Nine Months Old Today!

Wow, another month down. I can't help but think that now she's been with us as long as I carried her. And to think how much she's changed in the last nine months. She is truly a blessing. Happy nine months to my baby girl.

She's got quite the cold now. I was up most of the night with her. She could't stop coughing. I felt so bad for her because there was nothing I could do. But true to form, she is still in a great mood today!

THE STORY OF LIFE

I ran accross this old e-mail I recevied back in 1999. My life sure has changed in the last 6 years and the meaning of this has changed for me over the years. But the message is still very true. I thought I would share it.

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THE STORY OF LIFE

Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there, to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson, or to help you figure out who you are or who you want to become. You never know who these people may be (possibly your roommate, neighbor, coworker, longlost friend, lover, or even a complete stranger), *but when you lock eyes with them, you know at that very moment they will affect your life in some profound way.*

And sometimes things happen to you that may seem horrible, painful, and unfair at first, but in reflection you find that without overcoming those obstacles you would have never realized your potential, strength, willpower, or heart.

*Everything happens for a reason.*

Nothing happens by chance or by means of good luck.

Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness, and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul. Without these small tests, whatever they may be, life would be like a smoothly paved, straight, flat road to nowhere. It would be safe and comfortable, but dull and utterly pointless.

The people you meet who affect your life, and the success and downfalls you experience, help to create who you are and who you become. *Even the bad experiences can be learned from.*
In fact, they are probably the most poignant and important ones.

If someone hurts you, betrays you, or breaks your heart, forgive them, for they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious when you open your heart.

If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but because in a way, they are teaching you to love and how to open your heart and eyes to things.

*Make every day count.*

Appreciate every moment and take from those moments everything that you possibly can for you may never be able to experience it again.

Talk to people that you have never talked to before, and actually listen.

Let yourself fall in love, break free, and set your sights high.

Hold your head up because you have every right to.

Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself, for if you don't believe in yourself, it will be hard for others to believe in you.

You can make of your life anything you wish.

Create your own life and then go out and live it with absolutely no regrets.

*Most importantly*!!!, *if you LOVE someone tell him or her, for you never know what tomorrow may have in store. *

And learn a lesson in life each day that you live.

THAT'S THE STORY OF LIFE

Sammi Meets the Fishies

Here's a picture of Samantha at the aquarium on Saturday. She loves fish, which is good since we have a lot of the Fisher Price Ocean Aquarium themed toys. She had a blast at the aquarium. She looked at all the fish and even sharks!




She enjoyed her first Father's day too. She treated her daddy extra special and even took him out to breakfast. Too bad mommy was sick the whole weekend!

Grandpa and Daddy let a Lamb Lick My Toes!

Samantha really enjoyed the Pirates vs. Orioles series last week. She wore her little oriole outfit on Monday and the Orioles won. Unfortunately she split her alliegence in half and that meant the orioles lost two games.

Here's a picture of our little Oriole cheerleader. Unfortuantely the Pittsburgh Pirates took 2 of 3.



Mommy and Daddy got to do a pre-drywall walkthrough of our new home on Friday. Saturday we swung by so Sammi could see it. Hopefully we'll be living there by the end of the summer.

This is us in our new home.


On Saturday we went to our company picnic. It was lots of fun and Samantha had a blast. Although Daddy and Grandpa let the animals get a little too close at the petting farm.

Here's Samantha at our company picnic. In the background is the lamb that licked her toes.



On Sunday Aunt Jenny came to visit. We went to the pool for the first time. Samantha did so good. At first she was a little fussy and concerned. But she warmed up to the pool quickly. Then we went to the Kiddie pool and she really loved that!

This is her first time swimming.


There's so much to learn in a pool!


Samantha has been really fussy tonight. I'm sure the weekend wore her out plus she still has those two teeth coming in.

Independence, mobility, and Teeth

Samantha is getting her second tooth now, its coming in alongside her other tooth. I can tell its been bothering her. She woke up last night around 4 a.m. just crying. Poor little thing, it looks like it hurts.

She had her first trip away from Mommy and Daddy last week. Daddy was in Denver on a business trip so Granpa and Granny came down on Thursday and took her home with them for the weekend. So I had to go a day and a half without my little girl. I really missed her, but I think it is good for her.

She's crawling around like crazy now. Daddy and I enjoy calling her toward us and she goes back and forth between us. And Jesse (our kitty) is starting to get really nervous about this!

Last night I was being a bit lazy, so I was letting her play while I watched from afar. She was playing with her learning table and all of the sudden she let go. She was standing all on her own! She was wobbling to the front and the back. It was like it was in slow motion! She was so excited! It was probably about 30 seconds until I got to her but she never did fall!