Visit with Grandma and Papaw Newbrough

Keith's parents, Ken and Karen, came to visit Samantha last week. We had a wonderful week, despite the dreary and unseasonably cool weather. We made it to the pool, went on several outings, enjoy several games of corn hole and all got to participate in the many changing moods and antics of Samantha. With a tooth seeming to be on the way, Samantha had many a restless night, but maintained her happy, giggly personality during the day to impress her Grandma and Papaw.

They of course made over her, and relished in every moment they had with her. It is great to know that Samantha is surrounded by so much love. She is so lucky to have two sets of amazing grandparents.

Grandma Newbrough feeding me some lunch!

Papaw and Sami enjoying a sweet photo op.

Enjoying a nice day in Amish Country, on one of Keith's days off.

We got one night at the pool. The rain had made it chilly, but Samantha didn't seem to mind. She loves the pool and just giggles up a storm. When not in her tube she splashes like crazy, but with the tube she can touch the bottom and move around herself like a big girl. :)

Worn out after the pool

Queen of her exersaucer domain


A perfect picture with Grandma and Papaw to end the week.

Many Faces of Samantha

My Princess Charming

Okay, it has taken me 29 years, but I have finally gotten this whole romance thing figured out! As little girls, we all get swept up in Disney and the prince on the white horse. That false dream has left many of us women completely devastated...men like that don't exist!

Romance is not like in the movies... it isn't easy, it isn't perfect and I have yet to have Keith dance with me in a dark street (Notebook), sing about his love to me (High School Musical - yes I went there), write letters to me that bring endless tears (PS I Love You), or chase me across different time periods (Lake House) - have I done something wrong, or is it in fact that the movies and yes, my childhood obsession with Disney, has left me bewildered in the romance department. Not, that I don't have an amazing relationship with my husband - I do, he is an incredible man. But, no where in those "ideal romances" is the toilet seat left up, farts heard from the other end of the house, and date night being us trying to make it up past 10 pm (esp. since baby).

However, since Samantha I have learned a couple of things about romance. True love is even better than the movies! True love is your husband holding your hand and encouraging you as you push (and push and push) out his child. True love is your husband watching the baby while you take a much needed shower or bath (smelling like breast milk is SO not good for romance!). True love is your husband never commenting on that fact that his once manicured, preppy, and dressed up wife has now traded heals for tennis shoes, jewelry for breast pads, and cute outfits for the perfect, comfy tee. And let us not get into the now saggy boobs, toneless stomach, and that fact I swear I am losing my hair since baby!

True love is also never more evident than with your child. No person can ever explain that type of love until you are there. For example, last week alone I was pooped on twice (Sweet Potato poops!!), spit up on countless times, hair pulled out by little inquisitive fingers, and had several nights where sleep was hard to come by.

Nonetheless, I was still 100% enamored with Samantha. I managed to laugh off the poop and make cleanup into a silly song. Sleepless nights were hard, but I'd pull her out of her crib to comfort her and she'd just fold into me...like she was saying "ahhh...mama's here."

No, life is not always perfect, being a mother and wife can be trying and hard, and I don't always cherish those trying moments when I'm in the moment. But, overall life is really good.

I guess over the years my idea of love and romance has changed. For years I searched for the prince on the white horse, but finally I realized that my cup is truly overflowing. For I have a blessed life with friends, family, the best husband in the world and Samantha as my Princess Charming. :)

My Little LoveBug...

Okay, my little girl is almost 7 months now -- I can't believe it -- where has the time gone!! At her last 6 month appointment she was a robust 18.3 lbs -- prime fighting weight for any sumo wrestling competition. :)

She is a major babbler, esp. in the morning. Her high pitched "talking" and giggles, make even the earliest morning more pleasant.

She is a very happy little girl. I swear she smiles with her eyes and cocks one eyebrow all the time. It is hysterical! Plus, her favorite game at this time is peek-a-boo - that gets the best giggles. Though, you can tell she is getting smarter...she will almost fall out of her exersaucer or seat to follow you if you have hidden. :)

I look at her and I'm taken with how big she looks! She is already sitting up in her high chair, eating baby food twice a day, taking juice from a sippy cup and eating Mum Mum crackers. Where did my little baby go?! Okay that is a bit melodramatic, but they seriously do change so much SO quickly in the beginning.

It is fascinating though. I think about how quickly she is picking up things and I can't even manage to remember what I did yesterday -- when does it start to go downhill like that?! hehe

4th of July

We had a great 4th of July weekend with Keith's sister, Vicki, and her family. We had a lot of fun, despite the dreary weather. We went to City Market and the Canal downtown, Dave & Busters for games and food, grilled out, played lots of Corn Hole, and Keith made his amazing Margaritas and Pina Coladas.

We also got to enjoy the fireworks. Though, we didn't even have to leave our neighborhood. Even with us going on our third year in Indy, I can't get over the type of fireworks you can let off in your neighborhood - they are like professional fireworks. In WV, we got excited to let off fountains, twirlers and smoke bombs...here you let off the big boys. And, you ought to see how excited the guys get... they were giggling like Beavis and Butthead the whole time, as they let them off.

Here is a short video of the fireworks let off by one of our neighbors down the street. For all of you non-Indys you will be shocked! This is what you can buy at your fireworks store. Keith even let off a few this size, but out of all the videos I took this came out the best. I was scared to death that someone would lose an arm, but it was amazing to watch. Boys and their toys! ;)

Here are also some great pictures from the whole weekend. We had a great time with Vicki, Randy, Logan and Haley. Samantha got spoiled with all the attention - and loved every minute of it.

Samantha also got to sport an adorable 4th of July outfit sent by Nana (my Mom). She stopped traffic everywhere she went that day.

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Basking in the Sun

It was a pretty day and Keith was outside washing the car-- washing the car for him is like me going shoe shopping -- who will ever understand men! ;) However, not wanting to be stuck inside on a pretty day, we joined him outside to bask in the sun and feel the grass between our toes. There is nothing better than that.

Plus, Samantha got more practice sitting up - of which she is fast becoming a pro. She looks like such a big girl - is it pathetic that each new thing she does makes me incredibly proud and sad.

Happy 1st Father's Day

Happy 1st Father's Day sweetheart and Daddy! Samantha and I love you so much. You fill our lives with so much love and laughter. I just love watching you and Samantha share giggles over your fountains and bubbles in the pool, your burps (yuck!), and your poopy dance. You always put us first - taking on extra jobs and still pulling your weight at home. You work so hard to provide for us, and you always live each day with a smile and a positive attitude. It has always been you that has eased my fears and calmed by worries -- I can already imagine how great you will be with all the things she will go through - skinned elbows, mean kids, or the multiple struggles every girl faces. ;) We are so blessed to have you in our lives. Samantha has a great Dad to look up to. I know that she will fall in love with you day after day, just as I have the past 12 years. Though, I can already tell by the way that she bats her eyelashes at you, that she will have you wrapped around her little finger. That is okay -- that is the role of a Daddy's Girl.

WE LOVE YOU!

Scrapbook of More Disney Pics

Disney - What a Magical Place To Be!

Keith, Samantha and I just had the best vacation ever in Disney World! We met up with my whole family. In fact, it was the first time we have all been together on a vacation, including all the kids and husbands, EVER! So, this was incredibly special.(The housekeepers made designs with towels every day and the first day was of course Mickey Mouse ears, so we couldn't miss the photo op)

I was initially worried about bringing an (almost) 6 month old to Disney World, but it was amazing! Samantha was so adorable. Her head was just bouncing from side to side constantly trying to take everything in and she was just smiles the whole time. I have decided that I have an amazing baby - yes, I know I keep saying that and yes I am extremely biased....but all that being said, she did not have a meltdown once, she kept up with us and she didn't seem scared of anything. And there was a lot of firsts for her - first time in a pool, first time meeting giant stuffed characters, first rides, and first major vacation. Many days we were going from sun up to sun down, and bless her heart , she got very few naps because every time she would close her eyes we would go in a show or on a ride, and she would pop awake as if she was afraid of missing something. :)(Samantha getting a better view of the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse show - her favorite! She was bouncing around almost giddy and towards the end you could see her fighting sleep so hard. :) ) (Hanging out at the pool at the Lodge - despite her pucker, she loved it. She'd splash and giggle and we had a great time watching her!)

It was esp. magical to not only see Samantha enjoy Disney World, but to see my wonderful neices - Jackie, Reagan, Dani, Maddie, Grace and Allyson - just be giddy with excitement. They range in ages from just over 1 year old to 9 years old. They really got to enjoy all Disney has to offer and for the older, it will be lifelong memories!

(Grace and Maddie (4 years old) being goofy at the playground at the Lodge)

(Jackie, Dani and Reagan striking a pose before we entered the Magic Kingdom. And sporting their Disney pins -- the best money making venture Disney has come up with -- if you have been there, you know!)

(Samantha on "It's a Small World" -- she was mesmerized!)

(Tara's youngest Allyson was in love with Sami and kept hugging her. It is amazing how babies love babies)
(The Carters - Brian, Grace, Tara, Allyson, and Dani posing with Pooh)

On top of that, we met with a photographer to get our first professional pictures in almost 17 years! Luckily, they turned out great!

(First picture is in the lobby of the Animal Kingdom Lodge and the other is outside by the pool, and the last in the hotel as well)

The resort we stayed at - Animal Kingdom Lodge - was wonderful! We had rooms that looked out on the Savannah and you'd wake up to Giraffes, antelopes, zebras, ostrich and so much more. We also had some great meals at this and other resorts at Disney.

(We got to eat with the Princesses one day -- what a treat for the older girls - unfortunately Samantha was pooped out! But, I still got a picture with Ariel, Tara and Allyson -- heck, I was in higs heaven myself -- Disney makes you feel like a kid, and makes you want to be a princess!)

(The last day we ate at the Floridian Resort with a Cinderella show -- we got to snap some great photos and enjoy some more great food. It was bittersweet though, because we knew it was coming to an end. ;( )

(The Bach family - Tia, Jackie, Reagan, Ed and Maddie)

Thanks Mom and Dad - aka Nana and Papa -- we had a great time and we came away with some amazing memories!