It's My Party and I'll Sleep if I Want To

Well Samantha celebrated the big "one month" last Friday night. It is hard to believe she has been here a month already. Her one month birthday was the perfect excuse for Mommy and Daddy to throw the doors open to their house and patio and have a cook-out to mark the occasion.

It was a star studded affair complete with burgers, tater tots, drinks, and birthday cake. Stars included WaWa, PaPaw, the Pierce's, the Jewett's, and the Brandon. Our neighbors from across the pond, Joan and Jim, sent their wishes from across the fence even though they were hosting their own gala.

Fun was had by all . . . . even though Samantha chose to sleep thru most (all) of the festivities.

In a very unpopular move . . . . Daddy chose to shove Samantha's hand in the cake. In my defense, it was technically Samantha's cake and you have to admit it made for a cute picture!

Amy and Jenny showing Samantha her cake before Daddy shoved Samantha's hand in it

Samantha with Carly . . . Carly and Samantha have really hit it off during her first month

Daddy's baby book made an appearance at the party . . . everyone is shocked at how much Samantha looks like her Daddy in his baby pictures (for Samantha's sake let's hope she grows out of it)

We had an elaborate spread of burgers, tots, cookies, cake, AND plastic plates! I don't think the Food Network will be asking us to film a show anytime soon!

Samantha's buddy Garrison showed up to party. In a sign of things sure to come, Garrison is keeping a watchful eye on Samantha

We couldn't even get Samantha to wake up to open presents. This cute little number came from Morgan (one of WaWa's 2nd graders who had met Samantha earlier in the week). Samantha loves to sport hats!

Just in case we ever get confused on which burp cloth is Samantha's . . . WaWa and PaPaw got Samantha her very own monogrammed burp cloth in pink and green (to match Samantha's room). As you can see, Samantha is pretty excited!

First Day of School at Four Weeks Old?

Being the advanced child that she is . . . . Samantha had her first day of school at the tender age of four weeks. Amy decided to surprise WaWa by taking Samantha to show and tell. WaWa's 2nd grade class was VERY excited to meet Samantha because they had already heard so much about her. Needless to say . . . . WaWa was more than proud to show Samantha off!

WaWa held Samantha and let her meet each one of her 2nd graders . . . sure beats long division!

Samantha was quite the hit and was well behaved the entire time

Much like her Daddy did . . . . Samantha chose to sleep her way thru class

First "tub" bath . . . we survived (barely)

Now that Samantha's umbilical cord has completely fallen off (thank God), it was time for her first "tub" bath. We had got Samantha to the point where she enjoyed her sponge baths, but it was time to step up and take the bath show to the big tub upstairs. Results were mixed . . . .

Consider this the "before" picture . . . Samantha has no idea what she is in store for

Samantha pleading with Mommy and Daddy that she really isn't that dirty!

Oh the humanity! What are you people doing to me?!?! Mommy and Daddy loved how she covered up her chest and girl parts for the picture

Whooo! I barely survived that one . . . get me dry so I can go to bed!

That's more like it

Go Cubs Go!

For those of you that have been following us here at amy-n.blogspot.com know that I am a HUGE Cubs fan and I've already declared that this is the year the Cubs break their 100 year World Series drought because Samantha is the ultimate curse breaker.

However, every Cubs fan must be initiated into the joys and pains of being a Cubs fan. As you can tell from the pictures below Samantha earned her Cubs stripes this week.

Cubs vs. Astros tonight on WGN . . . Daddy and Samantha have their game face on!

Trying on Daddy's hat . . . . Daddy's got a BIG head!

Oh for a base hit here (as Harry Caray used to say) Cubs have a runner on 2nd with 2 outs!

Aramis Ramirez with a 2-run homerun! Cubs up 2-0 (Daddy paused the game and put my PJ's on - thus the wardrobe change)

NO! NO! NO! Cubs give up a GRAND SLAM and lose 4-2! Wahhhhhhh!

MOTHER'S DAY!

It was Amy's FIRST Mother's Day this past weekend, and what a weekend it was! I was still filling a bit under the weather on Sunday, but it was not bad enough for me to miss out on this special day! Mother's Day also marked Samantha's first visit to her PaPaw's and WaWa's house. We took A LOT of pictures . . . here are a few.

Samantha starts every morning after her bottle on her exercise mat . . . as you can tell she is as dedicated to fitness as her Daddy!

Arriving at WaWa and PaPaw's

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

PaPaw and WaWa rocking Samantha in her glider-rocker . . . they have waited a long time for this picture

WaWa wanted her turn to rock Samantha

Samantha taking a break in her Daddy's baby bed . . . the torch has been passed

A bitter May cold snap hit East Tennessee on Mother's Day (it got in the 50's) . . . time to bundle lil' Samantha up and head back to the house

Amy getting quite the laugh out of the Mother's Day card that Samantha got for her . . . that Samantha sure has a great little sense of humor for a girl her age!

Samantha at the end of her first Mother's Day

Don't try the turkey

We again apologize for the long time between posts here at amy-n.blogspot.com. A case of food poisoning swept thru the Noland house taking out everyone in its path . . . except Samantha (thankfully). I had my "turn" at the plate from Friday night until Sunday night and now Amy has decided to have some fun with it coming down with the same ailments last night.

Even being sick . . . the show must go on! With several assists from PaPaw and WaWa we were able to survive the weekend and take Samantha to meet her Great-Grandmother and Great-Uncle Johnny.

Ready for our trip to Gatlinburg . . . Samantha is telling Mommy that Daddy don't look too good

Four generations of Noland . . . a scary thought!

Samantha and Garrison sitting in a tree . . .

In the first of what will be many, many meetings . . . Garrison Paul Pierce came by to welcome Samantha Elise Noland to the world. Garrison is the son of our near and dear friends Brent and Jenny Pierce. He was born on August 1, 2007 and already has more hair and a better putting stroke than his Dad (well the jury is still out on the latter).

Of course it would be nice if these two could date in the future, but I know Garrison's Daddy all too well and therefore it could never happen. Additionally, Samantha won't be dating until at least she is 30 . . . . I'm only slightly joking.

Samantha in her usual position when she meets new people . . . asleep

Amy trying to explain to Garrison that he was once as small as Samantha

Garrison is still not quite sure what to make of the whole situation as he sizes Samantha up

Happy 10th Birthday Caroline!

Samantha's cousin (and namesake) Caroline Elise celebrated her 10th birthday this past weekend! Her actual birthday was on Cinco de Mayo (May 5th for our non-Spanish speaking friends). Samantha's due date was supposed to be May 3rd . . . . for a while we thought they may share a name and a birthday. Of course as we all know now, Samantha just couldn't wait to get out and join the party!

Caroline has become quite the cook and baker over the last few months

Always keeping a watchful eye over her little cousin

Wait a minute . . . it's just the THREE of us now?

Sorry we've been a little delayed on updating the blog the past couple of days. Amy's mom (Grammy) left back for West Tennessee on Sunday morning after spending the week with us after Samantha got home. She was a life-saver as she handled some of the middle of the night feedings, fussy nights, laundry, cleaning, and cooking.

As of Sunday morning though it was time to kick the training wheels off and see if Amy and I could handle our 7 pound miracle all by ourselves . . . . . As you can see from the picture above, Samantha was more scared than Amy and I were!

We Love You Chris Lofton

Being the Tennessee fan that she is, Samantha was moved to tears after her Daddy read her the account of Chris Lofton's past year as he battled back from cancer to win Tennessee's first outright SEC championship in 41 years and also lead Tennessee to its first #1 ranking in school history.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/columns/story?id=3376961

Chris' story is one of inspiration and triumph. He is the perfect example of faith, humility, and class. Yes Samantha . . . the good guys do win from time to time (Tennessee 66 Tiger High 62: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=280540235) and Chris Lofton is certainly one of the good guys.

GO VOLS!

Daddy's Girl

Well unfortunately I had to return to the "real" world this week and go back to work. It was hard leaving Samantha, but Amy had a nice surprise when I got home from work on Thursday . . . Samantha was waiting for me in her "Daddy's Girl" outfit. We were both pretty excited to see each other to say the least!

Making goofy faces with Daddy . . . can't tell who is having more fun

Ready for our picture!

Getting More Active

Samantha is starting to get more and more active and attentive. Her body clock is still backwards since she was born at 12:12 AM.

On Wednesday Amy and Grammy tried to do more things to keep Samantha up during the day. PaPaw came by to play during his lunch break, WaWa stopped by after school and read her a couple of books, and Grammy started playing with brightly colored rattles to keep Samantha awake in hopes she may be more tired when it came to bedtime. Amy's best friend Katie even called from Austin to say hello to Samantha. As you can see below, Samantha was excited to talk to Katie!

Here goes nothing . . . .

"Hey, those rattles are kind of cool"

"Grammy, I'm not joking . . . you'd better give me those rattles!"

"You have got to be kidding me Katie! What happened next?!?!"