Grandma Comes to Town!

         Grandma Marie made the trip from Kansas to meet Samuel, and stay with us for a lovely five day visit. It was a wonderful visit and she spoiled all of us! It was so nice to have an extra set of hands to help feed, hold, change diapers, burp, ect... And I have to add, Grandma is the champion baby burper, a very important skill Quinn and I have come to appreciate! She and Samuel immediately fell in love, and it was so sad to see her go back home to Kansas, but we anticipate future visits from Grandma! But while Mom was here, she baked and cooked a ton of yummy food and stocked up our freezer and refrigerator. Thanks Mom!

       We were able to make a few short field trips each day, all of them consisting of a grocery store. We first went to HEB, Texas's general grocery store, but it is pretty impressive with lots to see. On Friday, Samuel stayed with a friend for a few hours, Lance, who happens to be Debbie's husband, and he loves babies. Mom, Debbie and I went to the Asian market and out for lunch, which Mom also enjoyed. And on Saturday, we all went to the Whole Foods flagship store, which is located here in Austin. I think Mom was most impressed by this store, and ran around the store for about two hours taking in all the food counters, produce, baked goods and all the yummy eats. It really is a foodies amusement park. 

Grandma and Samuel having some cuddle time. I'm not sure his little feet touched
 the ground the entire time Mom was here. There was lots of loving and hugging going on!

Mom making black beans and ribs. One of my favorite Chinese dishes.
Samuel was hanging out in the kitchen supervising while Mama and Daddy got a much needed nap. 

You can just see her excitement. Mom in the Whole Foods produce area.

Mom was especially impressed by the baked goods department, as making baked goods are her specialty. 

Little Samuel enjoying some tummy time on the quilt Grandma made by hand.
What a special and sincere gift!

Odelia is Samuel's biggest cheerleader. She has to be front and center when anything is
 happening. Her Mama dog instincts have come into full play and she always
 has to know exactly where the baby is before she can relax. 

Beginning of the Months Parade, and Guitars

        So while I was pregnant, it was a,"count down" of weeks and months until Samuel would arrive. Now that Sam's here, it is more like a,"count up" and the weeks are flying by. He is officially three weeks old today and everyday he is learning or doing something different. A few days ago, he started kind of jumping with his legs. He has much longer periods of alertness and has started to self sooth himself, or maybe that's hopeful wishing. Here are a compilation of pictures from this past week and the beginning of his monthly photos. It is always so neat to look back and see just how much babies have changed month to month. And before we know it, we'll be looking back 6 or 9 months from now at these photos in amazement that Samuel was ever this small. Everything continues to go well here. We are still wishing for a break from the hot summer heat. It is disheartening to know that the heat pretty much goes on all the way until October, and even then, it often continues to linger well into November. Oh, thank goodness for air conditioning!

Okay, he is not "just born" but 2 weeks old. Close enough.

Samuel was not the most cooperative photo subject, and it
was a challenge to get a picture where he wasn't crying. He is being propped up by a  stuffed
doggie pillow that Grandma Ruby made, so sweet. 

He is somewhat pacified here, for a second anyways

Check out these legs, this was an action shot with lots of kicking and motion!

The guitars come out, and Quinn is starting Samuel's first music lesson.

"And this is a G chord"

I've noticed that I have very few pictures with Samuel and myself,
as I am usually the photographer. So here's Mama and baby enjoying some cuddle time.

Here is a neat photo to put into perspective just how little
 Samuel is, or maybe just how big Daddy's hands are. I have a
feeling Sam is going to give Quinn a run for his money when it comes to growth, as he is
growing so fast, and eats like it is going out of style!

Attempts at getting a picture of this cute PJ and hat outfit.
Again, Samuel is not a happy camper to have his picture taken. 

Baby Love and Visitors

Since Samuel's arrival, about two weeks ago, he has practically been a celebrity! From all the thoughtful phone calls, cards, almost daily UPS deliveries, food, gifts and visits, he has had a very warm welcome from so many people. Our first week home went pretty smoothly overall. Sam had his days and nights confused, which can be tiring for Mama and Daddy. But I think we're finally getting it kind of figured out, hopefully anyways. In looking at the pictures from his birth to now, Quinn and I were commenting on how he has already changed! I know, it has only been 12 days since he was born, but he's a changing.   His little cheeks are filling out, and his periods of alertness are getting longer. Here are a few pictures of our visitors since we came home. Thank you to everyone for all the well wishes, visits and yummy food over the past two weeks. It has been so very appreciated!

Debbie was our very first visitor, as she was at Samuel's birth, and assisted in his delivery She did such an amazing job that the Birthing Center was ready to hire her as a Doula!  We can't thank her enough for all she has done for us. 

Heather, one of the Midwives, who made our home visit.
 She is weighing Samuel and doing his newborn assessment.

Our wonderful neighbors, Nancy and Andreas brought a delicious dinner
 over the day after Samuel arrived. They also brought him his first UT longhorn.
Guess it's never to early

Brooke and Will, drove all the way from Taylor Texas to meet Samuel and bring some delicious Sonic cherry limeades, my favorite!

Jennifer and Evan on Sunday afternoon. Jennifer has been a
 repeat visitor bringing delicious oatmeal cookies, yum! And lots-o-baby loving

Samuel and Daddy just hanging out

Oh Debbie, my relief. She is also a repeat visitor with delicious food, new Mama advise, and baby care. When she comes over, she takes over the the diaper changing, bouncing of a fussy baby and provides Mama with a break. What would I do without her?!

Jennifer and Sherry made it over after a long day of working, and to provide
 me with news from the outside world. Thanks girls for the lovely visit. 

Here is Mr. Wide Awake at 4:30 am. Please close your eyes Sir. 

My attempts at keeping Samuel awake in the evening to help with a restful night.
Often times it ends up with him getting irritated
 at my funny faces and voices attempts. But he's Mr. Happy here. 

      Unfortunately, I didn't not get a photo of some very special visitors, Ashley, Camille, and Andrea (I dropped the ball and forgot to pull out the camera, I blame it on sleep deprivation). They were so sweet to bring an entire dinner (that we feasted on for 2 days) and a bag full of baby boy clothes, as everything Samuel has is pretty much gender neutral. Thanks girls, can't wait to see you again!