Come On, Spring!

We are

 SO. READY. FOR. SPRING!

We are ready to be able to go outside and play all day until the sun goes down. We have had a few "warmer" days that we've been able to head out and enjoy some fresh air. Sam loves for Kendall to ride him in the Escalade. It's hard to believe he is big enough to be able to ride without falling out! Anyway, Kendall is a good and safe driver, and Sam loves it, so everyone is happy! :) Yay!

If this is a foreshadowing of the years to come, I think I'm going to be happy! Safe driving and they still love each other--what more could a parent want?

Happy First Birthday to Our Special Baby Boy!

Sam turned 1 on February 17. I know I say it every time I post, but I just can't believe that this year has FLOWN by so fast! It seems as though I've blinked and he's already a year old! It makes me so sad, but I've truly enjoyed watching him grow and develop over the year. He is SO sweet and fun, and I love his deep belly laughs! He has 7 teeth and can eat anything. In fact, he loves to eat all the time! He is so busy these days "running" everywhere! He babbles a lot, but the only words we can make out are "mama, dada, tata (thank you), ba (ball)". He loves our dog Oakley and he stands at the back door and "woofs" at him. It is so cute!! He has a favorite animal book, and his favorite thing to pick out is the monkey...he knows exactly what page it's on! He is already loving technology--the iphone, ipad, leap pad, and any other thing that has buttons! He learned to slide my phone on and delete apps, so I ended up having to put a lock on it! It's bad when your 1 year old is smarter on the phone than you are!! He loves to dance when he hears music...it's so funny to watch him do it! 

We went to see Dr. Stone for his 1 year check up today. He weighs 20-6 and is 29 3/4 in tall! 

We had Sam's birthday party on Sunday 2/17/13 at our house. It was a very small party with family and close friends. Since he was getting over ear infections and fever, I wasn't quite sure how he was going to feel, but he ended up doing pretty well. He hated wearing his birthday hat, and he cried so hard when I tried to put it on his head. He liked the cake, though!! Our friends that joined us were the Kahlstorfs, the Beavers, the Colemans, and the Shafers. Mimi even got to come, too!

Precious birthday cake that matched the invitations.

Sam's "smash" cake!

Our sweet family...so blessed!

Mommy and my precious birthday boy!

And here goes the wailing!!! Totally didn't like the hat!

Family picture!

"Happy birthday to you..."

Taste testing the smash cake...Sister sure liked it!

There is that precious smile...loving the icing of the cake!

Oh no!!! Here comes the hat again...tear!

Daddy and Sambo!

Look at that precious face!!

I could eat him up!!

Happy boy!

Opening gifts!

Thanks to Mrs. Rina, Averi, and Rhys for the Mickey Mouse plate set!

Chewing on the bag is SO MUCH FUN!

Beautiful Big Sister!

Giggling with Daddy!

I hate to see my baby sick!

Poor Sam...we have been battling ear infections off and on since November. He had 1 in November, 1 in December, 1 in January with 3 different antibiotics, and he awoke with high fever and green nasal drainage. We took him to the doctor and he had yet another ear infection! Poor baby--he hasn't felt good at all! And of course, it's just 2 days before his birthday!! We are holding out until April to get ear tubes! Come on, April!

Bless my sweet baby...he was so sleepy when I tried to wake him up this morning. We had some sweet snuggle time, though!

Bless him. You can just see the "sick" in his eyes! But he still manages to eat!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day to our 2 favorite Valentines!! Kendall got a new Princess Sofia Dress and Sam got a big stuffed monkey and balloons. Mimi and Papa sent them some money and a card, too!