HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Our cute little monkey!

Heading out to see Mema and Papa and Mary and Dave

Samuel is 7 weeks tomorrow and we are nearing the 2 month mark - hard to believe!  Things remain much the same with slightly  more consistent sleep at night and smiles from Samuel during the day which we love.  Yesterday was the most frustrating day to date and I actually think I would have rather gone to work!  Samuel just had a rough day and from 6am to 6pm only took one half hour nap much to mom's dismay and constant rocking and feeding to get him to sleep.....   I missed being able to go for a walk now that the weather is changing as that often lulls him to sleep.  Thankfully, I got my break to go workout when dad got home and took over.  Needless to say, one day later and all he is doing today is sleeping! 

This last weekend was the first time Dad and I were able to go out together to a Halloween party and Samuel stayed with Grandpa and Grandma Backstrom. Mom also got a chance to get her hair cut (first time in 6 months!) as well as see some of her friends for dinner.   It was really nice to get a little break, but I was always excited and ready to see my little guy!

Here are just some cute pictures of Sam from the last couple weeks

Hanging out with mom

Samuel in his monster hat from Grandma Vander Stelt

Just chilling at home

Sleeping in our bed in the morning

Getting bundled up for a walk around the lake

Getting ready for Church looking all grown up in his button-down shirt

A Milestone!

I had forgotten to add that last week I got my first (non-reflexive) smile from Sam and we continue to get them more each day!  I have four videos capturing this adorable smile but also managed to get a picture this morning.  I was on the computer, actually, and am hearing laughs with the smile - he sure knows how to charm me after keeping me up all night!!!

Visit from Aunt Sara Cooke

Aunt Sara came to visit us the first weekend of October and brought some gifts - one of the fun ones was a Halloween costume for Samuel.  Aunt Sara tried it on him - he wasn't too sure about it!  I love his little pig nose in the picture, though!

Samuel was extra spoiled to have his Aunt Sara hold and rock him - it was a nice break for mom!

 Samuel in his sassy outfit from Grandma Vander Stelt - napping in the bassinnette!

Week 5

Well, I can FINALLY upload pictures again so it's time to update the blog!

Samuel was officially 5 weeks yesterday - we had dad step on the scale with him in the morning and he was 10.5# pounds so growing as he should!  We also put away his newborn clothes this week and have moved to 0-3 months and 3 months - I can't believe how much he is growing!

Some fun things from the last few weeks - First of all, two survival tools!

1.  The Swing - Bradley bought and assembled a swing for Samuel.  He didn't take to it immediately but now he usually takes his morning nap in it.  He's actually going on a 2+ hour nap in it right now which is unusual but mom loves!

2.  The MOBY wrap - For days when Samuel wants to be held, the MOBY wrap has been awesome!  He usually loves it and mom loves having him next to her at all times too!

  

 3.  The MAM - i forgot this one so I had to go back and add it.  What would we do?  How would we survive without Sam's MAM pacifiers??  He got hooked in the hospital nursery and it's been a love affair of his ever since.  Mom and dad don't complain as it keeps Sam happy :)  It is rare to see pictures of him without it!

As far as survival...... Mom is starting to get some more sleep - often a 3-4 hour stretch at night that is most welcome, but we still have a long way to go before he is sleeping through the night.  Samuel had been sleeping in his infant lamb seat but has also started sleeping next to mom.  This may be a hard habit to break, but it has meant more sleep for mom so likely will be harder for her to break than Sam!  I am trying to get Samuel to sleep in the bassinette so have started putting him in it for naps - we'll see.....

Other fun highlights and pictures - Sam (usually) loves hanging out with Daddy!  After one very successful night of putting Sam down to sleep, Bradley started calling himself the "Daddy Whisperer" - Mommy is waiting for a repeat performance from dad!

 

At week 4, we had Bradley introduce the bottle.  For mom, it was happy / sad - a little freedom in sight but the first time it felt like Sam was a traitor as he took to it like a champ!

 

Daddy and Samuel and his first bottle (courtesy of mom!)

He even is fine taking it from mom!  He just wants his milk!

We had professional pictures of Samuel taken at around week 3 by an acquaintance - I will post some of the professional ones when we have them but here is one of the previews that Bradley took on our camera.  Samuel did okay for the photos but was kind of fussy for a lot of them - I don't think he liked being stripped down to his diaper!

We were glad we did the pictures when we did as around Week 4, Samuel developed a case of baby acne!! 

Lastly, Samuel has a new best friend that his cousin Svea picked out for him - "Ruf-Ruf".

I can't believe we are already to Week 5 - Everyday has it's challenges but they are far outweighed by the joys!