4th Festivities

Did anyone else feel that the 4th this year was a bit too long? Although it's my favorite holiday, hands down, I was firework-ed out by the 5th. Fireworks every night from Friday to Monday was a bit much, but we did love spending it with family and with our little bug.

Before the haircut, notice his sweet hairline.

Baby Lyla with Papa

Watching the stadium fireworks in the Provo High field. Samson wasn't impressed by any of the Fireworks; slept through every show.

Tadd and Mazie

We watched some Fireworks at Whitney and Ethan's Sunday night. Van was content to sit away from it all and just take it in. No sparklers for him.

All bundled up, the both of us. It was surprisingly chilly each night that weekend.

Lil' Van in his knickers. I don't care what you call them, Whitney, those are knickers if I ever did see some.

Happy 4th! (very late)

He Slays Me

#1 All Over

For all of you out there who are tempted to ask, or already have, "are you going to cut his hair? He'll need it for his strength" (hardy har har)...the answer is yes, you tools.

Samson got his first cut at three weeks. I wasn't about to put up with the geriatric hairline. When the child is balding on top...shave the rest! Simple.

You'd think his cosmetologist mom would be the one to give him his first haircut...but Tadd is the king of buzzes!

He just sat there with his eyes as wide as they could possibly go. Didn't make a peep. Good thing because he'll need to get used to hair cuts seeing as how his dad and I won't put up with the unkempt look.

I've enjoyed his little peach fuzz head now that it's growing back in!

I'll tackle the next "clever" remark later: "What if he meets and falls in love with a woman named Delilah! *snicker*"

The Start of our Day

Mornings have become my favorite part of the day. Now, although the time frame may not be the same as your mornings, it's when we wake up for good. So morning it is.

Samson usually wakes up between 5 and 7 to eat, and I enjoy sitting on our bed feeding him while I watch the sky lighten outside. Tadd wakes up around 6:30, so we occasionally get an alert goodbye kiss from him. Other mornings I don't even know that he's kissed us both and left.

After a quick diaper change halfway through the bottle, and the last two ounces downed, Samson gives me a satisfied belch and back to the cradle he goes for another 3-4 hours.

The next feeding is my favorite. Sometimes we get a surprise visit from daddy as he's heading from one job site to the other. He just can't resist stopping in for a couple minutes to see us (he says "both of you" but I know he really means little Sam, and that's ok with me.)

After Samson finishes his bottle I get my cuddle time. My little baby is breathing heavily on my chest right now, with the occasional content squeak, curled up like a little frog (a tadpole, if you will. Pun intended), with a biiig stretch every so often. It doesn't bother him when I rub my cheek against his, or smother those cheeks with kisses, or when I rub his little fuzzy head. I think he likes it.

This is why I'm not ready to move him to his crib in the other room. How long will I get moments like these? Not long at all, so I'm enjoying them now.

Order in the Home

That's my husband for ya...

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.