These Four Walls

Tomorrow we close on the sale of our house.  I am excited to move on and start building our new house, but I am also quite sad to think of leaving our first home.

If these four walls could talk they would have a wonderful story to tell of the beginning of our life together.

Our first home

We moved in less than 2 weeks after graduating from pharmacy school.

Rob and I at our graduation

And got engaged...

At the circus the day we got engaged

got our first dog...

Brady

then married...

Cutting the cake

got our second dog...

Baxter

brought home our first son...

Robbie getting ready to leave the hospital

celebrated his first Christmas...

So excited to open gifts

and his first birthday...

 then his second...

and the birth of our second son.

Sam leaving the hospital--clearly not happy about it

Before closing, we are going to go to the house and walk through one last time.  I won't be able to not think of all the wonderful things that happened in that home--all the memories made and love shared there.  But I can't wait to move on and make many more memories in the house my kids will call "home."

Sam's Baptism

This weekend we had Sam baptized; we were lucky enough to share the day with our niece Hanna, so it was a very special day.

Sam being baptized

Rob, Sam and I with Nicki, Zach and Hanna

Sam wore the same outfit that Robbie wore for his baptism; it is also the outfit Rob and his brother, Michael, wore.

A friend of my parents had the cutest shoes made for Sam-they had his name 'Samuel James' embroidered on them.  It was hard to get a good picture, but you get the idea.

Hanna's outfit was special too-it was made from my mother-in-law's wedding gown.  It turned out fantastic.  She looked beautiful.

 Sam's Godparents are Michael and my cousin Katie.  Unfortunately, Katie is living in Norway right now for work, so her mom, my Aunt Beth, stood in for her.  We were so sad she couldn't be here for it and I can't wait for her to meet him sometime over the holidays.

After Mass, we went to my in-laws for a brunch (I love any excuse to throw a party).  It was a truly wonderful day.   Sitting in church today I once again realized how much love we have in our life--we are so blessed to have such wonderful children, friends and family.  I couldn't ask for more.

My boys before mass

With my Grandpa and Grandma Arlene (my Mom's dad)

With my Grandma Carol (my Mom's mom)

My family

With Rob's parents
For anyone that knows my father-in-law you may not recognize him--he's lost 80lbs in the past 4 months! 
He looks great; everyone is so proud of him.

My perfect family

A Medley of Songs

Since Robbie was about 1 week old I have sang 'The Itsy Bitsy Spider' and 'Paddy Cake' to him.  At some point he started doing the motions with me and just recently he started singing them.  Also, not too long ago, my Mom taught him 'If Your Happy and You Know It.'  Last night I was able to catch him singing all three.  So stinkin' cute!

In case you hadn't figured it out:  we cheer when we finish singing a song.

Sam - 2 months old

Sam was 2 months old this past Saturday.

His 2-month well check was yesterday and everything checked out great.  He weighs 12 lb 2 oz (~65th percentile) and is 23.5 inches long (~75th percentile).  He got his first round of vaccines-he did pretty good with them, was a little fussy last night, but seemed ok this morning.

He is such a sweet boy-smiles and talks all the time.  He is sleeping at least a 6-hour stretch at night and a couple of times he has come close to sleeping all the way through the night (Mama can't wait for that day!).

Some more pictures from the past couple of weeks:

Trying out the Bumbo

Such a sweet smile

Brotherly love

That's better

Zona Fountain

A few weeks ago, we took Robbie to the fountain at Zona Rosa.  It is one of the fountains that shoots water into the air and kids can run through it.  He wasn't totally into it at first, so Rob had to go out by it with him.  

But as usual, he warmed up to it and had a great time.  

In the face!

We didn't stay for too long, it was one of the 100+ degree days in July and poor Baby Sam was roasting.

What a stud.

Overall, though, I'd say we had a great afternoon as a family.

Love this picture!

Change Keeps Coming

This has not been a "typical" summer--there have been no trips to the lake (in fact no trips at all) and I've only been to the pool twice. We have barely been outside, which makes me so sad.  I've only put sunscreen on Robbie a handful of times and when I did it was so he could go to the pool with Aunt Sissy.  I guess that is life with a newborn in the middle of a heat wave.

What this summer has been, is a Summer of Change: we've added a new little boy to our life, Robbie started school, I went back to work at more hours than I was at before Sam, and now---WE ARE MOVING!

After 8 months listed with an agent, 6 weeks off the market and 2 weeks as For Sale by Owner-we finally sold our house. Rob and I are both shocked it finally sold and starting to stress over all that needs to be done in the next few weeks.  We close September 9th, but will move Labor Day weekend--that is only 3 weeks away!  And in that time Rob and I only have 2 days off together and we have Sam's baptism.  It makes my head spin just thinking about it.

Before we put our house on the market, we bought a 1.25 acre lot just outside of Liberty that we are going to build on.  Until the house is done, we are moving in with Rob's brother Michael.  He lived with us, for a little over a year, when we bought our house and now he is returning the favor.  Unfortunately for him, he is getting the short end of the stick, because we are coming with 2 kids and 2 dogs. Sorry, Mike!

I worry about all of this change and how it will be on Robbie.  He seems to be doing pretty good with Sam and is adjusting to school, but I hope he can handle this change just as well.  He is a great kid and they say children are resilient, but I still worry.  I guess I wouldn't be a Mom if I didn't.

Robbie's Photo Shoot

A couple of times recently Robbie got ahold of the digital camera I carry in my diaper bag and took some fabulous shots.  I found it quite interesting to see life through the lens of a toddler and wanted to share some of his best photos.  Enjoy!

His fingers--there were about 40 of these

Shadows of some ferns--my favorite shot of all

Sam and Hanna in their strollers

Aunt Nicki's car tire

A spatula he was playing with

Grandma and Baby Sam

The ceiling fan

And like a true boy-his crotch!