A Few "Firsts"

Every typical new mom documents these, right?
Well, here I go being typical. Enjoy!

First Sponge Bath

Oh my word I miss how tiny he was!

Loved having his hair brushed. Is he my son, or what?

First Real Bath

Not a fan at first...

But Tadd figured out how to change that.

First Meeting of the Great-Grandparents

Grandpa Big Ard and Grandma Doris

First Family Photo

Taken on Father's Day

First Swim

With one set of grandparents having a pool, and the other soon to have a pool (soon...RIGHT???), we figured Samson needed to get used to swimming! He didn't totally enjoy it at two weeks. 10 minutes was long enough.

Lyla and Samson

Could you just die of adorable overload? Us too.

More "firsts" to come!

Leaving the Hospital

We split from the hospital on Friday, after having Samson on Wednesday. I was ready to get out of there...or so I thought. The instant Tadd put the car in drive, I burst into tears. They could've at least sent us home with a nurse! Right?

Actually, we practically had our own personal nurse. And house cleaner, and chef, and emotional support system, etc...my mom! My incredible mom stayed with us for a week to make sure we were fed, picked up after, and well rested. She kept Tadd company while I rested, and the two of them bonded over the DIY network. I think Tadd still misses her company when he's watching Renovation Realities, and the like. She also listened to me cry way more than one person should in a matter of 7 days. Poor woman.

Tadd has become the master swaddler. Unfortunately, our little Houdini has since learned how to wiggle his arms out of even the tightest swaddle.

The little sign the nurses made for his crib

I'd imagine the babe was shaking with fear as we left knowing we were the ones responsible for him. Yikes!

Pausing from crying long enough to document this moment...
It's only fair that I post at least one picture of my puffiness.

So, to begin with the catch-up...

With both of our families being from Provo, Samson was lucky enough to have many visitors in the hospital. He was such a rockstar with all his fans!

We only got a few pictures of his fan base...a lot more family came, and a few of our good friends as well!

Grandma Camme

Aunt Lo and Aunt Hells. Completely smitten. But how could you not be?

Cousin Jack

Cousin Kyra

Cousin Ava

Cousins Griffin and Crew

Aunt Shaley

Aunt Tysen. Her little Lyla is almost exactly 3 months older than Samson. These two are going to be great buds!

Grandpa Jack

Cousin Adrie and Uncle Kris

Uncle Kris was out of town when Samson made his big debut, so their family came over the Sunday after we brought him home.

Just a few of the many visitors!

Hint of a Smile

We're eager to watch this progress into a full blown grin!

Help Needed

It's time that we embrace the 21st century and get the internet, but we need some input.

What's the best service in downtown Provo?

But also the best priced?

Is anyone particularly passionate about their internet service? Hmmm?

I'm ready to blog...but need the necessary tools.

Go Ahead...

...gush


And yea, my son has the raddest hairline. Just like his Grumpa.

Five

Low key...

Time spent with my hot husband and adorable newborn...

One of Sister 2's (Rookie Cookie) postpartum freezer meals for dinner at home...

An evening stroll to Smith's sno shack for a Tiger's Blood shaved ice with cream...

The perfect five year anniversary.

Lovely Lyla

SERIOUSLY, could my niece get any cuter???

Failed Photographer

I was scolded today by Sister 1 that I'm not posting enough pictures of our new dude. Fair enough, since she does live all the way out in Reno, (who just lives in Reno?) and she hasn't had a chance to hold my squeaky son. Seriously, you should hear him. Uh-dorable.

However, I'd like to defend myself. No internet makes for a difficult time posting pics, so the current solution is blogging from my iPhone. You'll have to excuse the poor quality photos.


Third night home from the hospital. Such a little old man squishy face.


Loves the CuddleBag


A favorite position of Samson's and his dad's


A picture I sent to Tadd to show him how relaxed his boy was after throwing up all over me yesterday morning.

You'll notice he loves being swaddled, which Tadd has mastered, but will most often wiggle his hands out and up around his face.

We are basically smitten with this little one, as we should be, and boy...are we tired as well!

Please Help Me in Welcoming to the World...

Samson Stephen Cox

arrived 06.09.10 at 6:05 pm

weighing in at 7 lbs 12 oz and 19.5 in

hanging with namesake #1 (Sue Samson Peterson)

and namesake #2 (Stephen Cox)

So far he is really enjoying:

• keeping his mouth wide open
• skin on skin
• cuddling with his daddy
• visitors
• all his loving aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins
• stethoscope on his chest
• ESPN

So far we are really enjoying:

• his high pitched squeal
• his itty bitty snorts when he cries
• his fuzzy back - such a little monkey!
• his silly old man faces
• cuddling our little cone headed doll
• watching his looks change each day
• again, his high pitched squeal - seriously the cutest thing ever

We couldn't be more in love with this little dude, and hope you enjoy the pictures. I'm sure there are many more to follow!

Giveaway!

Go to my friend, Morgan's, blog. DO IT. Go.

Now!

...why are you still here?

Fantastic Sister #1

Here are the types of things Sister {1} does for me. And really, many other people.


House warming gift, and first bit of food in our house!

Notice the scissors tied on top. Why, you ask? Dear Grandma Sally used to cut our Totinos pizzas with scissors when we stayed over at her house. Our own individual pizzas, mind you. And at the age of oh, 7 or so. You bet I did my best to down the whole thing, but was never successful. 'Tis not the case anymore!


A bit of decor for the child's nursery, and I heart it oh so very much!

Such talent, that Megan-sister of mine has! And I'm so lucky I get to reap the benefits of her finished work!

Oh, and yes, that's a chalkboard wall in our kitchen (thanks to some extra chalkboard paint mamasita had). It's super rad.

Relocated

We are officially moved!

It's great to be in our own place, but moving suuuuucks! However, with the help of our fantastic families, some pre-packing, and a GIANT Nu Klean truck it was pretty painless!

All the cleaning, repairs and painting...now that's another story...thankfully, we've had a lot of help with that from family as well!

I have to give my husband serious kudos for all the work he's put into making this house a home, I couldn't have married a handier dude! I sure love him to pieces!

Happy nesting to us!

Two Totally Different Shoots

We have some awesomely great friends...have I mentioned that yet?

One of my besties from hair school drove up from Vegas for my shower and gifted me with a super fun, and different maternity photo shoot.

Let me just preface this post by saying I really hate pictures of myself right now. Really. But everyone has told me that I'll want some fun pictures to look back on in the future, so...I went with it. And surprisingly, I'm glad!

Jessica is one heck of a makeup artist/hair stylist extraordinaire/photographer, so basically this shoot turned out really great!

I also wanted some pictures with Tadd since, duh, he's the dad. Our friend, Pete, and his wife, Marie, did a shoot for us in PG at the freakiest, but coolest rundown house. They did an awesome job, and I really like how they turned out!

Had to use the little fireman boots!

For those of who don't know the name yet...stay tuned!

Did I Mention...

my sister, Whitney, gave birth to a beautiful baby girl on May 9th?

Little Violet Caroline

*photo usurped from Rookie Cookie

One of Many

Since I have some of the most amazing friends and family I have had four different showers. Four! I feel guilty for accepting all of them, we've just been so spoiled!

I only have pictures from one of the showers...just too busy socializing with loved ones to bother with visual documentation!

With both grandmas!

I can't even express how grateful I am to all of our friends and families for their love and generosity! Our little dude is so lucky to enter this world surrounded by so many people who can't wait to love on him! Thank you everyone!

Before & Afters

You want proof that the fire academy physical training kicked Tadd's ars? Behold!

Taken January 3rd

Taken May 2nd
What a dish!

Tadd swears he wasn't pushing his stomach out. Believe him. I saw him shirtless plenty of times to tell you there is no exaggeration in this photo!

Mmmmm Hmmmm!

How kind of him to lose those inches while I'm gaining them by the week!
But seriously, he looks so hot! He worked so hard, and it certainly paid off!

post edit: I absolutely had Tadd's permission to post these pictures!