Tired Sunshine

A day with no naps. A 45-minute and a 20 minute nap in the car don't really count, do they? No, especially when Baby is falling asleep while chewing at the dinner table! We told her she could have avoided this if she had just taken her naps today..... but nooooooooo. Needless to say, the sun is still out and bright and she's been asleep since 7:15.

You'd think we poisoned her or something

Tupperware Land

This morning Samantha got into the plastics cabinet, which is a cabinet purposely not Sammie-proofed and she wound up getting stuck! She pulled all the plastic-ware out and crawled all the way in and then couldn't get out. I kind of had a hard time prying her out too!

Trying to find the right size.

Oh, this one will have to work.

This afternoon we went shopping with Grandma Wells. Sammie was on her best behavior watching all the mad parents ransack Toys R Us since there is a moving sale going on. We got some good stuff, like diapers, a wooden ambulance truck and other goodies.

Perfect fit T*. Thank you!

Master Mind

.... and Sammie learns how to climb the couch!

We have an "S bed" for Ali to lie on and scratch on that is always against the couch. Lots of times Sammie will crawl over it or play with the feather that hung from underneath, but today she decided that she can step on it, use her great upper body strength and pull herself up onto the couch. I watched her little gears thinking this whole process through and I continued to take pictures as she made her way up the couch and crawled across it with such a PROUD smile drawn across her face. Mommy was so proud too... until Sams stopped to sit and was too close to the edge, and started to topple over backwards. Luckily, I was standing right there and kicked my leg out which helped break most of her fall. Needless to say, no babies were hurt or cried in this event.

Look at that face!!

Samantha and I went to dinner with my good friend, Angela, who we haven't seen since December! Sammie did a pretty good job in the restaurant (besides the raspberry party she had) and it helped that there were lots of other babies for her to ogle over.

Angela and Sammie

Cheezy Grin

I always thought that this sweet little angel of ours would never change.... then she turned 9 months. Now I see this whole new personality of hers evolving. She is so spunky! She can be so sweet one minute giving kisses and waves and batting her beautiful eyes and the next minute she's climbing up the walls or eating a phone charger- giggling- then, the next minute she's mad about something and banging her foot. What a kooky little girl! Above all things, she just melts our hearts!

She would have climbed over Nate if we let her!

 Grandma has got this entertainment thing under control! She brought Sammie and Nate on a walk and then in their sprinkler pool again and of course, they had a blast!

"I got your back, Sammie. No really. I'm on your back."

Daddy grated some Parmesan cheese for our dinner tonight and we gave Samsies a pinch-full. She really enjoyed it and even fed herself. What a smartie pants! Watch how she figures it out.... *it sticks to my thumb*

Grandpa and The Butterfly

We went to see Grandpa this morning for the last Children's Day at the park and Sammie had such a good time. She clapped to some of the music but oddly didn't dance as much as I thought she would. Grandpa thought it would be cute if she got her face painted, but of course there's no way she would have held still, so he got the artist to draw a butterfly on her leg. It was too cute! Next year's Children's Day will be so much different! Sammie will get to experience everything they have there. Hope Grandpa is prepared for next year!

Got my leg painted. Thanks Grandpa!

See my pretty butterfly?

Yuck! Popsicles are yucky! Bleh!

Hangin' with my Gramps!

Hey. Since I'm here, I'll clean up Grandpa's office :)

Samantha is such a crazy girl! After her concert and naps, she went around the house doing random things like putting her head down on the floor, lying down on the rug and putting a blanket over her head, climbing her mail truck like it's serious business, and do weird tongue things. She's so silly, but she sure did wear herself out!

Climbing the mail truck is serious business!

Hello floor? You called?

I like to crawl through tunnels... except I keep getting stuck in this one!

Helping Mommy cook dinner.

*weird tongue action*

Rough-housing with Daddy is funny :)

As for dinner: Last night Daddy tried giving her Pasta Primavera with chunks of pasta (level 3 food). He said it was pretty gross because she would stick her fingers in her mouth and scoop out the pastas. Tonight, I thought she was doing such a good job with it, which she was, but then she raspberried a mouthful of pastas on us. Hee hee hee

Squirt Squirt

Grandma let Samantha and Nate play in the squirt pool this morning. It looks like they had lots of fun! It's been so hot here, I'm sure it was a relief to get out of the house and chill out.

Race ya Naters!

Boy. That was FUN.

My bad: I forgot to bring more diapers to Gram's and Sammie had an accident.... on the floor. Daddy thought it was kinda funny that she was soaked. Guess tiny diapers just don't hold the same amount as bigger ones. Sorry, Grandma!

Tears of Pain

Our poor baby! I think the pain of teething this time is making up for the bottom teeth sneaking in pain-free! She was up at random times during the night choking on huge sobs, and was very fussy today for Grandma and this evening at home for Daddy and myself. It's so sad to see her gum on her lips, squirm her head into your chest and just cry like nothing can be done to help. It made me cry tonight. I wish I could take her pain away! And to think after these 2, there's 16 left?!

*Hoping tonight is better*

I Taught Me

I taught myself how to turn off & on Daddy's x-box. He's hoping I can't figure out how to open and close it or else it'll be trouble!
*pic to be added*

Since our car ride to New Orleans, I also learned how to play peek-a-boo. I like to throw the covers over my head and have Mommy or Daddy find me. Some times they throw the blanket over me and I find them!

Tonight, I got a bath at Grandma & Grandpa Wells'. I like splashing in their big tub!

dinner face

xoxo, Sammie

A Snaggle Tooth in Waiting

-multitasking-

We're still catching up on sleep around here... and when I say "we", I really mean Samantha. I think her top left tooth is serious about coming in. I looked at it real quick before we got in the car this afternoon and it looks swollen. I don't know why the right one is hiding, but I guess she'll just have a snaggle-tooth for a little bit until righty catches up! Needless to say, she wakes up randomly during night and is quick to fuss during the day!


We went to dinner to celebrate Mike's birthday this evening. Samantha did a great job in the restaurant! I think since her gums were bothering her, she stayed calm. She just watched the baby at the next table and also watched Nate play with his cars, that she tried to steal and eat *nom*

Rice Crackers?! My fav!

Squirmy Wormy

We're getting back to normal around here. Samantha seems like the same ol' girl she used to be before our trip to New Orleans, but more squirmy now. Hard to imagine, huh? I can't believe how much she wiggles! If she's not wiggling, then she's sitting there trying to pull her hair out. I think I may have upset her about it tonight... or her gums are bothering her again. I wish these 2 top teeth would just come in already! She's been tugging at her ears for weeks now!
She was a WILD child in the tub tonight! She kept crawling back and forth. Even after I let all the water go, she had a blast crawling in the empty tub. She even got on her tummy and kicked her legs. It was too funny!...

Getting Settled

Well, it's been 1 day back at home and we are settling back into our routine. However, Sammie woke up in the middle of the night, crying, I calmed her down and left her to fall back asleep on her own. Today, She took a couple of  naps before we headed out the door (and a short evening one). Sammie did not like the idea of being back in the car seat, but she was happy once we got to Grandma and Grandpa Wells' and saw Cousin Nate. Grandpa got a new crawl through tunnel for Sams and Nate. They crawled after each other in it and they both had a lot of fun. It was nice to see her smiling so happy and playful, because lately she has been acting like a little monster. She's been fussing for no reason and getting so upset that she chokes on her sobs, especially while nursing (well, trying to). I don't know what's going on with her, but I assume that we need to get settled back in our home routine. I sure hope it passes.... SOON!

NOLA 7/15- 7/20

Finally! We are back from our trip to New Orleans! Samantha did great in the 10 hour car ride there and fussed a little on the way back, but overall did awesome! She had a bad night the night before we left- we slept for maybe 4 hours, which I started to believe that she can sense ghosts because she was wide-eyed and quiet-- She just didn't want to sleep. I always felt that she could sense my dad (reaching out for him in pictures), so around 2:30/3:00am I told her that it was time to sleep and she had to say Goodnight to Poppa (my dad) and finally, she went to. It could all be my imagination, but it would be cool if she had a connection to the spirit world, especially my dad, since she's named after him.

Well, back to our vacation:

We arrived on Friday, July 15 and were greeted by Grandma Maria, Uncle Brian, and Cousin Abigail, who was so excited to meet her cousin! She played, fed, and bathed the baby.
 

"Baby food is gross!"

Sammie decided to CLIMB her new push toy

 Saturday, July 16- We (all but Sammie) had some Cafe Du Monde beignets for breakfast. Sammie had her cookie  (sugar on her nose for effect) then we met Teresa, Nick, Dominic, Baby Andrew, Jeff, Rebecca and Noah at the Aquarium of the Americas. Sammie had so much fun! She got to see lots of fishies, sharks and even fed a parakeet! When it was time for us to leave, it poured rain!... It was awesome, but we were disappointed that we didn't get a chance to ride the ferry to Algiers and walk around Downtown. We waited out the down pour for about 20 minutes and ran to the car to head home. We were all soaked!

Mmm... sugar! hee hee hee

We found Daddy & Uncle Shake's brick!!! (4D)

FISHIES!!!

Sammie and her pals: Dominic, Baby Andrew, and Noah

I. Want. That. Bird.

Lil' Pearl

Waiting out her first NOLA rain storm... with her white alligator

Sunday, July 17- We had a family- friend get together at Uncle Brian's for everyone to meet  Samantha. She was just too adorable, but a little overwhelmed with all the excitement.

helloooooo

Mommy, Sammie and Abigail

Monday, July 18- We caught up on some relaxation time. We walked around the country side and met some neighbors by Grandma Maria's and Sammie got to pet a horse and even sit on her. She was a little freaked out by it. Uncle Brian came back to go out to dinner with us and Sammie was a crazy girl in the restaurant. She just screamed at the top of her lungs and thought it was so funny! Daddy hurried and ate so he could take her outside to not disturb the others.

Ok, Nikki, just relax.

 Tuesday, July 19- Spent the day playing and hanging out with Grandma Maria.

Climbin' & Slidin'

Sammie can climb up the slide  by self.

Peek-a

Walking with her push toy

Wednesday, July 20- On the road again back home! (no pics. we were tired and stressed)

Today I am 9 Months!

Having fun WITH dinner!

We are busy getting everything ready to go for our trip to New Orleans. Daddy decided that he wants to drive straight through and not stop half way. Hope Sammie cooperates! Wish us luck... we're leaving in the am.
We took Samantha for her first car wash experience... Although she didn't cry, she was a little freaked out by it...

Mommy?!? What's going on?!?

Head Over Heels (Doctor Update)

What a rush-rush kind of day! We had so much to do before our trip to NOLA, thank God we got it all done. Most importantly today, Sammie had her 9 month pedi appointment and everything checked out well. I laughed when the nurse asked if she is able to crawl around and get into a sitting position... LOL!!! I put Sammie down and the nurse was impressed that Sammie wanted to walk, then I let go of her and she actually stood on her 2 feet for more than 2 seconds! It seems like she had just the right balance to have stood there a minute or more, but I had to pick her up and put her on the table to get this visit over with. Another milestone is if baby turns towards you when you call her name... Oddly, Sammie knows everyone/everything you ask or tell her: Mommy, Daddy, Ali, outside cat, Grandma, Grandpa, Nate, no, all finished, kisses, goodbyes, but she doesn't look when you call her by name. We are going to have to call her by one name and keep repeating it to her. She didn't get any shots today, but did get a toe prick to see if she is anemic... she's not. I was curious to know her reaction, but she just watched the nurse do her thing. She didn't even flinch!
Weight: 17 pounds
Height: 26 1/2 inches

Yeaaaa Mommy!

Sammie figured out that she can climb into her car seat. It was so funny.... until it tipped over and she landed on her forehead! Ouch!....

Umm... this doesn't look safe, but sure looks fun!

She even climbs into the cabinet! Good thing it's a special one with plastic ware in it (and giant beer mugs HA!)...

Can I get you a popsicle?

For the record: Sammie woke up at midnight and wouldn't go back to sleep until 2:30! We were so tired this morning. We hope this is not a monthly growing habit (refer to "Today I am 8 Months")