Five years old!  That is so grown up to me.  No more baby, no more toddler, no more little boy.  Samuel is 5!  I can still remember the excitement of waking up in the middle of the night to my water breaking.  I remember after the quick three hours of labor, the long 3 hours of pushing.  I remember how pleased I was when Erik smiled and told me, "Oh yeah, he has a lot of hair!"  I remember holding my sweet little baby in my arms, looking into his eyes, and saying, "This is Sam."  That was five years ago!  What a blessing this bright, clever, funny, tender-hearted boy has been to us since then.  Love you so very much, Samuel.  Happy birthday!!     

I remember my sweet baby Owen.  My calm chill cautious mild snuggle on Mommy’s lap baby Owen.  That baby was slowly disappearing the last couple months, but now I just can’t find him anywhere.  He’s been replaced by an adventurous mischievious get into everything how much can I get away with moody little boy.

 

Owen might have had a very proficient teacher in the art of trouble making.  Really, he didn’t stand a chance with Samuel as his big brother.

It didn’t fly by.  I can believe it’s been that long.  But I love this little baby 365 times more than I did One Year Ago.  Happy birthday to the O Man, my O bubs, sweet Bubba J, delicious little shmunchkin, beautiful beautiful beautiful baby boy.

39 weeks with baby 2 compared to 38 1/2 weeks with baby 1.  Funny how totally different I look. 

Yesterday I was 4 cm 90% effaced.  Doc expressed surprise at the fact that I wasn’t in labor yet.  {As has every other person I’ve shared these stats with.}  Stripped my membranes, said if that doesn’t send me into labor who knows what will . . . probably pitocin next time I have once again made it another week to my appointment.  Ugh.  I’m seriously thinking about faking contractions, going to the hospital, and refusing to leave until I have a baby.  I couldn’t be more ready for another one of these . . .

Last night Erik tried to “comfort” me by explaining it’s not even my due date yet.  So I cried.  He would have been much better off asking if he could rub my back and touch up my toe nails.  Silly man.

Erik switched cell plans at work, so I got a new phone.  That meant it was time to finally finally get all my pictures off the old one.  There were over 100!  Hehe.  It was fun going back and seeing some pictures I had totally forgotten about.  Here are some {lots} of my favorites.

First picture on my old phone, the day I got it two years ago. 2-24-07

I still get this same look when I try to get Sam’s attention for a picture!  3-3-07

Sam’s first trip to CO, which included Sam’s first time on a plane.  3-10-07

This picture was for Godfather Boss, that I never could get to send from my phone.  Sam used to make that face all the time!  3-27-07

Crazy hair!  6-4-07

I wanted this trunk from Tai Pan and thought if I had a cute little boy in the picture with it, I might be able to convince Erik we needed it.  9-8-07

Oooh, Sam figured out Mommy’s phone is taking his picture.  9-27-07

Hehe, I totally remember this morning.  Sam was having so much fun climbing up and down his carseat propped against the sofa.  Then after a while, he just got comfy on the floor and totally chilled there until naptime.  And seriously, look at his hair!  10-17-07

Happy Birthday, Samuel!!  First time at Fuddrucker’s.  11-13-07

Aw, remember when Sam had croup?!  He was so sad.  11-17-07

Bundled up in the car.  12-9-07

Mmmm, discovering one of his favorite snacks . . . french fries!  2-25-08

A new book and a new haircut.  4-11-08

Playing outside on his new club house.  5-15-08

18 month check-up.  We had to wait forever, and Sam was totally chill running around in his diaper while he and his car explored the room.  5-16-08

Just shopping at Target with my happy Sammers.  5-20-08

Sleeping on the way home from Colorado.  7-7-08

He thinks he sooooo funny.  8-25-08

Sam got his pants wet at the park at the clinic.  We still had errands to run, so I let his pants dry while he played in the car.  I just thought this was cute.  9-2-08

Oh boy, remember when Sam had to give up his blankets?  This was after that first awful night.  What a horrible few days.  9-3-08

Reading a “book” on the way to pick up Daddy.  It was actually an insert Sam pulled from his Cars dvd.  9-10-08

Terrible quality, but such a cute boy!  12-8-08

Again.  “Cheeese!”  12-20-08

I was in bed late one night, so sick, and preparing a sharing time.  I’m pretty sure I called Erik on the phone and asked him to bring me a snack.  This is what I got.  What a sweetheart.  12-28-08

Just chillin’.  1-24-09