Merry Christmas from Samuel!

Samuel gave us this picture in a frame for Christmas - so Cute!!!  I think he had a little help from all the ladies at Daycare!

Sam's onesie says it all!!

Fun Weekend

We had a pretty chill weekend mostly staying at home.  I love getting to be with Sam in the morning as he is always SO animated - weekends are a joy!  He talks and coos and babbles so much and it is fun to listen to him.

One new toy/gift that Sam LOVES is his 'tag-blanket' - he loves to sit and play with it and it also goes in his crib with him.

Mom also decided to get out a toy saucer we got at the GM sale to see what Sam thought of it.  He was in it for a short time and seemed to kind of like it, but wasn't quite sure what to think!  Most things we get out for him take a few times for him to warm up to!!

This Sunday was the first time we put Sam in the nursery at church - I didn't expect to feel so guilty and unsure about it.  I feel like I leave him all the time for daycare so it felt like leaving him again :)  He did fine, though, and I actually got to stay in church for the whole sermon. I didn't expect to feel so constantly guilty as a mom!  I know I shouldn't and have no reason to as Sam is SO loved (by mom and dad), but I do sometimes. 

I also have been doing A TON of fun and different projects.  I will post the big one later as it's almost done, but today, when I took a break from my big projects, I made a cute little onesie for Sam!  I'm sure more to come as mom has the major "crafting/sewing" fever these days.  A long Minnesota winter will ensure endless hours inside to feed the fever.

The coolest thing lately is Sam and sleep.  I don't know if all the books I've been devouring such as "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" and "Babywise" have helped, but I feel they have.  I also think I'm just more confident in what to do and how and when - Sam is getting older too which helps.  Anyway, on the weekends, we have a great routine down - Sam wakes up, eats and then plays, but once he's been awake for around 2 hours, we wind down and I put him in his crib - awake - and then he's been taking a 2-3 hour nap.  Then he'll wake up, eat, and we'll play and then repeat with a nap, leaving him in his crib drowsy and he falls asleep.  The latter naps after the morning aren't as long, but they are naps. And the fact we put him down and he doesn't cry - maybe a little talking or cooing or light fussing, but then he goes to sleep, is awesome!  So, this is our routine and he is so alert and happy when he's awake, plus I feel he is getting the sleep he needs.  The one area we still could use some help in is more sleep at night.  I wonder if because his crib is right next to the bed, that I hear everything and respond too quickly or too often - I don't know, but Sam still wants to eat a couple times each night.  As far as the day, though, it's been great to feel like we have a routine and Sam is getting the sleep he needs - of course, the best part is being able to just put him in his crib for a nap and he sleeps without an hour of rocking and holding him!  The only challenge is that this is the weekends and it's not happening at daycare yet.  Some days he only takes 2 - 20 minute naps there and is exhausted when he gets home.  I'm hoping to work on that in January.

It did melt my heart this weekend, though, to see Sam sleep with his soft blanket that Grandma Vander Stelt made.  He loves to hold onto it and wrap his fingers in it.

Otherwise, we are looking forward to a short week this coming week with the holidays and a whole week of vacation the following!

Oh.... So cute :O

Daycare sent us a picture of Sam they have hanging up - what a chunk!  ...and what a cute smile!  Momma misses her little man!

CHUBBA - WUBBA

I finally weighed Sam last night - not official, but approximate as I stepped on the scale without/with him, but Bubba weighed 16 pounds!  He is a healthy boy!  I read online that 16-17 pounds is average for four months (double the birth weight) but we are still 2-3 weeks out from the 4 week mark.  Once Sam can move and crawl, though, there will be NO stopping him and I'm sure his weight will slow down! 

Last night when I picked him up at daycare, we discussed upping the ounces from 4 to 5 for each feeding.  Ms Stacey asked me, "Is it unusual that Sam wants to eat every two hours?"  I laughed - welcome to my life and nights where he will eat every 2-3 hours!!!  Sam loves his milk!  It could be if we gave him big bottles of formula we'd have longer intervals, but we are not going there yet until we need to or mom can't keep up.

Snowed in !!!

We had a huge storm that started Friday night after work and continued through Saturday - we were happy to stay indoors and avoid the cold and snow!  Poor Sam got smothered by momma as it was the first full week back at work and five days of very little Sam time! We pulled out new toys, got in some tummy time, and just played!

 

Sam also got in some really good naps which he doesn't always get at daycare yet - too many fun toys and stuff going on! 

 

We ended up getting 17 inches of snow in Minneapolis!!  The fifth largest storm total!  ... A great day to stay indoors!

It's not hard to get smiles from Sam these days - in fact, just looking at him and he'll start grinning - it's pretty cute!

 It seems in just the last week, we are seeing lots of changes in Sam - he has definitely found his hands and they spend a lot of time in his mouth!  He's also been holding onto toys - he loves to hold and shake his keys!  He's also very social and loves to make noises and smile at everyone and everything - all the ladies at daycare have been completely charmed by Sam's smile! ... Understandable!

Daddy's boy

Dad gets to take Sam to daycare every morning - here is my bunny getting ready to go!  So cute!

Big Boy!

Sunday afternoon we set up Samuel's crib as he had way outgrown the bassinette and was kicking up against the sides of it!  We went to Babies'RUs to get some bumpers and then moved it behind our bed.  He loved laying in it and watching his musical mobil from Auntie Mary, but I had medium expectations about him going to sleep in it!  And..... I was right..... He slept in his swing and with me but he also wasn't feeling well and had a really rough night (so did mom before work on Monday!) and it wasn't the best night to break him in!  I can't believe how small he looks in his crib - so cute!

First Week of Daycare for Sam

 

December 1st was the official day for Sam to start daycare and for mom to head back to work.  Bradley and I both brought the little monster in on the first day for dropoff as we also had a lot of stuff to bring in and mom HAD to be there!  I had a really hard time and cried... several times.... I knew he was in good hands, but it broke my heart to drop him off for the whole day.  We have been together for basically 12 months nonstop (I'm counting pregnancy in there!)so I think a little separation anxiety is expected.  You just love the little guy so much and you want to protect them and make them happy - you know he will be okay, but there is some guilt in leaving him with someone else.  So, although mom was a little bit of a hot mess,  Sam was a champ and seemed to be okay with everything.  

A little bit into the morning, the center sent us the above picture which was much needed by mom!  I think I looked at it 20 times at work and showed or emailed it to at least 20 people!  By 4pm, mom was CHOMPING AT THE BIT to pick up her little man and even walked out of her 3-4 pm meeting that was going late so she could leave.  It is just like Christmas everyday getting to go pick him up and any delay of traffic or red lights or slow drivers are magnified on my way there!  

Needless to say, we survived Day one.  Sam had two blowouts and went though two outfits so they had to provide one for him and suggested we bring in four extras - that's our boy we know and love!  I also think it was a lot of activity for him as he only took 3- 30 minute naps the first day there and he was wiped out.  Once we got home, he fed and slept solid until nighttime.  The teachers absolutely adore him, which is understandable, and to see their joy and excitement talking about him makes my heart feel happy!

As for being back at work, it felt kind of weird the first day but I'm now getting back into the swing of things.  The first day was a little rough, but I am enjoying the challenge of work again as well as all the interaction with my colleagues and friends at work.  My boss has been more than great so I feel really blessed!  

So, here's to week one and on to week two.  We are enjoying the weekend just hanging out at home.  I got the biggest smile from Sam this morning without even working for it while feeding him and it made my day!  I think we'll all be okay :)

The Big Day

Tomorrow is the big day..... Mom back to work and Sam starts daycare.  We are ready to go with piles of diapers and milk and labeled pacis and medicine and extra clothes.  I have very mixed feelings - anxious about leaving him and anxious about going back to work after being gone so long, sad, but also part of me ready to go back to work.... I think!?!?  A big transition and life will only get busier and it will all be done on much less sleep.  I will definitely miss the lazy mornings with Sam - that was my favorite part - the slow morning and our playtime - they are definitely a thing of the past!

......and even better (WAY better) than the Thanksgiving celebration......

....Sam officially has "slept through the night!".  Thanksgiving night we got him down fairly easily at just after 10pm and headed to bed ourselves. Normally, he would be up around 3-4 am and I actually got up and looked at my clock at 3:45am, 4:00am, 4:30am and then at 5am, I got up and actually had to pump as I couldn't "sleep through the night" and put one bottle to the side.  Finally at 6:15, Sam roused to eat and we got up, but that was a solid 8 hours!  I'm not sure if the extra bottle and a half on top of nursing yesterday or the overstimulation at the party wore him down, but whatever it was, it was awesome.  I'm not so naive to believe this will happen from here on out - I have learned that lesson that you never have them figured out!

 Here's hoping for many repeat performances from Sam and 8 hours of sleep.  The timing would be wonderful with having to go back to work next week!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a great Thanksgiving - we spent the morning just hanging out at home with brunch and mimosas and playing with Sam.

After that, we got ready to head to Dave and Mary's for the Thanksgiving feast.  Sam had quite the "Mix Master" outfit with snow boots, a hat from Alaska, and his new skull outfit!

Sam got lots of love and attention from everyone, including Mema - of course!

2 month Appointment

Samuel had his 2 month appointment this last Wednesday and he was actually at 9 weeks, not 8 weeks, so I think he had an edge on his numbers with an extra week under his belt. 


Weight:  13 pounds (75-90%tile)
Height:   23 3/8in (50-75%tile)
Head:     16 1/8" (75%tile)

Samuel also had to get his vaccinations - thankfully dad was along to help out as mom couldn't even look!  He screamed louder than I HAVE EVER heard him scream - poor guy had 4-5 shots in his thighs and one oral vaccination.  It was very sad, but necessary.  He was easily calmed down with a feeding and slept through lunch and for several hours. 

Unfortunately, Samuel woke up with a vengeance and nothing could console his screaming, crying, shaking, and quivering - it was awful and it lasted forever.  His poor thigh was red and warm to the touch.  I have never had him so upset and was not able to console him for so long.  I finally called dad and he called the doctor who instructed me to take a rectal temperature..... YIKES!  But... we managed that much to Sam's further displeasure but no temperature. He finally calmed down in my lap and dad ended up leaving work early and picking up some infant pain drops.  Not a peacefull afternoon!  I guess we repeat all of this at 4 months!

Otherwise, I moved Samuel to the bassinette last night and it went well - we need to start transitioning him to a crib soon.  Even if I don't, I know he'll be taking his naps in a crib at daycare. 

Two more weeks of maternity leave...... sigh.....  a big transition ahead!

Trip to Idaho

Samuel did so well on his first flight - sleeping or eating the whole way and no fussing - we were lucky to have short connections and only half full planes to give us more room and keep the carseat with us.

Thursday night we had a big dinner at Grandma Vander Stelt's house and Samuel got to meet all of his cousins and aunts and uncles.  The kids are excited to have a cousin, but he is too small to play with them so I'm sure the appeal will increase when he is able to move around with them.  Anna kept saying, "Me carry him" - she wanted to carry the baby but I think we will wait until she is older!  Brady was also fascinated with the baby and would look and poke at him.

Ethan, Maddie (holding Sam), Braden, and Anna

Samuel also hung out one afternoon with Jack Groen, son of Jesse and Alyssa.  Samuel is one day older than Jack.

We also stopped by to see Great Grandpa and Grandma Vander Stelt on two different days to hang out.  Samuel is the 40th Great Grandchild for them and the number keeps climbing!  God's blessings to my family are amazing!

Lastly, we also got to hang out with my friends, Sarah Wolfe and her daughter Grace, as well as Jolena and Drew and their son Franklin (we forgot to get a picture!)

We did also manage to get a family picture when we were all at my parent's on Sunday after church.  It was so fun to spend time in Idaho and see family and share our new addition.

Robert and Brooke, Henry and Robin, Bradley and Katie holding Sam, Sara and Jason holding Braden, and Ethan, Anna and Maddie in the front

In addition to all the above, we did some other fun things.  Friday night, Bradley and I went on a double date with Robert and Brooke to PF Changs and then the Idaho Steelheads ice hockey game while grandma babysat.  Bradley also hung out with my brother and dad at the Boise gun show and even got to sample some moose jerky from my brother's latest kill.  We also got to meet a MASS of extended family and friends at church on Sunday and see all of my cousins and aunts and uncles.  It was a full weekend with lots of activity and I believe we once again escaped all the germs in time - We seem to be fleeing sick kids each visit!  Someday soon, that will be us with the sick kids everyone is fleeing :)




I will say we left Minnesota in the fall and high 60 degree weather and returned to winter and the aftermath of the first big snowstorm.  Winter is here and Samuel will have to wait for his first official Minnesota snow!

IDAHO......Here we come!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We can't wait to leave for Idaho tomorrow - Samuel's first trip and airplane ride - hopefully it goes smoothly.  We are so excited to see family and for everyone to meet Samuel!

2 Months

We officially passed the 2 month mark last week - not only can I not believe how much Samuel is growing and changing, I can't believe I have to go back to work in less than a month!  I'm definitely not ready for that - the time is flying by!

The last two weeks, Samuel's favorite new pasttime is his activity mat - he likes to lay and look at the bright colors and hit the dangling toys.  I'm not sure how much is on purpose vs accidental!  It is so cute as he "talks" and "laughs" while playing.

Here is another picture of Samuel just hanging out.  It may be hard to tell in the picture but his eyes have started to lighten up from a dark blue to a medium blue.  I am beginning to start believing he will keep his blue eyes!!

Sleep is still a work in progress - for the last two weeks or so, we have gotten Samuel to sleep each night in his lamb chair vs in our bed.  I do let him come into bed with mom after his 5am waking - he usually is more awake at that time and I think I like having him there with me!  We are still working on the bassinette.... when we put him in it, he just kicks his arms and legs wildly and will not go down.... so, working on naps during the day and eventually nighttime... maybe.....

Sleeping with mom in the morning