A Saturday at Home

Today Sam, Bryan and I have really enjoyed a day hanging around home. We have napped, walked to the park to shoot baskets and swing (for the first time and he loved it!), cleaned out a closet, downloaded some music, watched basketball, etc. Nothing wild but it's been a great day. I wanted to share a few pictures of Sam swinging at the park and napping. He fell asleep exactly the same way today for his morning and mid-day naps... playing in his ocean... then a little roll over... and sleep!! We thought it was cute. Hope you enjoyed your Saturday too!

Fell asleep on his own in his ocean




Swinging

Quick Trip to Iowa

Sam, Jamie and I spent the last few days in Iowa visiting family. It was great to get to spend some relaxing time at home and I loved getting to show Sam off! My parents picked the three of us up at the Omaha airport early Friday morning. We traveled back to Des Moines for some time at the mall first... not a surprise for the Sogards. It was a successful trip to good old Valley West and we all made out with some great new spring duds. We were able to relax that night at home in Newton before getting in the car again right away Saturday morning. We dropped my mom off at a bridal shower in Eldora and the four of us headed to Hampton to see my grandpa. He and Sam hadn't met yet so it was wonderful to get to introduce them. Sam loved to study his great grandpa and was full of smiles and we were able to get some priceless pictures. Grandpa is at a care center instead of his assisted living apartment for now and they are pretty sure he needs to stay there for the near future anyways. He was strong and with-it during most of our visit but by the end you could tell that the couple of hours with us had worn him out physically and mentally. We said our goodbyes for now and loaded poor Sam back into his carseat for the drive back to Eldora. We were able to see several family friends, had a great lunch with our favorites the Appels, and then stopped by the Stickrods to see Jill and Spencer and meet their new little Chloe. She and Sam are 4ish months apart and it was great to get to visit with them. It's amazing to remember how quickly they grow and to think back to the sweet days not too long ago when our little one was that small and had a tiny little newborn cry too. He looked pretty giant laying next to her! Spencer and Jill are great. Saturday night we did a little baking and enjoyed more time lounging around home. Sunday Bryan's mom and sister, dad and Peg came to Newton for some Sam time and lunch. We spent the morning and afternoon together loving Sam and catching up. He behaved and showed them a few of his tricks! It was great that they were willing to come to us so we could have a day out of the car. We ended the day with a walk outside and a few good games of pretty poor ping pong... I think my dad was pretty embarrassed that I couldn't keep track of the score to save my life and Jamie couldn't hit the ball on the table to save hers! We were quite the pair. : ) Today we made a quick stop at Jordan Creek and I was able to steal a few minutes with my good friend Jen and her little girl Anna. Miss Anna and Sam are 6 weeks apart and Jen and I have loved sharing the joys and trials of motherhood! We made the trip back to Omaha and arrived safely in Denver this afternoon. We crammed a lot into a few days but it was a really nice and relaxing trip. Sam did wonderfully in the car and on the plane. Mom and Dad spoil us with good food, good conversation, laughter and love--- it's a hard place to leave. Bryan did well here without Sam and I but was ready and waiting for our return! Sam loved rocking with his dad tonight and fell quickly to sleep back in those familiar strong arms. It felt great to put our little guy to bed tonight in his own crib and I am anxious to crawl into our bed too! We are very thankful for the past few days. It was wonderful to get home. Thanks for letting me share a few pictures...

Grandma and Sam playing-


Meeting Great Grandpa Jack-


Lunch in Eldora- Sam and Grandpa are buds!


Nana and Sam on Sunday-


Sarah and Sam-


Enjoying the beautiful weather in his favorite Cubs gear- Thanks Drew!


Bathtime in the kitchen Sunday night- he didn't know what to think!


The Slideshow-

6 Months Old

Our little guy turned six months old yesterday! It's hard to believe that I have kissed him that many days... that we have put him to bed that many times... that we have seen a half of a year of growing and changing go by already! When you say six months it seems like a long time ago, and yet all that really in just the blink of an eye?! He is rolling over, drooling like crazy waiting for those first teeth, eating green beans, sweet potatoes and other delicious baby food and talks to us nonstop! He reaches up for my face a lot and loves to hold my hand constantly... a boy after his mother's heart for sure!! Bath time and the first hour of a new day are his two best times. He is fighting another cold right now but is sitting beside me as I type just as happy as can be. I'm sure the next six months will got just as quickly and will be filled with many more exciting milestones!

Things went well at his six month checkup this morning. Sam weighs 16 pounds, 15 ounces (45th percentile) and is almost 27 inches long (55th%). He was poked four times and cried even less than the last time! He was able to get a flu shot since he is old enough now and because we are still in the middle of such a rough flu season in Denver so they say. His doctor said to really push the formula now that we are done nursing to fatten him up before he becomes even more mobile, keep going with baby food- even twice a day if I want, and continue working on those gross motor skills- sitting up with support and improving his upper trunk stability. We don't go back until he is 9 months and then the next well visit after that is at a year! Sheesh!! I have a feeling it's just going to fly by.

Wounds from shots today-




Sam, Jamie and I are headed back to Iowa for a quick weekend trip to see my Grandpa in Hampton on Friday. He has been out of his assisted living place and in a nursing home for the last month or so and we didn't get to see him at Christmas due to him being sick. I am anxious to give him a hug and introduce him officially to Sam. Bryan's parents and sister are kindly driving to Newton for the day on Sunday so it will be nice to see them also. Sam is pretty different since our last trip back at Christmas so it will be fun. It will be weird to be without Bryan but I think he will end up enjoying some down time in a quiet house.

A few pictures I particularly enjoy...
Sam and Dad snoozing-

Happy in his bouncy seat and PJs-

The rest-

Thursday

Here are a few pictures of Sam sporting an ISU shirt and snoozing on the couch- something he doesn't do very often anymore as naps are normally in his crib. Today he wore a fun back shirt that had the word Mom with a flaming heart around it... a hand-me-down from friends in FL! He has had some GREAT days this week... very happy, good naps, good meals, happy in the car, lots of talking to me and playing... lots of good stuff. He melts my heart for sure!

No big plans for this weekend. We will be around relaxing and spending time with Bryan before Jamie, Sam, and I head to IA next weekend for a quick trip to see my Grandpa. Have a great few days!

Nudie-Rudie!

Sam posed for a few nudie pictures today! His rolls and creases are just too cute! He has much to say and talked loudly to me all afternoon. He did make me cry just a bit tonight... he rolled over completely on his own for the first time! Only small bummer--- his audience was Aunt Abbie instead of Mom or Dad! He has been rolling up on his sides for a while now but has never had the desire to go completely over until tonight. I'm glad she was the one able to witness this first if we weren't. We'll see if he will show me his new trick tomorrow. : ) Enjoy our happy, chubby boy!

Central Men

Tonight we were lucky enough to have several of Bryan's best friends from college over for dinner and drinks. The five of them had been up in the mountains for the last few days and are down spending the weekend in Denver before heading home. I enjoy filling their bellies whenever I get the chance and it's always a little good-crazy when they get together. Jamie, Anne and our long time family-friend Brian joined us also. Our little two bedroom apartment and confused Sam could barely handle it! : ) They are out and about now so look out downtown! Sam and I are here holding down the fort... I can't keep up with that many big boys! It was so great to get to see them all together again. Friendship is definitely a priority for my husband.

You Can't Help but Smile Too

Sam really likes to lay in our laps and gaze lovingly up at his parents. He stares and then smiles and giggles and kicks like crazy. You can't help but smile back at him until your cheeks hurt.

Grandpa and Grandma Visit

My parents came out this past weekend for a few days of fun. They had Monday off which made it a nice long weekend. The grandkids can't get enough of them--- it's amazing how Grandmas never get tired! We hung around Denver and bowled during the day on Saturday and then headed for the mountains that night to avoid traffic. On Sunday, everyone skied while Mom and I managed the three little boys. Luke will get to go next time but was just a few days shy of his birthday so he had to sit this one out. My dad still has it and even managed to coach Bryan a little (which wasn't totally successful but he didn't break anything either thankfully!). It's great to get to spend time together. Jamie and I will get to see again them on quick trip back to IA mid-March to see my grandpa. It's great to be back and so close to family again. Bryan and I love that they get to see Sam so often as he is changing so quickly!

Lucas James

HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY LUKE!!!

Funny

My handsome son with a silly hat and his favorite mouthful!