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!

First Step

Caution: the following is unapologetic mom bragging.  Youv'e been warned. 

Our little gal has always been a little mover.  She rolled over from front to back at 8 weeks.  From back to front at 3 months.  Army crawling at 5 1/2 months.  Standing at 7 months.  Knee crawling at 8 months.  Standing without support (sometimes) at 9 months.  And now, one day shy of 10 months, she is taking her first cautionary step.  I can't believe how smart this baby is and how fast she is growing up.  She is constantly keeping me on my toes.  But, she is pure joy.  Love this girl. 

Enjoy.



Oh, and sorry for the squealing in the background.  I'm one proud mama!

Happy Halloween

Sam's first Halloween!  It was so much fun to dress her up and take her "trick-or-treating" even though she had no idea what was going on and couldn't eat any candy!

We had a relaxed morning and then went to lunch with my good friend Krista.  She was happy throughout, even though they didn't have high chairs at this restaurant.  Who doesn't have high chairs?  Even at a really nice steakhouse downtown they had high chairs, and I'm pretty sure they aren't trying to make it kid-friendly there...anyway, that's my vent.

We went home, took a nap...well kind of.  I fought with Samantha to take a nap for about an hour.  She just screamed and cried all in the middle of yawning, rubbing her eyes, etc.  She was tired and wouldn't sleep.  So, I strapped her in her carseat (with her full blown costume on) and we left early for our next activity.  She fell asleep within minutes of being in the car so I drove around some more until the very last minute.

Then I got her out of the car and we went trick-or-treating with my friend Megan and her kids at the mall.  Sam didn't actually trick-or-treat, and it was a madhouse in that mall, but it was fun.  And it meant that I didn't have to take Samantha out in the cold for the "experience."

When we got home, grandma and grandpa came over for dinner.  We took lots of pictures, ate dinner and then went to bed like any other night.

I still think she liked it.  I liked that she was a big, fat pumpkin!  Here are the photos I'm sure you'd like to see!

Smiley girl!

Hey mom!

What's Halloween?

Waiting for the trick-or-treaters!

2 pumpkin farmers and their prized pumpkin! (I know Derek and I are lame costumers, but I wanted pictures for a scrapbook, so we HAD to dress up like SOMETHING!  This was creativity at it's finest!) 

So cute!

Hope you all had a fun, safe Halloween!