Happy Birthday Sam!

We celebrated Sam's birthday last weekend with a little family pizza party at our house. Sam had a great time and loved being the center of attention (don't all babies?). Turns out he also loves cake, although he wasn't too sure about it at first. I tried to show him that it was for him to eat by eating some icing off my finger, but then he just wanted to feed icing to me off his finger. Once I put some in his mouth, though, he started chowing down!

Trying out his Elmo chair from Uncle Paul and Carrie

Modeling his new hat from the Stecks

With cousin Jackson and Nana and Papa Jay

Sam's First Haircut

Sam was starting to grow a mullet, so we decided it was time for him to get a haircut. I needed one too, so we just had my stylist cut his hair. Besides bobbing his head around while Shannon was cutting it, he did a great job - no tears! I think he liked being pampered. :) And he left the salon without his mullet and wings around his ears!

Before picture

Of course, his hair was sticking straight up a hour later

Handsome boys

More Bath Pictures

I can't resist posting pictures of Sam in the bath....

Snow Day!

Our hopes for a snow day came true today and Sam got to experience his first snowstorm. We slept in and Ben made blueberry pancakes, which Sam loved. He still has blueberry stains all over his hands. Then we bundled him all up and took him outside to play in the snow for a little while. We sat him on the front stairs and after a couple seconds, he just sort of leaned forward into the snow. He didn't seem to know what to think at first...then he liked it...and after about 10 minutes or so, he decided he was finished with it. Looks like we're going to be doing more of the same tomorrow with more snow and ice coming tonight!

Checking out the snow in the backyard

Mmmm...blueberry pancakes!

What a handsome dad!

NDA Girls Get-Together

This weekend, a friend from high school, Beth, had a bunch of Notre Dame grads and their babies over for a playdate! It was a lot of fun - Sam had a blast with the other kids and loved playing with Gavin's toys. I was able to catch some of Sam's buddies for pictures....

Lia, Laura K's youngest

Ben Reeves, Ali's oldest boy

Sam and Luke, Melanie's son - Sam didn't try to punch him this time!

Sam checking on a casualty of the push toy

Holiday Fun

Well, I'm finally getting some pictures from Christmas up on this blog! We had a great first Christmas with Sam - he seemed to actually be excited about getting some new toys and definitely enjoyed all the tissue paper and ribbons. Ben and I had two weeks off to enjoy with him. It sure was hard to get back into our work routine this week! Rachel, Gammon, and Jackson visited the weekend before Christmas. We spent Christmas Eve with Ben's mom, Christmas morning at our house, and Christmas afternoon at my parents'. The holiday really takes on a whole new meaning when you have a child to enjoy it with - can't wait until next year.

Cousin Jackson and Sam with their new toys

With Grammy Will at church Christmas Eve

In our Christmas PJs! We're going to force Sam into this tradition until he's 18. He looks thrilled about it already.

Sam with Daddy's gift: sports balls

Digging through his stocking

With Nana, sporting his new hat and caterpillar

Nana showing off her funny new nightshirt from GGM

Sam thinks Papa Jay is pretty great.

Jamming on his piano table

Santa Sightings

Sam had two visits with Santa this weekend - both with very different results. A sorority sister of mine, Laura, her husband, Josh, and her son, Joey had a Christmas party and Santa showed up (actually Laura's father). There were about 10-15 kids at the party under the age of 4, so there was a LOT of excitement about this event. Sam was in complete awe - no crying - just lots of staring. He even sat on his lap and stared right in his face. So....we decided to take him to Kenwood Mall to get a picture taken with Santa today with high hopes. That didn't go quite as well. He was great until we sat him on Santa's lap; then the tears started. It seems pretty typical - the 4 year old in front of us and the 1 year old behind us both threw fits! Poor Santa - what a job!

Trying to get Ben Reeves' attention

Sam was fascinated by the "big kids"

Santa's so close! (that's his leg and sack of toys)

Okay! I think I'm ready to get off Santa's lap now!

Chilling out with Ben

The official 2008 Santa picture - Sam is clearly uncomfortable with this situation!