Mini Shower

Last weekend my Mom & Dad came down and, Mom took me shopping for some last minute things for Ben. She really went overboard :) Now, Ben has a ton of cute little outfits for when he first arrives. He also has blankies, diapers, car seat amenities, sun shades for the car, and much more...Thanks Mom & Dad!!

Wendi, Matt, & Emily also came down and brought gifts for Baby Ben. (Due to the pregnant-mama brain, I didn't take my own pics, so these are from Wendi's blog.) They bought some of the cutest things I have ever seen. These are some pictures of the themed gift bag Wendi's mom made for Ben. It was soooo cute; the pictures don't do it justice. The hat is just too precious. I can't wait to take pictures of Ben wearing all the cute little outfits. Wendi & her family are so creative & talented...Thank you guys: Matt, Wendi, Emily, Pam, & Bud!!!

Much bigger

Sam is enjoying all of Ben's interesting seats. His favorites are the car seat and the bouncy seat that springs all the way to the floor when he sits in it. He is still trying to figure out how to get into the bassinet...

Needless to say, I am quite a bit bigger than I was just 2 weeks ago and I feel like I am ready to explode!!

Sam's latest thing is to sing his "God Songs" while playing his drums. I am not sure where he got this idea, but when asked, he claims to be singing songs to God. Listen for him to say "God, God, God..."

Super Sam

I happened to catch Sam as he was pretending to fly and dive on the bed. He is in his Super Undies and making the noises and everything.

Sam Pics (March-June)

I finally figured out how to upload the pics from the new camera, so I went kinda crazy with the pictures, but figured you all would enjoy them...


Sam at Nana & Papa's for his second b-day. He still doesn't like sweets.

This is the Elmo cake i made for him for his b-day party at home with local friends. He was really into Elmo...not so much now.

Sam loves to read books and to be read to. We are in the summer reading program at the library and we go every tues & thrus to see the entertainment. We check out books about every 2 weeks and each time we do, it is like Christmas for him.

I couldn't resist this pic. He loves wearing Mama's shoes!!

This is Sam and Josh reading stories in Sam's new "big boy" bed.

Nanny came down to plant flowers and Sam got to help. Anytime he can be outside, he has a blast, and couple that with being with Nanny & Papa, and he is really in paradise :)

This is a recent pic of Ben and me. Sam calls him "Been."

Sam and Nanny

Sam is helping Papa fix the lawn mower. I am not sure who is having more fun. Sam loves to play with tools and help fix things.

Sam has really been wanting to ride the local OSU bus. They go all around town, and so we see them constantly. I decided to make his dream come true... (He says, "Me Bus...Mommy" in the clip)

Here comes the bus!!! (He says, "Me, bus, ride" in the clip)

Sam and I rode the local bus up to campus and tromped around for awhile. Here he is admiring the fountain in front of the library.

Here he is on the bus. He was very apprehensive at first, but relaxed after awhile.

I think this is such a cute picture of him and his reflection. We are still on campus in the flower garden.

Sam is wearing Papa's work hat.

Sam is potty-trained!!!! He enjoys reading while sitting. He takes after someone else I know ;)

Sam update

I still haven't figured out this camera yet. Life has been very crazy the past few months with me teaching, supervising, taking care of Sam & the house...and Josh teaching, finishing up school, and doing some "on the side" work stuff. We have been very busy.

Sam just keeps getting taller and his vocabulary keeps getting bigger. He puts 3 & 4 words together now. He talks all the time - really, all the time. He loves Elmo and playing outside with his soccer ball. He is very good at dribbling the ball up and down the yard. He is very energetic and loud. We are working on teaching him to use his "inside voice." He is excited about this baby coming. He offers my tummy his blankie; I think that is a good sign. We have the bassinet out, so he can get used to it and he knows that the baby goes "night night" in it. It took him about a month to figure out that he couldn't sleep in it - he really wanted to. He won't say "Ben", but he will say "baby" every now and then. When you ask him about the baby he either makes a crying sound or says "night-night". It sounds like he has the baby figured out. Sam is also getting ready to be potty trained. He is voluntarily sitting on the potty and "going" at least once a day, so as soon as this week of class is over, I will work on this with him.

Well, I can’t think of anything else to say right now…I hope I can get the camera figured out soon. You won’t recognize Sam when you see him because he has grown so much.

Miss you all,
Shannon