15 Months Old

Sam is officially 15 months old today. This past month seemed like it flew by! We've been quite busy with traveling, but in the mean time, Sam has learned some new tricks (of course!).

- He says "bubu" for bubble and "gaga" for dog (specifically Clara, but my parents' dog Holly was "gaga" too). I'm looking for an ornament that blows bubbles for him for Christmas. I don't know if these exist, but let me know if you see one!
- He holds onto the tire while waiting for me to put him in the car. I know it's not the cleanest thing for him to hold on to, but it's at his level and it keeps him out of the street. The other day we were walking to our car and he stopped at every car's tire along the way and held on :).
- He will "look at mommy" and "come here." This is very helpful now that he is walking everywhere!
- He doesn't forgot about things when they are out of sight anymore. He "asks" for the cookies on the counter even when he can't see them, to give Clara several treats, his movie to be played (baby Einstein), and music (ALL THE TIME). I can't just hide things anymore and distract him, he remembers.
- He "jumps." It's so cute! He doesn't get off the ground, but crouches down and stands up real quick. We went to a free trial class at a toddler gym the other day. They were working on this skill and apparently he liked it. He has been jumping on command ever since.
- He "helps" me carry in the groceries (usually the bread), put clothes in the dryer, close the dishwasher door (or any door), and put the garage door up or down. He's such a great helper!
- He loves to watch the animals at the zoo. We went to two zoos (Tulsa and Nashville) in the last week and he really loved watching the animals. The elephants and the monkeys were his favorites at both zoos, and the birds were great fun at the Nashville zoo (as you can see in the pictures from my last post).
- We're in the process of giving up the morning nap. We've skipped the morning nap about four days a week for the past 3 weeks. Some days he still really needs it, but other days he's perfectly fine. I look forward to getting into a routine of one LONG afternoon nap. The days he has done this successfully I get so much done! It's much better than two short naps for some reason. I will miss waiting until morning nap for my shower though :).

That's all I can think of now. We are looking forward to the Holiday season with this active little boy!

Nashville

We were in Nashville all last week to send off my sister, Alyssa. She leaves for Kenya on Sunday and will be there for two years as a doctor/missionary. We had a great time hanging out with her and her friends, meeting some of her friends' kids, and celebrating her 30th birthday. Here are some pictures from our time there.

Sorry the pics are out of order, I hate trying to arrange them correctly on our slow computer!

Samuel and Clara (20 months) in Holly's cage. We didn't lock them in there, Samuel did :) He's a pro at dog cages... this has been his favorite place to play since he first was mobile.

Samuel thought it was hilarious when the birds landed on daddy's head :)
Alyssa with her "niece," "nephew," and nephew.

Samuel (14 months), Clara (20 months), and Luke (15 months) playing at the table that was mine and my sisters when we were little.

Samuel laughing at the Elephants while sitting on Lauren's shoulders. He is such a fun age to take to the zoo now as he can actually watch the animals. The elephant was swimming... I thought it was funny too :).

Samuel and Gigi enjoying the pond at the nature center where we had a picnic.

Samuel and Luke loving on Holly. She was such a good sport to put up with these guys!

Enjoying a dinner out.

Petting a stingray at the aquarium in Opry Mills Mall. He actually touched them and they would splash him above the water. It was neat to watch.

Columbia

We went to Columbia last week for a football game and to meet our new friend Henry. Sadly, I didn't take nearly enough pictures. So, you will have to imagine it with mental pictures :) and the few I stole from others.

It was rainy and icky out so Sam and I bowed out for the football game, but Bud was a trooper. He sat there in his poncho for the whole game in the pouring down rain, yelling and loosing his voice, only to have Mizzou throw it all away in the fourth quarter... very disappointing! Sam and I were glad to be watching it in the comforts of a warm, dry home! We tailgated for about 15 minutes in the parking garage before heading over to play with Clark (2) and Rivers (6months) for a few hours before the game. We then went up to Jackson's (2) house to sleep and watch The Office (loved it!!) and the football game.

The next morning we went to meet Henry (3 weeks) and play with Harrison (18 months). Then we headed to Shakespears for lunch with Jeremy (8 months), because a trip to CoMo is never complete without Shakespeare's pizza!

It was so great to see our friends, but I wish we could have spent more time with everyone! Everyone in Columbia had family around or was leaving town and I had to get back to play harp on Sunday, so it was a quick trip! We will have to plan another trip soon!

Holding Henry

Abbey, Henry, and Harrison... Henry has the best hair I've ever seen on a baby!

Sam showing us his pizza hands at Shakespeare's

(He just copied this picture by putting his hands up when he saw it :))

Jeremy all bundled up for the tailgate and football game

Jackson cheesing for the camera :)

Sam watching the trash truck while standing on the couch

He and Jackson were both up here, but I missed the photo opp by about one second.

A Spare...

Sam thought it necessary to carry around two cups, in case mommy neglected to fill one up for him...

More Pictures from the G'parents visit

At Mimi's for breakfast, a tradition when the G'rents come to town...
At the park, after the farmers market...

Morning time with the G'parents while mommy and daddy get to sleep in (YEAH!)...

Raspberry Picking

Gigi and I took Samuel raspberry picking after the pumpkin patch last weekend. He actually did a lot better than I thought. We had to show him what one to pick and he would pick it and eat it. At first he put a few in the bucket, but as soon as he tasted one there was no storing them up for later.
Giggling with Gigi, while mommy picked raspberries. Feeding Gigi a raspberry

14 Month Old Pictures

Here is the official 14 month picture...
And, the rejects...
We had a really hard time getting him to sit still this month!

14 Months Old

I wasn't sure if I would contiue with our monthly pictures and updates after Sam turned one, but he is still changing so quickly. So, I've got to get this all down on "paper" before I forget :).


How he's grown up this month...
- He's WALKING!!
- He "blows his nose." And makes the cutest face doing it! I need to try to get this on video...
- He can find his belly button, hair, and ears.
- He "sighs" when prompted.
- He signs "help" and "eat" (A LOT).
- He blows kisses... When I put him down for his nap, he rolls onto his back, waves, and blows me a kiss before I leave the room. I LOVE it!!


His interests/personality...
- He loves to go on walks while pushing things... his wagon, stroller, or the grocery cart.
- He loves to read books by himself or with mommy and daddy... we usually can't get through one before he is handing us the next one though.
- He likes to play with his nesting blocks and stack them up on top of one another and then knock them down.
- He loves to play outside! As soon as the door opens he heads for it and fusses if I don't let him go out.
- He likes to climb stairs.

I'm working on getting a picture in the chair, but he won't sit still for me... hopefully one is coming soon!

Pumpkin Patch - Year 2

Samuel took a trip to the pumpkin patch for the second time in his life!

This trip was a little more entertaining for him than last year...

He was more interested in the leaf than the pumpkin...

G'daddy pulling the wagon with our loot and our boy...

Samuel the pig...

Gigi, the scarecrow with her little pumpkin Sam...

On the hayride...

Raspberry picking pictures coming soon as well as other pics from Gigi and G'daddy's visit!