Sam's First Christmas

Thanksgiving

Bryan and I are so very thankful for several major blessings sent our way over the last year and it's great to have a holiday to reflect on these blessings with our family and friends. We made trip back to Iowa on Tuesday in just over 11 hours in the car which isn't too bad with a three month old baby. We stopped in Newton for a quick pizza that night with my parents and then pushed on the rest of the way to Cedar Rapids. It was a long day in the car but Sam was a total trooper and thankfully slept most of the way. We lounged around Wednesday with Bryan's family, ate dinner with his dad, and spent the evening with our friends the Kelloggs. Thursday most of Karen's family met at Debbie's house for a wonderful meal. We have almost outgrown her house as Sam is now the only little kid it seems. After a little more time with his Nanna, we packed Sam up again and headed back to Newton Thursday night. The Sogard women still brave the malls early on Black Friday and this year was even better as Kate and Abbie joined us for the first time! The men met up with us briefly to drop Sam off with me after lunch and then we returned that night to celebrate my 27th birthday. It was my first birthday as a mom... another one of those special firsts for me. The past few birthdays have been just Bryan and I in FL, so it was extra nice to be sung Happy Birthday while being in the same room with our family. Saturday was Thanksgiving again there, topped off with some great Fast Scrabble and ping pong. Sunday we all packed up and headed west again, this time through a little bit of bad weather but we made it home safe and sound. It was a wonderful week of sharing Sam, catching up, and relaxing with our family. We are thankful we get to go back in a few weeks and do it all over again!

A Sam update... This coming Wednesday Sam is officially 3 months/13 weeks old!!! The time is really going quickly. He smiles often, loves to suck on his hands, and is losing more and more hair each day (thinning in the front, a bald spot on both sides where he rubs when tired, and the normal bald spot on the back)! He likes to be in his diaper, take baths, play in his ocean floor-gym thing, stare at the Christmas tree lights/ all lights, grab onto things, and sit upright. Our nights are a little back and forth but he is usually up sometime around 3-4ish and then again around 7:15 which I can handle since I'm luckily still at home. He is getting chubby and long and is starting to fit into 3-6 month clothes. Sam makes Bryan and I so happy and we couldn't be more thankful for our little miracle. It's fun for me to see Sam instantly wash away the stresses of Bryan's job the minute he walks through the door. I am totally enjoying my two boys!

Enjoy some pictures from the last two weeks! JR

Sam's Cousins

Before Sam arrived, I was in the habit of sending out recent pictures of my brother Matt's kids to a handful of friends and family. I haven't shared for a long time so I thought I'd add them to our blog. Bryan and I have loved watching them grow from afar over the past few years and are loving every minute of being in the same town with them now. They are happy, beautiful children with really fun and relaxed personalities. They know they are loved and are such a joy to be around. Kate turned 4 this past Fourth of July, Luke will be 3 in February, and Dan is almost 7 months old. Kate is loving preschool and seems to be pretty grown up lately. Luke loves to play with his sister and love on Dan. Daniel is just a little large and such a happy boy. : ) They all love Sam and Bryan and I are so thankful they can grow up together now that we're here. Sam will have three great friends and teachers. Matt and Abbie are fantastic parents and are great models for Bryan and I. We feel really blessed to have the five of them around. Thanks for letting me share our family!

Bath Time

Here are a few pictures from Sam's bath last night. He loves the water being poured on his chest and has started kicking and splashing around! He will be ten weeks old tomorrow and is moving into 3-6 month clothes. It's fun to see new creases form on those cute arms and legs! Enjoy!

First Captured Smile

I was quite suprised today to capture a smile on camera for the first time. Beautiful. That's all his proud parents can say.

Two Months Old

Samuel turned two months old on Monday, November 10th. He continues to grow and get stronger every day. Some of his favorite activities right now include looking at the world propped over Mom's shoulder, kicking his legs/ waving his arms wildly while partially clothed, and sucking on his hands when he is hungry. Bryan and I are seeing more and more smiles where he knows what he is doing... one of the prettier things in life for sure. Sam was 11 pounds, 13 ounces and 23 inches long at his two month appointment yesterday, which puts him in the 50th percentile for both height and weight. He had his first major round of immunizations too... 5 pokes! He did very well, although it was a little tough on me. Sam is a joy each day and we are looking forward to many more smiles, creases in his arms and legs, and those pretty baby sounds. Enjoy the pictures!

October's End

The last week in October was a busy one for our family. We were finally able to get into our apartment in Parker on Thursday. After nearly a month in Matt and Abbie's basement living out of suitcases, we were thrilled to get our stuff out of storage and move into our own space. We have spent the last few days sorting through things--- figuring out how to get a house worth of stuff, plus an elementary teacher's classroom belongings into a two bedroom/ one car garage apartment has been a bit of a challenge but we are close! Bryan put up some major shelving in the garage that we are pretty excited about to make it all work. We are happy to be a little more settled into our new home and are anxious to be starting a normal routine.

Sam also enjoyed his first trick-or-treating experience on Friday. We started with a few pictures with his cousins and visited a couple houses on their block. Sam peaked his eyes open for a few pictures but slept through the festivities in his pumpkin outfit (not very unique but we struggled to find something small enough). He caught his first cold this weekend so we have learned how to deal with messy sneezes, rough breathing, and a different kind of fussiness. He seems to be on the mend today so we'll see. He will be two months old on the 10th, believe it or not and is getting long and filling out those cheeks! Life is good in Denver!

Bath Time!!

We noticed we didn't have many pictures of Sam while he was awake posted so here are a few from his bath last night. He loves getting water poured on his head and belly. The cold lotion afterwards is questionable but he lets me do it. That crazy hair seems to be sticking around and gets lots of remarks from the ladies!

Sorry... Sorry... Sorry!!

Things have been just a bit hectic over the last few weeks so I am a little behind with our blog. Quick update for you... We arrived safely in Denver just over a week ago. Sam did great on both stretches of the trip and didn't mind flying one bit. The poor kid was in four states that day while being only four weeks old --- What a trooper! We spent a long weekend in Cedar Rapids and were able to see most of Bryan's family, a few friends and my parents. It was great to get to share Samuel with everyone, although the long line of interested baby-holders was a little tough on mom... : ) The last week in Denver has been great. Bryan started work right away last Tuesday, which is going well. It's a little different than the corporate life he had been living but he is enjoying being back in the plant and home every night. We have looked at several apartments and are close to getting something figured out. Our plan is to rent for this first year and see how things shake out with selling our house in FL and then decide what to do here. For now, we are loving life in Matt and Abbie's basement and are greatful for their generosity. Ab and I and the four kids have spent the last few days playing, taking Kate to preschool, both of them to swimming lessons, cooking, shopping, and talking babies. They are all so flexible and relaxed and it has been great. We have been able to be with Jamie a bunch too and are thankful she doesn't mind driving to Matt's until our cars get here. Bryan and I are so thankful to be in the same town with family and are excited to see them for short, normal visits and to be able to do regular things together.

Now for the fun news... Our little boy is one month old already!!!! Sheesh! Thankfully he handled these last few crazy weeks very well. At our appointment out here on the 8th (just shy of one month old), he weighed 9 pounds, 5 and a half ounces and was 22 inches long, which put him in the 45th percentile. He is filling out and is starting to look more and more like his dad. He is more awake and alert each day and is working hard to hold that head up. He is sleeping for a good 5-6 hour stretch at night which is making life lovely! He's learned a lot already about being passed around, airports, the hands and kisses of little cousins, apartment searching, hot and cold weather, and living out of a suitcase! He amazes Bryan and I each day and has brought us so much joy!

We are so very thankful for this last month of our lives. A baby and a move half-way across the country in under one month... why not!!!! : )

The Rempts Are Denver Bound!!!!!

We are happy to report that our family is moving to Denver, CO this week!!! Bryan has accepted a production supervisor position with his current company and will start in Littleton on the 7th! Things are happening very quickly. The moving company will be coming to pack on Wednesday, load on Thursday, and we fly to Iowa on Friday. We will spend a brief weekend in Iowa spending time with local family and friends. Monday, October 6th, we will depart for our final destination Denver, Colorado. All three of us are looking forward to the joys and challenges that Denver will present. We also want to thank all of our Florida friends that have been so great and supportive. We will miss you greatly.