Totally Toddlers

So, yesterday was a total bust with splitting time between toddlers and infants. So, in the interest of avoiding a total nervous breakdown, I am cutting off infants for good. I woke up early this morning and braced myself for the day. Mommy and I watched old school Sesame Street and munched on Cheerios. Then we headed to Dunkin Donuts and bid 2009 goodbye with celebratory munchkins before facing the music at school. Transition this morning wasn't so hot as I walked down the long corridor to toddlers, which passes in front of the infant room. Yes, I have no pride whatsoever and totally threw myself to the ground and screamed bloody murder for the infant caregivers to take pity on me. They didn't and I ended up screaming in the toddler room. Mommy left and I eventually calmed down about 90 minutes later.

I did much better after that. Mommy picked me up and I embraced my delay tactics, as normal procedure this week. We saw Miss Vanessa who asked how I was doing. The conversation went a bit like this.

Mommy: "You didn't hear?'"
Miss Vanessa: "I'm not sure what you're talking about".
Mommy: "Samantha moved up to toddlers and had a lot to say about it"
Miss Vanessa: :Oh, then I did hear her. About 8:30, right? Boy, transition is tough!"

Chillin'

I'm totally digging that Daddy is home this week and spending the wee hours of the evening hanging out with me. Mommy is starting to see lots of similarities between the two of us. See this picture here? This is exactly how Daddy looks on the couch (minus the bib, silly) when he's eating a bag of Doritos. Two peas in a pod- happy as a clam!

What? I can't hear you... Of course I need to finish the entire bag of Cheerios. Bad phone reception. Hanging up on you...

Boy, this tv show isn't so bad. Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? This lady on the tv isn't even close. Yeppers, even I'm getting some of the questions right that she is messing up.

Yikes- she missed another question. Unbelivable!

Horrifying how silly some people can be yet I can't peel my eyes from the boob tube.

Mmmm. Cheerio crumbs. Yummy!

Every night this week has been full of family time. Family games, art and reading are awesome. I sure can't wait for tomorrow night for more family fun!

Transition To Toddlers

Has started. Today was my first official day transitioning to toddlerworld. It started out okay, complete with Mommy insisting on a photo shoot. I'm seeing a lot of first day of school photos in my future.

Oops, not ready for the camera quite yet.

Now, I am. Clapping for my first day in toddlerworld!


Oh, boy. Lots of new people to meet and names to learn. Best put my thinking cap on!

Enough pictures. Daddy, help! I'm ready to go to school now.

For real!

It went about as well as most changes in my life go. I cried. A lot...

When Mommy picked me up and heard about the toddler times, she picked me up and made me face my fear head on.. Off to toddlers we went and hung out with Miss N and the kiddos. It's not so bad from the comfort of Mommy's lap.

We swung by home and picked up Daddy for my quick check in with the doctor to make sure that it's just teething (molars, if you must) that's keeping me up at night. It's amazing the power of tugging my right ear.... But, the doc gave me the 'all clear' and we headed out to Chipotle to celebrate no ear infections.

Then we headed home for good and cheered Daddy for making a trip to the craft store and coming home with exactly what I needed. An art smock! We won't even talk about the fact that Mommy and I went to the same craft store yesterday to get an art smock, and only and art smock, and returned with lots of goodies sans an art smock. How embarassing to forget the only item on your shopping list!

Here I am cheering for Daddy. Note- the nuk has made its return this week. Super stressful transitions warrant my beloved pacifier.

My First Real Sentence

I Love Dad(dy)!

Enough said....

(Bonus picture of Ms. Independent- taken at Tyler State Park.)

Post Christmas- The Fun Times Keep Rolling

We kicked off the morning with a quick loop around the first floor. I just love larger than life stuffed animals!



Speaking of larger than me items, check out this super cool easel that I received. I couldn't imagine a gift more in tune with my inner artistic self. Just look at the way I command that red marker over the paper. I outstretch naturally and end up with a masterpiece before my very eyes. True talent!

And we're back to my super awesome fine motor skills. Look at the way I can put the top back on the marker. Truth be told that is a large part of the time spent on 'art' these days. Uncapping and recapping markers seems to be my thing these days.

Beauty in motion!

Oh, boy this is when the morning really got fun. Daddy got all technical and scientific on Mommy over a gingerbread house when all she wanted to do was, direct quote, 'wing it'. What's Switzerland supposed to do in a situation like this?

Well, I couldn't stay impartial for long. Daddy was so gosh darned serious over frosting that I had to make silly faces to distract him!

It worked, he loosened up and prepared to blame Mommy for all housing shortcomings that were no doubt coming our way.

Finally the house was contructed and needed a helping hand from artsy-fartsy Samantha. Look, look- Samantha to the rescue. Looks better already!

Did I really just get photo busted eating the frosting glue? This is worse than the redlight cameras in intersections- hope there's no fine for making a house structurally unsafe.....

No time for posing, Daddy. I've got a work in progress!

This here glue is super sweet and tasty!

I think you may have seen the super long seven minute video of the leaning tower of gingerbread, so we'll skip ahead to the aftermath. Cleaning up the frosting glue. I volunteer! Gotta learn me some values!

Yeppers. Still learning those values! Can you see the red marker spots from the earlier art projects. Thank goodness for washable ink.

Turns out Daddy snuck in some art time of his own...

After a super eventful day it was time for bed. Before bed comes story time- my favorite one these days is the colors one. Warning, for those who think Daddy is super serious all the time, he's not! Here he is being all funny.

And more funny goings on!

Really. Between Mommy and Daddy, it's a wonder I'm ever serious!

Thankfully, I wouldn't take my family life any other way!

See, speak no 'evil'.
See no 'evil'.
Really, this time....
Yikes, bed time came out of nowhere. Gotta take my sippy cup for a long walk before settling down for sleep sleep.

Samantha Eats "Glue"

This is a long one, but pretty much sums up my happy existence. Enjoy!

Merry Christmas!

Boy, do I know how to kick off a great Christmas or what? First, you wake the elderly up around 6am (letting them sleep in is a great way to make sure they can keep their stamina while sorting through all the loot!). Then, I quickly put on the super cute outfit that Daddy picked up while on a business trip this fall. It has presents on the front with real bows. Super cute! Finally, while Daddy is whipping up a great batch of whole wheat french toast with a side of turkey bacon, play some good ol' fashion chicken dance. This has got to be the greatest toy since sliced bread!

Once bellies were sufficiently stuffed, it was time for the big dig into presents galore. I started my dancing on my new alphabet and numbers mat. Gotta loosen up the joints before hunkering down with gusto.

Great-Grandma Pat's stuffed dog was my first present and it's been my constant companion ever since!

This gift giving and receiving concept is the greatest thing ever!

This doggie is bigger than I am!

And makes the greatest chair for opening the rest of the gifts. Onward!

And here is where the morning came to a screaching halt. After opening the puppy dog, markers and crayons we took an extended break of a few hours so I could squeeze art into the day. Thank goodness it was a family affair or I would have offended a great number of extremely thoughtful people.

Okay, back from hiatus. Onto personalized backpack time!

And Samantha sized musical instruments!

The holiday wasn't all about me, so I wanted to include a picture of Daddy with the present I gave him- a garden gnome! You see, Daddy's new hobby is gardening so he's been planning our attack on the back corner of our yard. Mommy later surprised us with a joint gift- Samantha's first gardening set complete with a Samantha sized wheelbarrow and gardening tools. I'm sensing lots of great bonding moments ahead this spring.

Here I am with the Little People airplane. Awesome!

And, we took another break so I could check out the house. I like to take inventory of every drawer and cabinet in the house. I spice things up by moving items from one place to another. Keeps things interesting, if you want to know my take on it. And to think Daddy is trying to keep the house clean for his parent's visit in January. Ha!

Here is how our family Christmas craft project turned out. Super cute, I think!

Back to the crime scene investigation.....

And I found it. The pencil- super sharp and not meant for me. Check!

And promptly threw a fit when Mommy took my prize possession away.

And continued my fit of dispair when my initial efforts yielded little empathy.

I was quickly wooed with a walk in Mayberry. Life's lookin' up!
When it's just us, I'm super independent and happy. Check me out.
Well, come on you slow pokes!
Ah, this Christmas thing was so great, I think I need to let Santa know he and his elves did a great job. I'm going to make sure I'm super good and nice to everyone all year long so I can wake up next Christmas without fearing the dreaded coal. Quite a lofty goal for a toddler entering the terrible twos, but I think I'm up for the task!
Merry Christmas to all and a big hug from me to you for all the love and support you've given me this year. It's been quite a ride and I'm glad to have shared it with you!