Wow We Have Grown

Samuel with his new friend George the Monkey!!

During my last post I told all of you that we were going to have Samuel's 2-month check up on Monday and I wanted to give everyone a follow-up. First, we had really bad weather on Sunday that caused Ben's school to cancel class on Monday so he was able to come to the doctor with us. The appointment went really well. Our doctor had another new book for Samuel, Petter Rabbit, which I loved as a child. This is sure to become a household favorite. Samuel weighed 12lbs and 14oz on Monday which is in the 75% (boy am I glad he grew this much after he was born, I can't imagine what he would have weighed had I gone full term or a week over.) Samuel was 24 inches long and a head circumference of 16 inches. The rest of her check up was great and reassured us everything is on track, and that he is very strong and pushes his legs down when standing and does a good job holding himself up (with A LOT of assistance.)

Next came the really dreaded part his 3 shots! I got nervous as soon as she walked in the door. She got him to the edge and holded him down. She gave him the 3 shots back to back and WOW did Samuel scream. I don't think I have heard that loud of a noise since the day he was born. He had 3 cute little band-aids on his leg and then it was all over. It was horrible to see him so sad and in pain. We left there and went to run some errands and thats when I started to notice that he wasn't his usual self. He was as white as a ghost and extremely fussy/in pain. I tried all the usual tricks but nothing was working. We called the pediatrician and she had us give him some Tylenol and try to feed him. After that he was out like a light and when he woke up you could tell he was still in pain. That maintained until today when he started acting like himself again. I can't believe how much pain they caused him, poor little guy. After seeing this, I am dreading his 4-month visit.

Here is Samuel in his 1st overall's and it is so cute, the picture doesn't capture it enough but he looks like such a grown up boy, I had to share.

2 Months Old!!

Samuel turned 2 months old today. I can't believe how quickly the last 60 days have gone. Tomorrow is our 2 month appointment and I am so excited to see how much he weighs and how much he has grown, but I am not looking forward to him getting his 1st round of shots I am sure he will do just fine, but I am nervous about how I will handle it. Cross your fingers for a successful visit. I have included some pictures of our favorite activities (bath time, tummy time, and looking at our black and white photos) over the last 2 months.
Last night, was Ben and I's first night out since Samuel was born and I can't begin to tell you how excited I was, but how tough it ended up being. We went to dinner and a movie and couldn't have been gone more than 5 hours but it felt like days to me, I think I checked my phone 50 times to make sure I hadn't missed a call, and even texted Denny just to make sure they didn't need us to come home. I can't believe what I would have done had it not been my mother watching him. I never thought I would be like this or worry so much, thankfully Ben made me feel better and reminded me this is ok and just my motherly instinct. When we got home Samuel was in his pj's ready for bed and didn't seem to have even noticed we were gone. We were able to go out because my mother and Denny came to visit this weekend. I am so glad they were finally able to come, they have tried 3 previous weekends and have not made it due to the horrible weather they have had this winter. When my mother visits she usually wants to know everything that has happened since last time she saw us, or tells us about the current events in Sioux Falls (usually for the 3rd time) but not on this trip. I don't think that Samuel was put down for more than ten minutes the entire time she was here. Hearing people talk is really good for Sam right now, and he sure got an ear full. My mom sang nursery rhymes, told him stories of me as a kid, played alphabet games, talked about the weather, you name it and she talked to him about it. Sam had such a great time with his Grandmother, I am sad that it had been so long since he had seen her. Both my mom and I hope that this is the longest Sam ever has to go without seeing her, we plan to see each other every month if possible (weather permitting.) Thanks Mom for a wonderful weekend.

Now, we know Sam is only 2 months old, but my mother just brought us a book to teach me how to puree Sam's food when he gets old enough. We have decided to make our own food for Sam. This cookbook has amazing recipes, I just hope they can match up to Gerber!! So in the months to come as I try these recipes out I will let you know first if this adventure is a success, and which recipes are a hit with our little guy! Ben and the little guy in their daily routine! Sam after his favorite time of the day, Bath time!! Sam sleeping in his bed for the 1st time. Mom and Sam looking at our black and white pictures. Samuel resting with his best buds!

My New Valentine

Samuel is only 8 weeks old and already has stolen the ladies hearts. Sam is celebrating his 1st Valentine's day and he has already got his 1st Valentine. Sonia, a great friend came down to meeet Sam this weekend, and he was smitten with her. He even got her a little valentine. They had fun, talking and looking at the stars (what we call our lights in our house) together all weekend. Ben and I have never been big Valentine's day people but I have to admit if there is anyone that could steal my heart it is Samuel. He is beginning to smile when I talk to him (be it only on occasion) and to make sounds back to me as well, and I can't believe how in love I could be with my child and how with the smallest thing he melts my heart. Ben has definitely met his match!
Samuel also had two other visitors this weekend from Omaha. Karen and Andy Mullin came to meet the little guy. When uncle Andy comes to visit Homer, and Otis normally get pretty spoiled but this trip was a different story and the dogs were jealous. We loved having them here and wish we lived closer so we could get together more often. We hope they have a little Mullin soon so the dad's can have play dates during their summers off from teaching.

On Thursday this week, we had Linda our "Parents as Teachers" advisor come for her 1st visit. This program is so amazing for new mothers. In the 2 hours she spent at our house I felt like I learned so much, and when she left I feel a big weight had been removed from my shoulders. She helped me weigh pros and cons of daycare, development and many other topics I have not had answers to through the internet, books or friends. She also brought activities for me to work on with Samuel over the next 6 weeks until we see her again. She also shared that Sam has great vision, can see 6+ feet away which is great and has a really strong neck and back (tummy time is paying off.) And finally, for all of you that read my previous blog where I shared that Sam had rolled over, I asked Linda if that was possible or if I had lost my mind and she shared with me that because of the surface he was on that he probably got his head turned and because that is 1/3 of his weight he flipped himself over. She said I wasn't crazy but should probably expect it will be a few weeks before it happens again.
For all of those Sappy, Valentine's Day loving people out there, I hope you have a great day....

Here is what is melting my heart this year

Picture Perfect

We were able to pick up Samuel's newborn pictures on Friday and they turned out amazing. This picture is from his nursery on the empty wall I had so much trouble trying to do something with. His pictures are so fun to look at, but it is amazing how much he has changed since we took the pictures. I feel like he could almost hold the football instead of laying on top of it. We also tried to help our parents order their pictures and when we went on-line we found that our photographer had made Samuel's pictures the opening to her website, it was so exciting for us to see others would get to see Samuel and I have to admit made mom and dad pretty proud (I think Ben's chest may have even puffed up a little.)

Daycare has also been a focus of our attention the past few weeks, and I think we have finally narrowed it down. I have toured over 15 different sites trying to find the best fit for Sam and also a place that would have room for him come August. I have asked for reviews from friends and neighbors and gotten a variety of responses. At the end of the day we need to find somewhere that meets Samuel's needs best and makes Ben and I feel as good as possible when we leave each day. I never thought I would be the mother to say I wish I could stay home with my son, and or children but I was WRONG, I would love to be able to stay home with him each day to watch him grow. But even though that is not an option we feel we have narrowed it down to 2 locations and Ben is going back to the 2nd one this week. As soon as we do that we should be able to make our decision. I think once he is over 2 we will try and get him enrolled at Montessori, I went there as a child and felt they were great with me and I have many fond memories.

Here is a picture of Samuel ready in his "future quarterback" outfit for the Super Bowl, he is excited to cheer on Peyton Maning tonight. (Can you believe this is a 3-month old outfit and it fits him perfectly!)

Samuel Meets His Godmother

Each day I wake up and think about what Samuel and I will do for the day, and how I can help him grow. I worry more than I ever thought I would, is he growing at the right pace, is he getting enough to eat, is his development on target, etc. So it was nice this weekend when we went to our friends house that had not seen him in 3 weeks and the 1st thing they said was "Wow, he has grown so much since we saw him last" this was music to my ears.
Ella, their daughter who is now 3 was amazing with Samuel, she wanted to hold him all night (but her mother didn't want to share) and this picture is just the beginning of how sweet she was with him, she would come over and rub his head to check on him, or just give him a kiss on the forehead. We told Sarah that as soon as she will let her, we have found our 1st babysitter!


On Sunday Samuel's Godmother came to town to meet him for the 1st time. He loved spending time with her even if she did take time away from his best friends (the lights). Christy was great with him, and we are so excited that she and her fiance, Wade, also a great friend, have accepted to be Samuel's godparents. She spent the entire night with him and I don't think he made a peep all night with her.
Just today during our daily routine of feeding, tummy time, reading and color/smell activities, I needed to let Otis one of our pugs outside and so I left Samuel in the center of our bed on his stomach (1 of our 3 tummy times) and when I came back which couldn't be much more than 3 minutes he had rolled on his back. At 1st I thought I had left him that way, and then remembered I hadn't. After I came back in I tried to get him to do it again, with absolutely no success. Again, another one of the little things that makes me smile. While I understand this was probably just luck, I can't wait to do it again while I am actually in the room.

Finally, Samuel wants to wish Denny, his newest Grandfather a

VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!