Sweet Little Christopher Luke,

One month ago, in the middle of a snowy night, your daddy and I experienced a miracle. In a little county hospital in Sigulda, Latvia, with no one around but the two of us and our midwife, you were born. In those moments I was reminded, yet again, that after immense pain, God brings even greater joy. And what joy you bring us. Here are some of my thoughts about your first month of life.

• Little did we know that God had a little boy planned for our family after three beautiful girls, but we are so glad he did. Your sisters are absolutely in love with you and are constantly asking for another turn to hold you. Between Mommy, Daddy, and your sisters, you are rarely put down. We may be spoiling you, but I don’t care. Snuggling you is one of the most wonderful feelings in the world.
• You are quite a big baby! You were 10 lbs, 9 oz, at birth, and today at your 1-month doctor appointment, you tipped the scales at 12 lbs, 1 oz! Everyone says you look more like a 3-month-old than a newborn! You certainly do like to eat!
• You loved having Grandma here for your first two weeks of life. She was the designated baby snuggler whenever Mommy wanted to do anything like shower or snuggle a slightly envious five-year-old. You would sometimes sleep for 2 hours at a time just cuddled up with Grandma!
• You have beautiful dark blue eyes, and I think they are blue enough that they are going to stay that way. So with your light brown hair and blue eyes, I think you are going to look just like your daddy.
• As for sleeping, you do pretty well at night in your Moses basket next to Mommy’s side of the bed. You usually take a nap on Mommy or Daddy in the evening after your sisters go to bed, and then we swaddle you and put you in your basket when we go to bed. You wake up every 2-3 hours to eat for a few minutes, and then go right back to sleep.
• You are going to be quite the bilingual and bicultural baby. Of course we speak English to you, but we also find ourselves speaking to you in Latvian. We love calling you our “Mazais Puika” which is an endearing way of saying “little boy.”
• You also have no problems being out in cold weather. Latvians say that babies need to be outside for several hours each day, regardless of the season. You have the most precious little snowsuit and hat (with two little poufs) and you go for at least one, often two, long walks a day in your big pram stroller. You fall immediately to sleep and will stay that way until we take you out.
• Whenever we go anywhere other than on walks, you spend most of your time in Mommy’s sling. It’s really your favorite place to be when we go to church, go grocery shopping, or when Mommy wants to get some housework done!
• As for your carseat, you are a pretty willing rider as long as the car is moving. Which is a good thing since you’ve got a lot of sisters we have to drive around to activities. But we better not let that car sit idling or you immediately inform us of your displeasure!
• In the last week or so, you have really started to become more expressive. I’ve seen several real smiles when we get right up close and talk with you. You also have some pretty cute fussy faces with your furrowed little brow!
• You are just starting to show some interest in the couple of little baby toys we have for you. Your sisters wanted you to start playing the day after you were born, but we told them they’d have to be patient! You have started to pay attention now, though, when they rattle and shake your brightly colored hedgehog!
• Sometimes after eating you’ll have to sneeze, but you never just do it once. Usually you sneeze 4-5 times right in a row and it’s pretty precious!
• You have started to really enjoy your baths. You’ll just lay back and relax for several minutes at a time in the warm water. You don’t, however, like getting out!

Precious little boy, we are so glad you are a part of our family. Our prayer for you comes from 2 Timothy 2:1, which says, “You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” Your name, Christopher Luke, means bearer of the light of Christ, we pray that you would carry his light your whole life long. We love you, little one, more than you will ever know.

Love,

Mommy and Daddy