My Way On Drama Filled Main Street

What a drama filled day. Daddy left us in the wee hours of morning to log in some time at work. Mommy and I walked around Target Samantha speed style. Yes, we get LOTS of looks from people who think that toddlers should not be in the middle of aisles, blocking carts and people while they are mastering their walking skills. Boo to you and you, silly people who don't take time to enjoy the simple things in life.

Mommy and I then headed home and then the drama started. The garage door opener didn't work. Then the lights and heat didn't work. And I needed a nap. And our well water doesn't work without power. You get the idea. We headed down the road to do what any self respecting ladies do in a crisis- head to Dunkin Donuts for munchkins. We passed by one of the Mayberry cops who told us about the car accident in West Windsor that stole all of the power on our very long road. We then headed back on our way to the munchkin manor when I clear conked out in my car seat. There went my munchkin a day streak. (I had one yesterday and thought this was a great habit to start, but once doesn't make a trend I've since learned.) We drove around for a bit and then headed home and realized the electric company can work miracles. Nap time in a heated home, hooray!

Daddy appeared when I woke up from my nap and Mommy announced that we needed to head down to Main Street for ice cream. This was my last chance for baby cones at Gil and Berts for the season. Imagine closing until April 1st. What a horrible April Fools joke!



Here's how I feel about no more ice cream cones until my hands grow a bit bigger.





Yes, it's true. Mommy has no photographic timing. Either Daddy or I look positively ridiculous in her picture taking attempts and this go round is no exception. But, my smile is because Mommy sweet talked the super sweet ice cream shop owner to give us the extra baby cones to enjoy these frozen treats in the comfort of my PBK chair. See my super cute tongue resting in it's usual jolly place-the side of my mouth, of course!

Here's a close up for those who agree that Mommy has no ability to zoom her camera on its prized subject-me.

Ten bucks if you can guess what I'm thinking.

Hot damn. Three family photos in one month. This truly is a record and a testament to the great people who live on the east coast.

By now you're wondering about the drama I referred to above, right? Well, let's see what I can do to convince you that I don't exaggerate much.... Just as we pulled onto Main Street we noticed a few fire engines and all of Mayberry's police cars around the Chinese food place. Please tell me it didn't catch on fire! Whew- only a downed wire that caused all the power to go out. Second time in one day and totally unrelated events! Well, Mommy skirted the events and put an evelope in the mailbox. A mailbox that we then say two firemen carry into the post office after the fire engine ran into it. Yikes all around!

We then headed home where a teeting tot whom shall remain nameless (that's me, silly!) continued being grumpy baby with all the teething action going on upstairs. About 5pm came a callin and so did my crib. Mommy wanted sleep tonight so she said, who cares how tired Samantha is- trick or treating we will go! Forget the costume, we're on a mission to buy time before bed. Sooo....

I bring you baby who refused to wear a costume walking up to her very first house on her very first walking Halloween.

And her very first piece of candy....

This is pretty darn cool. Go to a stranger's house, knock on the door, look cute and get candy as a reward. Wish this Halloween thing was every day!

Here I am on my favorite house on Main Street. I don't go by it without practicing my balance beam skills. Sadly, since I can't manage to get across the six inch wide bricks without being a bit wobbly I think I won't be an Olympic balance beamer... But I sure have fun trying!

After a few houses it was time for Teddy's dessert. And to take stock of my loot, of course.

Here we are in themiddle of important business (see candy counting reference above) and Mommy is trying to sneak in picture time while I reach for more candy just out of my reach. Silly Mommy!

Must refuel for more trick or treating- ice cream should do the trick nicely.

This spoon is a waste of my time. Eating with my fingers is so much messier!

Treat basket on my head!

Forget the folks, this tot is venturing out on her own. Must get more candy!

Well, you can go with me if you don't slow me down....

I look cute and Mommy snatchs candy. Team work in action!

Here I am starting to slow down. This trick or treating sure is tiring!

My way or the highway. Enough said- see video below.

Monkeys Jumping On The Bed

My favorite book and song these days is 'no more monkeys jumping on the bed'. So what better costume for Halloween than a monkey? Mommy picked me up from school so I could visit Daddy and show off his pride and joy. Not his car, silly. Me! That's right, this here baby dressed up as a monkey for about four whole minutes before announcing to Daddy's ENTIRE company that I was totally finished with dress up. Yeppers, we had to take a detour outside to catch a breather. Talk about embarassing!

You can totally tell that Daddy is an official Daddy by the way he looks the camera dead on, smiling as if monkey (that's me) isn't being the little bugger that I am. Rock on!

After making a spectacle of myself on the first floor, totally filled with super nice and understanding co-workers, we headed upstairs to visit with Auntie G. I took one look at the 'do not distub' sign on her closed door and asked Daddy to lift me up in the window. Totally busted up that meeting! Then we spent some quality time with Auntie G.

But first it was cuddle time with Daddy.

After a moment of calm, I dug deep down inside and pulled out the 'Vanessa' side of me, turned on the charm and became Social Samantha. Here I am posing with Daddy and Auntie G.

Then Daddy started acting like a total fool at work and sang silly songs to me. I responded in kind with a silly face and super silly laugh. With my shoes right where they belong, thank you very much inventor of velcro.

If the monkey can't get to the jungle gym, then Samantha brings the jungle gym to the monkey. Hooray for people who understand the importance of fun!

I was born to be at the top of the cheerleader pyramid!

Classic Mommy moment thinking I'm going to hurt myself. As if!

So, I totally missed the infant parade to the fountain and back in the stroller. Truth be told, that stinks but I'm super grateful for time with Daddy and his work buddies. They are the bestest and I don't get to see them often enough. Mommy took me back to school where I hung out with Addison, a former infanter and current toddlerviller, until the infant room filled back up with costumed up, pooped out babies. Here I am trying to stay out of the way until the babies (what babies!) were safely in dreamland.

Dude, I am a born stacker. Hope this becomes and Olympic event by 2026.

Pumpkins As Far As The Eye Can See

Or the mouth can chomp. Seriously, this has got to be the greatest thing in the world. Go to a farm and pick your very own teether. It tastes great and is so big that I don't lose it nearly as often as my other toys!

See what I mean? Way better than a nuk, too!

Now, I want you to look at this next picture really closely. See a happy baby? Well, good because she's about to disappear in sixty seconds.

If it even took that long.

What was the fuss about? Mommy wanted a picture with me and the pumpkin I made at school but I wasn't in the mood and Mommy kept pushing my buttons. Loser.

Three

The number of top teeth that are desperately trying to come in at the same time.
The number of hours Mommy slept last night helping me through my misery.

Bad times at the Burts.

Master Communicator

So, I'm totally getting things now. If you ask me a question, then I'll answer. It might be a nod of my cute little head or a violent head shake for a resounding no or even body language, but rest assured that I am am a master communicator.

For example, tonight I didn't want a sippy cup. Nope, so I shook my head and pointed to the fridge. It opened up and I spied my nighttime snack, a tasty yogurt finding its way to my ever shrinking belly. That's right, not only can I tell you want I want and don't want, but all this here walking is trimming my waistline. Who'd a thunk it?

Doctors, Water Bottles And Slides, Oh My

After my bazillionith hearing test today, I am totally diagnosed with perfect hearing. Mommy was a little annoyed to find that when I ignore her it's a matter of choice. Looks like I'm surgery bound again. General anethesia for the second time in three months means I'm going to milk this go round for lots and lots of ice cream even though the surgery will be a piece of cake.

It was so nice out and Mommy took the afternoon off work so we headed to the playground. On the way Mommy documented why the house rule is no open water bottles in the car.

I was sad to find that I was the only munchkin at the park today. What's with all the overprotective parents that keep their kids inside if the temps dip below freezing?

Oh, well. I sure had enough fun for all the kids in Mayberry. Mommy loves that I get so tickled pink that it looks like I'm grimacing.Suspension bridge, here I come!

Here I am in action. For those who haven't been able to spend much time with me recently, this will give you a solid understanding of my thought process and why Mommy has to sign so many incident reports at school. For the record, I've been climbing up slides since I was ten months old at school. Remember that I would go up the slide and down the ladder, getting hurt so many times and teaching other kiddos this great trick that school took the toy away? Anywhoosit, here I am performing the great Samantha Slide Trick.

PS- there are a lot of great posts dating back to the middle of October that I just put up, so scroll on down and click on 'older posts'. Think me in a tutu and scoring baskets. It's worth it, I promise!

Mommies

Think babies who get their second wind at 12:20am stink.

Park And The Pumpkin Patch

As I mentioned yesterday, today was planned as the 'good weather, family outing day' and it sure didn't disappoint!

We kicked off the day with some straight up toy playing in the playroom. Which toy did I choose? All of them, of course.

Then we had a quick lunch of many banana muffins that Mommy made and took a long nap to rest up for a trip to Tyler State Park.

Once we got there, Daddy needed to sneak in some kisses to make it on the long walk. I sure have so much fun when we're together!

I can't keep my belly laughs in any longer. Uncle!

Then, out of nowhere, while Daddy was in the bathroom, hat lady appeared and plopped one on my head. At least she left me with sunglasses to play with.

We had to go a different way from our normal walk because the walkway was flooded out. Before me (there was ever such a thing?) Mommy and Daddy would bust through, but a stroller complicates things a bit. So, we headed down the path less traveled, though it was still loads of fun.
Classic Daddy and me moment.

Me thinks I see a doggie up ahead. Must be quiet and sneak up for some kisses.

Super cute thinkin' going on.

Five speckled frogs sitting on a speckled log. Or just one Samantha.

NO MORE family photos!

Well, just one really good one, if you must.

Mommy pushed her luck by trying to get one of the two of us. Silly Mommy!

In the time we were out it got chilly, which meant the perfect time to don my super cute pink coat. I am just plain cute, I know!

I feel another cute Samantha moment coming on... And I don't disappoint, if I do say so myself.

After getting in my steps for the day it was time to hop back in the car for home. Mommy made a split second decision to stop off at the pumpkin patch, where my pumpkin picking instincts took over.

This way to the perfect pumkin.

It's right here, I just know it. Sort through the second rate pumpkins and find me the perfect pumpkin!

Behold perfection!

Behold perfection, and I think I can just about pick it up myself. Bend with the knees to protect this precious back of mine. That's it...

Bless you, my beloved pumpkin. Now I know how Mommy and Daddy felt the day I was born. I'm going to be the best pumpkin Mommy ever.

Right this way, little one. I'll get you home safe and sound, I promise.

That means having my super Daddy carry us above all the other kiddos rushing around the patch searching for their little bundle of joy.

Whew, did you catch all that we did today? It was out of control fun and I wouldn't have changed a minute of it!