A Girl and Her Elephant--11 Months

Excuse me, what?  Did I just write that? 11 months? Where has the time gone?  Here are the elephant pictures:

This month has been an incredible one when it comes to milestones. Biggest one?  Walking!  She took her first step the day before her 10 month birthday and since then, she's been working hard to take more and more.  And she's gotten GOOD!!!  It's so weird to me because she used to make so much noise when she was crawling up behind me and now, I can turn around and there she is.  She's like a little ninja.

I don't know if this is normal behavior, but she started pulling herself up without support AFTER she started walking, but that's a big milestone too.  When she first started walking, whenever she'd fall, she'd just crawl the rest of the way.  But, now that she can stand up in the middle of the room, she prefers to get up and walk.  She's slowly dropping the crawl and I just can't believe it.

She got her first TOOTH!!!  Finally!  It was definitely a painful time for the both of us, but it passed.  3 days later I thought she was getting her second, but I couldn't tell for sure.  I've looked and felt but it all looked and felt like just one.  I was finally able to get a good look today and there is definitely a second tooth poking through.  Not as much, but it's there.

She's also started clapping in the last couple days.  Grandma Lee has been playing pat-a-cake with her whenever she sees her and I think that's helped.  Just yesterday, she started getting really good at it and actually making noise when her hands come together.  Before, she'd miss her hands a lot, even though she was trying!

Samantha has now learned how to say "no." Not verbally, but by physically shaking her head.  It's cute, except when it's not!

She's growing more hair.  You wouldn't notice it if you don't see her all the time, but I notice it, so that's all that matters!

Samantha loves to pull things out but isn't too keen to put them back in.  Our house is covered with toys because I can't keep up.  Typical of most households, I'm sure!  She also finds toys out of really random things.  She loves hangers, her tylenol bottle (it has a soft syringe thing on the top that she likes chewing when she's teething), pushing her high chair everywhere, sucking on her socks/shoes, paper (man does she love the crinkling of paper.  I'm not sure how much paper she has ingested, but she's definitely had some!), and ANY kind of (safe) kitchen utensil/container, etc.

This girl loves to sing and dance.  She'll "lalala" right along with the music as she sways and bounces.  So cute!  She talks a lot too.  She tries to mimic words and she'll talk to herself all the time.  She'll be playing by the window talking to herself and all of a sudden get SO EXCITED and started squealing in delight.  Man, I love this girl!

And can I mention how much she LOVES daddy?  And how much daddy LOVES her?  When he gets home both of them have the biggest smiles and they play and play together until dinner and bedtime.  Best part of my day, that's for sure!  I love seeing them together.

We were able to celebrate American Thanksgiving with Derek's family down in Palm Springs.  It was a much needed break from an early winter here and Samantha finally got to meet her new cousin Andrew.  The only family members she still needs to meet are her Uncle Tyler, Aunt Chelsea and cousin Grace and I cannot tell you how excited we are to see them in a few weeks!!!

There are a crazy amount of photos here.  They uploaded in a weird order, and I was too lazy to fix it.  Enjoy.

Bundled up with a red nose and all. 

Ready to brave the winter. 

She NEVER snuggles so I'm glad we got this on camera!

Samantha and her cousins Andrew and Elizabeth. 

I love how they're both looking at each other here.  Trying to figure it all out!

Happy girl. 

Hmmm. What next?

Giving daddy kisses.  Also glad we got this gem on camera!

MY FAVORITE PICTURE!!! Samantha yelling at Andrew, Andrew getting his feelings hurt by it (can you blame him?), and Elizabeth just in the middle of it all with a happy smile on her face!

Sometimes, she's a weirdy!

Hot tubbing.

Cousin bath time!

Swimming on the alligator with daddy!

This girl has no fear.  She was crawling in the pool all week we were at Palm Springs.  

Trying for a wave.  No success. 

Testing the waters. 

She loved playing with this waterfall!

My cute little family. 

C'mon. She's so cute!

Samantha LOVED the carousel.  She cried when it was over and daddy took her off. 

Hanging at the Living Desert in our summer clothes in Palm Springs! 

Had to capture this one.  Her mouth is STUFFED with bananas and she can't wait to stuff the rest in. 

How we found her sleeping one day. 

That toy looks good.  I want it.  

Uh-oh! (Don't worry I was just out of camera shot ready to grab her when she needed it!)

Playing with daddy on a Saturday morning. 

This is her hurdler stance and her happy dance.  

Following daddy wherever he goes. 

Told you.  Total weirdy. 

Sitting on Santa's Lap

On Saturday, we took Samantha to see Santa for the first time.  We ended up going to Northland mall because we heard it had short lines and we could take our own pictures.  So, off we went on a Saturday afternoon.  And we didn't have to wait AT ALL!!!  We had so much time with no one in line behind us that I was able to gradually get Sam accustomed to Santa so she didn't scream her pretty little head off in the pictures (although I do think that does make for pretty funny pictures!).  She just sat there, looking from Santa to me, Santa to me, Santa to me.  Didn't cry.  Didn't smile.  Just stared! Santa did pretty much the same thing.  He was OLD but he had a real beard and we didn't have to wait in line, so it was worth it.  

If you look closely, Santa MAY have fallen asleep here...

Unsure but not crying

Santa's kind of creepy looking, but Samantha makes up for that!

I love this one because it captures how she just kept looking back and forth trying to figure out what in the world was going on. 

She just might be done here. 

I was sure she was going to be very upset but she did great.  I wonder how next year will go!

Thanksgiving 2012

*Caution: this post is FULL of mom-bragging.  I just can't help it.  You've been warned.*

A Thanksgiving to remember, that's for sure.  We have been able to spend the week in Palm Springs with all of Derek's family.  It has been a blast.  A number of things have happened that I think are worth noting, if only for my benefit later on.

First of all, Samantha really started walking this week.  Judi has a theory that kids hit major milestones on vacation because they are so much more mentally stimulated with all the new places and experiences.  I'd say that was definitely the case here this week.  She went from taking one step and NEVER wanting us to stand her up to full on walking.  She even started standing up without the help of any furniture or person to help her.

I can tell that she has been really stimulated as well because she has slept better than she ever has before.  Two 2-hour naps a day and sleeping all the way through the night (at home, it's typically two 1-hour naps and she'd still wake up at 6 and then go back to sleep until 8. Here she's been going straight through until 8.)

Tonight we went out to dinner with the whole gang.  I became a bit flustered throughout the dinner because Samantha YELLS when she sees food but doesn't have any in her mouth.  And by yelling, I mean everyone in the restaurant turning and staring as I try and get food in bite size pieces so she can eat it.  But after she was settled, had food in front of her and was happily feeding herself, I had one of those moments.  They don't happen often enough, unfortunately, but when they do, I cherish them with my whole heart.  It was one of those moments that I looked at her and just started tearing up as I thought about how much I love her and how grateful I am that she is part of our family.  Derek and I shared a smile as we both looked at her, our little girl that is growing up WAY too fast.  She is so precious to me, and I hope that I can remember these moments and hold them close to me as I'm sure there will be more flustered moments in restaurants, grocery stores and other public places.

One other thing to note.  Samantha is stopped ALL THE TIME by strangers to wave at her and tell me how adorable she is. When we went Black Friday shopping today, she was getting really tired and fussy, but whenever someone new started talking to her and paying her any attention she just stopped, stared and waved at them, melting all of their hearts, I'm sure.

Tonight at dinner was no different.  We talked to an older couple at another table that asked how old she was and when I told them, they couldn't get over how clever she was.  As we were leaving, a woman at a table stopped me and again asked how old she is (we get this one a lot because no one can believe that she's as old as she is because of how petite she is) and apparently they were having a contest to see because when I told them, one guy threw his hands back and said, "Yes!  I was right." They then started telling us that they were watching her the whole time and thought she was just beautiful.  After they said this, Samantha started waving at them and the whole table erupted in "ahhs" and loving laughs.  We were leaving their table and another woman stopped me with this AMAZING line:

"Excuse me. We would like some of that over here too!"

So we stopped and talked to them as well.  I swear, I talk to more strangers now than I ever did and it's all because of Samantha.  She is a people magnet.

I love my girl.  And, I do think she is the cutest and funnest baby alive.  But, like Derek's sister Carolyn says, "Every baby needs a mom that thinks they are the best!" So, you're allowed to think your baby is the best, and I won't argue!

No pictures today, as I'm not writing this from my computer.  When we get back, I'll try and upload some, including the video of her walking!

Splashing Daddy

Sorry for the shakiness.  I could not stop laughing!!!

And, Samantha, so sorry that you have nude videos on the internet...I just couldn't help myself.  You're too cute!

A Girl and Her Elephant--10 Months

I love my little girl so much.  She just keeps getting more and more fun.  I can't believe how much joy she brings me and Derek.  Often, we'll sit up at night after she's been in bed and talk about how much we already miss her and she's only been asleep for like 3 hours.  We'll look at pictures or videos of her, we'll talk about all the funny things she did that day and just laugh and laugh.  Even if we aren't the perfect parents, she's got at least one thing going for her: her parents love her to pieces.  She is majorly loved, not just by us either; she's got loads of people spanning 2 countries that adore her to pieces.  She's a lucky girl.  But not quite as lucky as we are to have her!

Here are some elephant pictures:

We had to take Sam in for another doctor's appointment because at her 9 month check-up, she had dropped from the 25th percentile to the 5th.  The doctor said if she dropped below the 5th, she'd be required to send me to a pediatrician.  I wasn't worried because those of you that know Samantha knows that she is constantly moving, and she also eats like crazy.  So, I wasn't worried.  We took her in on Wednesday and she weighed 16 lbs 1 oz.  Gained 9 oz from last month but stayed in the 5th percentile.  She's petite, but 5 percent of babies have to be below the 5th percentile, right?

The biggest milestone Samantha has had can be seen in the previous post.  She took her first step yesterday.  The video wasn't the best time she did it, but it's still evidence that she is growing up faster and faster.  She'll be walking in no time and I can't believe it.

Another cute thing she learned to do is wave with her hand.  She still flaps her arm, but now she opens and closes her hand to wave.  It's super cute!

Sam and I have been going to the gym this month.  She gets to go to the babysitter there.  She's had a bit of a rough time adjusting to being separated from me.  And, they won't let me sit down with her to get her accustomed to the new environment.  So, it's been an adjustment.  She's done great the last few times, but they've had to come and get me other times.  I understand about separation anxiety and my goal in raising Samantha is to raise a well-adjusted individual.  I want her to know how much I love her, how I will always come back for her, but I also want her to be independent.  To be able to play on her own, make friends, and still be happy when I come and pick her up.  So, we've still been going even if I can't get in a workout.

To change the subject, I hate daylight savings.  Ever since it happened, Sam has been waking up more during the night.  I used to get 6 hours uninterrupted (she'd get 10), feed her really quickly and put her back down for another 2-3 hours.  Now I'm getting 3-4, then 3-4, then 3-4.  C'mon baby!  It'll work out, I know.  But sleep is an important part of my life, as it is for all moms, and I really, really, really, want it back.  It's definitely harder when you've had sleep and then it goes back to not as much sleep.  Definitely harder.

Well, here's what I'm sure you were waiting for.  Pictures of Samantha this month!

This is what we call her Hurdler Pose. And, she's in the middle of dancing here!

Love her!

Seriously one of my favorite outfits she's ever worn. 

Cutie pie!

Ready to brave the winter. 

Taking off her mittens.  She never keeps them on!

Her snow suit.  She cannot move in this thing.  It's hilarious!

Ready for the cold with daddy. 

Smiling for the camera. 

I love the way she's looking at him in this one.  She sure does love her daddy!

The following are pictures from a free photo shoot we did with a photographer we'd never met before.  The photographer needed a model for her advertising so Sam got to do it.  It was really fun.  And c'mon, this girl is the cutest thing EVER!  Oh, and I also got 20 free Christmas cards, so if you want one, I'll need your address!

This is the one we chose for the Christmas cards.  She is a living doll!  Love her!