My Not So Itsy Bitsy Spider

Trick or treating started out rough as you can tell from the 1st photo. Sam was not too sure about the whole costume idea. He quickly recovered and did enjoy going door to door to see some of the neighbors. He looked so cute in his costume...

Sam Loves to Help me Clean

A couple of weeks ago we noticed Sam wiping up spills and cleaning the windows. Great... I knew someone would help me with housework one day (sorry Russ!). I bought him a toddler sized "housekeeping set" which he can't put down. He carries the broom around and sweeps all day. The other day he dropped some crackers and went straight for the broom to clean it up. This morning he wouldn't let go of the broom when he was eating breakfast. He held that broom for 25 minutes while he enjoyed his food.

Science Center

Russ and I took Sam to the science center this past weekend. Sam really enjoyed it and made it clear he did not want to leave. We bribed him out with an apple... it always does the trick! He kept calling the turtles "ugs"(bugs) and his favorite book is Ten Little Ladybugs so it made sense. Those turtles did look like the ladybugs in the book!

For Amy

My friend Amy requested that I post some pictures of Sam from last year at the pumpkin patch when he was only 3 months old. Look at my little baby... where did he go? Now he is such a big boy. Good thing we have another one on the way! Look at the change:

Picking Out a Pumpkin

12 weeks

I tend to be a little old fashioned and wait to tell everyone I am pregnant until 12 weeks. Well, I am pregnant... 12 weeks tomorrow! We are VERY excited. I had my check up today and everything looks good. They did an ultrasound and I was amazed at the baby's development. I could see arms, legs and tiny ears. No wonder I have been feeling so exhausted. Compared to my picture of our "jellybean" at 7 weeks there was so much growth. I am due May 17th.
In case anyone was wondering: it is possible to live on a row of crackers a day and Gatorade for 6 weeks straight.
I was explainig to a friend I am so much more emotional about everything this time. When we saw Sams' heartbeat on an ultrasound I was amazed and this time I cried instantly. I have the experience of mothering Sam to attach to this pregnancy. I know the love I have for our child. Before Sam I could not imagine it. Now I can and I can't wait to do it again.

Body Parts

I get those Babycenter e-mails once a week discussing your childs' development with a few milestones they should be hitting. Milestone #2: Your child should be able to identify one body part when asked.
Check.
Yesterday morning Sam was in the bath and I happened to mention the word "penis". Not sure why, but I did. Sam stopped what he was doing, took his finger and pointed right at his penis. That isn't even one of the body parts we have been teaching him yet!
This will be a great story to tell him later...
Russ is so proud.

MASH

Unfortunately for me our early evenings are filled with reruns of MASH that Russ insists on watching. It has something to do with watching it as a child with his father which of course I can not argue. Sam has recognized the theme song every since he was very young. Now that he is mobile and dancing he will stop what he is doing and dance to the theme song every night. Here is a clip:

Oh How We Will Bribe Sam and Jillian with this in Fifteen Years!

I Have Been Tagged

I have been tagged by my good friend Amy from Stella and Thomas to answer some questions!

Benard Pivot's questionnaire made famous by Inside the Actor's Studio's James Lipton...


What is your favorite word? Nurture

What is your least favorite word? Apathy

What turns you on [creatively, spiritually or emotionally]? determination and loyalty

What turns you off? arrogance and intolerance

What is your favorite curse word? damn

What sound or noise do you love? my sons' laughter

What sound or noise do you hate? people arguing

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Doula or midwife

What profession would you not like to do? any desk job

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? There are a lot of people and animals waiting to see you

When Did he Learn How To Do This?

Letting It Go

I am sometimes hard on myself, trying to do it all. Work, taking care of our 14 month old and trying to keep a really clean house. I have decided to let keeping my house really clean go. It is useless and has begun to drive me crazy. A wise friend of mine with a 7 and a 5 year old had a bit of advice for me today. She told me trying to keep your house clean with children is like shoveling snow while it is snowing. You know what...I agree. I will have many many years when the Sam is grown and out of the house to have it really clean. Right now I am going to get down on the floor with him and make it messy!

You Never Know

Gerry and I have been planning on taking Jillian and Sam to Sesame Street Live for 2 months. We got great seats and Russ and I even planned our mini vacation around it. I have been telling Sam about it for the past week. The show begins and Sam is clapping but looking a bit confused and overwhelmed. Ten seconds later he was crying and shaking in my arms. Ten minutes later we were walking back to the car to go home. Now we are sitting in our living room eating apples watching a Sesame Street DVD. Oh well... maybe next year!

An Apple a Day...