Meeting Cousin Addie

Samantha got to meet her big cousin Addie when we went to NH for the first time with her in August.  Addie is gonna kick her butt when they are able to walk!! She was born almost exactly 3 months before Samantha.  PJ and Catie were 10 weeks apart and now their daughters are 14 (roughly), how cute is that!  Hopefully, despite their distance, they will be very close cousins!  Here are some pictures of the two of them, and others!

Samantha's first official "unofficial" trip to Ogunquit, Maine - August 21-26

I'm sure you're wondering why I wrote,  official "unofficial" , trip to Maine.  Well, the reason is, because technically we were in Ogunquit, ME and it was obviously her first time there.  However, Samantha and I went up with my mother and stayed at the Lookout (condos).  She hasn't actually stayed in the family cabin just down the road. :)  So there you have it..

It was a super busy weekend.  We had a friends wedding..

(shout out to mike and marcy)

 downstate in Newburgh.  Momma & Daddy B drove from NH to come babysit Samantha while PJ and I went to the wedding.  I then hopped in the car with them and went back to Derry.  From there, my mother came down from Ogunquit, where she had been for a day already, and picked Samantha and I up.  Poor Samantha that absolutely HATES her carseat did very well for all the traveling she did.  It did take her a few days to adjust up in Ogunquit.  One night she had me in tears because of all the screaming she did.. but that's neither here nor there ;)  That's alot for a 9 week old!  Pj didn't get to join us until the end of the week, and only for a day but he made up for it with some beach and pool time!  And of course Jackie's clam chowder.

We walked everywhere.  Usually with my mom pushing the stroller and I, of course, carrying Samantha.  She wasn't a huge fan of the stroller, although we did get her to take naps in it!  Man did I get a work out.  We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful week.  The weather was absolutely perfect, with the exception of one day!  I finally got a tan.  And although Samantha won't remember it, she saw the most beautiful blue skies, walked the marginal way several times, sat at Jackie's Too twice, visited Perkins Cove, went downtown, and much more. She even got to visit with her cousin Addie who was staying in the cabin all week.  One day they'll be best friends!  Or at least argue over toys... or (gulp) boys!!

 Once again, I can't wait to bring her back up, many many times and finally stay in the cabin.  Look below for some pictures of her adventure to Maine! (the video on the bottom is one I made for PJ to send him while we weren't with him, just so sam could say good morning)

 Just sun bathing :)

 If there was such a thing as a baby tourist.. you're looking at it

 All bundled up for an evening stroll to Perkins Cove

 Had to post this because her crying is so funny in this picture

 There we go

 Twins?

Beautiful View from lunch at Jackie's Too

Samantha's first day on the boat - Lake Winnipesaukee - August 14th

Samantha got her first experience and ride on Gramp's boat on August 14th.  We had a mini-vaca up at Lake Winnipesaukee.  And as usual, it rained while we were there.  Im pretty sure I've witnessed 3 sunny days.. the rest were rainy or questionable.  Anyways, she was a natural.  She fell asleep to the roar of the engine and the sound of the water.  And it must of made her relax because she had 4 poopie diapers.. 2 on the way to the naswa and two on the way back :)
Pj made a special onsie for Samantha to wear.  You may be able to read it in some of the pictures but just incase you can't, it says "Gramps first mate" :)  Of course that made him tear up (sorry dad, had to tell on ya)  I can't wait for Samantha to be able to swim and spend time up on the lake with us and her grandparents.  So many memories still to make!

In the meantime, check out the pictures below of her trip!

Daddy and Samantha

 Hanging with the big boys up front!

 Bathing Beauty :)

The wonderful weather I spoke about

Even Winnie had a good time!

The mimic game

So.. how do you play with a 10 week old baby?  I asked myself that same question.. and then googled the crap out of it.  They can learn to mimic simple noises and faces.  So here is a video to show you the OH game!  Enjoy! (yes I realize my laugh at the end is obnoxious)

Samantha's first day at daycare

We were lucky enough to have a daycare close by, where I just happen to go to High School with her and her sister.  I know the family and it's nice not to have to drop off Samantha at a complete stranger's house. We had a "practice day" yesterday (wednesday) for a 1/2 day and let's just say it didn't go very smoothly.  Samantha was all out of sorts, and gave Kellie a hard time and even refused to take a bottle.  I was a mess over this of course.
Today, however, her first FULL day, she passed with flying colors.  I think it's safe to say that she did better than I.  I couldn't deal with dropping her off.. so I asked PJ to do it, which he did without a fuss.  I know it must of been hard for him... I couldn't even picture it.  Kellie sent me pictures and texts throughout the day, telling me how great she was being.  She napped, she played, she ate!!  One thing she didn't do... is POOP!  She saved that for Mommy :)
I know not all days will go as smooth as today but hopefully there will be more good days than bad.  It breaks my heart that I can't be the one to take care of her all day.  But... I am lucky to have Kellie, someone I know and trust.

Here are some pictures from her first day!

Sleeping 5 minutes after PJ dropped her off!

Me getting my cuddles in when I got her home

Just hanging out at daycare :) I just found my hand a week ago and now I can't keep it out of my mouth!

My first couple weeks at home

My first couple weeks at home with Samantha were nothing short of fantastic.. and exhausting.  Turns out this little girl doesn't like to be alone.  Not that any baby necessarily does but her especially.  I slept on the couch for the first 4 weeks.  She slept in hour or so increments, next to me in her incline sleeper and then usually ended up on my chest.  (gasp!! I know! Against everything the baby books told me)  I learned to sleep light.. and without moving.  An essential skill of all new mothers, I think.  Daddy was guilty of snuggling with her the same way! (see below!)

By one month, she had already gained 2 1/2lbs and grew almost 2 inches!  She was growing like a weed.  Her feeding schedule was demanding but, we stuck with it.  We found out that she had reflux.  She was not only spitting up but it was hurting the poor girl.  She was then put on Zantac.  It started to help not long after, which made for a much happier baby.  She still gets irritated by it every so often but it's under control.  It's so weird having to give your baby antacids.  I blame the dad for this problem :)  That and the incredible power and sound of her toots!!

Introducing, Ms Samantha Ryan

Born on June 17, 2011 at 9:53am... she was nothing short of a miracle to us!  After a very eventful 24 hours,  I ended up having a c-section.  I knew this little one was going to make a grand entrance... it had to be a big deal :)


This was me and PJ right before I went into the OR.

  She was 7lbs 15.3oz and 19 1/2 inches long.  At just over a week early, I can say I'm glad she came out when she did.  I don't think I was made to carry anything bigger than that!  Here are a few pictures from her first few hours!

I had to wait almost 3 hours before I got to hold her.  She had gulped some amniotic fluid right before she came out, so she was in the nursery with the doctor getting suctioned, among other things.  Daddy was by her side the entire time.  She was baby girl Brassard for those few hours.  I had to see her and hold her before I knew for sure what her name would be.  Just some fun information.. it came down to Lacey, Alexandra, or Samantha.  I think we made the right choice ;)


Here are one set of proud grandparents!!  (Grammy and Gramps!)

And the other set!! (Grandma & Grandpa (or pops))

Hope you're enjoying the blog so far !  I'm going to try to catch everyone up!