“Samuel” means
“God has heard”.
“John” means
“God is generous”.
Together, these two names suggest something very important, Sam. I would say that the combination of these two names is no accident or coincidence, although Mommy and Daddy weren’t aware of these meanings when we named you. Daddy wanted to call one of his children Sam, and Mommy wanted to continue a family middle-name tradition. And in fulfilling our own wishes, we gave you a name that says something. God has heard, and God is generous. Your name says it, and you yourself prove it, with your very presence. God heard Mommy and Daddy talk about our hopes and dreams for our second baby (and our first). He heard all the prayers offered up by people who cared about you – for both of you – before you were even born. And He is generous. All we have to do is look at your face, and we know it to be true.
♥♥♥
A lot happened this month to remind Mommy and Daddy of this assurance, and to make the unintended meaning behind your name really stick out to Mommy. First of all, you were born! The first time Mommy held you, I knew we’d been blessed. He gave us everything we were hoping for. You were a big, healthy boy. You were born with no issues at all, even with all the commotion and confusion the day you decided to make your entrance. You entered the world screaming, so Mommy was able to know right away you were fine even though she couldn’t see you immediately. And when Mommy joined you in our room at the hospital, you were a cuddly, happy baby, ate well, slept well, and as a little added bonus you even had Mommy’s coloring. You were perfect, with not one single problem and not one little flaw, and you were MORE than Mommy, Daddy or your grandparents hoped for… because God has heard, and God is generous.
♥♥♥
Our first three weeks together were perfect. We brought you home on Day 3, and you settled right in. You had already stolen Mommy and Daddy’s hearts at the hospital, and you stole your big brother’s heart as soon as you moved in at our house. The first day you were home, Zane couldn’t wait to show you to Oma or anyone else that visited – much like Mommy and Daddy couldn’t wait to show you to EVERYONE. Daddy was off work for three weeks too, so we all got to be cozy and happy at home. This was another time that we were reminded God has heard: Mommy had a really hard time after Zane, trying to run a house and keep everyone fed, and we knew we needed things to be easier this time. Thanks to some new friends and some family members, we had our freezers so full of pre-made meals that we couldn’t even fit groceries! It was probably the easiest three weeks Mommy has EVER had. You ate, slept and looked adorable, and Mommy got lots of time to lie around and relax.
♥♥♥
When you were just under three weeks old, Daddy had to go back to work. On Daddy’s first day back to work, Mommy took you and Zane out for our first car trip without Daddy. We were waiting to turn left to go to Costco, and someone behind us decided that her world was going to fall apart if she had to wait for the guy beside us FOR 10 SECONDS ZOMG, so she whipped into our lane and rear-ended us doing almost highway speed. Sam, Mommy has never been so panicked and yet so calm at the same time. Of course you were both in car seats, but all the same I didn’t know what a car accident might do to a baby. You were both crying; Zane was scared but I think now that you just cried because the big crash and Zane’s crying woke you up.
♥♥♥
Mommy checked you over quite a few times and even had paramedics come and check you; and we still went to the hospital to have a doctor check you, too! As it turned out, your back was messed up enough to need chiropractor treatments, but you are going to be just fine. And looking back at this later, Mommy realizes that this was just one more reminder that God is generous. Anything can happen – anything – but what did happen, to us, was actually pretty minor. The car was smashed up, we had to use a lot of time driving to and from the chiropractor, and you went through something we wish hadn’t happened. But we got the car fixed, you will get better, and all four of us are alive and well. Mommy and Daddy have both our babies and that’s really all we need – the thought of losing you or something really serious happening to you, scares Mommy to death.
♥♥♥
So all in all Sam… I guess you didn’t change a lot this month. You slept a lot, ate a lot of milk, peed and pooped in a lot of diapers, and cuddled in a lot of loving arms – rinse and repeat. The health nurse was impressed with you in your first week home, the doctor was impressed with you at our 2 week appointment. The paramedics and doctors were even impressed with what a trooper you were the day of the crash. But all talk of your awesomeness aside, you are HERE and that’s what matters the most to your Mommy and Daddy and to lots of others who love you. You’ve been here just one short month and Mommy and Daddy already couldn’t imagine what our lives would be like if we didn’t have you. We love you so, so much and we can’t wait to see where you will go.
♥♥♥
Measurements at the end of your first month:
- 10 lb 12 oz
- 20.75 inches