Weekend fun

This weekend we got to see Santa Claus and you also got to go to Reynolds first birthday party. My sister me that a photographer was going to be at a hair salon with Santa so we took a chance and went up there and we got to see him on the sidewalk before your photo took place!  You did great with him and when he saw you he said come here and give me a hug and you went right up to him and hugged him and gave him hi five. Another time we left and came back and he was sitting in his chair but he saw you and hid behind the bushes so you could find him. Everyone thought you were so cute and so friendly with him. 

Later that day we came home and played out in the yard and you had fun jumping in the leaves and I got some good pictures of you.  For dinner we ate pizza and watched polar express. 

Daddy got home this morning and we all played outside for a little bit and had lunch on the dock. Daddy has been pushing you in your little car down the hill in our backyard really fast and you giggle and giggle. 

Later Katie showed up with Molly and we took you to the birthday party with Molly. You did pretty good -there were a couple times when I took you out side to burn off some energy. You wanted to open the birthday presents and play with them once they were opened.   You really want to play with Molly but she always acts like she is not interested in playing with you.  

You fell asleep on the way home for the last 20 minutes but you didn't really nap much today so I was very proud of you as you were a really good boy and a lot of fun!

13 months and SANTA!!! (and Priscilla the Pig)

Yesterday was a big day!  You turned 13 months and you got to see Santa again this year and you got to go to Lenox Mall AND you got to meet Priscilla the pink pig.  We were most interested in you meeting Santa.  I think your Aunt Angela said a while back that this is the year that you will probably be scared of him….and you were.  If we could have guessed, me and your daddy and Grandmere would have thought you would have LOVED him.  You were really scared of him.  The girls behind the camera were shaking bells to get you to look at them to take our family photo.

Yesterday we were going to take you to get your hair cut, but we put you down for a nap instead. You never napped, so we decided that you would nap in the car.  I think you fell asleep about halfway to Atlanta.  You woke up happy.  We walked around Macy's for a little bit and smelled cologne and looked at things for Daddy for me to get ideas for Christmas. Daddy took me to the jewelry counter and asked what cross I like.  (He bought me one a couple of years ago however it fell behind the bathroom counter)  We need a long magnet to get it out.  I told Daddy I liked a round diamond necklace instead but that I don't really want that kind of expensive jewelry.  (I think he may have bought some earrings I picked out as he was at the counter with you after I bought him a new shirt)

After Macy's, we went to have some lunch in the food court.  You were parked next to a table with some pretty girls that you were looking at and interested in.  They thought you were really cute!
Grandmere got there right as we finished up, so we met her near the ice cream shop.  They shared their smoothie they got with you.  You really liked it.

Then it was off to meet Santa.  Because we had an appointment, we got to go right up in line.  As soon as you saw Santa, you got really upset and didn't want to be anywhere near him.  Grandmere tried to hold you and you got upset.  I was holding you at first.  Finally daddy held you and you just sat next to Santa in daddy's lap.  When Santa would talk to you, you got upset.  I could tell that you were just not used to the long white beard and white hair and bright red clothes.  We are going to try to see him again soon when we go to Calloway Gardens the first weekend of December.

After Santa, Grandmere put you on the floor to let you walk around.  You were so excited about that and walked/ran all around the hall of the mall.  I was nervous you were going to get stomped on.  When it as time to put you back in the stroller, you didn't want to go back.  You prefer to walk and be active.  It was really time for a nap, but you stayed awake and checked everything out.

Before we left to head to dinner, we bought tickets for the Pink Pig and took a ride on it.  Priscilla the pig was there sitting in a chair taking pictures with the kids.  You were interested in her, but not interested in sitting in her lap.  Maybe next year!  Daddy gave up his seat for me, so he didn't get it ride it.  He took video of us though which was very sweet.  You were really upset having to sit down in the seat, but once the little pig train started moving, you enjoyed looking at everything. The train took 2 loops around the same track.  The 2nd loop, you were reaching out to the lighted white Christmas trees.
Grandmere was sitting behind us, so she enjoyed watching you on the train.

After that, we headed to Maggianos for dinner. It's a neat Italian restaurant that Aunt Angela and Uncle Dwayne and Alex like to go to every year.  Alex had a swim meet yesterday, so they weren't able to join us.  Alex did really good at the meet and won first in 500.  He's a great swimmer!

We had a fun day yesterday getting ready to start preparing for Christmas.  It's so much fun having you hear to celebrate with and make memories special for you.  That's something we talk about all the time. It's your turn to be a child and have wonderful Christmas memories to have your lifetime.
I was telling daddy about a time when I was 8 years old in this neighborhood.  Our neighbors up on Kurt Lane had a Christmas Eve party and my sister and I were invited with all the adults and kids.  Santa came to visit at the end of the party and that was so much fun.  That was my most favorite Christmas memory.  Your daddy said he remembers being in Garden Hills as a child making cookies for Santa with his parents.  We want to make your Christmas special this year and every year!
Love you so much Sam!

Your getting smarter

The past few days you're really using your finger and pointing at things and making a little sound. Tonight I left your night light on and was out here on the couch and you were in there playing and just talking. I went in there and thought you might have a dirty diaper and you did. When I was changing your diaper you were laying there and beating your hands on your chest and laughing and it made me laugh out loud and then you laughed out loud louder. It was the cutest moment yet. Lately when we got home you want me to hold you all the time but I think you only do it with me because you know I will pick you up. Because it's getting closer to December I have been in the holiday spirit. I put these little sticky vinyl stickers on your window and when I took them off the other day you wanted to play with them and you had so much fun. So I bought some Christmas ones at target and put them on the window by your highchair. One of them is Santa so we are trying to teach you who Santa Claus is.  Daddy does a good "ho ho ho Merry Christmas". I think you're catching on to who Santa Claus is. Tonight during dinner I put a video on of Santa Claus. 

We can't wait for you to sit in his lap this year!  

Oh another thing you were doing tonight in your room is falling off the Ottoman and landing on the doggie pillow. You are definitely an active boy!

Santa

T

This is a photo of you with Santa Sam!  Your first time meeting him.  You were especially interested in the big, round light that was in front of you.  We took you to see Santa in Covington at Ramsey's Furniture.  We were glad Santa came to visit there since going to the mall would be hard with cold and flu season in full force.  After this photo, we went to Longhorn in Covington. Daddy and I really enjoyed having dinner out and having you with us.  It was so much fun!  We love you!