Sammy's New Skills

Sammy, at 13.5 months, has learned some new things recently.

1.  Her second word is "Hi!"  She says it in a very bubbly and cute manner, usually while waving her hand.

2.  She can open all of our bedroom and closet doors now.

3.  She loves to be on the couch, especially when Ian is also up there.  She know understands there is an edge you can fall off and can get off herself, going backwards.

The Inevitable Has Occurred

It was inevitable.  13.5 months after having Samantha, my period has returned.  I sort of expected it because there were signs of ovulation about 10 days ago and I was dropping everything in sight yesterday.  I'm a total clutz right before I get my period.  So there it is.  I'm actually pretty psyched that I've had about 2 years without a menstrual cycle - 37 weeks of pregnancy and now 13.5 months post-partum.  Hooray for breast feeding!  Body, you have served me well and I thank you.


*As an aside, I am still nursing Sammy but it is only in the mornings now.  And if I miss a feeding, there seems to be no difference in how I feel.  Certainly, there is no pain or engorgement.  It's been so nice weaning her gradually (as opposed to forcing Ian to wean around 11 months).

Hand Food and Mouth

Poor Sammy!  It appears she has contracted Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease, which is going around her daycare.  Yesterday, she came home with a fever of 101.8 and was very fussy.  We had a TERRIBLE night - she was awake and crying a lot.  This morning, she was fever-free and so we sent her to school.  But while at school, the blisters started showing up on her skin.  She has some on her thighs and a couple on her mouth, but her poor bum is one big horrible red rash.  It must hurt a lot.  And her throat must kill her because she doesn't want to eat at all and is drooling a ton (because she doesn't want to swallow her saliva).  I feel really bad for her.  At least she is drinking her milk.  She can go to school in the morning if she isn't super clingy, but we'll assess in the morning.  If she's feeling really crummy, I don't want to send her in.  She needs my love and attention and support right now.  I know a couple of adults who have contracted HFM and they say the throat pain is excruciating.  I hope she feels better really soon and I am crossing my fingers and toes that Ian doesn't get it.

Best Buds

Ian and Sammy are SO cute together.  Ian is constantly trying to hug her or kiss her.  Sometimes he also wants to tackle her.  And Sammy adores him.  She wants to be in whatever room he's in and will follow him to the bathroom or to his bedroom, which is not always what he wants.  I love watching them grow up together and it looks like they're going to be best buds!

Sammy's First Word!

Sammy's first word is...ball!  She says a lot of other things like "mama" or "dada" and she already says "uh oh" but this is the first word real word that she is using in the correct context.  I caught her saying it on video - she is 13 months old here.

Swingset!

My parents have been visiting for a week.  I'll be super sad to see them go tomorrow as it's always fun to have them here.  The kids love it and we play the card game "hand and foot" at night after the kids go to bed.

Last weekend, my husband and my dad put together a cool, new, awesome cedar swingset with a 10 foot slide and 4 different play levels.  (It's so great to have both a handy husband AND a handy father!)  Sammy ADORES the baby swing and would allow you to push her for hours if you wanted to do so.  Ian likes the glider (especially being pushed high into the tree) and likes to swing on his stomach on the other swing.  He and my dad played a ton in the playhouse - especially in the penthouse.  They also had a picnic at the built-in picnic table.  Ian has also managed to launch himself off the slide and into the center of our lawn with lots of giggles.  So all around, a big hit!  The girls who live across the street from us also love it.  In my opinion, it was money well spent.  We also use it for 20 minutes during the week, after we pick the kids up from daycare, before we go inside for dinner.  And here it is, in all of its glory.

Peek-A-Boo!

My mother played Peek-A Boo with Sammy.  Both of them totally cracked me up.  I'm glad I recorded my mother's voice and giggle - it's infectious and is now saved for all eternity.