Ready for the Cold!

I had to post this picture because he looked so snuggly! I hope I'm not an obnoxious first time mom posting all these pictures, but I seriously have my camera around my neck most of the day capturing cute photo ops, so I wanted to share. We are learning a lot in our crash course of first-time parenting and here are a few of those things:
1. The inventor of the Baby Bjourn is a genius and if I ever meet this genius I'm giving him/her a huge bear hug.
2. Every baby is different and for all the books I've read and advice I've been given, I have to remember that no baby does the same thing the same way as the next baby. Therefore, I have to respect Samuel for the little individual he is (all the while hoping/fasting/praying he will sleep through the night SOON).
3. Sleep when the baby sleeps, which I rarely do so by the time his bed time comes along I'm practically sleep walking.
4. Remind myself to get all the cuddles in now because he'll never be this little and cuddly again.

Okay, we've learned more, but Samuel is crying so that will have to end this post!

First Christmas!

We've had a fun December decorating and shopping for our first Christmas with Samuel. He is a very alert little boy and his eyes get sooo wide when he is looking around taking everything in. He loves looking at the Christmas lights! We have been rotating his Christmas outfits to get a lot of use out of them before Christmas and he even seems to like his Santa hat. It's exciting to know all of this is new to him and he will only continue to learn and grow. We celebrated Christmas with some of my family last night and will celebrate with Brian's family next weekend. It's a very special Christmas with a new little family member!

Our neighbor did a family photo shoot when Samuel was just shy of 2 weeks old and here are two of the pictures. The shoot was hilarious because it ran into Samuel's meal time and he was not happy! Still we were able to capture some precious memories and we are thankful for that. We are enjoying our little guy and starting to recognize what his different cries mean which is helpful. He is a great eater and weighed in at 9lbs/14oz last Friday. Poor guy has an ear infection right now though and is on antibiotics in only his 3rd week of life. He is hanging in there and hopefully will be feeling better soon. We have gotten out a few times with him and it's been smoother than our first outing to Danny's BBQ. We have not forgotten the pacifier again!