Splish, Splash, He Had an Absolute BLAST!

We had a summer sneak-peak this week.

We met some of our photography friends at the Fairview splash park this week. We went there with them once

last year, too

. They've added a new feature this year called "The Village Beach".  They basically took a small field and covered it with sand.  There are several volleyball nets, playground equipment, beach chairs, shovels and pails and even a little boardwalk.  Sam liked playing in the sand but LOVED splashing in the fountains.  He ran and giggled, ran and giggled for almost three hours.  When Brian saw these pictures he said, "This is going to be a fun summer!"  I agree!

Guest at the Nest

It's a baby bird!.

We've watched Mama and Daddy sit on the nest in our tree for a while now, and we finally have a baby. Just one, though, and boy is he big!  Sam and the neighborhood kids have enjoyed checking-in on the birdies everyday I've been able to put my not-often-used zoom lens to good use!

baby bird

baby bird

close-up of Mama bird

Eye See You

Gotta love the Target dollar bin.

This ladybug magnifying glass has kept Sam quite busy, searching for bugs on the sidewalk and berries on the bushes. Even

Daddy

has been caught playing with it - specifically trying to show Sam how to burn leaves with it. Just what we need - a toddler who knows how to start fires with a toy and the sun.

While We Were Away

It's been a while since I've posted.

I'm now really behind...lots of pictures to edit, lots of stories to write.  Some funny, some happy, some not-so-much.  I've taken some time away from the blog in part because our computer was out-of-commission for the last couple of weeks which makes blogging impossible.  But the main reason I haven't been writing was because we started the new year off taking care of and worrying about our little Sophie.  After having to say goodbye to her on February 17th, I wasn't much up for blogging stories and family pictures.  We haven't been just sitting around; Brian and I both have jobs we had to show up for and Sam to take care of.  But things I usually enjoy, like sewing and photography and blogging, just weren't that appealing for a while. 

But we're feeling better now, and with the photos piling up and the "tales from the nest" that need to be told, I'm somewhat forcing myself to get caught up with my blogging.  I know how much everyone loves to read about Sam and watch him grow and this site has become very special to our family, so I'm not going to let it fall by the wayside!

You'll see some entries are "post-dated" just because I want to keep stories close to their original dates so that when Sam is older and reading these posts they are dated accurately, so keep checking February and March over the next few days to see new posts..  I have lots of posts coming up about what's been going on around our nest...like a certain someone turning TWO!

Enjoy our new photos and our new tales, and thanks for being patient while we were away.

(Brian took the picture above during our last trip to the park, Sunday, February 13th, 2011)

Sick (posted 3/27)

Allergies are wreaking havoc on our little nest.

But watching Mickey Mouse cartoons - - with your pal Mickey Mouse - - makes it a little more bearable!

Turtle (posted 3/27)

This turtle is magic.

It's been a gift to me as much as it's been to Sam.  He loves his turtle - it shows him the moon and the stars on his ceiling - and it's made naptime and nighttime a breeze.  Thank you cousin Hollie. Thank you.

Click (posted 3/27)

He looks like a natural!

We enjoyed our Vintage Camera Photoshoot playdate today.  Sam was pretty agreeable and there were lots of things there for him to explore and enjoy.  He climbed around on a playground that was just the right size for him, pet a fluffy puppy dog named Marshmallow, played with a bunny named Molly, and got to take pictures of Mama with his very own camera - a (non-working) Kodak Brownie Starflex.  What a fun St. Patty's Day afternoon!

Happy 2nd Birthday! (posted 3/26)

Boy, did this guy have fun at his party!

He got lots of great presents and had a ball being the center of attention! The highlights of the party - - big turtle, little turtle and "Aunt Bail" (Aunt Bell). He's mentioned her name almost every day since. Thanks to everyone who came and celebrated our little boy's birthday, and a special thanks to Gram who saved all of my Sesame Street toys all these years. It made decorating for this party very easy - and very retro!!

              Waiting, waiting, waiting for Granny...                         Finally!  They're here!!

Pinch, pinch, pinch!

Enjoying birthday snacks with Gram

                               Great-Grandma                                  Having a blast being the center of attention!

Cowboy Sam made an appearance, much to the delight of the Grannies and Grandpas

He liked his cake this year!

               Helping Mommy put the finishing touches on the birthday cupcakes before our guests arrived!

                                             Our Sesame Street friends helped us celebrate!

Happy Birthday Sam!

Straight A's (posted 3/20)

95%. 90%. 90%. 

As in percentile for head, height and weight.  Sam got these "straight As" at his two-year-old check up.  Doc G. wrote on our take-home sheet "Big Boy".  He said we can go from whole milk to 2% milk.  Ya think?

He asked me if Sam was talking and I said he was.  He tried to get him to talk but Sam would only glare at him and bury his head in my shoulder.  Dr. G. continued his exam and later tried to get Sam to talk again - asked him his name and how old he was.  Sam wasn't having any of it and gave him the cold-shoulder again.  Doc asked me - "Are you SURE he's talking?" - not in a joking way, but with genuine concern.  HA!! 

Not to worry

Dr. G.  This kid talks.  Clearly.  In sentences.  ALL DAY LONG.  He just doesn't want to talk to the guy who jabs shots in his thigh, shines lights in his eyes and cleans out his ears with a long metal spoon!  Can you blame him? :)

Not only will Sam not talk to the doctor, he starts crying the minute they call us back to our exam room.  He screams when the nurse puts the measuring tape around his head and when I set him on the scale to be weighed.  It's major drama - so unnecessary, and so loud.  I know they're always glad to see us go.  Despite the screaming I felt Sam deserved a treat after we left the doctor's office so we stopped by the mall playground on our way home.  I took this picture before we left the doctor, knowing I'd taken one the year before, after his one-year-old check up.  Same carseat, too - look how much taller he is now.  Notice his red, tear-stained face, too.  Poor guy.

Happy Straight A's Sam!