Sam and I just started a Yoga class with Deirdre and her precious daughter Evelyn.

The class is specifically for moms and their babies and it has been so much fun. There is one instructor and two or three helpers at each class. The helpers set up your station (mat, blankets, bricks, etc.) and even offer to rock your baby if he starts crying so that you can keep doing yoga.

Part of the class involves exercises for moms, although with babies in the mix, it is definitely not a very intense workout. Then the other part of the class has us giving our babies massages and helping them stretch. Sam got the hang of it right away.

Sam and Evelyn aren’t super interactive yet but we’re sure that some day they will be close friends. Here Sam and Evelyn show off a pose they call “Drooling Baby.”

My favorite part is in the beginning of the class when you lie down on the mat with your baby to relax and breathe. It is not super relaxing with many of the babies crying, but I just love snuggling up with Sam.

Towards the end of class, Sam starts to get cranky, so I put him in his car seat and he falls asleep (the yoga helpers usually help me get him into his seat and even rock him to sleep!). Then Deirdre and I enjoy a nice lunch out while the babies snooze.

Ben had his last birthday in his twenties on Friday. His cousin Lani came over to watch Sam so that we could have a night on the town. Sam wanted to join us, and even got all dressed up for the occasion, but we told him he had to stay home.

We went out for a lovely dinner in DC complete with appetizers, salad, pasta, fish, dessert, and wine! It was so fun to have a fancy night out together.

When we got home, we ate the fluffy yellow layer cake I made and Ben opened his presents.

And as a special treat, Sam slept in until 8 a.m. the next morning. You’re welcome.

Thanks for babysitting, Lani. Come back any time!

Here’s what our day looks like right now:

7:00 or 7:30 Sam wakes up and eats.

7:30 or 8:00 Sam gets dressed. Sam hangs out with Dad while Mom goes jogging with Henry.

9:00 or 9:30 Sam takes a nap. Mom straightens up.

10:30 Sam wakes up and eats.

11:00 Sam and Mom hang out. Sam sits in his bouncy chair or maybe has some tummy time, if we’re feeling optimistic.

12:30 Sam takes a nap (this may be on the road, if mom feels like going out to lunch with friends or going shopping).

2:30 Sam wakes up and eats.

3:00 Mom, Sam, and Henry go on a walk–sometimes with the Bjorn, sometimes with the BOB. Sam plays on his mat or has tummy time.

4:30 Sam takes a nap. Mom knits, watches TV, talks on the phone, gets dinner ready, or all of the above.

5:30 Sam wakes up and eats.

6:00 Family time. Hopefully Dad is home by now. We prepare dinner. Sam gets a bath every few nights, when we remember.

7:15 Dad and Sam go upstairs to get Sam ready for bed.

7:30 Sam eats.

8:00 Sam goes to bed. Mom and Dad eat dinner and relax.

10:00 or 10:30 Sam has his “dream feed” (eats without really waking up).

And if all goes according to plan, that’s it until the next morning!

Sam loves to talk to us. Sometimes he really gets going. This is him talking to his daddy one morning.

It worked! At least, for last night. We cannot be sure that our new system was the cause, but Sam slept until 7:30 this morning. And if the swaddling was the cure, Sam will be going to bed swaddled until he’s in high school.

What is that expression– Man plans, God laughs? Well God must have thought my new years resolution was a real knee slapper because since then, Sam has slept through the night maybe three times. Awesome.

Our current theory (we have a new theory almost every morning) is that this has something to do with not being swaddled anymore. He has been doing well with his naps and when he does wake up during the day, he just starts sucking on his hand and goes back to sleep. But maybe when he wakes up in the middle of the night (easier to do unswaddled) he realizes he’s hungry and starts crying. So tonight we’re making a compromise: swaddled with one arm out.

But the good news is that Sam is still the cutest little cowboy out there.

(Thanks for the cute cowboy gear, Kay!)

One more Christmas pic to share!

I just learned that this is the number one best selling poster in England’s history. Isn’t that crazy? So how much do you think I could get for this picture? Way cuter, if you ask me.

This year we went to Austin for Sam’s first Christmas. He had a lot of firsts…

First plane ride (first class, no less!)

First diaper change in a public restroom

First trip to Amy’s. Yuuuum!

First art museum (he’s very sophisticated)

Thanks Grandma Stephanie and Grandpa Jerry for a great visit! We love you!