Here comes Sammy Claus

For one of our shower gifts, we received this really funny Santa suit. I didn't think Sam would be able to fit into it this Christmas, but I was wrong. We dressed him up for all of the festivities and took a few pictures.

And for the full effect of his outfit:

What?! She doesn't stay???

Monday afternoon came with an eye-opening realization for Sam... Granna doesn't live here permanently. In the picture below, you'll see that Granna has woken Sambert up from his nap and is telling him she'll be back soon. He violently protests and begs her, "Why? Why must you leave? We had such a good thing going..." After Granna left, Sam continued his protest by staying awake and crying-- until about 10 AM the next morning. He took a nap, woke up, realized it wasn't a bad dream and continued crying. (Ok, so maybe that was the new Mommy who felt that her own Mother's stay was too short that was crying so much. haha.)

However, Mom and Dad stuck him up in the bed with us and had a great heart to heart. He's still a little upset in this picture, but we reassured him he'd be fine.

We're one small happy family, at last.

Just an update

Sam had his 2 week doctor's appointment today and I'm happy to report that he received a clean bill of health.  His weight is up to 7 pounds and 11 ounces and he's grown an inch in the last two weeks, also! (That makes him a whopping 21 inches long now!)  He is really growing like a weed.

I know that you're only on here to see the pictures and I've got plenty to share.  Here are a few of my favorites, so far:

The onesie says it all...

He contemplates and thinks a lot...

These are his proud Great-Grandparents, Papa and Judy.  Judy, ironically, held my hand during the hardest part of my labor-- she hates to see people in pain and just happened to come by my room at the wrong time.

This is Sam's cousin, London Jane, born on the day before Sam.

For any of you still wondering who Sam looks like, I think this picture says it all.  This is the only picture that I can truly see Josh in him.  I think he looks like a miniature Josh in this one!

First Photo Shoot

Sam had his first "photo shoot" last Thursday night.  Mommy and Granna posed Sam and Daddy took the pictures.  It's hard trying to get a good shot of a squirmy little guy, but I think Josh did a great job.  We can't resist keeping them to ourselves so here are a few we'd like to share:

We also had the great idea of putting him into a 12-18 month onesie and take his picture in it every month to see how he grows into it.  Right now, it's a little big, but in a few short months, it will fit a little better-- and it's so hard for me to believe right now!

Sam's First Weekend

For all of you wondering, we are still here. Sam has had a HUGE first week in the Martin household. Following is a chronicle of his first weekend.

The Chronicles of Sam, Part 1

To celebrate his arrival, Sam confiscated the chocolate cupcakes his great auntie and Granna had made for the nurses who had helped Mom labor. The evidence, in the form of chocolate icing, was found all over Sam's cheeks and chin. Hyped up on icing, he was set for a great first weekend out of the womb!

After the yumminess of the cupcake, Sam thought a delicious ribeye steak sandwich from Steakout would be terrific, too.

Chi Chi (the Aunt) offered him some refreshing Coke to wash it down since that's what he craved in utero.

After eating all that, mom and Sam decided to take a trip on a roller coaster... although it looks like we're more scared of nazi nurse than the rollercoaster.

The rollercoaster lodged some boogers in Sam's nose, so Chi Chi and Mom decided to help pick them out...

Okay, so maybe some of that was a little embellished, but it made for a great story! All in all, Sam is wonderfully amazing and we are so blessed to have this little guy around. Who couldn't love a face like his???

Sam's here! (so are we, don't forget us)

Little Sam has finally joined us!  He arrived on 11/29/2007 at 11:50 pm.  He weighed in at 7lbs 14oz, and was 20 inches long.  Although, there is some debate over the weight because I (his daddy) weighed him in the scale with the blanket the nurse had put him in.  I later found out they don't weigh with the blanket on, I don't claim any responsibility.  Both Beth and Sam are doing very well, which is the most important thing right now.  Everyone is of course partial to their own child, but I really believe that Sam is the most handsome baby I've ever seen.  Handsome is a strange way to describe a baby, I am aware of this, but I have such a hard time saying pretty or beautiful.  Baby girls are pretty or beautiful, not little baby boys;-).  Also, Beth and I want to say congrats to my cousin Jennifer and her husband Justin who gave birth to a baby girl, London Jane Gerhardt, on Wednesday.  We are so blessed to have been able to give birth within a day of each other.  I can't wait to watch Sam and London grow up together.   This has truly been a great Thanksgiving holiday season.  You could never ask for a more amazing gift to be given than that of your own child.  God has blessed Beth and I beyond our understanding and it is our prayer that Sam grow up to be a faithful child of His.  Thank you God for every gift you give us, even for difficult times which help to strengthen us even more.  I want to say a special thank-you to our doctor, Dr. Cimino for his help and wisdom through this whole process, and to Laura Beth and Chloe for your support through the delivery.  Well, that's it for now, have a truly blessed day!

--Josh--