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

Samuel's Newborn Photos (taken at about 2 1/2 weeks)

September Three Photography