Christmas is coming and we are all sick. Today will be another pajama-wearing-house-bound-snot-blowing-day. The cold that Sam caught two weeks ago has now infected Steve and me. I keep thinking that when I we wake up in the morning someone will feel better but during the night something happens and instead someone feels worse. Don't worry Family we will do whatever it takes to kick this cold before we see you on Thursday.

We were discussing our pre-Sam health this morning. Oh what a wonderful thing it was. It seems that no amount of hand-washing can take us back to that place.

Despite our colds we are all very excited for Christmas and to see everyone.

I hope you are wrapping gifts and drinking egg nog!

Ellen

Fall 2009

Time is flying by. Since the last time we wrote, Sam has become a very big boy. In late October, we drove to Denver, and flew to Kentucky (via a short visit to cousin Caleb) to go climbing. We stayed a week with our good friends Janelle, Mike, Axel, and Lucas Anderson at their cabin in the Red River Gorge.

Sam has learned so many new words we can't even remember them all. He's figuring things out faster than Mom and Dad can adapt. Like how to get on the kitchen table, how to make calls on the phone, how to slide the child safety gate away from the fireplace, how to climb up onto the bed, open boxes, reach into the knife drawer, open the oven, turn on/off the gas on the stove, unplug appliances, flush the toilet, unroll the toilet paper (only one full roll at a time), put toys in the garbage can, get in the dishwasher, open closet doors, throw heavy objects, using a broom or stick to clear off tables or shelves, and how to get on Olive's back for a short ride.

Sam has become very conversational, and is really fond of kissing...especially Mama. When upset, he has several ways of saying her name. Moh-Maaah, Maw-mae, Baba (when his nose is stuffy), MaMAA, etc. Ellen started a list recently, and ended up with many more words than would fit on one page.

Sam has lots to say.

Sam's vocabulary is growing in leaps and bounds. He confidently spouts words like, sit, elbow, Mama, Dada, baby, nose, eye, hat, head, up, on, apple, UM for Uncle Matt, Sesee for Aunt Leslie and doggie. We are also starting to figure out his foreign-sounding phrases, "what's that?".

Sam is eating more meals with silverware too. He gets frustrated but won't give up the fork. By the big, family Thanksgiving he'll be ready to eat turkey and pumpkin pie with his fork. We are going on vacation at the end of October. We will visit Caleb near his 1st Birthday and then go climbing in Kentucky. We are all looking forward to a break!

Sam and snow.

We got our first snow of the season at the beginning of October. It snowed for at least two days straight. We were very excited to bundle Sam up and pull him around in the sled. He loved it! When we'd stop to take a break he would fling himself forward, saying "get going Dada"! He also made lots of truck noises as he drove around in the snow. There were a couple of crashes as you'll see in the video.
The snow has melted but we are already looking forward to the next big snow. Maybe we'll build a snowman next time.

He was so small once.

This picture of Sam was taken his first day home from the hospital.
Wow, how he has changed!

Daddy's Little Helper

Sam is a very good helper. He loves to play with the drill, vacuum and mop.

Camper

Climbing Sam

New adventures!

A Few Funny Things...

Sam.

He is a rocket these days. There is so much happening each day that it's hard to slow down and write it all.

- He loves to pull up your shirt when you're sitting and pinch your belly fat. Talk about motivation to stick to the diet!

- He LOVES bikes: bikes on TV, his Strider bike, his trike, my bikes...doesn't matter.

- He likes toothbrushes and will carry one around all day if you let him.

- He has lots of words now and tends to talk all the time.

As usual, he gets more lovable each day.

Standing Strong

This is mostly a picture post...

BIRTHDAY ONE

Sam woke up at 3:30 on his birthday morning. Apparently he was so excited to be one that he couldn't help but cry. For a long time.

This has been the best year of our lives. The little boy is standing ALL THE TIME, crawling fastewr than we can imagine, and is interested in everything. 

Tomorrow we will have a birthday party for Sam and a housewarming party for us. 

We are so lucky...

Growing Boy

It is terrible that we don't keep up with this record of Sam's progress. I noticed that it's been two months, probably the biggest two months since we posted last. So, lets see...

- Sam is a crawlin' machine, full speed and especially attracted to sharp / heavy objects and stairs.

- He can say Da Da (which he says about lots of things, not just me), Ma Ma, and Dog. 

-He can identify the lights and the fans, the latter receiving the "swooshing arm motion" as he points at them.

-He waves and points at people, much like John McCain...we're so proud.

-He can walk with assistance and can stand up on his own if he's got something to hold on to...much like a frat guy.

-He loves to be outside, and is almost never fussy once you take him out.

-Sam and Mom completed the Mothers' Day 9k in Boulder last weekend, with Mom doing most of the work.

As always, our love for him grows and grows with each day. My mom said the same thing about me, except for the time between ages 12 and 21 when it sort-of plateaued...

BABY TO BOY

It seems like we are so busy these days. It bothers me because we let slip by some amazing events in Sam's life. Like how he'll say, "MA ma mA MAAA MMMMA MA MA ma ma!" Yet, he doesn't quite say it TO her. 

He is squirmy, likes to sleep in the bed with us (sideways only so he can kick one of us), and is starting to move around. 

Sam is starting to scoot a bit, and is adept at falling forward onto his face. He can stand up OK, and can hang from his hand for 10 or more seconds...only climbers would make their kid do this. 

Last weekend, Sam was sitting on the floor when Olive came up to visit him. He's in the habit of petting her, and this time he got hold of her collar. As Olive moseyed off, Sam held fast. He hit his head on the floor and started to cry, but held on as she dragged him across the floor. Even when mommy got there and picked him up, he was still firmly attached to the collar. I dunno...maybe he'll be a bullrider. 

We have had a busy 2009. We moved to our new home the weekend before Christmas. We spent Christmas in Casper with both families and we were back in Lander for a quiet New Year. I am starting to feel settled in the new house. I will feel completed at home when our old house on McDougall sells. Our new address is 2265 N 2nd St., Lander WY 82520.
Sam is doing well. He is growing like a weed and keeps us on our toes. We is talking more and loves playing with all his toys. He is just a few days away from 8 month sold. Steve and I can not believe how quickly the time has gone. He is amazing!
Enjoy the pictures.
Ellen