19 Months!!

This is what Samuel came down the hall wearing when I called him to leave for bible study.

Snuggle time - do they come any cuter?

"Painting" the deck - thanks for the paintbrush Mimi and Papa!

I was waiting to post Samuel's 18 month update until we got together with Katie for some new portraits, however weather and cold viruses have not been cooperating with that plan. As it turns out, time doesn't stand still and Samuel is already another month older!!

He is a constant source of delight and entertainment to Jolly and I. We are truly enjoying the toddler stage. Jolly must comment on how adorable Samuel is and how he just keeps getting cuter at least several times a day. I, of course, agree completely.

Here are some of his latest shenanigans:

• He climbs up the big swirly slide at the play ground and proudly careens down by himself
• He climbs the jungle gym and rock wall with only minimal assistance - these are both taller than Jolly and I - Samuel is living up to Uncle Nate's nickname for him "Fearless"
• His favorite affectionate touch is currently head butting, all boy, what can I say
• He is already in touch with his feminine side - a sign of true masculinity. He enjoys pretending to play make-up and brushing his hair while I get dressed, and the picture included speaks for itself
• He repeats EVERYTHING. I said "shoot" the other day, Samuel repeated it and it did not sound like shoot. Oops.
  
• He likes to say his favorite words over and over again pretty much every moment he is awake. These include "go" which he wakes up saying, "play" "outside" "more" "book" "up" "all-done" He has lots of other words too, but these are definitely his favorites.
  
• He likes books with animals and to make animal sounds, meow is his favorite, a boy after Mojo's heart :O)
• He likes pretty much all of his books for that matter! His favorites are Doggies by Sandra Boynton, Tell Me What God Made, Buzz-Buzz Busy Bees, and Trucks
  
• His favorite inside toys are puzzles, blocks, and stacking toys - he likes to manipulate things and put them together. His favorite outside toys are empty plant containers and whatever he can find to collect in them. I found his stash of rocks and leaves in the basement this morning, my little treasure hunter. At least it wasn't dog poop!
  
• He just figured out how to put the basketball in the hoop. He has a toddler sized goal and one in the bathtub as well. He enjoys the one in the bath tub so much that I have to drain the water and let him sit there until he's shivering to get him out without a fight. Strong willed, I have no idea where he gets it.
  
• He definitely has only two settings, on and off. He plays hard and sleeps hard. I am so thankful for both, but I am having a hard time keeping up with the play hard speed at 35 wks pregnant!! He had a little cold over the weekend and we actually enjoyed it because he was very snuggly.
  
• He is over separation anxiety! He gladly lets go of Jolly and I to play at the nursery and is all grins when we pick him up.
  
• It's hard to believe how much we love him! God is good!