My Black Tie Optional Attire

Jake and I were invited to a Black Tie Optional wedding. As you can imagine, I had nothing to wear. And on top of that, it was nearly impossible for me to shop for it because I was growing increasingly big with child during the months leading up to it. And on top of that, have you ever tried to search for a cocktail dress with sleeves? Ridiculous.

Enter Stephanie.

She offered to make me a dress if I found a pattern. So I did (this one).

And this is what she turned it in to:


And here I am with my two handsome dates.


It was tons of fun to dress up for a night, eat good food, and see our good friends get married.

Wanted: Ducky

Sophie, age 4 months

This was Sophie's favorite first toy. It's a rubber ducky with a bunch of rubber tubes sticking out of it. We don't have it anymore and the exclusive store I bought it from three years ago no longer carries it. Has anyone seen anything similar? Or do you have one I could buy from you?

I think he might like it too.

The Sams

On Wednesday, Jake's brother Sam returned home from his mission in Argentina. Our Sam (who shares the same first & last name) prepared to meet him for the first time by dressing for the occasion.

Welcome Home Sam.

Apple Pie Birthday

A couple of months ago, Sophie proclaimed to me that she wanted apple pie for her birthday. Having never tasted or even seen a real apple pie before, I can only assume she got the idea from an episode of Word World.
Anyway, the idea stuck. Every time she talked about her birthday, she mentioned that she was going to have apple pie.

Who am I to disagree with that?

So, last Friday, we had all her local grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins over for her Apple Pie Birthday Party! I even made the pies from scratch.

Sophie had a great time (I think she ended up taking one bite of pie), and everyone there seemed to appreciate celebrating with pie instead of cake for a change.

She's Three Now

"Today's my birthday?
Today?
I'm not two anymore?
I'm three now?
I'm three now!
I'm not two anymore!"


She's excited.

Accessorize Yourself This Fall

I asked Sophie to go get dressed the other day, and this is what she came back to me wearing.

Scarves are so in this season.

Doesn't it just put a smile on your face? Most anything puts a smile on this guy's face.

He Looks Good in Red

Sam turned 6 weeks old yesterday and decided to celebrate by learning how to smile. I'll try to capture it on camera soon. It's adorable. You'll just have to trust me on this one.

Living in a House is Expensive

Turns out, Sam's birth cost us about $1500 less than we budgeted. Awesome. We thought we could pay off some loans or put it toward a bigger car.

However, like the second we realized this extra money was available, our house came a callin'. And we've spent the money the following ways:


1. A new lawnmower

2. Dryer Repair

3. Electrician (who we really liked, if you're looking)

4. Giant dead tree removal
5. Pool Repair (a never-ending bill)

Next time we run into money, we won't be discussing it within earshot of our humble abode. He sucked the money right out of us.

Newborn Photo Session

Sam and Sophie got their pictures taken by a real live photographer! (i.e.: not just me and my point-n-shoot camera). Ashley, of Sunshine and Shade Photography, came to my house for the photo shoot, and took all of the pictures right in my living room.


I've only seen a couple of the shots so far, but I totally love everything I've seen.

Aren't my kids the cutest?

See the full sneak peak HERE

Birth Announcement

(by the way, etsy is awesome. I sent an artist a picture of Sam's room, and she designed this card specifically for me. And now it's for sale in her shop too!)

He's a Snuggler

Just putting Sam down for a nap never seems like a good idea to him. He would prefer you to cuddle him up close to you and bounce him until he is all the way into dreamland. And then if he wakes, could you please start the whole process over?

Here we are mid-morning yesterday. He's wrapped snug in my sling, and I've replaced my computer chair with an exercise ball - which, by the way, is the greatest baby tool in the whole world. Near-effortless highly-effective bouncing.

It's Autumn Time, It's Autumn Time!

Look what came in my mailbox today! THREE October magazines. I was giddy looking at their bright fall colors as I pulled them all out of the mailbox.


Side note: Holiday decor that fills up a 2-bedroom apartment does NOTHING to fill up a house. Looks like I need to earn me some money and go shopping.

Fight the Faux?

I'm personally not a fan of the faux hawk. (pictured above for the old people who read this blog) I don't care for them on grown men, and I knew that I wasn't going to style my child's hair that way.

However.

This kid was born with a faux hawk. Not kidding. The bulk of his hair is on the very top of his head. The hair on the right side grows left, and the hair on the left side grows right. When it meets in the middle, it explodes upwards.

We've tried combing it in all sorts of directions - forward, back, parted right, parted left, and even tried just a random messy look, but to no avail. He has a faux hawk.

Do I embrace it? Cause he sure is cute. Or does anyone have any other styling suggestions.

Sophie & Sam

Sophie meeting her baby brother a couple hours after he was born

Sophie loves her "Baby Am". She was so proud to hold him the first time she saw him in the hospital last Tuesday. Every time she sees him, she gets excited, runs over, pats his head, and exclaims "CUUUUTE BAAAY-Beeeeeeee!"

This picture (above) was taken the first time Sophie saw Sam after we got released from the hospital. She asked to hold him, and just kept him on her lap for several minutes. She was really proud at that moment to be a big sister.











She likes that he's around all the time now, and is still figuring out how to touch him softly. Frequently used phrases at our house this past week include "Don't push on his face" "No twisting his arm" and "Use your quiet voice, please."

Our Hospital Stay

I was at the hospital from early Tuesday morning until Friday morning. My c-section was at 8:15 am on Tuesday, and everything went according to plan. My delivery experience was a million times better than my previous experience, and I'm really glad I had the doctor, hospital, lactation consultant, and nursing staff that I did.

Here's Sam only a few moments old. He inhaled some fluid on his way out, and had to spend the first few minutes of life clearing out his lungs. His first cries were a little gargley, but he quickly recovered.

He was then given a standard-issue beanie, wrapped up, walked over to his Mama for a kiss, and then sent off to the recovery room with his Papa and nurse to be weighed and cleaned up while my surgery was being completed.















When I was all put back together, I was taken back to recovery and reunited with Jake and Samuel. It was there that I really got to see my baby for the first time. After a while, we were taken to my room where we remained for the next few days.

That afternoon & the next day, we were visited by every one of Sam's grandparents, aunts, & uncles that lives near by. It was nice to have visitors and to have everyone meet the newest member of our family. It was also very nice for Cathy & my mom to bring Jake some food and me some peanut butter M&Ms when they came (side note: have you ever eaten an entire bag of M&Ms and lost 20 pounds in the same week? I have.).


Sam didn't have any problems passing his newborn tests while we were there, and was even a fashion-forward baby in the nursery, as I overheard the nurses talking about his oh-so-stylish green & yellow beanie.

(I'll have to post a better picture of his little PJs from the 1980's. They were adorable)

We were both released late Friday morning, and headed for home. I'm now focused on recovering and snuggling. Sam's focused on eating and sleeping. Jake has played the role of Super Dad/Husband and has spent the weekend cleaning, cooking, entertaining 2-year-olds, and making sure I can get up off the couch without too much pain.


We're all glad to be home.

Pure Heaven

One week old babies are pure heaven.

Did you know that?

This is how I try to spend most of my waking hours. Even if it is harder to type or eat or stand up (difficulty standing has more to do with the major abdominal surgery 5 days ago than the baby).

The deliciousness of a (my) one-week-old includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• He squeaks like a dolphin sporadically throughout the day
• His cry is a tiny, high-pitched hoarse squeal, which, unfortunately for him, we find to be absolutely darling
• His favorite place to sleep happens to also be my favorite place for him to sleep (see above picture)
• He's squishy
• It's fun to find different features of ourselves in him every day
• Every once in a while his fingers find his mouth, which he loves
• Newborn baby smell
  
• When his eyes are open, they are looking at your eyes
• Sleep, eat, squeal, repeat
  

This bliss is something I didn't appreciate with Sophie. I'm glad I have the opportunity to enjoy it now.

Baby Sam

We're pleased to welcome Samuel Jay to the world. He arrived at 8:37 am on Tuesday after a smooth delivery. He was 8 lbs. 5 oz., 20 inches, and completely healthy in every way. Abbie is doing well, trying to catch up on some much-needed sleep today. Everyone should be home tomorrow.

We named him after relatives from each side of the family. Samuel is from dad's side (little brother and great, great...grandfather Samuel Banner). Jay is from mom's side (Grandpa Jay). Like the name, we think his face has a little from each side.

It's the Final Countdown

We're counting down the days with ONE HAND now.

Foe Moe Gays!
(just ask Sophie)

Home Tour Part V: Pool

BEFORE:

During our very first visit to our new house, this is what the pool looked like:

After much heartache and even more money spent, we finally decided that major surgery was in order. So we disconnected it's cords, sucked the life out of it, and then brought it back to its glory.

And now we love it.

AFTER: