(Almost) All Is Well

Sam and I seem to be on the mend. His nose is really red, and he sneezes all the time, but he is almost back to his cheery self.

Two days ago Eric brought home a wooden train set for Sam. He felt bad he was sick and was trying to cheer him up. We now know that wooden train sets are totally capable of sending Sam into a great mood. He loves it! He was okay with it when it was on the floor, but when I set the whole thing on the coffee table he was just beside himself. He played with it for nearly two hours last night, paying no attention to me whatsoever.

If I could just get Sam to blow his nose instead of inhaling when I chase him with a tissue, all would be right in our world.

Blech

We are still sick, y'all! Sam went all day yesterday without eating. That has never happened before. Today he has already had a cereal bar and milk, so things are looking up.

I'm busy disinfecting everything (while Sam occupies himself infecting everything).

Again, I'll try to post tomorrow!

Yuck

Sam and I are sick. The last 24 hours have been nothing but kleenexes, motrin, blankets, and whining (some of the whining even came from Sam).

There is nothing fun or cute to post about today. I'm off to fight Sam for space on the couch.

I'm hoping for a regular post tomorrow!

Sam & Softie: A Love Story

When I was just a few months pregnant with Sam, Kourtney and Amy came to my house for dinner and brought gifts for the baby. I opened a cuddly giraffe and unbelievably tiny onesies with matching hats. And at the bottom of the bag, there it was - the whitest, softest, most beautiful baby blanket I'd ever seen. It is satin on one side and - I don't know - just SOFT on the other. The three of us stroked the soft side in amazement. It was just beautiful.

The beautiful white blanket was folded and stored in Sam's bottom dresser drawer, along with all of the other cuddly blankets he received. When Sam was born we went through up to 10 blankets a day. He liked being wrapped up and it didn't take long for his blankets to get messy. I never used the white blanket for day-to-day use. It was too nice!

One day, when Sam was about three or four months old, he had a meltdown. He was such a calm baby, so having him wailing the way he was was scary. Nothing I did calmed him down. He struggled and fought me, and he was flushed and hot. Finally I stripped him down to his diaper and wrapped him in the white blanket. Within a few moments he was completely calm, his little fingers gripping its satin edge.

From then on, Sam and Softie were inseparable. He became so dependent on it, I was always afraid it would be lost or ruined somehow. I mentioned that to Kourtney, Amy, and Katie one evening in passing. Not only did Katie remember I said that - she went to the one store we knew carried those blankets and got another one for Sam. (Now c'mon...that is just one of the sweetest things anyone has done for me - ever!)

Luckily, Sam doesn't care which Softie he has, as long as he has one. The beautiful, soft, white blankets are now better described as ragged, rough, and grey. They have been chewed on, spilled on, dragged through dirt, stepped on, and dropped in the dog's water dish. Yet he loves them. No matter how upset he is, Softie always calms him down.

Kourtney, Amy, and Katie - you have made my job so much easier! Thank you!

A Pirate's Life for Sam

Yesterday afternoon, Sam and I were sitting on the couch reading books. He now insists on holding the book and turning the pages, making it impossible for me to read. We usually just chat about the pictures. I honestly get bored after a while and stop paying attention. (Which one of us acts like a one-year-old?)

My eyes were glazed over. Suddenly Sam exclaimed and chattered excitedly. Still not interested, I didn't know what he was going on about. He pointed across the room, laughing, and then poked himself in the eye. Now THIS was interesting. He hurled himself off the couch and ran over to an end table.

Reaching over a few frames, he picked up a candle-less candlestick I had forgotten was there. It was narrow at the top, and flared into a wider bottom. Squinting, Sam held the narrow end up to his eye and danced around.

I looked down at the open book. There was a sailor, standing on a boat, looking into the distance with a telescope to his eye.

Ahoy!

He's a Lover, Not a Fighter

Sam is a big fan of giving hugs. Some are half-hearted, almost like a drive-by. But most are focused, serious, and nearly close to strangling.

I think Dee Dee gets more hugs than everyone else put together. She tries to slink by Sam to avoid being noticed. Every time he sees her, he throws himself on her back, his little arms barely reaching around her big body. He happily murmurs, "Dee Dee!" as he pats her lovingly. He has no idea how much she hates it. She darts forward, shooting out of his grip, causing him to fall on the floor. Unfortunately for Dee Dee, being thrown around simply delights Sam. He picks himself up to thank her with another hug.

Sometimes as I sit near him, watching him play, he gets in a hugging mood and can't get enough. He'll drive a truck for a few moments and then walk over to me. He slowly wraps his arms around my neck and gently rests his cheek against mine. He lets out a sigh that sounds like, "Awww," and then lets me go to play. A minute or two later, the hugging starts again.

Sam knows that Eric is rougher than I am. Eric will repeatedly toss Sam onto our bed, making my heart stop every time. Wrestling with Eric is absolutely Sam's favorite thing to do. When Sam hugs Eric, it is much more aggressive. Sam squeezes him as hard as he can, repeatedly patting him. Their hugs often turn into patting matches.

Yesterday, Aiden came over for a playdate. The boys had so much fun, giggling and running around together. Several times I caught Sam holding Aiden in an embrace. Sam is almost six months older than Aiden, and so about a head taller. This made them the perfect height to end up standing together, facing one another, with Sam's arms wrapped lovingly around Aiden's head. Aiden came out of each hug looking rather bewildered.

Aw, Sam. What a sweet, sweet boy you are turning out to be!

Watching What I Say

One of the benefits of Sam's slowly-but-surely speech development is the delay of having him repeat things I don't want him to. He still doesn't tell me no, which is a beautiful thing.

A few days ago we were all in the living room and Eric fell asleep on the couch. That is one of my pet peeves, so I said, "Eric, go to bed." Eric opened his eyes for a moment and then went back to sleep. Sam and I continued to play, with me asking Eric to go to bed every few minutes.

Finally, Sam was tired of listening to me ask. With a very stern look and even firmer voice, he turned to Eric and said, "Da da, bye-bye. BED."

It has begun!

Sam's Fat Lip

Wednesday is play gym day for us. As usual, Sam took off the second we walked in. I had to chase him so I could take his coat off.

We had only been there a few minutes when I looked up at Sam and saw the pre-crying look on his face. I dashed over to where he was. A mom standing nearby explained that her son had fallen backward, Sam fell forward, and her son's head had smacked Sam in the mouth.

He was so sad, sobbing on my lap. When I finally got a good look at him, I saw his swollen lip. The left side of his upper lip was plumped up - he looked so pitiful.

However, Sam is nothing if not tough. After just a few minutes with me he wriggled to the floor and played for an hour and a half. Every once in a while we'd make eye contact across the gym and he would shoot me a bright, although noticably crooked, smile.

I love that swollen kid!

Samuel Fonzarelli

Sam and I are working on letters and numbers every day. He enjoys both, but definitely prefers his number puzzle to his alphabet puzzle.

He loves lining up the numbers and counting out loud. He isn't really saying them correctly, but he gives a heck of an effort. He also counts his toy cars. "Ee, ba, oo, et, too, me..."

If I ask him to point out the numbers I say aloud, he can identify 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 0. So far, it seems that is favorite number is 8. That is the one he can (sort of) say. I always say the number clearly, asking him to watch my mouth say it. That is why I don't know why his 8 comes out the way it does.

He saves it for last. Once all of the other numbers are in, he holds up 8 and says, "Aaay!" EXACTLY like he should be wearing a black leather jacket and living in a room above our garage.

Face it - the kid is cool.

Sam Gets His Groove On

Sam has never really been very interested in music. He has his music toys, and plays surprisingly melodic tunes on the piano, but there are many things he'd rather be doing. Lately, I have noticed an increased interest in singing and dancing.

Several weeks ago, we were watching Barney and Friends. Sam usually watches happily. At the most he will shake his hips a little. On this day, they were singing the Baby Bop Hop. (All of you parents know what I am talking about!) Suddenly, at the right time in the song, Sam sang, "Hop! Hop! Hop! Hop!" while hopping around the room. Amazing!

Sam also has his ride-on fire truck that plays a few different songs. He likes to sit on it and push the buttons, swaying from side to side. Last week I caught him shaking things up a bit. One of the songs ends with a run of notes, low to high. Like quickly sliding a hand up a keyboard. Sam swayed through the song, and at the end he popped up into a standing position, hands above his head. He now does it every time, right in time to the music.

Last night Sam was playing with his pop-up play tent. It looks like a big truck and has Bob the Builder on it. Sam has never seen the show Bob the Builder, but Eric and I sing the theme song every time the tent is out. As he busily played, babbling to himself, he suddenly began singing. "Bob da Bubba..." The rest of the lyrics were babble, but Bob da Bubba came through loud and clear at all of the right times.

Play it again, Sam!

Worst. Playdate. Ever.

Last week, Karen and I made plans to take Sam and Aiden to Como Zoo. Both boys were whiny and sick, so we rescheduled for today.

We planned that I would pick them up, but it was too cold for me to clean out my car this morning. I called Karen and asked her to drive - no problem. Except that in the confusion, both of us thought the other had a stroller. After 15 minutes of struggling, we had both the car seats in the car and we headed off.

I had never seen the zoo as empty as it was this morning. I believe that, in large part, was due to temps being about 4 degrees. Without a stroller, we each carried a kid, tears streaming down our faces from the cold wind. We went as quickly as we could between the buildings, but nothing would have been fast enough. Aiden and Sam both cried and struggled. It isn't easy to hold a 37 pound boy, dressed in a slippery jacket, when one's arms are completely frozen.

After visiting just two buildings, we gave up and went back to the car. The boys were cold and angry. There was so much screaming and kicking and crying going on, I almost titled today's post Snot Zoo. Once we were all finally in the car, Sam continued to scream and kick the back of my seat. Karen had one arm wrenched into the back seat, trying to warm up Aiden's hands. Exhausted, both boys fell asleep during the 10-minute ride home.

The boys are now just fine. Sam cheerfully ate lunch and is taking a nap. Karen reports that Aiden is sweetly playing and chatting with his toys. We, on the other hand, are traumatized by feelings of guilt and regret.

There aren't enough giraffes in the world to make mornings like today's worthwhile.

Uh Oh

Sam's new favorite thing to say is, "Uh oh!" He understands that it is used when an accident occurs. He doesn't know that it isn't as appropriate to say after intentionally causing mayhem.

If Sam comes to get me with an, "Uh oh," my heart sinks. I know I'm going to follow him to a scene of destruction. Food spilled, books pulled out of the bookcase, the dog frantically eating everything Sam just threw out of the pantry.

This morning I was checking my email when Sam came into the room, still wearing his footie pajamas. He patted my arm and said, "Uh oh, Mama." I sighed and followed him into the living room. Everything looked okay. The kitchen and both bedrooms checked out. I started looking under the couches when I noticed that Sam's walk was a step-clomp, step-clomp.

Realizing there was something in his pajamas, I stripped him naked and found my cell phone stuck to the bottom of his foot.

Uh oh...I think I need a break!

Life's Little Pleasures

Yesterday I was in a bit of a bad mood while preparing Sam's lunch. Sam has been sick, which means he has been uncharacteristically crabby. I have been doing everything I can to keep him from whining. I have a big box of miscellaneous toys, books, and crafts stuck in his closet. Any time I find something incredibly cheap or free, no matter what the appropriate age level, I bring it home and throw it in the box. It has been a lifesaver the last few days. All I do is pull out a coloring page or pencil set and Sam is happy for hours.

The last thing I had pulled out of the box was a magnetic dinosaur playset. It has a little scene, complete with ancient-looking trees and erupting volcanoes. The magnets are various plants, birds, dinosaurs, and neanderthals. I would question its scientific accuracy if it hadn't been on clearance for $0.50.

Sam was sitting at the table, rearranging his dinosaur magnets on their playset, as I cooked lunch. Then I heard him take a slow, exaggerated, intake of breath. I turned to see what had triggered his stage gasp. He was pointing at the male neanderthal. It was complete with one-shouldered tigerskin wrap, heavy club, and a brow so prominent his eyes were totally obscured. Still pointing, Sam's face lit up as he rapturously said, "Oh - Daddy!"

Frankly, I don't know if I'll ever be in a bad mood again.

The DVDs Were a Bad Idea

When Sam and I were at the library last week I picked out two children's DVDs. I thought he'd really enjoy The Wiggles Dance Party and Sesame Street Sings the Movies. The fact that they were free really clinched it for me. (And yes, I know what the American Academy of Pediatrics says about TV viewing under age two; and no, I don't agree with it.)

The DVDs have just been a nightmare since I brought them home. I couldn't find the Sesame Street disc for an entire afternoon and worried about having to pay for it. Finally, in a fit of inspiration, I looked under the DVD player. Sure enough, Sam had slid it right into that little space, hoping to watch it when I refused to put it in for him. Less than a day later, Sam was able to open the DVD drawer, put in the movie, and press play. He then brings me the correct remote to change the TV input.

It took me over a week to figure that out.

I think the major problem is having the actual cases next to the TV. When he sees them, he wants to watch the movie. We have only ever had Sesame Street on TiVo for him to watch. There was nothing physical for him to pick up and bring to me. Last night, he was carrying around the Sesame Street movie. I heard him looking for me (I was hiding from him - I never said I was perfect) and calling, "Ah-car? Ah-car?" Clearly, he was longing for Oscar the Grouch.

The movies are going back today. We won't be getting more.

Respectfully Frightening

I must ask Sam if he is ready 20 times a day. Before lunch, before putting on his coat, before pushing one of his cars, before getting in the tub. I want him to be engaged in what we are doing and asking if he is ready gets his attention.

Apparently, Sam wants the same for me. Yesterday he walked up to me with both hands over his eyes. He said, "Ready?" I said yes, and then he pulled away his hands and shouted, "BOO!"

Sam, always a gentleman, makes sure a lady is prepared before trying to scare her socks off.

Heartstrings Are Real

Yesterday Sam and I went to the library to play. The library is less than a year old and the children's area is incredible. There is a huge play house, train table, puppets, and shelves of puzzles and games. Oh yeah - and books.

As usual, I sat myself out of the way and let Sam do his thing. He is so sociable. I watched him at the train table, chatting away happily with the other children. He laughed with a boy at the felt board. One boy wheeled a book cart filled with play food out of the little house. Sam ran after him with a wooden banana and box of pasta, put them into his cart, and ran back to the house.

It is so hard watching my baby turn into a child. As I watch him playing, I am constantly talking to God. "Please, Lord, let the other children be nice to him! Let him be nice to the others! Don't let him be left out or mistreated. Please protect his little heart."

As I say this prayer, the prayer mothers have been saying for centuries, I can honestly feel a pulling ache in my own heart. I always thought "heartstrings" were just a nice part of a sweet saying.

Now I know they are real. I just needed Sam to show me how they are played.

Sam Is Exhausting

It is after 9 pm, and I am just now getting around to today's post. Visions of Sam are running through my head. Him dancing...laughing...talking...being an all-around exceptional kid. I have about five different ideas for very fun posts.

But all I want to do is go to bed. And if I can't give myself a break now and then...well, I won't be at my best. Sam needs me at my best. I am terrified to think what he could do if I weren't at the top of my game.

Therefore, no post today. This tired mom is going to sleep!

Learning the A-B-Nah's

Sam is really fascinated by letters, whether it is writing on my sweatshirt or the title on my book. He points to each one, saying "Ah, ee, too, bee, ay, oh, oo." Not exactly correct, but I am thrilled he's showing an interest.

Following his lead, I have been working on teaching him the alphabet. He has an alphabet poster in his room, and he loves to point at the letters while we sing the song. He doesn't follow along exactly, but again, I'm happy. He also has an alphabet puzzle he can put together. I had never really noticed just how alike a lot of letters look!

Using the letters from his puzzle, I decided to teach him to recognize a new letter every day. I was surprised when, after about 15 minutes of playing, he could recognize (and say) A, B, and C. We ran around the house, looking for letters. I wanted to make sure he wasn't just recognizing the pieces. Sure enough, Sam could point out A, B, and C.

I was so excited to show Eric Sam's new skill. I brought the letters out and Sam decided it was time to be goofy. He rolled his eyes a lot and occasionally threw himself onto the coffee table. Finally, he focused. I held up the A - "A!" I held up the B - "B!" I held up the C - "Nah." Complete with a slight shake of his head and sudden look of boredom.

I pity his future teachers.

Sweet to Strangers; Mean to Mom

Sam and I went to the gym this morning. He has such a great time there! Gone are the days of me following him around, encouraging him to try new toys. We walk in, he takes off, and I sit and chat with my friends.

I kept an eye on him as I was talking. He tried out the basketball hoop and a very little toddler walked up to him. Sam talked to him for a moment and then offered him a turn with the ball. Eventually the ball rolled away and Sam wandered over to a group of kids building with large foam blocks. Sam jumped right in, helping to build a huge tower.

I was just about bursting with pride. He took turns on the slide. He handed bowling pins to a little girl as she set them up. The little stinker even knocked on the door of the play house before going inside.

It was getting close to lunchtime and so I walked up to Sam, who was sitting in a circle of kids banging bowling pins together. As soon as he saw me, he threw the pins. I told him we needed to go pick them up and held out my hand to help him up. He looked at my hand for just a moment before swatting it away.

It was obvious it was time to go - he had used up all of his good manners for the day.

This Little Glock of Mine

Sam is a huge fan of songs with hand motions. The Wheels on the Bus, Itsy Bitsy Spider, Mr. Sun, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star...I sing all day long. When he gets restless in the car I'll start singing, catching glimpses of his enthusiastic gestures in the rear-view mirror.

When Sam was very little he'd cry when I'd dry him off after his bath. One day I started singing This Little Light of Mine and he immediately calmed down. I stick with what works, and that has remained his after-bath song. Since I am towelling him off when I sing it I never showed him the hand motions that went with it. Yesterday, sick of singing The Wheels on the Bus, I taught him This Little Light of Mine.

He was incredibly excited. He held up his little pointer finger and swayed, like his Little Light was a Bic at Lollapalooza. Hiding his Little Light under a bushel...NO! cracked him up every time. The only part he wouldn't do was blowing on his finger - "won't let Satan (whoosh) it out."

I must have sung it 20 times. He was merrily going along, waving his little light, giggling at the bushel. I got to "won't let Satan..." and his face changed. The smile fell off and he looked me right in the eyes. He brought his finger up to his mouth and inexplicably stuck out his thumb, too. He blew across his finger, exactly like he was blowing off the smoking end of a gun, never dropping his gaze.

Do you feel lucky, punk?

Going Bowling

When we were in Denver, Sam went bowling for the first time. I stayed home with a book (bliss!) while the rest of my family took Sam to the bowling alley.

All reports were that Sam had a great time, was very interested in what he was doing, and even bowled a strike.

Sam's got game!

Grandma Barb helped Sam roll his ball right down the middle of the alley.

Sam even got his own little pair of bowling shoes!

When it wasn't his turn, he clapped for the rest of the family.

Slides and Snacks

This morning we again ventured over to Karen and Aiden's house to play. However, this time everyone in our play group was invited and it was a madhouse.

Karen, bless her heart, was in the kitchen making a quiche. Aiden was standing at his train table, dismayed by the children playing with all of his toys. And the moms just kept coming! I stood near the door, watching as women carried in bundles of jackets and mittens that turned out to be toddlers once unwrapped.

Everyone brought snacks and Sam hopped around the table, randomly grabbing when he thought I wasn't looking. I finally had to take him downstairs to play on the big climber. Again, every time he went down the slide and landed on his feet he threw his hands into the air in triumph and then applauded wildly. After a while he stood at the bottom of the slide to judge the other kids. Each swooshing little body was awarded enthusiastic applause from Sam.

We eventually ate snacks and I was having a great time talking with the other women. Once my attention was diverted Sam began his begging campaign. He'd sidle up to anyone with food, slightly lower his chin, and gaze up at them through his lashes. Within a few seconds I'd have someone asking me if they could share their food with Sam.

He has big brown eyes, and he isn't afraid to use them.

Sam Walks the Line

Sam was up very late last night. As it often happens with toddlers, his late bedtime made him wake up very early this morning as opposed to sleeping in. Why do they do that? Anyway, he was awake, but very tired and whiny. Nothing I did made him any happier.

I finally decided to ignore him and turned on a Johnny Cash special I TiVo'd last night. I'm not a huge fan of the Man in Black, but the few songs of his that I do like are some of my favorite songs ever.

Sam, as it turns out, loves Johnny Cash. As soon as the show started and Sam heard Johnny's voice, he calmed down. He watched the screen and swayed, hopped, and waved his arms to all the songs. After a while Sam climbed into my lap and continued to watch, completely relaxed and content. As the credits rolled Sam closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Now Sammy, be a good boy, don't ever play with guns...

Happy New Year!

Hallelujah! After almost a week of getting error messages from Blogger, I am now able to sign in.

It is 2008, and soon Sam will be two years old. If I could make his New Year's resolutions for him, it would be for him to show an interest in potty training and learning to write his name.

I can hardly believe that at this time last year, I still had a baby in the house. He was walking, but still toddling, and still had a bottle. He slept in a crib and took two naps a day. He had absolutely nothing to say and was carted around in a car seat.

What a difference a year makes! Sam is showing signs of being truly athletic (he can thank his dad for that - it certainly didn't come from me). He can throw and catch a ball like a pro and even jumps - with both feet off the ground - while shooting a ball. That is awesome for a one-year-old!

The bottles are history, and so are sippy cups. He seems to find them degrading. I can still get him to drink out of a cup with a cover and a straw. I am going to make that last as long as I can. His cups land on their sides all day long.

Sam has been in his big-boy bed for months now. If memory serves, since April. No more gently laying a swaddled baby into his crib. Sam heaves himself into his bed and puts himself to sleep. Believe me, that never stops being thrilling to me.

He still isn't the most verbal kid in the world but is adding about five words or phrases to his vocabulary every day. I hear "Go red car, go!" and "All done!" at least 20 times a day. I make him say "please" all the time. Not just because it's polite, but because every time he says it he scrunches up his nose, smiles, and hunches his shoulders. It's really, really cute.

If he continues to grow and learn at this rate, by next year he'll have a job and his own apartment.