Oh how they grow!

Yesterday morning I took Samantha in for her 15 month check up. I might be making appointments at a time when Josh can come from now on, as she was not overly happy to be with the doctor this time around. He said it is perfectly normal from about 15-24 months for kids to not be happy at their appointments... great! Of course she got more shots, but other than that she's good to go. Growing perfectly. She now weighs 24 lbs 10 oz  which puts her in the 78th percentile, with a head size in the 97th percentile... such a big noggin! At her last appointment Sam's doctor was surprised at her height measurement, as were we, and to not be surprised if she shrunk this time around... well she didn't. We're still skeptical of yesterdays measurement, but whatever it may be, they measured her at 32 1/4 inches... putting her in the 94th percentile. She could end up with Josh's height and my curves... great. Josh is slightly scared for that!

A little behind on the next part of this post... a few weeks ago I got up at 4:30 am to meet up with my friend Catherine in Woodburn to head to the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival for the sunrise. It was almost too clear the morning we were there so the sky didn't have the colorful glow I was hoping for... and of course we were one morning too early for the hot air balloons to be there, but we got some great shots anyway. I was glad to at least get some shots with dew and the lighting from a different angle than I would otherwise have gotten. After the sunrise shoot my family came out and joined me, including my cousin Raina. She got some great shots of Sam, and of the 3 of us, while I got some great shots of Samantha in the tulips. She was a happy girl most of the day there, it was great.

The Zoo!

Saturday afternoon we met up with friends and took Sam to the zoo for the first time. She was a bit tired, but enjoyed the sun and kept calling the animals 'kitty". She seemed to really like the elephants, the zebras, and especially the giraffe. She kept grabbing on and didn't want to leave the giraffe exhibit. So cute to see the zoo through her eyes.

Ella's 3rd Birthday

Saturday was Ella's 3rd Birthday party. We love getting together with friends, and watching all the kids interact, from age 3 down to 8 1/2 months (5 kids). Everyone seemed to have a good time. Thanks again to the Manson's for the wonderful food!

Friends

Birthday Girl

Glitter hands!

Someone was ready to go, nap time!

Night time baby

Samantha is so funny. She has always been a pretty good sleeper, ok who are we kidding, she's an amazing sleeper. She has this manta ray from when I was pregnant that Josh and I got for her from the Oregon Coast Aquarium. It has sat on the head of her 53 inch teddy bear in the corner of her room. For about the past month we put her to bed and by morning find her playing with it in her crib. I kept putting it back on the bear and every morning there it was again in her crib. I finally decided to leave it in there for her to see if she really likes it or just likes pulling it off the bear. She really likes it. This was just a second after putting her down for bed, she grabbed it to cuddle before I even got the blanket on her.

Easter 2012

Easter was a busy day this year. Church in Gresham followed by wonderful food, wonderful company, and of course the traditional Easter egg hunt... for adults. Samantha went with Josh but it's brutal every man for themselves so they didn't get much. It's all candy anyway. Next year she'll be aware of what's happening and we'll do one just for her. After my dad's house we headed out to Josh's mom's house to say hi to people quickly before they all left. We got to spend a little time chatting but then just got some leftovers and got home in time to put Samantha to bed!

Children's Sermon with Grandma. No, not all kids sat on Pat's lap, but Samantha demanded it.

Sam only lasted about halfway through the service, but kept wanting to go back in to check it out and smile at the people sitting in the back of the church

Samantha and Shoes...

It's a work in progress at the very least. After Samantha started walking regularly we tried to put shoes on her. She never really liked them when she was little little, but to wear them while she's now aware of her feet... forget it. I love this sequence... and yes, it has gotten better since this try.

Get these things off my feet!

I'll try it myself!

Ok they're off, but I can still see them so I will still cry

Ohh, Cheerios

Ok, so after that wonderful experience just over a week ago we tried again a couple days ago, but this time with the flexible Robeez. They were just slightly too big, but better than too small. Her feet are bigger than I thought... those darn toes always curl under so I guess that threw me off. (That also might have been why she hated some shoes, too small) I measured her foot to make sure this time. Like I said they were a bit big, but she warmed up to them. Of course now we have to get another pair and of course Robeez aren't exactly the cheapest of shoes. Here's the sequence once she decided shoes weren't the worst thing in the world. Until she fell, then she wanted them off again.

Ya, I can do it

Still not sure, but still moving

Uh oh, going down!