Snow Fun!

Saturday we packed up the kids and headed up north to find the snow. We had to make a few more stops than we would have liked, but it seems that with 4 kids someone is always hungry. :) As we got closer we started seeing little patches of snow on the side of the road. Jesse was so little last time we saw snow that I don't think he remembered, so he was very excited to see the snow patches. The first one he saw he yelled out "We're here!". And then, he wanted Pete to pull over right then and there. Eventually we made it to the real snow and found a post to sled. Sam and I stayed in the car - thank goodness for super zoom lenses! haha Taylor and Jesse were together the whole time sledding and PJ, our social child, ventured out on his own and did a little body sledding (?) with some other kids. They all had a great time - I told Sam she'd have a better time next year. :) As expected, after sledding we heard "I'm hungry" times 3. So, we grabbed a quick bite and then headed back down the hill home. Turns out it took us 12 hours to have our fun in the snow. We left our house at 10am and got home at 10pm. But, it was worth it, we all had a good time. Pete and I laughed the entire trip. My favorite outtake...

Jesse: PJ, pass me a granola bar

PJ: There aren't any

Pete: But, I packed 4

PJ: I just ate 3

Lesson learned: Don't let PJ sit by the food

January 9th, 2009

We took Miss Sami to the dr today. She weighed a whopping 5 pounds 13 ounces. So, she gained a whole pound in 2 weeks again! The dr was very happy with her and said that her weight is not a concern to him anymore. It was a simple statement, but really meant a lot to hear. We did get to talking with him about her birthmark again and he wants us to pursue further advice and maybe treatment. Her birthmark is called a hemangioma - you can learn more here http:www.birthmark.org. These types can grow until the child is 18 months and then they will start to fade and shrink. However, that can take up to 10 years. Because of where Sami's is located we are having to worry about it affecting her eating and breathing. Ugh... just when I thought I could start to breathe again. So, tomorrow I will take her to an ENT and then Friday we are traveling to Tucson to see a dermatologist there. He is one I found through birthmark.org and is supposed to be the best in AZ.

I had to get together some pictures for the doctors, so they can see the progression...

January 5th, 2009 - Sam's Due Date

Well, today is the day our little early bird was supposed to arrive. I'm guessing she has great plans in life and just couldn't wait. Although, she's too busy these days sleeping, eating and pooping to get started on any of those plans. lol We weighed her last night and she was 5 pounds 11 ounces! Holy Cow I can't even believe it. That's almost 2 pounds over her birth weight! Truly a miracle!

Sooo... I have a problem. It's been a long time since I've had a little girl - can you tell by the pictures? I am on a baby bow and bracelet making marathon. I can't stop. But, she's so darn cute I really don't think I can, or that I want to. I need help...

One month old today!

Sam 1 month
Originally uploaded by MrsSuperSpy

Just a sweet, cuddly picture...

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Originally uploaded by MrsSuperSpy

First time outside

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Originally uploaded by MrsSuperSpy

5 pounds!!!

So, this morning before Miss Samantha had her bubble bath I weighed her. And guess what?!!?!?! A "5" appeared! 5 pounds and 4 ounces to be exact. I'm thinking my scale at home puts her a bit higher than at the Dr.'s office, but only by a few ounces. So, regardless, she is 5 pounds!!! She looks like a giant to me - and really, she has put on over a quarter of her body weight. Amazing!

Her growth is really confiming to me that we did the right thing. Of course, I have tremendous guilt about her beeing a preemie. I kept wondering "what if...". Well, before she was born she gained only 2-4 ounces in 2 weeks. Now she is gaining almost a pound in 2 weeks! So, I'm feeling better about our decision. She is doing so much better out than in. If we could have only avoided that yucky NICU stay!

So, today is New Years Eve. Tomorrow will be January - and the month our sweet baby was supposed to be born in. I do have to say I'm quite happy about her being a December baby. LOL It all seems so strange. I am just now starting to feel normal again. We walked to the park yesterday and then again to the mail in the evening. She saw some of the neighbor kids, and the boys were so proud to let their friends have a peek at her. It was so cute - PJ was showing off her birthmark. He told them it was her Angel Kiss. That's what I told him I was going to call it. I told him that God knew Sami was coming out too soon so he sent an angel to watch over her, and that her angel had kissed her before she came to us. I had no idea he would be telling that to his friends, but I think it was so sweet!

Sam's Christmas picture

sam christmas
Originally uploaded by MrsSuperSpy

Here is Miss Samantha in her Christmas outfit. It says "Baby's 1st Christmas" on it. Although, I'd love her to be bigger, I am also thrilled to have a baby that could actually wear something that says 1st Christmas on it. By the time my other babies first Christmases came around the giants wouldn't fit in anything that was for a 1st Christmas. I guess from one extreme to another!

Sam's bed...

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Originally uploaded by MrsSuperSpy

Just wanted to share this shot of Sam in her bed at the hospital the day we brought her home.