12 month doctor visit

Sam saw his pediatrician today. He weighed in at 23 pounds (54%-tile) and was 32 3/4" long (99+%). He's a tall, skinny dude.

We're going to start giving him cow's milk this weekend and other dairy products after that. We're going back and forth about wheat-free and gluten-free because of family history. I'm wheat-free as of Wednesday, but the pediatrician said that if I'm worried about celiac sprue, I should probably go all out and go gluten-free. I hated hearing that. At least Mom left some yummy GF flour here that I can use while I decide what to do. Thanks, Mom.

Got 'Em Both

After dinner, we sat in the family room and watched a little stand-up comedy on TV. John played with Sam on the floor. Sam ended up knocking John in his left eye, and John said "ow" and covered his eye with his hand. Sam looked at Papa, cocked his head, and put his finger in John's right eye in a careful, measured way. "There, I got 'em both," we think he said to himself. Too funny!

Just walking around

John caught a cute video of Sam just walking around. He's really taken off in a week since he started walking between furniture and around the room. Once he learns how to squat and stand up, he'll be walking everywhere!

He's Going, He's Going, He's.... Gone

Wow, Sam walked from the living room into the family room tonight and only touched the sofa table once, which was about 30 steps. It's so amazing to see him walk so far. I never thought seeing that would make me so proud. I love being a Mom!

Pasta

I remember my Mom telling me that I turned into a wet noodle when I didn't want to be picked up, and I didn't really know what that would be like. Sam just inherited the talent to do the same, so now I know!

Mama The Entertainer

Sam is so fun right now. I get to be silly and find new ways to entertain him and make him laugh. I took some backing from a label printer that was in the recycling and attempted to jump rope with it. Sam got a kick out of it.

You can see I got tired near the end. Fun stuff!

More walking progress

Sam went from walking along the furniture to walking to Mama or Papa to walking along with a steady cart to this... walking and pushing a push toy. Alone, he can walk about seven steps at a time. So exciting!

Videos

John posted some cute videos and pictures of Sam. I won't duplicate them here. Go see them here.

Pumpkin patch

Progress

Sam took a half step the other day. He was so excited! I'm looking forward to him walking so my wrist can rest from carrying him.

Beep Giggles

I was surprised today with what made Sam laugh. He felt a little warm to me, so I used the thermometer to get his temperature. I turned it on; it goes beep. I said "beep" to Sam, and he giggled. I LOVE those spontaneous, unexpected, gleeful giggles. By the way, his temperature was fine.

Great-grandma's Fluffy

Sam's great-grandma made this dog/lamb for him before he was born. So sweet! Sam certainly is happy.

Before and After

Sam got a hair cut. It actually wasn't his first, but it was the most I've cut off so far, probably around an inch and a half. It took us two days to get used to it.

The hair cut is accomplished by the efforts of both John and myself. He keeps him preoccupied and I try to hold on to his hair and snip before he shakes his head.

Sam and the Spoon

We're still feeding Sam the soupy foods. It's a rare occasion that Sam gets a hold of the spoon, but he loves it!

Overalls galore

I loved this combo with the red shirt and overalls. I caught him smiling and waving and mid-blink. So cute!

Walking in his size 4 shoes. Wow!

Camping

Here's a few picture from our camping trip. Here we are cooling off in the lake.

My Dad checking out the sights.

Sam trying to cool off with a drink. *hiccup*

Sam playing with Grandpa.

New activities

We went to the state fair. The only pictures I got were in the shuttle to the fair. Doh!

Hanging out with Uncle Tim.

Playing with bubbles for the first time.

Playing

Sam does really well now sitting by himself. He even sits in the big tub by himself now, closely watched.

Sam likes powertools, of course

John was working on taking a few boards off the deck tonight so that the pest guy can spray next to the house tomorrow. John showed Sam the screwdriver, and Sam loved it. He giggled at the noise and liked feeling the metal bit go slowly around. Being John's son, we knew Sam would love powertools and working with his hands. It was very fun to see!

Rolling around

Sam sure is rolling around a lot now. He doesn't stay on his blankets anymore for more than 20 seconds. He has started to crawl a little bit two. That's not to be confused with creeping which is on hands and knees.