I'm a Month Old!

We went to the doctor today and were amazed at how much he's grown! He was 9 lbs. 8.7 ozs at birth and lost weight when we got home. He was 9 lbs. 6 oz. two weeks ago on Monday when we went to the doctor. Today he weighed 10 lbs. 14 ozs!!!! He gained 1 1/2 lbs. in 2 weeks!!!!

Grandparents to the Rescue!

Michael and I have been sick since middle of last week. We thought I caught something from him because I felt sick a couple of days later, but we found out on Friday when I got a fever of 104.5 that it wasn't the same thing. I got a bad infection and he has a sinus infection. We were both DYING with dirty laundry, dishes, no cooked meals...Michael's parents came up Saturday and my Mom and Aunt Melody came over Sunday. We decided it was best to get some help and go stay with my parents for a few days. We're really glad we're here and I'm finally going to post some pictures!!!

I'm 1 month old today! (this is an old picture, though. He's so much bigger now. I'll post a new pic soon.
Some of the family
My cousin Katie is a great photographer and baby sitter :)
4 generations at the Meet Sam Cookout/Welcome Home Patrick and Evy Party
Patrick and Evy meet Sam! (3 weeks ago)

Samuel Alan Vestal

Wow! Our lives have obviously changed a lot.  Last week-- after Sam's due-date had come and gone-- the doctor scheduled a time to admit Amber into the hospital.  Last Thursday we checked in and that night they gave her something to jump start the process.

By Friday afternoon it was clear he wasn't coming out easily on his own, and the doctor decided on a c-section.  They didn't waste any time preparing the room.  We moved into surgery quickly, and Sam was born at 2:45 Friday afternoon, 5/25/07.  We named him Samuel Alan.  Check 1 Sam 1:20 for the Biblical meaning.  Amber and I liked both the name itself and the Biblical character Samuel.  Alan is for another hero, my grandfather -- Alan Vestal. 

It was amazing to me that I could be so close to the whole process, holding Amber's hand during the surgery and then holding Sam's just moments after he was born while they cleaned him up.  Truly amazing.

All four grandparents, Amber's grandfather PJ and a few other friends and family visited during our stay.  Sam was doing well right away, and Amber was recovering very well, so we were able to come home Monday afternoon.

Since then, we've had lots of visitors at home.  Many of them have brought (really good) food and helped clean (even scrub toilets).  We're so thankful!

Amber is doing pretty well.  She's obviously undergoing a lot-- learning to feed him, recovering from surgery and increasingly realizing she actually has a child (now out of the womb).  Sam is doing well, too.  Of course we love him more than we knew we could.  He keeps us up a good bit, and my time is usually filled up trying to take care of our new son and my bride.  But it's been a wonderful week.

We thank God for Samuel and for each other.  We thank Him also for all of you, your support, your prayers and your friendship.  Most of all, we're thankful for Christ-- in whom all these relationships find hope and meaning.  We pray He would be glorified in our family and in Sam's life specifically.  We trust God will give Sam deep joy in Christ, and, to that end, that He would already be teaching him to fear the Lord and to trust Him.

So, thank you!  And please let us hear from you.  We hope you're doing well.

We hope to send another update soon on the exciting things going on this summer-- both here around Tech and down at the beach project.

For more on Samuel Alan, check our blog -- http://babyvestal.blogspot.com


In Christ,
Michael & Amber (& Sam)

Sam's favorite napping spot

For more pictures, go here http://uga.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2231723&l=3c8b4&id=4914498

Michael's First Father's Day

On our way home from Beach Project we stayed in Dublin for a couple of days. We got to see a lot of people including Michael's Grandparents. Here are the 4 generations of Vestal boys!

This time was a great treat for me (Michael). At first we weren't sure Amber and Sam would go with me to the SBP, but in the end they did. That really made my week! If they hadn't gone it would have been really tough for me to connect well with the staff and students there... just wishing (i imagine) that I could get back to them.

We are very thankful for our family, and it meant a lot to spend a little time with grandparents and friends we don't see that often. Sam's middle name-- Alan-- is after my grandfather pictured here. My parents gave me a thoughtful Fathers' Day gift-- a card and a book-- but the visit with everyone was even better.

Old Pics

road trip

we're packing to go to beach project tomorrow morning. we'll be there until friday. please pray for a fairly easy drive to Daytona with our 2 week old! i'll be in the room most of the week just resting since i still can't drive. hope you have a great week!

wow

I can't believe he's almost 2 weeks old! We're still pretty tired and learning how to take care of him. Hopefully I'll get pics up soon. I'm trying! He's crying, so I have to go