Samantha's First Giggle

What a weekend. She finally giggled today! We also had her first portraits taken this weekend and she did great! The proofs are adorable!

A Great Weekend with a Few Tears

After Keith working a long stretch of days and a weekend of call, we enjoyed a nice family weekend together. Friday night I made a homemade Potato Pizza (so good!- even Keith had three helpings :) ) and we settled in front of a movie. Saturday morning we got going early to get Samantha in her Easter dress and get together all of the stuff for her 3 month/Easter picture. However, I had a feeling from early on that Samantha had other plans. After skipping her morning nap and the photographer running late, by the time they started positioning her for poses and the assistant made smacking noises with her mouth in Sami's face, the shoot was over. Poor Samantha broke down into a puddle of tears and was inconsolable. I was annoyed because I had looked forward to the pics, but soon realized that it was not important enough to make my baby sad. We might attempt them again, but if not we will keep snapping photos at home. ;)

To recover from the tears, we popped over to Red Robin and downed 1,000 calories in burgers and fries, and spent the day out shopping and just enjoying each other. We went everywhere from World Market and Hobby Lobby to Lowe's. It ended up being a fun day out, filled with a lot of laughter, some spring decor purchases and a great cup of latte from Panera. To end the day perfectly, we went to our friends Heather and Freddie's house for their son Porter's 1st birthday party. We got to see their adorable kids again and got to meet some great people, including some new neighbors. Plus, there is nothing more adorable than seeing a 1 year old enjoy their first birthday cake (See Porter below).



Sunday began with an enjoyable church service, where Sami and I bounced half of the service together -- along with half of the other mothers and babies in the audience. ;) Keith spent the afternoon prepping the yard for Spring -- his favorite pasttime, I took care of baby and relished in her ever expanding vocabulary of "ah-goos" and grunts. ;) I also finally decorated for Spring and got down all left-over winter decor. Then we came back together that evening over a movie and Taco Bell.

Yes, these might seem like small things, but all of these things added up to a great weekend with my family -- even despite the few tears.

It Is SO Hard Being a Girl ;)

Poor Sami - Mommy dressed her up like a doll baby the other day because I couldn't decide which Easter dress I wanted to take her 3 month old pictures in. On Saturday we are taking her first professional pictures and I am doing an Easter pic with one of these dresses and her bunny and/or lamby. Of course, I have socks, shoes and headbands for both -- but I can't decide. Luckily, Samantha didn't seem to mind the dress up period and the posing for me. I love having a girl!

Still undecided about which dress - no need to worry though, it will probably be the one that she doesn't spit up on before pictures start. ;)

Meeting Sarah

Samantha got a chance to meet my good friend from Herron High School, Sarah, this past Sunday when we met for lunch at Olive Garden. I have missed Sarah dearly, but between the holidays, her long hours of work and school, and how far we live apart from each other - this was our first time to reunite. It was great to laugh, talk and just catch up. I realized how much I had missed our daily chats at school. And no surprise, Sarah was a natural with Samantha. Plus, I got to go to my favorite restaurant (even if that is sad in and of itself) and Samantha was awesome! Have I told you that I have Super Baby - yes, I am biased....oh well. ;)

Myrtle Beach and Dani's birthday

We celebrated Dani's 8th birthday in Myrtle Beach the last weekend I was home. I can't believe how grown up Dani is. Isn't she gorgeous! Nana did her hair special for her Birthday celebration at Build-a-bear.

Sami got to bask in the sun at Broadway on the beach, where we met up with some friends to go to Build-a-bear and Johnny Rockets for lunch.
Nana, Papa and Daddy pose in front of Avista, where we stayed at north Myrtle.
Sami went to the beach for the first time and we shared a family kiss.

Tara, forgive me for the above picture of you bathing beauties - but it was too cute not to post.

Going Home to NC

Mom took some baby and me pics while in NC. Luckily Mom has a great camera that can rapid fire shots, so a decent one is bound to come out - though, Sami ALWAYS looks beautiful.
Sami also got to meet and hang out with her cool neices - Dani, Grace and Allyson. Despite her face in this picture, she had fun. I just think she was done with pictures for the day!
Samantha also really found her tongue in NC. She is like a little lizard and she is fascinated with your mouth, so she tries to mimic what you do - esp. if it has anything to do with the tongue. It is crazy even just watching her take in your facial moments. You can just see the gears turning in her head.
Sharing a sweet kiss -- look at that girl opening her mouth. Should I be worried? ;)
That's my baby! She is one happy little girl and she was so excited to see family. Nana kept her laughing up a storm.
Here is Nana cuddling with 3 of the 7 grandchildren. We girls run the roost in my family - the men have no hope!
Mom and Dad also posed with baby for me on their back porch. What an amazing view to wake up to every day. I never get sick of seeing it when I am there, but it sure makes it hard to leave.

I love NC and my family SO much. I miss you all already!

Tara's Visit

Tara came to see Samantha for the first time the last weekend of February. We had a great weekend in IN! We went out to eat, shopping and just catching up. It was so special to have Tara here.

This was a precious time for Tara and Samantha. Like Tia, it is rare that my sisters would get this one-on-one time with Samantha with three kids of their own. So Tara spent some quality time cuddling, talking and loving on Samantha. It meant so much to me to see my sisters making over her. I have such an amazing family.

Thank you for coming Tara - I can only imagine how hard it was to leave your babies for a few days. I love you!!