A "Moody" Kind of Life

Shutterfly!

2010-12-14T20:45:00.003-05:00

As I have been preparing for Christmas, I have found some great ideas and great deals through Shutterfly! They have a large selection of Christmas cards, and this year they give you the option of printing them on cardstock (as apposed to photo paper) which I think is a very sophisticated look. You can find the selection of holiday photo cards here, and if you are running out of time, you can view their selection of new years cards here. I'm a fan of the square shape card, but I also like the folded ones too.

Also, Shutterfly has great gift ideas for those who enjoy photos. (Who doesn't?) I have a friend who just ordered a puzzle for her husband with a picture from their wedding on it. Great idea! Of course, Shutterfly's photo books are always a great choice! You can make them playful or elegant. Another neat idea (even for yourself) is their Christmas ornaments. You can put a picture on an ornament and have a memory of this year hanging on your tree for years to come! I may have to implement this tradition for our own family!

Although I haven't used Shutterfly a whole lot in the past, I am planning on trying something new in 2011. I take too many photos and had the goal last year to get up to date with all my printed pictures. Well, I had to buy six photo albums (holding 250 pictures each) just to catch up over the last two years of not printing. I don't think we can afford to continue buying this many photo albums, nor will we have a home large enough to house them all. So...I've decided to make photo books (hopefully i condense it into one or two) for each years' photos. I'm excited because I can work on it all year long (saving it online), and then order it at the end of the year!

Happy shopping!

Remembering the little things

2010-05-25T15:04:00.003-04:00

I have been accused before of being overly sentimental. It's true-I can be. But, when it comes to children, can you be too sentimental? Just yesterday as I was cleaning up around the house, I was reminded of how horrible I've been lately with recording all the kids' latest and greatest. Everyone knows how quickly time flies and how swiftly children change, but I also know how clumsy my memory is. I don't want to forget how Sam says "kichen" for chicken and "catchet" for jacket. I don't want to forget how he laughs and says "that funny mama". I don't want to forget Cole's look when he gets caught eating his toes or the sweet way he holds my face when we lay side by side. Oh, how i treasure these little things!

Thank you, Lord, for my children! I love them so much...

and to think that You love them even more.

Cole at 5 months

2010-05-01T13:46:00.007-04:00

Cole is already five months old!

Here are some of his latest and greatest:

He is still the most content and happy baby I've ever met. What a blessing that he is MY son!
Cole is now refusing to take bottles. That little stinker is mommy-dependent, so mommy doesn't go too far for too long. I keep thinking, "it's just for a season."
He is officially a thumb-sucker! He found it pretty early on, and is now attached.
He found his toes about two weeks ago. I forget about these fun little milestones.
He's a big boy (compared to Sam)-now wearing 6-9 month clothes.
I have been soaking in more sweet moments than i did with Sam, knowing how fast these little guys grow. My favorite is after his last feeding at night, he falls asleep in my arms. We linger together before i put him in his crib.
No one can make him laugh like his big brother...no matter how hard i try.

Sam continues to grow and change as well. However, he is still just as silly! He is in the midst of the "terrible two's," trying to prove that the stereotype is every bit real. It's wearing us out--extremely sanctifying! He continues to love music (playing his guitar, his drums, and singing...i love to hear him sing). I've learned over the last few months that he has a very serious shy streak. When he enters an unfamiliar environment, his little body gets paralyzed. I used to think he was being defiant, but now I am trying to offer patience. How could i forget, Sam is now wearing big boy underpants! I didn't know if we'd make it through the week of potty training, but we survived...barely. Sam also eats up every minute his daddy is home...mommy's boy turned daddy's boy? Nah!

I love that he loves to read his Bibles...

The following is a video of Sam and Cole having some brother time. The second video is for laughs...

Our happy baby...

2010-01-19T21:23:00.003-05:00

Cole is such a content and happy baby--what a joy! He has been smiling a lot lately and is starting to coo. His little noises never get old! After watching Sam grow into a little boy, I know these tender moments with Cole will wisp away way too fast. I'm trying to enjoy every second, even if that means the laundry piles up and the house is left messy.

Thank you, Lord, for my two precious boys!

Sam is TWO!

2010-01-19T20:52:00.004-05:00

So hard to believe that my baby boy is now two. We planned a party in Georgia but decided to nix our trip when Cole was in the hospital. Scott and I made sure he had a BIG day here in MB. Sam woke up to decorations and airplane pancakes (he loves airplanes).

Scott took him to "Wee Jump", an indoor playground, before lunch then brought him home for a big bubble bath to wash all the germs away.

When Sam woke up from his afternoon nap, we gave him a few gifts including a tricycle!

He was excited to get on it...

...but not excited to get off.

Our friends, Kevin and Kelly Hill (and Olivia), had us over for dinner to continue the celebration. It was a fun-filled day!

A tiny glimpse into our day...

2010-01-05T18:39:00.002-05:00

Sam is enjoying inside activities during these cold winter days.

A New Year

2010-01-05T08:58:00.005-05:00

We did not anticipate greeting the new year from Conway Medical Center. Cole was struggling to breathe New Year's Eve, so Scott and I took him to the ER. After lots of tests (blood test, urine analysis, x-ray, and spinal tap), we were admitted in the hospital. It was a scary experience seeing Cole so weak and watching his little body be poked and punctured all over the place. It was a sight no mommy ever wants to see. Cole was diagnosed as having RSV (a respiratory virus) and was given antibiotics, breathing treatments, and kept on oxygen for a couple of days. He was taken off oxygen early Saturday morning, and we were released to go home Sunday. We will be going back for a follow up appt. tomorrow to make sure we are

in the clear.

God was so gracious throughout it all and gave us sweet reminders of His presence in our lives. For example, the male nurse's name (that we saw in the ER) was Tobias. I asked him about his name-where it came from, what it meant, etc. He shared that its origin was Hebrew and meant "one who knows the Lord is good". How appropriate. My sweet husband had just been reminding me of this truth on the drive to the ER. God IS good ALL the time. Our circumstances do not change that fact. God is also committed to our sanctification, and He knows my attention is quickly gotten when it comes to my children. So... although I would not choose to go through this again, I cannot doubt my God's faithfulness. He has proven it time and time again.

Of course, I have given Cole extra love these last few days and squeezed Sam a little tighter. Ultimately, I have had to reevaluate my heart and ask myself: Do I cling to the gifts God has given me more than I cling to the giver of the gifts-God Himself? Also, I am reminded that my children are really His children given to me for a time. I must trust Him with their lives.

Nothing like starting a new year with a sharpened awareness of who God is and how helpless I am without Him.

Cole's First Month

2009-12-29T21:23:00.004-05:00

My precious baby boy is a true joy--worth every single minute of the wait! Cole has been an incredibly "easy" baby. Of course he has his needy moments, but compared to Sam's first weeks, having him around is a breeze. He eats well and sleeps well. Cole has a gentle disposition. He's so quiet, it's easy to forget he's in the room. I am being spoiled with all the snuggling I get to do. I better get it all in now before he starts squirming around like Sam. Funny how much bigger Sam seems to me now that I have a newborn to compare him with. Crazy how much children grow in a short amount of time.

It's hard to believe that Cole is already a month old. It's been a busy month for him...and for us. Here is a glimpse:

As a result of the H1N1 Flu, hospital regulations kept Sam from coming to visit us when Cole was born. The first time Sam met him was the day we came home. At first, he was dumb-founded. He didn't know what to think. After a couple of days, Sam just ignored Cole throughout the day. He eventually warmed up to the idea of having a little brother and now wants to know where he is when he wakes up and kiss him goodnight when he goes to bed. Jealousy definitely still raises its head from time to time.

Papa K and Khaki proud of their 6th grandchild.

Gigi was able to stay for another week after Cole arrived. We appreciated the help, and Sam especially enjoyed having her around to give him some much needed attention.

After my mom left, Pops stayed with us for a week.

Pops is already introducing Cole to sports, hunting, and fishing.

As you can tell, Sam loves his "Bops"!

When Cole was 2 1/2 weeks old, our family of four traveled back up to Wake Forest, NC for Scott's seminary graduation. We were able to stay with our friends Paul and Amy (Kai and Melia). It was a full house--full of kids, laughter, and fun! The weekend was refreshing, full of celebration and sweet fellowship with dear friends. I am so proud of Scott's diligence and discipline to finish strong, for i know that he has had to balance a full plate at the same time. I tried to plan a surprise birthday party while we were there too. My hubby is now THIRTY! It was so wonderful to see old friends--made me miss NC a bit. Thank you to all who helped make the party a success.

A little surprise Paul left in the bathroom for Scott...

If you look close enough, you'll get a good laugh!

Sam trying on Daddy's hat.

Cole wearing Daddy's hat too.

The proud parents and wife of the graduate.

This is Scott with our friend Steve and their mentor, Dr. Bob Jones.

"Surprise!"

Amy and Melia... two gracious hostesses!

Mr. Paul teaching Sam how to play with play-dough.

Best Buds. Sam misses seeing Kai more often.

I miss seeing Kai's mommy more often too.

Scott's parents traveled to NC to see Scott graduate, then followed us back to MB to celebrate an early Christmas with us.

Khaki and Sam baked some gingerbread men together. Sam tried to eat all the dough and was covered with flour when it was all said and done--that's part of the fun, though. Right?

All the men hanging out on the couch. Sam thinks he is so big when he gets to hold baby brother.

Papa K and Khaki gave Sam the Little People Barn for Christmas--he loves it!

My mom and brother joined us for Christmas again this year. Sam couldn't get enough of Uncle Jon and Cole couldn't get enough of Gigi. We all had a great time simply hanging out together as we celebrated the promise God kept in sending us a Savior! Sam was sick on Christmas Day, so we stayed inside and in our PJ's all day--it was quite relaxing!

Since we stayed in our pj's all day on Christmas, I made everyone get dressed the next morning so we could take some family photos.

Welcome Baby Cole!

2009-12-01T11:33:00.002-05:00

Cole Stephen Moody was born on November 30th at 12:06 pm. He's 7 lbs 12 oz and 19 3/4 inches long. Jessica did great. She went in labor at 10 and he was here by noon! Very quick delivery. We are thankful!!

Thanksgiving baby?

2009-11-24T15:59:00.002-05:00

At my Dr's appointment yesterday, I was given the option of the midwife breaking my water (and hoping that my body kicked in) or continue to wait. I asked her what she would advise her own daughter if she was in this situation, and she said wait. Thus, we decided to wait some more and see if Cole comes on his own this next week. This little turkey just might be a Thanksgiving baby! There is so much learning in the waiting process...

We greet Cole's due date

2009-11-21T20:18:00.002-05:00

Who would of thought that we would actually get to Cole's due date? Not us, that's for sure. We owe everyone an explanation after this weeks mishap: Monday, I went to my 39 week Dr's appt. and I was 5 cm dilated. The Dr. asked if I was "ready to have this baby," and of course I said yes. I had no idea that she would come back in the room with hospital orders for an induction the next morning. When she did, I asked more about the induction process and felt ok about what I thought I understood. Well... Tuesday morning rolled around and we found ourselves admitted in the hospital, me in my hospital gown, and nurses about to do things I had no idea would take place. There were some pretty significant misunderstandings--ones that Scott and I did not feel at peace with. Thankfully, a very kind nurse and the midwife from my practice became our advocates to go back home and wait. Whew! I was so relieved (and humiliated). I changed back into my clothes and walked out of the hospital just a couple hours after we walked in. It never felt better! So, the waiting continues, but we are ok with that. We learned a lot through this silly experience. God is so good, in spite of our foolishness! I go back to the Dr's office Monday morning if we aren't in the hospital by then. Thanks for your prayers.

38 Weeks and counting...

2009-11-12T08:19:00.002-05:00

At the Dr's this past Monday, I was a whopping 4 cm dilated! The Dr was surprised that i wasn't feeling any more pain that I have been. She was willing to set up an induction, but I really want my body to kick in on its own. So...we'll just keep waiting. I still have a week before my actual due date arrives. My only worry is the size of this baby boy. Sam was almost 8 lbs. and he came two weeks early. Eek! Hopefully, you'll see pictures of our new addition very soon!

37 Weeks

2009-11-03T14:25:00.003-05:00

I am now 37 weeks prego. At my Dr's appointment yesterday, I was 75% effaced and still a "good" 3 cm dilated. I've been having contractions on and off for a while, but nothing consistent. The end of this pregnancy has been so different than my pregnancy with Sam. I confess that I am becoming a little uncomfortable and so very ready to hold Cole in my arms rather than in my tummy! This is a picture Aunt Amanda took of me this past weekend at the beach. Cole has dropped quite a bit...

Fall Fun...

2009-11-03T13:30:00.005-05:00

This family loves the fall! This year, however, it has been a little different being in MB. The air is not cool and crisp, and there is no changing of colors on the trees. We even tried to find a pumpkin patch nearby to take Sam, but our experience was quite hilarious. It made us miss our favorite Vollmer Farm back in NC. (Scott said we could take a trip to NC next fall just for the pumpkin patch--I'm gonna hold him to it!) Here's the "pumpkin patch" where we picked a pumpkin out from a cardboard box. Sam was more interested in picking the price stickers off than actually picking out a pumpkin...

We had a messy but fun time carving our pumpkin. Sam needed a haircut, so i had this hair-brain idea to give him a ice-pop as a distraction while I cut his hair. Needless to say, he ended up sticky and "hairy". That's when we decided to go ahead and carve the pumpkin, knowing it was going to be just as messy. By the end of it all, we had a little boy covered in red pop-ice juice, hair, and pumpkin goo. He didn't seem to mind too much.

Sam dressed up like a dragon this year. Gigi bought him this costume when she was here visiting last month. He was the cutest dragon you ever did see...

Uncle Wayne and Aunt Amanda came for a quick visit this weekend. It was nice to have an extra hand with Sam. We took him to a little Fall Festival at a church in the country. A friend that i met at library storytime told us about it, so we decided to check it out. Sam had a good time getting candy from the trunk-or-treat, but his favorite activity was pinning the nose on the pumpkin. It was perfect for his age. I think he did it about five times.

Of course, you can't come to MB and not see the beach...

36 Week Dr Appointment

2009-10-26T22:20:00.002-04:00

Just a little FYI: Today at my 36 week check up, the Dr said I was 50% effaced and 2-3 cm dilated! I guess we are on our way to having another early baby! I'm sooooo excited to see our precious little addition!

Life in Myrtle Beach

2009-10-18T14:31:00.009-04:00

We have been in MB for three months now. The transition went pretty smoothly, even for Sam. Scott and I are still learning our new weekly routine as he strives to balance work and his last Seminary class (taking online) with family and church planting responsibilities. It's a busy time, but we realize it's only about to get busier when our house has two little boys under its roof.

So far, we have had a few visitors. Pops and Penny came a couple of weeks after we moved. They helped stock the pantry and get things a little more organized. Of course, we made time for fun too...

Sam loves his Grandpops, or as he calls him "Bops"!

Bass Pro Shop offers entertainment.

Papa K and Khaki also came for a visit. We enjoyed exploring the MB State Park and finding a delicious seafood restaurant in Murrell's Inlet.

Papa K and Sam listening to live music at the farmer's market.

Gigi came for a visit too, but my camera ran out of batteries. I'll have to get some pictures from her camera soon.

The last photos are random ones of Sam simply being Sam...

Here he is ready for the first UGA game of the season with momma's flip flops on.

His first Krispy Kream donut. We were at a carnival.

Fun in the tub.

Trying to "help" daddy catch a fly.

Helping mommy in the kitchen. I think there was more batter on his clothes than in the bowl.

35 weeks Prego!

2009-10-18T14:21:00.005-04:00

Many of you have been asking for pictures of my growing belly. Scott took a quick photo at 31 weeks (first picture) and again yesterday at 35 weeks (second picture). I have definitely expanded, and continue to do so!

We are so thankful to have found a wonderful practice of doctors here. At my appointment this past week, the doctor said that she thought our little guy has already dropped and is "in position"--head down. (I can tell because it seems like I have to potty ALL the time.) Although this doesn't mean anything necessarily as far as timing, it encouraged Scott and I to be a little more diligent in our preparations. Nesting has seriously set in!

Sam's latest and greatest

2009-06-25T23:03:00.036-04:00

I know I promised an update a decade ago, but better late than never...right?

Honestly, the program we use on our computer to upload pictures has not been functioning properly, and it just took us forever to get it fixed. Whew! Now, we are up and running--no more excuses! I have decided to give you a glimpse of some of Sam's latest tricks (I realize he is the star of the blog), and then give a quick recap over the last several months:

Sam has a little bit of his mommy in him: He was helping me take some groceries out of bags, and when I looked over, I noticed him organizing the boxes and lining them against the cabinet. I thought it was too funny, so I took a picture. Later that same day, he was playing with Scott's commentaries on the shelf. We don't normally let him touch the books on the bookshelf, but I could tell his little mind was working, so I let it slide, stood back and watched. He stacked those heavy books up like a tower and then clapped for himself. We got a good laugh.

Sam has given up his morning nap, but every once in a while I can tell he needs more rest. I decided to put him in his crib to read and rest one morning this week, and a few minutes later this is what I found... (I paid for it later when he refused to take an afternoon nap.)

Sam always wants to wear his daddy's belt. It wraps twice around him--he thinks he is so cool!

He is also getting pretty good at feeding himself with a spoon or fork. Here he is eating his oatmeal for breakfast. Funny how I had a hard time getting him to eat all of it before, but now he is so proud that he wants to eat every last spoonful. Granted, not every spoonful makes it into his mouth.

June 2009

2009-06-25T23:03:00.035-04:00

I cannot believe we are already at the end of June...

Scott and I are trying to hit some of the hot spots around Raleigh before we move. We had heard great things about the Durham Museum of Life and Science, so we decided to spend a morning there as a family. Sam's favorite part was looking at the farm animals.

A highlight of this month was my friend Holly's wedding. My sweet husband sacrificially used some vacation days at work to keep Sam so that I could fly to Arkansas for Holly's big day. It was the longest I was away from Sam and the longest Scott has ever kept Sam by himself. The wedding was beautiful and daddy survived! I think we all grew in our appreciation of one another over the weekend. And, boy, did I miss my men!

My friend Amy is due to have her baby in a couple of weeks, and she wanted to take her son, Kai, to the children's museum in Raleigh. We have wanted to take Sam as well, so we decided to take a field trip together. Amy and I enjoyed the catching up on the car ride there and back, and the boys had so much fun playing at the museum. It really was great!

May 2009

2009-06-25T22:50:00.012-04:00

We love the Sarazen family! Amy and Paul are treasured friends that God has given us during this season of our lives. We were able to take a weekend getaway together to Emerald Isle where Amy's parents have a beach house. It was so refreshing--we felt like we were there for more than just a weekend. Of course, Sam and Kai had a blast in the sand. It was still a bit chilly to get into the water.

We started a tradition last year for Mother's Day weekend: strawberry picking! We went again this year with our same friends, Matt and Kelli, that we went with last year. Sam was quite the participant this year. I think he did more eating than all of us combined...sshhh, don't tell farmer John.

During the month of May, we took a trip to GA for Scott's niece's first birthday party and my cousin's high school graduation. Unfortunately, we hardly took any pictures at all. These are from the park in Papa K and Khaki's neighborhood.

April 2009

2009-06-25T22:39:00.011-04:00

April was filled with visitors. My mom came at the beginning of the month and kept Sam for us. Scott and I went on our first overnight trip without our little guy to Asheville, NC. We enjoyed touring the Biltmore and simply being together. We did, however, miss Sam so much that we drove home a little early to see him before he went to bed. Gigi said she had fun with Sam without mommy and daddy around. (Don't worry, we'll let her do it again!)

A couple of weeks later, Scott's folks came up for a visit. We decided to take Sam to the NC State Zoo--I think everyone else in NC decided to do the same. It was quite crowded, but we had a good time. Sam got up close and personal with a chimpanzee, and his favorite animals were the geese that kept pestering us during our picnic lunch.

March 2009

2009-06-25T22:29:00.015-04:00

March was quite eventful. We took Sam on his first trip to Snowshoe, WV with Pops and Penny. Snowshoe is where I grew up skiing, so it was really fun to take Sam there. Of course, we didn't put him on skis, but we did take him sledding. He loved it! Penny was very kind to keep Sam in the condo while the rest of us went down the slopes. Besides Sam having a fever for part of the time, we had a blast.

We also found out in late March that I was pregnant! We are thrilled that God is expanding our family with another little blessing! I am due November 21st, which means Sam and his baby brother/sister will be almost two years apart.

February 2009

2009-06-25T22:14:00.010-04:00

Sam had a Valentine this year--little Miss Savannah. Aren't they so sweet!

While Scott was plugging away at school work, Sam and I went to visit the Perdue family in Tennessee. Jim and Stephanie have two boys (Jake and Judd) and a girl (Anna Kate). We enjoyed living life in the Perdue world for a few days. Jim even let us girls have a coffee date one afternoon during nap time!

In February, Sam got his first haircut... done by mommy. It was tricky!

Before

During

After

It's official

2009-03-28T21:18:00.001-04:00

I stink at keeping up with the blog... Pictures from our trip to the mountains are on the way. I promise.

Our little miracle

2009-01-19T22:23:00.009-05:00

Our little miracle, that's what you are,

born not long ago.

Being parents was new for us,

A joy we'd yet to know.

Your daddy and I prayed for you

before we knew your name.

Boy or girl, it did not matter,

we wanted you just the same.

God, however, knew your name

and every hair on your head.

Rather than fear for your precious life,

we learned to trust Him instead.

For me, a new love affair began

twelve months ago today.

Twas your big blue eyes and tiny toes

that my heart did give way.

Sleepless nights and restless days,

every moment worthwhile.

To watch you now, I stand amazed,

I melt with your four-tooth smile.

So many "firsts" have come and gone so fast,

Time flies like never before.

I am thankful for how you've continued to grow,

and look forward to so much more.

My sweet boy, you were so tiny--

a perfect fit in my hands.

Thirteen pounds and ten inches later,

now my wiggle worm, my little man.

You've taught us a lot this year

about God's forgiveness, love and grace.

May we do our best to teach you well

so that His goodness you taste.

Our little miracle, Samuel Scott,

is already turning one.

We celebrate your life today,

Happy Birthday, son!

01.09.09

Celebrating Sam's Birthday

2009-01-19T21:46:00.013-05:00

I apologize for the delay. I know some of you have been waiting to see our little man dig into his first cake. Well...that didn't really happen. After a little burning sensation from the candle wick, Sam was quite timid and completely uninterested in eating the source of his pain. Poor guy. (And, BAD mommy and daddy.) Eventually, he did calm down and slowly explored the sweet taste.

Thank you, Gigi, for hosting Sam's party, and thank you ALL who traveled to celebrate with us. It was so wonderful to have my family and Scott's family together again, as well as a few dear friends. Sam is well loved. We love your love for him. It means so much!

The Friday before Sam's party (Sam's actual birthday), Scott helped mom clear the pine straw off her yard. Sam helped too--he loves to be outside.

I sure do love my little man.

Sam is politely using his "please" sign here to beg for more goldfish. Uncle Craig kindly obliged.

Who wouldn't get a little overwhelmed with this many eyes watching you and this many cameras flashing at one time???

The moment of truth...

..and the tears prove it.

Isn't this a precious birthday crown! My sweet friend, Melissa Williams, made it for us. (Thanks, girl. He did wear it for a little while.)

All clean...

These feet were made for...WALKING!

2009-01-03T07:55:00.004-05:00

Yesterday (exactly one week before his birthday), Sam decided to take off!!! He has been walking in between furniture and along the wall, but I guess he wanted to venture out on his own two feet. I couldn't believe it. Our baby is such a big boy now.

Here he is walking...and a couple pictures of him showing off one of his new favorites: the red chair!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Christmas in the Moody House

2009-01-02T09:12:00.005-05:00

This year's Christmas was the first with Sam. My mom (Gigi) and brother (Uncle Jon) came up to join us for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We had a wonderful time! Scott and I had talked about traditions we wanted to begin with our children, and this year was the time to start. Gigi always gives everyone pj's on Christmas Eve, so we were able to continue this tradition with her there. A new tradition we wanted to start was leaving a new book outside Sam's door on Christmas morning. This year, we gave him a little cardboard book entitled, "What is Christmas anyway?" It's a great, simple read that tells what Christmas is really about: God's Son! Our favorite tradition that we began was putting letters in Sam's stocking. This year, Gigi and Uncle Jon wrote one, and of course, there was one in there from us. Uncle Jon was so excited about his letter, he wanted it to be read out loud. I started reading it and ended up rolling with laughter. It was hilarious...in a sentimental kind of way. Tears were pouring out my eyes from laughing so hard, then they just kept on flowing. Scott had to read mom's out loud because I couldn't get through it, then my brother had to read ours because Scott couldn't get through it. Whew! It wasn't meant to be so emotional, but it really was a sweet time. I look forward to all the letters that may find their way into Sam's stocking in the years to come!

Overall, I couldn't have asked for our Christmas to go any better! Thank you Mom and Jonathan for making the trek up here, and for making Sam's first Christmas so special! We love you.

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Scott's Birthday

2009-01-02T08:37:00.003-05:00

My dear hubby is now 29 years old! His birthday was quite busy for him with work and then a Christmas party. We came home and celebrated it later that night. Sam was excited to give his daddy a hiking pack--I think it was a hint...he loves to be outside! I made Scott his favorite, key lime pie, and we were able to go out for lunch just the two of us the next day!

I'm so thankful for you, my love!

An 11 Month-Old's Source of Entertainment

2008-12-19T10:20:00.007-05:00

Earlier this week, we received a package in the mail. It was a LANDS' END box from Scott's parents--a Christmas gift for me. However, Sam thought the BOX was the present, a present for him! He pushed it all over our home and played with it

for at least 45 minutes.

"Hey, is this for me?!?"

"What exactly is it? A chair?"

"A bed?"

"A Stair-master?"

"Oh, I know...a surfboard?"

This is where the fun ended. I let him stand up on it for a second (for the sake of a picture), but then got him down and told him no...once, twice, and then had to take it away. Thanks Papa K & Khaki for sending some entertainment our way! (By the way, I'm excited about what was IN the box too!)

Rudolph?

2008-12-17T21:19:00.002-05:00

Sam has had a cold on and off for a couple of months now. However, this one is lasting longer and seems to be worse than the others. I took him to the doctor this morning to make sure it wasn't something more--nope, just a cold. Because his poor little nose is constantly getting either rubbed or wiped, it's turning red...kind of like a reindeer we know!Doesn't it make you want to kiss it and make it all better?

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

2008-12-16T09:41:00.006-05:00

We are celebrating Christmas all month long... The first weekend in December we took a quick trip to GA for Scott's brother Matt's surprise birthday party (the big 4-0!). We were able to get in some quality time with the Moody side of the family, and Sam had fun opening Christmas presents early. He is still learning how to rip paper off boxes--his favorite part is trying to eat the paper. Go figure? Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of Scott with his brother or his brother's family...sad! Seems a little ironic since they were the whole reason we traveled--I'll do better next time.

Sam & Cherokee (Scott's sister's dog) became pals...

Davis & Sarah Kate watched Sam open his present from them...

He really enjoyed playing with his cousins.

It worked out for us to stay with Melissa & Jamie. They live close to Scott's brother and had extra room for the three of us. "Auntie M" didn't mind loving on Sam again!

This past weekend, my dad and his girlfriend, Penny, came for a visit. We had a great time relaxing and catching up. Of course, we had a mini Christmas with them too. Pops was proud of his gifts to Sam: a Penn State football and a baby Nittany Lion named "Joe". Yep, my Dad is a Penn State fan and wants to make sure his grandson gets exposed to more than Georgia football. Penny was thoughtful with her gifts too, but once again, I did not get any pictures of her. Ugh! Sam had a blast with Pops and Penny! He even started mimicking my dad--when he claps now, he also screams with excitement. (Pops is not known for a quiet demeanor...)

Scott's birthday is the 19th, so my dad went ahead and gave him his card. Pops is known for his interesting choice of cards--they're always hysterical.

Look at this cute bottom...

This is a Christmas outfit that Penny gave sam. It's precious!

We took Sam on a wagon ride--he didn't let go of his new football the whole time.

My mom and brother will be arriving next Tuesday to spend Christmas with us. I am thankful that we have been able to see so much family this month, but I want to be careful not to get so consumed with the preparations that I don't take the time to reflect on our Savior's birth.

The Word became flesh...for us!

Thanksgiving

2008-12-02T10:35:00.009-05:00

It's that time of year when days seem to go by faster and faster. Fall quickly ushers in winter, then Christmas arrives, and the new year is here before you know it. I am trying really hard to slow things down a bit, at least for our family. Last week, I vowed to Scott that I would not make any commitments or plans outside our daily routine. It was wonderful! Every evening was "family night" and oh so restful! When Scott gets home from work, we enjoy time together with Sam. Sam likes for his daddy to give him a bath, and sometimes give him his last bottle. (Mommy likes it when daddy even changes his last diaper too!) Then, when little man lays his head down to sleep, we try to scurry around before Mr. Sandman catches us. With Scott's semester winding down, he's been knocking out his last assignments. And I have been indulging myself in creativity--what fun!

This year, we were not able to travel for Thanksgiving. Although we missed seeing family, we had a wonderful day... It began early and frigid. We all bundled up and participated in a local 5K, "The Gobbler's Run". Scott ran it with two of his buds while Sam and I strolled it together. It was Sam's first race, and he did great!

The rest of the morning was spent relaxing and watching the infamous parade on TV. Later in the afternoon, we headed over to our friends' house where three other families were gathering. We had a spread for dinner, and stuffed ourselves silly. It was a sweet time of sharing gratitude for what our good God had done in our lives--we had so much to be thankful for!

Lately, Sam's little personality has been coming out. He makes us laugh all the time! Here are a few random shots of him simply being himself:

Gigi sent us a package and Sam enjoyed the box.

Sam likes his new Christmas books...thank you Gigi!

This is my view these days. Now that Sam pulls up on everything, he's constantly on my leg. Even though it's limiting when you are trying to get things done around the house, once his little face looks up at you, nothing else seems to matter.

Fun times after a bath...

(In the second picture, you can see all four of his teeth.

The fourth one finally broke through the gum last week.)

Our little Monkey

2008-11-05T14:01:00.004-05:00

This past weekend was full of fun events and visitors... My mom (Gigi) decided to drive up to see Sam in his first costume. We took him to our church's Party on the Block. Sam enjoyed seeing his friends looking silly, going on the hayride, and having his first taste of cotton candy (shhh!). He was the cutest little monkey you ever did see... I did not hand craft his costume like my mom used to do for me, but I can take credit for his banana--i thought he needed a prop! On Saturday, my mom and Aunt Amanda were a huge help with Sam as I participated in the seminary's annual Craft & Bake Sale. Because we were so busy, the weekend sadly flew by.

Sam and his buddy Josiah.

(This is the little guy that I keep two days a week.)

Sam loves his Gigi...

He's already counting down the days 'till Christmas when he gets to see her again.

Wow, seeing Aunt Amanda twice in one month was a treat!

I was so excited when we came across this monkey costume.

It's perfect for Sam--he loves bananas, and we think he is more curious than George!

The Rafferty Girls: Abigail (alligator) and Katie (frog).

Traci (Abigail and Katie's mom) leaned over to me during the hayride and asked, "Do we do this for the kids or for us?" I smiled and quickly replied, "I think for us."

Carrie and Barrett (turtle).

The Pumpkin Patch

2008-10-21T15:22:00.011-04:00

These past few days have been gorgeous here!

We decided to take advantage of the weather and go to our favorite farm: Vollmer Farm. In the spring, that's where we like to go to pick the best strawberries. And every fall, we have gone to their pumpkin patch to pick out our prize pumpkin. This year, of course, it was extra fun with Sam. He enjoyed examining the pumpkins,

going on a hay ride, and goofing off with his mommy and daddy.

Lately, Sam has been using his tongue to do everything.

This is the pumpkin Sam picked out--it's just the right size!

Isn't this neat--a pumpkin house!

Yee-haw!

Sam and his daddy on the "hay ride"...

It was a little chilly on the ride, but Sam didn't seem to mind.

A pumpkin tree!

Enjoying the Fall!

2008-10-17T09:51:00.009-04:00

Fall is absolutely my favorite season...

always has been, probably always will be!

There's just something about the changing of seasons,

the brilliant colors that fill the trees, and the refreshing crisp air.

Not to mention candy corn, caramel apples, pumpkin patches,

and football!

Last weekend, we traveled to King, NC to visit my

Aunt Amanda and Uncle Wayne. The weather was gorgeous!

Sam really enjoyed rolling in the grass and playing with the leaves that have already fallen to the ground. He liked the leaves so much that he even tried to eat them. I guess that's the stage he's in--everything goes straight to his mouth.

On Saturday, Uncle Wayne and Aunt Amanda took us on a tour of Mt. Airy where Andy Griffith is from. We even joined in on the Autumn Leaves Festival that was going on downtown.

Of course, no matter where we go, Scott somehow always finds a local bakery... He has a sweet tooth for homemade treats. This time, he bought a cinnamon roll the size of my head!

(Ok, so I'm exaggerating a little bit.)

Sam had so much fun hanging out

with Uncle Wayne and Aunt Amanda.

(Thanks again for being so hospitable during your birthday weekend.)

God's creation is amazingly beautiful!

On Sunday, the three of us took off for Hanging Rock State Park and went on our first family hike! Sam loves to be outside (he gets that from his mommy and daddy), so he didn't seem to mind the bumpy ride up the mountain. He was taking in all the sights and sounds along the way, even talking back to the birds. Scott and I have always enjoyed hiking, so this was a nice treat for us too. We had to take advantage of being close to the mountains!

The long trek up the mountain wore Sam out...

He decided to take a nap on the way back down.

Georgia

2008-10-05T23:04:00.003-04:00

Our trip in a nutshell...

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Rest

2008-10-04T23:29:00.002-04:00

Last week, my sweet friend Amy kept Sam for a few hours while I ran some "mommy errands". She has a son, Kai, who is about 31/2 months older than Sam. (They are good buddies!) I glean from the lessons she learns through each new stage Kai goes through, knowing that Sam will soon be entering the same one. Amy is patient with my many questions about schedules, baby food, teething, etc. On this visit, we chatted about training our children to rest. She shared an article that was passed on to her which basically talked about starting a quiet time with your children.

The author writes:

"One of the best things I ever did was start a quiet time with our son when he was about five months old. I would hold him on my lap and gently restrict his movements into a small range by holding his wrists loosely. He could move but not a whole lot... For the first few days he was really mad! He would scream and I would whisper, "rest", and, "I love you", when he took a breath."

The author goes on to say that after a couple of weeks of doing this daily, her son's crying and protesting stopped, and he learned to come to a rest and actually began enjoying their quiet time together. (This training is helpful for teaching young children to sit in your lap quietly and contentedly during occasions such as presentations, gatherings, and church.)

Although I think this is a great idea to try with Sam, the reason I am writing is not to share mommy advise, but to share what the Lord is reminding me as I process this idea. I am your typical Type A who tries to keep everything neat and in order. (Ha! When you become a mom, this is thrown out the window!) I am currently a bit overwhelmed with the responsibilities I am balancing--most of which are non-negotiables. Most days, as soon as my feet touch the ground, I am running around from one thing to the next. And, if my feet aren't running, my mind is. Most nights, I stay up trying to catch up, only to subtract hours of sleep and add more to the to-do list. Sound familiar to anyone? :)

Last night, as I anxiously laid awake in bed, God brought to mind the above article and my conversation with Amy as if to whisper, "Dear child, My desire is for you to rest...I love you." Tears flowed. I am like that 5 month old that screams inside if I am "restricted" from accomplishing daily goals or personal deadlines. To sit still would take more than holding my wrists loosely. In the midst of chaos, I have always had a difficult time letting things go in order to stop. Even my sweet husband's head spins when he tries to keep up with my scattered steps and thoughts. When the weight of every day life seems too heavy to bear, God says STOP and rest! It is then that we realize that our strength does not come from endurance and repetition. It comes from resting and allowing the Lord to work through us. When we are weak, He is strong!

Lord, thank you for loving me enough to speak truth into my life. Teach me to rest! Even when the world around me is spinning, teach my heart to be still. I recognize that there will always be more tasks to do and more errands to run, but help me to stop and bask in Your presence. May I not forsake my quiet time with You each day.

[Photos from our trip to GA will be coming soon for those of you who prefer pictures of Sam over the ramblings of my words...] :)

More firsts!

2008-09-05T12:22:00.002-04:00

This week, our little man not only perfected his crawl,

he decided to start pulling up!

When I go into his room after he wakes up from a nap,

this is what I see...

Although I'm having a hard time believing my little baby

is doing big boy stuff, I'm so thankful he

continues to develop and grow. Life is precious!

I can never get enough of this smile,

especially when it appears as mommy approaches.

Yep, he's gonna be a momma's boy!

This is the face I get when Sam does not get his way.

I feel like I am constantly saying, "no sir", "no touch",

and just to reinforce it over and over, "Sam, mommy said no"!

It's wearing me out.

This whole training and disciplining thing is harder than it looks!

I keep another little guy on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

For the first time, Samuel blatantly expressed jealousy when

I fed and played with Josiah.

He would crawl to me, pull on my shirt, stare at Josiah, and cry.

These red eyes are a result of Sam's tears of jealousy.

Sweet son, you are going to have to learn

to share your mommy sometimes...

When it rains it POURS!

2008-08-25T21:01:00.009-04:00

Funny how life can move along pretty smoothly,

and then WHAM--the floodgates open!

In July, our computer crashed. A week later, we went to Georgia for a wedding Scott was in, then spent the rest of that week vacationing in Hilton Head, SC with my family. The day after returning from our trip, we moved! (Note to self: never plan a vacation right BEFORE you move.) Of course, it took some time to get settled into our new home. We finally bought a new computer, and just recently got internet working. Whew!

I acknowledge that it has been two months since I last posted. I also acknowledge that most of you who read our blog are more eager to see pictures of Sam than anything else. Thus, I decided to simply post a few photos from these last two months instead of trying to fill in the gap with all the gritty details. Sam continues to grow at a rapid rate, faster than his mommy's heart desires. It seems like he pulls a new trick out of his bag every day. Most currently, he is becoming a pro at crawling and trying to use a sippy cup. His eyes are still as blue as ever and his smile is just as sweet!

Sam LOVES water, so bath time is always fun!

"Look Mommy, I found a hole in my tummy...?"

Scott's roommate, Scott Coleman, got married in Statesboro, GA. It was a beautiful affair...and fancy! Papa K and Khaki came to help take care of Sam during all the festivities. It was wonderful getting to see so many old friends, most of which we had not seen since our wedding three years ago.

Look at these GA boys!

After the wedding, we drove to Blackshear to visit with Chris and Kami Roberts. We were able to meet both of their sons, Joshua and Kellen, for the first time, and they got to meet Sam. It was a sweet reunion!

Sam enjoyed being at the beach again, especially since he could sit up on his own. His favorite part was eating sand and giving

"Sam love" to Gigi.

Father's Day Weekend

2008-06-17T13:48:00.005-04:00

Pops and Penny came up for the weekend. They were amazed at how much Sam had changed since the last time they saw him. I joked and said at the rate he's growing, he would probably be running marathons by the next time they see him. I enjoyed watching my dad interact with Sam...he's a proud Grand-Pops!

Penny bought Sam a few toys. The books were his favorite!
(Look how intently Sam is staring at the pages.)
Father's Day weekend was extra special this year,
especially for Scott! Sam loves his Daddy!
My two boys spent the entire afternoon of Father's Day laying side by side watching the US Open. It was a precious sight. I'm afraid Sam is going to be a sports fanatic like his father... I guess he gets it honest. I'm so very thankful to be married to a man who takes his role as father (and husband) seriously. God has blessed me with a family man--one who strives to lead, provide for, and protect.
I love you, hubby!

Pizza at the Pool with our Care Group

2008-06-17T13:27:00.004-04:00

Our Care Group from church tries to get together regularly.
Here we are trying to take advantage of the summer weather.
Almost all the families in our group have children,
so we are always having fun!
Aren't the kiddos cute!

"Samuel-son"

2008-06-17T12:46:00.005-04:00

It's funny to think of the many names Sam has been called...
"Sambo", "Samari", & "Sam-man" are just a few.
Scott calls him "Chief" & "Buddy".
I tend to lean toward more endearing terms
like "Pumpkin" & "Sweet Boy",
but my new favorite is "Samuel-son"!
You have to say it real fast with a Karate Kid accent!

Look at Sam's lil' pumpkin butt! Hehe! Don't you just wanna pinch it.

Our big boy in his highchair. I have to rig it by putting towels on either side of him, but he sure thinks he's big and bad sitting up there all by himself. Sam is now five months old and eating food! So far he's tried sweet potatoes and avocados. Bananas are next!

We took another quick trip to Myrtle Beach to visit with our friends, Russ and Miranda Bennett, and their two children, Bailey and Cohen. They were on a family vacation and invited us to join them at the end of their stay. It was a sweet time of catching up...

Look at how big Sam is compared to Cohen
who is about 16 months old.Sam and I were able to get a glimpse of "Aunt Julie" a couple of weeks ago. She lives about two hours away, so we met in the middle for a few hours. Dr. Martin is quite a busy gal in the thick of residency, so it was kind of her to take the time to visit with us!

Memorial Day Weekend

2008-05-28T11:39:00.006-04:00

Gigi and Uncle Jon came up for a visit this past weekend.
It was a nice and relaxing
weekend of catching up and simply hanging out.
We went on a picnic to celebrate Mom's birthday,
tried out the video camera Mom brought up,
and Mom fed Sam his first cereal!

Sam loves his Gigi!

So...Sam didn't really get into his cereal at first,
and his tongue wouldn't cooperate.
It was a spectacle; everyone had a role:
Mom was the feeder, Scott was the encourager,
Jonathan was videoing, and I took pictures.
After a while, Sam thought it was a fun game.

The Sound of Waves

2008-05-28T11:17:00.005-04:00

We met Papa K and Khaki in
Myrtle Beach, SC for a weekend getaway.
Sam didn't know what to think about the feel of sand between his toes and the sound of the waves. (Or the sound of ten thousand Harley's--we caught the tail-end of Harley Davidson Bike Week.) It was a little cool, so Sam decided to hang out under the umbrella.
We had a great time visiting with Scott's Family.
Sam was happy to see his Papa K and Khaki again.

Four Months Old

2008-05-28T11:03:00.003-04:00

Head and shoulders, knees and TOES...
Sam has discovered his toes!
Whenever he's on his back, he has his toes in his hands.
Soon, they'll be in his mouth.

Here he is showing off his Bugs Bunny band-aids that he got after his four month shots.
This time he had to get THREE shots--not fun! Yet, he still smiles.

Mother's Day

2008-05-12T10:13:00.002-04:00

This year, Mother's Day was extra special. It was my first with a child in my own arms. Last year, I remember Scott and I squeezing each others' hand during the Mother's Day service at church, containing our little secret that we were expecting. Now, a year later, it's hard to believe our little "Coffee Bean" is already four months old.
Mother's Day was also special because we had baby dedication at church. In all honesty, I was a bit reluctant. I have been struggling to trust the Lord with Sam. We had dear friends that unexpectedly lost their 8 week old daughter last year. Walking along side of them during their tragedy has affected me more than I realized. It is one thing for me to say, "We dedicate Samuel to the Lord," but another to truly believe it in my heart that he is God's and not ours. (It seems ironic knowing that we named our son Samuel after Hannah's son in the Old Testament, whom she gave back to the Lord for His service.)
I say all this to simply share that I was able to acknowledge yesterday that Sam IS ultimately God's. He was given to us as a gift, and we desire to be the best steward of his life however long we have. Each day that I get to squeeze his cheeks, sing him a song, and give him "mommy love" is a precious gift. Scott and I are learning what being parents is all about--the amazing privilege and sobering responsibility.

Strawberry Patch

2008-05-12T09:17:00.004-04:00

For Mother's Day weekend, Scott took us strawberry picking. We went with our friends (and old neighbors), Matt and Kelli, and their two daughters, Ava (2) and Layla (8weeks). It was so much fun! Sam seemed to enjoy it as well!

Ava had so much fun...
By the end of our time, she had strawberry juice all over
her clothes and strawberries all in her teeth!

What great Daddy's...

It's amazing how the simple pleasures become even more fun when you have a little one, as if you are doing something again for the very first time.

Spring time fun...

2008-05-05T18:53:00.005-04:00

Our little Bulldog!

A picnic in the park! With the busyness of life, Scott tries to squeeze in an outlet for exercise. Amy, Paul, and Kai Sarazen met us after work for a picnic dinner. After eating, Scott and Paul threw the football while Amy and I took the boys on a stroll around the park. It was so much fun, so we decided to do this regularly.

Sam enjoys hanging out with his buddy Kai! Kai is 3 months older, so he teaches Sam all kinds of tricks...

Sam's thumb has been finding its way into his mouth... Yep, he has become a thumb sucker!

My dear friend, Jessica Webber, came to visit us from Georgia. We took advantage of the beautiful weather this past weekend and spent a lot of time outside. One of our adventures was Wake Forest's "Meet in the Street"--an arts and crafts festival downtown. Sam did well being out for that long.

Sam's FIRST day in NURSERY... Scott and I have been keeping Sam with us during church ever since he was born. The last couple of weeks, I haven't been able to stay in the service or our class due to his squeals and cries. This past Sunday, we decided to put him in the nursery. Of course, I didn't want to but knew I needed to. I was so proud of him! Sam did great without mommy by his side. (We were a little worried, because he has already become a "Mamma's boy" at home.) All the nursery workers bragged on him--he was the hit of the nursery! Way to go son!

The little things...

2008-04-27T17:37:00.005-04:00

What fun it is to delight in the little things, the simple things that bring so much joy! We could not have imagined how incredible it would be to be parents. We absolutely love it! Sam is a source of laughter and entertainment for us. Each morning when we hear him waking up, Scott and I race in his room. When we roll him over, he rubs his eyes, looks up at us, then grins as if to say "Good Morning". Neither of us want to miss that part of our day. Bath time has become fun as Sam splashes the water with his fists. His smiles are contagious. I love the way you can cup his little bottom in your hand when he's sleeping. It's funny to watch him jump in his Johnny Jumper because he looks back at you as if to say, "Check me out, look what I can do!" You have to laugh even when the gross mishaps happen... Like this morning, for example, Sam decided to work on his diaper during his first feeding. He was really hot, so I took his pj's off. That was a mistake, needless to say. I ended up with you-know-what all over my pajama pants. Good thing I was not already dressed for church. Those pants will never be the same!

More Visitors

2008-04-27T17:14:00.002-04:00

Sky Pratt, Scott and I's college pastor from Athens, was up in Wake Forest for a conference. We were fortunate enough to snag a few minutes for a visit. It was great to get caught up on how is family is doing and how his ministry is going. It just seems like yesterday that Scott and I were stuck in our closet of an office as college interns for Sky. He was hilarious to watch as he interacted with Sam.

Scott's sister, Stacy, and her family came for a quick visit to see our little world here in Raleigh. Here is Sam with his cousins, Davis and Sarah Kate. Sarah Kate was all about Sam--she got upset every time Sam would leave the room.

Aunt Amanda and Uncle Wayne came through for a visit on their way back home from vacationing in Virginia Beach. It's nice to have some family in NC!

March Recap

2008-04-09T09:42:00.011-04:00

March was a very busy month for us...
We had a few visitors, crossed a couple of milestones,
and ventured to Georgia for the first time with Sam.

Sam has started to interact with toys. This is his turtle friend, Sheldon. He was created by our dear friend Amber and given to us before she knew Sam was on the way. Amber and her husband are currently serving the Lord overseas. Sheldon reminds us to pray for them and their ministry.

Aunt Amanda and Uncle Wayne came over for a Saturday visit.

Sam has started to eat his fingers--they are always in his mouth now. Sometimes he sticks his whole hand in his mouth...then, of course, gags himself.

At his two month Dr's appointment, Sam got his first shots.
It was a pitiful sight--both Sam and I were in tears.
Thankfully, Sam was a trooper and quickly settled down.
These are the battle wounds.

For my birthday, Scott planned a Saturday morning adventure. We went to an area of downtown Raleigh we had never been, chatted over Chai tea at a local coffee shop, walked around Five-points, took a stroll through and ate lunch in Pullen Park. It was so nice to simply be with my family. With all that Scott is balancing right now, I appreciated our time together more than ever.

Jamie and Melissa came to visit over Melissa's spring break. They do not have children yet, so I had a talk with Sam about being on his best behavior. We didn't want to scare Jamie off from having kids... Sam was pretty good, and Jamie was wonderful with Sam! Of course, Sam was happy to see his "Auntie M" again.

EASTER!
My mom, "Gigi," flew up to spend Easter weekend with us.
After Easter service, she rode with Sam and I to Georgia. It was a huge help having someone else in the car for Sam's first road trip. Overall, he did good!

On the way to my hometown, we stopped to visit with Scott's parents.
They conveniently live in a subdivision right off of the highway.
Sam was excited to see his "Papa K" and "Khaki" again.

So many new faces...
Sam met a lot of family for the first time during our time in Georgia.
My dad and I drove down to Statesboro for my brother, Jonathan to meet Sam.
Sam had been eagerly awaiting meeting his "Uncle Jon".
I think they hit it off well!

Sam also got to meet his Great-Grandparents, Papaw and Grandma Sue...

his Aunt Erin and Uncle Kenny...

our dear friends, Tripp and Elizabeth...

and spent more time with his Pops and Gigi!

One of the main reasons why we went to Georgia was to celebrate my friend Sarah's wedding day! She was a gorgeous bride...and she had a handsome groom. It was a sweet ceremony on a beautiful sunny day in the middle of a Pecan Orchard.

I was thankful to be a part of such a special time in Sarah's life.
I can't believe she's a married woman now!!!

Hopefully, I will be better at updating more often.
That way you won't have to read a novel next time!
Happy Spring!

Moments to Cherish

2008-03-03T12:08:00.000-05:00

Our boy is getting some meat on his bones!

Tiny precious feet in his daddy's hands.

I hope he keeps his Daddy's blue eyes.

Talky talky talky...

2008-03-03T11:58:00.000-05:00

Sam is starting to coo. I love listening to his stories--they're the best!

Many Firsts!

2008-03-03T11:13:00.004-05:00

Sam rolled over for the first time from his tummy to his back at 4 weeks! I know, I was impressed too...
I thought it was a fluke, but he has done it several times
since.

Sam's first "play-date"! We went over to my friend Amy's house, and he and her four month old, Kai, had fun playing together. It was neat for me to watch Kai and think about all that Sam will be doing in a couple of months.

Kai has already learned to share... He was trying to give Sam his thumb.

Cradle cap attack...Look at this greasy head! I had to put Vitamin A & D all over Sam's forehead to help him with the cradle cap that was on his face. The top of his head is now pretty bad--he looks like he has a lot of dandruff.

This is the first time Sam really enjoyed being on his play mat (what are these things called?). Before, he would cry, but now he actually looks at everything and even tries to reach for the toys hanging down.

This is the first time Sam lasted more than two minutes in his swing. I think he is now big enough to sit comfortably in it. If you look close enough, he has started making bubbles--it's quite funny.
Sam's first KISS!!! (Besides his mommy, of course!)
Katie and Abigail Rafferty were over visiting for their Dad's birthday. All of sudden, Katie leaned in for a kiss, and then Abigail did the same.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2008-02-14T17:56:00.002-05:00

Like father like son...

2008-02-14T17:11:00.003-05:00

Sam likes to hang out with his daddy!
They decided to "camp-out" together in front of the TV for the Super Bowl.Everyone that sees Sam now seems to think he looks just like Scott...What do you think?Teaching Sam early... there is always room for dessert!

Sam was so exhausted that he fell asleep during "tummy time". This gives you an idea of how big Sam is...
At his one month Dr.'s appointment he weighed 9lbs. 2oz. and was 22 1/4 inches long. We have a tall and skinny boy on our hands--just like his daddy!

Sam's Many Visitors!

2008-02-14T16:37:00.004-05:00

Here is my dad, "Grand-Pops", meeting Sam for the first time. He and his girlfriend, Penny, came to Raleigh two weeks after Sam was born. It was fun seeing Dad with Sam--he was already telling Sam about fishing and planning his first trip to the ski slopes!

Sam and Penny!Khaki and Papa K couldn't stay away.
They came back to see Sam when he was 31/2 weeks old. He was happy to see them again... Here he is smiling in Papa K's lap.Gigi, Aunt Marti, and Cousin Ashley Ann made a mad dash up here last weekend. It was wonderful having them in our home. Sam was excited to meet more family--he loved being loved on.

Who does he take after?

2008-01-27T14:11:00.000-05:00

We've enjoyed watching Sam to see our own habits in him. He sleeps like his daddy, mouth wide open. Wakes up like his momma, hits the snooze and stretches. Has bed head like his dad.He politely raises his hand when he knows the answer.

He loves being clean.

One Week Photo Shoot

2008-01-22T13:40:00.000-05:00

Sam has been seeing camera flashes ever since he was born,but last Wednesday, when he was one week old,Mom and I did a photo shoot. He was patient with us.
We love Sam from his head......to his toes.

Our little 10-day old

2008-01-19T17:13:00.001-05:00

Here's a few random pictures of Samuel Scott. He's changing every day...I think he looks more like his daddy now! He's learning about watching sports on Saturday afternoons...just for the record, a Georgia Tech basketball game was on here, so he's catching on really quick on what's worth staying awake for. Go Dawgs. He really enjoyed sleeping on the sofa and letting me get some reading done. I guess this is how I will study from now on. Since he falls asleep so much, we have to strip him down to keep him awake in order to feed. Here's Sam with Khaki! Life's tough sometimes.

Welcome home Sam!

2008-01-13T12:46:00.000-05:00

Here are a few of little Samuel Scott arriving home and getting acclimated to his new surroundings. Here's mom after getting him out of the car seat. If you can't tell, he sleeps ALOT. We're just trying to get him to sleep alot at night instead of the daytime. He's so tiny! We have had lots of helping hands. Jessica's college roomates Julie and Melissa came to help out. Saturday night Sam watched his first football game. He saw part of the Patriots-Jaguars game. He lost interest after seeing Bill Belichek wearing that ugly "hoody sweatshirt"

The first 2 days of Sam's life

2008-01-13T12:06:00.000-05:00

Here are a few more pictures from Sam at the hospital. He did really well and actually allowed us some sleep. Thanks buddy. Here's Sam meeting Gi-Gi (Jessica's mom). We love the different facial expressions he makes. It's amazing how long you can stand over him and stare when he's like this. Here's Sam in his "going home" outfit that Gi-Gi got him. On the way out of the hospital!!!

Samuel Scott is here!

2008-01-10T07:46:00.000-05:00

Sam was born on Wednesday the 9th of January at 6:21 p.m. He weighs 7 lbs 15 ounces and is 20 inches long. He is a beautiful little boy, but we don't think he looks like either of us...He looks like Sam!

Christmas with Mom & Jonathan!

2007-12-30T16:39:00.000-05:00

After Graduation, Mom and Jonathan stayed with us for a couple of days. The boys played golf and threw the football while Mom and I had fun in the kitchen. We spent the majority of Saturday cooking a delicious Christmas dinner. I learned how to make homemade gravy and fresh cranberry sauce! Here, "Daddy" and "Uncle Jon" are putting Sam's car seat and stroller together. Christmas pajamas are a tradition that Mom started a few years back. We all know what our first gift is going to be...and then we take a time-out to go put them on. Mom is always thoughtful in her gift-giving. Hosting Christmas for my family in our home was a different scene this year, but it really was wonderful!

Graduation! (Dec 14th)

2007-12-30T16:04:00.000-05:00

Woohoo! I can't believe I am actually done with school! My time at Southeastern has been an amazing season. My heart has been challenged and my mind has been transformed. Learning along side of Scott has been a blessing! God proved Himself faithful time and time again as He allowed us both to be full-time students and part-time workers. So, while I am excited to be finished with my formal education, I will miss being in the classroom and on campus. I love learning--Scott reminds me that I can continue learning without the deadlines and added stress. Not to mention, I'll soon be learning a whole new "genre": parenthood!

This was the first time my brother Jonathan has been able to make
it up to NC. I was thankful he made the trip with Mom. I could not have made it through without the constant encouragement and support from my sacrificial husband. Scott has been an incredible teammate through sleepless nights, quick meals, endless studying, overflowing laundry, and continual papers. Thank you, Love! After the graduation ceremony, Mom took us out to lunch to celebrate. We went to Mimi's Cafe for the first time--the food was great! Plus, as first time guests, we left with a large assortment of muffins! Though unexpected, we were appreciative...

Celebrating early with Pops & Penny!

2007-12-30T15:36:00.000-05:00

Dad and Penny drove up to visit the Wednesday before graduation in order to celebrate Christmas early with us. We had a very nice and relaxing time. I always enjoy being the "hostess"! Dad's wrapping is the best--it always includes a brown paper grocery bag and duct tape! This specific gift was the grand finale that we had to open last. What could it possibly be??? Drumroll please... A REMOTE CONTROLLED HELICOPTER!
Dad was super pumped about this "toy". After a slight ordeal trying to put in batteries, we finally got it in the air! We had a blast trying to control it. Who says you have to grow up? Pops couldn't believe how BIG my tummy had gotten... Yep, I am now "that girl" who looks like she has a basketball under her shirt. This picture makes me look HUGE!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!!

2007-12-30T14:50:00.000-05:00

I just love all the sights, sounds, and smells of Christmas! We took out our decorations right before we left town for Thanksgiving and put up everything but a tree. We had planned on getting a real one, but decided it might be easier this year to use an old fake one. So...when we were home, I asked mom to pull out the one I used in college from the attic. Although I knew the one she pulled down was not the same one from college, I thought it would suffice. Scott and I had a good laugh when we finally pulled it out of the box. We have lovingly called it our Charlie Brown tree. Isn't it cute?!? It only took one string of lights, which we had to wrap around it a few times. And, we had to be strategic on which ornaments to hang, depending on size and weight. I bought the tree topper last year during the after Christmas sales, and the tree skirt was a gift from mom! TA DA! It's a beauty! Of course, Christmas is not Christmas without baking. I got a recipe last year from my friend Amber. Scott raved over her "buckeyes," so I decided to give them a try myself. They were a success!

North Carolina Shower!

2007-12-30T14:24:00.001-05:00

All the girls from my small group pulled together to throw me a baby shower. Traci Rafferty opened up her home, and everyone else helped with the yummies and festivities. It was a sweet shower as I got to hang out with friends from church, from school, one of my neighbors, and even a surprise visitor! Julie (one of my college roommates) came from Winston Salem, NC where she and her hubby now live. These are Jenilee's famous cookies.
Not only are they cute to look at, they are delicious too! It is hard to find UGA stuff in NC, but that didn't stop Amy from finding

this cute onesie at a local sports store. Katie Rafferty just wanted to check out all of Sam's gifts.

Home for Thanksgiving!

2007-12-30T13:59:00.000-05:00

The last two years, Scott and I have not been able to travel home for Thanksgiving. This year, however, we decided to make a mad dash to GA since we knew I would be too far along to travel at Christmas. It was a very quick trip, but well worth it. On our way down to GA, we joked about returning to NC with a few extra pounds... Well, that joke became reality with the many meals we enjoyed with family. Needless to say, we were two stuffed turkeys!

Our first Thanksgiving meal was with Penny, Pop's girlfriend, and
her family the evening before. Thanksgiving morning we woke up to a yummy breakfast at Pop's house. Then, on to an enormous lunch at Mom's with all the family.
Here is Scott hanging out with Papaw on the front porch. After lunch and a quick visit with everyone, we headed to Scott's parents' house for dinner. While we were all there, we also celebrated Papa K's birthday.
Blowing out the candles was a family affair.

Family Photo Shoot

2007-12-30T13:32:00.000-05:00

We have a friend in our small group at church who is also interested in photography. He was kind enough to endure a photo session with the two of us. (Thanks Tripp!) The following are a few pictures he took of Scott & I...and Sam at 31 weeks. Note to self: never schedule an eye appointment the same day you are scheduled to take pictures. Scott had his eyes dilated at 8:00am but they were still not back to normal at 12:30pm, despite what the doctor said. Needless to say, we have a lot of squinty-eyed photos.

A weekend getaway! (Oct 26-27)

2007-12-22T14:07:00.000-05:00

Scott and I went on a marriage retreat with our church. It was a quick but restful getaway in the Virginia mountains. The scenery was beautiful as the leaves were changing into brilliant colors. We rode up with Mark and Carrie Armstrong.

Here we are, enjoying a nice walk around the lake--we opted not to do the hike with the rest of the group. Carrie is also pregnant, and we didn't think our pregnant bodies could handle it. However, we did do a mini hike later on.

Georgia Shower--Oct. 6th

2007-12-22T13:33:00.000-05:00

What fun it was to celebrate the soon arrival of our baby boy with our Georgia friends and family! My aunts and cousin were the hostesses with the mostesses. They always know how to add their unique touch to make celebrations extra special. It was a treat to visit with familiar faces!

One of my favorite gifts was from mom's friend Elaine. She gave us an outfit that looks just like something Scott would wear. Like father like son. Everyone got in a good laugh.

Samuel got his first book about UGA and the Bulldogs! He's gotta learn early! Thank you uncle Wayne.

I was so thankful for everyone who came to the shower. Here is little Mary Mattalyn, Sam's cousin. She told me she couldn't wait for Sam to get here.

Week 24!

2007-10-03T22:06:00.000-04:00

It is hard to believe that I am already nearing the end of my 24th week of pregnancy. It seems like my tummy has doubled in size over the past three weeks. Scott says that it looks bigger every day--what an honest husband. Here is a picture of me...and of Scott at 24 weeks.

The Inside Scoop...

2007-10-03T21:27:00.000-04:00

For all our friends and family, this is our attempt to share more of our day to day with you. This is an exciting time for us as our family expands, and many of you have wanted to keep up with all the transitions and changes. We hope you enjoy getting a glimpse into our life here in Raleigh.

The first adventure we will share is about the painting of the nursery. We decided it would be fun to add some color to our all white apartment by painting our little man's room. I, Jessica, love the color green, and Scott loves key lime pie, so we decided to go with a green color that was called "Key Lime Pie"! During my first trip to Lowe's, I bought one gallon and one quart. We tried to get away with painting only one coat by diligently taking our time and covering every inch. The gallon got us almost all the way around the room, so Scott used the quart to finish, for touch-ups, and for the corners. He felt quite accomplished--and had every reason to feel so. The next morning, we took a peek at our beautifully painted room, only to see a beautifully polka-dotted room. Everywhere we used the quart, it was a lighter shade of green. Aahhhh! Needless to say, I took another trip to Lowe's and eventually returned with another gallon of our beloved "Key Lime Pie." This past Sunday evening, with the help of our friend Holly, we put on a second coat. We were pleased to see the brush strokes blend into ONE color--it looks great! Whew! To reward Scott for all his hard work, I surprised him with a homemade pie...Yep, it was Key Lime!