Sammy Smiles!

He is SOOOOO- cute!

Sammy is 6 weeks and 1 day old! He is holding his neck up more and more. He can hold himself up when he's on his tummy.

Brandon's grandpa gave us this really cool Baby Einstein activity center at the baby shower and we recently opened it to see if Sam was old enough for it. He just loves it! I say "let's lay down and look at your pretty colors" and he does... for up to an hour even!

So, I took this picture about 20 min. ago. He just lays there kicking (running as we call it) until he falls asleep.

I think Sam is a really good baby, but he still keeps me really busy, so I don't post here as much as I'd like.

Brandon and I are having tons of fun being new parents. Oh #*&$ Sammy's crying... gotta go!

This is when I think little Sammy looks the most like Brandon (J.K.)... but I bet he would say the same about me... ha ha.

But by the way... this shirt speaks the truth!

Mommy and Daddy's little bear

We think this shot is a little girlie with the roses, but boy is he a cutie... if I do say so myself!

Me and my boy!

I just love that we had these pictures taken. The next day he broke out in baby acne. These were taken Jan. 29th- Sammy was 3 1/2 weeks old.

Sammy is truely our little blessing. He has totally changed my life!

Thanks Gigi and Pop for my cool new swing. I think mommy likes it best, however... now she can get things done!

We had the best visit ever with Pop and Gigi. Here they are with Sammy... even though he doesn't look so happy here:)

Me and my Dad (aka Pop) I feel so loved!

Pop and Sammy

So my parents came to visit our new little family on Wednesday. It was just awesome! Not only did they get to meet Baby Sammy and visit with us, but I finally got to meet my new little sister Lucy! She is just a doll!

I can't believe she is my little sister! I am so proud!

Lucy was so very excited to meet baby Sammy too! It was amazing how much love she had for him at such a young age. She held him close and kissed his little head saying, "hi baby Sammy." It was enough to melt my heart.

I am so lucky to have such a loving and generous family. I can't believe they came all the way out her to see us. We had a blast, I only wish it could have lasted longer, or we lived closer... or something. It was really hard to say goodbye:(

Thanks a million Dad, Jamie and Lucy for being in our lives and showing us so much love!

Lucy loves Baby Sammy... and we love Lucy!

Jamie (aka Gigi) and Sammy... she just loved him!

bad little kitty!

My Uncle Jim, Aunt Vicki and Cousin Caroline sent us these beautiful flowers! How lovely:)

We arrive on Sammy's b-day!

Okay, so let me rewind a bit...

Here I am on January 5th, the day Sam was born. It was 7:30 am and Brandon and I had arrived at St. Lukes Hospital in downtown Boise to do the second half of my induction.

We were SO excited! I was big as a house! I was so swollen too!

So Brandon and I get settled in our birthing room and they start the Pitocin (the drug to start my contractions) at around 8 am. By around 2 pm, my contractions were not strong enough and I wasn't really dilating, so (with some convincing on my part) the doctors finally went in a broke my water. It was a great feeling! The docs were a little concerned that I would need a cesarean if I didn't progress after that, but I was sure I would. Boy was I right. The contractions got stronger and stronger. I welcomed the pain. I just couldn't wait to meet my son. At around 3:30, I talked to my friend Debbie and she gave me the perfect advice at just the right time. She told me to let the contractions come. Don't fight them. Don't waist energy. I was alone in the room for about an hour after that and I followed her advice; breathing rhythmically through every sensation. When the nurse came back in the room at about 4:30 I had dilated from a 1 1/2 to a 6, and I was cursing Oprah on the television in front of me. That's when they decided to give me an epidural. After six painful attempts they finally managed to get the right spot and I felt a lot better.

From then on, everything went really fast. I could feel the baby moving down my birth canal- it was a strange and awesome feeling. Then, suddenly it was time to push. I only pushed for 1 1/2 hours. Brandon held one leg and videoed at the same time.
When I heard my son's little cry and looked at Bubba... it was the happiest moment of my entire life. I was so proud of us all. Proud of myself and my little son - we had a hard day. Also extreemly proud of Brandon... he has really stepped up and he is just a beautiful person. I can't believe how far we have come toghether. The whole experience was euphoric!
I looked down at my beutiful little baby on my chest and he looked at me and smiled. I couldn't believe it! I didn't think babies smiled when they were new! Wow What a day!

Unfortunately, little Sam had jaundice that got worse when we went home, so we spent the following weekend together back at the hospital. I stayed with him because I breast feed. It was difficult to see him in his little tanning bed. He wasn't always as happy as he looks in this picture. The first night he just screamed and I couldn't pick him up too much. I hated it. But, we got through it and now he is worlds better:)

Bubba's baby

Bubba and Lil' Bubba!

WOW! Look at those eyes!

I love, love, Love these pictures of Sammy! I think I see my eyes. Maybe he does look a little like me:) We are having so much fun... he is such an angel!
Click on this picture to blow it up. He is so cute, but of coarse... he's mine, so I may be a bit prejudice.

It's been rough... but OH SO WORTH IT!!!

Since we have been home, Sam and I have spent most of our days (and nights) in the recliner in the living room. I love to sleep with him on my chest. He is amazing!

OUR SON IS FINALLY HERE!
He was born Monday, January 5th at 11:07 pm. He's 8 pounds, 3 ounces and 21 inches long. He has beautiful strawberry blond hair and I think he looks a lot like Brandon. We haven't picked a name yet, but we will know in a few days.
I have never been happier in my entire life! I am so happy to be his mommy and start our little family! What a beautiful blessing. Thank you to all our friends and family who have been just SO supportive as we welcome our little bundle of joy into this world!

The baby was just born and I was still on the table when Bubba held his son for the first time. I have never seen him so happy. It was beautiful!

I will post more pictures and information tomorrow, but for now... just LOOK at our BEAUTIFUL baby boy! I can't believe he's actually here!

PS: All of these pics should be big enough to print, and if you click on them you will see them in a larger size. Enjoy!

I AM GOING CRAZY!

Tomorrow is my due date. I think I made a mistake in a previous post and wrote that my due date was the 21st... it's really the 29th. (Bubba's birthday was the 21st).
Anyways.... I feel like I am going crazy with anticipation! I want to go into labor so badly. The reality is that just because my due date is tomorrow, doesn't mean he will come tomorrow! AHHHH! Every little sensation makes me wonder if this is it.

Little Martin was such a little *#%* yesterday! He is so naughty. I came home from work and Daddy said he found him sleeping in the crib so he took these pictures.

Okay, I'll explain: when I first set up the crib a few weeks ago, I found Marin sleeping on the mattress. Because I was worried about him getting in the habit of sleeping in the crib when the baby arrives, I tilted the mattress up so he could no longer lay there. Then, a few days ago, I felt it was finally time to make baby's crib since our due date is getting closer. I figured that Martin would have just forgotten about it and the crib would stay nice and clean... nope! No such luck. Daddy caught im red handed (or footed.. I don't know). I think he thinks it is HIS bed.

This picture was taken the day after my shower (12/1/08) before I go to water aerobics for expecting mommies. My best friend Debbie sent me my suit that I left in California. Boy... does it fit different then the last time I wore it! I feel so huge!

December 29th was our baby shower and I am FINALLY posting the pictures!! Our awesome friends Karen & Derek and Tracy & Jason threw it for us and I cannot thank them enough. They made the most amazing food too!

We had a blast. So many people showed up and I felt so loved. I know that the party was really for the baby, but this was the closest thing I have ever had to someone throwing a party for me. Brandon didn't know what to make of it at first, but he had a great time too and he looked really happy. Thank you all for coming or sending your wishes. It was so nice of you. Please keep reading... the baby is coming soon....

Grammy (that's Brandon's mom) made us this really nice quilt. I love her quilts! She and Poppi also gave us (or Brandon) a more masculine diaper bag. We are calling it a "murse" (or man-purse). Haha.

It was so much fun! A bunch of Brandon's family came that he hadn't seen in a while. He was glad to see them and I got to meet them too.

My aunt, uncle, and cousin sent us some really cool gifts. It was a surprise to get their package! They sent some really cute clothes and some miniature books that I recognize from when I was a kid: Chicken Soup With Rice and Pierre by Maurice Sedek (the same author as Where The Wild Things Are). I remember my dad reading me these when I was little. Uncle Jim and Aunt Vicki would know the significance of these books, and it was sweet that they remembered.

I was SO SURPRISED when my family in California sent us some awesome gifts! My parents gave us a travel system (which is a stroller and car seat in one) and a matching high chair, and my Nana gave us a really cute baby bouncer. They even personalized the gifts by sending a picture of them holding a sign that said "happy baby shower". It was SO cool! I wish they could have been here, but I was so touched by how much love and thought they put into our special day! I had no idea.

When we went home that night, we were both just so happy. We just love our gifts and we were just so shocked by everybodys love and generosity. It was so cute to see Bubba putting everything together too. We are both so excited to be parents!

I just love my new stroller/ car seat. I know the baby is going to be so comfortable. Thanks Dad & Jamie!