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")

Just When You Think...

... she can't figure something out, she's doing it!


We ate dinner at Grandma and Grandpa Wells' and when we walked in the door Sammie was standing on top of her baby doll bed (Grandma's, passed down). They said that they were surprised she hadn't figured out that she could climb on top of it, and sure enough, she climbed on top! She really enjoyed it up there! She loved to look out the window and turn back and laugh... and laugh... and laugh at us smiling at her :)

Look Mom, no hands! (ok, just one)

"Sam Rock"

Grandma had a fun day with Sammie video-ing all that she does! Here's my favorite video of the day....

As far as on the home front, we are just taking it easy getting ready for our drive to New Orleans for Sammie to meet some of our family and friends, and visit the city where Daddy and I grew up. We have so much in store for her, including going to the Aquarium of the Americas and taking the Algiers Ferry from Downtown to the Westbank, where Daddy lived.  I know she is going to enjoy herself and be worn out! Maybe we'll even see some gators!

No Sittin' Duck

I started putting Sammie in the big tub since she was too smushed in the baby tub. It's too bad because I could fill up the baby tub with more water and she was confined to it. Now she's climbing the tub walls! Yes. She has figured out that she can pull herself up by the wall and hold on to the tub bar. At least it's fun watching her get all her toys down! I am now trying to teach her how to open the drain after bath to let the water drain out. We're so close..... not really. However, since I taught her how to run the dishwasher the other day, she likes to go up to it and try to push the buttons. This evening, she even tried to climb inside! While doing dishes, I looked down and she was on top of the open door. I wished Daddy would have hurried to get a picture, but he was worried that her weight would break the door. Oh well. Next time we'll be ready hee hee

I'm no sittin' duck!

Mommy made my fav cookies in KITTY shapes! (and mice too)