Grandpa's Visit

Grandpa Stanley had to leave today since school starts next week. We weren't ready for him to leave. We did a lot of indoor stuff because we had something like eleven days straight over 100 degrees. We watched the Tour de France and the British Open. Americans won both! And, we cooked lots of yummy food, of course.








Daddy had a Food and Wine magazine which had some good recipes and an article on photographing food. Chris wants to make a family cookbook one day, so he took a few practice shots: asparagus wrapped with prosciutto and smoked chipotle citrus shrimp.






The instructor from the "Waterbugs" program came to talk to our class last Friday. Sam will have to wait until next year to enroll because the minimum age is 6 months old.

Our class is a rotating eight week class, so half of the mothers and babies won't be back after this week. We took this opportunity to take pictures of the babies together.




Sam had his two month doctor's visit last Friday. He was 10.5 lbs and 23.25 inches, so he's gained 3 lbs and grown 3 inches. He's in the 25th percentile for weight and 55th percentile for height, so he's long and skinny. He got four vaccinations (which he was not happy about). It was hard on Chris because he had to hold his arms down, and Sam was smiling at him right before they gave him the shots. Poor baby! Poor Daddy! Sam did well with the vaccinations though. He didn't get a fever; he was just a little fussy.



-- Emily

Two Months Old

Sam was two months old on Tuesday. He's growing so fast! He is getting to be too long for his 0-3 months clothes. He changes every week too. Last week he spent hours in the swing and didn't want to be held. This week he doesn't want the swing and wants to be held all of the time. He likes his "aquarium" bouncer again. He figured out how to kick the plastic fish that hang down from the toy bar. He kicks them and laughs and smiles (which is great because we get to eat a relaxing dinner).

My dad is in town this week, so we've been eating great! It's been miserably hot though -- over 100 degrees every day -- so we aren't getting out with Sam. My dad's truck registered at 113 the other day. With temperatures like that our 92 degree swimming pool feels like ice water.

My mom was here last week. She kept Sam while I got my hair done (yea!). Here is a picture of her holding Sam.

-- Emily

Yiayia and Papou

We had a great visit with Yiayia and Papou last week! Sam especially liked it when Yiayia sang to him. We had better food than you can get at any restaurant. I even learned how to make tsoureki (a Greek braided orange-flavored bread, similar to brioche).

Sam has passed the six week fussy peak and growth spurt and is quite a different baby now. He is holding his head up, he sits in our laps, and he loves to stand up too. His legs are really strong, but he gets frustrated with his arms. He wants to reach out and grab things, but he hasn't quite figured it out yet. He loves to spend hours in his swing now (which is great for Mommy and Daddy). He loves to watch the fish mobile and the flashing lights above the swing. He also loves to look at himself in the mirror.

-- Emily

Sam with Yiaia and Papou ...










Nick, Chris, and Sam watching a movie (Long Way Round) on the computer in the office.




Playing with Mommy




Daddy resting with Sam after calming him down (yes, he still has fussy spells).




Watching the fish mobile




Playing with Daddy




Close-ups

Independence Day

Ok, we have a lot of pictures for Sam's first big holiday ...

These are pictures from the Plano fireworks display. They launch them from Oak Point park which is right by our house, so this is the view from our front yard. Sam wasn't very interested in the fireworks.






Sam got to meet his Yiayia and Papou (Chris's parents) on Sunday. They are here until next Sunday. Sam is having lots of fun and getting lots of attention!








Nicoletta taught me how to make spanikopita (Greek spinach pies). She also made souvlaki yesterday and tiropita (cheese pies), kolokithopita (zucchini pita), and koulouria (cookies) today. Yummy!








-- Emily

Six Weeks

Sam was six weeks old on Thursday. We took some pictures of his feet in Chris's hands with the macro lens. We realized how much bigger they've gotten since he was born.

I also had my six week follow-up with Dr. Diaz, my OB/GYN (everything is good there). We got her to pose for a picture with Sam for his baby book. We didn't get to take one when he was born since he had to go to the NICU. Sam gave us his pouty face -- the one he gives us before his "fake" cry -- before he posed for a picture.

-- Emily