By far the highlight of last week was Samantha’s accomplishment! As I said earlier, Samantha has never been a great sleeper. From day one we had to hold or rock her to sleep. When she got a bit older and moved into her toddler bed we started to do out nightly routine and then stay in her room until she fell asleep. Some nights it would absolutely drive me crazy because I knew I had a ton of stuff to do yet I was still just sitting in her room. Later I started to read a book while waiting for her to go to sleep and this helped me take my mind off of it.

A couple of weeks ago we decided we were done and she needed to learn how to do it herself. We worked on it a few nights and then we had some odd things come up where we were up very late, etc. and we just put her to bed. Last week we really started to work on her. I made a chart for her and explained that every morning if she went to bed by herself the night before she got to put a sticker on and at the end of the week, I’d buy her a doll.

She did really well except one night where she ended up crying herself to sleep and getting up a couple of times. We gave her the sticker anyways and by Friday she got to go and get her doll. We even stopped by Starbucks on the way!! She was thrilled that she got to pick her out and then she took her to bed with her at naptime. I told her now she just had to keep it up and she said she didn’t want to.

She has continued to do it, even tonight laying there for a half-hour before actually falling asleep. We are so proud of her accomplishment!
I started to notice that Samantha could pronounce certain letters but had learned words before she could. For instance she would drop the letter “P” in picture and the letter “b” in book. She can say the letter B and P so we’ve been working on getting her to stay the words correctly because now it’s just habit.

Blake has continued to do well. He’s really started to reach or things and you’d better be careful if you bring him to the table because he’ll grab your plate or placemat. He grabs for toys so well.

We bought him a new toy this week that he can “work” with his feet (which are always going) and so far he really enjoys it.

We’ve been working on solids with him and he’s doing better although he doesn’t scarf them down. I figure the more we try it the better he’ll be.

We started to give Blake a bath with Samantha. So far, I’ve been in there with them. He seems to really love the water. The first time he was in he ended up splashing in the water and got Samantha to start laughing and then he started laughing. It was so cute.

It seems Blake is beginning to be a bit more determined to roll-he did it three times in one day and we often catch him arching his back on his side-he’ll get it pretty soon!

Last week Travis and I decided we should have a picnic. We invited a few of our friends to picnic with us on our deck. We were thrilled that everyone could join us and enjoy the great weather.

We put water in the pool, took off the cover of the sandbox and let them play on the swings. I think it’s safe to say that everyone had a great time and we need to do it again. Samantha had a great time running around with her friends but was so tired by the time everyone left.

Monday we went to the Chattanooga Zoo and I had great intentions of taking lots of pictures but I left it in the car. We enjoyed our time there and even ran into some friends. This evening we took a walk on the Greenway.

Samantha with her chart and new doll...

Our picnic...

Random shots...

So last week was a very uneventful week. We were getting used to having Travis gone all during the days and working full-time again. I know it was an adjustment for me and I'm pretty sure it was an adjustment for Samantha. I think the first couple of days she asked where daddy was about 100 times.

Thursday we swam with Kathryn at her Gigi's house. Both girls used their floaties and we were able to swim for a bit before Blake needed feeding. We didn't get into the pool after that but enjoyed a yummy lunch that Christy and Gigi prepared for us. We ate on Gigi's screened in porch and she had a special table just for the girls. Blake was a trooper and played by himself while we swam but finally gave in and fell asleep during lunch.

Sunday we finally started to feed Blake solids. It didn't go over well at all. He didn't eat much and what we did get in came back out. He also made a few funny faces. We're just going to keep trying it because he's showing all of the signs that he's ready to eat.

We are so thankful that David and Mindi let us borrow their Exersaucer which we got this week. Blake has really enjoyed sitting in it and playing with the toys although I think he wishes it would bounce:)

The kids each had new outfits on Sabbath so we had to take pictures...

Random pictures...

Last week was our last week of having around daddy full-time as he started a new job today so we tried to take advantage of it. We did a lot of things together as a family. The highlight by far for Samantha was a trip to the YMCA. Travis took her in the morning to play on their enormous indoor playground. It's like a gigantic McDonald's playground with tubes, slides, etc. There were other kids her age there but because their parents weren't with them they couldn't explore very much. Samantha and Travis basically had it all to themselves.

After lunch and a nap at home they headed back for open swim. I found her some floaties so she tried them and loved them. She is a real fish! They swam for almost two hours and she wasn't ready to come home. Although, when we got into the car she complained all the way home that she was tired.

Samantha has also watched Travis go golfing numerous amounts of time. While out and about I found a set of clubs just her size on clearance so I couldn't resist. We took her to the putting green at Southern so that she could golf with dad.

This week we've started to really work getting Blake to sit up. He is doing so well at it. He tires after a bit but that is expected. I am really hoping that he'll be sitting up on his own by the time he's 6 months.

He is so easy to make smile or laugh-it's amazing. A little bit of right attention brings out the laughs and often a giggle.

We had taken away his jumparoo because he was putting blisters on his pinkie toes. Yesterday I decided to give it a try again and he's doing much better-so far no blisters. I believe his ankles have gotten stronger and he's probably grown which also helps. Now he can bounce until he content.

I took Blake to Sabbath School this week and we only lasted through half of it. He had already been up over two hours and just wasn't in the best mood to sit there. We ended up leaving so he could take a nap.

Samantha has taken to drying herself off now after her baths. She must watch us very carefully because she'll put her leg up on the potty to dry it off. I ask if she wants help and she always refuses.

Today I got into the shower and asked Samantha to let me know if someone called. When I got out I asked her if anyone called and she said that BeBe had called. She also said that she had talked to her. Just for curiosity I found my found and sure enough, my mom had called and apparently Samantha talked to her. I called my mom back and she said that they had a little conversation. Samantha really likes the phone and loves to call people on it.

For most parents of two year-olds their child is sleeping through the night and also putting themselves to sleep. Well, Samantha has not done either. For the last couple of days we've really been working on having her put herself to sleep with no one in the room with her. She's made huge strides and has done it by self a couple of times already. She's also slept in her own bed almost all night through. We are so thankful!

Yesterday we were lucky to see Aunt Jenney, Ellie and Dane. They were passing through back home from a wedding and were able to stop by for a couple of hours. Samantha and the kids played together so well and Samantha was quite sad to see them leave. We were grateful that we got to see them at all. Poor Samantha kept on asking where Uncle Paul was though.

Making cupcakes...

Holding his own bottle...

Sitting up big in the Bumbo chair...

Swimming Girl

Travis took Samantha to the YMCA today to swim-she's become our little fish. Here are a couple videos of her using her new floaties...

A Blog Worth the Wait

BeBe continued to stay with us through the first part of last week. We were so happy that she was able to come and visit us even though we didn’t do anything special. We made a trip to the mall (of course!), played outside (despite the heat), ran a few errands and played. She was a real trooper playing with Samantha. While here, like every other grandparent, she spoiled the kids. She bought Samantha this great little tutu that she absolutely loves. Thanks BeBe!

Samantha woke up Monday morning and said that she didn’t want to grow up or be a big girl, she just wanted a bottle. I am not sure where she came up with it but at least she isn’t still talking about not wanting to grow up.

Blake rolled a couple of more times-he even did it while BeBe was here. Wednesday he had his four-month appointment (we are a month behind). He weighs 15 ½ lbs, and is 25 ½ inches long. That puts him in the 75% for both his height and weight. While there he also got three shots but did real well with them-he was only a little bit fussy. I had several concerns going into the appointment but the doctor reassured me that he looks fantastic and is doing great.

We can tell he’s getting older and growing-he is awake much longer between naps. Previously he stayed awake 2 hours at a time but now he is often staying awake 2 ½ -3 hours.

We set up his crib this past week so he’s now getting used to it. He is loving the space because almost every time I go in there he has moved about 45 degrees.

While BeBe was here we went out for Chinese. We took some food along for Samantha but also ordered her some noodles. When we pulled out our chopsticks she wanted to try hers. She did great with the “regular” ones but we asked the waiter to bring us a “cheater” pair that has a spring type device at the top. She was amazing and ate most of her meal with them. Of course, we didn’t have our camera but when we got home she wanted more so she used her chopsticks again.

Thursday we were invited to Maddie’s 3rd birthday party. It was Samantha’s first time to play “Pin the Tail on the Donkey” and swat at a Pinata. She had a blast playing the games and also riding on Maddie’s present-a bicycle.

Sabbath we visited Maddie again but this time Samantha and Travis swam in her pool. Both Travis and I were really impressed at how well she did as she has had very little time in the “big pool” as Samantha calls it. After taking a bit of time to warm up to it she worked her way up to swimming by herself (with a swimming suit that has floaters) and getting splashed in the face by the dog jumping in. I think she was in for about 2 hours before she got out to eat supper and play with Maddie and Alex. Hopefully her joy for the water will continue.

Sunday was the biggest day of the weekend-we went to the Knoxville Zoo with Maddie and her family and Alex and his family. We got there around noon and ate our lunches then headed for the animals. The kids were great troopers, especially since they didn’t get any naps. Samantha saw giraffe’s, elephants, zebra’s, and rhino’s for the first time. Just before leaving Travis took her on a camel ride. Now when we ask her what her favorite part was she says the camel ride. Seeing Elmo at the zoo comes in a close second. Blake was great the entire time. He rode in the stroller most of it but also spent some time in the front carrier and ended up taking a nap in the stroller. We were all very tired when we got home. In fact, it carried over to this morning. Samantha slept in until about 8:15 and around 11:30 she was telling us she was tired. Blake took a 3 hour nap today which is unusual for him too.

We’ve been blessed to have so many great friends. When you have kids you begin to realize that we want people in our lives that make positive influences on our children and I believe we’ve found so many friends that do this.



Samantha and BeBe with the quilt BeBe made for her...






Blake dipping his feet in our pool...







At Maddie's birthday party...











Samantha loves Blake's crib and is often in there or bringing her step-stool over so she can play with him when he's in there...





Enjoying the Knoxville Zoo...

We started the week with family day at PlayWorld Down Under. It's a great big play place where mom and dad have a hard time keeping up--there are tunnels and small holes to squeeze through. Samantha really enjoyed running through them, hanging on the balls and sliding down the slides. We finally gave up and let Samantha run all by herself.

Thursday the kids and I had a play date with Kathryn and her mom. We had hoped to go swimming but one of our many thunderstorms came through and cancelled those plans. Instead, we got to play inside with her pop-up bus and other cool toys. They invited us to stay for supper and dad came over too later on. Just before we left we played on their porch for a few minutes.

For the longest time poor Blake would get scared so easily. Samantha would yell or say something very loud and his face would wrinkle up and he would cry a very loud cry. This doesn't happen any longer. He has really gotten used to all the noise around him, even his big sister.

Blake rolled again this morning-it's just nothing consist. I believe he could if he really wanted to but often his arm gets in the way or he just doesn't get his leg all the way over. He still loves to bounce though. It puts a whole new definition to bouncing baby boy!

Thursday Tracy and Cheryl invited us to swim with them at their neighbors. We got there and into the pool about 10 minutes before it started to rain (again!). Samantha did exceptionally well-much better than I had thought she would. Maybe we can get some more practice in soon.

Samantha loves to go barefoot! She is always running around outside without her shoes on and if not, comes up with an excuse why she needs to take them off.

We were thrilled to have BeBe come for a short visit. She babysat Paul and Jenney's kids Thursday and has to be back on Thursday to be babysit again. She decided to come visit us in between. When she came she brought us the quilt she made for Samantha's bed. We were able to pick out the material when we were there in April and she quilted it for us. It turned out so great and she also sewed a pillow and curtain for Samantha.

Samantha playing at PlayWorld Down Under...

Swimming with mom...

Playing with Kathryn...

Helping mom make a peach pie...

All smiles after a nap and stripped down because of the heat...

And just how many places can he put his feet?

And for Grandma Linda, a picture of dad and Blake...