💙 Welcome to the world, Baby Luke 💙
What a week it’s been. At 9:44 AM on 11/24/2019 (promptly, on his due date) my sweet, 8 lb 9 oz son Luke arrived.
I am so, so in love, sometimes it feels like my heart can’t even handle it.
I wish I had some cute, professional, adorably-staged photos to share with you, but even though he’s been here for over a week I haven’t quite found the time to make that happen. So instead I have unpolished iPhone pictures to share . Fortunately I already have hundreds and hundreds of those.
Zach and I ended up going to the hospital late last Saturday night because my blood pressure was high (even though I have no history of high blood pressure and it had otherwise had been perfect through the whole pregnancy).
The doctor decided it would be safest to induce, and after 8 hours of labor (4 of those hours were pushing!) sweet Luke Ryan Merritt made his way into the world.
Zach and I are home now and are so, so in love with this perfect little boy.
Fortunately, I had posts scheduled to go out so you’ve still been seeing my new recipes even though I was in the hospital and have been less than productive sitting on the couch, soaking up this time with my baby boy.
I have more recipes scheduled out between now and January so that I can enjoy some time with Luke as well as recovering and adjusting.
I’ll still be around, answering comments and otherwise working on the blog, but I worked really hard these past few months to have posts (and videos) scheduled in advance so that I’d be able to take a mini maternity leave. I think you’ll really enjoy what I have planned.
I almost didn’t share this photo. It’s a pretty personal one; Zach took it shortly after delivery and I was a complete mess (it took me almost an hour to eventually comb the knots out of my hair, I don’t even know how they got there). But it was one of the best moments of my life and my heart has never been so full.
Thanks for letting me share these sweet moments with you. Back to the recipes tomorrow!
Other Baby Posts:
Jackie
Congratulations!!
Susan
Congratulations!! Luke is so adorable!! Don’t worry about professional pictures. Always have cameras around @ all times, so you are able to capture every “new moment.” Enjoy every moment, the go by very fast!
How is the dog taking to having Luke around? When I had my son, my five year old cat, wasn’t having it. He even hissed & growled @ me for about three months. Didn’t care much about my son for months. He did stay @ a distance & watch my son.
Sam
Thank you so much Susan! All of our pups are absolutely loving him. We actually have to try to keep them away because they want to lick his face. As soon as Luke starts making noise they come over to see what’s going on. It’s really sweet. 🙂
Marta
Congratulations Sam to you and Zach on the birth of your first son, your little nugget of love.
He’s perfect. Thank you for sharing this personal & most special picture of you and Luke after his birth.
Nothing more beautiful and precious than mother and child. A symbol to remind us of the Madonna and Child. You look absolutely stunning and radiant.
May God bless you and your sweet family during this most precious time of year! Merry Christmas!
Sam
Thank you so much, Marta! 🙂
Donna
He’s absolutely precious. Congratulations!
Sam
Thank you so much, Donna! 🙂
Jane
My congratulations!!!!!!
Wish you a lot of milk and quiet nights )))
Sam
Thank you so much, Jane! 🙂
Tammy Lee-Dixon
He is a beautiful baby! 2oz more than my last baby ( I have 5 ). Congratulations and you are super blessed by God to have him! Merry Christmas! ☺️
Sam
Phew 5?! That’s a lot of work, but I bet it has been totally worth it. Thank you Tammy! 🙂
Tammy Lee-Dixon
Totally! They mean the world to me always 🥰🥰
Melody
Awwwah! Sam your lil bundle from heaven is so so precious 🥰 congratulations to you and Zach ! Your lil angel 😇 is a cutie pie 🥰 and your picture you looked fabulous for just delivering your precious gift from Jesus 🙏🏼😌♥️ God bless and enjoy being a momma 🥰
Sam
Thank you so much Melody! 🙂
Vivian
Congratulations to you and Zach, your precious baby boy is so beautiful. The photo of you both is stunning , you look amazing.
I know the feeling of your heart ready to burst with so much love, you will never forget that feeling.
Enjoy your sweet son, there are much more precious moments to come.
A very Happy Christmas to your beautiful family.
Sam
Thank you very much, Vivian! 🙂
Debi
What a beautiful baby with his beautiful mama!!! Congrats to you and your hubby. Try to nap when he does, or at the very least rest. Everything else can take a back seat for a while … trust me, it will all still be there. What an awesome gift! My husband and I are both December babies. Thanks for the great job planning in advance with your posts btw. Blessings to you and yours for the holidays!
Sam
Thank you so much, Debi! 🙂
Debi
Congratulations! He’s adorable… 🙂
Sam
Thank you so much, Debi! 🙂
RickiHM
Congratulations to you and Zach for creating a most beautiful baby boy! Happy Birthday Luke! Welcome to the world!
(Dear Sam, I hope you spend a lot of time “on the couch” being “non-productive”! You just created a human being! In your body! While still being busy, busy, busy! I don’t believe any woman can be any more “productive” whilst creating another human being! Give yourself time to rest and recoup and enjoy the miracle you made! He’ll be changing everyday and it’s wonderful to behold! Indulge! God Bless you and yours always!)
Sam
Thank you so much, Ricki! We are certainly doing our best to enjoy our time with him. 🙂
Mel
Congratulations to you and Zach! Luke is Beautiful! He is perfect!! Thanks for sharing your pictures. May God bless you always💕
Sam
Thank you so much, Mel! 🙂
Sherre
Oh Sam I’m so delighted to hear of the birth of your baby boy! I’ve been checking daily.
I pray that you and Zach and now Baby Luke will be blessed with much happiness! Congratulations, and thanks so much for sharing your “ sweetest creation yet” with all of us!❤️
Sam
Thank you so much, Sherre! 🙂
Sylvia
Sweet Blessings!
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Sylvia! 🙂
BB
He’s adorable! I’m glad you are both doing well.
Sugar Spun Run
We are adjusting and enjoying this time very much. Thanks so much! 🙂