Aunt Rach the Grach

Sam stayed over at my parents' on Saturday so Ben and I could have a night out with some friends. Rachel and Jackson were staying over so they took care of him while Mom and Dad went out with some friends of their own. They got some bonding time in! Jackson sure took good care of Sam - holding his hand while he walked around and alerting me when Sam would try to play with the electric fence base for Audrey (don't worry - it can't shock you!).

Aunt Rachel and Sam enjoying a lazy Sunday afternoon

Jackson and Sam and I blowing out my birthday candles!

Day at the Park

Yesterday we took advantage of the nice weather and took Sam to the playground at Lunken airport. I've been sick since Wednesday and was desperate to get out even though I still felt pretty bad. Seeing Sam have so much fun made me feel a little better, though! Sam started walking on Friday, so he got to practice his skills. He did not like falling in the mulch, although he eventually got used to it. He even tried climbing the climbing wall a little bit.

Can you tell Sam likes to swing?

Trying to climb UP the slide

Practicing walking

It was a little breezy!

Walking with Daddy

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