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!

Samuel's First Real Bath

Samuel did NOT like his first full bath experience!

"Help me, mom!"

Safe at last!

We gave Samuel his first real bath this afternoon and it was quite traumatic for the little fellow. After being dried off in his froggy towel he was so snugly in our arms---it was precious! Plus he smelled sooo clean and nice like the Johnson's bedtime lotion that we wanted to eat him up. He is now 2 weeks and 2 days old and weighs 8lbs and 8oz. He is a healthy baby boy and a great eater! Although we are still very exhausted from the lack of sleep, Samuel is a very good baby and allows us bits and pieces of rest now and then:). We've enjoyed lots of visitors and family in the past 2 weeks and I think we are getting chubby from all the yummy food we are receiving! Brian has been off work the past few days and it has been so nice to have family time just the three of us. He has picked up Dunkin Donuts for me the past few mornings which is a bad habit I got into while pregnant--I craved doughnuts and still do!

Things have been quite busy in our household over the last 13 days. We are learning more and more about our little guy and getting into more of a routine. He is such a joy and we are thankful for a healthy, happy baby.

We had our first dinner date with him last Friday to Danny's BBQ. However, it did not go as well as we'd hoped--mostly due to the fact that mom and dad forgot his pacifier so after getting drinks Samuel woke up and was not happy. Therefore, Dad drove around the parking lot while my inlaws and I had dinner. Then I was flustered trying to get out of the restaurant and knocked over a ceramic pig shattering it in hundreds of pieces on my way out. Oh well, live and learn!

Samuel James

Our little guy is finally here!! I'm a little delirious right now so this post will be short, but we are just so happy to have Samuel in our lives. He is such a sweet baby and although we are utterly exhausted it is so worth it when it's because of him! Labor and delivery went well except my first epidural didn't take so six hours later I had another one that was HEAVEN! We had to laugh when we arrived home because we thought we were oh so prepared and realized we had no newborn diapers and the smallest clothes we had were 0-3 (not newborn). So, we did some quick shopping. We've had lots of help which has been great. Tons of meals coming in and my mom has been a lifesaver! This parenting/feeding thing is definitely not for the faint of heart, but I guess that is why God made babies so adorable--because they are so worth it!

No room at the inn!

Hi Everyone,
I thought this would be a blog filled with pictures of our new baby or at least I thought I'd be in labor by now, but NOPE to both! We were supposed to check into the hospital last night, but they had no birthing rooms empty and told us to be on call. Well, the call never came so I called this morning and they said they are still completely full so I should go to lunch or shopping and enjoy my day because it could be tonight or tomorrow before we are checked in. It's kind of funny since I've told everyone that we were having peanut today and now we are at home watching TV eating doughnuts:). I don't mind though because I'm hoping it gives my body an extra day to do some of this on its own! And, the baby gets more cook time. So, hopefully my next post will be pictures of the baby, but I have no idea what day he'll be here now. It's a waiting game!