Hi everyone,
Happy Holidays and welcome to our very first family Christmas letter! We always figured these things were really meant for people with kids, meaning we were off the hook. Well, things have changed, so here we are!
It’s been a go
od year. It started off at a New Year’s Eve party with a countdown to 2010, a kiss at midnight, and a wish that had already come true—our little boy was already there with us to ring in his first New Year! (Good thing I handed my glass of champagne off to Jim, just in case.) A week later, no fewer than five home pregnancy tests confirmed what we suspected – we were pregnant!
The next nine months flew by. We have so many great memories of pregnancy: watching Sammy pick his nose during the ultrasound, those first kicks that came during our “babymoon” in Sedona, Jim talking to my belly every night… we had a ball!
Then, one fateful night in September, I went to bed early but couldn’t shake the feeling that something was happening. Around midnight, I turned to Jim and told him I may be having contractions. 18 hours and 3 minutes later, Samuel James Ledwith made his debut. He was perfect: 10 fingers, 10 toes, and one killer head of hair.
The next couple of months were a blur of excitement, fear, joy, panic, and everything in between. We stuck together through long nights of crying, peaceful afternoon naps, and all those challenging moments that helped the three of us figure each other out. It’s amazing to look back now and realize how far we have come. Sammy is sleeping through the night (mostly), smiling and cooing up a storm, and … well … pooping a lot. I’m sorry – poop is a big part of our lives these days. It would seem insincere not to mention it.
Bailey is adjusting well to life with a baby. She has never shown the slightest hint of aggression toward Sammy. First thing every morning she comes upstairs, gives him a good sniff, and then goes on about her day. She is a great big sister and a very good sport!
In non-baby-related news, work is going well for both of us. Jim is still enjoying his job at Honeywell, where he is a hardware/software engineer. I am still a marketing manager for The CBORD Group in Ithaca. It’s very hard to leave Sammy at daycare, but we like the center a lot and we believe having two working parents is the right choice for us. We are definitely busy, but it’s a great feeling to have our little family to come home to.
Well, Sammy is starting to stir from his nap, so I should wrap this up. Thank you all for your love and friendship this year and every year. If Sammy is anything like his parents, he will rely on you to help him become the man he is meant to be.
(Just not too soon, OK buddy?)
Happy Holidays!
Love,
Jim, Sarah, Sammy, and Bailey
