Frogs and Snails and Puppy-dog Tails

I was really scared to have a boy, mostly because of the diaper difference. While I was excited about all the other things in having Sam, the thought of a boy was foreign and a bit intimidating. Now that Sam is here I can't remember what I was so scared of because I can't even remember what life was like without my perfect angel baby. Maybe that's because he decided to take care of my diapering a boy fears as soon as he could manage it. The first diaper I changed in the hospital I did while I was still a little numb from the epidural so I didn't dare stand up and just set him on the bed with all necessary supplies within arm's reach. In the 3 seconds it took to take off the old diaper and slide the new one under him, Sam managed to both pee and poop. All over the blankets of the bed. And if you've ever seen new baby poop, it's really gross. I was caught in the moment thinking, "What do I do first? Clean my blankets or take care of his diaper?" Thus my fears of diapering boys and raising a boy were relieved within a few hours of his birth. Good job, Sam.

Today as I was sitting in Sunday School, Sam was sitting on my lap facing me and just kept chuckling. I think more people were watching him than the teacher. There is nothing quite as wonderful as a baby who smiles every time he sees you. Was life quite as complete and wonderful without him? I don't think so. Sam really is my handsome, perfect, angelic baby. We love him so much!

Pictures!

Kids really are funny. Especially my kids. Or maybe I just think that. The other night, Abby woke up around 3 am sceaming. I didn't want her to wake Sam up (they share a room) so I got in there fairly quickly and asked her what was wrong. She told me that her tummy felt funny so I followed up with a question about how and where it felt funny. She responded, "There's an elephant in my tummy." Good thing it was dark and she couldn't see my attempt to control laughter.

We had Abby's friend over for a pool party. The moms probably spent more time getting bathing suits on than the girls spent in the water, but it was a nice way to enjoy the afternoon. We are LOVING the fact that spring is here and that summer will arrive any day!

Every night before bedtime, Roy reads a story to the kids. Lately, we plop Abby's pillow on the ground and they share it while Roy reads. Those moments are ones I want to capture just because everyone is calm, happy, and enjoying family time.

Our Sam is growing up so quickly. He amazes me more and more every day with what he can do and how well he shows love. Sam is a pretty calm baby. He's not really cuddly because he has to see what is going on and interact with everyone. But when you catch him just as he is waking up, you just might get a small snuggle before he wants to be flipped around and is scanning the room for Abby. Because, apparently, Abby = Fun. We just started him on rice cereal and he's getting the hang of it. Abby is so excited to have him eating with us and is constantly asking us about different kinds of food to see if Sam can eat it too. When the answer is no, which it always is, she starts talking to him in the mommy-voice, "It's okay, baby Sam, you can eat popcorn when you have teeth." Which, by the way, he will probably have in the next week. His first tooth is just waiting to pop in. I think Sam has a smile that will knock at least a few girls off their feet.

One of the cool things about living in this area during the summer is the abundance of festivals, outdoor music events, and farmer's markets. We went to a festival this weekend that had a parking lot of free bouncy houses. It was really hot, but we still managed to enjoy the jumping, climbing and sliding. And by we, I mean Abby and I. See? You lose all sense of shame when you become a parent.

And speaking of losing all shame, here's Roy sitting on our new couch. Abby is very interested in taking pictures so we struck a deal that a parent would hold the camera and she could push the button. She likes taking pictures of "the monster" (Roy). Mostly, I just wanted to stick up a picture of our new couches because, let's face it, I'm really excited we finally got new ones! And hun, please don't get mad that I chose this picture instead of the one Abby took of you actually smiling. This one is much funnier. :)

Out with the Old

We got new couches yesterday. For those of you who have been in the presence of our previous furniture, you know it was a long time in coming. We had a hand-me-down hand-me-down couch (we are at least the third owners) and a Walmart futon. The couch was hard to get out of--it was comfortable, but when you sat down, you sort of sank into it and really felt like you needed to launch to stand up. Our futon had seen better days and some of the metal bars at the bottom were no longer attached and we had a sinkhole on one side. So, thanks to a great deal at our local furniture store, we got a new couch and a loveseat delivered yesterday. We're still getting used to walking in the front room and not seeing our old stuff. It looks like someone else must live here with (gasp!) nice furniture in the house.

Roy passed his magistrate exam this week. We are very happy! Now he's official. He had to go to training in Richmond (6 hours away) every other week in April and May for training. To explain how distracted he was for this last week of training and the test, let me just say that he forgot to pack some essential items. How you could forget to pack your toothpaste and deodorant, I understand...but your pants? Seriously? I have laughed for a week. Not an exaggeration.

Here's what we've been up to lately:

Sam has been learning how to sit up in the Bumbo chair. He's getting so big so fast and is such a good baby that it hardly seems like we have a baby anymore. He's quite anxious to eat food and sits at the table with us drooling. Okay, so maybe the drool is a result of teething, but he is quite vocal anytime the person he is watching takes a bite. Abby plays baby with him and pretends to feed him with her baby doll gear and he knows just what to do. So we'll be posting some cute food-all-over-my-face pictures soon! Look how cute and grown up he looks. Oh, and he is, of course, watching Abby play. He does that all day long.

Abby loves painting and art right now. I'm not sure if she ended up with more paint on the paper or her hands, face, and hair. Thank goodness she's wearing Roy's old junk shirt.

Okay, really, how could I not share this precious picture?

Or this one? Unposed and beautiful!

And while Abby enjoyed the baby pool, Sam and I hung out playing with his animal attached to his bouncer. We are so grateful for the good weather we have been getting. It's been hit and miss, but as soon as it is warm enough to be outside, there's nothing I can do to keep us in. We all love to be outside! Doesn't Sam just have an award-winning smile? Seriously, both our kids have smiles that just melt me.

The kids have lion bath towels that they love (read: Abby has dictated that they love them and Sam goes along with it). We just had to get a picture of them in their towels.

Here and There

Roy is gone for the week and was gone two weeks ago as well for some job training. We are very happy that this is the last week of his four week course. I think I earned some overtime in the mom category. I have also been looking more for things to laugh at because it's exhausting to be on your own for a week! So here are some things that have caused a few chuckles in the last three days:

• Sam had one of those classic explode-a-poopers. Literally down to his sock. And we weren't home, where damage control is so much easier. I had to laugh so no tears came.
• Abby started calling me cleaning lady today. Since our house isn't spotless, I should probably take it as a compliment. But when your 2-year-old starts saying, "Hey, cleaning lady..." it's a little hard to think of much good.
• For some reason, Abby is scared of all bugs right now. Like terrified, screaming, trying to crawl up my legs scared. While I was chasing an intruder out of our house tonight, I asked her to sit with Sam. After I finished, I could hear her saying in her sing-song-mommy voice, "It's okay, baby Sam. Mommy's getting it out. Don't be scared." The funny thing was that she was saying it while crying. So sweet.
• We put Sam in a bath lounge chair so he and Abby bathe at the same time. I noticed today that when Sam wants Abby to play, he starts yelling and kicking. They love each other.
• We were playing with Tinkerbell tonight and all the sudden Abby said, "Oh no, Tinkerbell exploded!" For those who have seen Tinkerbell 2, Abby was doing her version of Clarence's line.
• Sam is more and more interactive lately. He's still my perfect angel, made more so by the fact that he has a full-faced smile, a sweet and engaging giggle, and when he wants you to talk to him, he starts shrieking and laughing. He is my happy boy!

Laughter: The Best Medicine

Spring Pictures

I'm Totally Humble...

but I think Abby is totally adorable. My own head swells a little when strangers comment on how cute she is. So when I got Parents magazine and they advertised their photo contest, I entered. We got picked for the Readers Choice contest. So if you want to see her cute picture and/or vote for her, here's the link: http://photos.parents.com/category/vote/photo/266626 The contest is open through May 9. And we do think Sam is adorable and perfect too, but he's too young to enter. :)