Friends and Fam!

Sam and Kate are building a strong bond.  Kate is very protective of her little brother.  She follows us both around all day and is always sure of where Sam is.  WHEN Sam naps, Kate will often curl up beside him.  I can't wait until Sam can reach out and pet Kate and throw the ball for her.  If you know Kate you know that throwing the ball for her is a surefire way into her heart.  Kate will be 9 years old in a week and her birthday symbolizes how many years Lewis and I have been together.  I will never forget going to get her 9 years ago and being so excited about this new guy in my life. 

Sam's first play date!  Well, really it was Sarah Beth's first mom date.  Allison Abney and her beautiful son Walker Lee came over last week for some baby and mom QT.  We had a great time and it was so neat to see these two little ones together.  Sam was 6 weeks and Walker Lee was 4 weeks when this pic was taken.  It will surely be so much fun to watch them grow! 

Aunt Libba, Martha, uncle Dillon, uncle Mickey, aunt Sulla, aunt Judy, Mom and Sam, and GG (Sam's great grandmother)

Last week we went to Holden Beach to visit family.  My great aunt Judy, uncle Mickey, their daughter Martha, and my mom's first cousin Libba come to Holden Beach ever year for 1 month in the fall.  The past 2 years Lewis and I have gone to visit with them and have had the best time hearing old stories and eating homemade bleu cheese dressing with saltines.  I have to admit I missed that hors d'oeuvre this year.  Anyway, Lewis couldn't make it this time but Sam took his place.  I was so glad that it worked out that these special folks could meet Sam.  My uncle Mickey has always reminded me so much of my grandad and it was so special to see Sam in his arms.  I could feel my granddad smiling down on us with so much pride & joy for his great grandson. 

Farris' come to town!  Charlie, Rebekah, and Jackson came over this past Saturday to watch the heels game with us.  The heels did not make it the upset of the week but they made us very upset.  Especially Sam.  He was beside himself.  Jackson tried so hard to teach Sam how to suck his thumb but I think we have a few more weeks (please be weeks and not months) before that skill is perfected.  I cannot wait until Sam can suck his thumb!  He wants it so bad and just like his buddy Jackson, it is eventually going to be so soothing for him. 

Sam is growing!! He is getting bigger by the day! It is so fun to see the small changes that happen daily and to see different skills develop.  He is cooing like crazy and really starting to tell us what he thinks about a few things.  His new favorite thing to do is roll over from his stomach to his back.  The last picture is of Sam in action!  

First trip to Wilson!

Last week, I was in Wilson all week with Sam, my mom, dad, and kate.  Lewis was on a hunting trip in Canada.  The lord works in mysterious ways because while it was very hard for our family to be apart at this time, I learned a ton being at home with my parents and sam, and lewis had a blast on his trip.  He had the camera so I don't have any pics to update the blog with. 

So last Monday Lewis helped Sam and I hit the road to Wilson first thing in the morning.  We had the Jeep loaded up with baby equipment.  We made it to Wilson safely with only one stop along the way to reinsert the passy.  Monday was a wonderful day.  Sam snoozed most of the day and part of that time was in his great grandmother's (GG's) arms.  Soo.. Tuesday was a different story.  Sam was next to inconsolable.  He would not sleep and his eating patterns were just off.  I was thinking.. 6 week growth spurt.  My mom, dad, and I were taking shifts with Sam and trying to catch a few z's in between.  This continued into the day on Thursday.  My mom and I decided we were going to venture out of the house with Sam on Thursday and take him to Monticellos.  We were in there about 3 minutes when we decided we would order it to go.  We got home and my dad was sent on a mission to find some gas drops.  He came back with the liquid gold!  We gave Sam the drops and he was a different baby.  That afternoon he slept about 4 hours straight.  We were all SO happy!  We were so glad he was comfortable!  He still didn't sleep all that great the next few days but he definitely seemed to feel better. 

I really don't think I could have gotten through last week without my mom and dad.  We all did a lot of problem solving.  I learned so much and have a new lease on motherhood.  :)  I think my dad's comment, "Your motherly instinct is making you crazy" whipped me into shape.  I have been trying to be so by the book and I have been writing everything down (how long & when sam eats, when he uses the bathroom, etc.) I think I really was driving myself crazy.  Lewis would probably, well i know he would agree.  I have learned that the best thing to do is watch your child and learn your child's individual needs.  So goodbye daily schedules!  Whew, that is a load off!

While we missed Lewis like crazy last week, it was such a special special time for me and my parents.  It meant the absolute world to me to have them help me SO much with Sam and for them to get some priceless bonding time with their first grandbaby.  Thank you mom and dad!  I love ya'll so much!

Motivation!

I just recieved the motivation I needed to start bloggin!  A dear friend reminded me of how happy I will be to look back on this blog as the time goes by and as our family grows!  I started this blog when I was about 41 weeks pregnant and we were still expecting Sam.  I remember sitting in our recliner downstairs at 3:30 am trying to get comfortable with a computer on my lap and an 8 lb 13 oz baby bump.  I spent a lot of my time that last week of pregnancy trying to get comfortable and really the only thing that eased my mind was the thought of Sam's arrival. 

September 2 at about 9:30 pm Lewis and I had just finished dinner and were watching the US open.  A somewhat normal Friday night until I had a different feeling.  Lewis and I were in the car on the way to the hospital within 10 minutes.  We got to the hospital and we were told it would be an hour wait!  So.. an hour and a half later we were finally admitted.  I was about  6 cm dilated and it was on!  Sam was on his way.  Both of our parents had dropped what they were doing and were headed to the hospital.  So.. at 2:56 in the morning of September 3rd 2011, Samuel Lewis Deans "Sam"was born!  Pure Joy! It was the most amazing experience of our lives.  It was and is truly truly a miracle! We felt and still feel unbelievably blessed to have a healthy baby boy!

The past month has been an amazing adventure.  Sam has stolen our hearts and every day with him is a blessing.  However super challenging!  We have been inundated with love and support as we adjust to parenthood.  We (especially me) over analyze everything in a desperate attempt to figure out this little man.  Sam started off sleeping so much that my primary concern was if he was eating enough.  After much debate and a trip to the pediatrician to weigh him, we decided to let the boy sleep!  He was back at his birth weight within his first week so we decided that if was hungry he would let us know.  So we let him set his own schedule for a few days and it was quite sporadic and unpredictable.  At 3 weeks Sam woke up!  He started eating every 3 hours like clock work!  Seriously, down to the minute.  He still eats every 3 hours or so however he is starting to log a few more hours at night.  We are hoping this trend continues!  In his 3rd week, we also noticed Sam getting a little more fussy.  We took him back to the pediatrician and has a mild case of reflux.  So we starting him on a small dose of zantac and it made a world of difference.  We are now at week 4 (1 MONTH!) and Sam still has his fussy spells but he is a baby!  We are still trying to figure out a schedule and this and that, but I think the one thing we have nailed down is that we love this little guy more than anything and we need to soak up every single bit of this crazy, joyful time!

September 3, 2011 - Sam's Birthday!!

Whew! So glad to be out of there!

"In my mind, I'm goin' to Carolina!"

First trip to Topsail!!

1 month!