2 months!

Our little man turned 2 months old on Monday! Hard to believe. I've spent most of the day cuddling Samuel. Poor little guy is running a fever post-vaccinations. He got three shots yesterday and hasn't been himself since. It's given me the opportunity to catch up on posting pictures and also writing on this blog.

I've been enjoying days at home with Samuel. We try to get out of the house once a day for a hike, lunch with friends, errands, etc. and then join Todd at practices in the afternoon. It's been such a blessing to have friends with little ones that we can spend time with.

Bonnie and her friend, Becky, stayed with us for a night in mid-August during a road trip out west. Bonnie couldn't believe how much Samuel had changed in a month! He's definitely a growing, changing little boy.

Holly, Matt, and Lily came to Utah last week to meet Samuel. It was so great to spend time with them! We went for a couple of hikes, went to the Living Planet Aquarium, went swimming in their hotel pool, and cheered on Olympus XC at the Murray Invitational. Lily liked yelling "Go Lympus!" at the runners going by.

Meeting Samuel

Lily was intrigued by Samuel...but didn't dare get too close :)

Matt & Lily hiking around Cecret Lake

Ruth Lake

Feeling the COLD water

Samuel slept through most of our day in the Uinta Mountains, but woke up at the water fall

Provo Falls

We are over half way through our XC season already! Our boys team is really strong this year. In fact, the boys team is ranked nationally: http://dyestatxcrankings.runnerspace.com/gprofile.php?mgroup_id=46052&do=news&news_id=433634. Pretty cool!

Sam and the XC ladies

We are looking forward to having my parents here again next week! Samuel is being baptized on September 25th.

Here's a few more pictures of Sam for your enjoyment ;)

Twin Lakes Reservoir

1 month old

Our little man is a month old as of yesterday! Time flies when you're having fun (except in the middle of the night...). He is growing and changing so rapidly. He continues to be very active and makes lots of cute baby noises. Samuel loves playing under his activity gym & being in the jogging stroller. We're getting braver and are leaving the house more often...for walks, XC practice, eating at restaurants, hanging out with friends, etc.

My parents were in town last week to meet Samuel. We enjoyed spending time with them and appreciate all of their help! Samuel loved being cuddled by his grandparents. The time went by too quickly!

The 2016 Olympus Cross Country season is underway! We had our team time trial last night and there were lots of great performances. We're eager to see how the team does at our first invitational next week Thursday.

Big yawn!

Samuel takes his eating very seriously! He likes to hold the bottle himself :)

Post bath crazy hair

Story time!

Spending time with Bumpa & Gramma VanWyk

One of Samuel's favorite toys...a stuffed alien

He likes to sleep this way with daddy

Baby toes :)

1 month pictures

Trying to hold his head up

Who sleeps like this???

Relaxing in the shade after shopping at the downtown farmer's  market

Talking with Gramma

We are so thankful for friends and family who care so well for us! We have received lots of love and support since Samuel's birth...in the form of meals, visits, cards, gifts, phone calls, and more. It takes a village to raise a child!

Samuel is 2 Weeks Old!

Samuel Scott turned 2 weeks old yesterday! These past two weeks have been full of joy and challenges. We have fallen completely in love with our little boy and life has changed in almost every way. 

Todd and I enjoyed some quality time together before Samuel joined us. Assuming we wouldn't have as many opportunities to spend time with just the two us after the baby came, we enjoyed some date nights, hikes, and a day at Pine View reservoir. In fact, we hiked up to Lake Solitude on the Sunday that I went into labor. We were timing contractions during the entire hike...unsure whether they were the real deal or not!

A Sunday afternoon hike to Bells Canyon Reservoir

Spent the 4th of July at Pine View Reservoir

Lake Solitude

At 10:30pm on Sunday, July 10th, my water broke just after we had climbed into bed. We packed up our bags and headed to the hospital shortly after. 

Just after checking in...still smiling because the contractions weren't so bad yet :)

The contractions became stronger very quickly. I'm so grateful for Todd's support and encouragement through the entire night, I could not have continued with my goal of a natural birth without him! I labored on a birthing ball from about 12pm until 7am when I was ready to start pushing. After an hour of pushing, Samuel Scott was born! I have never experienced something so difficult, but the reward was well worth it!

I thought the pain was over after Samuel had been placed on my chest, but there were complications with the delivery of the placenta. After 30 minutes of trying to manually remove the placenta, my OB-GYN determined that I had placenta accreta (placenta had attached to my uterus) and I was wheeled to the operating room for a minor surgery to remove the placenta. A little more excitement than we had bargained for, but we are so thankful that everything turned out fine!

6 lbs, 14 oz. 19 inches long.

Back from the OR. Happy to have Samuel back in my arms!

We were moved up to our postpartum room in the early afternoon on Monday. Todd and I both took short naps (we hadn't gotten any sleep since Sunday at 8am!). We really enjoyed our 2 days in the hospital. The care was outstanding and we appreciated the help & advice from the nursing staff. We spent lots of time introducing family to Samuel via FaceTime. 

Samuel's first bath

Family Photo

Ready to go home!

Our first night at home was really challenging, but since then we've been doing pretty well! Samuel is sleeping much better now and he's eating great too! We enjoyed having Todd's parents visit for the past week. It was great to have some extra hands to help with meals, holding Samuel, and running errands! 

Visiting Brian, Jessie, & Lucy Strike (Lucy was born the day before Samuel)

Samuel & Lucy

Samuel's first walk

Grandpa Mitchell

Grandma Mitchell

A sneak preview from the newborn photo shoot

Pool time!

We had Samuel's two week appointment this morning. He now weighs 7 lbs 8.5 oz--must be a good eater! He has changed so much in these two weeks. He is awake more often and enjoys tummy time. He focuses on faces and reacts to noises around him. We are excited for him to meet his other grandparents next week!