Jimi Hendrix, Eat Your Heart Out

I've been nurturing my musical talent at school. Miss Kim is super supportive and tolerates a few bad notes here and there with a smile on her face.


Here's how it all started. Hmmm, this sure looks interesting.

Just a little bit closer.

Ah, you' re all mine!

Paul Bunyan And Tall Tales

Mommy and Daddy had to sign a release form so I can sleep with a blanket in my crib at school. They also had to describe my preferred sleeping position and you better believe that Miss Kim raised her eyebrows when she read Mommy's write up that went something like this: Put Samantha to sleep on her back. She almost always rolls over to her stomach or side. Samantha likes to sleep with blankets over her face. Or she likes to bunch up the blankets and flop on top of it.

I think she was exaggerating. What do you think?

Faces Of The Day Care Distraught

How do I really feel about being ditched every morning? Well, see for yourself.

I'm miserable. Can you tell?

What makes you think I'm having fun?

Why do you think I'm enjoying music time? Shake yer booty!

Yeah, I'm total Miss Anti-Social and keep to myself...

Seriously, school is one of the best things Mommy and Daddy have done for me. I'm finding my wings and learning to feel out new environments. I'm Miss Independent!

Aunt E says that I'm way more outgoing and over my 'Mommy is my one and only' phase. Miss Kim has wormed her way into my heart and I smile just thinking about all the fun we get to have tomorrow.

Heart Healthy

As I always say, "10,000 steps a day is super good for you." Just follow my lead!

Can't tell that's me? Mommy told school to toss a hat and those ridiculous VELCRO sunglasses on me. Where does she find such silly things to torture me with?

Figuring Things Out

Before school, I used to need absolute quiet when trying to get my beauty sleep. Now this is what I can will myself to do when there are ten other infants raising a ruckus.

Oh, and when I'm all rested up? It's me bringing down the house. You'll have to learn to sleep around my fun!

PS- Today was cool whip day and I played and played and played. Well, I tried to get my arms around this strange textured food, but it sure tasted good when some found its way on my Nuk. How cool is it that Miss Kim encourages the messy side in me? She is the greatest!

You're really going to let me play with this? Really, I'm not going to get in trouble?

This is super fun. Send more my way, please!

Lemmings In The House? Not Here!

Today was picture day at school. Daddy diligently filled out the form and wrote a check to the nice photographers. This was my beautiful outfit meant to call attention to my well sculpted arms.

I sat nicely in Miss Kim's lap for the class picture. From there it went downhill. I refused to follow peer pressure and smile for the camera during the individuals portraits. Heck no am I going to do what people tell me to just because the other babies are doing it.

Daddy was supposed to pick me up today, but Mommy had a minor separation anxiety attack and rushed up to Princeton to gather me and my belongings. She walked in and asked if I got my picture taken today. All the adults looked at me and then Mommy. Their look said it all, but their carefully chosen words were, "We think it was better to wait until Friday to make Samantha more comfortable." See we are fast friends already, the way they totally covered for me and my meltdown.

Friday- I'm ready for ya!

On a brighter note, today was Earth Day and we painted a picture of the earth green. Mommy spent the night scrubbing green paint out of my bib and clothes. In two weeks I get to take my work of art home and allow it to grace our refrigerator. I see lots of artwork in my future!

Here I am mid-masterpiece. Gorgeous, I tell ya!

It's not easy being so talented. You can't expect me to stay clean and generate such inspiring work.

A Breeze

Day two was a little easier. I'm getting used to the noise and my surroundings. It's pretty cool to have so many friends around all day. And I'm not even counting the surprise Mommy visits.

I'm a big believer in 10,000 steps day. So, at school we take two walks a day. I know, you say that sure is a lot of walking for a baby like me! Well, check out my exhausting routine. Don't I look healthier already?

Daddy didn't know about Mommy's visit, so he picked me up after work and brought me home. I sure like car trips with Daddy. We talk about sports, listen to music, complain about bad drivers and share stories about living with Mommy. We both think she is a little over zealous with the anti-germ campaign she's got going on.

Here I am after my second day. A little tired, but no worse for the wear.

We are such a great team. I love you, Daddy!

Since I'm banning all forms of liquids and solids at school, I need to bulk up at home. Yummy barley chili!

A Mixed Bag

Of emotions that is. Today is a very special day. We've been preparing for two weeks and can't wait to see what lies ahead. You see, today is my first day of DAY CARE. Remember my stint as Queen of the Fever? Well, you can directly tie it to my introduction meeting on Thursday. Nine months without any signs of illness squashed in sixty minutes.

Here is my first picture of what promises to be many of going to school. A bit apprehensive, I admit. It's scary to leave the house knowing it will be an entire day before I can come back to the comforts of home.

Working out the kinks of getting into the car seat. It was much easier when it was in the dining room!

Of course Mommy followed us to school. Weirdo.

Here is Miss Maria taking me to play while Mommy and Daddy head off to work.

Overall it was a great day. I met lots of new friends and my new friend, Miss Kim, is awesome. I am looking forward to getting settled in and painting the town red.

Ah, the sweet smell of plastic flowers!

What is with the camera? I thought I'd have a break while I was at school, but noooo Mommy had to leave some disposable cameras with Miss Kim to torture me with.

If I pseudo smile will you leave me alone for ten minutes? Thanks!

I Think I Can, I Think I Can

This is one momentous posting if I do say so myself. First, I must comment that it is my 200th post! My typing skills have improved immensely and I expect to post more videos in the next 200 posts.

Second, today marks the day of the big girl car seat, known as the 'convertible car seat'. Not a porsche silly. A car seat for big girls!

Here I am test driving it. I'm such a rebel. No license in sight and I'm burning rubber in the dining room.

Then it was off to Washington Crossing State Park. The secret is to park on the PA side and walk to NJ so you don't have to pay for parking. I'm one savvy baby.

Warning- threat of sun ahead.

Since we missed a photo opportunity last weekend for Easter Mommy dragged us out for some time with the camera. I wish those batteries would die and the memory card would end up at the bottom of the Delaware.

Icky grass!

Interesting flower. I want.

Anyone know why I got to get this big girl car seat? You'll see soon enough! One last shot of me being super excited to break in my new digs.

Pass The Torch

After an unpleasant night, I am no longer the reigning queen of the 102.9 degree fever. This unfortunate designation has been passed onto the next unlucky baby who needs to build up their immune system.

Although I felt better I was stuck at home to 'recover'. So, we played at home as a family. Well, that's almost true. Mommy and Daddy took turns being super nice to each other by volunteering to run errands. I think they just wanted a chance to get out of the house alone, but that will be our secret.

When Mommy came back from her first round of errands, she interrupted a bonding session. How do you think we felt about it?

Yuckkies

It had to happen sometime and today was the day. After all of the adventures this week, I picked up an unwanted fever. My first cold/fever/sick incident ever, if you don't count the stubborn vomiting streak I recently finished up. I'm burning up at a toasty 102.9 degrees and think it stinks. Oh, and Mommy tried to feed me eggs this morning and I think they were horrible. No spices or glamour. Just plain eggs. After talking to the nurse this morning, Mommy felt badly for me and made me mushroom quiche with a side of apply yogurt. Much more up my alley.

So, quick recap of what you missed this week.

Turns out the horrible experience with a never clotting thumb was worth it because the doctor found out I'm a bit anemic. I blame it on Mommy, who seems to be anemic frequently, and her lack of interest in giving me formula. I'm back to icky tasting vitamins and am the victim of Mommy's quest for iron rich foods. I'll keep you posted.

I met a bunch of new friends yesterday and a great woman named Miss Kim. I'll tell you more about them next week, if I get over my need for Tylenol that is.

I missed Daddy terribly. He was in town for over a month and then *poof* he was gone for a whole week with little warning. He's trying to come home tonight but Newark (of course!) said 'delay'. Something about too many planes in the air. Seriously? Can't they come up with something more creative. He is always delayed coming home!

Groundhog Day

The grass really is greener on the other side. Let me out!

Notice Daddy's shoe? Well, it seems that the kitty cat can't get around the gates either. So, when it's safe, Mommy and Daddy have to prop the gates (yes, gates!) open so Mufasa can roam around.

Behind Bars

It seems I was sentenced for crimes without a trial. Seems a bit unfair don't you think? I found myself behind bars. Seriously limited in my mobility around the house. I find stairs way more interesting than flat terrain. Anyone have a metal file you can slip me in my next bottle?

If I smile really cute, will you let me out?

At least pick me up so I can have a bath! Check out my banana mango eyebrows-the latest in baby fashion.

Will Crawl For Food

Sadly it was time to say our 'see ya later alligators' to Daddy. He is off to St. Louis, then Chicago and then Orlando before coming home Friday to put me to bed. Busy as a bee!

Mommy made me breakfast to distract me from the inevitable parting. She gave me a choice of spoons and I hijacked one and scooted clear across the kitchen to reach my trusty Bumbo.

Didn't have enough hands, but I had a workaround!

This afternoon we visited with Henry- who crawled for the first time! I think that was so nice of him to wait until our playdate to show off his new talent. What a guy!

It's a Christmas Miracle

So, it was an interesting Monday morning. Went to the doctors for my nine month check up.

I'm 17 pounds, six ounces.
My head is 17.25 inches around.
I'm 27.25 inches long.

Oh, and the doctor said since I gained two pounds in four weeks without vomiting once that I've been cured. It seems that Mommy caught him writing in my permanent medical chart that I decided to start eating. Yogurt was my gateway food and it's been smooth sailing since.

Oh, the appointment went downhill from here. You see, at nine months they slice open your thumb and squeeze until enough drops of BLOOD fill up a tube the size of Oklahoma. Then, to throw salt on the wound, they don't allow band-aids. Something about being choking hazards to infants. As if! Picture me having a complete meltdown and Mommy with gauze applying pressure to my war wound. There was quite a lot of blood all over the place if you want to know the truth. We both won't be wearing these outfits again.

To futher the nine month check-up experience, once my finger clotted we headed off to injections. Yep, I got a big 'ole shot in each leg before they'd let me out of the building.

Good news is that I basically had no reaction to the shots. Woot!

PS- who knows what movie the title is from? What was one of the two movies that Mommy and Daddy watched on their second date and she annoyed him the whole time by saying the lines to the entire movie?

Spice Girl

I am really enjoying my Iron Chef moments in the kitchen. I hang out there a few times a day and learn my way around a little more each day.

I can't get enough of the lazy susan cabinet!

What a versatile spice. First it's a rattle, then it's a teether.

Home Turf

No surprise here, but Mommy screwed up my nap so I was awake for most of the car trip. Headed north, with my face in the hot sun. And she wonders why I fussed. Silly Mommy. All was forgotten the second we pulled in the driveway and I saw Super Daddy! He scooped me up and we started to chase each other around the house. Great fun, I tell ya!


Here I am showing him my crawling skills as I head toward my bib.

Or was it Mommy that I was after :)

Then Mommy dressed me up in my super cute Easter dress that she didn't trust me wearing while I was with Joshua. Aren't I a cutie? Expect a second appearance next weekend!

Getting ready to send Daddy on his way for a long business trip. Weekends are way too short!

Go Buckwheats!

Kinda like 'go buckeyes!', right? Not so much? Hey, I'm still working on my sense of humor and word play.

Easter morning means buckwheat pancakes made by Super Grandpa in their new kitchen that looks great. Yummy pancakes! I'm standing guard to make sure that no one tries to swipe the first batch. They're all mine!



No, Grandma. Don't distract me while they take my pancakes. They're mine!

Now that I'm well fed, it's story time. Nope, don't need your help. I can read it myself. If only I could hold it upright by myself. Oops!

Gotta practice my waving. Can I master this skill before tomorrow's doctor's appointment? I sure hope so, but strongly doubt it.

Easter Treats

Easter Saturday was super special because I got to meet Vanessa and Elizabeth, daughters of Mommy's friend from high school, Mr James and his wife, Miss Sarah. Their mommy has been super kind in giving parenting advice to my Mommy, who would be lost without such great support!

Vanessa is three, so she was able to take part in a real easter egg hunt around the house. She was so active and intent on finding her eggs that Mommy wasn't able to capture the frenzied fun on camera. Bummer!

What slowpoke did photograph was the more tame egg hunt approach taken with Elizabeth (10.5 months) and me (9 months).

We each had a basket. Elizabeth's and mine were filled with a few eggs stuffed to the brim with yogurt melts. Elizabeth tore through her basket as only an almost one year old can. I, on the other hand, found my first egg and spent the rest of the time looking at it and trying to figure out how come it shines so much.

Here I am with my first and only egg of my first easter hunt.

Elizabeth was super nice and shared her treats with her Mommy. Aww!


Then it was time to head upstairs and check out their piano. Vanessa is learning to play really well and Elizabeth is sure learning from a pro. I saw Elizabeth using her fingers on the keys. Nope, it didn't rub off on me. I used my whole and and banged away with all my might, hoping Mommy would see how much I enjoyed this and investigate us getting a family piano. Hint, hint.

Here we are checking each other's talent out. We are amazing, let me tell you! And this is the lone picture with Vanessa all the way in the back. She's much taller close up.

See ya later parental units. We're off to the races! Go Elizabeth! Push faster! Hold on tight, you say? Thank goodness for Mommy and Elizabeth's Daddy.

I think it was for purely selfish reasons that Mommy put my in the bouncer. I strongly suspect that she wanted to tucker me out so she could ensure a smooth bedtime. You see, Elizabeth and Vanessa's parents were going to hang out with Mommy and Dean later in the evening and didn't want to worry about bad babies staying awake. Mission acccomplished! I had loads of fun and later that night so did they!