3!

Sam Sayings

Just now you won't pass my jacket hanging on the kitchen chair and you hugged it and you said I love your jacket. He said it's nice and cozy. I'm going to go sleep on it in my room on the ground. 

Georgia national fair

Yesterday we went to the Georgia national fair. 

Cabin

Napai joked around and called his shack a cabin on the lake. We went there last weekend and had a great time. We actually went on Saturday and had a lot of fun time outside in the yard. You got to play with worms and fish with daddy and daddy made a fire and we had s'mores that night. We had a great time playing around in the yard and you made a tent with the picnic table. 

Brown Bear

Tonight you read this out loud to me on one of the pages. 

Boring

Yesterday morning I put it on Dora the Explorer and you said, "want to watch something else – this is boring!"

Look at these lashes

You finally went to sleep this afternoon at 3:20 in the car. Your head is as far down as possible. Look at your lashes!

First dental appointment and buy a donut from mommy

You had your first dentist appointment a.k.a. the Tooth Doctor. You did excellent!

They had some toys out in the waiting room so we worked on a puzzle for a little bit and then when they called you up to the front and the technician came outlooked up at her and opened your mouth so she could see your teeth. 

Then we met the dentist and she was so nice and friendly and happy and told you if you were a good boy, you would get a balloon and a prize from the treasure chest. You got up in the chair with no problem but when they wanted to lay the head rest down you didn't like that but the doctor said I could stay up a little bit more than normal. You put on their sunglasses and the technician cleans your teeth while I talked to the dentist. You did great while you got your teeth cleaned and were happy to get your balloon. I had told you before we had gone to the dentist if you were good that I would take you to get a doughnut and you kept saying you wanted an orange doughnut. The dentist said that you really should only have one sweet a week so when I tried to not get the donut I could tell I wouldn't have hurt your feelings. 

So we came and got a doughnut at Dunkin' Donuts. I'm glad I changed my mind because you were so cute. He picked out a chocolate I think a doughnut and not I think a doughnut and just ate the top. I got a pumpkin doughnut which you wanted to try and ended up liking. You wanted another donut, so I went and got you one and when I sat down you said you wanted to buy me another doughnut and went up to the counter and asked the lady. They were sweet and gave you a couple of munchkins to give to me. That melted my heart that you wanted to buy me a donut!

Friday night movie night

These photos were taken right before Benjamin spit up his green beans all over you. You said yuck!

What a fun night

It's Friday night at 11:30 PM and you are sleep and so is Benjamin. Tonight daddy went hunting so it was just the three of us here. I actually really enjoy being here with the two of you without daddy sometimes because I can give all my attention to you and your brother. 

Tonight I had Benjamin in the highchair and he played with his toys for a little bit and then I put him on the sofa with us. You were climbing up on the back of the sofa saying you are a giant in Benjamin just look at you in amazement. Then we were in your room and I had him with the Boppy seat behind him and we drew on your magnetic board. Benjamin was so content. I felt like that was the first time all three of us were actually interacting together for such a long time. He goes to bed pretty easily after his bottle so I got him to sleep while you watched TV. 

When I came back in your room we picked out a few books and I read them to you. I told you that Mr. Billy has been depressed and not feeling good and you said you remembered him and I told you that sometimes I say prayers to God for people that don't feel good and we said a little prayer for Billy. You kept asking about Mr. Billy. I could tell you were finally tired as you were falling asleep. As I watched you, I was praying to God how thankful I am for you and you Benjamin. I picture you as a little boy and how you will be when you are 8 or 9. You're going to be an incredible young man with so much personality,so smart and so much fun. 

McNair Fair and Chick Fil A night with mommy

What an almost (1 month away) 3 year old is like!

You are so smart!  You are talking so well.  It's possible to have a conversation with you.
I was in your room tonight watching you fall asleep thinking that when you were almost 2, you were just getting into watching television.  Tonight, you were watching Masha and Bear and were laughing out loud at one of the scenes.   You are saying such funny things lately as you are really putting sentences together.  For example, the other night you said, "Sam likes orange.  Daddy likes blue.  Mommy likes pink".  I told you that my name is Kelly and daddy's name is John.  The other day at daycare when daddy was paying, you saw his drivers license and said, "That's John".
Tonight, you were going to go potty and told me to wait in the doorway and put my head down.  You were pushing my head to the floor and told me to count to 1, 2, 6, 8...haha.  You like to play super heros and get the bad guys.  You like Super Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, LOVE long neck dinosaurs and ceraptops, and Spiderman.  You are really loving your legos the past couple of weeks.
You put them together and make them look like long neck dinosaurs and play fight with them.
You are doing great at going to the potty!  We are so proud of you.  You aren't the best eater, because you prefer sweets over anything.  We haven't gotten you to eat scrambled eggs much, but we will keep trying.
In the car, you like to sing made up songs and tell me what to sing about.  Today, you wanted to sing about firetrucks, worms and long neck and ceraptops dinosaurs.  It's so cute.
You have a great imagination.  You want to do things yourself and want to be included in things we are doing.  Today we made ice cream, and you wanted to help put the ice in the bucket.
You don't want to go to bed or take naps unless you are completely worn out.  You go non stop and then just crash.  You love baths, but sometimes you give your dad a hard time about taking one.  Once you are in the tub, you don't want to get out.  You like making coffee for me in the bathtub and I tell you it's yucky and you create a new coffee with the various bath toys in the tub.
You are a great big brother.  You are very patient and have always been so understanding that there are 2 boys in our house.  There are times when you would rather have all the attention and tell me to put Benjamin in the swing or chair, but I tell you that he will be joining our activities and you are fine.
You like to have a picnic in your room and we put a blanket on the floor and have a sandwich.  We close the doors so the dogs don't eat your food.
The other night you didn't want to eat your dinner (a taco) until it was time for bed.  You were sitting in your chair and I asked who you would like to invite to your birthday party.  You said, "Titus, Katie, Annabelle, Kinlee, my taco, Bear, Chelsea, Jackson".  How cute is that?

You are really enjoying being in your daycare and have made some good friends.  You used to play with Launa in Mrs. Melissa's class, but she left there about 4 months ago.  You have been in Ms. Tammy's class since August 3rd and now your buddies are Katie, Annabelle, Titus and Karma.
You have always liked the girls.

You are such a friendly child!  The other night we went to dinner with Aunt Angela and Uncle Dwayne and went and got ice cream afterwards.  There was a lady checking out at the counter and we were sitting at a table. You asked her, "you get ice cream?"  On the way into the ice cream shop, a man was coming out with a coffee and a bag.  You asked him if he got ice cream.  He said, "No, I got a coffee and a donut".  You said, "You go home?"  ha ha  Both of these adults were smiling and could tell you made their day.  You are so cute!

I am so proud to be your mom.  You are so amazing to me every single day with the new things you say.  I don't want to miss a thing or forget a thing!  I love you Sam :)

The farm and more!

On Friday we started letting you know that we were going to Sean's farm for the weekend. When I picked you up from class, all your friends said they wanted to go to the farm to so we knew you had talked about it. We left for the farm on Saturday morning. The reason we were going there is because your dad wanted to go dove hunting with Mr. Sean. We got there around 11 and got to do a little visiting with Tatum and Sean for a bit. Jason and Cohen and Gene and Trace showed up. They were going hunting at the neighbors next-door. You had a blast running around the yard with the boys and Tatum. Monica and Ansley showed up soon after the men left to go hunting. Mr Sean has a new pool and we got to go swimming. Benjamin had a fun time splashing in the water. The water was a little warm as Mr. Sean had turned on the heater. You were so having a lot of fun and the only thing that made you a little nervous was the cleaner that kept circling around like a monster. The guys got back around 6 PM and we all had dinner there at the house and you got to play more with all the kids. It was also Ansley's birthday so we got to celebrate with a brownie and ice cream. We didn't take a nap that day so around 10 PM you got up in Tatum's bed to watch TV and asked for your orange blanket. All the kids came in there and we're playing with you. Tatum wanted you to sleep on the bottom trundle bed that you wanted to sleep in her bed. When we woke up the next day she had moved you down to the bottom bed. 

We got up and had bacon and a biscuit and you slept in until about 830. We saved you some breakfast. It was nice because we all sat outside on the porch by the pool and enjoyed the cooler weather. Benjamin was awake so Tatum got to play with him a lot. She wanted me to wake you up but I thought it was best that you get to sleep in. 

Tatum had to leave around 930 to go to her moms but we got ready and took the golf cart down to see the cows and chickens. You had such a fun time calling for the cows. When it was time to leave to go visit John's dad, you were very upset and pitched a fit and had big crocodile tears. 

You finally snapped out of it and when we got to Napais cabin you were so excited. You sat on the porch and played with your Legos and got to put your fishing pole in the pond. When it was time to leave, you didn't want to leave there either so we had to tell you that we would pick you up later. You had your backpack on and were standing out in the lawn. We acted like we were pulling out -which we did a little- and you had a look of panic in your face and ran towards the car. It was better to let you decide on your own than to force you in the car. We headed back towards our house and stopped in Monticello at Dairy Queen for lunch.  You were excited about your chocolate dipped ice cream. 

When we got home, I went to the pool just for a little bit and you stayed home and played with daddy. 

Today we got up and played here at the house and then we went to a new park that just opened near our house. 

Nana and Mr. Jerry came over this afternoon and we had dinner together. 

You like wrestling with Mr. Jerry. 

We had such a fun weekend with you and it was so much fun seeing you play with your friends. You are talking exceptionally well and are more like a little boy instead of a toddler. It's amazing how you have grown up since Benjamin was born when I think about the changes you have made in your behavior and how much you can do and say!  We ADORE you Sam!

Mommy out of town

Tonight when I got to talk to you on FaceTime was the first time where you actually talk and we had a conversation.  You said you come home tomorrow mommy 

No more passi!!

It's been a week since you have had your passi. You have asked for it occasionally but get over it. Today you got some gifts for not using it. 

Hair cut

My baby boy

This is how I see my sweet baby boy. Beautiful eyes and soft blonde hair. Your  passy with the handle flipped up and your orange blankie. Tiny mole on your left eyebrow. My angel ❤️

One little tear

Today was your first day back to school after being on vacation last week. You said last night you didn't want to go to school and I asked you where you wanted to go and you said work. This morning you didn't want to go to school but we got you dressed by enticing you with a gummy vitamin. When we got to school he seemed fine but when we went outside and I went to leave you grabbed my legs. I gave you a hug and told you I would pick you up after your nap. I went back inside the door and could see out that you couldn't see me. You stood at the door looking and I saw one little tear fall from your eye. Then you went over to the fence to see if you saw me at my car. Honestly I wish I could stay and play with you every day because soon you will be bigger and going to school. I'm trying to listen to my heart and what God is telling me. This was a huge heart pull on me to keep you home with me. I just have to keep praying about it and what is best for our family. 

Vacation part 3

On our last day in Daytona Beach we played at Lindsey and Marks pool. We had to check out at 11, so we packed up and loaded the car so we could just leave from the pool. You got in the mushroom waterfall finally and played in the big pool with Mark and Lindsey. Mark liked to toss you around and you would beat him up. We left there around 12:15 and drove up A1A through Ormond Beach, Flagler and Crescent Beach. My parents used to own a beach house in Flagler so we drove by it on the way back. We stopped and had lunch at Flagler Fish Market. You liked the fresh whole fish in the case. You played with your make a monster kit and ate a hot dog. You were so good!  

We got back to Lindsey and Marks and you had fallen asleep just 10 minutes before we got there. Daddy carried you to the bedroom and you woke up but fell back asleep. While you were sleeping daddy and I took Benjamin to the beach for a walk on the beach. He didn't really enjoy it so I ended up getting him out of the stroller and carrying him the last few minutes. When we got back to the house we showered and you woke up.  Lindsey took us to dinner at Barbara Jeans on the intercoastal in Pontra Vedre. It was SO hot where we sat but finally the sun hid behind the trees and it was pleasant. You didn't want to eat your dinner so we had to bribe you with ice cream. You said ice cream with gummy worms and sprinkles. After dinner we took some great photos and headed back to Atlantic beach to get our frozen yogurt. We got back to the house closer to 9:30 and got you and your brother a bath. You were giving daddy a hard time because you wanted to come to my bedroom where I was trying to give Benjmin a bottle and get to bed. You were screaming and wouldn't let him brush your teeth. He got you in your room and you were screaming for me. I came in there and said you need to brush your teeth. You went to the bathroom with me. I said you need to brush your teeth because you had all that candy today. You said, "daddy tried". I said "why are you giving your daddy and hard time?"  You said, "I punched him in the face". It was so hard not to laugh.  

Beach trip part 2

We went and stayed at my friend Jody's for a night on Wednesday night and you got to play a little bit with Chris and Sophia. I think Chris and you sort of battled it out about who could play with what. You're both strong-willed and boys. Jodi's relatives were in town so they had more people over there and had a Lowcountry boil. You had fun playing with all their toys. The next day we got up and went to the beach. We set up canopies and played in the sand. Sophia has always been scared to get in the water but I think seeing you, she was more curious about it and you both ended up splashing around and playing. You were running in circles and she would follow you. You would sit down and let the waves splashing over you and she copied you. Hearing you both giggle was so precious. Chris went out with his daddy but ended up getting too scared so he didn't play with you both. We left the beach around two so you all could take naps but daddy and I knew that it would be hard to get you to sleep so we ended up packing up and headed to our hotel. You didn't fall sleep in the car so we got here and grabbed some dinner at Publix and hung out at the pool. There was only one girl there who is 14 and you and her became friends. You would say let's jump and she would jump too. After you would both jump you would say "let's do it again". I told her that she didn't have to keep jumping but she said she liked it. As it turned out her mom said that she helps teach children tumbling at a gymnastic Center. 

The next morning we got up and set up our canopy at the beach and had breakfast and then came back out to the pool and to the beach. Jody and Shan and Cris and Sophia came to the hotel so they could play with us at the pool. You really had a fun time with Sophia and it was so cute to see you both interact. Aunt Lindsey and Mark came to the beach yesterday and got a hotel room next to our hotel. They came over to our pool and you splashed around with Mark and Lindsey and had a blast.  We went to their pool and played in it for a couple of hours. There was a kid pool with little fountains but the water that came off the fountains was too heavy like a hard shower and you were not interested in going under it. You really liked playing with Mark and Lindsey and would splash Mark when he would try to take Lindsey under the water. They were doing that intentionally so you could rescue Lindsey. At one point towards the end of our pool time you sat on the side and we're sitting over there singing ba ba ba ba. I joined you and we made up a few songs about sharks. Your brother ended up falling asleep on my shoulder while I had him in the pool because it was so warm and he was so tired. I should've known you were very sleepy because you sitting on the side of the pool is not like you. We went up to the room to get ready for dinner in while I was in the shower you ended up falling asleep on the bed while you were watching a movie. We woke you up but then we got to the restaurant they said it was a 45 minute wait and it was very crowded and sort of like a bar atmosphere. I decided to bring you both back to the hotel room I'll daddy and LIndsey and Mark could eat dinner. You got a happy meal from McDonald's and a couple times you would hold up a fry and say "want one mommy?"  You were so sweet. You didn't really eat your hamburger and only took a bite and said let's save it for later. You ended up eating some turkey lunchmeat we had and when I saw that you had eaten the last bite I was teasing with you and said can I have some of your turkey?   You had it in your mouth and said I ate it all and then picked out a piece of turkey from your mouth to give to me. I said no sweetie I already brush my teeth and you said well let's save it for later. Daddy got home and was surprised that you were still awake. We finally turned off the TV and you kept talking about the day and finally your last sentence was dragon kite. That's too cute because that day someone's kite had flown into our pool area and we went and looked at it and you thought it was really neat because it had teeth and claws on it. Daddy and I had joked earlier that you seem very interested in a kite you so on the beach but hadn't been interested in the ones he had bought for you. It was a octopus and Fish you had picked out. 

This morning I got up to watch the sunrise and brought your brother so I could give him his bottle outside. It's so peaceful when it's quiet and not yet daylight. There are several people that come out to watch the sunrise. 

I forgot to mention that on the way to Daytona we stopped at the alligator farm and you really enjoyed seeing the alligators. It was extremely hot that day and I had a horrible headache so we only stayed for a couple of hours and then headed on to Jodis. It was also so hot that we were concerned it was too hot for Benjamin. You got a pretty cool orange snake you picked out. 

Beach trip events

We got to the beach on Sunday around 1:00 pm. We had time to come to the beach!  You find plenty to do and enjoy the waves and sand. We went back to Aunt Lindsey's house and picked up tacos for dinner.  Yesterday was Monday. You got up late - glad you got to sleep- and I went to the grocery store for us. When I got back we had breakfast and came to the beach with Lindsey.  Lindsey's boyfriend, Mark, got in around 1 pm and came and joined us at the beach. You really like him. We needed to get you and Benjamin a nap so we left the beach around 2. We packed peanut butter sandwiches to eat at the beach. Daddy set up a canopy so we have shade for us and especially Benjamin. 

I went to Walmart while you both slept so I could get a new bathing suit. Mark suggested a seafood shack for dinner so we went there. We had to wake you up so we could get to dinner.  You were a little clingy and dinner and wanted to sit in my lap. You told the waitress over and over you wanted a hot dog. When you got it, you didn't eat much of it. After dinner we went to a yogurt shop and you got gummy bears and worms on your chocolate yogurt. It was funny but when we were getting you out of the car dedicate bugging you that you were going to get peas and broccoli on your yogurt and you made a funny face of anger and told him to stop talking. That was so funny to daddy.  He laughed so hard. We came back to the house and you played hard with Mark and enjoyed your fishing pole toy.  We went for a little walk to look at the big beautiful full moon and then went to bed. 

On Tuesday, Benjamin got up around 7 and we were feeding him in our bedroom when you woke up and came and joined us. You wanted to watch television in our room. Aunt Lindsey went and got us bagels while I took Benjamin for a little walk around the neighborhood. When I got back, you were eating your waffle and then we packed up and headed for the beach again. Daddy wanted to try out aunt Lindsey's paddleboard so he took that out in the ocean for a little bit. He did great for his first time!  You saw him out there and wanted to go out to the water to get him but I had to catch you and make sure you had your puddle jumper on. I made sure Benjamin had his bottle while Aunt LIndsey and Mark played with you in the water. You like the waves except for when you get splashed in the face and then you want to come back in. We have some toys for you to play with so you enjoy the bucket and shovel and making sandcastle's to knock down.   Right where the canopy was set up is a little water way that is very shallow and you played in that area a lot today. You and I went for a running race down the beach and stopped and we drew in the sand. I was mostly drawing what you were telling me to draw. I do our family, your passy, a baby passy, your bathing suit and people walking by. aunt Lindsey and Mark had to leave around noon because she is working at two this week. Benjamin was getting fussy because it's hard for him to sleep here. I took lots of pictures and hope I got a few good ones of you. Daddy blew up a beach ball and you and he played with it on the beach and in the ocean. We went back to the house and got you both bathed and daddy got you to sleep while I fed Benjamin. Right now you both are sleeping and I took a bike back down to the beach and I'm journaling. The breeze is blowing so nicely today and it's so peaceful to just sit here and think about the memories we are making. For some reason I woke up on the wrong side of the bed and I can't seem to snap out of it but I'm so grateful for this beautiful day. When I'm down here by myself, I miss you and Benjamin and daddy and wish you were all here with me. When I think of you I almost start crying happy tears because I'm so thankful for you Sam. You are so friendly and it's so neat watching you interact with adults and children. You go up to little kids that are playing on the beach and want to make friends with them. You are such a sweet boy and so funny!  

Beach trip

Yesterday we were packing for the beach and have been telling you that we are going to the beach. You grabbed your blanket and put some things inside of it and said "mommy I packed my stuff" and handed me your things. So cute!

We are in the car now and you are watching your movie and playing with your new fishing pole daddy bought you. 

I love you mommy!

Tonight laying in bed you said, "I love you mommy" and kissed my cheek and told me to sit up so you could hug me. That made me smile so much and was so emotional for me!  I loved it. Oh my that was sweet. 

My Benjamin

Yesterday Monica and Cowan and Ainsley came to visit and it was the first time they had met Benjamin. When they were getting ready to leave they don't around about taking Benjamin and you said "no my Benjamin!"  

Diving board pro

Tonight at the pool you jumped off the diving board without even hesitating! As soon as you landed in the water you screamed "I want to do it again!"  You jumped about six times and then it was break so we had to get out of the pool. You had fun!

Fourth of July 2016

We had a fun fourth of July!  Dad got up at 5 am and headed to Atlanta for the Peachtree Road Race!
It's the 5th time he's run it.  I have only run it twice.  He did great!
He got home right when we were headed up the driveway to see our annual neighborhood parade.
We saw our neighbors Ethan and Madelline and they watched the parade with us.  Madeleine was your little buddy as you started running down the driveway towards the house for her to chase you a few times.  The last car of the parade threw out candy and you were excited about that.
After the parade, you didn't want Madeline to leave and kept saying her name.  Her mom said you could go over there and play, so you did.  That's the first time you've ever been over to someone's house (a friend) without us there :)  You are a big boy now Sam!  So proud of you!
Daddy went over there an hour later to help their daddy get some ribs ready.  You came home with him and we got you to lay down and take a nap.  I was getting food ready for the evening for a few hours and watching Benjamin.  He still takes long naps, so he slept while I cooked.

Daddy went down to the pool and met Aunt Angela and Uncle Dwayne for a couple of hours.  When your nap was over, I went into your room and you had poop all over your hand and on your dinosaur comforter.  EEK!  I gave you a quick bath while Benjamin was crying to be picked up.  You wanted to stay and play in the tub, so I brought him in there with us.  Daddy got home and helped get you dressed.

Katie and Tony and Molly arrived around 6 and Angela and Dwayne around 7:30.  Normally, Molly always acts disinterested in you, but last night she was talking and playing with you.  It was so cute.  You can talk really well, so that probably helps.  You want to do whatever Molly is doing.  She had a small legos set that you were interested in.  It's a mini mini set.  I went and got your rocket lego set, but you wanted to hold pieces of hers.  You both went and played in the living room for a while and in your bedroom.

We went outside around 9 pm to watch the fireworks they shoot off at the dam on the lake here.
Our neighbors had some good fireworks that we got to see too!  Daddy had bought some sparklers so you and Molly enjoyed those.  You didn't want to hold it, but next year I know you will!
Aunt Angela told you to say, "start the show", so you kept saying that between fireworks.
It was funny!

When it was time for everyone to leave, you handed Molly one of your favorite toys for her to take home.  (it's a snake).  We decided she could play with it next time she comes and leave it here.  That was so sweet of you.  Sam, I love watching you turning into a little boy.  You amaze me every day!

Grandmere napping with you

Grandmere is so good with you and you have fun when she is here. She came to help watch Benjamin yesterday while you were at your swimming lesson and then when we got home she played with you and got you in bed to take your nap. She said to get you to go to sleep she acted like she was going to sleep and you both ended up falling asleep. 

Swimming lessons

You are taking your second week of swimming lessons!  Today when I picked you up you were able to reach for a toy in the shower part of the pool underwater!

Boo boos

During our camping you feel down on the street and scuffed up your elbow and knee and then one time you fell off the picnic table and landed on your head and when you did that you screamed for a daddy. I felt so bad!