Such a big girl!

All of a sudden my tiny baby is doing things that a giant baby should do! She has *almost* mastered picking things up and getting them into her mouth. As long as she is not mobile I guess I won't have to worry quite so much, but yesterday as she was sitting on her quilt with some toys I looked over and she was raising her hand to her mouth like she was eating something. Of course, I thought she had found something and ran over to check it out. Turns out her quilt has these little "ties" on it and she thought she was picking them up and putting them in her mouth. It was so funny to watch!

4th of July

I know, I fell of the blogging bandwagon again, but I'm trying...

Fourth of July this year we all headed to a park in Chandler. There were tons of people! They had bouncies and games for the kids, but the lines were sooo long that we only ended up doing one. The boys were just happy to be with their cousins! We all pitched in a packed a picnic dinner and waited for the fireworks while the boys ran around in the grass and on the nearby playground. Miss Samantha was an angel as usual. She loved being with everyone and seeing what was going on. When it came time for fireworks she settled back onto my chest, watched a few and then decided to take a snooze. Pete and I just sat back and laughed at how lucky we are to have her!

Sitting pretty...

sami in the grass
Originally uploaded by MrsSuperSpy

Miss Samantha is sitting! Thanks to her daily "sitting lessons" from her sister and her bff, Sam is able to sit for quite a good amount of time before toppling over. We took her out tonight to snap a few pics of her new skill. Jesse went with me to be the "catcher" so I could take the pictures. Well, right after this last picture Sam proceeded to do a face plant into the grass. I asked Jesse what happened, and told him that he was supposed to catch her. He replied with "Well, I'm not a football player, you know!"

Sippy cup adventures...

Sippy cup adventures...
Originally uploaded by MrsSuperSpy

After Sam's 6 month appt. Dr. G. gave the go ahead for her to have some water from a sippy cup. When Jesse heard that he was sooo excited! If you look closely you'll see it's his little hand helping her with her first drink.

7 months already...

I know, I say this every month, but I just can't believe that my baby is 7 months old already! She has accomplished so much in her short 7 months, too! Unfortunately, I haven't posted in awhile, but we've been having a very rough month. However, I can see the light and I believe that sunshine is in our future!

Miss Samantha is just a riot! She is perhaps THE best baby in the entire world. She has done soooo many things in the last few months. She is drinking from a sippy, eating solid food, *almost* sitting up, and laughing at everything. Definitely the happiest baby ever! She just loves life - and everyone in her life so much!

At the beginning of June we drove to Disney for Jesse's 5th Birthday Celebration. His bday was in March, but I was nervous to take such a tiny baby. So, once school got out we were on our way. This was the first time in the last 12 years that Pete and I have slept in the same bad while on vacation! We have always had a child who wouldn't sleep without one of us. However, now that we have so many kids, we can just through them together. haha (Jesse was a little nervous, so he bunked with Tay the first night and then PJ the last 3.) We brought along Sam's Pack N Play, her fishy crib toy and her Miracle Blanket and she was all set. The first night I wrapped her up, turned on the fish and told her good night - and she went to sleep! I think I heard angels singing! It was truly miraculous. She was great the entire trip, though. Just rode along in her stroller taking in the sights. When she was hungry she ate, when she was tired she slept. Such a good girl! And, she even got to go on quite a few rides! Luckliy I had also brought the Bjorn, because about 6-7 each night Jesse kicked her out of her stroller so he could ride. Oh, and after Tay discovered the Bjorn she started carrying Sam around in it! They both loved it.

Since coming home from Disney Sam has started on solid food and drinking water out of her sippy cup. She is a pro at eating - loves most everything and will eat a whole container in one sitting. Which, for a 12 pound peanut who barely drinks 4 ounces is a lot! She loves sweet potatoes and squash. Fruit is okay, too. She does not like peas at all, though! I'm hoping maybe she'll take to whole peas once she is able to pick them up herself.

This summer we have been trying to get out to do some things that the big kids enjoy. Swimming is a big hit with them, and Sam goes right on along with it. She has also been to the movies, the mall, you name it. And, she takes it all in stride. We are sooo lucky!

"A hundred hearts would be too few, To carry all my love for you."

"A hundred hearts would be too few, To carry all my love for you."
Originally uploaded by MrsSuperSpy

P.J. says...

I'm thinking that I will record all of the hilarious conversations I have with the kids. Here are a few that will start P.J.'s page...


As he is poking a fish with a long reed he pulled from beside the pond...
PJ- shhh, I'm about to catch this fish
Tay- Um, PJ, that fish is dead

As we are reading the menu's at a local Italian restaurant...
PJ- (sobbing) I'm not eating, they don't have bean burritos enchilada style

PJ- I think I need to go to the eye Dr.
Me- We'll go when we get back from Disney
PJ- But, what if I go blind before then?
Me- You won't
PJ- If I do you'll have to train Rocky to help me. Or...get me a monkey.

Oh, and he wrote me a book, here's a teaser... "Noooooooooo! My son is a saguaro!" said Mom. hahaha And, it's illustrated!

~ a tisket a tasket a baby in a basket~

~ a tisket a tasket a baby in a basket~
Originally uploaded by MrsSuperSpy

So, our traveling nurse came to visit yesterday. (Sam qualifies for this service due to her NICU time) We went through the usual, height, weight, eating, etc... Then, she told me there were just 3 things you needed to help your baby grow and thrive. A highchair, a playpen (?) and a box. Apparently sitting them in a box (basket) is a great way to help them develop the muscles they need to sit up and roll and crawl and all that good stuff. So, into a box she will go. haha She looks a little goofy - but she absolutely loves it! She can see what all the noise is about! She will follow the kids and the dogs all over the room. Completely turning her head to see where they are going. We also put a few little toys in there and she is grabbing at them and picking them up. So, it was a nice informative visit afterall. However, as the nurse was packing up to leave she told Sam..."Well, Miss Samantha, you are moved to the bottom rung and I won't be back unless Mommy calls me with a concern." So, I guess I'll take that as good! haha She did say that Sam's file will remain open until she's 3 at which point the school district will take over. I don't know why this makes me feel better - I have no concerns. But, I think I just like knowing that I have someone to call if anything ever comes up.

Oh, and every time the nurse visits she brings Sami a new book. So, as she sat in her basket Jesse decided he should read it to her. Really, why must he go to kindergarten? Sam and I are going to miss him terribly...

Happiness pulses with every beat of my heart. ~Emily Logan Decens

Sweet Sami is 5 months old!

Oh my goodness, time surely does fly! I cannot believe that my teeny tiny baby is 5 months old already. Seems like we were just visiting her in the hospital and praying for the day we could bring her home - and at the same time it feels like she's been with us forever. This little girl is just so wonderful. She came into this world with so many people loving and caring for her and I just know that she felt that. because you have never met a more content child. She is just happy to be here. Loves everything and everybody.

This last month has been a whirlwind for our family. We lost our grandmother this month, and that really made time stop and speed ahead all at the same time. In that whirlwind Sam experienced so many things. She went on her first airplane ride, she met tons of her family, she spent lots of time with her uncles and grandparents. And, of course, she just smiled all the way. I really don't know of anything that can phase this sweet girl. On the airplane she sat on my lap and watched the people as they were finding their seats. Then, she simply went to sleep. I didn't even know she was asleep - she was sitting up and leaning back on me and just closed her eyes. Our seat neighbor on the plane was an older gentleman. He never said a word to us until about half an hour before we landed. Then he said "You got a real nice baby there. Doesn't do nothin' to bother nobody." I think he summed it up pretty well. haha While we were in KC we stayed with my Aunt and Uncle. Fortunately for me my cousins have reproduced as mush as we have and she has a house full of cribs, strollers, swings, and even a baby bathtub. So, Sami made herself right at home. I laid her in that crib the first night, she turned her head to the side and went to sleep. I just had to laugh, because getting my babies to bed has never been an easy task.

So, aside from the sad events of the month, Miss Samantha has begun to do so many things! First and foremost she is the cheerleader for both of the boys teams. She is just loving heading out to the games. She does the best at the earlier games, but is now just as well at the later ones. She has decided that she likes to sit and watch all the kids play from her stroller or my lap. Since the boys usually play one after another we start our evenings at the park at about 5 and don't get home til about 9. But, she's such an angel that she just takes it all in stride. She'll usually fall asleep before the end of the last game, but when we get her home and start getting ready for bed she's all smiles again.

She is gaining more control over her hands, has discovered her feet and has a wonderful new noise. I think it's her "purr". She seems to do it when she's really happy or relaxed. Oh, and she has also gotten earrings! She looks absolutely adorable in them, I think. haha I never did Tay's ears because, one, I was a chicken, and two, because I had a friend in elem school who had had hers done when she was little and had pulled on them. By 2nd grade her holes were long slits. However, watching your 11 year old stress over getting it done is not something I want to go through again. It was agonizing for her to make the decision. I figure, it feels the same no matter your age - at least with Sam I was able to take on the stress and anxiety. I also almost vomited and could barely drive because my legs were so shaky. Oh, and I spelled my name wrong on the forms... Anywho...isn't she adorable? HAHA

She is doing well weight-wise. In fact, she would have been ever a little bigger, I think, if it weren't for the nasty stomach bug all the kids got. On April 23rd she weighed 9 lbs 8 ozs and by May 3th she was up to 10 lbs 11 ozs. A gain of 1 lb 3 ozs in 10 days. And, I'm proud to announce that I may be seeing the first sign of a chub roll on her arm. haha

We are just so blessed to have this sweet angel in our lives. We are also so thankful to have such wonderful friends and family who love and care about her soooo much!