Happy Father's Day!

Samantha posing with Daddy and the special coffee mug that she got him

Sam's favorite part of any presents -- chewing on the paper!

With the weather starting to get warmer (and looking very hot for the upcoming week), we decided to go and get Sam her own special pool for the back deck. We blew it up this afternoon and filled it with some water while Samantha was sleeping. As soon as she got up, I got her dressed in her swimsuit and took her out to enjoy her special pool. Initially, she wasn't too excited because the water was a little colder than she is used to, but after less than a minute, she was really enjoying it and the toys in the pool.

It's a hippo pool!

Enjoying the water ...

Samantha's First Tooth

There have been so many changes in Samantha in the last month that it seems like it is so hard to keep up. But, the biggest change (and one that I am so excited about) is that she started cutting her first tooth yesterday! Now, if you ask me, it seems like this has been a long time coming because her gums have been swollen for several months now (even the doctor agreed on this) and she has been quite grumpy. But, we officially felt the tooth (bottom front, her left side) last night when we were giving her a bath. I am so excited for her! What a big girl!


Here are a few of her bathtime pics from a couple of days ago (notice that she has outgrown the "baby" bathtub and is now taking a bath in the sink -- she's still too small for our bathtub) ...

Posing for the camera

Chewing on the measuring cup that we use to pour water over her

Happy Birthday, Grandpa!

My grandpa (Sam's great-grandpa) turned 86 last week, so we had a birthday party at my sister's house to celebrate yesterday. Grandpa requested pizza and chocolate cake with creamy frosting for his special celebration and we were more than willing to accomodate! After all, it's not every day that you get to celebrate your 86th birthday!

Happy Birthday, Grandpa!

Afterwards, we went out to the barn (my sister and her husband have a horsebarn) and Sam got to see Dee -- it was her first time seeing (and sitting) on a horse!

Sittin' pretty

Sam loves to reach for (and grab) anything that she can get her hands on

Posing with Uncle John, Aunt Michele and Dee (the horse)

Swim Time!

Fun in the sun with Mommy

Swimming in the pool with Aunt Minnie (Sam learned how to "splash")

Hanging out in her Ladybug float

My sister and I took Sam to a local pool on Friday and she got to enjoy a little time in the water. The weather was beautiful (though I was very careful to slather Samantha with lots of sunblock). And, I was really surprised that Samantha kept her sunglasses and sunhat on as long as she did -- she LOVES any opportunity to take things off ... especially her shoes and socks.

It's Official ...

Samantha can sit up ALL BY HERSELF!

She started sitting on her own this weekend, but occasionally tumbled to one side or the other when reaching for her toys. But, in the last two days, she has been sitting all on her own and I can sit at the computer nearby and keep an eye on her. She rarely falls over now -- even reaching for her toys.

Here she is -- happy as can be -- mostly because I was cheering so loudly with the camera in my hands!

Finally ...

I bought this "Jump and Go" for Samantha a few months ago, but she didn't seem to like it very much ... until recently. Although it could be used for an infant as young as 4 months of age, Sam was so small that she didn't feel secure and would simply just cry when she was placed in it. A few days ago, I got it out and put her in it and she likes it A LOT now. She loves that it lights up and makes music. I took this picture of her today as she was enjoying her "new" toy!

Trying to sit up ...

These days, Sam is trying to sit as far forward in her swing as possible. She isn't quite able to sit unsupported all on her own yet (outside of the swing, that is) ... but she is getting VERY close. I took these pictures today as she was watching Sesame Street -- trying to get as close to the screen as possible!

Strengthening those back muscles!