Sweet memories..

I try to use this blog as a scrapbook or as a way to write down little things that I don't ever want to forget. Here are a few:

Bedtime has always been my favorite part of the day. Not because little Samuel is going to bed..in fact lately I have been a little sad when it is time for him to go to sleep for 12+ hours. But there is just something so precious and sweet about that time. After his bath, we lotion him up from head to toe, put him in his clean pj's and zip him up in a really soft sleep sack. His hair is greasy and slicked back from all of the lotion, his face is so clean and soft, and his eyes are sleepy. We then turn out all of the lights, turn on the sound machine, and it's bottle time. Thad and I take turns giving his his bottle and putting him down. I'm always so excited when it is my night! He just lays back in my arms in full surrender and drinks his milk as he drifts off to sleep. I usually take this time to pray, or kiss his sweet hands and thank God for this amazing gift.

In the last month, Samuel has started taking 3 bottles a day instead of four. His second bottle just so happens to be right before his afternoon nap. This time has become my second favorite part of the day. After his drinks his bottle, I put him on my shoulder to snuggle. He burrows in my shoulder, lifts his head up and grabs my cheeks and kisses me. I LOVE IT!! I'm telling you, it is the most tender time ever! He's quite, gentle and precious! Totally opposite from the rough and tumble boy that he is all other hours of the day. These are the times that I know I might forget if I don't write them down...thank you God for these times.

I hear him now awake in his crib..banging his feet and throwing his pacis...the fun never ends!

Movin' and Groovin'

It's official...Samuel is mobile!! We are SO excited about his new accomplishment! I wouldn't have been ready a month ago. Over the last month Samuel has been getting very frustrated that he couldn't get to his toys that he would throw across the room, or that he couldn't follow me in to the laundry room or wherever I was. SOOO...last night he figured it out. 4 weeks of rocking back and forth finally paid off for the little man. Woo Hoo!!! I have a few videos but I will post those another day when I can figure out how;)) Until then, enjoy some pictures of this little peanut..

He looks GINORMOUS in this photo!! This was last Thursday before we went to story hour at the library.
"I think I can, I think I can"

After his crawling debut last night, he woke up this morning ready to crawl and perfect another skill...pulling up! He mastered it in about 2 minutes. Whew..it's been a busy 24 hours. GO SAMUEL!!!

Day Dreaming...

Another cold, wintery day here in Dallas and all I can think about is this:

Ahhhhh....Maui! We went here on our honeymoon and then went back to the same resort on our 3 year anniversary. I know we won't be headed back for a while so I just look at the pics and daydream. To be honest, I would just take a nice, warm, sunny day in Dallas right about now:)

Meet Bob!

Now that all of the snow has melted and the sun has come out, we decided it was time to introduce Samuel to Bob. They got along quite well I must say! Thad's sister and husband let us borrow their single Bob stroller until we have another kiddo. No since in buying a stroller now when we might need a double at some point..right? We took it out today after Samuel's nap. I was a little worried because he's been REALLY fussy today due to the pesky cold he's got or new teeth making their way in. However, he didn't make one peep the whole time. We went out first just him and I so I could run. I LOVE THIS STROLLER, people!!!! It was such a great run and it just glides over the awful roads in Lakewood. Love it! Then we headed back home to pick up the dogs and walk around the neighborhood some more. Samuel just chilled the entire time and enjoyed the view! Thanks Dawn and Matt...we owe you!

9 month old little man...

9 months old..where has time gone? I can't believe it. Pictures are proving to be more of a challenge every single month. The following is proof..these were the best I could get.

A Photo Shoot gone Bad!!

Here are few things I want to remember about little Samuel as 9 months:

• Weight- 19 pounds 15 ounces (45%)
• length- 29 1/2 inches (85%)
• clothes-9 month and 12-18 month (for length)
• diaper- size 3 but very close to size 4
• eating (3) 7-8 ounce bottles per day and eating 3 times per day with one snack; favs are oatmeal, apples with summer peaches, bananas and Yo Baby
• would try to live on Yogurt melts if mommy would allow it
• typical day: wake 7 am and bottle,breakfast 8:30, playtime till 9, nap 9-11, leave for errands or gym from 11-1:30, lunch 1:30, naptime 2-4, playtime till dinner at 5:30, bath and bed at 6:45
• sleeping from 6:45pm to 7-7:30 am
• (2) two hour naps/day
• still loves paci and Pup Pup
• loves to watch the dogs play and laughs at Wrigley all of the time
• understands when I say "dogs" or "books" or "daddy"
• favorite toys are still the octopus and links; starting to really enjoy his Tonka cars
• not crawling yet, but rocking back and forth on all fours
• loves to stand at the ottoman or while holding on to mommy and daddy's hands
• no babbling yet, but we think it is just because he is so interested in everything else..no time to talk!!
• still loves bathtime but kicks like crazy and soaks everyone!!
• sleeps at night in a sleepsack; naps are with a blanket
• won't sit still AT ALL while we change his diaper or his clothes
• proving to be very curious about everything
• not really interested in the exersaucer or the jumperoo anymore..sniff sniff..
• LOVING his Kindermusik class and has met lots of new friends
• starting to have separation anxiety when mommy or daddy leaves the room

Samuel is such a great baby and we feel so blessed to be his parents. The past 9 months have been so rewarding and wonderful and I truly love this new life. Yes..I can remember what it was like before Samuel..and I would never go back to that time. He is such a little sweetie pie and has blessed my life more than I ever thought possible. We love you so much Buster Brown....looking forward to many more months with you!!!

More Snow!!

On Friday morning, Thad went in to work a little late and made Samuel Cade his first snowman. It was so adorable!! We had a great morning. Later that day, Samuel's good buddy Mateo came over to play and we had lots of fun snow time. Unfortunately, Frosty lost his head later that afternoon...

Please excuse the messy hair and glasses...
My two favorite boys!

This is what happens when mommies try to get pictures...poor babies!!

Buddies!

Snow Day!!

Dallas got over 12 inches of snow yesterday!! Crazy Crazy!! It was a nice day. We had playgroup in the morning and then came home and stayed in for the rest of the day. After a good nap, Samuel got up and was eyeing the snow. I decided this was a great time to let him play in the snow for the first time. He was adorable. If you know Samuel, you know that when he is really in to something or overwhelmed, he won't smile. It's hilarious!! He only broke out a big smile when the caught a glimpse of the dogs. I still think he enjoyed it! I still have some more pics to post from this morning when daddy made Samuel a snowman and some pics of our big 9 month old..as of today! Stay tuned...

I don't even have words for how this picture melts my heart!

Before shot

After shot

Touching snow for the first time

Love this one!!

Sweet, sweet face! I think he was amazed at all of the snow falling

"Ralphy, I can't put my arms down"