Just Some Thoughts...

I've been reflecting a lot about motherhood and how our lives have changed and I thought I'd jot down a couple of my thoughts on how the last almost two months have been. I have been overwhelmed with how natural motherhood is and yet, how much it changes how you view everything. My life seems so much more complete and happy now, but scarier. I worry about things I never considered before, like the flight we are taking next week, the cars driving around us on the Interstate, how to keep Sami safe, if I am doing everything I can do to be a good Mom, etc. All my prior worries seem so vain now, so inconsequential. I don't worry about my make-up, my hair or the latest fashion. I don't remember the last time I put on more than a dab of blush and lip gloss, considered my outfit for more than a brief second (that time including - "what is best for nursing"), wore jewelry or even touched my once prized shoes. Life is simplier and more complicated all at the same time. But, instantly on December 22nd I went from being Dana to being Mom - a job I have cherished more than words can express. Something that means more to me than all the shoes, jewelry or "me" time. And while I am reminded of how blessed my life is now whenever I look at her, there are moments that esp. take my breathe away. For example, I am a huge advocate of co-sleeping and while I realize some people's fears surrounding this issue, it seems as natural as breast feeding to me. The other night Samantha was sleeping nuzzled into the crook of my left arm, to the left of her was our dog Sadie and then Keith who had his hand draped over all of us, and resting over my hand. I woke up early that morning to this picture and the soft sighs of contentment from my daughter. Right then I lifted up a prayer of thanks to God. Yes, sometimes motherhood is hard - she might cry for no reason, spit up on your clothes, and you might always smell like rotten milk ;) - but one smile or baby hand resting on your chest during a nap and that it's -- you are smitten.

Aunt Tia Comes to Visit

Samantha got to meet my sister and her Aunt Tia this past weekend. Tia flew in from Colorado Thursday night and we all spent a wonderful weekend together. Samantha modeled her wardrobe and was on her best behavior. :)

Samantha models her Snoopy gear (above) and shows Tia all that she has learned so far - from how she can lift up (below), to her head control and even how she rolls over. She is an amazing baby!
I took tons of pictures of Tia with baby, so that these memories are frozen in pics for Sami to look at one day. Plus, Aunt Tia got Samantha a "Who Loves Baby" photo album, to help her get to know her family.


We all went to church together. Samantha slept through the whole service -- I truly believe that God must sing a lullaby to babies in church, because they all seem to do so well there. Sadly, we had to see Tia off last night. It is always hard to say goodbye, but we are all excited about seeing her again in June (albeit we wish it was sooner) in Disney for our family trip.
Thank you sis for coming! We love you so much. It was great to see you and to have someone to get out and about with all weekend. Everything from just chatting and catching up, to seeing "Confessions of a Shopaholic" with Sami, to shopping, lots of eating ;), and playing a ruthless game of Sequence -- it was all so much fun!

Sam-Bug

Make a Smilebox photobook

Aunt Tammie comes to visit!

Keith's sister Tammie came to visit with Ken and Karen. This was her first time seeing Miss Samantha. So, Sami was on her best behavior - sleeping well, smiling lots and posing for pics. She was so excited to finally get to meet Tammie!
Samantha being held by Karen for a nap - such a rare sight to see this baby held, huh?! It is hard not too want to hold her all the time, when you look at her squirrel cheeks and puckered lips. :)
Ken walking and talking with baby. Ken seems to have to touch to calm her down! :) She is so lucky to have two sets of great Grandparents that love her so much!
She's posing with the pink teddy bear that Aunt Tammie brought. She was fascinated with it. That and her Elmo are her favorite stuffed animals.
My other baby, Sadie, also got a special visitor. Her friend Scooter came in with Ken and Karen. They have a blast together. Prior to this pic, they were playing back and forth with this toy. It is adorable to see them interact - well, until Scooter starts to hump her. Unfortunately, Sadie does not fight him off and therefore we are all on high alert when they start playing. Luckily they are both fixed, but we'd still rather keep their relationship platonic. ;)
Here is one more great pic of the weekend with Tammie and Samantha. It was sad to see another visitor leave at the end of the weekend, but we will be down to see the whole Newbrough clan over Easter and my birthday.

This coming weekend my sister Tia is coming in and then the next Tara is coming in. After that, I fly back with Tara to NC to visit my whole family. I am so excited about all the visits and the upcoming trip. February has been a great month - every weekend packed with visits from family. Samantha and I are getting spoiled - we love it!!

First Church Outing

Dad is trying to show some enthusiasm (albeit slightly fake) after a rough night of Samantha crying a lot. Daddy walked and bounced her around to try to soothe her. It seems her belly was hurting and despite how tired we both were, we felt bad for her and instead of bemoaning a bad night, might as well keep smiling and keep your humor. :)
Samantha and Sadie are buddies. Sadie has warmed up to Samantha, though I think she is still a little jealous. Keith and are I worried she is suffering from a little depression, since she went from being our world to sharing it.
Vicki, Randy, Haley and Logan visited us this weekend and made over Sami. I don't think this baby went a moment without being held. She is one spoiled and lucky little girl. :)
Another proud family pic of us. We might not be the epitome of style and fashion, but hopefully the glow of parenthood makes up for it.
This is Sami in her church outfit. This was the first time we had gone to church since she was born and she did great. Keith wouldn't allow me to let her wear this hat to church - saying that she looked like the pillsbury dough girl (but I thought she was adorable). Hat or no hat, she looked beautiful. She also did great in church (a huge relief)! We were so proud of her.

I'm Getting SO BIG!

Samantha is already picking her head up almost 90 degrees when she is on her belly and today she did her first roll-overs - from her belly to her back - all by herself. In fact, she was working so hard that she wore herself out. She is already growing up and changing too quickly. I just want her to stay a baby forever!

All Dressed Up and Nowhere to Go

Samantha was all dressed up today for our special visitors - Keith's sister, brother-in-law, niece and nephew. She was pretty in blue and a temporary headband, despite Daddy making fun of her hairless headband look. She is a cutey! :)

Happy Birthday Keith!!

Keith celebrated his 29th birthday on February 1st with a bang -- the Steelers winning the Super Bowl! Despite us being snuggled at home most of the day, due to his returning from a 3-day round of night calls at the hospital, it was a great birthday as he celebrated it as a new father and as a Steelers fan.

Interestingly, both Sami and Keith (1980) saw the Steelers win the Superbowl in the season of their birth. So, it seems that Samantha is destined to e a Steelers fan. :) My apologies to all of our Colts friends.

Snow, Snow and more snow!

This past week has had its ups and downs. Downs, in my opinion, is this ridiculous amount of snow. If you don't know, I am not a fan of winter (whereas Keith thinks the northern outstretches of Vermont and Maine sound ideal - I dream of North Carolina or even Florida). Even as I look out of my window this morning, I see more snow!!! In the past this would have been a welcome day off from school, but now that I am home it means being stuck indoors another day. Samantha and I are going stir crazy and can't wait until Spring. Hopefully, groundhog Phil's prediction of 6 more weeks of winter is wrong!

Tom-boy or Girly-girl - what do you think?

So, throughout the week Mommy places Samantha in an array of outfits, so that Samantha can model her impressive wardrobe (before she grows out of things). However, these pictures were funny because they sadly prove that we have more of a tom-boy on my hand than a girly-girl. Pink aside, she looks much happier in the WV gear than the flowery headband- don't you think?! :)