3 months!

What's Sam been up to, you ask?

Bath Time!

I've found out that baths this way are much more fun for both us!
Plus I felt like he was already outgrowing that little plastic tub.
Sam loves bath time!

Tummy Time!

Sam used to hate tummy time, but the Boppy pillow helps and he has really good neck control now.

Rolling Over!

This week Sam rolled over for the first time! I was cleaning out my classroom at school and he was being a precious boy and just sort of lying on his side playing with a toy. The next thing I knew I looked over and he was like this! That same night he rolled over on his own in his crib. (And slept a little better because of it, I think!) It is so fun seeing him learn to do new things.

I'm officially a roller!

Turning 3 Months Old! 

And on June 5th, we got our 3 month photo shoot in:

"Mommy, do we have to do this every month?" 

"Ok, ok, I'll smile."

A Visit from JoJo 

A very special thank you to her, affectionately known by her grandchildren as "JoJo". She came to love on Sam & help us out during a slightly chaotic week. It was such a blessing to have her help and a joy to see her with Sam again. 

Sam loves being with JoJo and had lots to say to her that week!

Amazement 

I think a good word to sum up my thoughts and feelings at the 3 month mark is: amazement. I'm amazed at the goodness of God to give us this precious son; in awe of the Father who loves to give good gifts to his children. Amazed at Sam's growth in just a few months, that God has designed my body to give him all he needs to grow and thrive. Amazed at his progress in eating, sleeping, & all-around happiness. Amazed every time he smiles at me that I get to be his Momma.

And last but not least . . . 

A very happy first Father's Day to Chris!!! 

Sweetheart, it has been one of my deepest joys to watch you love on Sam. I am amazed at how deep your bond with Sam is already. Your love for him is so precious and points me back to the perfect love of our Heavenly Father. Thank you for the sacrifices you have made and will continue to make for us.  

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. 

Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! 

Psalm 127: 4 - 5

"What's up, Sam? What's up?"

Like Father, Like Son

People are always asking who Sam looks like, me or Chris. What do you think? Thanks, Aunt C, for sending the pic!

2 Months, Marathons, & Mother's Day!

May 5th

Smiley Sam is 2 months old!

Sam is now 10 weeks old, but I have been so busy taking care of him that I haven't posted his 2 month pictures yet! Sam is getting more & more interactive every day. He is full of big, gummy smiles for his Mommy, Daddy, and anyone else who can talk ridiculous baby talk to him! He recently acquired a swing where he is now taking most of his naps. His best naps are still when we are out and about though. He is happy most of the time, but sometimes surprises us with a really good fuss! At night Sam normally wakes up about 3 times to eat, but randomly has a night here and there where he only gets up once or twice. At his two month check-up he weighed 11 1/2 lbs and is 50th percentile in height & weight. I love his blue eyes and dimple chin and all-around handsome good looks he gets from his Dad! We are so thankful to God for a healthy, thriving baby boy.

Sam says, "Ah. Goo. Gaah. "
Translation: "Hi mommy! I love you!"

May 11th

We took our first day trip as a family of three to the St. Cloud area to watch Chris run in the Lake Wobegon Marathon. 20 - 30 mph wind gusts couldn't stop us! I know Sam was excited to see his daddy run, but throughout the morning his energy levels waxed & waned:

A bit of the time he was awake . . . 

. . . but for most of it he was asleep. 

Post-race celebration! Chris came in 8th with a PR of 3:01!!!

May 12th

 Mother's Day was a joyful day indeed. One year ago I prayed that I would be a mommy by this Mother's Day. God was indeed merciful and gracious and answered that prayer with Samuel Anthony.

Lovin' on my little man.

Seeing God

As a new mother I have eaten up every piece of advice I can get from books, conversations, and, yes, those frantic Google searches! But I am learning that what I need most is to see God. I don't first need the newest parenting techniques - the best advice for getting a baby to nap better or how to make tummy time work or what to do when I get shampoo in my baby's eyes; I must see God. I must let the beauty of my rescue in the gospel of Jesus Christ captivate me. When I focus on the Gospel first, I learn to take joy in putting Sam's needs before my own when I remember the sacrifice of my Savior. I can have patience in the inconsolable cries when I remember God's patience with me. I can be content when life is hard, because he has promised never to leave me or forsake me. I'm so thankful that God has chosen to show me more of himself through motherhood.

New Challenges

Chris and I are figuring out how to process life together when Sam occupies so much of our energy. And new challenges lie ahead: For the next month I return to work part time until summer break. We are curious to see how life will look next year in Chris' final year of seminary. And we are getting more serious about seeking the next step upon his graduation. It all feels very weighty at times. We have certainly felt the support of many of you as our family has grown by one. Thank you for loving us & praying for us as we come to mind. 

Love my Paci!!!

Smiles

Today Sam is 6 weeks old! He is really growing - last week he weighed in at 9lb. 14oz. Chris and I have been laughing that it is the equivalent of one of us gaining about 60 pounds in one month!

Sam is still doing pretty well at night - last night he went for his longest sleep stretch ever - 5 hours! Not so sure he likes baths anymore though. The toothless smiles he's started giving are the best. I enjoy our midday times the best - Sam eats, then we usually read from the Jesus Storybook Bible or Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing (both by Sally Lloyd Jones) and then I pray over him. Then we have play time in the 'baby gym' - see video below!

Over the weekend Sam enjoyed some snuggle time with his Grandmother Robbie and Aunt Lauren who came to visit. He's also looking forward to more friends coming in the near future! 

As sunshine is plentiful and temperature tolerable, Sam & I are heading out for a jog this afternoon. It will be his first time in the jogging stroller, so I'm hoping he loves it!

Some smiles & coos for ya . . .

One Month!

Hi everyone! I'm Sam and I'm one month old today! I am beginning to make eye contact and even smile a little! Other than that, I'm still doing a whole lot of sleeping, eating, and sometimes fussing.
It's been a busy day. I thought I'd show you what I've been up to on the day I turned one month.

I helped Mommy with her Target run.

A poopy situation led to an impromptu bath . . . :)

Story time with Mommy!

Play time with Daddy!

Daddy had some funny faces for me . . .

. . . and I had some smiles for him!

Our sweet friend Danae stopped by for some girl time with Mommy and some snuggle time with me!

Then I indulged Mama in a little photo shoot!

Happy Easter!

Sam thoroughly enjoyed his first Resurrection Sunday. Complete with flannel & cords, Pastor John's last sermon as pastor of Bethlehem, and some great time with friends, it was a joyous day indeed.