First Camping Trip

This weekend we headed up to Cook Forest to test out the new pop-up camper! We decided it would be good to just go for one night to see how everything worked and to make sure everything was working. We also weren't sure how Luke would do. It turned out to be a great trip! Luke loves being outside so camping was great. I had a little trouble getting him to sleep in an unfamiliar bed but once he was down, he slept all night. We found a few problems with the camper that will be easy to fix but it was good we only went for one night. Here are a few pictures of the adventure.

All hitched up, ready to roll.


We didn't have an electric site so the set up was a little backwards. The picnic table and firepit were on the wrong side of the camper. Oh well.


Luke hanging out in the Bumbo while we set everything up. He loved being able to see outside everywhere he looked!

Camping with Luke was a great time and he did really well. There will be many more trips to come!!


Happy Father's Day! Maybe camping on Father's Day will become a tradition...who knows. I know Nate can't wait to go out again!!

A new boy

For a long time Luke has been battling gas issues. Then more recently I believe some reflux started causing him problems. Anytime he had to burp, he would throw himself backwards and scream until he calmed down enough to let the burp out. Often times the burps were followed by spit up. Sometimes he would spit up what seemed to be everything he ate.
A week ago, I was in Cincinnati for a family reunion. My cousin, Michelle, from California was in town and we hadn't seen her for years! She is a mother of 7 and also very involved in La Leche League. So, I decided to talk to her about Luke's most recent issues. She suggested that I cut dairy completely out of my diet. WHAT?! I thought...does that include ICE CREAM?! Well of course ice cream is dairy. She seemed to think Luke had a dairy intolerance. At this point, I was desperate. The poor little guy was in so much pain all the time and just miserable.
So for the past week, I have not had any dairy. Luke is a new baby. He is so much happier all the time. He still spits up but not nearly as much as he had. The gas is still there some too but he isn't screaming over it multiple times a day. He is taking better naps and continues to sleep through the night.
Thank you Michelle for the great advice!! We are all happier!

Luke on his playmat

Here's a video of Luke on the playmat, the first portion is from nine weeks the second portion from ten weeks.

Luke's 2 month checkup

Luke went to the doctor for his 2 month checkup and first round of vaccinations yesterday.

Here are his stats:

Height: 23 1/4 in --- 65th percentile

Weight: 12 lbs 4 oz---65th percentile

He always does a great job at the doctor. He is usually very alert and does not cry no matter what the doctor does to him. He is a trooper!

However, today he got shots and that was a total different experience. As soon as the nurse pricked him, he gave her a look like what in the world did you just do to me and then the SCREAM! Poor guy. It was the highest pitched scream I had ever heard from him. I knew it hurt him. He calmed down after a few minutes and was asleep by the time we got out to the car.

After we were home for awhile he became miserable. He was just laying on me whining and moaning and trying to sleep. He developed a low grade fever so we had to give him some Tylenol (well generic because the real stuff was all recalled). He slept pretty much all evening and then still slept that night as usual.

Here are some pictures of how miserable he was that evening.

Look at that face....

But Mommy it hurts...

Happy to report that Luke was back to his normal self today!

Hiking at Raccoon Creek State Park

We went for a hike at Raccoon Creek State Park this past Sunday. The weather was beautiful and Luke appears to love the outdoors!

At the start of the hike

Taking a break at Raccoon Creek

Allison by the stream

The walk wore Luke out

He's growing!

Daddy and Luke.

Mommy and Luke on Mother's Day!

Teddy and Luke both wanted to snuggle with me!

Happy Birthday Grandma Peggy!!!

April & May Pictures

Sorry we have been slow to update the blog. Here are some pictures of Luke in the past month or so.

Luke's first 2 weeks!

Luke had lots of visitors during his first 2 weeks! Here are some pictures of some of the new faces.

Luke (1 week) and Wyatt (7 months)--cousins and soon to be best buddies.

Aunt Lynn wants another baby...

Grandma Peggy came to stay a week with us. It was a great time.

Nate and Luke

It was a beautiful Easter Sunday. Luke was 2 weeks old. He took his first trip to church and slept the entire time!

The whole family on Easter.

Grandma Peggy, Grandpa Russ, Mom, Dad, Luke, Grandpa Jack, Grandma Lorie, and Uncle Ben

Video of Luke trying to wake up

After our first doctor's visit Luke had a tough time waking up.

Introducing....

Luke Harrison Tobik

3/21/10

9lbs 10oz

21in long

Luke being weighed after birth.

Grandparents, father and baby.

Allison and I right after his birth.

Luke sleeping crazy

Ready to head home from the hospital.

Our friend and her kids decorated our house to welcome us home. (Thanks Krissy!!)

Luke getting his first sponge bath at home.

Happy in the bouncer.

-Nate & Allison

38 weeks and ready to burst..

Baby Showers

Since the Cincinnati shower, I have had three additional showers. I had a shower here in Pittsburgh with friends from school and church. Then, Nate's mom had a shower for me up in Cleveland. Lastly, there was a combined shower at school for me and another girl who is due in April. They were all great showers and Nate and I feel so blessed to have such great friends and family surrounding us during this exciting time. Here are some pictures from all three events!

Pittsburgh Shower

These are some of the decorations at the Pittsburgh shower. Katie Baumgartel hosted the shower and many of these pictures were taken by Krissy Evans. Everyone had the chance to create a bib for Baby Tobik!




My good friend Jen Reilly is due 8 weeks after me and Katie B is due in August! I can't wait to be mommys together!!


Cleveland Shower:

There were many great friends at the Cleveland shower. Two special people were Nate's mom, soon to be Grandma and Grandma Do-Dee, soon to be Great Grandma!


The shower was at a golf course clubhouse. The decorations and food were great! Thanks mom!

Shower at North Hills:
Thanks to Julie Martin for hosting this shower! It was a great time, with great decorations (made by one of our art teachers!), great food, great friends and many blessings!