Beach Family Reunion

To celebrate Greg's b'day the three of us and his family gathered at the Florida beach house this weekend. As a great b'day surprise his brother and niece flew in from New Jersey. This was the first time that his brother and our three year old niece Chloe got to meet Sam and for us seeing them in 2 years. It was a great vacation!
Here are a few pictures from our trip...


My favorite - this is a dress that Sam's Aunt Mimi (Karen my mom's best friend) made for her.

PJ, Sam and Bips playing with jewelry. Greg's mom wants to start her out early!

Mike (Greg's brother) Sam and our niece Chloe


PJ, Sam and Chloe relaxin!

Greg's grandmother and Chloe enjoying Ninnie

(what Chloe calls Minnie)

Mike and Chloe after a dip in the ocean

Sam enjoying her pool


Chloe checking it out-- she informed us she fit just fine!

Sam -- stylin her hat and sunglasses

Chloe and Sam hanging out to watch the sunset.

Sam loved eating sand....

8 Months

It's that time again. Sam is 8 months old today. I wish that I could slow down time and keep Sam a baby but I get so excited as I see her personality grow each day.

Here is what is going on:

When she had surgery over a week ago she weighed 17lbs 5 ozs.

She is trying to crawl and even got up on her hands and knees and rocked this weekend.

Is saying babababa mostly; but incorporates ma, da and ga into her babbling.

She learned to CLAP this weekend (it is so cute)

Is working on waving bye bye. Her daddy swears she has said it a few times.

Is a HUGE mama's girl. (I LOVE IT!)

Still sleeping through the night but horrible on naps!

Loves playing peek-a-boo

Has learned that blowing into toys will make different noises

Is gurgling -- and thinks this is so funny

I can't believe she is getting so big!!!

In Stitches

Unfortunately I don't mean laughing. Last Thursday Sam had minor surgery. When she was born she had what was determined as extra ear cartilage on her neck by her collarbone. At her one month visit we were told that we would eventually have to have it removed and was referred to an ENT at Children's Hospital. They were some of the nicest people we have met... and it was determined about a month ago that now was the best time to have it removed. So last Thursday we woke up at the crack of dawn (4:30) and got ready, woke up Sam hoping that she wouldn't want to eat b/c we had received orders that she couldn't eat after midnight and off we went. We got there at 5:45 to a surprisingly full waiting room. Signed in and waited our turn. Sam was weighed (17lbs 4 oz) and placed in a hospital gown. At this point luckily food was the last thing on her mind-- it was replaced with why am I in this gown and what is this on my leg (her id bracelet). Her room was nice with her name on the door along with a Dr Seuss character I think was Horton from Horton Hears a Who. We waited about 30 minutes before they told us it was time for her to go back. The Dr came and explained what was going to happen and then off we went. We got to walk her to the door and I figured once she was handed over to the nurse she would at least look back for us but nope she didn't even glance back.

About 30 minutes later they came in and told us that the surgery took 15 mins and she was fine and in recovery and would be back with us shortly. Oh and she now had 7 dissoluble stitches in her neck. About 30 minutes later in the door her and the nurse walked and she was MAD! They couldn't get her to drink the juice they offered and she had an IV attached. Luckily I was able to get her to drink about 4 oz of juice water that we brought and she settled down a few minutes before we were released to go home.

Once we got home she drank a few ounces of formula and the three of us passed out in the bed for about 2 hours. When she woke up she was back to her normal and happy go lucky self and from that point you would never have known she had surgery except for that little band aid on her neck. She had to wear the band aid till yesterday, we took it off and off to daycare she went this morning with extra band aids in case she discovers her boo boo and wants to pick at it. She was been out of daycare since last Tuesday so I know that she was so excited to come back and see her teachers and friends and basically get back to normal life.

Mexican Playdate

Friday me, Sam and my mom met up with her best friend Karen, Karen's busband Bill and Holly and Evie. This event took may weeks to plan due to all our schedules.

Sam and Evie are a few weeks apart in age, also me, Sam and Holly have the same birthday. (me and Holly are 3 years apart and Sam... well you get the picture).

Friday was a fun night for all!

Evie is ready to eat

Evie and Holly

Sam telling everyone about her day


trying a lime -- they say she liked it even with making that face.