Samantha's first Rescue Mission

Samantha took a road trip today to complete her first rescue mission for Chesapeake Bay Retriever Relief and Rescue.  She helped transport a dog from Charlotte to Greenville and brought him to the vet for shots, etc.  I am so proud of her!!!

Have we changed?

For those of you who do not see or talk to us on a daily basis and are wondering if/how Joseph and I have changed since becoming parents here are my thoughts.  Joseph has become addicted to following John Mayer (musician)'s twitter page (don't know the connection b/w twitter and parenting!), wants to start mountain biking again, returned to trail running, is in a good mood when he comes home from work no matter how crappy his day was, and is somewhat tolerant of flatulence (only from the baby).  I have improved my ability to stay calm while sleep deprived.  I love to look at baby clothes and plan Sam's outfits around daily events.  I have become totally accepting of "girly" outfits and am actually bothered when Samantha is in a gender neutral outfit b/c it makes her look like a boy.  I have not adopted any new hobby, although, I need to start reading up on lyrics for children's songs b/c "Row, Row, Row your Boat" and "The Wheels on the Bus" are getting really old.  I love being a mom and am trying to savour each day's events.  Every day brings something special!

2 mile walk/run: Samantha Update

I am happy to announce that I finished a 2 mile walk/run in 30 minutes today.  This is the furthest I've walked since my c-section and the first time I've really tried to run.  I have not been given the green light to run.  I'm just one week away, though, and I felt good.  I walked briskly 75% of the time.  My 6-week check up is next friday, August 28th.  I am hoping I get the "ok" to return to running.   

The rib pain I experienced at the end of my pregnancy is back, which may keep me from running as much as I'd like upon my return.  Either that or sleep deprivation will surely keep me from overexerting myself.  

Samantha had her one-month check up this week.  She weighed in at 7.7 lbs and 20.5 inches long.  She is at the 7%ile for weight, 26%ile for length, and 46%ile for head circumference.    She is healthy and growing properly.  She is scheduled for an ultrasound on her hips August 25th, to make sure she did not dislocate her hip prior to delivery.  Apparently, the pediatric practice recommends this when babies are breech.  

2 Cars, 2 Tents, 4 dogs, 2 parents, 1 baby

The entire McGowin pack went camping this weekend in Pisgah Nat'l Forest, NC.  We took Sam with us, along with the dogs, and a bunch of camping equipment.  Joseph drove the Toyota Truck and hauled the 4 dogs while I drove the Subaru and hauled Samantha and most of the camping equipment.  Sam and I slept in the 2-man tent (in peace) and Joseph slept with all 4 dogs in the 4-man tent. It rained throughout the night so Joseph invited Jedi into the tent.  He had the privilege of sleeping with 4 wet dogs.   No one was bit and everyone ate, so the trip was quite successful.  I now know why my bosses at the Outdoor Store don't camp with their dogs....everything gets so dirty with dogs.  Other than dirty diapers laying around our tent was very clean.  That said, I can't imagine camping without them.  I would feel so guilty leaving them behind.  

1 Month old

Samantha turned a month old today.  The three of us spent the day test driving a 2010 Honda Odyssey and eating lunch at one of our favorite places, The Pita House.  Joseph returned to work this week.  I managed just fine on my own.  Sam, fortunately, slept for 3 hours at a time during the night and fell back asleep shortly after each feeding, so I was fairly rested during the day.  I'm averaging about 7 hours of sleep per night, which is broken up.  Am looking forward to the days of longer stretches of sleep, but I don't want to rush Samantha's growth.  She has gotten so big already.  The dogs are still doing great.  We are contemplating a trip to the mountains this weekend.... to do so, we will have to take 2 cars and 2 tents, along with all of our stuff.  Trying to stuff a baby, two adults, and 3 dogs into a 4-man tent would be disastrous.  Jedi, of course, would/will be "on watch" outside our tents.

Our next door neighbor picked up some hair "things" for Samantha this week.  Any "girly" things on Samantha will surely come from my friends, not from me.... although, I do think she looks ADORABLE with her hair clips.

Samantha is 3 weeks old!

Samantha is still doing well.  She has been a bit gassy and fussy, but she is still a good baby.  I definitely need sleep, but am doing fine.  The three human McGowin's plus one canine (Ella) took a trip to the park yesterday.  It was a lot of fun.  We also showed off Samantha to my fellow workers and bosses at Appalachian Outfitters.