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Happy FOUR Month Birthday, Jonah!!!
Four months ago at 2:14 pm, my life changed forever.
Four months and one day ago, I didn't even know whose eyes you would have. I didn't know if you would be a happy baby or colicky baby. I didn't know if you would have lots of blond hair or lots of brown hair.
Four months ago, I found out the answers to all these questions, and I found out that being a mommy is the best gift in the whole world.
You have your daddy's eye color but my eye shape. You have your dads lips but my cheeks. Somehow, you got the best of both of us; I think you will be easy-going like your dad, but you do get tickled pretty easy like your mom.
I will never forget the feeling I had when I saw you for the first time! Each day, that feeling increases exponentially!
Despite the characteristics you got from us, I am so thankful to see you are YOU. There is no one else like you, and you are developing your own character and legacy. I pray every day for you, and I look forward to when we can say our prayers together each night.
You are a blessing!!
Here is what you have accomplished/learned in the last four months:
1. Smile with purpose
2. Laugh with purpose (my favorite)
3. Turn your head to your mom/dad, familiar voice
4. Succeed at tummy time!! You actually keep your head up now and enjoy the view!
5. Sit up almost on your own (well we have to help you...)
6. SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT (well good enough...an occasional passy reinsertion is needed)
7. Follow objects up, down, all around
8. Grasp for anything within your reach, including my hair.
9. Grab your passy when it falls and put back in! (this is the coolest)
10. ROLL OVER from back to front and front to back! (this just happened yesterday!)






We love you, Jonah!!!!

"She's having a little guwrl"

In case you don't know how to interpret my title, as qouted by a cute little girl, I will explain for you. "She's having a little girl". How cute! Can't you just hear it? This past Saturday, I hosted a baby shower at my house for my friend at work. All of our co-workers came, as well as her mom and little niece, author of "the little guwrl" qoute.
Hot pink and lime green was everywhere! I might have gone a little overboard with the color theme, but you can never have too many polka dot ribbons in southern living "dress me up plates and platters"! I made a diaper wreath, which was very simple to do, and I was pleased with the way it turned out.



Tina, one of my co-workers, brought a cute tree (I covet this tree, in case you were wondering). The tree was placed on the table as the centerpiece, and girly little items were placed all over it.



The food was delicious, but everyone's favorite was the "Kim Cake"! Kim, another co-worker, wasn't able to come but made her famous cake. We put Gracie's monogram on the cake, and it was served with a cute "high-heel" server!! (Thanks, Mom!)







Congratulations, Kat! We can't wait to meet you, Gracie! Here are a few pictures of the honored guests. I have to say, girl showers are so much fun!!!

A Baby Changes Everything: A Sams' Christmas

Christmas Continued....




We left December 26th to go to Sanford; Patrick's brother has a new house that holds everyone with room to spare! By early afternoon we had arrived at Jason's house. We were just in time for another large meal, complete with my favorite: mac n cheese! The turkey was very moist, and Jason did a great job preparing it (no, he did not ask me to say that). After lunch, there was much fun to be had. Pick your favorite: gingerbread house construction time, playstation time, nap time, puzzle time, holding Jonah time...never a dull moment!





After awhile, we all gathered around to exchange our presents. We picked names this year, and I had Jason. I gave him a Black and Decker dustbuster. And yes, he had wanted one. Jamie, Patrick's sister, had me. I have a thing for monograms, so as I pull out each cute gift, I notice S's and A's everywhere! Things like this just make me smile. You did a great job, Jamie! Patrick's nephew, Justin, had Patrick. He gave him "buckyballs". These are tiny magnetic balls that can form into different shapes. There are about 200 of them. I have to admit that they are very addictive. Do not pick them up unless you have a good 20 minutes to spend with them. I want one for myself! It comes with its own little case, which I would probably get monogrammed:)

Once again, Jonah got all sorts of fun things! He got an adorable Linus blanket (Charlie Brown's Linus). It is super soft, which is perfect because he is so tactile. Some other highlights were veggie tale movies, teething toys, bumbo seats, ELF ON A SHELF WOOHOO!! (If you don't know about it, just ask me. I love this idea), stuffed animals, blinking snowman that plays carols, the list goes on and on! I can't keep everything straight, which is a sign that we were overly blessed with many great things for Jonah and ourselves! Mimi and Grandaddy had all sorts of goodies and gifts in rubbermaid containers. We all got Florida t-shirts, including Jonah! Patrick's had a little animal on the back; once we spotted it, we all wanted to see if we had it on our shirts, too!




After the "real" present opening, we ventured upstairs for the "dirty santa" presents. I always get somewhat nervous doing this, because I never want to steal from someone else even though that's part of the game. Somehow, I always end up with really cool stuff. Although I did have two cute snowman things at first, they were stolen by Kim. Kim, it's ok..I cry less and less each night:) You got it fair and square! After three rounds, Patrick had a long-sleeved thermal shirt and fleece; I had a glass tealight holder with a glass shade with little christmas trees etched on it. Very pretty.


Although we were only there for less than a day, I enjoyed every minute. I am thankful to have married into a welcoming family; from the very first meeting, I was welcomed with a hug. Patrick's sisters have been more than sister-in-laws; they are friends. They are the big sisters I never had but always wished I did. I'm looking forward to seeing how Jonah molds into our families as he gets older. I think he will always know laughter, and even during the hard times he will know he is loved.


























Merry Christmas to the Wentz and Sams Families!! We love you.