3 weeks... Sami's cradle

Wow, time flies! Everyone kept saying that it would, but I guess I just didn't expect it to go by this fast!
So I began writing this post & downloading photos of Samantha's 3rd week but now that we're almost at 1 month (Crazy!) I decided to share with everyone one of my dad's talents. My dad made a cradle for my nephew Zach last year when he was born & this year he made one for Samantha. It is beautiful & made out of cherry wood, the grain is fantastic! He didn't get it done until she was 1 week old so it isn't stained yet; but here's some photos of the journey.

Lance helping dad with some fine tuning.

Dad placing Samantha into her cradle for the first time.

2 weeks old

Wow- the past 2 weeks have seen quite a bit in the Maynard household. We are still adapting to our beautiful Samantha; learning what cries mean what & just how many diapers she really goes through in a day!! Also food- wow, she eats like a champion! Thank you to everyone for their well wishes & generosity! I am still working through the thank you notes; but we really do appreciate every well wish that has been sent our way.
As for Samantha: she has had her first 2 pediatric appointments. She is now 8 pounds 1 ounce; she is gaining weight like nobody's business- which makes both her parents & the Dr. happy. She is learning to hate the Dr. since she gets poked & prodded every time. As we were leaving the Dr's office this last visit I heard a baby screaming from another room & my heart went out to that mom or dad. Amazing how much more empathy I now have for other parents (And I know I haven't even seen the half of it yet!)
As for Lance & I: Lance is back at work although reluctantly. I know he would love to stay home with Sami & I given the chance. He is currently catching up on his sleep with his little girl on the couch. On the other hand I am still waiting for the swelling to go away completely. Every morning I try on my wedding band & cannot wait for it to finally fit again. But I am back into my jeans!!! That was a trophy moment! Anyways here are some photos from the last week of Sami's life...

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1 week old.


1st Dr. Appointment.


My grandmother- Nannie with Sami.

3 generations of Thomas'.


Watching the Olympics with dad.

Meeting Avery for the first time!

Nana & Sami

Coming Home

Hello to everyone. We have had quite the last few days! This is Jenny again. Lance has been doing an excellent job putting up photos & updates! I thought I'd share a few with you of our princess coming home.
We are all 3 doing very well. Samantha is beautiful! (I know I'm biased!) She has been getting at least one period of 4 hours sleep each night- this means at least one period of 4 hours sleep for Lance & I too!! Lance has been amazing! He massaged my back during labor, encouraged me & supported me through my last minute decisions! (It doesn't matter what you decide beforehand, when in the situation your mind changes!) But in the end he helped me get through a natural birth which he knew I really wanted. But the best part of all is seeing the man I love holding our little girl! It's a beautiful picture of love!

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Friends & family have been amazing. My mom came over & cooked for us- with TONS of leftovers! She brought fruit & all kinds of goodies, did our laundry & cleaned my home!! She even watched Sami & sent Lance & I to bed- we got a great hour nap in. My mom ROCKS!! THANK YOU! Lance & I greatly appreciate all you have done for us already. Thank you tons!

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Getting our princess dressed to go home! My mom bought this beautiful Straussburg dress for Samantha. It's a newborn & I thought she would be too big for it- turns out its' much too big for her!

In her car seat, ready for home! The nurse is checking out the car set & belt before dismissing us.

At home in her swing. While daddy unpacks the car.

Brad & Sheryl Bishop dropped by to say hello.

Lance gave Samantha her first bath at home.

Yes, Lance does diapers!

Sami with her nana Sheri.

Sami with her grandma Linda.

Samantha & great grandma Thomas.

We're Home!!

We're home & learning more about our little girl!!! We got home Saturday at 1:30. Samantha wasn't sure what to think about her first car ride. But we are settled in a bit & wanted to let folks know that if they want to stop by they are more than welcome; just give us a call & let us know! We look forward to showing off our little girl!

The pictures have finally arrived.

Jen and Samantha are doing well. It looks like we are staying at the Hospital for one more day. We should be discharged on August 2, sometime around noon. Jen did a marvelous job during the delivery of Sami. For those who didn't know, Jen did the whole delivery without an epideral (ie no pain killers). Jen proved that she is one tough lady. I'll do my best to never upset her again. Anyway, here is our story with some of the pictures from day one.

July 30

• 10:15 pm - Jen thinks her water broke
• 10:50 pm - Jen calls the doctor. The doctor instructs us to come into the hospital to run a couple of tests.
• 11:30 pm - We arrive at the hospital, and have some tests done.

July 31

• 12:30 am - We are told that Jen's water did break and we are here to stay. The doctor informed us that they will move us to a labor room and induce labor. The doctor said not to worry, that they'll start the induction now, but we can sleep through the night so we have plenty of rest, so we can have a baby in the afternoon.
• 1:30 am - Nurse gives Jen the medicine to start inducing labor. They had to induce to get Jen's body to recognize that she was in labor, so she would start dialating. (I believe this to be true, but I'm sure Jen will correct this when she wakes up).
  
• 2:30 am - I run home to get Jen her pillow so she can sleep. I also grabbed some clothes.
• 3:30 am - I return to the hospital to find Jen still awake.
  
• 5:00 am - Jen and I haven't slept a wink but we are trying to sleep. The visits from the nurses and the fact that Jen could not get comfortable contributed to our inability to sleep. At this time Jen really hasn't started feeling the contractions too much.
• 6:15 am - Jen starts yelling at me to wake up. Apparently she has been trying to wake me up for the past ten minutes but she couldn't reach me. Jen was hooked up to an IV and a monitor. I did finally wake up from my nap, to see Jen going through a contraction. Apparently the Jen's body decided that it was time to have a baby. So much for getting sleep and taking it easy.
  
• 6:30 am - I start making phone calls to let people know that Jen had started labor. I didn't call most people because I thought it was too early for most.
• 7:15 am - I finally got done with all the phone calls I needed to make. Now I was interrupted by Jen and the nurses during this time.
  
• 7:30 am - Jen's dad (Cecil) arrived at the hospital. Unfortunately he couldn't come in the room and the nurse was examining Jen. I stepped outside to let him know that Jen was at 4 cm and that everything is fine.
  
• 7:40 am - Jen's mom (Sheri) arrived at the hospital. I stepped out of the room, to talk. Jen is now at 7 cm. Jen is moving along real quick.
• 8:10 am - Jen is at 10 cm, and ready to push. Only problem is that our doctor hasn't arrived yet. Jen dialated so quick, it took everyone by surprise, especially since this is Jen's first birth.
• 8:15 am - Our doctor is running full speed down the hall. The doctor puts on scrubs and she gets into position.
• 8:30 am - Our little girl greets us for the first time. Chaos begins now! They take Sami to the bassinet to do their thing, and the doctor attends to Jen. I'm standing there wondering "Do I go with Sami or do I stay with Jen?". After what appeared to be five minutes (which was really only one second), Jen instructed me to start taking pictures of Sami. What a sight to see. I was checking out what the nurses were doing to Sami and what the doctor was doing with Jen. It was quite the experience to witness. We just thank God for giving us a healthy baby girl.
• 11:45 pm - Jen just got done with feeding Samantha and a nurse visit. It's time to try to get some sleep. What a day!!!
  

I want to thank all of our family and friends. This pregnancy would have been much more difficult if we didn't have your love and support. So once again Thank You from the Maynard family. When Jen wakes up I'm sure she'll throw in her commentary.

Pictures:

Mom and Samantha


Our family


Her first "bath"


First time she showed her eyes. Boy was she upset.


Sami sleeping.


Sami with Grandpa Cecil and Grandma Sheri


Sami with Aunt Donna and Aunt Trish


Sami with Nicole and Mom


Sami with Aunt Shelly, Uncle Pat, Cousin Erin (not pictured), and Cousin Joseph


Sami with Great Grandma Norma and Grandma Linda

Samantha Lyn Arrives

Samantha Lyn arrived at 0830 July 31, 2008! Samantha weighed 7lbs 6oz. and she is 21 inches long. Here's a couple of pictures, and there's more to come!

4 days and counting...

We have 4 days left until our estimated due date & Samantha seems snug as a bug with no signs of wanting to join the rest of the world. This is much to the dismay of her mother! I am beyond ready to hold her in my arms instead of my belly! And it seems that at every turn someone else is delivering their baby but Samantha stays put! Lance & I figured she was stubborn when at her 4 month ultrasound she refused to turn around to show us if she was a little girl or boy; it took the technician 20 minutes of playing with her to get 'the shot'. Lance is my rock though; he keeps reminding me to enjoy the last few kicks and hiccups & to remember how lucky we are that we have made it to 40 weeks and are healthy. He is completely right- she will be here soon enough; and we are blessed that we've had an overall smooth & healthy 9 months.
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Along this topic a co-worker's sister is 27 weeks pregnant & her water just broke. The doctors would like her to hold on until 32 weeks, then they will perform a Cesarean. Please remember her & her baby in your prayers.
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The latest newby belongs to my cousin Jason & his wife Kristian. They had their little boy Mason today; 6 pounds, 11 ounces. Congratulations!
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Otherwise, I am on my last week at work. We have a slurry of tests coming up this Friday to make sure that Samantha is good to stay put; and we have done everything on our list to be ready for her appearance! (We ordered a camcorder & it finally showed up yesterday! I was worried that we wouldn't get it in time for the 'big day'.)
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Here are some photos from Samantha's baby shower. I am still working on the thank you notes but we so greatly appreciate all of the generosity showered upon us. Thank you all.
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My mom & I (Have I mentioned how every part of my body is swollen beyond imagination?)

Tosha (my sister-in-law) & I

The Thomas ladies: Donna, Trish, Shelley, myself, Norma & Linda (Lance's mom)

Madison

The cute cake that they had for us. It had strawberry filling...yum!

Lance's Uncle Wayne sent Samantha her first fishing pole so she could hang out with her daddy!

2 of my past roommates Terri & Lindsay, me, one of our hostesses Kathy & a friend (& past Bible study leader from my teenage days!) Debbie.

Nichole & Avery

My freshman roommate from CSU, Carol

Lance & I at 38 weeks.

Dad put Zach up on the roof of my Jeep & Zach wasn't so sure what to think.