The Shrimp

I took Sam to her two-year checkup (!!) solo today since Daddy is on a business trip. She weighs a whopping 24 pounds, which is 10 ounces more than last month, so she's finally hitting some kind of spurt. Standing up, she was 31.75 inches, but laying down she was 33.5. Using the standing measure, she's not even on the growth chart which worries me a bit, but she's in the 25th percentile with the laying measure. The true number is somewhere in between.

She had a finger prick to test for lead and anemia, and I went ahead and had the doctor give her the optional Hepatitis A shot. I wasn't going to do it since it's optional, but Hep A is transmitted by casual contact, and since Sam is regularly with people who travel internationally, I decided she should have it. It didn't used to be a problem in the U.S. but the incidence is rising because of the growth of international travel. Anyway, she was a very, very good girl for both the shot and the finger prick so the doc gave her a lollipop as a reward. Doc also mentioned that we should use the next two months to step up the potty training efforts, since it's warm out and she can run around naked. She peed on the floor a couple of nights ago when I was getting her ready for her bath, so I consider myself warned.

Story Time

It's story time, because Daddy has the computer with him for a week, so I can't upload any pictures! He also has the camera, so I may have to buy a point and click so I have a few when he returns.

Sam knows what an ice cream truck is, but luckily isn't actually asking for ice cream when she sees the truck. I do give her ice cream, but not every day! I also have to remember to check with Mayra when I pick her up to see if she's had ice cream that day--I don't need her on sugar overload!

When she sees an ice cream truck, she says "ice cream truck!" The funny thing is, she'll see a ConEd truck (our power company) or a Snap-On Tools truck, and also say "ice cream truck!"

Last night when we got home, she kept saying "rice buh" and it took me a bit to figure out what she wanted. She went to the door and tried to open it and yelled "rice buh!" It suddenly dawned on me--she wanted to ride the bus! I didn't have anything pressing to do, so we went to the bus stop, rode it for a few blocks, then walked back and stopped for pizza on the way home.

Sittin' On the Dock of the Bay

OK, she wasn't sitting on the dock of the bay, she was running around the dock of the river. Here are a few more pictures from Friday:

Checking out the scene:
Oooo what's down there, fishies?
Running around in the very green grass. I posted a pic on Facebook and one of my friends said "where in Queens did you find all of that grass?" Ha ha, we didn't.
More silliness:
One of her favorite things to do now is to fake sleep and snore. It makes her giggle, but doesn't make Mommy giggle when she does it on the changing table and I can't change her diaper:

Happy 2nd Birthday, Sam!

These pictures were taken Friday when we went upstate for the day. I also took some pictures of Sam opening presents, we did the presents/ice cream thing yesterday since we have to work today. I'll post those pictures later this week. She's still a little young to understand the birthday concept, so starting next year I'm going to take a vacation day on her birthday every year.

Being silly in the grass:
Sitting pretty:
WOW what a big slide! Look at what a big girl I am!
Portrait of an almost-2-year-old:

FORE!

I wish these pics turned out better, but I'll try again the next time Sam wears this dress. Trying to get her to pose is an impossibility. Marc picked it up at the U.S. Open (golf) and it matches her tennis shoes perfectly! It's a little big on her but she'll grow into it, and it makes her look very stylish!

She is holding one of Jokie's water dishes. I have no idea why.

The New Night-Night Routine

Sam doesn't fall asleep on one of our laps in the living room any more. She'll either say "night night" when she's ready, or we strongly suggest it (ha ha) and she agrees. She always turns the light back on and then settles down with toys or a book, and a few minutes later she's out.

Nothing says good bedtime reading material like Elmo and his puppies:
Here's the blanket-to-mouth thing in action; she doesn't suck the blanket, just bumps it against her mouth. Sort of like a pacifier....
10 minutes later...

The Lost Photos II

Here is Sam at the doctor's office, making mischief in the exam room while we wait our turn.

Where is Sam?
Peek-a-boo, we see you!
Ta-da!

The Lost Photos

Pictures from my phone...from Iowa!

Here's Sam Namath:

Why is my tongue blue?

Ah, because Mommy gave me a blue Gatorade!

Playing House

I forgot I have a bunch of pictures on my phone--the quality isn't as good as with the camera, but they'll do. You'll probably see this outfit in many pictures this summer, because it looks so dang cute on her. AND I got it for $2.00 at a used clothing store in Ithaca! Score!

Hmmmm what should I make for dinner...hot dogs, or chicken nuggets?

Welcome to my house!

I SEE YOU!

And Even MORE Party Pics

Sam, Sean, and Sean's sister check out the roosters and chickens:

All the little kids pose for the picture...except Sam, of course:
Ya-Ya and her two babies:
A nice picture of Mayra and Sean. I drove Mayra and two of her daughters (Jessica and Wendy) to and from the party. It was nice to spend some time together outside of the few minutes a day during drop off/pick up. And I'm sure Mayra appreciated hanging out with Sam without having to change her diaper. :-) We agreed that we will get together this summer for dinner and some wine!

Lollipop Lollipop Oooooo Lolli Lolli Lolli Pop

Mmmmm this is one tasty "Lol Pop." (As I was typing this, Sam came over and said "Sam! Lol Pop!")

Can I fit the whole thing in my mouth? YES!


Look Mommies! No hands!

I Don't Think So, Lady

Sam and Her Boyfriend

We went to Sean's birthday party yesterday at the farm--the same place where we celebrated Vimy's birthday. Sean is the other little boy that Mayra watches. There was a lot of joking about "Sean's girlfriend" and "Sam's boyfriend" but it is really just very sweet to watch two little kids be friends.

I have tons of pics from this one! Here's part 1:

Hey! I know you!

Awwwww aren't we cute?

C'mon! C'mon! Chickens and pigs!

Gym & Swim

Sam started gym & swim classes last week. It should have been the week before, actually, but we had to rush her to the doctor so she missed it.

I don't think I shared that story on the blog... Daddy and I had an overnight getaway to attend our friends' wedding. Sam woke up that morning with her lower eyelids very swollen, and we panicked that it was an infection. The woman who took her overnight has two kids and we certainly didn't want to pass anything to them. Long story short, it's allergies. Yippee. It hasn't happened again and we're not sure what triggered it so we'll just be keeping an eye on it.

It's parachute time! Last year she just crawled around, but this year she likes being involved in some of the activities, like the parachute, jumping, and running.

Up it goes! Wheeeeee!
She's supposed to run through the cones, but she'd rather play with them.
MY CONE!
The Coneheads. :-)