HOT & HUMID DAY

That's right...the temperature is finally HOT AND HUMID here in good ole WI. We went from 50's to 90's overnight. So, we decided it was time to fill up the baby pool and have some good summer fun! Sam enjoyed splashing in the back yard and loved the fact that he could splash everywhere and thought he was too cool to be in his backyard.

"I donno?"

Was the million dollar phrase of the day. I turned my back to answer the phone and Sam ran for the pen drawer and discovered the red pen.

I was so proud of the fact that he was not hanging on my leg saying, "Mommy pleese" my entire phone conversation. Instead, I thought he went in his room and was reading his books like a good little boy. I checked on him a few times, and his back was to me, sitting in front of his bookshelf, quiet as could be...I ended the phone call, went to continue playing with him, he immediately turned around, stood up, dropped the red pen and said, "I donno???" and RAN.

Darn kids are just too smart and sometimes just too cute.
So here is a picture of the latest masterpiece creation by: Samuel Lewis

My new brothers clothes

We spent last weekend in the new baby's room! What fun we had. Sam had a blast trying on all the little baby hats and shoes. He was a little upset that his foot was bigger than the shoe, and didn't understand why the newborn socks didn't fit him, but he did find a hat! He put this on all by himself. Didn't he do a good job?

Uncle Darren

came to visit us! He was home for a few days from Vegas. Thank you Uncle Darren for my cool new sippy cup and Beliago snow globe! Hopefully soon my mom and dad can plan a trip out to see you. Take care of your hand and visit us again soon.

They're BACK!!!

Paige and Keira (and their mom and dad too) are back in town!!! Horray! We visited them last weekend for Keiras baptism and we saw them again today. It's nice that we only have a 1 1/2 hour car ride instead of a 3 hour plane ride to play. Paige and Sam have so much fun together, and Keira, well, she's just Keira, happy as can be, rolling around on the floor and smiles at everything. Let's hope that Keira can inspire baby Teplin #2 to be happy as can be.

Sound asleep!

First time for nap!!! HE DID IT!!! After only 3 attempts to sneak out of his room, HE DID IT!!! He fell asleep by himself in his NEW big boy bed. Let me break down the events that led up to 12:15 p.m...

1. Sam got himself all situated in bed, and insisted on bringing in his bigger than life size dog with him. So, fine, he won that battle. So along came the "doggie" and but of course, mommy forgot the "bankie". Ok, now we're all situated again, ninnies in hand (pacifiers) and we're ready to fall asleep. As I started to close the door, I told him to put his head down and go sleepies. He blew me kisses and waved bye bye.

2. 5 minutes later out he came. He snuck around the corner, found me and said, "mom-mmy" in a questionable tone. I told him to go back in his bed and put his head down. To my surprise, he did just that, me following behind to once again shut the door.

3. 2 minutes later, he came running out. He had something in his hand. "mommy?" He had attempted to find a piece of fuzz that was preventing him from sleeping. So I took the fuzz, and we threw it away, and he took my hand and we walked back in his room to his bed to again put his head down.

4. It's now 12:15...Some time had passed, and I didn't hear from my little guy...so I decided I would sneak around the corner and just give a little "peek". I was so happy to find a sleeping Sam completely passed out! There were even some little snores!

The time is now 1:42 and I haven't heard from him...Now I can't wait for him to wake up!!!

"Apple, Apple, Apple"

A new favorite snack: Apples!!! And not just cut up, but Sam can attempt to finish an entire apple, whole. Afterall, I can't be mad when he stands by the fridge and says, "apple peese" it is a healthy snack. This picture was taken in the middle of an apple eating event. Mommy had to have one and so did daddy per direction of Sam. He just sat at the table and said: "mmmmmm" the entire time, with the juices running ever so fast out of his mouth. Sometimes we just have to let him be him.

"more peese"

A favorite past time for Sam...seeing which toys he can sit in and laugh and say, "more peese" which means, someone PLEASE pull me around the upstairs!

Sam LOVES his new playroom loft area.

"Buss peese"

Papa Stan, Uncle David and Uncle Marc are all going to be very proud of Sam's pearly whites! Sam insists on brushing 4-6 times a day, all I must say, are very appropriate times. Most of our brushing events follow with a new shirt as he gets SO carried away with the water. But it's all about the learning...right?

Mommy No...Mommy No...

were the words that came from Sams room for 1.5 hours yesterday and today. Napping for the past few days has been out of the picture. We normally get a solid 2-3 hour nap a day from him...but not these past few days. I picked him up from daycare at 12:30 on Monday, which is right at the start of nap time. Bad move mommy...He had crashed in the middle of the floor on a pillow and Mr Brian said there was NO waking him up, so he let him snooze until I got there. I don't blame Sam...all the other kidos were sleeping in their cots, the lights were out and the soft sleepy music filled the room. One more Monday of mommy working and no more late pick ups for us!!! YPPIEE!!!!

The thing we've learned about Sam is even if you let him doze off for 2 minutes in the morning, he will NOT take a afternoon nap and suffer through the rest of the night. Monday night was a disaster and tonight was worse. You think after only getting a 5-10 minute snooze he would WELCOME bedtime, instead, he throws screaming tantrums and nothing will satisfy him. So a tired, upset, mad little boy makes for a really exhausted mommy and daddy.

Tonight we got his big boy bed delivered...but heck if we were going to attempt that. We'll try it on a good night, which we will strive for tomorrow and Thursday! June 2nd is mommys last day at work and soon Sam we will be on a more permanent schedule.....that is until his new baby brother meets the world!

18 month check!

Well, let's just say this was a "good" visit to the Doctor. And the best part of his 18 month check is........NOOOOO shots. Just a lot of talking and Sam showing Dr. Paley his new moves and new words. When she went to listen to his heart and lungs Sam gracefully pushed her hand away and said, "all done". She laughed and continued. When she asked him if she would look in his mouth and see his teeth, Sam stuck out his tongue and opened wide.

Results:
Weight: 26# 6 oz (60%)
Length: 32 1/4 long (45%)

Favorite foods: Peas, chicken, pasta, french toast, lasagna, turkey, animal crackers and Milk.

Nap: 1 nap a day, 2-3 hours.

Favorite activities: Going outside to watch the "birdies" and "doggies". Love to Color and draw.

Favorite band: The Laurie Berkner Band & Gymboree CD

Favorite books: Elmo books, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Button Book, The Quiet Book

Favorite shows: "Barney", "Wigg.."(wiggles), The "Laurie" Berkner Band

As we were finishing up the appointment, Sam waved "Bye Bye", and the doctor told him that she'll see him at the hospital when his new brother is born...wow...that was a little reality shock for me!

Cousins!

Birdies!

It's Zoo time! We visited the Milwaukee County zoo last weekend and it was so much fun. Going to the zoo this year was SOOOO much more exciting than last year. Sam was able to identify the birdies and get excited about them. And, most importantly, he was able to WALK the entire way around the zoo. Needless to say, he took a LONG LONG nap that afternoon!

Happy 83rd Birthday Great Grandma Trudy!

Play day

Here are my 2 little girl friends! It has been warm in good ole WI the past few weeks and we have definately taken 100% advantage of it.

Learning to color!

A big boy cup!

And yes, the chubbs around the wrists still exist!!!