The Many Faces of Mr. Sam

Peaceful sleep.

Giant yawn, just like his daddy does.

And my personal favorite . . . the milk man.

Bath time!

Today, Sam took a bath.

It wasn't the first "bath" he's enjoyed, but definitely the first one with the full tub experience. I think he thoroughly enjoyed it:

Hmm . . . 

Shampoo! 

Aww yeah . . . let's do it again!

The Very Best Daddy of All

Sam & his daddy

My precious husband has been a huge means of grace and the source of many thankful prayers sent heavenward in these early days of parenthood. He has been right there, holding my hand, holding Sam's hand, loving us so well. He has counseled me as I cried.  Laughed with me. Stayed chill through the post-labor hormonal ups & downs. Changed poopy diapers. Prayed regularly with me & for me. I've been amazed at how having a son together has brought a new measure of love and joy into our marriage.

I gave this book to Chris last Christmas!

Just because . . . I don't see what anyone can see in anyone else. I love you, Chris.

Diving Boards for the Heart

Over the past week or so, for one reason or another, I've often found myself hanging out with Sam in his room. Sometimes I just talk to him. Sometimes he talks (cries) to me. Sometimes I just look at him. Sometimes he just looks at me. Sometimes I just hold him. I think he enjoys wrapping his hand around my pinkie finger. We recently started reading through the Chronicles of Narnia together as a family in his room. Lucy just met Tumnus. I immediately wondered what image Sam would create in his mind for a fawn.

Anyways, recently while snuggling together early one morning, I found myself glancing around the room and thinking. I've always enjoyed the room's happy, complementary colors, its structured set-up (I'm detail-oriented), and the Clemson basketball hoop atop the door. But I decided one of the most strategic things about Sam's room is the way it stirs my heart to pray for him.

There are certain objects (more than others) that seem to be "spring-loaded" to launch my heart towards God on Sam's behalf -- kind of like getting near the end of a diving board. Get too close and you just can't help yourself from diving in (or up)!

Here's a few examples:

Father, would you give Sam a new heart that loves you with all -- all of his heart, all of his soul, all of his might? (Deuteronomy 6:5)

Father, would you give Sam the gospel courage and boldness of a lion? (Acts 23:11; Ephesians 6:19-20)
Would you make him strong in your strength and in the strength of your infinite might? (Ephesians 6:10ff)
Would you incline his heart to take refuge in the conquering Lion of Judah? (Revelation 5:5)

Father, would you make known the path of life to Sam? Would you satisfy him all his days with Jesus?
Would you show him the full and forever pleasures that exist at your right hand? (Psalm 16:11)

1 Week!

Thai Coconut Curry Soup & Trust

Kind strangers offer to take your picture when
you have the cutest, most handsome baby boy in the world!

Yesterday, per Momma Jo's suggestion and while she cleaned our house from top to bottom, we took Sam on his first outing! Chris needed a haircut in a major way, so first stop - Great Clips. Sam & I just chilled in the car together. Next stop - lunch at Noodles & Company! And . . . that's where a very bad decision was made. My favorite menu item from Noodles is the Thai Coconut Curry Soup. I practically inhaled it (as I'm doing these days with most of my meals!), but about two-thirds of the way through I stopped and asked Chris, "Oh, do you think this might be too spicy for me to be eating?"

Chris wants to connect everything to Sam now:
"I had to get a haircut so that I could look good in pictures with Sam!" 

It began about 7pm and didn't stop until midnight.

Poor, poor baby. I can't be sure it was the soup, but I'm pretty sure it didn't help. Sam is so often the picture of contentment, but his growing tummy is definitely starting to give him some struggles. Even through the fussiness, he still brings a new level of joy I never thought possible to our family.

Sweet baby Sam.

It's really easy to trust the Lord (or think I'm trusting Him) when I have a content baby. But there have been some sleepless nights and many tears shed (both me and Sam) with a lot of time to examine my heart. With a 10 + hour day of teaching, I always felt a struggle to have that consciousness of trust in the Lord throughout the ups and downs of the work day. I was just so busy. Now, I'm just as busy, but I find my mind freed to either wander to unhelpful thoughts, or I can choose to set my mind on the promises of God that find their 'yes' in Christ. 

Chris & I have been memorizing Romans 8 together, and in the throes of an inconsolable baby last night, I found myself being prompted to 'walk in the Spirit' - 'for, to set the mind on the Spirit is life & peace.' Seeking to set my mind to trust through the sleepless nights. So thankful the God of mercies is my help.

Samuel Anthony Robbins

It all began at 3am, March 5th, in a snowstorm . . .

Just after we checked-in to the hospital (~5am), I wrote the following email to a few family and friends, thinking we might have a long day ahead of us:

Greetings, from room 3626 at the Mother-Baby Center at Abbott-Northwestern in Minneapolis, Minnesota!

Ashley woke me up at 3am this morning with the question: "You ready to have a baby?"

Needless to say, I was supportive of the idea and -- a couple hours later, after brewing some coffee and shoveling more than half a foot of snow out of our way -- we arrived at the hospital. I'll keep you posted with updates as they happen, and as I'm able.

As you think of us throughout the day . . . feel free to ask our Father in heaven -- who loves to give his children good things (Matt. 7:11) -- to give Ashley a brief and faith-building labor. Even though we know the pain of childbirth Ashley's going through exist because of sin and rebellion against our Maker (Gen. 3:16), God is making all things new through Jesus (Col. 1:15-20) and can lift the fall and its effects whenever he so desires!

With much joy & anticipation, in Christ,

Chris & Ashley

Then, at 11:47am, after a few contractions, and with the snow still falling outside, Samuel Anthony Robbins entered the world . . .