I'm 1 month old!!

Very scary monkey!!!

Enough of this mom! The jeans put him over the edge!!

Don't ask what I'm doin!

Precious!!!!!

We can't believe it! Our little sweetie pie is 1 month today. Here is what he's up to:

He loves tummy time and is always lifting his head..especially when he is held on your shoulder.

He just started cooing and ahhing today...I think a smile is on the way.

He hates..and I mean hates getting his clothes changed.

He hates getting out of the bathtub...but still absolutely loves his baths!

He was diagnosed with reflux which breaks my heart..but we now have medicine. Cross your fingers

He is eating every 3 hours...but we are hoping for longer stretches at night soon!

He only knows how to poop one way....Blowout!

He absolutely LOVES his paci...it is a must after eating.

He finally likes riding in the car...but does not like red lights or drive through lines.

He is in love with his daddy!! So precious

He is just now fitting in to some 0-3 month clothes. Hopefully he will eventually make it in to some of the adorable shoes he has for summer.

He is already sleeping in his crib every night. The pack and play never worked for us.

He burps like a champ. You can always get a burp out of him!

We are really enjoying our handsome fella and can't wait until he starts to interact with us. Samuel and I have started getting out almost every day and he seems to like it. I have a lot of stay-at-home mom friends so I have plenty of places to go hang.

Here are his 1 month stats:

weight: 9lbs 10 oz. He gained 1 lb 7 oz in 2weeks. Little chubber!!

length: 21 1/2 inches

Head: 15

New Perspective

Motherhood: oh, no one ever prepared me for this unbelievable journey. I have been so surprised. I remember the day we brought little guy home...we were so excited. We all came in the house together..and just looked around wondering what to do next. Feed, change diaper, rock, kiss, rock, kiss, try to sleep and repeat. Then, the second week came. What a change! Feed, change diaper, rock, kiss, mommy cries, kiss, mommy cries, try to sleep, cry some more, and repeat. Yes, that's right, I said it. Cry! I don't think I was at all ready for this part. Then, the third week came..along with all of the crying. We think Samuel has reflux..and he literally cries all of the time..as well as his mommy. Parenthood is so much harder than I had imagined.

Go back 10 months: I found out I was pregnant. I have never been more excited. I dreamed of my nursery, the baby smell, and the bond that I would have immediately with this new little soul. I remember being so completely overwhelmed with love before I even met him. I read lots of books and prepared for the magical day when we would meet him. I just knew everything would go as planned. Contractions, epidural, lots of phone calls and hanging out, quick pushing and voila...baby would arrive. Breastfeeding would go great..and of course and my baby would be so wonderful and agreeable. Not God's plan

Go back 3 weeks: Labor started on Sunday May 10th. We went to the hospital around 2 am contracting every 3 minutes..but were sent home because I hadn't dilated yet. I labored all night and all of the next day. We returned to the hospital at 7pm on Monday night and we were finally admitted at 10pm. I was informed at 7am on Tuesday that we were having a C-section. After being completely "snowed" by drugs during the surgery, I couldn't even hold my sweet love after the C-section. This continued for about 12-15 hours. Not my plans!

New Perspective: after having Samuel for over 3 weeks now, I realize that our plans aren't always God's plans. I have always known this..but never really experienced it. God threw me some major curve balls..and still is. I never would have guessed I would have a baby with reflux or even worse..maybe colic. I never would have guessed that my baby would cry all day and night unless sleeping or eating. I never would have guessed that I would be so emotional and so overwhelmingly in love..all at the same time. After 3 weeks of feeling so sorry for myself and wondering why..I realize how blessed I really am. God has given me this very special child to love and raise..and he has picked Thad and I out of everyone else to do it. My baby is healthy, not in the NICU, not premature, no major issues and completely precious. So I choose today to stop the complaining. To love this little guy with all that I have..and to make every moment for the next little while about him. To praise my God everyday that he gave me this precious gift. To understand how completely blessed and abundantly loved we really are. Thank you God!

Every day I sing to my sweet Samuel and this song always comes to mind first. I look at his sweet hands, his little ears, his button nose...and think how absolutely amazing God is. I stand in awe of God everyday for this tiny miracle. Here are the lyrics:

You are beautiful beyond description

Too marvelous for words

Too wonderful for comprehension

Like nothing ever seen or heard

Who can grasp your infinite wisdom

Who can fathom the depths of your love

You are beautiful beyond description

Majesty enthroned above

And I stand, I stand, in awe of you

I stand, I stand, in awe of you

Holy God, to whom all praise is due

I stand in awe of you

Thank you Lord for this amazing gift!

3 Weeks Old

Well, it is hard to believe that our little one is 3 weeks old today. I was just saying earlier that I can't believe I've been waking up every 3hours for 3 weeks. I guess I can do this!! At his 2 week appointment he had already gained a full pound weighing in at 8lb 3 oz. He is 21 inches long. Samuel loves to eat and will really let you know when it is time. He throws a complete meltdown if you don't have that bottle ready to go when he's ready. So much like his mommy already! Ha! Thad and I are really enjoying getting to know this little guy and are learning more and more each day. I will definitely say that having a newborn is all about trial and error. It is a lot harder than I had every imagined...but is proving to be very rewarding. Even with all of the sleep deprivation and long, long, long crying sessions...I think we might be figuring each other out. I love being Samuel's mommy!

Still Samuel's favorite place to sleep. He sleeps here almost every night before we put him to bed...think daddy is enjoying it just as much.

First family picture!! Many of you have been asking how are "first borns" are doing with the adjustment. They are doing great...Mac is still a mama's boy and wants to always be with me..and Wrigley could really care less and just wants to sleep. As you can see in the photo, Thad is holding Mac against his will and Wrigs is asleep.

Just too freaking cute to not post!!

Just enjoying some bouncy seat time outside on the patio. Notice the Zoolander face in the first pic. So cute!! We were instructed by the pediatrician to take him outside at least a couple times a day to help with the day/night confusion. The patio is like the baby whisperer...he loves it and it will stop the crying almost instantly. I like to think it is because of my singing...but I'm sure it's really just the nice breeze.

We also experienced our first walk while Nana Karen was here. He loved the walk..but HATED getting in his seat. This first pic is post-meltdown...think the poor little guy just wore himself out. He really enjoyed the walk...and slept in his carrier for almost 2 hours after the walk. Hey..whatever works..no judgement!!

Samuel got his first big boy bath 2 days ago. You can see how he reacted when we decided bath time was over! He got his 2nd bath one day later after the massive blowout he had right before bedtime. The boy loves his baths..but hates getting out. Who can blame him? Please ignore my awful double chin in this pic. Just look at the adorable little babe!

Just a pic with his mommy! I realized that I had only taken 1 picture with him since we have been home.

We are really working on tummy time! Also, as you can see, Samuel would prefer to be in his diaper only. He is so hot natured..just like his daddy!

Lastly, Happy Anniversary to my sweet husband!! I am about a week late on this post but I think I have good reason. I feel like the luckiest wife and mother. Thad has been not only a wonderful husband over the last 4 years but is proving to be such an amazing father. I have not had to go through one part of this pregnancy or delivery without him right by my side. He gets up in the middle of the night...every night...and really takes care of us. He loves me so much...and you should see him love on this baby. Oh my...life is so good! I love you Thad!!

2 Weeks Old

Well, we made it! We have kept a child alive for 2 weeks now. Samuel is doing great! Last night, we got about 7 hours of sleep total...which I hear is great. He gets his evening bottle around 10pm and sleeps until 2am. We then feed him at 2 and 5. I actually think we are working ourselves into a bit of a schedule and it feels good. Nana Karen and Papa Lloyd have been with us this week so the help has been so nice. We have grilled out two nights and our small group has brought us dinner two nights as well. What a blessing! It is so great to not have to worry about dinner for a while. Enjoy this week of pics of our big 2 week old!!

Week of Firsts!

Our first week with little Samuel has been great...as well as a HUGE adjustment. We just can't quit staring at this little guy..except for at 1,2,3,4 am when he is AWAKE. We would love to not stare at him during this time but he has other ideas. We saw the pediatrician today for his 1 week checkup and were told he has his days and nights mixed up. Calgon...take us away!! This by far has been the hardest thing to get used to. Otherwise..he is a great baby. Just so precious. He had his first bath this week, and has used all of his new, fun toys! The bouncy seat is definitely the most amazing invention EVER! He loves it and it can usually soothe a cry. He has already met and surpassed his birth weight which is great and very comforting. We had a little scare friday night and went to see the pediatrician. He had not had any pee or poop in over 16 hours...until we got to the doctor. She pulled off his diaper and the flood gates opened...all over her! It was our first experience being paranoid parents. Grandma Becky has been here for almost 2 weeks and has been the biggest help. I can't even talk about her leaving without crying like a crazy women. I love her so much and am so excited that she is Samuel's grandma! So, enough with the talk...here are the pictures...what everyone wants to see!!

Introducing Samuel Cade Schaefer

Introducing Samuel Cade Schaefer

Born May 12, 2009

7 pounds 1 ounce

20 inches long

More details to follow!

I want to remember

Overall, I have had a great pregnancy. Aside from going over my weight gain goal, I feel like I have been very blessed. Here are just a few things I always want to remember about this time!

1.) We found out on September 5th that we were expecting. I ran downstairs and showed Thad the test and his first response was "what is that?" Pretty classic

2.) I have NEVER been more excited about anything in my life! This pregnancy was truly divine intervention (I guess all pregnancies are) and I am so glad that it happened when it did. It was perfect timing

3.) I LOVE maternity clothes. This was very exciting for me because I couldn't wait to wear them. The selections are great these days and to be honest...I will really miss wearing them.

4.) I LOVE the way people treat you at the grocery store when you are pregnant...especially when you tell them you are due in 1 week.

5.) I have the best husband in the world! I already knew this before I got pregnant...but he has really shown his true colors over the past 9 1/2 months. He's been so great with back rubs, foot rubs, and pretty much helping with anything I ask.

6.) I am going to miss having a great, big belly! I rub my belly constantly and am afraid I might still do this after he comes. YIKES!

7.) The first kick...God is great!

8.) Feeling the presence of my Papaw throughout the entire pregnancy. I really feel he's been watching over us.

9.) Going in to the nursery every night ( and yes..I mean every night) and staring in to the closet...not really touching anything...just looking and dreaming of the day!

10.) The anticipation of having my mom here with me for almost 2 weeks. This has almost been as exciting as having little Samuel. We haven't been together that long in over 10 years.

11.) I am thrilled that I didn't start swelling until the last 4 weeks. Being a pharmacist on my feet for long hours everyday, I really thought this would set in earlier. Hallelujiah!!

12.) The day we found out we would have a little boy! I can so see myself with a little man...

13.) Packing for the hospital. I don't know many people who were as excited as I was to do this. Such a boring task but one that I couldn't wait to do.

14.) Anticipating kissing those sweet little hands! Only 1 week now!

There are a ton of things I could write..but this is just a few. I am so thankful for the gift of carrying a little child and I give all of the glory to God!

"God is able to immeasurably more than all we could ask or imagine" Ephesians 3:20

Praise be to him for this miracle! Please pray for us over the next week for a safe delivery and a healthy baby!