Rss Feed
  1. Take Two

    Saturday, February 18, 2012

    This post is titled "Take Two" not only because it's all about Sam's second week, but because it's the second time I'm writing it! We would have posted this sooner, but mysteriously, the contents of the post disappeared after I had completed and saved it. Boo, Blogger! Moving on...

    At just seven days old, we invited Kristin from Ella Lu Photography over to do Sam's Newborn photo shoot. We had planned this shoot well before he was born so we were so excited to finally get it underway and capture some cute pics of our new treasure. "He was so CHILL!" is what Kristin had to say about Sam. After a projectile poop episode (that's the risk you take when you undiaper a baby, I suppose), our little guy went to sleep and turned into 9 lbs of posable cuteness. Check out this album of the final photos.
    Newborn Photo Shoot
    Daddy couldn't resist getting a snapshot of this cute little bum
    This was also a big week for meeting new family and friends. Sam and Grandma Kramer got to spend nearly a whole week together! They snuggled and shared plenty of sweet smooches.

    Daddy, Grandma Kramer and Sam

    Smooches with Grandma
    Sam also got to meet his Aunt Shell, Uncle Craig and cousin Lleyton. The boys were fast friends and even let us take some photos of them together. Both sets of parents had a good time posing them and shared some laughs at the "outtakes." Sam also went out to dinner with the family to our favorite Winter Garden restaurant, Thai Blossom. Restaurant owner Ty came by to visit with his newest customer and was so proud that his place was our choice for Sam's first dining-out experience.

    Sam meets Aunt Shell
    Sam (1 1/2 weeks) and Lleyon (4 months)
    Sam: Hey, get your fingers outta my ear!
    Sam also made several new friends this week. We visited with Charles, Michele and Madison and met his future role models, the Henderson boys! Sam also enjoyed his first tour around the neighborhood in his stroller, during which we introduced him to Bob & Cheri, great friends who have been anxiously awaiting his arrival. Our next door neighbors have also been very excited to meet Sam and spend a little cuddle time with him. They just can't wait for Shawn and me to plan a date night so that they can babysit!
    Madison & Sam

    Fast friends with the Henderson boys who wanted to sit right next to Sam. So cute!

    Neighbors Bob & Cheri

    Future Babysitter Leilana
    In other "firsts" this week, Sam went to the Mall at Milennia for a short errand. And he also experienced his first Super Bowl. Go Giants! He enjoyed the big game from the comfort of Uncle Scott's arms. Sam also did his first Tummy Time session on his activity mat. While many babies protest Tummy Time, Sam didn't really seem to mind it and frequently lifted his head. We are such proud parents of our strong boy!
    Not much of a cheerleader, that Sam

    First Tummy Time with the encouragement of Daddy
    He is a good sleeper, sleeping most of the day, waking only to be fed or "request" his pacifier. He is awake for only short periods right now, usually in the morning and early evening hours. Time is going by quickly, but we are working hard to take in every precious moment and cherish the blessing that he is.
    Such a good sleeper

    And most awake in the morning and early evening hours

    Click these links to view more of our photos from January and February.

  2. Sam's First Week

    Sunday, February 5, 2012

    Night one at home with Sam went surprisingly well. Shawn and I are working well together to try to let the other get as much rest as possible in the wee hours of the morning. It's working out great and we are both catching about 4-5 hours of shut eye each night. It's surprising us how little sleep we need to function and how our adrenaline for this new little guy is keeping us going.

    Sam had his first doctor's appointment the day after we brought him home. He saw a very nice doctor at Pediatric Associates of Orlando, Dr. Yeager. He was very patient while he was weighed and examined. He lost a full pound of his birth weight bringing him down to 8 lbs 8 oz. The doctor wasn't concerned though since he was on the big side to begin with. We were encouraged to keep up the regular feedings and see how he grew over the weekend. He did in fact put on some more weight, finishing the week at around 9 lbs.

    Being weighed at the doctor's office
    My first pediatrician visit
    Sam also had some other visitors including Grandma Ewen, Aunt Kath, Uncle Long, and Uncle Scott. Grandma Ewen even read to him his Vietnamese baby board books and has started to teach him "eyes", "ears", "nose", and "mouth" in Vietnamese. Sam was very attentive to her and the lesson. She even gave him his Vietnamese name, Tieu Long Tu, meaning "Little Dragon" since he was born just  after the Chinese New Year in the lucky year of the Dragon! We even found a Chinese Dragon t-shirt for him! 


    Learning Vietnamese from Grandma Ewen
    Getting some love from Aunt Kath
    Uncle Long & Sam
    Snuggling with Uncle Scott
    Sam also got his first bath at home in preparation for his newborn photo shoot! He was very patient as long as he had his soothie and was kept as warm as could be. Daddy did such a good job bathing him as I took photos and soothed him when he got a little upset.

    Clean toes!
    My first bath
    All in all, it's been a good week for all of us. We are taking it easy and just enjoying every moment that we can spend together. We love watching him sleep and photographing just how peaceful he looks when he does. We know he won't be this little forever so we're really trying to take in every moment and capture these precious memories. 



  3. Welcome to the Family, Samuel Preston

    Thursday, February 2, 2012

    We welcomed our son, Samuel Preston Kramer, into the world on Wednesday, January 25, 2012. He was born at 10:47a.m. at Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies weighing in at a whopping 9 lbs 8 oz, and measuring 20 1/2" long.

    Moments old!
    First Family Photo
    So in love...
    He had several visitors in the hospital on his birth day including Grandma Ewen, who was the first to meet him, Grandpa Ewen, Marlene, Aunt Andrea, Aunt Tammy, and Cousin Olivia. Everyone was instantly captivated by him, commenting on his gorgeous hair and pinch-able cheeks. Grandma Ewen insists that he looks just like me when I was born, but I am convinced that he is much prettier than I was!

    Grandma "Mimi" Ewen
    Grandpa Ewen
    Aunt Tammy and Cousin Olivia
    Proud, brand new parents
    We brought Sam home on Friday, January 27. Our sweet boy has a very even temper... he is incredibly patient so far, gently crying only when he is hungry or getting his diaper changed. He is a good sleeper and has a few wakeful periods during the day in which he is very alert and attentive to whatever we have to say or sing to him. We can't wait to introduce him to more family and friends, and to start making memories with him. It's already going by so quickly and we are determined to cherish every moment. See the story of Sam's birth in photos in this Picasa album or check out the video slideshow below.



    Leaving Winnie Palmer and headed home
    Welcome Home Baby Sam!
    Meeting big brother Teddy for the first time
    New kid on the block