Lonely without Sammi

This weekend I spent my first two days away from Samantha. I missed her so much!!! Ken and I got to go to my cousin's wedding on Friday night so Samantha stayed with Grandma and Pappy for the weekend. Ken and I went out to the movies on Saturday night and I couldn't help but miss her. It made me realize just how much a part of my life my beautiful daughter is. She's a little bundle of energy and giggles and brightens every day.

Unfortunately for me, the separation is not over. Granny and Grandpa are coming to pick her up today to take her through Sunday. That's six days without my girl. Its going to be hard to be without her! But I know its the right thing to do as we pack up our apartment for the big move. She'll be much safer at Granny and Grandpa's and I know she'll have a blast.

These Shoes Were Made for Walkin'

Well, we got Samantha her first pair of real shoes yesterday. Never mind the $45 for what she "might get three months out of." She put them on and it was as if her feet were glued to the floor. We tried to get her to walk in the store but she wouldn't. Finally she sat down and started playing with her shoes. I can't even imagine what shoes must feel like the first time you put them on.

Last weekend we went to visit Samantha's Great-Granny for a few hours. Samantha had a blast. Of course we had to practically remodel Granny's house to make it child proof. It was so good to see everyon, so good we think we'll go back this weekend.

Aunt Jenny is coming down for the second week in a row to spend the day with Samantha. SAM really enjoys spending time with her Aunt Jenny since she's off for the summer.

Samantha's doing really good these days, walking all over the place, babbling all the time, playing, and teething.

Walking

Samantha has been taking a few steps for the past week or two but now we can officially say she is walking. Tonight she walked all the way across the room to come to me. So, this is what being a mom is: the feeling when my beautiful daughter wobbles across the room toward me with the biggest smile on her face and her bright blue eyes wide open with excitement beaming out. Then as if the feeling couldn't get any better she did it two more times (although I think one of those she was actually aiming for her Elmo!) Its amazing. Hard to beleive that just a few months ago we were excited to see her roll over for the first time.

Needless to say, Samantha is so much fun now. She is just the happiest girl and so sweet. I feel so blessed.

Recent Pictures of our Angel

Some recent pictures of Samantha


Swimming at Grandpa and Granny's.
July 9, 2005



Samantha's first visit to the Atlantic Ocean.
July 14, 2005


Samantha and Daddy at the Outerbanks.


Our crazy little girl!
Outerbanks, NC
July 16, 2005

Ten Month Birthday!

Happy 10 months to Samantha! Time is still really flying by!

Samantha went to the pool with mommy and daddy on Saturday. What a great day to be at the pool, it was hot out but not too humid. Samantha is quite the splasher! Then we went to Cullen's first birthday party. Samantha had a lot of fun because she got to see her Grandma and Pappy and her Aunts and Uncles. While Cullen was sleeping she tried to get to his presents but once he woke up she was very good. She sat nicely with daddy while Cullen opened his gifts. Samantha was particularly interested when everyone was singing "Happy Birthday" to Cullen. We'll have to teach her the words so she can sing along at her next birthday party.

Well, her next birthday party came on Sunday. We celebrated Grandpa's 60th birthday in style, over seafood. Grandpa and Granny came down to visit earlier in the day and Samantha was super happy to see them. She was so cute too, they just can't get over her! Samantha took two steps for the first time. She's taken one step before, but this was the first time we saw her take two. It was very cute, except that I only saw it out of the corner of my eye.

Samantha is very excited that we finally have a date to move into our house. Mommy and Daddy finally got a letter over the weekend with the date for settlement. Now hopefully everything will go smoothly through August!

Samantha's First Vacation

Samantha had her first vacation this past weekend. We stayed at the outerbanks with Ken's family from Thursday until Sunday. Samantha loved the beach! We put her pool on the beach and she sat in it and played for a long time. Then we took her to put her toes in the ocean. She let out a little whine with a huge smile on her face. I think it was her way of saying "You've got me good, don't you?" She seemed to enjoy it.

Samantha got to see her cousins Cullen and Gabby for the first time since before Christmas. It was so good to see them, all three played very well together. She really enjoyed seeing all her family and swimming in the pool.

Samantha was very good on the drive back, it took us about 10 hours to get home. Granted, we had to stop about five times to feed and/or change Sammi. But on Monday morning she did not want to go back in the car, then again, neither did I!

9-month checkup and 4th of July

We took Samantha to her 9-month check up on Tuesday and she now weighs 21.4 lbs (85%) and is 29 1/2 inches tall (97%). The doctor said she is doing great! She's getting so smart now too, she shakes her finger back and forth whenever she anticipates the word "no" coming (not that my angel would get into anything she shouldn't!). Earlier this week she looked at our Rosie (our bad kitty) who was accross the room and she shook her finger back and forth at her. I guess we tell Rosie "no" a lot!

Samantha had a great 4th of July weekend, despite her first official fever. On Thursday night (June 30) she had a fever, only 102ish (which isn't bad for babies). Fortunately her Aunt Jenny was coming to spend the day with her on Friday anyway, which was good for me b/c she couldn't go to daycare, but unfortunate for Aunt Jenny because Samantha wasn't herself. Then on Saturday we went up to Aunt Jenny's mansion on the farm to visit with old friends and meet a new little friend, Aiden who is 4 months and super sweet. Then on Sunday Samantha got to see her best friend Lauren when we had a crab feast with co-workers (no, Kenny didn't eat any crabs, shocking, I know). On the way home we swung by our new place in Frederick, it is really coming along! The drywall is up and most of the cabinets are up too. Sammi slept through that though. Finally on Monday we spent the day shopping. Samantha loves shopping because she gets to see so many things and meet so many new people.

Yesterday Aunt Jenny came down again to spend the day with Sammi. This time it was a lot more fun since Samantha is back to herself. They had a blast!

This weekend we're going to start packing up again. Hard to believe we could be moving into our new home in the next month or so! Cross your fingers it goes off without a hitch. On Thursday we are off to the outer banks for a mini-vacation (hard to have a long vacation when maternity leave used up all my vacation time!)