12 months

sweet baby feet -a few days old

To my dear little Sammy

I have been putting off writing this post because I haven't been able to find the words to express what you mean to me. I have started writing it maybe 10 times, and finally decided to just write and leave it as is.

You came into this world one year ago at 9:56 AM. A beautiful healthy boy with lots of hair, flawless skin, and alert blue eyes weighing 7 lbs 6 oz. Perfect. Your dad and I had no idea what we were in for. They joy you have brought into our lives is tremendous and we feel so very blessed.

This is one of my favorite pictures of you, so tiny with arms wide open.

Home from the hospital. So tiny. So perfect.

Birthday spread

The day after your birthday you took your first steps. Just a few. Then, yesterday you started walking. Like really walking! You marched from the kitchen to the living room with a cracker in your hand taking 28 big boy steps! It was amazing. You are amazing. You can now say Baby (in reference to the baby pictures on the refrigerator and in your books), juice -"uice", tree -"wee", peek a boo - "boo boo", chicken - "buck buck", puppy- "woof", horse- "erse", "more", balloon- "boon", cat - "eeeoow", and a few more that I cannot think of at the moment.

Ever since your grandma Barb came for a visit you have been obsessed with the birds outside. She taught you how to say "tweet tweet!" and to look for them flying up above. You are also aware of the many helicopters and planes that fly overhead and you point excitedly at them. You take a great interest in cars and trucks and you thoroughly enjoy making vroom noises.

On our outings you are quite the little ham. You smile and tilt your head at all the ladies and you act so sweet. You love facing forward in the shopping carts and you say "wee, wee, wee!" as your dad or I push you along. You make so many people smile and wave! It has to make their day to see such an adorable little guy having so much fun.

Other activities you enjoy include: pulling cat tails (not the plant), pulling everything out of cupboards and drawers, watching jeopardy ( an evening ritual here), pounding on the tv, trying to get the cord to the blinds, trying to open the toilet lid, getting into paper towels and toilet paper, singing Old McDonald (e-i-e-i-o!), throwing weeble wobbles at me, trying to hit me if I take something away (still trying to figure out how to deal with this!), turning on the dishwasher or turning it off, changing channels on the tv at the most inopportune moment, sharing crackers or juice with me and your dad, looking at books, playing tractors and cars, taking baths, and enjoying nature on stroller rides.

Samuel, you are such a joy. I love you. Your daddy loves you. And we look forward to the many memories to be made in the future!

Love,

Mom