Pretty in Purple ...

I took a few pictures of Samantha yesterday because I thought that she looked so adorable ...

As you can see in this picture, her hair is slowly growing. I am curious to see whether it will be curly (like her mom) or straight (like her dad). And, just look at those chubby cheeks!

Peek-A-Boo ...

We have had a nighttime routine established for a while now with Samantha that involves a bath, her bedtime bottle and then me nursing her to sleep. Because I work in the evenings, Steve usually gives Samantha her bath and is finishing up just as I am arriving home. Here she is all bundled up after her bath in her special "frog" towel. For those of you that don't know, her mom loves frogs!

Reading with Grandma

Grandpa and Grandma Lapinski came over yesterday and babysat Samantha while I went to work a couple of hours earlier than normal (thanks, Grandma and Grandpa!). I had an opportunity to sub for another class and didn't want to pass it up. I came home to find Samantha laying on the bed with Grandma looking at her Sesame Street books that she got from Aunt Deb. She loves the bright pictures (Big Bird seems to be her favorite) and is intent on holding the books by herself.

I can't believe how much her attention span has improved in just the last couple of weeks! She is able to stay focussed on objects for longer periods of time and her grip on her toys, my fingers, and even my hair is SO strong ... She surprises me every day as I watch her personality develop ...

Reading the Paper with Daddy

One of the things that Daddy really likes to do is read the paper. He manages to stay current on all of the events taking place, both local and worldwide. I, on the other hand, use the paper as a means for checking the weekend ads and clipping coupons. I think that he's trying to train Samantha to read the paper a little early here ... But, I was grateful for the break so that I could get a few things done. I can't help but think that Steve looks a tad bit tired in this picture ... and Samantha is WIDE awake!

I'm A Big Girl Now ...

Little Miss Independent here has decided that she likes to hold her own bottle whenever she gets one. She isn't strong enough to actually hold it by herself until most of the milk is almost gone ... but she sure puts up a fight if you try to remove her little fingers from it when she is eating!

Samantha's Baptism

Samantha was baptized yesterday at St. Casimir's Church here in Lansing. We asked my friend, Jennifer, and her husband, Mike, to be her godparents. I have known Jennifer since kindergarten when we attended St. Robert's School together. We have remained friends all of these years (keeping in touch via snail mail during high school, attending college together and talking on the phone frequently even after she moved to California for a few years). Now that she and Mike are back in Michigan (and have a couple of beautiful daughters of their own), I was so excited to ask them to play such a special role in Samantha's life. The outfit that Samantha wore for her baptism was made by my own godmother. And it was even more special because Aunt Brenda had pinned a special crucifix onto Sam's baptismal gown; it was the same crucifix that she had worn on her baptism day many years ago.

Samantha was on her best behavior for the ceremony and LOVED having the holy water poured over her head -- that's also her favorite part during bathtime! Everyone had a good laugh when Fr. Bill held her up over his head for the congregation to see its newest member because she raised her arm as if waving while he spun her around in a circle on the altar ... It was so adorable!

Hangin' Out With My Daddy

Playing with Daddy ...

Then, relaxing with Daddy ...

My New Stuffed Animal

Grammy and Poppa (my parents) stopped by our house on their way home from Minnesota last night (they had a conference to attend there this last week). Grammy brought some gifts for Samantha and this pig was one of them. As you can see, she absolutely loved him! Lately, Samantha loves to hold onto anything that she can get her hands on -- her toys, her bib, a washcloth, etc.