He's Crawling!

Check out these videos of Blake's first attempt at crawling....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfr41caV0Wo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tCjfQ4FznQ

That's all for tonight. I am working on packing for a trip to Wisconsin so we're a bit busy:)

Blake has accomplished a couple of more feats this week. He started to clap his hands together and say "mamama." I am excited about both milestones. He seems to clap his hands when he's happy and often times, just when he's sitting there playing. It sometimes seems that he'll say "mamama" when he's needing something or frustrated. Maybe it's just me thinking so:)

Sabbath Blake ended up only taking one nap. He didn't nap during church and then napped for a couple of hours in the afternoon and then just went to bed around usual time. I keep waiting for the day when he'll catch up:)

This week Samantha got to play with Play-Doh. We had tried giving her some when Blake was born but she just wasn't ready. Now she loves it, in fact, she played for over 45 minutes one day ( a record!) and the next day she wanted to play again.

We did a craft one day while Blake was sleeping. We made "stained glass" for our windows. It was a simple craft of putting colored tissue paper on contact paper but she enjoyed it and I think she enjoyed the one-on-one with mom even more.

On Monday I found Samantha playing a video that was on Andrew and Ethan's page. She seems to have figured out our laptop's touchpad all by herself. Now, she doesn't have it mastered but does quite well. Travis set her up on the Paint program and she enjoys it.

I keep saying I am amazed by her memory, but I really am. Here are a couple instances of the things she's remembered (Warning: Bragging below)....

*On Tuesday she started to try to sing "Onward Christian Soldiers" as she said we sang it at church that week and I'm pretty sure she was right.
*I was putting on her PJ's and they had a bunny on them. She proceeded to say, "B" is for bunny.
*While driving to Travis' work this week we were at an intersection and she pointed to the right and said that it was the way to Kathryn's music class (she was right and the class was over a week-and-a-half ago.)
*She still remembers the teacher's name that taught her gymnastics class back in beginning of October (we went once).
*Of course, there are more instances I wish had written down and can't remember now.

We were happy to join Travis at his work on Thursday for their annual Thanksgiving meal. Each resident had family join them and we were privileged to participate also. The staff at his work goes out of their way for us and showers the kids with attention. We feel so blessed that Travis is working in a great environment.

BeBe and Papa are coming in for Thanksgiving. I believe it's our first Thanksgiving with family since we've been married so we are looking forward to it and gearing up for their visit.

Blake playing...
Blake up on all 4's...

The kids playing around (and Samantha pretending to be asleep....)

Samantha playing with Play-Doh and making a "stained glass".....

Samantha on the computer.....

Here is a quick summary of the last two weeks…

Blake…
*is saying ‘dadada” and “bababa”.
*has started to get up on all four’s and rock several times.
*is starting to reach for things and try to get them more.
*can turn 360 degrees without problems.
*is starting to reach out when I put my hands out to hold him.
*pulled himself up on his crib on Friday.
*has started to clap.
We are thrilled with Blake's progress this week. Although the bullets don't look like much, his accomplishments are huge!

Samantha…
*said, "If you move these I’ll be very upset” last Sabbath after lining up all of the shoes.
*is learning left and right. She’s about got it down.
*has slept all night in her bed for 3 nights now (knock-on-wood).
* went shopping and got boots, winter coat and hat for when we go to BeBe and Papa’s house.
* helped me make pie on Friday. She even had to get her rolling pin out to help roll it out.
* has a memory like an elephant. She remembers things as we go by places and talks about them.
*went to Kindermusik with Kathryn last Monday and had a great time. She always joins right in and isn’t afraid in these kind of settings. Later that day she was singing one of the songs.
*played so well at Scott’s 40th birthday party. I was very pleased how she didn’t get into anything but played with David and the toys Christy provided.
*is starting to learn about the seasons. She knows we are in the season “fall” and is gearing up for winter.
*started to use the words “beautiful” and “certain.” If I think about it, I try to use different words to describe, etc. to expose her to new words.
*found tons of things to show us a Toys R Us.
*has found that she really enjoys puzzles.

Being silly after eating a biter biscuit...


He's found a new favorite place to play--in the bathroom with Samantha's bath toys...

Standing up in his crib (this time he had a bit of assistance)...

Samantha, all ready for winter...

We tried finger painting this week. I don't think she's really ready for it because she used ALL of the paint. She was scooping it out of the jars...

Everyone knows you just want to see the pictures. I'll add the commentary when I can.

We decided to take a few pictures while the leaves on the trees were great.....

Samantha has really enjoyed these new floor puzzles I picked up...

Random shots...

Samantha has started to want to sit in the highchair again so I put Blake into her chair...

We spent the first part of the week mostly in the house. The weather wasn't real warm and we didn't have a lot to do. It was amazing because stayed half way decent all day. I guess that's what I get for running around a lot.

We survived quite well without Travis although when he got back Tuesday evening Samantha could not get enough of him and was hard to settle down to get into bed.

Thursday was very full. We had our last library session in the morning. Teacher Shelly was so great that Samantha really looked forward to library every week. Teacher Shelly was very interactive and got the kids up and walking, dancing, but yet had time when they had to sit and read books. I really hope we get to do it again during the winter.

After naps we ran down to Dalton where I ran a couple of errands than dressed the kids up and took them to Travis' work. The kids were a hit and I think they really enjoyed dressing up again. While there a lady playing the violin was playing for the residents and she came right up to Samantha and played "Jesus Love Me." It was a special treat for Samantha.

Friday morning I mentioned to Samantha that she could help me cook. Well, she wouldn't let me rest until we started to cook. She loves being and helping in the kitchen.

Sabbath was a very full day. We, of course, did Sabbath School and Church, then rushed home for quick naps and back again for a parenting seminar. Samantha did so well at the child care and has come a long way. She wasn't thrilled about leaving and asked to leave several times but stayed despite the fact and didn't fuss. We never leave her and this was unusual for her and I was proud of her.

Saturday night we dashed over to a bonfire that our adult Sabbath School class was hosting. Samantha and Travis enjoyed a hayride and quick trip down the zip line. Samantha enjoyed them both.

Blake has been out of sorts ever since Friday afternoon. He was up nearly ever hour Friday night Saturday night was only a bit better. He and I just hung out at the bonfire but by this afternoon I think he's feeling himself again. I'm sure hoping for a better night sleep tonight!

Blake is creeping ever so slightly to get things. He has to really want to it try but those things that he wants are getting more numerous. He does so well at sitting up and can reach a lot of stuff and get himself back into the sitting position afterwards.

Samantha just makes me laugh still with her sayings that she picks up. I asked her one day while driving if Blake was sleeping. She said, "no, he's just hanging out." She's used this one a couple of times.

She had my phone while we were in the car and wanted to call someone. She started to list off people and I kept on telling her no. After a bit I asked her what she was doing and she said, "Actually, I'm being silly."

I tried taking the kids' pictures with the leaves...

The kids dressed up with Travis at his work...

BeBe and Papa sent us this great little craft we did...

Random shots...