Meeting more moms…

So I decided to bite the bullet and finally join a mom’s group. I was really nervous about the idea, especially since some of the ones I had seen before were either really strict with how many meetings you had to come to, or had a daycare type situation where you would hang out with the other moms while someone else took care of the kids. Neither of these was what I had in mind. I really wanted more of a mommy and me group, were Sam and I could socialize with groups of kids and their parents. Well about a month ago I noticed that meetup had a new group for moms in the town next to ours. It is relatively new, and only has about 10 members for now. I emailed the organizer, and told her my concerns and told her a little bit about myself and Samantha and asked if she thought it would be a good fit. She emailed me back and confirmed that it was the type of group for me!

So far I have been to five of the meetups, and everyone has been so nice! I almost chickened out. I seem outgoing, because when I’m nervous my smile continues to get bigger and bigger until it reaches my ears, but really I’m not. I’m so afraid of not knowing what to talk about, afraid to look like I’m just some dumb housewife, afraid that they will judge me because I’m simple. But the truth is if they don’t like me because of those reasons, then I don’t belong there anyway.

My first meetup was at Chick fil A. I really almost didn’t go. I was going to pick up mom afterward, and had just about talked myself out of going, but then I said that if I didn’t go this time, it would be too easy to chicken out the next time too. So I went. I got their early, as usual, and ordered Sam her first chicken nuggets a fruit cup and a milk and my usual nuggets, coleslaw, and diet lemonade. I started feeding her, just waiting. I didn’t know who I was looking for, and smiled at every mom who walked in the door who could possibly be a member. Right on time a friendly face showed up, Tarrah and her son Seva and her mother in law. She was so incredibly friendly. She greeted me and went to order. I rearranged the seats so that Sam and Seva (16 months old) could see each other. We talked and ate for around an hour, and learned more about each other, her mother in law didn’t say much but it was because she is Russian and didn’t understand because we were talking so fast, but she was so incredibly sweet. She played with the kids while Tarrah and I were talking and kept them entertained. Tarrah told me about a program at the local library for little ones and it gave us something to look forward to the next week. Tarrah actually said that she almost didn’t make it to lunch because of the library, but decided to come anyway. We were the only ones who came, and I am so glad I went!

Our next couple of meets were at the library, which I really enjoy. The librarian sings songs, and reads books. She usually has a craft or activity to do, and a few minutes of free time to read with the parents, then more songs. Sam really seems to enjoy it, and I like that she is socializing with other kids around her age. We also met some new moms that have since joined the group because of the meetings at the library.

Since then we have also had a playdate at Tarrah’s, and at Anna’s who is the organizer of the group. Both times, we enjoyed ourselves. I enjoyed the conversation, it’s fun to be able to talk about your child to others who have been through similar situations, and Sam enjoyed exploring new places and new kids. I’m hoping to host a playdate here sometime in the next couple of months. My house isn’t quite as big as the other girls, but I think that we would all have a good time anyway. It’s been a long time since I’ve hosted anything, and while I’m incredibly nervous, I’m excited.

I really hope that we continue to have such a good experience. I hate that the friends I already have live so far away, most of them out of the state, and I think that sometimes I sabotaged myself from creating new friendships because I was afraid it would mean that I would have to give up the ones I already had. I know that’s not the way it works, but I’ve always been very loyal to my friends, through thick and thin, and having new friends does mean less time for everyone. I think it’s going to be a challenge to balance it all, but it’s a challenge I’m willing to accept.

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Dear God,

Thank you so much for everything you do for us. Thank you for giving me such an amazing daughter and husband who I love more than anything. Thank you for all of my family and friends who I already have, and for the new friendships you are creating for me. Thank you for blessing Sam and I with a group of moms and their children, who we hope to grow closer to. Please help me to not be anxious, to be myself, and to not worry so much about what others may think of me. Thank you for everything you do for us.

AMEN

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Seeing Green…

St. Patty’s day was so much fun this year. Sam got all dressed up in her Ireland Soccer uniform that Patrick got for father’s day last year, and the two of us had a picnic lunch at the park. Later on when Patrick got home from work, he and Sam kicked around the ball for a bit.  Here are some pics:

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Dear God,

Thank you for everything you do for us. Thank you for my beautiful healthy daughter and my amazing husband. Thank you for this gorgeous day, and giving us the chance to spend time together outside. Thank you for giving Patrick the chance to spend some time with his daughter today too. Thank you so much for everything you do for us.

AMEN

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Grandkids 2011

Granna had all 5 grandkids together so we could get some pictures taken for Easter, and I just wanted to share them with you!

March 2011 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

13 months old…

It seems odd to not post a monthly update, now that my sweet baby is a year old, so I don’t think I’m going to stop. I figured I could use this post to talk about a few things she is doing and post some videos and a few pictures.

 

 

 

 

Sam is running all over the place. I was counting steps up until a couple of weeks ago, when she just started walking all over the place, and I couldn’t keep count anymore. Only problem is she doesn’t always watch where she is going, which lead to running into a door stop, but luckily she doesn’t cry that easily. God forbid I leave the room that lil miss separation anxiety is in, but fall on her face and she is totally fine. lol. She also got her very first library card this month, and looks in awe at the tons of books when we walk in the door.

She will try just about anything you put in her mouth, but her favorites are fish, yogurt, peas, any kind of fruit, bread, and mashed potatoes with gravy. She has a healthy appetite, and eats a banana for breakfast almost every morning.

This month, we had her Granna with us for a few days while Grandpa was out of town on business, and we went shopping for hours at a time, which she really seemed to enjoy. We just stuck her in a stroller with a sippy cup and she was great, and even took naps in it. We also had her cousins Brandon and Brady over for a night, which was a special treat during the school year, and she really seemed to enjoy that too. She loves our family, and knows that she is loved in return.

I guess that’s all for now, here are some adorable videos of her from the last month. I hope you enjoy them.

Our nightly bath time routine.

 

Playing the organ at Granna’s

 

My little jibber jabberer.

 

Silly Daddy!

 

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Dear God,

Thank you for everything that you do for us. Thank you so much for the past 13 months with my amazing daughter. She is so amazing, and makes me want to be better, at everything. Thank you for keeping her healthy, and so happy. Thank you for helping her learn things so quickly. Thank you for the smile on her face every morning when I get her from her crib, and for the snuggles she gives me every night before I put her to bed. Thank you for all of the big things, but even more the little things. Thank you for our amazing child, we are so blessed, and grateful. Thank you for everything you do for us.

AMEN

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Happy Birthday Sammie!

Wow. I can’t even believe that a year has passed since I gave birth to my amazing little girl. It makes me cry to think about how fast time has passed, and knowing that the next year will go by just as quickly. I love her so much and seeing her grow up is bittersweet. I love that she is so sweet, smart, and active but the thought that the first year went by so fast and that all of the following years will go by even quicker makes this a very emotional week!

Patrick took off Thursday and Friday so that he could be with us on Samantha’s actual birthday, and so we could go and get family pictures along with her 1 year portraits done the following day.

Samantha’s birthday started off really early. She decided that on her special day she wanted to wake up at 4 am! I snuggled and laid down with her on the couch until 6 when she got up for good and started playing. We all got ready, and even though it snowed the night before and the roads were a little icy we decided to take her to Cracker Barrel for her first big girl breakfast. We had such a great time, and even ordered Sam’s breakfast from the kid’s menu. She drank almost an entire pint of milk, and ate half of a scrambled egg with cheese on top, half of a biscuit, and half of my pancake! Our waiter was really nice and even gathered the rest of the wait staff and sang happy birthday to her. Sam LOVED the attention. We went home and let Sam take a nap while Patrick went to the dentist for a cleaning, then when she got up we had some lunch and picked up her cakes and the rest of the food and drinks that we needed for her party on Saturday. Sam loves shopping so she didn’t mind a trip to the store at all. When we got home we let Sam open her presents from us and played for a while and let her walk around before my parents came over for dinner. We let Sam open her presents from her Granna and Grandpa, then she ate some mashed potatoes and gravy and more importantly her first real sugar!!! Her little smash cake was a hit, and even though it took her a few minutes to really get into it, she loved it! Afterward, we gave her a bath and let my mother cut her first curl (which was starting to look more like a rat tail) in honor of her first birthday.

		2/10/11 Sam’s First Birthday! VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

I don’t think the day could have been more perfect. Patrick and I got to spend the entire day with our sweet girl, and enjoyed every minute of it.

Friday we all went to have Sam’s 1 year old portraits taken. She didn’t nap on the way there, and got really sleepy toward the end, but she didn’t get fussy at all, just a little drowsy eyed. Here are a few of our pictures…

1 Year Portraits! VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Once we got Sam in bed Patrick and I finished up the video of her first year using some pictures from her actual birthday and some of the new professional pictures too. We made the video to show at Sam’s birthday party, but if you would like to see it we have uploaded the files to youtube and here are the links:

Samantha's First Year 1 of 8                        Samantha's First Year 2 of 8

Samantha's First Year 3 of 8                        Samantha's First Year 4 of 8

Samantha's First Year 5 of 8                        Samantha's First Year 6 of 8

Samantha's First Year 7 of 8                        Samantha's First Year 8 of 8

Saturday was Samantha’s first birthday party *tear*! I was so nervous. I was sad and excited about her first birthday, but the party was such a big deal to me. I just wanted it to go perfectly! Patrick and I got the car loaded up, I went and picked up balloons while Sam napped, then when I got back to the house we got Sam ready and headed to our church. The only bad thing that happened was that our church’s heat had gone out the previous week, so the fellowship hall was a bit chilly even with the small heaters turned on full blast, but I think that everyone had dressed for cooler weather so we were all fine.  We decorated for a couple of hours with the help of my parents and sisters, and Patrick’s parents, grandmother, and his brother and sister in law. I don’t think we could have pulled this thing off if it hadn’t been for all of their help, so THANK YOU to our family for all of your help with decorating, bringing food, and for cleaning up!!! Sam and Jakob ate snacks and watched Sesame street while we set up, and Mackenzie slept. lol.

		Sam’s 1st Birthday Party VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

The party was PERFECT! We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family. There were 36 people there including ourselves. Everyone enjoyed talking, eating food, and seeing Samantha! She got so many generous gifts, and I don’t know how we fit them all in our living room! The best part of the day though, was when Sam got her Tinkerbell smash cake. On her birthday she just kind of played with it and licked some of the icing off of her fingers, but not on Saturday. At her party she picked up the cake and started sucking the icing off of the cake! It was priceless! It really was the perfect party!

We spent our second Valentines Day as a family together on Monday night. Patrick picked up dinner and we enjoyed it with Sam and shared a roll and some strawberry ice cream with her. We exchanged cards and gifts, and Sam’s hugs made it the perfect valentines day!

		Valentine’s Day Portraits! VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Today Samantha had her 1 year checkup. Dr. Meadows said that “she is perfect!”, which is something we already knew, but it’s nice to hear from your pediatrician. Sam now weighs 23lbs 6oz (80%), is 30 3/4 inches long (90%) and her head circumference is 48cm around (off the charts, but following her normal trend). She is doing everything on track, and our pediatrician is very pleased with her eating habits, but does want us to try to get her to drink more often. She got 2 shots, and only cried until her daddy scooped her up, and then she was fine! Such a good, sweet, healthy little girl we have.  Tonight I caught some video of her practically running instead of just walking, and was just in awe of how fast she is picking up on things. One day it’s tiny steps, the next she’s running! She is also talking like crazy “mama, dada (or daddy), bye, hey, uh ohh, no no, yay” are the words she says all the time. She started pointing at things that she wants. She is completely weaned to her sippy cup, and has dropped her bed time bottle since she started drinking only whole milk. She loves to close doors, and chases me into the bathroom, just so she can shut us inside. She now has 6 teeth, 4 on top and 2 on bottom. She loves to be read to, and will hand you the same book over and over again until she gets distracted. She is sleeping through the night typically about 12 hours, and still taking 2: 1-2 hour naps a day. She is wearing size 12 months clothes, and size 4 diapers.  Oh, and one of my favorite things she does now, is nod. If I say no no, she nods yes. If she likes something, she nods. Whens she hears music, she bounces her butt and she nods. It’s adorable!!!

I guess that is all for now, I hope you enjoy the videos and photos, and will stay tuned for another year of Sammie updates!

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Dear God,

Thank you so much for everything you do for us. Thank you so much for our beautiful, healthy, sweet, happy daughter. Thank you for everything that you have made possible this first year. Thank you for letting her have a wonderful first birthday and party, and for letting us be with her the entire time. Thank you for always taking care of us! Please continue to show your love through her with hugs and smiles and the look that only a child can give us to say everything is ok. Please continue to help Samantha grow and be a healthy little girl, so that she can one day understand the prayers we say every single night to praise your name. Thank you Lord for everything you do for us, our family, our friends, and everyone else in the world.

AMEN

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