Trip to the South!

One of the hard things about living in Minnesota is being away from family. (Winter might be another.)

Kennesaw, Georgia—where my family lives—is about 1,100 driving miles from our doorstep here in Minneapolis. Dothan, Alabama—where much of Ashley's family calls home—is even further at 1,250 miles away. Both are technically drivable, but that's a long way—too far for a long weekend. Flying shortens the miles, but finding those longer open windows in the schedule still makes frequent trips difficult.

A few weeks ago, we finally found that open window . . .

Meeting Grandmother!



Story time with Mema Lois!



Playing @Water World!



Other Snapshots . . .

Sam found a friend at the Georgia Aquarium.

Fun with Auntie LaLa!

Givin' Rosemary some cuddles.

With Aunt Celeste and Uncle Steve

With Aunt Glenda

Four generations!

With Ms. Patti and Mr. Tony

"Papa Bear", Sam, and Daddy! The blue polos were just a coincidence. Seriously.

"Hi, JoJo!"

Happy morning with Beth at the mountain house!

Meeting sweet Adelaide and Katie for the first time.

Y'all come back now, ya hear?

6 Months!

It's been a busy summer full of travel, camping, & races. On September 5, Sam turned 6 months old!!!

At his 6 month check up he weighed 16.7 lbs. and measured 25.5 inches - 20th % in height and weight. The pediatrician noted that he was very 'proportionate'. We are so thankful for this healthy little guy!

All milestones call for a cookie cake!

A friend told me the 6 - 9 month age was her favorite baby phase, and I can totally see why! Sam is just so much fun these days. Being able to sit up and play independently while not yet mobile makes for a happy boy and mama! He is napping very well these days, but still not sleeping through the night. Working on that one!

Experimenting with solids now. Lots of good faces!  It is so funny to try to watch him figure out what to do with food. He's just starting to get the hang of rice cereal. We've also tried a little banana, avocado, and sweet potato, too.

Preparing for a mobile baby any day now! 

Sam & Mona from Chris Robbins on Vimeo.
Sam and Mona decided to become friends.

MVI 1790 from Chris Robbins on Vimeo.
Just starting to get the hang of cereal.

Belly Laugh! from Chris Robbins on Vimeo.
Belly laugh!

Contentment

I met up with a dear friend yesterday and we were both expressing our struggle to be content in this season of life. (Isn't it there in every season in some way or another?) We are both new moms, love our babies dearly, and couldn't be more joyful or fulfilled to be a wife and mother who works mainly in the  home. But that doesn't mean the days are easy. Especially the days at home with that sweet little bundle who won't nap. And we struggle to find time or have the discipline to get into the Word every day. We both find ourselves looking forward to the next 'big' thing - whether it's a vacation or an outing to Target. :) It's often easier to get out just to stay busy than be at home and be content.

When Sam finally did decide to take a nap this morning, I was able to spend some time looking up some scripture and thinking of things to help combat discontentment:

• "So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days." Psalm 90: 12, 14
• "Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment." I Tim 6:6
• "This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

One of my favorite 'routines' I've established with Sam are our early mornings. (Emphasis on early). When he wakes up for good, I walk into his room and sing the song "This Is the Day" while opening the curtains, turning on the lamp, picking him up and snuggling, etc. My hope is this will be one of his earliest memories. This simple song often preaches to my heart on days I'm grumbling about how early he's up or if we don't have anything 'exciting' going on that day. It is the day that God has made. (Psalm 118:24) He has prepared good works in advance for me today (Ephesians 2:10). 

More thoughts to come on this topic, I hope. But I hear my babe waking up! "This is the day . . . This is the day . . ."

What thoughts or verses would you add to the list?

4 months!

 

The past month has flown by! Sam is doing new things every day to make us smile. Today at his 4 month check up he weighed in at 14.6 lbs. - (26th %) and measured 25 inches (60th %) - long and lean like his daddy! We are continually praising the God of mercy for this precious gift.

Sam is regularly rolling over now.
Especially if playing in the grass is the reward!

One afternoon Sam and I hung out in the church
nursery while we waited for Chris to finish working.
He loved all the new toys, especially the ones
with sound! He's also pretty good at standing if
he has something to hold onto.
(I was, of course, super close by.)

Sam likes reaching for, holding,
and tasting his toys.
It's amazing how those tiny milestones
bring me so much joy!

He's not asleep here; he's just turned his tummy time into
crawl-over-the-Boppy time. He squirms and wiggles his
way over; it cracks me up

On days we are home we probably swing at least
three times a day. He loves it!

At the cathedral, Sam sleepin' away.

In June Beth came to visit us. We had fun showing her the Cathedral in St. Paul, Lake Nokomis, and downtown Minneapolis. Sam loved playing with Beth!

Lake Nokomis was too cold for a baby
- or anybody! - to swim.

Peek-a-boo!

 With Chris' schedule calming down a bit, we are enjoying these warm Minnesota summer days!

Sam started riding up front in the jogging stroller!
Ready for a run!

I love these feet.

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.