Busy Month

Sorry it's been a while since we've had a chance to update you. I have appreciated all the laughs as we share what an adjustment two children has been compared to only one. For those of you who have yet to experience this adventure, our turn to laugh will come soon enough...
We hope everyone has been having a great holiday season so far and look forward to seeing as many of you as possible.


Hanging out...

This is my new favorite picture. Samuel looks so old all propped up next to his big sister on Auntie Steph's "Green Monster".


Liana has loved her books ever since Grandma Pauline started loading her up as little baby. Now she' reading the picuture books all by herself and signing the words she knows. Next up: War and Peace.

Samuel seems to be much more of a couch potato. (sp?) Plop him next to Daddy for a Patriots game and he's more than content.

We've never seen Liana stand so still as she did to actually get this outfit on her. Between the tights, the shoes, buttoning the sweater, tying the hat, putting every individual finger into her new tiny gloves...at least 20 minutes. She must have thought she looked good. Here we go.

Grandpa Flood putting Samuel to sleep with his stories. We could use him every night at bedtime :)



Liana is enjoying her new role as being "mommy". She takes her babies with her everywhere.
She also has been doing a good job entertaining Samuel. Even though she does like to torture him like any big sister should (pinching him when no one's looking, taking his stuff, poking his eyes), she likes trying to talk to him.
http://s189.photobucket.com/albums/z276/paulandshannonflood/?action=view&current=MOV01691.flv




Sharing a relaxing night out.


Thanksgiving
We spent a quiet Thanksgiving with Papa, Grams, Carolyn, Ryan, Kristen, Michelle, and Mikey. Liana did a good job of entertaining herself all day when she wasn't housing blueberries, cupcake frosting, or her new favorite, cranberry sauce. Samuel decided he'd rather sleep most of the day, although he did manage to wake up to catch the end of the game and a few leftovers.



Samuel's Thanksgiving pose, i.e., watching tv.



Liana, about to flip out if I don't let her down; Samuel, watching tv. Daddy, just proud.


Cousin Mikey did his best to entertain Liana, even though they both had their own ideas of how to play with the blocks.



Decorating the Christmas Tree!


"Out of my way, I've got things to hammer..."








Samuel's Dedication to the Lord
"I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him." (1 Samuel 1:27)

December 9, 2007



Pastor Hank praying for Samuel.




Our beautiful boy.



Grampa and Samuel







Our most current family photo...See you all soon!

Enjoying Fall

There's been a debate over whether the proper term should be "fall" or "autumn". Whichever you choose, we had a great October. I was able to pull away from work a few Saturdays and get out to the country and enjoy the foliage and the cool temperatures. It actually felt like things were somewhat normal again.


After hours of searching, the Great Pumpkin was nowhere to be found.




A visit to the pumpkin patch isn't the same without apple cider and apple donuts. Liana agreed.





This was at the Pumpkin Festival at City Hall. Every year they try to break the record for the most carved pumpkins in one location. The proceeds benefit Camp Sunshine, a camp for kids with life threatening conditions. It's always fun. Liana enjoyed dancing to the music and pulling the tops off the pumpkins. We tried to get her to master the gourd bowling game, but she wasn't having any of it. However, the guys crack at the end of the video is worth it all. I don't know why Shannon decided to film this, but she thought it was worthwhile.

http://s189.photobucket.com/albums/z276/paulandshannonflood/?action=view&current=MOV01589.flv


Sammy, aka, the Great Pumpkin.


A typical Liana pose. We were keeping her from jamming to the live music. We're still trying to film her doing the "Frankenstein", which is her new patented dance move.




We went to another farm to see some animals and go on a hayride. Liana liked riding around in the old school rusty Radio Flyer wagon.



Mommy staring into space with Sammy.



Liana's younger brother, "Mammy"



Erin, Nick, and Lily (who was NOT trying to jump out of the tractor the whole time, unlike our daughter)



These costumes scored us some serious candy on Halloween. I don't know how many more years we'll be able to get away with that trick. This year Liana had a good time sampling every new piece before moving on to the next. I thought we'd be able to stash the candy when we got home and she'd forget about it...yeah right. Every day she makes a trip to the cabinet where it's hidden and flips out until she gets some.


Make sure you check out BeeMovie in theaters soon.


Taking it all in.


Lilly putting the moves on Samuel.


Cousin Shaylynn keeping an eye on Samuel.


Samuel's usual laid back mood. He loves being held and trying to talk to Mommy.
http://s189.photobucket.com/albums/z276/paulandshannonflood/?action=view&current=MOV01623.flv

And then there were four...

Samuel's finally ready to come home, even though he's a little sleepy.


Welcome home, little buddy.


It's obvious he didn't learn this from Liana.


Liana loves to hold her little brother, however she hasn't quite learned that when she wants to play, she can't drop him and run off like she does to her dolls. She's slowly learning to be more gentle. A few whacks to the head, a few pokes to the eye, stepping on him...he's going to have to toughen up quick.
http://s189.photobucket.com/albums/z276/paulandshannonflood/?action=view&current=MOV01366.flv


Having fun feeding tortilla chips to everyone, all day long. Grampa seemed to be the only one who didn't tire of the game.


Liana, Auntie Amy, and Grover.


Uncle Bill, Auntie Amy, and us trying to pose. Liana wasn't such a fan of sitting, as usual.


Grandma Pauline and Samuel.


Samuel's new cozy sack. Thanks Bob and Jackie!


These shoes are Liana's new favorite. They go with her wherever she goes. I couldn't stop laughing at her between these and her Ebenezer Scrooge pajamas.


Ready to watch some football with Daddy.

Welcome Samuel Paul Flood

After nine long months, our son decided he wasn't going to waste any time coming into the world. At least he waited until after the Pats game like I asked him to. Shannon spent most of the afternoon trying to relax through the contractions, but they never seemed that intense (spoken like a true "guy"). After lunch time however, they increased rapidly in their frequency going from 10 minutes apart to 5 minutes in little over an hour around 5:00. She decided to call the doctor, but not hearing anything right away, she decided to go the hospital. Even though she clearly wasn't comfortable, I thought she was handling things very well. I met her a little after six after dropping off Liana, but she still hadn't been seen. The midwife examined her around 6:30 only to inform her she was fully dilated and only needed to push this baby out. They barely got her wheeled into the delivery room and set-up before the whole thing was over. That was it? I was so relieved Shannon didn't have to go through anything like last time.
Samuel Paul was born at 6:59 pm; 8 lbs. 3 oz.; 23 1/2 inches (!)
I still can't believe how great and strong Shannon was, I'm so proud of her. She's endured so much the last two years. I'm blessed beyond measure to have such a wife and mother of our children. I love you, sweetheart!



Daddy, proud, and still a little shocked...that was it?


Mommy and baby finally at rest.



Samuel, and big sister flashback, Liana (below)



This hair cracked me up. I wasn't expecting such a dark coif. Shannon says her hair was like this before it came in blond. He's actually been quite alert, looking around checking out his new digs. I think his eyes are blue as well, like Shannon and Liana. He wouldn't let me get a really good look.

Thanks everyone for your help, prayers, and support for all of us. We are extremely grateful.
We look forward to seeing and talking with you as things settle in a little.