Baby Vi

Samson's cousin, Violet, was blessed August 1st, and boy did she look beautiful! We just love this little girl, and can't wait for the two babes to begin interacting with each other!

Samson's first Sunday at church. Isn't he looking dapper?

There was the most amazing sunset that evening, so we spent some time out on our porch enjoying it. Or rather, I enjoyed it. Samson...not so much.

I'm going to miss summer! Actually, let's not talk about it, I get way too depressed...

The Best Gift

What did Sammy give his daddy for his birthday?

Some seriously adorable smiles

Happy Birthday to my Tadd!

A night out with just my husband for his birthday? Yes please!

Camme watched little Samson for us so we could celebrate Tadd's birthday! We headed up to Ruth's Chris in Park City for a seriously amazing dinner!

Happy 30th you handsome old man!

You don't even want to know what I'd do for another filet on a a 500 degree plate...

"Yes, Awwwl Boats"

Nick's parents have bettered our lives. They purchased a boat this year, and have been kind enough to let us go out with them (or with Nick and Mal) for some boating fun! I haven't tried anything beyond tubing, and boy did it kick my butt! The first time we went, every bit of me was sore by that evening!

I really only got pictures of little Miss Addie since she's so freaking cute!

Adds and her momma

She was certainly outfitted for the excursion!

Jon took Addie out on the tube (going like 2 mph) and she loved it!

I'm excited to one day take Samson out when he's old enough!

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!