Time To Decorate The Tree!

Yesterday, we set up and decorated the Christmas tree. I love to do this right after Thanksgiving, but this year, I was a little leary of doing it because of our adventuresome little one. But, Uncle Dennis and Aunt Deb gave us their gate that they used around their Christmas tree many years ago and it was the perfect solution to keeping the tree and ornaments safe and my sanity in check. Here are a few pictures of the big day ...

Samantha helping Mommy to get ornaments out of the storage tub -- such a good helper!

Her first venture over to the pretty tree

Taken today to show her total excitement

Big Bird Birthday Parties

We had two birthday parties this last week to celebrate Samantha's first birthday. Both parties were Big Bird Sesame Street parties because Sam L-O-V-E-S Sesame Street!! First, we celebrated with Grandma and Grandpa Lapinski and Aunt Deb, Uncle Dennis and the kids. This party was at our house and Sam went through two outfits before the event was over.

The birthday girl with Mommy and Daddy

Her first "smash cake"

Opening gifts with Daddy


Opening gifts with Mommy
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We celebrated with my family on Thanksgiving because everyone was going to be together for the holiday. It was also my mom's birthday so we had a cake for her as well. Happy birthday, Mom!

Loving the frosting

Posing with Mommy

Climbing all over the gifts

1 Year Check-Up

Today was Samantha's 1 Year Doctor's Appointment. She now weighs 18 lbs. 9 oz. and measures 30 inches in length. She can officially begin having cow's milk (organic of course), so I have started weaning her. The weaning is going all right ... Last night she just wanted to cuddle close with me (which is rare since she is not a "cuddler") instead of going down for bed. It melted my heart to just hold her near and watch as her tired eyelids drifted shut. I guess that if I can't nurse her, this is the next best thing.

She got four shots today (2 in each leg) and that was definitely difficult. She cried so hard and then started hyperventilating. It didn't help that Mommy was the one holding her arms down instead of cuddling her but it was the best plan at the time in order to make the administration of the shots as quick as possible. No more shots for three months!

Happy 1st Birthday, Samantha!

One year ago today ... at 3:05 a.m., our little girl entered this world bright-eyed and alert. She was a wonderful surprise for us (as we had chosen not to find out the gender of our baby). It is amazing to see how little she was then and how much she has grown and changed over the last year.

Sleeping peacefully with Mommy

And with Daddy too

So precious


Home from the hospital two days later

Our first family picture

And today ... at Toys 'R Us to celebrate with a crown and balloon


Happy Birthday to my little girl!

I Would Like You To Meet ...

Sophie. She is our new cat and she has been our cat for a little while now. At the time that we said goodbye to our dear, beloved Fuzz, Sophie was in need of a home and place where she could feel secure and loved. I was in need of a new, furry feline; not one that would take the place of Fuzz, but one that I could learn to love. We made arrangements with my sister and the temporary owner of Sophie and I acquired her 4 days after we lost Fuzz.

Sophie belonged to an elderly lady and was used to being an only cat in a very quiet home. When the elderly lady passed away a couple of months ago, Sophie went to live with the lady's daughter and her 3 cats. It was a difficult transition for Sophie and the other cats showed their dominance in the home. The lady's daughter knew that Sophie was miserable and asked if my sister could find her a better, more suitable home. That was when I entered the picture.

I haven't posted any pictures of her until now for a couple of reasons. The first reason is that we agreed (more like I talked Steve into agreeing) to take Sophie for a "trial period." We wanted to be sure that she wasn't sick, and didn't have a clawing problem and didn't make too many messes in the house. Fortunately, none of these happened.

But the other reason is this: Sophie has been adjusting to our family for a while. She continues to spend the majority of her time under our bed, but she now comes out when I call her and she allows us to pet her and brush her (um, she is VERY furry) and she loves to brush up against my leg. Until recently, I haven't been able to get any pictures of our little aloof friend, but we have certainly bonded now and we are keeping her! I have a new cat to love now ...

Getting Down ...

Samantha has officially mastered getting back down after she has pulled herself up onto a piece of furniture! It didn't really take her too long to learn how to do it-- maybe a couple of days. Here she is ... happy as can be after just having pulled herself up onto the entertainment center.

Then after a minute or two, she's ready to get back down again ...

She puts one hand on the floor, then the other and then plops down on her bottom. Too cute!

Samantha's First Tooth Brushing

I decided to try brushing Samantha's teeth the other day. After much reading, it was suggested that an infant's teeth (and gums) be brushed on a regular basis because of the natural sugars that are in milk and solid foods. I bought Samantha her own little infant toothbrush and Elmo toothpaste (apple flavored) and decided to give it a try. She officially has 6 teeth now (2 on the bottom and 4 on top) and I am convinced that more are trying to come in just based on her behavior this last week.

I would have to say that the toothbrushing was a success. She allowed me to brush her teeth and gums and then she had some water to rinse/swallow the little toothpaste residue. I imagine that it felt good because of the new teeth that most likely are trying to come in. I am hoping that by beginning good hygiene habits now, that she will continue to follow through with them as a toddler and beyond. Here are some pictures of her with her new toothbrush and toothpaste:

Very interested in the toothbrush and Elmo paste

Here Comes Trouble!

Samantha is now officially pulling herself up onto the furniture. She is still a little shaky though and won't try to take any steps while holding onto the couch or chair or entertainment center. The hardest part for me these days is that she hasn't figured out how to get back down (i.e. by falling on her bottom). Instead, she panics and then cries until I come over and plop her down on the floor. She does the same thing in her crib. I figure that I will continue to work with her on the mechanics of falling back down and within a couple of weeks, she will have it mastered. Until then, I just have to keep a close eye on her ...

Pulling herself up onto one of our chairs (and proud of it)