Moving Week

We were excited to have Grandma Linda and Grandpa Willy join us last Saturday evening. They were excited to come visit us and meet Blake.

We decided to take a couple of days to relax before we started to move. So we hung around the house Sunday and Monday. It was good quality time with the kids. Tuesday Travis and his mom started to move boxes that we had already packed up. Wednesday was more moving and Thursday was the big moving day, the day we rented the UHaul and moved the big stuff.

It's too bad that we didn't take pictures or video because Samantha was so cute helping move. She couldn't be left out of the action and insisted on taking stuff on and off the truck. By the end of the day she was so tired but she had been a true trooper! We want to thank Julian and Aimee for helping us move. The extra hands were sure a big help.

I insisted that Travis and the grandparents take Friday off so they took Samantha to the mall. I am not takiing Blake very far yet so he and I stayed home and put a few things away but I also took the afternoon off and watched a movie.

We were sad to see Grandma Linda and Grandpa Willy leave bright and early Sunday morning but we know that they had to get back to their work and are looking forward to their next visit.

Samantha likes being back at our old place I think. She asks to go outside very often and once it stops raining and warms up a bit we'll spend a lot of time outside I'm sure. When we first got back she ran around quite excited.

One evening we were outside walking and playing around and the cats came out to see us. I was telling her the names of the cats when she said that there were two of them. I was so proud of her to figure that out.

It's also fun to see how she associates things. She heard it thunder and said that it must be raining out (it was dark so she couldn't see). She loves the rain, especially since she got an umbrella from Grandma Linda and Grandpa Willy for her birthday.

Blake continues to be a great baby. He appears to be growing out of his preemie clothes and fitting better into his newborn clothes. I've taken advantage of his constant sleeping to pack and unpack our houses.

We are all trying to adjust to having another little one in the house. Samantha continues to try to adjust to having him around and we really notice it when I'm nursing or feeding him. We try to show her additional attention so she doesn't feel like she's taken a back seat.

We're gearing up for her 2nd birthday which we'll celebrate next Sunday.

My favorite picture of Blake so far. He's enjoying the ride...


Grandma Linda enjoying Blake...


Playing with mom...


So tired after a hard day of helping move...


Her new umbrella...


Our family at our house...

We Made It Through

So, this was our first week "on our own." I am so thankful that Travis was able to spend the week with us and helping me out. There were moments I wasn't sure I was going to make it through without him. He was so great with Samantha and taking her to play, run errands or just spend special time with her. He often also took Blake when I needed him to. I was so thankful that due to my mom and friends I didn't have to cook one meal. Thank You!!!

Blake has been dealing with nursing and weight issues this week which meant several trips to the Lactation Consultant. He got down to 6 lbs, 3 oz which really startled me because I thought we were doing okay as far as intake. By the end of this week we were back up to 6 lbs, 7 oz. because I had started to supplement him with formula. We are continuing to supplement him and also up his intake and we are hoping that he will soon be back up to his birth weight which he should have been at two weeks.

Our little guy continues to be a great baby. I can't believe how much he sleeps! He does so well at night and unless he has gas only wakes up to eat. We feel very blessed to have such a wonderful baby.

I am starting to really figure his schedule out and what he likes. He doesn't like to have his clothes or diapers changed. He loves to be swaddled and really sleeps best when he is. He also likes to be patted on the back. He, like many baby's, is hard to keep awake while nursing. He can sleep through almost anything which is great being that little sister hasn't learned how to use her "inside voice" yet.

Samantha continue to keep us on our toes and make us laugh. She watches everything we do to and for Blake and often tries mimicking or she talks about it. This week she tried to warm up her baby's bottle like we warm up Blake's. She has started to ask for a bottle instead of her cups because she sees her little brother use them.

As we've blogged before, her vocabulary continues to increase and repeats anything we say. While my mom was here she had fixed supper and told me to eat. Samantha then said, "Mommy, eat NOW!" She also has picked up saying "Oh Man" and other little phrases.

Saturday night Grandma Linda and Grandpa Willy came to visit us. They are going to stay all week with us by spending time with the grandkids and helping us. We are thankful that they can come visit and they got here safely.

And lastly, if our life isn't crazy enough already, we're moving AGAIN! We are so thankful that our house sold, but to be totally honest, I'm tired of moving! Our previous place we rented just happens to be open again and although it isn't the biggest place it is fantastic for the kids. Samantha is looking forward to moving back to Mr. Warrens where there is a slide, trampoline, cats and Annie the dog.

Asleep on mom...


Our bedtime routine is reading stories to Samantha. Friday night we all enjoyed the stories...


Getting burped...


First bath at home...


Sound alseep...


Watching basketball with dad...


Taking a bath in the "big bath" as Samantha calls it...


Samantha on St. Patrick's Day. She couldn't wait to wear her new shirt but she wasn't in the best mood...


Helping dad pack...


Dressed for church in the dress BeBe and Papa got for her...

Back to Reality

Where did the first week of Blake's life go? It seems time is moving so fast!

We really enjoyed having BeBe with us. She really took care of Samantha and the meals which was great for me. Between her and Travis they also made sure that I got a daily nap which, of course, was much needed. Samantha got quite used to having BeBe around and treated her almost like a third parent, of course, with special grandma priviledges.

BeBe wears an apron quite often and even brought hers along with her for her stay with us. This time she brought an apron for Samantha and they spent a lot of quality time in the kitchen baking and cooking meals for us.

Thursday evening Papa flew in and was able to spend time with our kids. Blake is a bit small for his preferance. He feels that he is just too fragile. He and Samantha had a great time playing together.

Blake has been fighting a bit if jaundice but after having his levels checked twice the doctors have reassured us that all will be well and he does not need to come back for any more checks. We try to get him in the sun as often as possible.

Our little guy seems to be much mellower than his big sister ever was. He is often sleeping in his portable bassinet or just chillin which often allows me to get something done.

Samantha is a great big sister. She has reacted much better to his addition than I ever dreamed possible although this week reality might his us when BeBe is gone and all the attention isn't on her. Thankfully her and Dad have become even bigger buddies. Travis has done a wonderful job taking care of her and giving her some much needed additional attention.

I have never taken for granted the job of parenting or what my parents have done for me and my family. Again this week and the past month my parents have stepped in to take away several burdens from me and our family. We both feel very blessed to have wonderful parents who would give us the world and anything that they can just to make our lives a bit easier or to fulfill our dreams. My hope is that Travis and I can become parents like we have. It's also a reminder what a BIG responsibility parents have and it's a "job" that never ends.

Dad and his kids...


Playing with felts in her apron...


Enjoying the sun after the rain...


Samantha has definitely perfected drinking out of a bowl...


Sound asleep (BeBe bought him several preemie outfits that actually fit)...


And wide awake...


Checking on her little brother...


Baking with BeBe in the kitchen...


With BeBe and Papa...

Here is a cute video of Samantha holding her little brother...

It's a Birthday!

Wednesday evening we put Samantha to bed and waited around until we could head to the hospital for our 12:01 a.m. check-in as we were scheduled to be induced.

The nurses got the IV’s started around 1:00 and Travis and I thought we were in for a night of rest in between the nurses checking my vitals. Needless to say, things didn’t go as planned and we had our precious baby boy much sooner than we anticipated.

After a short and intense labor little Blake Matthew was born at 5:29 a.m. He came out screaming and after Travis cut his umbilical cord he grabbed onto it and wouldn’t let go. He weighed 6 lbs., 12 oz. and is 20 inches long. His perfect little head is covered in dark brown peach fuzz.

Samantha helped bring Blake home Saturday and we are settling to life here at home. We are so thankful that BeBe is able to spend this week with us and helping us adjust to having both children.

Speaking of Samantha, she has done very well, even the nurses commented at how well she is adjusting. She doesn’t pay much attention to Blake but notices when he is crying and isn’t sure of it.

We appreciate all of the support we’ve received and ask that you continue to remember us in your prayers as we raise our precious little boy.

One of his first pictures--with Dr. Radpour....


Me with my kids. This is the first time Samantha saw Blake...


Travis and his son...


Samantha holding Blake for the first time...


BeBe holding Blake...


Both of our kids napping at the hospital...


Our family headed home...


His first ride in the carseat...

A Very Late Blog

Where has this week gone? It seems I just haven't had a chance to even jot down a quick blog.

Samantha is progressing so fast in her language it's fun to listen to her. My favorite so far is at night when I'm putting her to bed she says "night night mommmy." I say "night night Samantha" and it goes on several times. BeBe is here now and says that she notices a big change in just the last three weeks.

As we have mentioned in previous posts, Samantha has been put in the "naughty chair" several times. She knows things around the house that are off limits and a couple of times she has put herself in the naughty chair even when we don't mention it.

We are still working on the pronouns. Now she says "me's" when its hers.

Lastly, Samantha has become such a big helper! She enjoys helping with the laundry, cooking, putting her dishes in the sink, etc. She also enjoys setting the table. We are never sure where we will sit but we love that she likes to help out. I'm hoping she will continue this even after our little guy gets here!

Playing with dad's stocking hat...


Enjoying another beautiful day outside...


Cleaning under her highchair...


Here I am with some friends who are also pregnant. We're all having boys except one...

(l-r, Kim (her little guy is 2 weeks old), Loree (due in June), Christy (due in April), Kelly (due in April) and me.)

No Blog but No Baby

It's been a very productive day and that means I am tired tonight:) So there will be no blog tonight. Hopefully I can get to something tomorrow (Monday).