Finally...An Update from the Stam Fam!

SO sorry I have not updated recently!  Life has been SO busy...and trying to juggle it all has been a challenge.  Here are a few updates of where were are at these days:

Collin is nearly four months old now!  Next week he will be four months!  CRAZY!  He continues to be so alert and interactive.  He loves to talk and yell.  He especially likes to preach from the back pew of church!  He's not necessarily upset, he just jabbers and jabbers...but so loudly!  We usually have to take him out so as not to be obnoxious to those around us!

He loves to stand, and is now tall enough to stand in some of our walkers.  He borrows his cousin Jonathan's Jeep walker at Grandma's and LOVES it.  At home, we have a little Step 'N Play piano that he also LOVES!  His new thing is watching Baby Mozart.  He watches it at Grandma's house with Jonathan and Grandma, but now we have it at home, too.  I had no idea that a four month old could be captivated by something on T.V. for half an hour!  He just loves to watch all the toys moving on the screen and loves to dance along to the music.  He must have some Grandpa Seehusen in him!

Last year over the Easter weekend, we learned that Collin D. was on the way...and Caleb and I celebrated new life in an even extra special way then.  Now, we are able to hold our son and rejoice once again in the beautiful gift of life that God has given to us.  This Easter we praised God that because of His sacrifice, our son has hope of eternal life with Him!  God is so good!

Blessings until next time...and it might be awhile!  Thanks to those of you who check back in on us!
Leah

Hanging out with all of my Seehusen cousins!

In my Grandpa Seehusen's carving chair with the tiny mandolin he made!  It's just my size!
He would like this picture, I'm sure!

In my Grandpa Seehusen's shop! 

Hello!  I like to be on my tummy!

I practice piano everyday!

With all of my Stam cousins!

I LOVE watching Baby Mozart in my piano!  I play along!

January and February Updates!

Here are a few pictures from the past few months.  Look for more on following posts!

Sitting at the table in my new high chair

2 months old lying beside what I wore home from the hospital

With my new friend, Glow Worm (G.W.)!

Riding horse with Uncle Shawn!

Delivering my Valentine to Mommy!

Cuddling with Mommy on a Sunday afternoon

Valentine's Day!

With Aunt Angie when she came to visit!

Aunt Angie reading me a book!

As a little bear on a snowy day!

Handsome little self in his little robe from Angie!

Back Online!

Hello to all!

To our faithful readers, some of you may have noticed that our blog went offline for awhile.  I decided to take it off, as I wasn't sure that I wanted all our info out there for all the world to see.  However, I know that many of you family and friends checked in on it often...so we are back!

On that note...

Here are a few highlights from the past month...pics to come soon!

We are busy as always in the Stam Fam.  An exciting event took place Sunday...Collin was baptized...with his new little cousin.  It was certainly a special day.

Collin is getting so big...he likes to try to sit and stand, and will "talk" your ear off if you are willing to visit with him!

Caleb and his brother Nate have been busy getting our window trim and baseboards up the past month or so...it all looks so marvelous!

I will work on getting some pictures posted within the next day or two.  Check back soon...there should be a blog to read!!

Blessings,
The Stam Fam

Baby! It's Cold Outside!

Ok...I have to admit...I have been, according to my husband's new favorite phrase, an "epic failure" at blogging!  I have NO idea how other moms keep up their blogs!  Every time I start to pull up the page, Collin wakes up!  I try to do it while holding him, but typing one-handed just doesn't work for me...it takes forever!  So, he is actually snoozing in his bouncy seat for a bit, so I thought I'd take a quick minute to do a little updating.  (Although as I type, he is stirring!)

Life has been going fairly well out here these past weeks.  We are adapting to our new sleeping schedule.  Caleb and I sort of tag-team it...I take the first, middle of the night shift, and he takes the early morning one before he goes to milk.  This allows for a little less sleep-deprivation for each of us.

Collin is growing like a weed!  We were a little nervous on Sunday when he was SO tired!  We could hardly get him to eat...which is NOT normal!  He typically scarfs down his snackies and wants more...and Sunday, he could barely stay awake to eat when we woke him to eat!  Concerned.  From what we heard and read, it was likely a growth spurt, as he ate and ate and ate the two days before.  Happily (?) early Monday morning, he woke up his normal hungry little self and has been demanding food as normal since.  SO thankful!  It's tough work getting so big!!

We also dealt with some tummy issues with him this week.  We treated it at home, and are happy to report that things are running smoothly again!  Caleb and I are getting all kinds of new experiences as parents!

Today, we are cozy in our little house, watching the snow FLY  by the window...indeed, it is flying!  Crazy strong winds coupled with the several inches of snow we received early this morning makes for a lovely winter storm.  Caleb is home again from milking, Collin is napping, and I have managed to get some vegetable stew started in the crockpot for supper tonight (VICTORY!!).  I haven't cooked terribly many meals since Collin was born, thanks to the AMAZING outpouring of support from church folks, co-workers, and family.  However, I must admit it feels nice to be using my kitchen on a snowy day!
This is the kind of day I dreamt of as a child...I also wanted to be curled up in the house with my husband and family during a snowstorm...and today is that day!

Someone else that has been on my mind quite a bit these days is my dad.  It's tough knowing he won't get to see Collin, or any of his siblings, this side of heaven.  I imagine how excited Dad would be to hold Collin...to make up a nickname for him, to take him down in the shop and set him on the drawer beside his carving chair and teach him how to carve.  I hate that Collin won't have the experience of having Grandpa Seehusen showing him how to play a guitar or mandolin.  I try not to think on these things too often, but they do cross my mind.  Every so often, Collin will have and expression that reminds me of Dad...and it is bittersweet.  I am thankful that God is faithful and has brought us this gift of new life, even as we mourn the loss of another dear life.  So, while Dad is playing beautiful music with Jesus, I will have to teach Collin how to play Jesus' music here!  That said, I AM very much wanting to start playing my mandolin again...I think I'm ready.  I don't think I'm up for anything in public, as the last time I played for an audience was at Dad's funeral.  But, my fingers are getting antsy to go again.  Hopefully Angie and I can get a chance to play together soon!

Alrighty...enough of that!  I need to get some pictures posted before my quiet time runs out!  Here are a few pics of Mr. Collin D.!  Enjoy!  And hopefully I will get a chance to post again soon!

Blessings,
Leah

"Mom, TOO MANY pictures!  Enough already!"  :)

"Ready for the big game!  Just need Daddy to come home to watch it with me!"

YAY!  Daddy's home!  My two boys ready for the big game!

Before the final Packer's game...at the beginning...

After the Packer's game...he was not very happy with the outcome! :)

"Hi, Mommy!  Can I help you in the kitchen??"

Showing off the camo outfit!

Sideways grin already!  I feel I will be seeing this one a lot over the years...and it might just help him twist Mommy's arm...

When Aunt Ang came to visit!

He loves hanging out with Angie!  She just cracks him up!

All bundled up to go out to Grandpa and Grandma Stams on a VERY cold Iowa day!

Such a cute little bear!

Some Family Pics!

Good evening!  A few quick updates on Mr. Collin D.:

He thinks he is SUCH a big boy...he tries to hold his own bottle and pacifier, and insists that if there is anything near his feet to use to push himself up, he will!  He tries to stand anytime his feet touch something to stand on.

He also decided to show off a few nights ago.  Caleb laid him down on his tummy on his floor mat.  We looked over a few minutes later and...Collin was on his back!  Yes, at four weeks, he managed to flip himself over!  And, to prove that it wasn't a fluke, he did it again a day later!  MY GOODNESS!  Mr. Muscles!  He has only done it those two times, so it's not regular yet, but we know he is capable!

A funny story...Collin thinks he is SO hungry all the time.  In fact, earlier in the week, Caleb had Collin lying beside him, and Caleb was not quite fully awake.  Suddenly, he realized his nose was wet...why???  Because Mr. Collin D. was sucking on it!!  Hahahaha!  Enjoy a good laugh about that one!  We sure did!

Last week we had the chance to have some more pictures taken of our little man.  Our friend and neighbor, Laura, has taken pictures for us before.  This time, she had a high school intern working with her; she wanted  her intern to have the opportunity to take pictures of a newborn, so Laura asked if I would mind bringing Collin over.  Let me think about that one...uh...sounds great to me!!  So, we spent about four hours getting some sweet shots.  Posing a newborn can be pretty tricky, I learned!  We had to pause for diaper clean-up, snacks, and repositioning!  We were also able to get Caleb to make a quick stop on his way home from the farm.  I'm so thankful, because we got some pretty great ones with him being Daddy!    Here are a few!

Daddy's Hands

Christmas at Our House!

Yes, still trying to catch up on all of our events since we have been home! 

We had only been home from the hospital for two weeks when we hosted the Seehusen Christmas at our house!  

It was SO exciting because all three of us kids and all of the grandkids were there!  

This year we decided to start drawing names...we had never done that before, but thought that maybe it was time.  It turned out to be a blast!  We all had fun hunting down that "special" gift for our "special" someone!  :)  Here are some of the highlights from the day!

I might add some pics later if I can get them from someone from the outdoor fun...Caleb pulled the fam around behind the four-wheeler on an old car hood! Good times had by all!  I think Collin enjoys his cousins and aunts and uncles! 

Merry Christmas from all THREE of us!

The Seehusens!

Shannon's new jammies from Collin (just like his jammies!)

Emma's pie things from me!

Adam's knives from me...to cut Emma's pies???

Chels got a CLUE! :)

Bo was super excited to open his Tabletop Catapult...we found out later why!

SUPER excited!

Caleb's new shirt from Shannon!

Caleb got a handmade pliers pocket!

Amanda's pink and camo gifts from Caleb!

Shawn's gift from Bo...he wrapped it in DUCT tape!!  

YAY! Ang got me the Willow Tree Sisters!

Shawn trying to get his gift open...

Lynda's sweet gifts!

He's getting it open...he ALSO got a Tabletop Catapult!!  Bo and Shawn both begged to try them in the house...NO!

Ang with her new handmade wallet from Shawn!

From Cousin Bo for Collin

Some of Dale's new John Deere stuff!

Oops...Shannon is getting too tall for her winter wear!

Shannon modeling her new PJs!

The cousins (minus Collin!) playing CLUE

The boys playing "Ticket to Ride"

The boy cousins!

Emma and Collin