9 Months Old!

Sam, you are 9 months old.

You weigh 21 lbs (75%).

You are 28 inches long (75%).

You have 4 teeth. The top front and bottom front. I miss your gummy smile a little, but when you smile you light up the room!

You are in a size 3 diaper during the day and a size 4 at night.

You wear some 9 month and some 12 month clothing.

You have gotten good at crawling. Anytime Kirksey is playing with something, you want a part of it too. She has learned to try to block you out in order to keep you from getting whatever she has. I am beginning to learn how to play referee between the two of you while hiding my laughter.

You are getting better every day at pulling up on things. Every morning when I come to get you out of your crib you are standing up waiting on me.

You get this big smile and look of satisfaction on your face every time you get a toy you have been after or pull up to stand.

It snowed for the first time in your life this month. You looked so cute all bundled up!

You are beginning to take steps while holding our hands. I do not think it will be too much longer before you learn to walk.

You continue to be a good eater. You love to have things you can pick up yourself. We are working on using a cup, but you haven't quite gotten the hang of using it by yourself.

You still nurse 5 times a day.

You usually take 2 naps a day and sleep 11-12 hours a night.

You have said "mama", "dada", and "bye bye".

I love watching you and Kirksey interact more and more every month. There are so many heartwarming moments every day.

I am so proud to be your mama. We love you more and more everyday that goes by. You bring us so much joy! 

8 Months Old!

Sam, you are 8 months old today!

You continue to be such a happy, easy going baby.

You still wear a size 3 diaper.

You are in some 9 month and some 12 month clothing, depending on the fit.

I still have not found any socks that will really stay on your foot. You have a chubby foot that I could eat it up!

You are lengthening out some more so that you do not seem as chunky as you were a couple of months ago. I love your sweet rolls and double chin!

You still only have 2 teeth showing, but you are working on your top front teeth. There are 2 good sized bumps on your upper gum. I can tell that they have been bothering you the past couple of days with you getting fussy so easily and not napping well. I am pretty sure that you will have 4 teeth by the time you are 9 months old.

You are getting close to figuring out how to crawl. You can get up onto all fours and rock a little, but if you start to try to go you end up scooting backward. You are able to turn yourself around with your arms to get whatever toys are near you.

You still nurse 5 times a day.

You love food. When I put pieces of food or puffs on your tray, you grab at them and take them straight to you mouth like you can't get them in fast enough. We joke that you can't wait to have a steak in front of you!

Kirksey gives you so much entertainment and love (when you are not trying to play with something she decides she wants).

She also is so sweet cheering for you to do things and encouraging you along.

Today also marks 35 weeks since you were born. Two more days and that will be as long as I carried you before we got to hold you in our arms.

You will never truly know how deeply I love you!

Happy Valentine's Day

This is how Kirksey tells us how much she loves us and I couldn't resist uploading this…

The valentine we made for Daddy…

7 Months Old

Sam, you are 7 months old today.

You still wear a size 3 diaper.

You are in mostly 9 month clothing, although some is 9-12 month.

You have your 2 front bottom teeth.
You usually take 2 naps a day (morning and afternoon). Occasionally a third one gets in there.
You nurse 5 times a day.
You have either rice cereal or oatmeal in the morning, usually with a spoonful of apples in it.
At dinner time you have baby food. You have had sweet potatoes, green beans, carrots, peas, butternut squash, apples, bananas, spinach, broccoli, and corn. So far the only thing that you really did not like was banana…I have still been sneaking a tad in here and there to get you used to it!
You also love puffs. You can pick them up and get them close to your mouth, but you haven't gotten the "release" part down yet. 

You said your first word 2 days ago. It was "mama"!

You are truly the happiest baby I know. You are always smiling and laughing. When you do fuss it is very short lived.

You have gotten really good at sitting up by yourself.

Kirksey is always making sure you have lots of toys within reach.

There have been several times when I have had to rescue you from all the toys she stacks up around you when you are in the exersaucer.

You love each other so much. I pray you two will have a close relationship forever!

You love to be outside too!

You have not started crawling yet, but you roll around good.
You still like the johnny jump-up, and have gotten good at bouncing.

You have started to have separation anxiety. Anytime I leave the room or  go out of your view you will start to fuss.

You usually get a bath every other night. You love to get in the tub with Kirksey and splash around. You both end up laughing at each other.

You sleep with a sound machine for naps and bedtime. At bedtime I also play Lullaby Renditions of Classical Music one time through on the iPod while I nurse you and put you to bed.

You are so sweet and cuddly.

I have been really enjoying holding you just a little longer lately, especially at night.

"These days are long, but the years are short." I am becoming more aware of this saying everyday. After all, how can you already be 7 months old!

We love you with everything we have!

6 Months Old

Sam, you are 6 months old today!

I can't believe how fast the time is going by and how quickly you are growing up.
You weigh 19 lbs (95%).
You are 26 1/2 in long (90%).
Your head circumference is 44 cm.

You wear a size 3 diaper.

You are in some 6-9 month and 9 month clothes.

You typically nurse 5 times a day.

You eat oatmeal in the morning and rice cereal in the evening. We are going to start baby food this week.

You take 2-3 naps a day. It is either 2 longer ones or 1 longer and 2 shorter ones.

You have been sleeping through the night fairly consistently, until your teeth started to come in. Your first tooth poked through your gums last Monday. The second should poke through any day, I can see it and feel a hump now.

Even when you are cutting teeth and have a cold, you have a smile on your face! I love that you are so happy.

You are very active. You are getting good at grabbing and holding onto items.

You are still working on sitting up. You do good for a little bit, then you slowly start to topple over. If you can have your hand on something higher than the floor (like my leg or a toy) you can keep your balance well.

You really want to be able to crawl. You get frustrated when you push a toy away and then can't quite reach it again.

I love your big cheeks, round face, and double chin! Although that is not where it ends...you have chunky legs and arms too!

You really love Kirksey! She can always make you laugh. 

You adore her and she adores you. It is so sweet to see! 

One day I will have to remember these sweet moments.

You also always crane your neck around to find her anytime you hear her.

I can only imagine the trouble the two of you will get yourselves into.

You also love to read books with Kirksey. Especially when your daddy reads them to you.

You are such a sweet baby boy. Sometimes I wish time could stop so I could saver these moments forever.

3 Years Old

Kirksey, you are 3 years old!

You are such a beautiful, smart, and amazing little girl.
You now weigh 27.8 lbs (25%)
 And you are 35 1/4 in tall (25%)

You started potty training in August and have been doing so good with it. You only wear a pull-up for naps and bedtime.

You are just now wearing mostly 3T clothing.

You wear a size 6-7 shoe.

You love life! You get so excited about the smallest of things. You are such a joy to be around.

You an athletic little girl. You have good coordination and love to kick a ball.

You have really become a "Daddy's girl" over the last 6 months or so. But you still really love me too!

You have such a sweet heart. You helped me fill boxes for Operation Christmas Child and you were so excited to give the gifts.

We just converted your crib to a toddler bed. You have done so well with the transition! You really like that you can get in and out all by yourself.

You are starting to get such a good imagination. It is fun to watch you play.

You went to your first MSU home football game this season. It was an exciting game with lots of fireworks, cowbells ringing, and bands. You were in awe when we first got there.

You love anything girly...jewelry, shoes, purses, dresses (so you can twirl), etc.

You also love trains! You have even asked Santa for trains this year!

Doc McStuffins is your favorite show right now, with Dora as a second.

At your 3 year check-up you even asked your pediatrician to do another check-up on you! I have no doubt this was a result of all the check-ups you give because of watching Doc McStuffins.

You are the best big sister! You sometimes even act like you are Sam's second mom!

You have filled the last 3 years with joy and so many smiles, laughs, kisses, and hugs. You are such a wonderful little girl. Your daddy and I love you more than you know!