The sweet life

 We are all so in love with each other...it's what life is all about.

 Luke in one of his many cloth diapers.  Cloth diapering has become such a staple.  Love it, for his soft little butt, and our dying environment.

 Many friends!

 Lots of mommy time. 

 Raising a child is so much to take in...there are the day to day challenges, but when I step back and think about it on a grander scale, it's mind blowing.  Luke, our little human that we created, will become who he is based entirely on our decisions as parents for the next 20 years.  wtf?  Responsibility on a whole new level. 

 Cinder agrees...it's hard at times, but SO rewarding! She sneaks in her toe kisses all the time, runs to his crib when he wakes from naps, and is always curious what he is screaming about.  They are going to be best friends.  He watches her all the time...sometimes she is the only thing that will make him smile.

My poorly neglected blog...sorry but it's better than a neglected baby.  Not as much time on my hands anymore...which is why this is short and sweet.  Maybe I should change this blog to BabyFillman Photography Blog!!

Ikei Island

Beach Day!
The weather has finally turned around on the island...blue skies, warm sun, cool breezes.  Perfect beach days.  We decided to take the new grandparents out to Ikei Island where there are stunning beaches.  Here are some fun photos of our day at the beach.

Shuri Castle, Okinawa

Blooming...

Shuri Castle sits on top of a hill overlooking all of Naha City,  with beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean and the East China Sea.  It was first built during the 14th century!!!  And has been burned, bombed and rebuilt several times.  One of UNESCO World Heritage Sites...it is a must see on Okinawa. 

Family outing!

The throne for the ruler of the Ryukyu Kingdom...

Sunbathing

Maybe we should all lay naked in the sun when we are cranky.

Cinder loves him.  Except when he cries and she walks into the other room.

Crazy Cinder

Our pooch loves having a new little man in the house...However, she hasn't been getting as much attention as usual.

More baby pics

 Per our families requests...here are more photos of our adorable son, for your viewing pleasure.

  

Baby's first bath

 Adam got these beautiful photos after he was clean, dry and content

 We do a lot of staring in disbelief at our perfect little man

 He smiles in his sleep

Welcome to the world!

February 11, 2012 at 5:34 pm our son Lucas Rushton was born at Lester Naval Hospital, Okinawa, Japan.
Weighing in at 6 lbs 5 oz, 19.3 inches long.  He came out wide-eyed, screaming and perfect.

We came into the hospital when I was 34 weeks, 3 days pregnant because of a tiny leak of amniotic fluid and the doc said she wanted to make sure everything was ok...we thought they would check me out and send me home...
Nope!
They told us I was already 2cm dialated, 80% effaced and his head was pretty low.  However, I was by no means in labor....
We were put into a delivery room and I was induced at 4:30 pm on Feb. 10th with pitocin (pidevil)...I really wanted a natural birth, so for 20 hours I endured pitocin-enduced contractions, medication free.  Very very intense unnatural contractions!  They continued to increase the volume of pitocin throughout the night, until it reached a point when I was having no breaks between contractions, delirious with labor pain, the pain level peaked...
Doc came in continuously to check my dilation...around the 20 hour mark, after 8 hours I had not changed from 5 cm dilated; very discouraging news...even worse, they wanted to really amp up the pitocin...that's when (through gritted teeth) I told them I needed the epidural.
About 30 minutes later, I was laid out in the bed, napping and smiling.  Within 3 hours, he was getting very low and I was getting an intense urge to push.  They checked me and when the nurse said I was 9 cm dilated, it was pure joy!!!
About an hour later, it was time...the nurse wanted me to push just to see if I could move him at all.  Adam grabbed one leg, nurse grabbed the other, I curled around my contracting belly and pushed with a strength and intensity that I didn't know I was capable of...Yep, it was time.  I heard Adam say "woah, is that the head?"  The nurse said "Stop pushing!!  I need to get the doctor!"  The nurse alerted the doc... she told me typically it could be 1-2 hours of steady pushing...I needed my energy now.
I was SO ready.  After about 9 pushes in 12 minutes, out came a healthy, wide-eyed, screaming little boy.  He was immediately placed on my chest.  See video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ed3471cuHdE&feature=youtu.be


Next was:
Complete elation, surreal blissful peace, delirium, enchanting jubilation...rejoicing, love, love so much love, tears, disbelief, more love.


Still in hospital photos:

 

 Milk drunk

Finally home

I am a mother.

He couldn't be more perfect, more healthy or alert...he is ours forever, our sweet son.  We love him more than life itself.  This feeling that we cannot describe is wow.  I've always wondered what it would be like.

Well...my heart has left my body.  It is external now...can't describe it any other way.