So - who does Samara look like - Daddy? Mommy? or maybe some of both?
Jeff-
Amanda-
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Monday, December 12, 2011
October and November 2011
Fall fun was had by all!! October and November were full to the brim, as it seems every month is, but with good things for the most part. :)
October-
We watched lots of football in October and Samara actually really likes it, too. Whenever they tackle each other she says "boom!" followed by "owie, owie" and muah! (a kiss to make them feel better. She is so loving and is upset when others are hurt or sad. I hope this will carry on into the rest of her life! Samara had a kind of rough few weeks with teething molars, a strong cold and a double ear infection, which didn't go away completely and ended up back at the Dr's office to get another antibiotic to clear it up completely. Three Dr visits in three weeks - that was about enough for Mommy and Samara! Jeff and I had our 7-year anniversary on the 29th and decided to have a date night to celebrate. Grandma and Grandpa Derby watched her and we went out to eat at Spezia then to see a movie. Amazingly when we got home at about 11:00 she was still awake and running around! I guess it's just too fun to sleep when you're at your Grandparents. :) Jeff, Dad, Courtney and Nick golfed then we had a "Halloween" themed dinner at Pennell's on the 30th. We all ate up all the festive food and treats - then were VERY full after dessert to follow! On Halloween, Samara dressed up in her kitty costume (hat and tail made by Gemma) and headed out to a few of the neighbors houses. She liked it, but really enjoyed the kids coming to our door most of all!
November-
We started off November with a campfire at our friends house. It was a bit chilly, but still not bad considering it was November! Samara is getting more talkative and comprehensive every day - the latter being very fun. It is so cool to have her say things and really know what she is saying. She can say tons of words and learns something new every day. Everyone probably thinks their kids are smart, and we of course, think WOW she is amazing all that time! She likes to feed herself and so we basically just give her the food and away she goes, sometimes with a fork, sometimes a spoon, usually just fingers. :) She currently has some favorites - frozen peas, cheese, hot dogs, nutella, apples, bananas and she LOVES her milk. She is a really good eater, her Thursday day care even remarked so. I'm sure she is going to get even taller soon with all the food she eats and how much sleep she gets. But with all the running around, dancing, climbing, attempted jumping and general craziness of a 17 month old I guess she burns off the calories and needs the rest. Thanksgiving day was spent at Derby's, then we went to visit Great Grandpa and Grandma Derby at the assisted living home where they live now. Samara wanted to nap instead of eating that day, so I guess she missed out! She liked playing the piano and getting to see her Aunts and Uncles all day. The next day was spent at Pennell's, watching the Husker game and having another Thanksgiving meal. She had fun that day as well - she loves being around people. Maybe just being the center of attention is why. After two FULL days, we finished off November with putting up the Christmas tree! I love it and Jeff is always reluctant. But, Samara loved it going up and touching the ornaments that I put at her level was super exciting. When she sees lights outside, she points and says IGHT! I even put up a little tree in her room because I remember loving having lights in my room when I was little. Jeff may not be so reluctant in the years to come when Samara asks him to put up the Christmas decor instead of me - yay! She has learned who Santa is and can identify him in a moment's notice. She will even see someone at the grocery store wearing a Santa hat and yell, yes yell, Santa! (sounds like danta) Thankfully most people we meet in public think she's cute, and she smiles at them and they can't help but smile back. Since she does really well shopping so far, I am very fortunate (and so is Gemma who often takes her on trips to various stores on her days watching Samara).
So, Christmas should be fun this year - we'll let you know how that goes soon! :)
Merry Christmas to all!!
October-
We watched lots of football in October and Samara actually really likes it, too. Whenever they tackle each other she says "boom!" followed by "owie, owie" and muah! (a kiss to make them feel better. She is so loving and is upset when others are hurt or sad. I hope this will carry on into the rest of her life! Samara had a kind of rough few weeks with teething molars, a strong cold and a double ear infection, which didn't go away completely and ended up back at the Dr's office to get another antibiotic to clear it up completely. Three Dr visits in three weeks - that was about enough for Mommy and Samara! Jeff and I had our 7-year anniversary on the 29th and decided to have a date night to celebrate. Grandma and Grandpa Derby watched her and we went out to eat at Spezia then to see a movie. Amazingly when we got home at about 11:00 she was still awake and running around! I guess it's just too fun to sleep when you're at your Grandparents. :) Jeff, Dad, Courtney and Nick golfed then we had a "Halloween" themed dinner at Pennell's on the 30th. We all ate up all the festive food and treats - then were VERY full after dessert to follow! On Halloween, Samara dressed up in her kitty costume (hat and tail made by Gemma) and headed out to a few of the neighbors houses. She liked it, but really enjoyed the kids coming to our door most of all!
November-
We started off November with a campfire at our friends house. It was a bit chilly, but still not bad considering it was November! Samara is getting more talkative and comprehensive every day - the latter being very fun. It is so cool to have her say things and really know what she is saying. She can say tons of words and learns something new every day. Everyone probably thinks their kids are smart, and we of course, think WOW she is amazing all that time! She likes to feed herself and so we basically just give her the food and away she goes, sometimes with a fork, sometimes a spoon, usually just fingers. :) She currently has some favorites - frozen peas, cheese, hot dogs, nutella, apples, bananas and she LOVES her milk. She is a really good eater, her Thursday day care even remarked so. I'm sure she is going to get even taller soon with all the food she eats and how much sleep she gets. But with all the running around, dancing, climbing, attempted jumping and general craziness of a 17 month old I guess she burns off the calories and needs the rest. Thanksgiving day was spent at Derby's, then we went to visit Great Grandpa and Grandma Derby at the assisted living home where they live now. Samara wanted to nap instead of eating that day, so I guess she missed out! She liked playing the piano and getting to see her Aunts and Uncles all day. The next day was spent at Pennell's, watching the Husker game and having another Thanksgiving meal. She had fun that day as well - she loves being around people. Maybe just being the center of attention is why. After two FULL days, we finished off November with putting up the Christmas tree! I love it and Jeff is always reluctant. But, Samara loved it going up and touching the ornaments that I put at her level was super exciting. When she sees lights outside, she points and says IGHT! I even put up a little tree in her room because I remember loving having lights in my room when I was little. Jeff may not be so reluctant in the years to come when Samara asks him to put up the Christmas decor instead of me - yay! She has learned who Santa is and can identify him in a moment's notice. She will even see someone at the grocery store wearing a Santa hat and yell, yes yell, Santa! (sounds like danta) Thankfully most people we meet in public think she's cute, and she smiles at them and they can't help but smile back. Since she does really well shopping so far, I am very fortunate (and so is Gemma who often takes her on trips to various stores on her days watching Samara).
So, Christmas should be fun this year - we'll let you know how that goes soon! :)
Merry Christmas to all!!
Sunday, November 20, 2011
October update
Since November is already almost over, I will post an October/November update together at the end of the month. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!
Sunday, October 2, 2011
September 2011
Fall is here and September is over already! This month was full of fun things...
-We went to the State Fair with Pennell family during Saturday of Labor Day weekend. I have no pictures because Courtney and Gemma were taking them, but maybe I can get some from them? Samara got to pet goats, sheep, a baby cow, brand new piglets - it was fun! I hadn't been to the fair for a while either and not since it moved to GI. Samara even got to cap the day with ice cream. So, every three steps she was signing "more" and we had to give her a bite then try to move on! When we got back to Pennell's, we watched some of the recorded Husker game, but then were all tired and couldn't even finish it! We had dinner at Derby's on Labor Day to finish off the long weekend. Samara likes to find the books in the spare bedroom and bring them all out to the living room there!
-We had a bonfire at our friend's house and Samara got to eat s'mores. Well, she really just ate grassy marshmallows because she kept dropping them in the grass, oh well.
-Our Journey Group (small bible study group through church) started up again and we are doing a series based on the book, Radical. It has been interesting to think of the way we live as Christians in America compared to places like China. Wow - do we have it easy. If we look at our lives and how we actually spend our time and money, what really comes first in our life? It has been challenging us to think about our lives a little differently lately for sure.
-Courtney and I have made cake pops several times already (some pictures below). They turned out cute, we had fun and already have a couple orders! One thanks to my Mom (the apples - for a "Non back to school party" (for a retired teacher friend).
-Samara managed to injure herself three times in one week, all evidence left on her face. She did a head plant on the sidewalk with Daddy (scab on forehead), pulled a kitchen chair over on herself with Gemma (bruise on forehead) and decided to face plant off the bed with Mommy (rug burn on nose). These were all in the couple days leading up her to "re-take" of one-year pictures of course!
-We participated in the Corporate Cup Walk downtown on Sept 18th. It was fairly chilly and drizzly the whole time and Samara thought it was no fun. So, Mommy worked on her biceps for most of the race holding a wiggling 14 month old that didn't want to ride on Daddy's shoulders or in the stroller. Basically longest 2 miles I have ever walked!
-We had Valentino's at Kunes' house for Poppy's 88th birthday on the 19th! Samara liked exploring their house and touching everything she shouldn't. Jeff and Papa Craig have been working over there to remove all the existing deck, sidewalks and front porch and replace with new concrete. Almost there!
-I joined a program called MOPS (Mother Of Pre-Schoolers) that is at our church. It is the 1st and 3rd Friday of every month for a couple hours. So far we have only met once and it was the kick-off day, so lots of introductions, etc. I think it will be a good way to connect to other moms that are in the same stage of life and gain some insight. I figure if I like it this year I will do again, but if not, then oh well maybe I just make some good connections and Samara gets to play with other kids (they have childcare there for the morning).
-Jeff has been busy with work. He even got(had?) to go to a Kiewit Company culture type class for a couple days. He expected to come home feeling as if he had "drunk the Kiewit kool-aid" and now bleeds Kiewit yellow. And it kind of was that, but, he really got to see just how huge the company is and gain some appreciation for how the company is run. Continental Fire Sprinkler is really a small cog in the Kiewit machine, but he still doesn't feel the need to sell his soul to the company. He still goes in early so he can be home by 4:30 every day to spend family time, and I really appreciate and value that!
-I have been taking on some new and different projects at work, so it has gotten busier and more interesting, which is good!
-As far as a Samara update, she is still all over the place and still talking more each day. She can now repeat after you really well. I have her say all the alphabet and counting numbers. She pauses on some of them like "W", but gives it a go. She loves reading books and can point to all the animals and say what it is and usually their sound, too. She is starting to say the shapes and colors she sees as well. She says Samara Jo Derby (okay, not all at once, but will repeat after me - Rara - O - Bobby, that's basically what it sounds like). After her bath each night she wants to brush her teeth in front of the mirror and look at Rara doing the same. :) There are pictures of her new potty seat below. We figured her extreme interest in following Mommy to the potty coupled with her announcing "baba" (bottom) every time she goes in her diaper meant we should get ready to head in that direction. She is getting very lovey now, giving hugs and kisses - which we all enjoy! She also is starting to "feed" her dolls and animals. She offers them drinks of her Sippy cup or one of her snacks and makes either a chomping or slurping sound, depending on what was held to their mouth. Oh, so cute! We love her so much (even when her molars are coming in, which is now).
October is next with more Fall fun!
-We went to the State Fair with Pennell family during Saturday of Labor Day weekend. I have no pictures because Courtney and Gemma were taking them, but maybe I can get some from them? Samara got to pet goats, sheep, a baby cow, brand new piglets - it was fun! I hadn't been to the fair for a while either and not since it moved to GI. Samara even got to cap the day with ice cream. So, every three steps she was signing "more" and we had to give her a bite then try to move on! When we got back to Pennell's, we watched some of the recorded Husker game, but then were all tired and couldn't even finish it! We had dinner at Derby's on Labor Day to finish off the long weekend. Samara likes to find the books in the spare bedroom and bring them all out to the living room there!
-We had a bonfire at our friend's house and Samara got to eat s'mores. Well, she really just ate grassy marshmallows because she kept dropping them in the grass, oh well.
-Our Journey Group (small bible study group through church) started up again and we are doing a series based on the book, Radical. It has been interesting to think of the way we live as Christians in America compared to places like China. Wow - do we have it easy. If we look at our lives and how we actually spend our time and money, what really comes first in our life? It has been challenging us to think about our lives a little differently lately for sure.
-Courtney and I have made cake pops several times already (some pictures below). They turned out cute, we had fun and already have a couple orders! One thanks to my Mom (the apples - for a "Non back to school party" (for a retired teacher friend).
-Samara managed to injure herself three times in one week, all evidence left on her face. She did a head plant on the sidewalk with Daddy (scab on forehead), pulled a kitchen chair over on herself with Gemma (bruise on forehead) and decided to face plant off the bed with Mommy (rug burn on nose). These were all in the couple days leading up her to "re-take" of one-year pictures of course!
-We participated in the Corporate Cup Walk downtown on Sept 18th. It was fairly chilly and drizzly the whole time and Samara thought it was no fun. So, Mommy worked on her biceps for most of the race holding a wiggling 14 month old that didn't want to ride on Daddy's shoulders or in the stroller. Basically longest 2 miles I have ever walked!
-We had Valentino's at Kunes' house for Poppy's 88th birthday on the 19th! Samara liked exploring their house and touching everything she shouldn't. Jeff and Papa Craig have been working over there to remove all the existing deck, sidewalks and front porch and replace with new concrete. Almost there!
-I joined a program called MOPS (Mother Of Pre-Schoolers) that is at our church. It is the 1st and 3rd Friday of every month for a couple hours. So far we have only met once and it was the kick-off day, so lots of introductions, etc. I think it will be a good way to connect to other moms that are in the same stage of life and gain some insight. I figure if I like it this year I will do again, but if not, then oh well maybe I just make some good connections and Samara gets to play with other kids (they have childcare there for the morning).
-Jeff has been busy with work. He even got(had?) to go to a Kiewit Company culture type class for a couple days. He expected to come home feeling as if he had "drunk the Kiewit kool-aid" and now bleeds Kiewit yellow. And it kind of was that, but, he really got to see just how huge the company is and gain some appreciation for how the company is run. Continental Fire Sprinkler is really a small cog in the Kiewit machine, but he still doesn't feel the need to sell his soul to the company. He still goes in early so he can be home by 4:30 every day to spend family time, and I really appreciate and value that!
-I have been taking on some new and different projects at work, so it has gotten busier and more interesting, which is good!
-As far as a Samara update, she is still all over the place and still talking more each day. She can now repeat after you really well. I have her say all the alphabet and counting numbers. She pauses on some of them like "W", but gives it a go. She loves reading books and can point to all the animals and say what it is and usually their sound, too. She is starting to say the shapes and colors she sees as well. She says Samara Jo Derby (okay, not all at once, but will repeat after me - Rara - O - Bobby, that's basically what it sounds like). After her bath each night she wants to brush her teeth in front of the mirror and look at Rara doing the same. :) There are pictures of her new potty seat below. We figured her extreme interest in following Mommy to the potty coupled with her announcing "baba" (bottom) every time she goes in her diaper meant we should get ready to head in that direction. She is getting very lovey now, giving hugs and kisses - which we all enjoy! She also is starting to "feed" her dolls and animals. She offers them drinks of her Sippy cup or one of her snacks and makes either a chomping or slurping sound, depending on what was held to their mouth. Oh, so cute! We love her so much (even when her molars are coming in, which is now).
October is next with more Fall fun!
Friday, September 16, 2011
Yesterday morning...
Never fails that the one morning of the week I need to have Samara out the door by 8:00, she is still sleeping! So, yesterday morning I go into her room, put a couple things away and start softly saying, "Samara". Here is the conversation:
Me: Samara
Samara: rara (sounds kind of like wawa, eyes still closed and laying on tummy)
Me: Samara
Samara: rara
Me: Are you awake?
Samara: ake (still no movement though)
Me: Samara
Samara: rara
Well, this goes on for a couple minutes, and finally she opens her eyes for a second, but still lays on her tummy. Eventually she opens her eyes and rolls over, smiling, but does not stand up at all. I had to coax her to get out of the crib. Silly girl-it is either a sign she will talk in her sleep like Mommy or enjoy sleeping in on those crisp fall mornings! Who wouldn't?! :)
Me: Samara
Samara: rara (sounds kind of like wawa, eyes still closed and laying on tummy)
Me: Samara
Samara: rara
Me: Are you awake?
Samara: ake (still no movement though)
Me: Samara
Samara: rara
Well, this goes on for a couple minutes, and finally she opens her eyes for a second, but still lays on her tummy. Eventually she opens her eyes and rolls over, smiling, but does not stand up at all. I had to coax her to get out of the crib. Silly girl-it is either a sign she will talk in her sleep like Mommy or enjoy sleeping in on those crisp fall mornings! Who wouldn't?! :)
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
August 2011
August was a fun month! For the first week, Jeff and I went on a trip to San Clemente, CA. It was the first time I had flown anywhere in about 10 years-sheesh!! Poppa and Gemma watched Samara for the first couple days we were gone, then Grandpa and Grandma Derby over the weekend, then back to Poppa and Gemma for the next two days. Samara was left in good hands and had a great time without us. Thank you!! So, we were able to enjoy ourselves as well! You can see by the pictures all that we did, it was a great trip of time with friends, site seeing and just relaxing in beautiful California weather. Nick is deploying for seven months to Afghanistan in November, so we wanted to get out there and see them, otherwise we'd have to wait until he was back in the spring. We stayed at their house, which was really nice and you could walk to the beach! Before we went on our trip I thought I would miss Samara a lot, but found that while we were gone I didn't as much as I thought I would. I guess I knew she would be fine with all her grandparents so it was a nice break for Mommy and Daddy.
Samara had a fun month too, getting even quicker on her feet, actually running now, and starting to talk more and more. She really tries to repeat any words you say and some sound rather close. When she gains a few more consonants, her vocabulary is going to skyrocket! :) As of now, she is saying clearly Daddy, Mommy, Papa, nana (banana), Gampa (Grandpa), OTT!! (outside), Nanu (for "more", no idea why she sounds like Mork, but that's what she consistently says), zzz (please), up!, op! (stop, and she holds her hand up, hep (help), goc (truck or car), guk (duck), she doesn't say kitty really but loudly says meoooooow! when she sees one or a picture of one and then my parents cats disappear for a long time, gappppe (grape), and many other words and animal sounds, which is so fun. She even flaps her arms and says boc-boc like a chicken and will point to the sky whenever she hears an airplane, then put her arms out like a plane. :) She is ALWAYS learning and remembers things that I wouldn't think she would. Example, she went to the zoo with Jeff's parents while we were on vacation. While in the butterfly exhibit, a big blue butterfly landed on her forehead. Now every time she sees a butterfly she slaps her palm on her forehead.
As I have thought before, I think I have reached my favorite age with her so far, just because it is so cool to hear her start expressing herself in words and actually understanding what she is saying. Though this also comes with her saying what she wants and having to tell her no, which does not always go over well. She also is reaching the age of experimenting and pushing limits to see what happens. So, she's done some time outs for biting Mommy and has had some tumbles as she insists on going down the stairs and such "elf" as she says (all by herself). Thankfully the weather is turning because most of her summer clothes are getting too small and short - put some 18 month clothes on for the first time already even. Well, that probably doesn't even come close to mentioning everything, but it's a peek (as Samara loves to do)!
We are getting Samara's first year and some family pics soon, so will post them once they are done and we have them.
If the slideshow is not playing, click on the picture below. This will take you to the picasa website, where at the top left of the screen you can click "view slideshow" and see the pictures and captions that way. When done watching, can go back to our website if you want to (back on web browser).
Samara had a fun month too, getting even quicker on her feet, actually running now, and starting to talk more and more. She really tries to repeat any words you say and some sound rather close. When she gains a few more consonants, her vocabulary is going to skyrocket! :) As of now, she is saying clearly Daddy, Mommy, Papa, nana (banana), Gampa (Grandpa), OTT!! (outside), Nanu (for "more", no idea why she sounds like Mork, but that's what she consistently says), zzz (please), up!, op! (stop, and she holds her hand up, hep (help), goc (truck or car), guk (duck), she doesn't say kitty really but loudly says meoooooow! when she sees one or a picture of one and then my parents cats disappear for a long time, gappppe (grape), and many other words and animal sounds, which is so fun. She even flaps her arms and says boc-boc like a chicken and will point to the sky whenever she hears an airplane, then put her arms out like a plane. :) She is ALWAYS learning and remembers things that I wouldn't think she would. Example, she went to the zoo with Jeff's parents while we were on vacation. While in the butterfly exhibit, a big blue butterfly landed on her forehead. Now every time she sees a butterfly she slaps her palm on her forehead.
As I have thought before, I think I have reached my favorite age with her so far, just because it is so cool to hear her start expressing herself in words and actually understanding what she is saying. Though this also comes with her saying what she wants and having to tell her no, which does not always go over well. She also is reaching the age of experimenting and pushing limits to see what happens. So, she's done some time outs for biting Mommy and has had some tumbles as she insists on going down the stairs and such "elf" as she says (all by herself). Thankfully the weather is turning because most of her summer clothes are getting too small and short - put some 18 month clothes on for the first time already even. Well, that probably doesn't even come close to mentioning everything, but it's a peek (as Samara loves to do)!
We are getting Samara's first year and some family pics soon, so will post them once they are done and we have them.
If the slideshow is not playing, click on the picture below. This will take you to the picasa website, where at the top left of the screen you can click "view slideshow" and see the pictures and captions that way. When done watching, can go back to our website if you want to (back on web browser).
 |
| August 2011 |
Friday, August 19, 2011
July 2011
July- Happy 1st Birthday, Samara!!
In some ways I can't believe the whole first year is over, but in other ways I feel I have so many memories that it must have been an entire year. Samara is a smart, beautiful, strong (in will and physically) girl that we love so much and we know she is a total blessing from God!
Samara is most definitely a toddler now and not a baby. With her early walking, longer than many baby's hair and seemingly tall genes, she is usually mistaken for older than she is. At her one year check up she was 21 lb 5 oz (53%), 30.25 in tall (82%), and head circumference 46cm (75%). She grew 2.5 inches since her 9 month checkup! She is very independent and will even play by herself for a while now, which as of a month ago she wouldn't really do. So I just check in periodically, but can sit down to work on the computer or clean a bit. But, that doesn't last too long, she still wants to play together-yay! She loves doing animal sounds, putting shapes into her sorter ball and "gonna get you" where she will run away laughing but come right back for more. She loves her books too and even gets really excited about certain pages. She is imitating all the time - basically saying at the least the end sound of each word you say. A few she says often... Da! for Daddy, May-Mee for Mommy, can say Poppa and Nee Nee (Courtney), we are still working on Gemma, Grandma and Grandpa are still kind of jumbly but getting there, zzzz! for any bug she sees b/c she likes bees, "side" for outside, lots of other sounds and babbling, and will try to repeat any word you say, many with much success. She LOVED the fireworks! We watched a show from Shadow Ridge at our friends house and she kept signing "more" when there was a pause in the action.
We had her First Birthday Party, with a ladybug theme! We had a good turn out and were thankful everyone could make it! Everything turned out super cute, from her outfit to cake and cake pops. She opened gifts and got a variety of things from clothes, books, toys and even money for her college fund. She devoured her cake and loved every minute of it, even everyone watching her and taking pictures.
Jeff continued to work on his garden and everything is getting ready to harvest and bear fruit (well mostly veggies). Since it was a grand experiment, we are excited to see what all we get. It's looking like a lot of cucumbers and tomatoes! He is also starting to work on the garage and basement so we can move my sewing room downstairs instead of next to Samara's room, where the machine wakes her up.
I am learning all about cake pops! I really enjoyed making them for Samara's party. The "practice" batch then the real ladybugs turned out well (Courtney stepped in to help with the decorating). So, Courtney and I are thinking of making more cake pops... we'll see, will make some more batches this fall, experiment with some other decorating, etc. So, don't be surprised if you're asked to sample a cake pop or two in the near future! Anyway, that's about all for July...August will bring vacation pictures from our trip to San Clemente, CA!
In some ways I can't believe the whole first year is over, but in other ways I feel I have so many memories that it must have been an entire year. Samara is a smart, beautiful, strong (in will and physically) girl that we love so much and we know she is a total blessing from God!
Samara is most definitely a toddler now and not a baby. With her early walking, longer than many baby's hair and seemingly tall genes, she is usually mistaken for older than she is. At her one year check up she was 21 lb 5 oz (53%), 30.25 in tall (82%), and head circumference 46cm (75%). She grew 2.5 inches since her 9 month checkup! She is very independent and will even play by herself for a while now, which as of a month ago she wouldn't really do. So I just check in periodically, but can sit down to work on the computer or clean a bit. But, that doesn't last too long, she still wants to play together-yay! She loves doing animal sounds, putting shapes into her sorter ball and "gonna get you" where she will run away laughing but come right back for more. She loves her books too and even gets really excited about certain pages. She is imitating all the time - basically saying at the least the end sound of each word you say. A few she says often... Da! for Daddy, May-Mee for Mommy, can say Poppa and Nee Nee (Courtney), we are still working on Gemma, Grandma and Grandpa are still kind of jumbly but getting there, zzzz! for any bug she sees b/c she likes bees, "side" for outside, lots of other sounds and babbling, and will try to repeat any word you say, many with much success. She LOVED the fireworks! We watched a show from Shadow Ridge at our friends house and she kept signing "more" when there was a pause in the action.
We had her First Birthday Party, with a ladybug theme! We had a good turn out and were thankful everyone could make it! Everything turned out super cute, from her outfit to cake and cake pops. She opened gifts and got a variety of things from clothes, books, toys and even money for her college fund. She devoured her cake and loved every minute of it, even everyone watching her and taking pictures.
Jeff continued to work on his garden and everything is getting ready to harvest and bear fruit (well mostly veggies). Since it was a grand experiment, we are excited to see what all we get. It's looking like a lot of cucumbers and tomatoes! He is also starting to work on the garage and basement so we can move my sewing room downstairs instead of next to Samara's room, where the machine wakes her up.
I am learning all about cake pops! I really enjoyed making them for Samara's party. The "practice" batch then the real ladybugs turned out well (Courtney stepped in to help with the decorating). So, Courtney and I are thinking of making more cake pops... we'll see, will make some more batches this fall, experiment with some other decorating, etc. So, don't be surprised if you're asked to sample a cake pop or two in the near future! Anyway, that's about all for July...August will bring vacation pictures from our trip to San Clemente, CA!
June 2011
This summer has gone WAY too fast - sheesh! So here is a brief of June:
-Samara is walking all over the place!
-Favorite movie is Curious Buddies (a Nick Jr show)
-Says: Mama, Dada, up, ump (jump), bop! (for anything she is really excited about, like balloons), does her sign language and gives kisses and hugs
-She knows open/closed, up/down, eyes, ears, mouth, toes, knees, elbows along with many animals
-Loves shoes, carrying them around, trying on Mommy's and Daddy's
-She can finger feed herself, and wants to grab the spoon
-Very good at helping get dressed
-Separation anxiety is starting to kick in when Mommy leaves or drops her off somewhere
-Otherwise, happy girl and we are enjoying watching her grow and learn!
-Samara is walking all over the place!
-Favorite movie is Curious Buddies (a Nick Jr show)
-Says: Mama, Dada, up, ump (jump), bop! (for anything she is really excited about, like balloons), does her sign language and gives kisses and hugs
-She knows open/closed, up/down, eyes, ears, mouth, toes, knees, elbows along with many animals
-Loves shoes, carrying them around, trying on Mommy's and Daddy's
-She can finger feed herself, and wants to grab the spoon
-Very good at helping get dressed
-Separation anxiety is starting to kick in when Mommy leaves or drops her off somewhere
-Otherwise, happy girl and we are enjoying watching her grow and learn!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Friday, June 10, 2011
May 2011
May is over already?! Here's the low down on the month...
Jeff just finished a basement he was helping a friend at church finish. It went well, but we realized that we probably don't want to get into flipping houses right now because he had to go work all evening and often weekends too. Of course this was on top of his full time job of 50 or so hours per week. They have laid some people off at his work to "cut overhead during the tough economy" is how it was explained. We know that means less people doing more work, but at least he has a job I guess. Jeff set up a garden in our back yard and the seeds and plants are growing - Jeff is excited about all the fresh vegetables we may have this summer.
I am still working three days per week, but have changed positions within the company. It became too hard on the Payroll/Benefits Dept for me to only be there part time. I am now working in Commercial Insurance. My first task has been to revamp the collection and storage process for the insurance certificates. Once that is cleaned up, I will be working more in some of the risk management area of the dept. I like working three days per week for now, gives me some adult interaction (and money) and also get to spend a lot of time with Samara. I had my first Mother's Day! Jeff got us tickets to go see "Jersey Boys" this fall - that will be fun! We had Samara dedicated on Mother's Day at our church. She did well being handed off to the pastor, but waiting her turn on stage she was quite wiggly. As my mom said you definitely had the most active baby up there...
Samara has had a busy month of course. She is becoming more and more a toddler than a baby. Sigh... She can walk with no trouble - quite quickly sometimes. Also has mastered going up and down the steps. She is drinking from sippy cups during the day instead of bottles, and is basically eating what we do, just in smaller pieces. She likes basically every food she tries so hoping that will keep up! She recently started INSISTING on standing during her bath. We are working through this hopefully short phase. She can do lots of sign language now - milk, more, please, eat, book, up. Also working on outside, banana mommy, daddy and ball to name a few. She sings eee-iii-eee-iii as in EIEIO from Old McDonald and she really likes words that have P in them. Purple, puppy, up and Poppa. She seems to learn things so fast, it is amazing really! She'll even see a picture of a soccer ball in her book and walk over to pick up the one she has that looks like it - as if to say, look I have one of those! She also went swimming for the first time at Auntie Courtney's apartment pool! She really liked it even though the pool was crowded. Daddy twirled her around in the water and lifted her in and out (not her head) of the water. So, now we're into June and summer and Samara is already 11 months old - I can't believe it!! Will post pics soon!
Jeff just finished a basement he was helping a friend at church finish. It went well, but we realized that we probably don't want to get into flipping houses right now because he had to go work all evening and often weekends too. Of course this was on top of his full time job of 50 or so hours per week. They have laid some people off at his work to "cut overhead during the tough economy" is how it was explained. We know that means less people doing more work, but at least he has a job I guess. Jeff set up a garden in our back yard and the seeds and plants are growing - Jeff is excited about all the fresh vegetables we may have this summer.
I am still working three days per week, but have changed positions within the company. It became too hard on the Payroll/Benefits Dept for me to only be there part time. I am now working in Commercial Insurance. My first task has been to revamp the collection and storage process for the insurance certificates. Once that is cleaned up, I will be working more in some of the risk management area of the dept. I like working three days per week for now, gives me some adult interaction (and money) and also get to spend a lot of time with Samara. I had my first Mother's Day! Jeff got us tickets to go see "Jersey Boys" this fall - that will be fun! We had Samara dedicated on Mother's Day at our church. She did well being handed off to the pastor, but waiting her turn on stage she was quite wiggly. As my mom said you definitely had the most active baby up there...
Samara has had a busy month of course. She is becoming more and more a toddler than a baby. Sigh... She can walk with no trouble - quite quickly sometimes. Also has mastered going up and down the steps. She is drinking from sippy cups during the day instead of bottles, and is basically eating what we do, just in smaller pieces. She likes basically every food she tries so hoping that will keep up! She recently started INSISTING on standing during her bath. We are working through this hopefully short phase. She can do lots of sign language now - milk, more, please, eat, book, up. Also working on outside, banana mommy, daddy and ball to name a few. She sings eee-iii-eee-iii as in EIEIO from Old McDonald and she really likes words that have P in them. Purple, puppy, up and Poppa. She seems to learn things so fast, it is amazing really! She'll even see a picture of a soccer ball in her book and walk over to pick up the one she has that looks like it - as if to say, look I have one of those! She also went swimming for the first time at Auntie Courtney's apartment pool! She really liked it even though the pool was crowded. Daddy twirled her around in the water and lifted her in and out (not her head) of the water. So, now we're into June and summer and Samara is already 11 months old - I can't believe it!! Will post pics soon!
Friday, May 13, 2011
April 2011
April was another good month! As you can see from the last two posts, Samara is over 9 months old now and she had her first Easter. Still a healthy, happy girl! She has four teeth now on the bottom, her hair just keeps getting longer (and lighter- weird!) and she gets faster by the day. She loves to feed herself finger foods - bananas, cooked peas or carrots and peanut butter toast being some of her fav's. Some days if it is a food she can't feed herself she wants nothing to do with it, even though it may be homemade baby food I blended just for her! She still walks really well along furniture and walls, and has even taken 13 steps on her own! During April she really figured out crawling so when she wants to get somewhere fast, she drops down and off she goes. She can even crawl all the way up the stairs by herself (with Mommy or Daddy right behind just in case of course).
Her first Easter was fun! We went to 8:00 church at Lord of Love, which was early for us, but we all made it and Samara was good during the whole service. She enjoyed her breakfast bottle during the service, which helped. :) She was dressed to the nines in her dress and matching shoes that Gemma made. It was cool that day so we had to add a little pink sweater. She had her first Easter egg hunt at Pennell's for just a few things and her new pony!! No, not a real Pony, people - just a stuffed rocking horse, but she loves it. It plays a song and talks when you squeeze its ears. Daddy has attached a rope to the front so she can "ride" around the house, and surprisingly enough she enjoys that too!
She LOVES to read books! She will pick up a book, walk over to you and sit down in your lap - like okay, you know what to do. It is so cute!
She has really started saying Mama and Dada so that you can understand it, which is very cool. If she is in her crib longer than she wants to be sometimes she will start in on mamamamamama - like she is yelling at me for taking so long! She gets very excited when she sees birds or hears a dog bark outside and overall just really likes to be outside. Sometimes we will have a meltdown at the front door if she is at all tired and I say that we are not going out. Hopefully this is not a preview to her two's! We have gotten together with some of our friends that have kids several times so it was fun to see how she reacted to other kids. She wants to touch their face and just laughs sometimes. Some of them are older than her so if they took her toy she just voiced her displeasure (shrieking loudly) and usually their Mom or Dad made them give it back. We got to visit the new addition to the Coler family - Capri Janae. Samara was not really impressed and much more enjoyed playing with Cooper and Camry - and their DVD player buttons.
She had her first real sickness during April, where her fever got up to about 102 - just enough to worry Mommy. Pretty sure she got sick from going in for her well-baby 9 month visit. So, then it was back to the Dr. where they said it is a virus that will probably have fever for three days then turn into a cold. It did, she got well quickly, but not before sharing her germs with Mommy, Gemma and Poppa. We are all just now starting to feel better. Mommy even learned she is allergic to amoxicillin - good to know, but not fun to learn! Daddy somehow avoided it all!
So, another month gone by with lots of pictures taken to try and remember everything, even though I know I won't. Just trying to enjoy it all and we are!
pics to come soon - once I can get them to upload...
Her first Easter was fun! We went to 8:00 church at Lord of Love, which was early for us, but we all made it and Samara was good during the whole service. She enjoyed her breakfast bottle during the service, which helped. :) She was dressed to the nines in her dress and matching shoes that Gemma made. It was cool that day so we had to add a little pink sweater. She had her first Easter egg hunt at Pennell's for just a few things and her new pony!! No, not a real Pony, people - just a stuffed rocking horse, but she loves it. It plays a song and talks when you squeeze its ears. Daddy has attached a rope to the front so she can "ride" around the house, and surprisingly enough she enjoys that too!
She LOVES to read books! She will pick up a book, walk over to you and sit down in your lap - like okay, you know what to do. It is so cute!
She has really started saying Mama and Dada so that you can understand it, which is very cool. If she is in her crib longer than she wants to be sometimes she will start in on mamamamamama - like she is yelling at me for taking so long! She gets very excited when she sees birds or hears a dog bark outside and overall just really likes to be outside. Sometimes we will have a meltdown at the front door if she is at all tired and I say that we are not going out. Hopefully this is not a preview to her two's! We have gotten together with some of our friends that have kids several times so it was fun to see how she reacted to other kids. She wants to touch their face and just laughs sometimes. Some of them are older than her so if they took her toy she just voiced her displeasure (shrieking loudly) and usually their Mom or Dad made them give it back. We got to visit the new addition to the Coler family - Capri Janae. Samara was not really impressed and much more enjoyed playing with Cooper and Camry - and their DVD player buttons.
She had her first real sickness during April, where her fever got up to about 102 - just enough to worry Mommy. Pretty sure she got sick from going in for her well-baby 9 month visit. So, then it was back to the Dr. where they said it is a virus that will probably have fever for three days then turn into a cold. It did, she got well quickly, but not before sharing her germs with Mommy, Gemma and Poppa. We are all just now starting to feel better. Mommy even learned she is allergic to amoxicillin - good to know, but not fun to learn! Daddy somehow avoided it all!
So, another month gone by with lots of pictures taken to try and remember everything, even though I know I won't. Just trying to enjoy it all and we are!
pics to come soon - once I can get them to upload...
Monday, April 25, 2011
Saturday, April 16, 2011
9 month check-up
Samara did well at her 9 month check-up! It helped that they didn't do any shots, just a finger poke to check hemoglobin (which was fine). She is now 17 lbs 14 oz (30th percentile), 27.75 inches tall (54th percentile) and head circumference 44.3 cm (58th percentile). Her percentile on her head circumference was up from last time - must be all the new things she is learning now that she is so mobile! The doctor said that she is a very healthy baby and advanced as far as her mobility - oh, what are we in for?!
Oh and for anyone wondering, Jeff's knee is basically back to normal now. It took a couple weeks, but seems like a full recovery - thankfully!
Oh and for anyone wondering, Jeff's knee is basically back to normal now. It took a couple weeks, but seems like a full recovery - thankfully!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
March 2011
March was in like a lion, out like a lamb (as far as Samara goes at least)! Samara had a cold at the beginning of March which led to some long nights of waking up because her nose was stuffed up, but after that it was back to happy baby girl like usual. She is a great sleeper, going to bed around 8:00PM and waking between 7 and 8AM - which we are very thankful for!
March was a big month of changes too (do we expect anything else really with a baby though?!). She just keeps learning more and more - now can identify words really well besides just Mommy and Daddy, she will pick up a toy if you refer to it and point to things that she notices. She can "scoot" across the floor on her tummy, which is quite humorous and we are glad to have it on video. But, she complains the whole time and much prefers walking - holding our hands, along tables, chairs, walls, whatever works really. She even has a walker toy that she can walk with until she bumps into a wall (or Daddy, which she thinks is very funny). By late March she was able to stand by herself for minutes at a time and progressed to actually taking a handful of steps all by herself! She also started crawling while we were in SLC, but only for a bit them dropped down to her scooting technique as it was faster. Oh, our patient little girl - okay not really.
She is almost too heavy to carry in her car seat now so she has been enjoying shopping carts while shopping and high chairs while eating out. She loves to feed herself puffs or cheerios while we eat our dinner and will keep signing "more" so she can eat like the big people. She has also learned to drink water from her sippy cup, for which she is acts very pleased with herself, but ends up with quite a wet tummy usually. :) She has three teeth now, all on the bottom, and a fourth bottom tooth is working its way in. You can see them all when smiles her cheesy grin! She laughs more for Daddy than anyone else, but definitely wants Mommy when tired or uneasy at all.
We ventured out for our first family vacation at the end of March to Salt Lake City, Utah where Amanda's grandparents live. Jeff was able to get his projects at work to a stopping point and we drove out to SLC (in Papa's truck so we had space for ALL of our stuff we had to take). Samara did really well in the car on the way there since we drove at night, and she slept most of the way, but then Papa and Daddy had to pay because they were tired the next day! Monday was our first day skiing at Brighton and there was new snow coming down and we were getting back into the swing of skiing. After our 4th run Jeff hit a weird spot of snow and ended up falling and twisting his knee. His injury was bad enough to end his skiing for the trip , but thankfully not anything severe (he is basically back to normal now). So, Great Grandma and Grandpa only had Samara all to themselves for one day and Jeff ended up spending his days lounging at their house instead of cruising the slopes - bummer! My Dad and I skied Tuesday at Alta and then I stayed home Wednesday. So, we went for an afternoon date to a movie and to get ice cream. Thursday just my Dad and I skied again - a warm day, but still had good snow from Monday's snow. So, the two of us had a good couple days of skiing together! Thanks for having us Grandpa and Grandma! Jeff got news that his Uncle Ken Green passed away on Thursday of our trip so we headed out on Friday morning so that he could join his family on Sunday to drive to Chicago for the funeral. Jeff was very glad that he was able to spend the time with his Mom's family, even though it had to be for a sad reason. We keep the Green family in our thoughts and prayers for sure!
Well, that's March (or at least most of it) and April will have come and gone before we know it!
March was a big month of changes too (do we expect anything else really with a baby though?!). She just keeps learning more and more - now can identify words really well besides just Mommy and Daddy, she will pick up a toy if you refer to it and point to things that she notices. She can "scoot" across the floor on her tummy, which is quite humorous and we are glad to have it on video. But, she complains the whole time and much prefers walking - holding our hands, along tables, chairs, walls, whatever works really. She even has a walker toy that she can walk with until she bumps into a wall (or Daddy, which she thinks is very funny). By late March she was able to stand by herself for minutes at a time and progressed to actually taking a handful of steps all by herself! She also started crawling while we were in SLC, but only for a bit them dropped down to her scooting technique as it was faster. Oh, our patient little girl - okay not really.
She is almost too heavy to carry in her car seat now so she has been enjoying shopping carts while shopping and high chairs while eating out. She loves to feed herself puffs or cheerios while we eat our dinner and will keep signing "more" so she can eat like the big people. She has also learned to drink water from her sippy cup, for which she is acts very pleased with herself, but ends up with quite a wet tummy usually. :) She has three teeth now, all on the bottom, and a fourth bottom tooth is working its way in. You can see them all when smiles her cheesy grin! She laughs more for Daddy than anyone else, but definitely wants Mommy when tired or uneasy at all.
We ventured out for our first family vacation at the end of March to Salt Lake City, Utah where Amanda's grandparents live. Jeff was able to get his projects at work to a stopping point and we drove out to SLC (in Papa's truck so we had space for ALL of our stuff we had to take). Samara did really well in the car on the way there since we drove at night, and she slept most of the way, but then Papa and Daddy had to pay because they were tired the next day! Monday was our first day skiing at Brighton and there was new snow coming down and we were getting back into the swing of skiing. After our 4th run Jeff hit a weird spot of snow and ended up falling and twisting his knee. His injury was bad enough to end his skiing for the trip , but thankfully not anything severe (he is basically back to normal now). So, Great Grandma and Grandpa only had Samara all to themselves for one day and Jeff ended up spending his days lounging at their house instead of cruising the slopes - bummer! My Dad and I skied Tuesday at Alta and then I stayed home Wednesday. So, we went for an afternoon date to a movie and to get ice cream. Thursday just my Dad and I skied again - a warm day, but still had good snow from Monday's snow. So, the two of us had a good couple days of skiing together! Thanks for having us Grandpa and Grandma! Jeff got news that his Uncle Ken Green passed away on Thursday of our trip so we headed out on Friday morning so that he could join his family on Sunday to drive to Chicago for the funeral. Jeff was very glad that he was able to spend the time with his Mom's family, even though it had to be for a sad reason. We keep the Green family in our thoughts and prayers for sure!
Well, that's March (or at least most of it) and April will have come and gone before we know it!
Saturday, March 12, 2011
February 2011
February - another fun month with our little Samara girl!
She keeps getting more vocal and more mobile each day it seems. She now babbles consonants like mamamama, dadadada, etc and shrieks happily. If you say "Where's Daddy?" she will look to him and same for Mommy. She also really likes the quilts that Gemma made on the walls - she will look and often point to the eagle "birdies", snake and frogs. We are still working on sign language with her - started with just a couple signs for milk, eat and more. She recognizes them and sometimes will do the signs. She does not have a rolling giggle yet (much to Jeff's dismay) but has a great smile and will laugh like heh heh heh if in the right mood or when tickled just right. As you can see in the pictures, her hair just keeps getting longer (and lighter)! We have started to pull the front back or it is covering her eyes all the time - thankfully she leaves it alone so maybe we will have a daughter who will keep pretty bows in her hair. :) She is doing well with adding solids to her milk diet. She now has eaten pears, peaches, applesauce, green beans, peas, yogurt, cinnamon spice vegetable-beef baby food and started on some cereal. She is getting pretty good and getting them into her mouth consistently on her own now. She is very good at walking holding onto our hands and along the furniture now. She even just started scooting on her stomach across the floor (that actually just happened in March, but thought you might like the update). I actually caught it on video the first time she did it, so that was cool to show Jeff since he was at work that evening.
Jeff's work is busy so he has been putting in the hours, but we are still trying to keep the attitude that it is better than not having a job! He likes what he does, just maybe not at the project piled upon project rate that it is going right now. He is working hard to keep a balance between work and family time, and I think he does a great job. I am thankful to have a husband that wants to keep his priorities in line. My job is going well too. We are trying to find someone else in our dept so that we don't get behind again since I am only part-time. I like what I do and enjoy the people I work with so we'll keep up the three days a week (my boss is definitely glad for that).
Papa and Gemma went to Tanzania for 15 days during February! Samara got to spend time with a few different sitters during the days, Great Aunt Char watched two days, Grandma Cheryl Derby took off work one day and Amanda's friend Tiffany covered another day(even though she has two kids of her own and is expecting #3 in April ~ super mom basically!). All went well on their trip with lots of pictures taken, villages, country, people and wildlife seen and typically less than yummy food. But, we are glad they are back safely!
Well I think that is February in brief - March will be posted soon enough - she is already 8 months old!!
She keeps getting more vocal and more mobile each day it seems. She now babbles consonants like mamamama, dadadada, etc and shrieks happily. If you say "Where's Daddy?" she will look to him and same for Mommy. She also really likes the quilts that Gemma made on the walls - she will look and often point to the eagle "birdies", snake and frogs. We are still working on sign language with her - started with just a couple signs for milk, eat and more. She recognizes them and sometimes will do the signs. She does not have a rolling giggle yet (much to Jeff's dismay) but has a great smile and will laugh like heh heh heh if in the right mood or when tickled just right. As you can see in the pictures, her hair just keeps getting longer (and lighter)! We have started to pull the front back or it is covering her eyes all the time - thankfully she leaves it alone so maybe we will have a daughter who will keep pretty bows in her hair. :) She is doing well with adding solids to her milk diet. She now has eaten pears, peaches, applesauce, green beans, peas, yogurt, cinnamon spice vegetable-beef baby food and started on some cereal. She is getting pretty good and getting them into her mouth consistently on her own now. She is very good at walking holding onto our hands and along the furniture now. She even just started scooting on her stomach across the floor (that actually just happened in March, but thought you might like the update). I actually caught it on video the first time she did it, so that was cool to show Jeff since he was at work that evening.
Jeff's work is busy so he has been putting in the hours, but we are still trying to keep the attitude that it is better than not having a job! He likes what he does, just maybe not at the project piled upon project rate that it is going right now. He is working hard to keep a balance between work and family time, and I think he does a great job. I am thankful to have a husband that wants to keep his priorities in line. My job is going well too. We are trying to find someone else in our dept so that we don't get behind again since I am only part-time. I like what I do and enjoy the people I work with so we'll keep up the three days a week (my boss is definitely glad for that).
Papa and Gemma went to Tanzania for 15 days during February! Samara got to spend time with a few different sitters during the days, Great Aunt Char watched two days, Grandma Cheryl Derby took off work one day and Amanda's friend Tiffany covered another day(even though she has two kids of her own and is expecting #3 in April ~ super mom basically!). All went well on their trip with lots of pictures taken, villages, country, people and wildlife seen and typically less than yummy food. But, we are glad they are back safely!
Well I think that is February in brief - March will be posted soon enough - she is already 8 months old!!
Friday, February 11, 2011
January 2011
Happy New Year - 2011!
January was a good month, despite the snow every other day it seemed! But Samara did get to make her first snow angel (with help from Daddy) and Daddy even made one too. We celebrated Winter birthdays - 29 years for Jeff and Amanda - sheesh. Jeff continues to work extra hours for his job due to a string of projects that just keep coming. Thankfully he is able to bring home a laptop and has set up a second "office" in the basement. He can leave work around 4, come home for dinner and family time, then do some work when Samara is getting closer to bed time. But, we are still glad that the jobs keep coming - a blessing to have job security right now. Amanda's work has calmed down so she is just working her three days a week and leaving work at work. :) Samara is so grown up now- two bottom teeth have started coming in (which made for some less than fun days/nights, but we have survived), she is starting to babble more, she eats baby food and applesauce/cereal with skill, she can sit very well by herself and she loves to be held by the hands so she can "walk" around. In fact she now thinks that standing is basically the only desirable position to be in. She will sit and play for a while, but then it is let me stand by the table or better yet, walk around! Daddy and Papa have been very determined to teach her to crawl but she is less than enthused about that idea. I asked at the 6 month check-up if she HAD to crawl before walking and the Dr. said that some kids just skip the crawling phase. Just wanted to let the guys know so they could hold off on the crawling boot-camp a little. Let's enjoy the staying in one place phase maybe? :) She is also learning "Give me Five" and holding her hands up "So Big!" in response to "How big is Samara?". At her six month checkup she was 15 lbs 10 oz (30th percentile)and 26.25 in long (53rd percentile) so she is very healthy and still our long, thin girlie. She gets more fun everyday as she learns new things and notices more and more of what is happening around her. More to come in February about our little sweetheart!
January was a good month, despite the snow every other day it seemed! But Samara did get to make her first snow angel (with help from Daddy) and Daddy even made one too. We celebrated Winter birthdays - 29 years for Jeff and Amanda - sheesh. Jeff continues to work extra hours for his job due to a string of projects that just keep coming. Thankfully he is able to bring home a laptop and has set up a second "office" in the basement. He can leave work around 4, come home for dinner and family time, then do some work when Samara is getting closer to bed time. But, we are still glad that the jobs keep coming - a blessing to have job security right now. Amanda's work has calmed down so she is just working her three days a week and leaving work at work. :) Samara is so grown up now- two bottom teeth have started coming in (which made for some less than fun days/nights, but we have survived), she is starting to babble more, she eats baby food and applesauce/cereal with skill, she can sit very well by herself and she loves to be held by the hands so she can "walk" around. In fact she now thinks that standing is basically the only desirable position to be in. She will sit and play for a while, but then it is let me stand by the table or better yet, walk around! Daddy and Papa have been very determined to teach her to crawl but she is less than enthused about that idea. I asked at the 6 month check-up if she HAD to crawl before walking and the Dr. said that some kids just skip the crawling phase. Just wanted to let the guys know so they could hold off on the crawling boot-camp a little. Let's enjoy the staying in one place phase maybe? :) She is also learning "Give me Five" and holding her hands up "So Big!" in response to "How big is Samara?". At her six month checkup she was 15 lbs 10 oz (30th percentile)and 26.25 in long (53rd percentile) so she is very healthy and still our long, thin girlie. She gets more fun everyday as she learns new things and notices more and more of what is happening around her. More to come in February about our little sweetheart!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
December 2010
Whoa - Christmas has come and gone already! December was another fun month (minus one week of Samara starting to have teething issues, but no teeth yet and she is back to normal!). Mommy and Daddy both had busy months at work, in fact Mommy had to work from home some and work an extra day or so. So thankful that I am normally able to just work only three days per week, it is such a blessing to have time with Samara baby! December had a lots of firsts for Samara ... First baby food (avocado - no thank you, bananas - okay, sweet potatoes - yummy stuff, squash - give me more please, peas - yucko, pears mixed with cereal - gobbles it down). First time sitting up all by herself, she started doing this right around Christmas but was still a little wobbly, good to go now! First CHRISTMAS! She of course received plenty of gifts and saw lots of family, she did really well but by the end of the weekend she was ready for a more calm week at home with less visitors. First time meeting Great Grandpa and Grandma Pennell since they were in town! First New Year's Eve - we had a nice quiet evening at Aunt Cathy's house, had snacks, family time and watched some football then headed home before midnight (Daddy said we had to get baby girl home before all the crazy drivers were out!). 2011 here we come!!
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