A Day for the Memory Book

Last night in anticipation of Father's day Ben and I began talking about how different are lives are 1 year later. This time last year is when we began telling everyone we were expecting and also when we began this blog. We knew life would change but for me, seeing the changes in Ben has been one of the best parts. I have always felt lucky to have Ben as my husband but seeing him as a father brings it to a whole new level. Seeing him interact, play and just hang out with Samuel is so much fun for me.

Ben has been staying home with Samuel over the Summer with his time off and to be honest at the beginning I was nervous. I thought Sam was going to watch every Cubs game, nap on Dad's chest everyday versus his bed and never do tummy time again, but I was wrong. Recently, I have had to travel a lot for work and it is amazing to me the stories I here. Every day Ben sends me pictures of their daily activities or a new outfit Sam is wearing. I get stories on how Samuel crawled across the floor to reach Homer, he now only takes 2 naps and is sitting with no assistance. They are best buds and you can tell. Ben admitted that he wasn't sure how they would fill their days, and was nervous for their 1st overnight together, but now he considers himself an old pro. Seeing how he has jumped right in and taken this on makes me feel so lucky, but more importantly I feel lucky for Sam that he has such a great father that is so involved in his life.

So for all of that, today was Ben's day and we did exactly that. Everything we did today was Dad's decision. We got up with Sam went to breakfast, and came home and went for a nice walk before it got to0 hot. Then when we got home Sam took a nap and dad got his daily fix of MLB on playstation. Then we just chilled at the house (ben's favorite activity) and then the boys both took another nap. After that we went to the plaza walked around and had dinner. After putting Sam to sleep, Ben and I are able to spend some time together (today is our last day together until July 5th!!) Though we missed seeing our exteneded family and wish we could have all been together, having a relaxing day just the 3 of us couldn't have been better.

We want to wish all the dad's out there a very Happy Father's Day and say a special

THANK YOU

to our fathers for all they have done for us over the years. We are truly blessed to have you in our lives.

And an update for Sam, we have TEETH!! Over the past two days Samuel has started to get his 2 bottom teeth. He is taking it pretty well, but his gums are black and blue and he is not sleeping to much as I think the pain is waking him up. Also, we tried our first "real" food other than rice and oatmeal. Sam had carrots on Saturday and today, and wow does he HATE them. The 1st batch was worse than the 2nd and now he is taking them down a little better, but it was so funny to see the kid who will eat anything spit out carrots and start crying if you tried to give him more. We are hopeful it will be an acquired taste but for now, Cereal and Oatmeal are his favorites!

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Full of First's

When I look back at this week it didn't seem like a real crazy week, but as I begin to write I think of how many 1st's Samuel, Ben and I had this week. Ben had his 1st week off from school and began his summer as Daddy Daycare. Samuel seemed to really enjoy spending the extra time with his Dad and I think this is going to be a great summer for both of them.

Sam sitting on Dad's lap as he reads to him.

On Friday, we went up to Omaha to help celebrate a friends birthday and had a really good time. We also went to a wedding shower on Saturday morning and there were a lot of mothers there and they couldn't stop talking about how much he looks like his dad, and what a happy baby he is. When we got home we had some friends over for a BBQ and Samuel was able to play with some friends of his own. Samuel loves having people around his own size, and all three of them had a great time, smiling, squealing and babbling the entire night.

Some of the mothers helped me figure out how the Boppy can help support Samuel as he learns how to sit and it really works. On Sunday he sat up for 10-15 minutes on his own, another 1st (with support of the boppy) before he fell back and relaxed.

Then on Sunday we were full of firsts. Samuel got to sit in his new high-chair for the 1st time, and he really seemed to like it. We put some toys on it and he was as happy as can be, we think he likes being more at our eye level when we are sitting down, and that he gets to do it on his own. Next, was the big event FOOD, we have been delaying giving Samuel food because he has been growing so well without it, but also because we are trying to avoid allergies and asthma that I have and our pediatrician said waiting a little longer may help. Well, Samuel sure showed us, he LOVED IT!! I think he was trying to tell us....

"Finally, I didn't know if either of you bone heads were ever going to figure out the signals I was giving you telling you FEED ME, FEED ME!!"

Samuel, ate all of his rice cereal, or we think he did a lot of it ended up all over his face on his bib and down his legs. I think the people that tell you to feed your children naked in a diaper are genius, as Sam's outfit was done for the day once we finished.

Samuel with his monkey bib and his 1st box of rice cereal.

Sam diving in for more rice cereal. I think he would have eaten the entire box.

We think Sam has just as much rice cereal on his face as he ate on Sunday.

Samuel shining his pearly gums at us!

We were very glad that it turned out the night we first fed Sam was also bath night, because he needed it. Ben and I have debated on when to try and put him in the tub without his baby tub and so Ben put on swim trunks last night and took Sam's 1st big boy bath. Sam has always loved bath time, but seemed even more excited last night, when he could move around and dad had him swimming on his back and doing all kinds of activities. I think we will continue to do this when we are both home since he loved it so much, but may be a lot for one person to do alone.

Last, Samuel had his 1st night of sleep where he only woke up once!! He has never slept through the night or woke up only 1 time but last night was our 1st. I woke up this morning and thought I only fed him once last night, and then thought no I must just be delirious from lack of sleep, but it is true, our little guy is finally getting the hang of it. We put him in a lighter swaddle (as he was sweating a ton in the other swaddle) and he really enjoyed it and I think it allowed him to sleep a little easier. Every morning we go in to see him, he greets us with a big smile, and I can say with confidence he got the BIGGEST smile from me this morning.

Here is a picture of Samuel with Homer. Now that he can track with movement he is obsessed with our dogs, or any dogs. He tries to pet them or follow them all the time. Homer and Otis are in big trouble when this little guy starts crawling and walking.

Finally, we found out yesterday that Samuel has made his way into the printed world. Our friends called and told us that they picked up a local KC magazine and inside was Samuel's picture. He is now on the advertisement space for our photographer. Ben and I were smiling ear to ear, we had no idea she had done this but are very proud of our little cutie!!

House Guests

Over the past 3 weeks Jiji (Ben's mother) has been staying with us to take care of Samuel while I transitioned back into work and Ben closed out his school year. We were so lucky to have her come and help us out. This was a great bonding time for her and Samuel and gave her the opportunity to see him grow at an age when every day something new is happening. Samuel not only had his Jiji here his Aunt Jess and Great Aunt Bibi also came down for a visit. Each day they took Samuel for walks outside (when it wasn't raining), sang their favorite songs and even tried to get him to say his first words. The transition back into work has been harder than I thought, but each day I got multiple updates on how Samuel was doing and all of his activities. While Bibi and Jiji were here together it was non-stop laughter and smiles. Ben and I joked that it was two teenage girls with a crush on a boy. Samuel could do just about anything like wrinkle his nose or give a little smile and they would go nuts. It is so wonderful to know Samuel has such great people that love him unconditionally in his life. He was really sad to have them leave, but can't wait to go to Seattle in 6 weeks to see them again.

Samuel practicing his kicking with Jiji

Samuel working on standing and playing some music.

Samuel with Jiji and Bibi going on their daily walks.

Ever since Samuel figured out he had a tongue he has been trying to figure out things to do with it. Now for the past month or so he sticks it out at everyone and anything, and it couldn't be cutter. After he does it he smiles and then laughs. Its amazing on how the novelty of such a simple thing never wares off. Here he is in his favorite bouncer/play gym sticking it out for the camera.

5 Months Old

I can't believe 5 months have come and gone. Ben and I used to think we were busy before Sam, but now we know a whole new meaning of busy. Samuel is at the point where he wants to be entertained all the time, and always do different things. His favorite thing right now is just having air blown on him from a straw, he squeals and laughs and seems shocked each time it happens. He never likes to sit still and we think if he had it his way he would stand all day every day. He seems like he really wants to crawl now too, he is putting his butt in the air and pushes down and he moves his arms but not all at the same time. I think it will be a while before he figures out the right combination. We are still trying to get him to sit on his own, he can do it for a while but then falls over, or as the parents as teacher lady tells us he is at the weable wobble stage. She told us to do the lay down, to sit, to stand, to help him get used to the different positions, and when we do it he pops right up and locks his legs so he doesn't have to sit down again, it is too cute but definitely not helping us practice sitting much. Here he is sitting playing with his duck.
Samuel has also found some new friends Mylar balloons. I bought Ben some balloons to congratulate him on his new job, but they quickly became toys for Sam. He loves looking at them, grabbing them and having them brought up close to his face. I think he could stare at them all day! Both Ben's mom and my mom got him more balloons and he just can't seem to get enough.
And as a progress update, we still have no teeth, but you wouldn't know it by all of the symptoms he has and the love for chewing cold things, or really anything. His gum line is so hard, and ridgity that I think it must be close, but who knows at this rate.

Mother's Day

From time to time when Ben and I are sitting we ask each other can you believe were parents, and you are a father and I am a mother, and we both still can't believe its real. It is so sureal that I am a mother, and on Sunday I couldn't believe that Ben and Sam were celebrating me. I am still amazed that Shawnee Mission let me leave with this adorable boy, but I am so lucky they did. This mothers day was near perfect, with Ben and Sam making me feel like a queen, Ben's mom was here to celebrate the only thing missing was my mother, but we were able to Skype with her in the morning and that made it as close to great as possible. Mother's day really allowed me a moment to reflect and soak in how lucky I am to have these two amazing men in my life. I was never the kind of girl that thought a smile from a child could melt your heart or that when your child cries it would bring you to tears, but they do and I wouldn't change it for the world. Samuel has changed me more than I ever imagined and he has helped me grow each day. Being a mother while challenging is the best thing I have ever done, and now I understand why people kept pushing us to have a child.

Three generations - Jeannette, Ben and Samuel

Hanging out at home with Samuel and Ben playing games all day is my new version of a perfect day.

Doesn't that smile just melt your heart? I used to think I was going to be the disciplinarian but if Samuel flashes one of these I think I could be in for trouble.

This week was another new adventure. Samuel wasn't sleeping very well (not that he was ever great at it) so we went to see our pediatrician, and got some exciting news. Samuel is teething!! He is getting his 2 bottom teeth and they should pop through in the next few weeks. However this is why he may be having difficulty sleeping, but at least we have an answer. Samuel also weighed 17lbs this week, gaining almost an ounce a day! Here is Samuel chewing on a frozen toothbrush to help with his teething, a trick my mom did with me. I think the bristles and cold feel good on his gums. Here he is chomping down.

Happy Birthday Grandma

Happy Birthday Grandma!

We wish we could be there to celebrate with you, but wanted you to know we were thinking of you and love you more than all the stars in the sky!

We hope to see you VERY VERY soon.

Samuel

Jet Setter

This past week Ben, Samuel and I took our first family vacation. While this was a work vacation we were able to do a ton of things just the three of us. Before leaving I talked to friends and family about what the "must" haves were for our trip. Thank you to everyone, as it was a perfect trip and we had all the things we needed. Our trip started at 7:25 am which was the normal time Sam wakes up and thought this could be interesting getting him off of his schedule from the get go. However he was a perfect angel. He slept on all 4 flights and people on each flight couldn't believe how well behaved he was. One woman on our 1st leg sat up after the flight and was shocked to see a baby sitting behind her. The vibrations of the plane put the little guy to bed, and no ear problems going up or coming down. Here we are sitting together on the flight.

Once we got to the Bahamas Sam woke up and was bright eyed for almost the entire trip. He seemed to love all of the colors and couldn't stop looking around him. We brought his stroller and this was the 1st time we had used it without the car seat and he seemed to really like it. We also used his carrier a lot so that he could see out as we toured the grounds.

We spent the rest of the trip on the beach and in the pool. Sam really liked to be carried out in the water as long as it didn't go above his neck. This is the biggest bath tub he has ever seen and just wanted to hang out. He liked it when Ben would take him out and spin him around, and have him lay on his back in the water. The pictures don't do it justice, but seeing and touching sand was very interesting for him, he was fascinated with it, and couldn't seem to figure it out.

The water definitely tired him out, because as soon as we would pull him out of the water and lay him on his towel he would pass out. Here is him in his stroller which was perfect to have him sleep in by the pool.

In addition to all of these new adventures, Sam had his 1st non-family or friend babysitter. Miss Eunise was amazing, Sam loved her and was such a great experience. She watched Sam on three different occasions and each time we came back he was asleep or smiling/laughing with her. It definitely gave us confidence to start having a babysitter at home from time to time.

Everyone from work loved Sam and he was passed around all week, and he loved being the only gig in town. They also had a professional photographer there that got some great pictures of us. Each time he met someone he would be very serious for the first few minutes, being his typical "shy guy" but then once he felt comfortable he broke out the smiles. It was so fun to see him interacting with others. Even the hotel staff got involved. Each day we ate at a breakfast buffet and I would carry Sam around with me while I got my food, so he could see everything, he LOVED looking at the colors of the fruit! But on the 1st day while we were getting our food he spit up and it got on the floor. I ran to get a towel and when I came back the staff was cleaning it for us. This started us talking, they met Sam and we got to know a lot of the staff and for the rest of the week when we came in, they all smiled and said the Gerber Baby has arrived. His chubby cheeks are impossible not to love. Overall, this was a perfect first vacation for our family and we can't wait to do more and go back to Atlantis when he is bigger and can enjoy all of the water slides and activities. We definitely want to take advantage of it while we can, I can't imagine when he is walking and we try to fly, that will be an adventure. Here are more pictures from our trip.

1st moments of Sam and dad in the pool

1st Picture of Samuel in a swimsuit

Sam and Dad washing off the sand, and Sam shocked when the shower got him right in the face!

Sam playing with his telephone during the rain on Monday afternoon

Samuel in the ocean for the 1st time

Last, I wanted to include a picture from today, Sam was in his first 5k today and it was really cute. We went out to support some friends and a great cause and Sam even beat his mom on the race!