL!!! So happy he could get such a great family as yours!
Lets just say the swipe and sign cards are foreign to most everywhere and we have been the suckers of being over charged!:)
Praying for you all!

Trisha said...

nicholson 7, still loving the details. what a precious little man. we knew you would figure out the computer, dave, you ARE a technological guru!!!! we need more pic's. keep 'em coming. daisy is getting a little antsy to meet the stud muffin!!!!!!! LOVE

hatmann said...

how exciting!! he's just adorable and fits right in! i love reading your updates! the dickmann's are excitedly awaiting his arrival and are so eager to hear how the transition continues - so far it sounds amazing! we continue to pray for good night's sleep for everyone and great peaceful days! can't wait to see you all! love marc, amy, zac, max & soon zenna

Anonymous said...

Little Luke looks like he has a lot of personality!!(Just like his mommy and daddy-ha) It is so amazing that he already looks so much happier in today's pics! Enjoy every minute!! Love to you all!!

Matt and Katie said...

Good Morning Luke. This is your cousin Katie, and I can't wait to get my hands on you. I love all the pics YOUR family is taking of you. It looks like you are having fun. You be good and I will see you so very soon (but not soon enough), so we can have fun together! I love you!!!!

Missy are you just loving every minute. I loved the part of you and Luke with the bottle. It is so touching...a real MOM and SON moment. To me it was showing Luke to trust you and that you are here to love and care for him. I love it and I love you...all of you!!! Missing you but loving the blog, thank you for doing it, Dave!!!! Oh it is about 7:40p.m. here, so I figured you were up.

The Luces said...

Enjoying all the updates every day! Dave, rumor has it that you have perhaps missed your calling as a writer - you're fantastic! Love the new pics - he's so adorable! Missy, aww, I love the bottle story!

<3 Dani

joyphotography said...

3 pictures doesn't quite cut it!!!! Come on...most of us are living and breathing the nicholson blog! We just need more (teehee). Miss and love you!

Shawgo's said...

I'm with Joy - more pictures, please. We're certainly demanding aren't we. Ha Ha We missed you tonight, Dave but I'm sure your ears were burning.

Anonymous said...

How cute is that smile! I love that he threw his first fit! The first of many I'm sure! Jenny

Dawn said...

I keep reading it all over and over again! Thank you, again, for letting us peak in on these precious moments. Love you!

Anonymous said...

Dave, Just now figured out how to access the blog (not so impressive since I work for the premier IT firm in the world). I have been mesmerized as I read each day's blog. You are a writer at heart. As I read each day, the anticipation built. I felt a strong tug or two at my heart as I saw your gotcha day pictures. (I too am "the rock"). He is adorable and is in for so much love. What a blessing. I would feel better if you would go have dinner at Ruth's Chris. Then I'll know all is well. Order me a side of onion rings. You remain in our prayers. Thanks so much for sharing. Craig and the Wrights

doug&cristi said...

We all keep gathering around the computer screen for the latest pictures and updates...thanks for sharing it with us all- Lindsay says Hi! to Cole & congrats on your new little brother!! Hi! to Shelby & Piper too. Katie called from Alaska (no computers where she is at) Big hugs to Missy...what a difference a year can make!(England:) Enjoy!!!

lisa kindred said...

Truly amazing to see him SMILE and so happy already. Praying the bonding process continues to go so smoothly. You will be amazed how different he will be in just a week. Thanks for sharing your journey! He is such a doll!

Blessings, Lisa

Anonymous said...

Okay after seeing pics of luke Danielle and I are worried that he is huge and will kick the crap out of TITUS! He looks amazing! Still no baby yet here!

Anonymous said...

Hi it's Nat hope you are having fun can't wait to see him!

Anonymous said...

Hi it's Nat hope you are having fun can't wait to see him!

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