the first week

be-be Samuel

Oh, so much to say about this little guy, and yet so little time. Today, in the midst of all the feeding, diapering, burping, swadling, toddler entertaining, and tears (from 3 in the family....I'll let you guess who), Bryan looked at me and said "we have absolutely no free time now, do we?". Well, I'm sitting here writing this - so it seems I do have time.....but it is while my husband tends to a screaming newborn, and I wrestle with how I really should be spending this time. 

It seems our little guy didn't really "wake up" until this past week. Before then I may have told you that juggling a newborn and toddler wasn't nearly as difficult as expected. But I have since changed my mind. 

Things are pretty intense around here. I tell myself it's just a phase, that we will breathe fresh air (and sleep!) again one day. I also try to remember that it's not just the sleepless nights that are truly brief, but this incredibly sweet newborn phase as well. He is already filling out and beginning to look more like a baby than a sharpei puppy. He smiles (and B and I swear that his smiles are real),  we no longer have to fold his newborn diapers down, and he has grown out of his premie clothes. But I still call him Itty Bitty. 

It is amazing how LOUD this itty bitty can be. Not just when he cries, but every sound that comes from him is big. It seems that he is hot or cold - perfectly content, or furious. Charlie seemed to be somewhere in the middle all the time. 

And though we only have a 6 lb. addition to the family, our laundry seems to have tripled. Reflux? Hopefully the doctor can tell us tomorrow.

We are so blessed to have him here, 4 weeks now, though he was "supposed" to arrive today. I hope to share the story about the weekend he arrived (one of the greatest weekends of my life)......soon.  

Until then, happy one month our "be-be" (as big brother likes to say) Samuel. 

for all. for me. for you.

For unto us a child is born, 

to us a son is given; 

and the government shall be upon his shoulder, 

and his name shall be called 

Wonderful Counselor, 

Mighty God, 

Everlasting Father

Prince of Peace. 

Isaiah 9:6

Helpless babe, and yet God? 

I can't wrap my head around the humility. the love. for all. for me. for you. 

Today, though simple as it was, we celebrated a birth. a life. His life. and also the life he has given. Thanks are in order, and yet my attempts seem lacking.

But that's just it. 

That's why he came. 

That's why he had to come. 

Because my best efforts are as filthy rags. As a beloved pastor has said, even my earnest tears of prayer are tainted with sin - pride, selfish gain.....whether I see it or not. 

Because I can't, He did. 

In that helpless babe was a merciful savior. a Father that loves. a God that freely forgives. 

His humility didn't end with his birth. He walked with the poor, ate with the sinners, loved the unloveable. And his death ~ the ultimate death~ not "just" a death on a cross, but a death that took on the sins of the world. oh the humility - if just my sin alone! 

I look at my own helpless babe this year and think, "how, oh God, could you give your son?". And he quickly answers that he did it for all his sons.  for all. for me. for you. 

Silent Night

only in my dreams.

If we had sent a Christmas card this year...

This may have been the picture we would have used, 

and I'm sure you would have been on our mailing list! 

Merry Christmas!

If you click on the picture, you may get a better view of Charlie's socks.......and realize that it was not the Mom that got him ready! Just thankful for a husband willing and helpful to get bundled up for a quick picture! 

snow day

In between feeding, burping, diapering, swadling,  entertaining a toddler, and chatting with my mom ~ who was doing the same ~ this is what we did today

while Mom kept the babe warm inside~

Today, I love snow days. 

heavy eyes, swelled heart

I smiled the other day when I received my weekly email from the American Pregnancy Association titled, "Congratulations! You are 37 weeks pregnant". 

I'm still in awe that he is really here......snuggled in my arms.......making sweet newborn faces and sounds (or squeaks, as we like to call them).......grasping my fingers......keeping me awake all night......

We were happy to leave the doctor's office today after learning that we are finally on the upswing, with Samuel gaining a few ounces. He left the hospital at 5 lbs. 4 oz and is now 5.9.

He is a sleepy, oh so sleepy baby ~ which isn't always as lovely as it sounds. It is a workout (for the mind, body, and soul) to try to get him to eat;  and then somehow the sleepiness fades and the appetite is awakened at night as he wants to eat every 2 hours. 

But oh....... is it worth it. 

His brother loves him so much, and kisses him every chance he gets. The two of them together now definitely make life more challenging.......but yes, it's beyond worth it. 

Our early Christmas Surprise

Samuel James Davis

December 8, 2008

11:36 am

5 lbs, 13 oz

Our little one decided to surprise us today and come 4 weeks early! We couldn't be more thrilled, and he couldn't be more perfect. 

Veteren's Day

It was a pleasantly surprising day, in many ways. 

I woke up expecting the normal ~ cleaning house, entertaining Charlie, making dinner.... but just as I was gearing up to mop the floors my husband walks in after leaving for work only 20 minutes earlier. My heart leaped as high as Charlie's squeal when he said that he had simply forgotten that he had the day off! 

We headed to the city thinking Central Park? The Forbes Toy Museum? The toy train store? (We were thinking what can we do for free, in 4 hours, with child). We knew there would likely be a parade, and traffic, and tried to avoid both ~ unsuccessfully. But that was pleasant surprise number two. Charlie wasn't the only one that enjoyed the parade. I found myself with a tear in my eye watching the firefighters and police officers of NYC pass, as well as Veteran's my grandfathers age. I thought of him. I thought of friends whose husbands are overseas. I waved my flag. 

Pleasant surprise number three......
I have been wanting to sit in Madison Square and eat at the infamous Shake Shack, and behold, there it was! As well as it's forever long line. 
But it was well worth it. One of the best burgers and fries I've ever had. Bryan was watching Charlie while I was getting the food and I overheard a guy say to another "do you think all of that is for her?". Hmm....I wonder if he was looking at the food, or my belly. 

And you see that cute little milkshake on the left? 
Don't let it fool you. The Shack Attack was a monster. We could only finish a third of it between all of us. Though I think Charlie would have finished it off if we had let him. 
But his burger and fries? For the birds. 
Surprise number 5 (#4 was that the food was as good as the hype) ~ even after falling asleep in the car, Charlie took a 2 hour nap. I love suprises. 

Oh, and we were interviewed by a local news station.  I don't know why they picked us out of the masses (the cute kid?) but they did. We are recording it to see if we made it to air, and to see just how Southern we are. Yikes. 

missing him today

* this picture was taken the last time i saw him, and i'm so thankful for it.

beloved grandfather.

husband.

uncle, son, and brother.

dear friend to many~

including his fellow veterans.

artist.

optimist.

jokester.

collector.

a man of many talents and interests.

rainbow suspenders.

a curled mustache.

he was the most unique and lovable man i'll ever know.

lover of art and all things beautiful.

a country boy in the most literal sense~

and yet a man who saw the world.

filled with memories always ready to share,

especially with the ones he loved most ~ his family.

a heart devout to the Lord.

I am grateful to know where his soul rests today.

I thought of him much today as we just happened upon a Veteran's Day Parade. He would have loved seeing the city, its veterans, and waving the flag with us.

It made me also think about how he was supposed to be at the Invasion of Normandy, but traded assignments with a friend at the last minute. Thankfully his friend made it through (though he says as soon as he saw the horizon, heard the gunfire, saw the bodies in the water, he knew he had made the wrong decision), but what if Grandaddy had not? What if I never knew him? I can't imagine! I wouldn't know from whom my love for creativity comes from, my ability to cry at the drop of a hat, my tendency to live in a dream world....

I am thankful for every minute spent with him. Thankful that I knew him, thankful I always will. I miss him, but I wouldn't wish him back. Though he could see beauty in the everyday - a crack in the sidewalk, water glistening on a leaf, a streak of gold in my hair.....I can't fathom the awe in his eyes now.

18 months

Seriously, I can't believe my baby is a year and a half. 

Growing taller, speaking more ~ I love his pronunciation of 'car' and 'girl' and laugh every time he says 'uh-oh' and 'oooooh eddy!' (all ready). 

He's growing more affectionate ~ occasionally giving me a kiss out of the blue, or asking to be held, which rarely has he ever, even as a baby, seemed to care about. This of course melts me, though my growing belly is making this harder each week. 

He knows where the baby is and eagerly kisses, pats or tickles 'him', though obviously clueless about what this really means for his near future. I can't wait to see him interact with his brother. 

Still a snaggle-tooth he is with barely 3 on top and 2 on bottom. Finicky, finicky eater. sigh. I was the queen of getting kids to eat healthfully ~ until I had my own. 

We seem to be going through separation anxiety as he now screams when we leave him in the nursery or with anyone else. Not fun. For him, or for me. And fits (as in "pitching a fit"......I said that to a lady today and realized how Southern I was) ~ they were cute for a while. not anymore. 

But to say I love him isn't enough. There are no words. My heart seems to be full to the brim. And yet I seem to have room for another? I do, I do. 

and finally.....

the true highlight of our beach trip~

aren't they cute? 

GG and Pop, thank you for a wonderful, memorable trip! 

* For anyone looking for a future beach spot, I highly recommend my parents place at Emerald Beach Resort in PCB, FL. It is brand new with 3 pools - one is a huge kid's pool complete with waterfalls, dumping buckets and water spouts, and the best part - a gradual entrance (like the beach) so that even a toddler can run around in the shallow end while you lounge. You can order food from Carabba's or lounge at the bar, and a Starbucks is in the lobby! We also had a great time at the new shopping and dining outdoor mall just built across the street (my former SBP friends, it is not at all the PCB that we have plagued in our memories!). Just let me know if you are interested in a future trip. 

more beach...

Though Charlie could have stayed at the pool the entire day, we did finally make it to the beach at sunset~

Though it felt like it was Charlie's first trip to the beach, it was actually the 3rd time in his short 17 months of life. 

But I don't think he remembered. 

And though his favorite place at the playground is the sandbox, he was very unsure about this much sand. 

worried, worried.....

but he finally warmed up

but to the ocean, not so much

no matter how hard Bryan tried

Trip to the Beach

I figure before we get too cozy with Autumn, I should finally post some pictures from our trip to the beach while we were visitng AL. 

relaxing, refreshing, fun.....good food eaten, good books read, good times with Mom and Dad....

though highlight for Charlie was by far the kiddie pool ~

there was so much fun to be had,  he was always on the run~

 which meant that we were too~

more to come!