Rainy Day Play

Samuel and I are blessed to have an awesome group of moms and little ones in our lives. We meet weekly for playtime and grown up conversation! This last Friday Samuel and I hosted and had a blast playing in the basement since it was cold and rainy out. The slide was a hit! Thanks Mimi and Papa for the birthday gift that keeps on giving :O) Here are some pictures of our little people.

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!
  

Family Time in PV

Did I mention that we had a great time with family? My parents had a blast with Samuel and even let him sleep in their room which we didn't mind at all. Our activities included long leisurely walks down the beach, lounging by the pool, a zip line tour through the rain forest, whale watching, sea turtle releasing, flea market shopping, playing with Samuel on the beach, and eating lots of good food at the open air hotel cafe on the beach. We couldnt have asked for a better trip!

Olive Ridley Sea Turtles

Its Cherie now - Jolly and I are taking turns :O) Our vacation happened to coincide with both the whale and sea turtle breeding seasons. We took a sailboat trip to whale watch and saw a mother and her calf. We followed them for two hours or so. The mom leaped out of the water three times and the baby did once, definitely a successful tour. The highlight of our trip for me, though, was the sea turtle rescue operation a half mile down the beach from our resort. We were able to participate in the release of baby sea turtles! In case you didn't know - I am obsessed with sea turtles and have never seen them in the wild. Jolly told me about the release the night before we got to participate and I dreamed about it that night! This was definitely an experience we will treasure!

Puerto Vallarta Scenic Pics

Cherie, Samuel, and I just got back from a wonderful trip with Mojo and Papaw to the little Mexican resort town of Puerto Vallarta. It was the best vacation I can remember having in a long time. Lots of relaxation, fun adventures, and good times all around with family. Hope you enjoy these pictures of the city.

Aunt Key Originals

Here are a couple pictures Katie took of Samuel and his Christmas Sweater. I am continually amazed at her artistry. The sweater and photos are gorgeous. Thanks SOOOO much Katie, you are precious to us and so are your gifts :O)

Sweet and Sour Valentines Weekend

Gorgeous flowers Dad sent us from Shanghai, China

Irises and chocolates from my favorite Valentine

Samuel's new toy from Mimi and Papa

Baby brother's crib bedding

Hi friends and family! I feel like I am writing with a new lease on life today. Our family has survived the first full fledged stomach flu experience. Yuck!! May none of you EVER experience this particular plague. A friend of mine has a grateful journal for curing the blues, I think I shall follow in her footsteps and remark on the things (and they are many) I have to be grateful for in retrospect of this particular experience:
1. I am grateful that Jolly, Samuel, and I contracted the bug in stages, it would have been terrible to all have it at the exact same time
2. I am grateful that my mom already had plans to be here this weekend, and though its not how we would have chosen to spend our time together, she was a much needed pillar of strength and sweetness!
3. I am grateful that Mom did not get sick! Praise God! *Correction* Mom did get it, just not till after she was home for two days. Ugh. She's already feeling better.
4. I am grateful that we felt good enough to get out and buy baby brother's nursery bedding, and a new Valentine toy for Samuel - thanks Mimi and Papa!
5. I am grateful that Dad sent flowers to Mom (and me) for Valentine's day since he couldn't be with us, business trip in China, we miss you Daddy!
6. I am grateful that Jolly bought me Irises and Dove Chocolates AND I was feeling well enough to enjoy a few!
7. I am grateful that Katie came by to cheer us up and take a few PRECIOUS pictures of Samuel in the sweater she made him for Christmas. Seriously, handmade one of a kind clothing AND professional photos in our living room.
8. I am grateful that baby on the way was a champ through a long torturous night.
9. I am grateful that no one was severely dehydrated needing IV fluids, especially Samuel or I.
10. AND I am grateful that we are headed to Puerto Vallarta this Thursday for some warm sunshine and good times with Mike and Mojo!!
Hope everyone has a blessed day :O)