Arizona

I forgot that I haven't posted about Arizona! Totally out of order...

Sam had a blast going "super fast" on a trike on the covered patio.

There was never a lack of things to watch.

Doing fancy tricks.

She was spoiled.  This is one of the three shirts she currently wears.  I don't know why I ever buy her more!

She got to sleep in a camper.

And Grandma was willing to part with some of her beanie babies.

She and Jer had a sleep-over every night- and she got to watch TV in the mornings! 

And to top it off, it was "Elsa's" RV because of the snowflake on the tires.

Such a happy baby.  Everyone loved passing her around.

My children would live in water if allowed.

She loved the daily baths (there is so much dust there!!)

Ok, Uncle Andrew, I may have been upset about the LeapPad when she first go it, but it was really nice to have on the long car trips.  And the airplane.

Just checking to see if she'd fallen asleep yet...nope...

Great Uncle Don.  That man only spent about an hour with Sam and he made every second count.

It helped that they have the best dog ever.  I want an Airedale!!

Siblings!!

Seriously, this dog was so chill.

They played so nice.

The dairy trial was a success!!! Still no eggs or corn, though...

Sam's evening snack.  I was very proud.

We went to dinner with my college roommate Kate.

Sam talked her ear off!

Note the stuffed animal.  She's still obsessed.

Especially because we found it's "Mommy" right outside the restaurant. 

Easter egg hunting with Daddy.

H had more fun than Sam did- especially with the bubbles!

This series cracked me up.  She'd shake her head...

Really hard and go "ahhahahahahahhhhh"

And then loose her balance and try to play it cool..."I totally meant to land on my face mom, it's cool."

Sam and grandma had TONS of fun playing with water.

This is my new favorite of the two of them.  If only you could have heard Sam's giggles!

Going back for more!

Great Aunt Jackie thought Sam was a hoot.

We can't wait to visit again soon!

Stubborn

It's been an adjustment having H as part of our family.  Not just for us, but for him too.  Luckily, he's just as stubborn and determined to be perfect like the other three first-borns in the household.

Something that has been difficult for him is learning how to interact with a baby- he's tried waving (for a few months now) and we've been telling him for months to talk, make faces, but it's really out of his comfort zone. 

Anyway, it came to a head the other week when Sam had a migraine and Jeremy and I were trying to get her out the door to the ER (pre-emptive this time, before it got too bad) and Charlotte was SCREAMing while Sam was puking hard core right as Jeremy was walking out the door with her.  I hollered at H to please talk to Charlotte, she was just upset that she was alone and the lights were out.  It was quite the scene with Sam heaving, Charlotte screaming, H hollering "I don't know what to say!...this isn't working!!!" and me yelling back, "H I can't help you right now, please just talk to her!  It doesn't matter what, just TALK!"

Afterwards he sat with me and Charlotte and watched me talking and making her laugh.  "You make it look so easy" he said.  I showed him that it doesn't matter what you say, it's just a matter of talking.  It's not about you, it's about them.  Just look at them and smile. 

Fast forward to a few weeks.  The other day I heard him talking Colleges to Charlotte (pretty much his world right now) and turned to find him opening his mail:

So. Sweet.

5 Months

H said, "7 more months until she's a year!"
He almost lost his teeth.

Charlotte has discovered the hilarity that is Samantha.  Sam never sits still for very long, so all Charlotte has to do it stare at her for a few seconds and wait.  Whenever Sam moves, Charlotte breaks out into her grin.

I've told several people that I don't know how we survived taking care of Sam without an older sibling.  When I say Sam is a helper, I mean it.  She is amazing at keeping Charlotte distracted when needed.

It pained me to see Charlotte constantly trying to sit herself up by doing a big sit-up. I was tired of always finding a spot to lay her down on. So this weekend we worked a lot on sitting up. By Monday morning I could plop her down and do a quick task (like use the bathroom) and she'd stay upright the whole time! That is, if her sister wasn't near by and try to sneak in a tackle snuggle.

Can I just ask, WHAT is the deal with kids and babies' faces/hands?  I mean, seriously, people, it's cold and flu season!  And Samantha- if she doesn't have her face puuuuuuuuuuushed up against Charlotte's (and knocking her over) she's throwing clothes or a blanket on Charlotte's face, or tickling her face with the (dirty) feather-duster, or danglin her hair in Charlotte's face so that she's "gasping" for breath.  I just need to record myself and have it on constant replay, "GET OUT OF HER FACE!"  It's all we can do to keep a clean air-flow to the poor child.

I'm still off several foods (diary/soy/nuts/beef/corn/eggs/fish), but am eating well due to my amazing husband.  Seriously, he cooks and we all eat- and everything he cooks I can eat.  Unless the topic of "going out to eat" gets brought up, I really don't miss anything.

Charlotte still gets up a lot a night.  I remember being able to sleep more with Sam while we co-slept, but I have to remind myself that Sam didn't move in her sleep and would also spit me out when she was full.  Charlotte is a binky baby, so she's totally fine being latched on aaaaaaallllll night.  To survive Jeremy and I take turns on the couch. 

I've learned to live with a cat-napper.  I still don't like it, but I'll take what I can get.  Unlike her sister, she will not only go to sleep alone (thanks to her amazing babysitter, Jen) she will go back to sleep if she wakes up cranky.

Anyway, I'm babbling a lot, I just want to remember the details.  I'm reminded every time I cuddle with her how much my other baby has grown.  It's the first time it's happened, but today I looked at Sam and saw my baby.  I'd heard people say this before I but didn't get it until it hit me today.  I wanted to shove her back in my womb right then and there.

Oh, yeah, we also tried avocado.  Just because.

Mixed it with some breastmilk.

Apparently it was sour.

Sam insisted on a picture of her eating too.

She was much happier once we gave her her lid to play with.



5 month pictures...She would not look at me for anything.

"Is that my sister coming?"

"YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!  I haven't seen you for a least 2 minutes!"

See what I mean?  That smile is all for Sam.

She almost made Charlotte fall down trying to get a "pose" with her...good thing Charlotte doesn't ever mind!

Waiting...

 

This morning, in an effort to keep Sam occupied while I checked my packing* and got ready for the day, I allowed Sam to take a picture of her artwork.

 

She says it's a cheeta.  I totally see it.

But of course I can't let her have the camera and expect her to take just one picture...

He's not into taking pictures so...

...this one is extra sweet because he "posed" for her.

*1) purse
2) small side purse for phone and participation points to hand out during the day
3) backpack with laptop and grading that I never get to at home anymore
4) Diaper bag
5) lunch bag
6) carseat with bundled up baby (preferribly sleeping)
7) Coffee
8) water
9) Sam's lunch
10) Sam's backpack
11) pump
12) milk in portable "fridge"