Beach Trip and Samantha's 5 month birthday

We had a busy week with Samantha's first trip to the beach. We visited Ft. Myers Beach. FL to celebrate the wedding of Grammy (Tina) O'Leary to Doug (Papa Bear) Bean. It was so nice to see family and we got to hang out for a few days together. Samantha met Uncle Jim and Aunt Paula and Joanie for the first time, and loved hanging with Aunt Cori and Uncle Brian. It was sometimes a bit much for her but she was a really trooper going all day and seeing a lot of people... all while managing the stifling heat. The wedding was beautiful and it was nice meeting Doug's side of the family. It was quite a different beach vacation with an infant - not quite as relaxing but fun in a different way. And i got my raw oysters! Yipee!

Here are some wedding pics:

The family: Kristi, Nick, Sam, Tina, Doug, Cori, Brian, Aunt Paula and Uncle Jim

The crazy ladies of the family.

How sweet... Samantha was starting to fade here.

Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Bean.....

Here's Sam and me before the wedding.

As for the rest of our ongoings, Samantha continues to grow and learn more every day. While on vacation, Samantha learned a new sound and thankfully chose not to express herself on the plane ride home. Check out the video!

We had a new babysitter start this week and Samantha seems to love Ms. Scherree. We laugh because Scherree has a little daily plan for Sam that charts the books she read, songs sung, diapers made, naps had, etc. It makes me laugh but is really helpful. It has alleviated a lot of stress for me as I've been working some from home and some at the office.

We're looking forward to a long weekend to relax and watch the Flyers first game in the Stanley Cup finals. Can't wait to actually be able to watch it since it's been on a channel we don't get. We've been forced to watch the game at our friend's Lynn and Mark's in exchange for pizza. Not a bad sacrifice! Ashame he was a Canadian's fan. Sorry Mark.

Hopefully my creative side will come out for my next post... this was a pretty factual post without much fluff. It's been one of those weeks!

Ahh what a day! Time for bed.

Check back soon!

K, N, & S

Wow... 20 weeks old this week!

Okay followers...

I know it's been a long time. Nick has been very busy at work and honestly, Samantha requires a lot more attention than in the past few months, so blogging was put to the bottom of his list. So, I'm going to give it a go. I was against a blog initally... thought it was kind of cheesy, and that "why would people care?" but can't believe how much I blog stalk others, loving what is going on their lives and kids' lives. I am always wondering when people are going to have new posts and get antsy when people don't update. I feel your pain. So.... I have take on the challenge to keep this blog up to date as the best I can. You can continue to follow the ongoings of the Estes family and watch Samantha grow up as fast as she is! Man, time flies!

Let's see.... since 16 weeks a lot has happened. I'm back at work more than before, and I am realizing how hard it is to manage 2 different worlds. I'm not treating as much, but rather managing my company that contines to grow. It's great and stressful at the same time. I'm learning to balance it all. We had a little glitch thrown into our lives when we decided to have Samantha stay at our home during the day and now aren't using our babysitter anymore. So, my gracious mom flew down for a week and a half and babysat until tonight. I had to really twist her arm. I think she secretly hoped we'd need her! Gigi will be greatly missed (by us and Sam!). I think she realized she's not quite as young as she used to be. Sam kept her busy and was so happy. We have a new babysitter starting next week. Miss Scherrie. Love her. Let's hope it works out better.

Nick has been working and enjoying top-down weather (by himself of course, since Samantha's car seat will cramp the car's style). That's okay, then we have a date night car, i guess. He's been amazing with Sam although everytime he kisses her in the morning, he seems to "mistakenly" wake her up to get a morning smile. I know he does this on purpose as she is so amazing happy in the morning and makes a great start to the day (maybe making the commute better??) He still does bath and night duty most nights since Sam sleeps better with a good 6oz bottle in her! Samantha is beginning to love Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy, per Nick's report. She's almost spelling!

Samantha is just amazing. She's so happy and laughs all day long. She loves to eat and cries only when hungry - but, man, you better have some food ready for her when this happens! She's a little chunk of love. At her 4 month appt, she was 14 lb, 6 oz and 23 inches long. Growing great and very healthy. We may start food at 5 months, or later. We have to see how it goes. Samantha is rolling from her back to stomach, and just starting to roll from stomach to back - this presents quite a problem at 4am when she rolls and can't get back. That's where I come in to rush to her help. She is mostly sleeping though the night with occasional wake-ups and has gotten on a better routine since she's been home with the help of my mom.

She loves singing, dancing, her exersaucer, and wants to put everything in her mouth. Not sure when teeth will come, but maybe soon. She is very nosy, wants to be around people all the time, loves to talk, and is always on the go... sound like anyone you know? I think she'll be planning social events before we know it.

Here's Samantha trying to eat my nose!

Well, I am off to pack for the beach. We're heading to Ft. Myers for Grammy O'Leary's wedding this weekend and to see some family. Let's hope we avoid the oil slick and Samantha enjoys the sand and sun (well, shade I guess...). More to come after our trip.

Kristi