Milk and Cookies!!!

The last few weeks have been very busy for us; Shana's nephew visiting, 4th of July, and travelling home to introduce Samara to relatives. We're playing the game of Life and are on the first spin; still waiting for the smoke to clear.

Samara's first long voyage was a success! Her only discontent (other than crying when she was hungry) was at the discomfort of lying in a car seat for hours at a time; bellowing out a squak of distress every hour or so (as if letting us know we were idiots!). We took a photograph to document her first voyage; it seems to me that she is just putting up with us for the time being.

Samara finally met her grandmother Mashburn and grandfather Neel as well as other relatives and family friends. Samara intertained her grandmothers very well and provided highlights of brief, grunting flatulence. We gave her a bath in Grandma Neel's sink (See Below; we also provided a butt shot from a bath at home), which she "seemed" to enjoy until we wet her hair (that's when all hell broke loose!). Samara also visited with her cousin's on the trip home.

Shana's niece (Samantha), while viewing the c-section of Samara's birth, frantically asked "what are they doing!!" After vaguely explaining what was happening, she looked wide-eyed at Samara with a perplexed look (a natural look for a 3-year old). My niece (Tori) was constantly curious about anything we did with Samara; changing diapers, sitting in our laps watching as we feed Samara, etc. Tori consistently brought us diapers and bottles so we would change and feed our little girl.

During her trip to Oklahoma, Samara decided to give her parents a break on several occassions, letting us sleep during the night for 5, 6, and once, 7 hours!! We decided to take a family photograph to document our happy times!

The weather in Oklahoma was typical for July: temperatures in the upper 90's to lower 100's with high humidities. When temperatures reach in the 90's in Colorado, people complain about the weather being HOT! I laugh and explain how 95 degrees in Colorado is not the same as 95 degrees in Oklahoma. Samara was able to experience this on several occasions when we would go outside for a walk, which would abruptly end after 5 minutes due to sweat soaking Samara's hair (of course, this was followed by a squak of discomfort!)! As a result of the heat, Samara developed her first rash: a heat rash!

We were also able to visit with some of our friends from the Tulsa area during the trip home. Everyone thought Samara was cute (of course, no one would say to our face that she is ugly!) and enjoyed holding her. One of our friends' (Brian and Kelli) child, whom is 1 year old, did not like the attention his mother gave Samara and felt a little jealous (and also was able to connect on a couple of small "punches" to Samara's head). We also stopped in Wichita to visit Mike and Gioia and their two daughters Eden and Aiden. The girls were happy to see us and meet Samara!

As is life wasn't good enough, Samara and I decided to tag-team some milk and cookies. I ate the cookies, while Samara choked down a couple of ounces of milk. It was a pleasant experience!! Here's to good times!! Until next time!



--Chris