What a month! I don't remember a December going by as fast as this one did. It seemed like the moment we got our tree, lights on the house, stockings hung, and decorations put up, I was putting them all away. So sad to see it end. This Christmas was more exciting for Lucas. He loved Santa Clause, reindeer, snowmen, Christmas trees, and lights. When asked to say Merry Christmas, Lucas would say, "Merry Christmas Tree" every time. So stinkin' cute. He enjoyed opening up the presents, but I think it was a little overwhelming with all the new toys to play with. Still, it was super fun to experience Christmas through his eyes.
My Dad "officially" moved to Walla Walla, WA. He still comes back to Baker City to tend to his house that is for sale. Hopefully after this winter, he will sell it and really get to settle into his new home. As of now he is staying in a hotel until he can find a rental. Riley has been staying with us since Thanksgiving while he is transitioning over there. I think Riley will really be glad to get away from the toddler, but Lucas will be sad to see her leave. He absolutely loves her.
Kim is moving in two weeks to California. I am really bummed that she is leaving, but excited for her and her new adventures. She has been an enormous help with Lucas and I don't know what I am going to do without her here. Lucas is really going to miss his Aunt Kim too. She won't be back until the baby is born in May. It will be the longest we have gone without seeing each other. I guess it will be back to talking on the phone twice a day:)
Lucas and Grandpa
Grandpa, Aunt Kim, and Lucas
Christmas breakfast with the family
Lucas playing outside with Grandpa and Riley
The pregnancy has been going great. I really noticed a change in my belly around week 19. It seemed I all of sudden popped out. I felt the baby move at 17 weeks and Kevin and Kim got to feel him move on Christmas Eve. This is one of the many things I love about being pregnant. I have been doing my progesterone shots for four weeks now and so far no side effects. I have a good feeling that I will be able to bake this baby until he is term this time.
I have been asked to join Harmony Doulas. I am super excited about this and I already have my first client! January is going to be a busy month, as I am on call for this birth and back up for two others. I am hoping to do as much doula work as my body will let me before May. After that I will be taking a break until baby #2 is at least 4 months old. So excited for all the new babies to come!!
Speaking of baby #2.....this is what we will be calling him because Kevin and I can't agree on boys' names. So, if anyone has any strong masculine name suggestions....we are all ears!
20 week belly
Read More
|
Posted by
Gina, Kevin and Lucas Samuel
Wow, the days sure are flying by. I still can't believe it is December, one of my favorite months of the year. I love everything about the Christmas season, so to make the most of the remaining days, I made sure to get our tree and decorations set up this weekend! Kim and I stayed up until almost midnight on Friday, going through all of the bins of decorations and ornaments. It was a lot of fun and am very pleased with the outcome.
Also this weekend we watched the Ducks beat the Beavers. Whoo Hoo!!! We sold our Subaru and we also got to take an early peak at the baby. Our friend was kind enough to give us an ultrasound to find out the baby's sex. And......we are having another BOY! I have to say that I was really hoping for a girl, but maybe this is just a sign that we are supposed to have three kids now:) We are very excited.
Our Christmas Tree
Samuel Clan by the tree
It's a BOY (very obvious)
17 Weeks
Read More
|
Posted by
Gina, Kevin and Lucas Samuel
Yes, I finally have some video and pictures! We carved Lucas' pumpkin last night. He LOVED it, especially moving the seeds back and forth between the bowl and the inside of the pumpkin. So much fun.
Lucas has been trying to jump lately. Here are some of his moves.
Read More
|
Posted by
Gina, Kevin and Lucas Samuel
Happy Mother's Day! Lucas and Kevin surprised me with a spring cactus, People magazine, and some yummy ice cream bars for Mother's Day. We spent the day doing some spring cleaning and working in the yard. Since I wasn't feeling too well, Kevin did most of the work, but overall, a very productive day. Kim, we are all ready for you to move in now!
Last weekend we went to Newport. It was our final trip for the winter/spring. We met up with Kevin's friends from Florida. It was nice to finally meet them and for Kevin to have some time with the boys.
Family in Newport
At the Sealion caves in Newport.
Happy Boy!
Lucas in his wagon. 
Kevin working in the yard with Lucas. 
Read More
|
Posted by
Gina, Kevin and Lucas Samuel
It was a quiet and cold Easter this year. Lucas, Kevin, and Kim were all sick. No Easter egg hunts, family get togethers, or homemade bread and cinnamon rolls. Let's hope next year everyone will be healthy. Even with all the sickness, it was nice to have some quality time with Kim and Dad while they were here. We miss them already!
Kim reading to Lucas
Dad and Kim (Kim...nice outfit)
Reading his first Bible
Lucas getting into his Easter basket
Read More
|
Posted by
Gina, Kevin and Lucas Samuel
Kim serving Dad's home made pizza
Lucas playing under the blanket
Grandpa with the boys
Lucas with Arianna on Christmas Eve
Eric with Owen
We had a nice Christmas this year. It was hard without Mom but fun to watch Lucas experience his first Christmas. Kim and Dad came over and stayed with us. Kim was here for two weeks and Dad came for a week. I love having my family all together. It is always sad for me when they leave.
Kim also brought her boyfriend, Brent, to meet the family. Brent is our friend Sarah's brother. They met at her daughter, Maddie's, birthday party in May and have been doing the long distance relationship since. Brent is in Providence and Kim is in Boise, but both of them are moving to Bend when they graduate in May. We are all excited about that.
Lucas gave Kevin and I an early Christmas gift and started crawling. He is all over the place and so happy! Now I just have to clean the floors EVERY day. His hands are on the floor and then in his mouth. Yuck. He is also starting to pull himself up on to things with more confidence and really likes to hold our hands and walk around. Maybe he will be walking by his first birthday?
Read More
|
Posted by
Gina, Kevin and Lucas Samuel
This year we went to Wisconsin for Thanksgiving. It was the first time we took Lucas on a plane. He did great except on the flight to Minneapolis, it was his bedtime and without any naps he cried/fussed for the last 45 minutes of the trip. And yes, we got plenty of people giving us the eye, but what can you do? Once we got there, Lucas adjusted to the traveling and time change well.
We went and saw Grandma Roxanne, Aunt Jennie, Uncle Nick, and Andy for breakfast before we headed north to Kevin's Dad's cabin. Jessicsa, Jamie, Quentin, and Lars all met us up there. It was really nice to see them and have them meet Lucas for the first time. Quentin and Lars sure have gotten big! Quentin had his 6th birthday while we were visiting. Jessica made homemade chocolate cake. YUMMY!
Annette, Dave, Jamie, and Kevin spent most of the week hunting. One of the days, I actually went out with Kevin for a few hours to his deer stand. We didn't see any deer, but I now have a glimpse of what it is like hunting out of deer stand. Annette, Dave, and Jamie all shot bucks and Kevin got a doe. We brough home 50lbs of ground venison home with us. It was a very different Thanksgiving for me, but we all had a really good time.
Spaghetti Face
Quentin got 2lb weights for his birthday
Read More
|
Posted by
Gina, Kevin and Lucas Samuel
Kevin is already preparing Lucas for hunting.
Big Boy!
Lucas with Grandpa
Deacon climbing the tree
Samuel Family
We went to Baker City for the 4th of July weekend this year. It was a hot weekend with some thunderstorms, but a very nice visit. Lucas did so well on the road trip there and back and slept through the night all three nights! We weren't sure what to expect since he wasn't at home, but he did wonderful. Kim also met us in Baker and her and I drove over to Boise on Friday for the day. She showed me her apartment, which is so cute. Then we met Jen for lunch and afterwards went over to see her new house. It was a short trip, but fun.
Kevin and I had our 2nd Anniversary on June 23rd. This year we spent it apart, but for a good reason. I was fortunate enough to be a Doula at the birth of Meghan and Paul's son, Talan. What a cutie pie he is! So small...I can hardly remember Lucas being that size. I am so happy for the Kincannon family.
Read More
|
Posted by
Gina, Kevin and Lucas Samuel
Lucas is starting to use his legs and stand.
Cameron and Gabe playing with squirt guns.
Maddie digging into her cake! YUMMY!
The boys enjoying a "cold one" at the party.
Mr.
We had a busy Memorial Day weekend! Saturday we had Madelyn's 1st birthday party to go to. It was a lot of fun, but a very long day for Lucas. He did wonderful, but was pretty overtired by the end of the night. Sunday Kevin and I spent the day working on our yard. We bought some hanging plants and added a bunch of flowers to our garden. Next project is the back yard! Monday we went to a Memorial Day BBQ at our friend's Erin and Courtney's house. They had a big blow up pool/slide for the kids....and some of us adults. We had a really good time there and again....Lucas was GREAT! He is becoming a good little social butterfly with his parents now.
Lucas is growing like a champ. He now weighs 13.4lbs and is quickly growing out of his clothing. He is out of 0-3 and now in 3 month clothes. Next Saturday he will be 4 months old. He is still eating every 2-3 hours during the day and gets up once at night. His bedtime is anywhere between 6:30-8pm and he will sleep 5-8 hour stretches. It is wonderful.
Kevin's work is still going steady and still working 40 hour weeks! I start doula training this week. It is 4 days long and I am really excited about it. I can see why my Mom loved her job so much. There is something really amazing about being a part of the miracle of life.
Read More
|
Posted by
Gina, Kevin and Lucas Samuel
Lucas smiling at Kevin
Dad with his Grandsons
Kevin and Lucas on Easter morning
The Family
This year we spent Easter in Baker City with my Dad. Both my brothers and sister came out there with their families. It was really nice to be all together but it was also very obvious someone was missing. I imagined that the first holiday without my Mom would be difficult. She just knew how to do it all. Kim and I took a stab at making her cinnamin rolls and we were pretty successful. They tasted pretty yummy. Still, Mom was missed by us all.
When we got home, we gave Lucas a much needed bath. He just loves his baths. Before we stuck him in the tub, we weighed him with his diaper on and he was 10.5lbs! He just continues to amaze me with how much he grows. He is also starting to smile while he is awake. I got my first smiles a week ago and cried. He brings such joy to my life. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful little boy.
Read More
|
Posted by
Gina, Kevin and Lucas Samuel
Grandpa, Aunt Kim, and Lucas
Lucas playing outside with Grandpa and Riley
