Sam's First Christmas (Round 2)

Christmas has always been one of my favorite times of the year.  It was even more special this year with Sam.  I really don't think there is anything better than a child at Christmas.  Now, I realize that Sam is a few years shy of really getting into the spirit, but there is just something about Christmas and children.  I really cannot wait for Sam to be waking us up at the crack of dawn on Christmas morning, tearing through gifts, sliding around in footed pajamas, and checking to see if St. Nick grubbed his cookies and milk.  We had a great Christmas and it was so wonderful to spend it with family and friends.

I cannot believe that tomorrow is New Year's Eve!  This year has flown!  It was last year this time that Lewis and I had just learned that we were going to be parents!  I will NEVER forget that day.  Now we have a beautiful baby boy to ring in the New Year with!   Happy New Year everybody!!

the fam.. Sam was jacked up about his special secret gift from his Dad.. He loves that thing

Sam and Great Grandmother Nana

Lewis got the tape dispenser he had been asking for 

Merry Christmas! 

Sam's First Christmas (round 1)

We had such a great time last weekend in Morehead.  The whole fam was in the house!! I think at one point we had 14 + Kate under the same roof.  It was a blast.  Sam was quite cozy in his closet.  :)  This is no ordinary closet though.  It is quite spacious and well venilated so Sam was cozy as could be.  The girls (SB, Cordelia, Susan, and Maryellen) hit the town on Saturday and enjoyed a nice lunch and some shopping while the men held down the fort.  We opened presents Saturday afternoon.  There is nothing better than a child opening presents at Christmas.  Sam needed a little help opening all of his loot.  We had a delicious dinner on Saturday night. Lewis put the time of day on a tenderloin from Costco.  It was so good!  Sunday was another beautiful day at the Crystal Coast and we got packed up and spent a little time on the beach. And I managed to work in a little photo session of my sweet neices and nephews.  We had a great time and now on to Sam's First Christmas round 2. 

I am so sleepy but ya'll must be crazy if you think I am going to nap and miss out on all of this fun.

Fierce! Bjorn Borg

Daniel's album cover

3 MONTHS!!

Time is flying!! I cannot believe that Sam will be 15 weeks on Saturday.  It is getting hard to keep track of the weeks.  I really don't know where to start.  We have had an awesome last month.  I have gone back to work, Sam is laughing now, we are all decorated for Christmas, and we got a VAN!!!  I know, i know, it is official, we are parents!  I love the van though! I am a little bit obsessed with it.  I don't think a day has passed since we have had it that I haven't called my dad to say, "this thing is awesome."  I think I get a rush every time I use my blue tooth, turn on my heated steering wheel, and/or automatically open the back gate to unload the big BOB.  :)

Ok, so onto my Sam 3 month update.  Yep, he has the best little chuckle right now that completely melts my heart!!  His dad has a major way of bringing it out in him which melts my heart even more to see them interact.  He laughs more and more each day and it is hilarious.  We still aren't quite there with a predictable routine, but we are all working together on that and definitely not sweating it.  Well, maybe I am little bit but trying not too.  My new name for him is Samuel without a manual.  It is very true what everyone tells you that once you feel like you have something figured out, it changes.  But, he is happy so we can't ask for much more than that.  He has started to really like getting out and about which is great for me because we can easily run errands and Christmas shop (which is what we have to do today.) Oh, and I can't forget to mention that I really think he is teething.  He has been a leaky faucet.  Lots of drool and one day he had a little raised white dot on the bottom of his gums.  It went away, but I think it may have been signs of a tooth.  Anyway, we are all doing great and loving this special time of year with the best gift anyone could ever, ever ask for.  We count our blessings daily and thank the Lord for blessing us with Sam.

3 Months!  Can't wait for Santa!

haha! this picture cracks me up!  Introducing the newest member of the Deans family

Occupations

I went back to work 2 weeks ago today.  I am 2 weeks late on this post becuase 2 weeks ago, I had all kinds of emotions related to returning to work.  Now I am still getting into the swing of our new routine, but I am not quite as emotionally involved as I was.  I dreaded that first day back but I had grown so tired of dreading it that it was such a relief to finally go back.  Although it was painful to be away from Sam, I realized how much I really love my job and how very very fortunate I am to be able to do it 2 days a week. It is so perfect! I am loving being back in the working world.  It is great to get my brain juices flowing but I assure you I would not be so enthusiastic if it were more than 2 days.  Two days at work and 5 days with Sam is just how I like it.  I am still getting used to our routine because we have not yet had a normal week with Thanksgiving and some weekend work days thrown in the mix.  It is definitely taking me a little bit of adjusting as I switch back and forth from my different roles, but I am getting there.  

Sam has some new occupations as well.  He is a sponge!  It is so awesome to see him explore his world and constantly learn about his environment.  Since play is a child's primary occupation, we spend a lot of time playing!  I love seeing the changes that take place everyday as we he develops new skills. 

Couldn't really think of a good caption, I just like this picture.

Give me one more minute mom, this is the best part!

Sorry Bud, not for another 21 years

Give Thanks!

My dad said a blessing this Thanksgiving from the movie "Places in the Heart."  He prefaced his blessing with how thankful we are that we have a holiday like Thanksgiving to just stop and flat out, give thanks!  We have so much to be thankful for and busy days often get in the way of stopping to just thank the Lord for all of our many many blessings.  This Thanksgiving was especially special with Sam.  We had so much fun visiting with family.  Lewis, Sam, Kate and I did our fair share of traveling in order to visit with our family that we are so thankful for.  Wednesday we all got to Wilson (Sam got to Wilson earlier than his mom and dad in order to hit up his Granddad's work Thanksgiving lunch), then Thursday lunch at NaNa's in Wilson, then off to Chapel Hill for dinner.  Then Friday morning to Morehead where we spent the weekend.  Sam did awesome on the trips.  He is getting much better at traveling.. thank goodness!  So after lots of traveling, visiting, eating, and playing we got back to Wilmington Sunday.  We had a great time celebrating this holiday where we make time to give thanks!!

My aunt Wendy's delicious cranberry granola scrumptiousness. 

 “Make us thankful for your generous bounty and unceasing love

Help us to remember in these hard times to be grateful for what we have been given,

not to ask for what we cannot have,

make us mindful of those less fortunate than us as we sit at this table with all of thy bounty.

Places in the Heart, Tri Star Pictures, 1984

New camera

Cameras and pictures take on a whole new meaning when you have a child. Lewis and I decided to get a new one for each other for an early Christmas present. I am loving this thing. I am trying to learn all of the "advanced settings" but I have a ways to go.  I can't wait to get some good pics over the holidays.  Here are a few of my favs so far.  

"Dang, how did you find me up here mom"

sam LOVES his play mat

this one might be our Christmas card picture. :)

Vivvy is here!!

"Can't wait to meet my Dad!!"

Congratulations Matt and Steph!! She is beautiful!!  Vivian Louise Cox (love her name!!) was born Novemember 12th at 9:40 am.  5 lbs, 12 oz and 17 inches.  Basically, perfect!  Matt is currently deployed but by the grace of God he is going to be able to come home and hold his baby girl!  SUCH A BLESSING!! I cannot wait for Matt, steph, and Vivvy to be together and enjoy this absolute miracle.  Sam is so pumped to have a baby cousin!  It is so amazing that they are so close in age.  We are going to have so much fun watching these two grow up together.  We love ya'll so much and can't wait to see you SOON!!