Samantha & Evan's First Playdate

Samantha and Evan had their first "playdate" last night. Evan did exactly what we thought he would do ... he slept! Samantha, the wild card in the equation, exceeded our expectations! She didn't whine or fuss. She didn't seem to get jealous when Steve and I held Evan. She really just wanted to be near the "baby". Samantha even tried to share her milk with him. I take this as a good sign. It gives me hope that she will be a good big sister someday (God willing), and that she will get along just fine with Evan.

The very first meeting.

Two? No problem!

Samantha sharing her milk.

Daddy showing her how to love on the baby.

Trying to get a better view.

Welcome, Baby Evan!!

I had the great honor last night of meeting Evan Charles Beck, who was born to our dear friends Jared and Katie Tuesday morning. Katie delivered at St. Mary's, so I did alot of reminiscing at the hospital. It blows my mind that Samantha was once as small as Evan. He was light as a feather after toting around a 23 pound toddler! Evan is a precious baby. He allowed me to hold him and even try to give him a bottle. (He absolutely refused it from me ... only his Daddy has the magic touch with the bottle!) He never whimpered, and never cried.

God brought Jared and Katie on a journey much like our own, through infertility, a heartbreaking miscarriage, lots of pills and lots of prayer. Meeting Evan last night was a refreshing reminder of how amazing God is. In the throws of toddler tantrums, I sometimes lose sight of what a precious miracle He gave Steve and me in our sweet Samantha. And now he has blessed Jared and Katie with a beautiful baby boy. We are looking forward to raising our kids together. We are looking forward to Evan taking care of Samantha (even though she is older, he will be one tough kid - you should meet his Daddy!) We are looking forward to Samantha the older & wiser teaching young Evan all she knows (for example, the difference between a burp and a toot.) What a lifetime of memories we have ahead of us! God is good!

One proud mama!

My futile attempt to give Evan a bottle.

I LOVE how small his tiny head looks in Jared's big hand ... what a precious picture of a father and his son!

West Tennessee Weekend

We just got back from a wonderful weekend in Humboldt. It was quick, but we made the most of it! Everyone was gracious enough to come to Mom and Dad's on Saturday so we wouldn't have to travel more with little miss. Now that she can walk, she is not really loving her carseat! She did great, though, with the help of her new portable DVD player and a Wonder Pets DVD. It was a very special day!

Playing with cousins Anna Grace and Garner.

Garner hanging out with Grandaddy.

Checking out the lake.

Catching up with Anna Grace.

An unsuccessful attempt to get a photo of all 3 cousins.

Putting on a show doing the chicken dance.

Garner snoozing with his Big Guy.

A very proud Big Guy and Grammy.

Samantha with her precious Memaw.

The "greats" of 4 generations!

Samantha takes the party with her wherever she goes.

Taking a spin with Big Guy and Grammy.

I think she liked it!!

Getting some sugar from her Gran.

Now we know where she gets her dance moves from!

Double Uh-Oh

Yes, she climbed in the chair completely unassisted ... and did so without dropping bunny!

Hey! Wanna do the Chicken Dance?

Don't mind if I do!

That kid needs to be in a seat!

Samantha and I were outside (one of her favorite places to be) yesterday when Steve came home from his weekly Monday night golf outing with Jerry Lee. Why not let Samantha take a ride around the block? (For those who don't know, our street is a half mile circle - zero traffic.) On the back side of our circle, some man stopped Steve, called him irresponsible and told him Samantha needed to be in a seat. Really? Lighten up and live a little, sir! They were only going 5 miles an hour for crying out loud! Samantha and Daddy both loved it. Call the law!

The Girl in the Yellow Bathing Suit

We spent a beautiful Saturday afternoon at Aunt Sharon's pool over the weekend. Samantha truly is turning into a little water bug. This time she didn't fuss when we put her new yellow floatie suit on. I think she likes knowing she has a little bit more freedom in the water (and I do mean a little bit) if she wears it. She is still learning to balance herself in it, but Steve and I sure feel better when she wears it around the pool. She is not scared of the water at all. In fact, by the end of the day, she was jumping off the steps and eventually off of the side (with help from Mommy and Daddy, of course.) The new yellow suit will come in handy next month at the beach!

Samantha loved having Lindsey with us at the pool.

Loving the new swimsuit!

Braving the deep end with help from Daddy.

Touchdown!

The closest we could get to a family photo.

Daddy and Samantha with Brent and Garrison, who has a matching yellow suit.

Jumping off of the side!

Identity Crisis

Golf? Ballet? Mardi Gras? At least she's got plenty of time to decide!