***NEW BLOG***

Since I have run out of room on Picasa to upload pictures to this blog, I have created a new blog. The previous posts have been re-posted with attached pictures. I am a happy Mama to be able to continue to report how well Samantha is developing physically, emotionally and educationally. Thank you for keeping up with Samantha's daily!

http://my-lil-sammie-cakes2.blogspot.com/

Back 2 School

Samantha was the sweetest this morning and feeling great! I walked in to get her (in my work scrubs) and she excitedly says "Mama go to work! Hold me. Rock me." As I'm holding and rocking her, I ask how she's feeling, "I feel better." "Do you want to go to school today?" "Yes."  We took our weekly school pic in front of the door and were on our way. I was worried that once we got to school it would hit her and she'd get upset, but no no, she was gone. Whew. That makes me so happy.

When I got home, comes to find out Samantha was bit on the finger by another little girl. She seemed to blow it off, but I still wonder what really happened.

As I was preparing dinner, Samantha was on the counter and she always wants to get this dishes down. Since she was in a fantastic mood and cooperating, I allowed her to get down her plate, assuming she would get down 3 plastic plates for us all. Ha! She got down a plastic one for her and a big plate for Mama and a second for Daddy. Oh wow. She was so gentle with them and some how didn't make me nervous at all. Awesome.

"My Ear Hurts"

I felt pretty icky this morning when I woke up and considering calling in to work on my behalf, until Samantha woke up whiny and complaining that her (left) ear hurt. I made a doctor's appointment as soon as they opened and sure enough, she has an ear infection. The appointment was strange...
"Has she had a fever?" No.
"How is her behavior?" Normal.
"How is her eating?" Normal- some times she eats, some times she doesn't.
"How is she sleeping?" Her cough wakes her some times, but I also found her new molars.
Get the picture, she is a normal little girl who told me this morning her ear hurt. Funny.
 The doctor also had an intern with her and Samantha was so excited to show off. She let the intern listen to her heart beat and look in her ear. She even told her how Niko scratched her. Dr. Sperling was impressed and started quizzing the intern,
"How much does a typical 2 year old say?" Intern's answer, "Well, about half is understood by a stranger."
"What about sentences from a 2-year old?", "They usually have 2-3 word sentences."
Dr. Sperling's reply, "And she is saying this much and 2 sentences!"
Re: "Mama, I turn the light on for you. Now get dressed!"

As for how Samantha is feeling now with an ear infection: If she's in the car she'll find something to cry about. Other than that, she is happy as can be!

Buddy

Samantha got to play the Buddy Bucks at HEB this morning and oddly, she knew exactly how to insert the buck... she must have seen the little boy at the next machine.

Number 17 and 18...
On another note, I checked Samantha's teeth while brushing them and her 2 bottom molars are peeking through!

Dino Searching

A beautiful day so we went to the Dino Park and Samantha had more fun this time than last. Today we dug in the sand for dinosaur bones and lost pennies, swung (she's getting good on the big swing! She's starting to tilt back). We even climbed up a big rock! We were all looking over the park... Ok, well, not that high.

Besides Baby always being protected by and attached to Sam, Samantha has now given Baby actions. Baby has been coming along to watch Sammie eat or go potty, but now she helps turn the pages in a book or move the beads in her bead maze. She even buckles Baby in the extra car seat we have in the house.

A Way With Words

For a few days now Samantha has changed the way she pronounces some words like clown, plate, blue, clip, please, play, butterfly, etc... Do you notice the L? She has decided to pronounce these words in a way like pa-late, ba-lue, ca-lip, pa-lease, pa-lay, butterfa-ly... You got it, right? It's pretty funny and she totally knows she does it.

Today was a DADDY day! Mama had to work, so Daddy had a fun time playing. They visited Grandma and Pop-Pop (Sammie's fairly new way of saying PaPa), had lunch and swung some.

Frosty the Snowman was on tv to welcome the holiday season, so Mama wanted to be sure that Samantha was fed and bathed so we could all relax with the classic and snuggle. While she was snuggling with Daddy, she looked at me and said "Come snuggle, Mama." She loved Frosty and cried at the end wanting him to come back. She kept calling for "Frosty Man"!

Happy Thanksgiving!

So Simple

Even though it's just the back of Samantha's head, I love this picture of Samantha in action painting...

(Oops... Blogger is telling me that I'm out of storage :/ )

Pun'kin Pie & PaPa

First things first this morning, making pumpkin pie with PaPa! Samantha had a hunch and brought in her new little purple whisk and got to work as soon as we walked in.

Mmmm... It's "reeeeally yummy." Mouth full of pie! Ahhh

 

Happy Birthday, Grandma Wells

Grandma and PaPa came over for a birthday cake dessert to celebrate Grandma's birthday (11-15). Before dinner, Samantha had some licks of icing and sprinkles, she ate all her dinner and was allowed to enjoy birthday cake with us. The only problem, it made her NAMAS! It's 10:30 and she still can't fall asleep. Above all, we enjoyed celebrating Grandma's birthday.

 

*loves* looking at her "Samantha's first year" book and naming everyone

Mama and Daddy needed a haircut and today was the the last chance before Thanksgiving. Hoping that we would go one at a time, so one could sit with Samantha, we got called at almost the same time.  The ladies put down the big cushion on the floor (the other chairs were too far away), gave her a lollipop and she just watched Mama and Daddy, both, get a haircut. It was too cute and she was such a well behaved girl! Towards the end, she started to get so excited, "Mama, your hair's wet!"

That's The Life

Good Morning! Samantha woke up about 3am to get in bed with Daddy. This tired Mama didn't want to argue, so to Mama and Daddy's bed we go. Then we all slept in til 8:00!

 Outlet mall shopping and shenannigans...

 

  Playing at the park. She finally enjoyed the twisty slide by herself (although it shocked her/us).

This evening while playing around in the tunnel, Samantha stopped and looked at me and said "Mama, I want to tell you something. Umm (with her hand on her chin). I went to school yesterday." How awesome! I love how her thought process is developing!!!

Race Car Friday

Formula 1 is now in Austin! Samantha and Nate watched cars racing with PaPa.

Day 5: Gobbley Gooood

Samantha has officially adjusted to going to school. She went in cheery with a hug and kiss goodbye for me knowing that I'd "be back in a little bit"... Or maybe it's because they were having cookies and juice at the end of the day to celebrate Thanksgiving. When I picked her up, she was so excited to show us her new Turkey-Day artwork.

 

 After nap and some cuddle time, we played with Christian and Ms. Wendy. Christian has some sharing issues to deal with, but Sammie stood her ground to him. It's cute how they like each other.

 

A Little Lagniappe

"Good Morning, Grandma Ria!"

 "I pooped in the little potty at Kohls."

 Rolling out biscuits.

Day 4: Not So Clammy

Samantha did fantastic when I dropped her off today. Of course, I had to get to work, but she waved bye-byes. Grandma said that she had a good day at school :)

Mama and Sammie had dinner with Grandma and PaPa. It was her first time having clam chowder and although she liked it, she was tired and ready to be home. Needless to say, it was difficult to get her to sit still and eat.

What Sam Is Up To

 -Samantha's personality is out of this world! This morning, she laid in bed with me and repeated, "I love you, Mama. I love you, Daddy. I love you." I love when she randomly pops up and says "I love you." It makes us melt. She has also been doing Daddy's special "sweetheart sign" back to him.
-Her new favorite thing to do is to make a baby- ha ha. She'll draw them, make them from play-doh and even stir her bath water until she scoops up baby bubbles up.*video
-She has become even MORE attached to Baby. Do not touch Baby if she doesn't give you permission or LOOK OUT!
-She loves to explain everything that's going on and loves to talk on the phone. I love listening to her on the phone with Daddy answering his questions.
-I realized that she really does say 6-7 word sentences like, "I turn light on for you, Mama" and "Mama dropped my cup in [the] street." (Thanks for ratting me out on that one, Sam!)
-One night she was looking for her blankie and came out with a puzzled look and arms out in curiosity.
-Although we have been working on our ABCs, and I'm sure she is in school also, she really knows "ABC....VWXY and Z".
-Daddy has been teaching her number recognition, so now she'll sit down and start counting her blocks or what-nots. She's been knowing how to count from 1-10 with the exception of 9, but we are trying to get her to be familiar with counting things.
-She loves dancing and singing along. She even does hand movements or will click her tongue or clap her hands if Mama or Daddy is doing it with a song.

"Walk Mama out."

Thank you, Ms Mary for my dress from Costa Rica!

Hoppin' Birthday, Ella!

We went to the Hoppin' House for Ella's 3rd birthday. Although Samantha is always so hesitant to climb up the ladder and go down the big slides (even when Mama goes with her), she went through once with Daddy and after that she tried going on her own and LOVED IT! She went through on her own repeatedly and had a blast! She really enjoyed bouncing with Ella and singing "Happy Birthday" too... she's getting good.

Come on, Daddy!

-group shot-

Who needs a fork when you have 5 fingers?

Going by herself!

 

Flying high with Daddy.

 

Happy Birthday, Ella! xoxo

Let's Go Fly A {Dino} Kite

Saturday November 10, 2012
It was a beautiful day and a little windy so we went to the Dinosaur Park... until Samantha broke down. After nap, we went to fly the kite. Daddy had it flying high and then Samantha took over and was awesome at keeping it going!

 Samantha's imagination is taking off! While in the bath, she said good-bye because she was leaving. I asked her where she was going and she pointed to the front of the tub and said "Through that door. Open it, Mama". I 'opened' the door for her to enter her magical world and closed the shower curtain. Then she started popping out from both sides shouting "I tricked you!" *video


Friday, November 9, 2012
Little Mama
Look at everything she has in her arms just to get out the door: baby, baba, candy and sunglasses. Hands full just like Mama. 

Day 3: Still Adjusting, A Little

We're still adjusting to school-life. Samantha insists on "walk Mama out", so Ms. Erin let her today with tears in Sams' eyes. Next time: drop off, kiss and run.

Getting ready for school.

Ok, let's go, Mama.

Someone had a messy day at school!

"I Colored a Picture for Mama."

Second Day of Mother's Day Out
Samantha was a little hesitant when we got to school and tried to hide between my legs, although she did give her teacher, Ms. Jeannie, hugs when we got there, sp I let her know Grandma would come get her in a little bit, gave her some hugs and kisses and sent her back to Ms. Jeannie's way as I hurried out the door to work. I was proud that she didn't cry and I was so happy when I saw her this evening. She didn't have much to say except that she colored a picture for me. She wouldn't even teach me new signs that she learned in sign language today :/ On the other hand, I was telling Daddy that although she talks a lot and speaks very well, something about the way she spoke this evening was different. It's like she could actually piece all these different thoughts into one. When she talked to Daddy on the phone it wasn't her usual, "Daddy come home in a little bit", it was "Daddy come home, you need to eat dinner."
However, as she tossed and turned trying to get to sleep, Daddy and I watched her in the monitor, gaze to the ceiling and very serious, repeating, "I'm sorry, Amy." We are both pretty concerned about what happened today and if there is even an "Amy" at school. It's strange because Sam will usually tell us if she hit or did something bad.

She'll totally pose for a pic with back pack on, but will not wear it!

 This one's for you, Daddy! Mama and I are being silly at dinner.

Baby!

Now that Samantha has let go of her paci, she is fascinated with other babies and their pacis. Maybe she is realizing that she is a big girl and doesn't need it. Grandma brought the kiddos to the park and what do you know?, there was a baby there with a paci. 

Samantha brought a new book for Nate to check out, Cat and Fish. He enjoyed pointing out the cat and fish in the boat.

Bye Bye Paci- Chooo Chooo

Samantha was so excited to go ride the train this morning (She deserved it).

 

 Afterwards, we had lunch with Grandma and PaPa, although Sammie didn't want to eat what we were having. So, she had her own special snack and enjoyed it outside in the beautiful sunshine!

Our big news of the day is that Samantha is too big for her paci. She has agreed that Baby Stella needs them. Last night in a fit after bedtime, Samantha lost her paci, so I told her it was Baby Stella's now. I got her back to sleep by rocking her, but when I put her down she rolled over and said she needed her paci. I explained to her that she is a big girl and doesn't need it like Baby Stella does; she agreed, rolled over, and that was it. This morning we collected all the pacis and put them in a special bag that we made for Stella and Samantha has been paci-free since... And doing a great job!
(We just remind her that she's a big girl and Baby Stella needs them because she's so little and doesn't have any teeth.)
We are so proud of Samantha, as she is of herself. We are so fortunate that she made the transition easy! That's just her style.  What a girl!

Giddy Up, Daddy!

 We tried the skates on outside. She was uneasy by herself, but felt more comfortable while holding my hand. She'll get used to them in no time!

Checking out melting pumpkins.