Humidity is Hilarious

It isn't even June yet, and I have our air conditioning on 24 hours a day. Just going to the store and coming back home is exhausting.

The only joy I've gotten out of the humidity is finding out that Sam's hair definitely has some curl in it. By about mid-morning the back is wavy and there are wisps above each of his ears. Yesterday I plunked him in his chair and hoped to get at least one cute picture of him with those little wisps. Apparently, he was in the mood to pose.

Fingerpaint

In retrospect, I could have done things differently.

After being stuck inside for two days due to rain, Sam and I are starting to get on each other's nerves. I thought today would be a great day to get out some new things to play with - and then I saw the fingerpaint. I was so excited! Sam loves getting messy and he loves coloring with markers. Why wouldn't we have a beautiful afternoon creating masterpieces together?

Sam followed me around as I gathered the paint and paper. He was whining and hanging on me (blast this rain!) but I ignored him. I felt smug as I led him into the bathroom to paint. Aren't I the smartest mom in the world, painting in the most washable room in the house? We sat down, facing each other, and I placed a piece of paper between us. I put a few drops of each color on the paper and waited for the magic to begin.

Sam stared at the paper, and then raised his head to give me the most disgusted look I've ever seen him make. I clapped and smiled and pointed at the paint. I swear he rolled his eyes. I finally took his wrist and, with him pulling back as hard as he could, I smooshed his hand into the paint.

His nose wrinkled so hard it almost touched his forehead. He yanked his arm away from me and furiously wiped his hand on the front of his (Ralph Lauren) shirt. I thought he just didn't understand and tried again. Now both his hands were covered with paint and he was angry. He struggled to stand up (using his hands on the floor and walls) and tried to battle his way out of the room (pounding the door with his palms). I finally wrestled him out of his clothes and got him cleaned up (one washcloth, one hand towel, and my right sleeve were lost in the fight).

He is now in the living room, wearing only a diaper and carrying the red bottle of paint.

I think it's best that we spend a little time apart.

A Boy and His Stick

Today Sam and I spent a wonderful Monday morning at a park near our house. We were the only people there, which gave Sam plenty of opportunity to explore. In true bizarro-Sam fashion, he spent the entire morning delighted with...a stick.

A boy, his stick, and a garbage can.
A boy, his stick, and a dandelion.
A boy, his stick, and his shadow.
A rare contemplative moment.
We're outta here!

Sam's Cracked Head

The first time Sam really knocked his head was over Thanksgiving. He was nine months old and he fell into the leg of a chair. Within seconds, there was a huge, blue knot right over his temple. It was so sad! I was so upset, I almost took him to the ER.

Over time, I have relaxed and have become accustomed to daily near-fatal accidents. Kids are tough - mine in particular.

This morning, I was talking with the electrician who is getting our house up to code. Sam was standing on the couch when he fell forward onto the edge of the coffee table. He cracked right above his left eye - it was HORRIBLE. The electrician, very concerned, said, "Do you think you should take him to the hospital?"

The thought hadn't even crossed my mind. My transformation into MOM is nearly complete.

Shannan's Wedding

On Saturday, Eric's sister Shannan got married. It was a beautiful outdoor ceremony with just immediate family attending. The reception was a big bash complete with a chocolate fountain and karaoke.

Sam was his usual, fantastic self. Pictures are below.

Sam is not impressed by weddings.
Checking out the lilacs with Papa.
Bagged out with Aunt Brenda at the reception.

Happy Mother's Day!

As far back as I can remember, I have known that my life's purpose is to be a mom. Every day I spend with Sam is an answered prayer!

Whether you've been a mom for 50 years or you're planning for your first child (hi Peanut!), take a moment today to reflect on the way your children have blessed your life.

And then feel free to spend the rest of the day hiding from them.

Mr. Sandman

Last week, we got a turtle sandbox from some people who were just going to throw it away. I am always amazed by what some people consider trash! The sandbox is in perfect condition and we knew Sam would get a kick out of it.

Yesterday, Eric bought some play sand and we filled it up. Sam was apprehensive at first. He stayed out of it and tentatively touched the sand with his fingertips. Eventually he got in and he seemed very happy. He didn't quite get the shoveling thing but he liked picking up handfuls and watching it go through his fingers. Eric even introduced Sam to his first worm.

Pictures are below.

Sam's Big Weekend

I admit that Tuesday is a bit late to still be thinking about a weekend, but Sam and I are still recovering. We were busy, busy!

Friday morning, Sam and I got to go see where Grandpa Mark works. That's right - we were allowed into IBM! We met Grandpa Mark's co-workers and Sam even got to throw a ball into a business meeting. He loved the long hallways and all of the toys! Then Grandpa Mark, Grandma Tina, Sam, and I went to eat at BB's, where Auntie Jackie works. He couldn't take his eyes off Jackie - he loved watching her work.

That evening, I went out with Jackie and Mike and Sam stayed home with his cousins, Miranda and James. He had such a good time! I kept marvelling at how happy he was to be staying at their house. Miranda (at age 13) is better with a one-year-old than I am!

On Saturday, we all went to watch James play soccer. Sam snoozed through that and was thrilled when we woke him up for another lunch at BB's. After an afternoon of shopping, he again spent the night being spoiled by Jackie, Mike, Miranda, and James. Miranda and James chased him around the yard and helped him bounce on their big trampoline.

What fun!

In and Out

Sam has recently become obsessed with the idea of in and out. If I need ten minutes to myself, I just have to take the top off of one of our storage boxes and let him take everything out…then put it back in…and take it back out.

He isn’t even picky about putting things where they are supposed to go. He’s happy to put anything IN and take anything OUT. There are really no guidelines he chooses to follow.

For example:

Last week, he took his Cheerios OUT of his bowl and put them IN Eric’s right shoe.

He dumped our pens and pencils OUT of their holder and stashed them IN the paper shredder.

No matter how many times I put his clothes IN his dresser he is willing to take them back OUT again.

His MegaBlocks must be OUT of their container. If he is tired of them and I put them back IN, he must dump them OUT again.

This morning, I watched him take Kix OUT of his mouth in order to put them IN my pop can.

There is really no end to it all. Losing our car keys is now cause for genuine panic. It won’t be a matter of finding them in a coat pocket or in a drawer. They could be in the toilet. They could be in the piano. Or, as evidenced by the sippy cup I found in the laundry room today, they could be thrown down the laundry chute.

I think Sam is going to be spending a lot more time IN his playpen.

Sam Uses a Spoon

Once he got the hang of it, he was like an old pro.

Bring on the pudding!