S*A*M*U*E*L

I feel like it has been forever since we documented on Sam's fine motor and developmental skills! So, here we go!

Favorite Foods: PB&J, Milk, Ice COLD water, yogurt, bananas, toast sticks, Boiled eggs, PB&J, Grapes, PB&J, Chicken with ketchup, pears.

Favorite books: "I STINK" and "I'm Dirty", Thomas and the Big BIG Bridge!

Favorite movies: Thomas and Friends & Little Einsteins

Favorite past times: Playing Trains, swimming w/ friends

Favorite activity: Planning his 3rd birthday party...literally...who thought a 3 year old could have everything just about planned nailed down to the party favors????

Favorite dislike: When his brother tears apart his train table

Favorite comfort items: Yellow blanket and ne ne (limited to his bed ONLY!)

Favorite saying: "What should we do today? Should we drive to Sconsin?" then he answers his own question, "no, it's too far away, but it would be fun!".

Favorite person: Thomas the Train

What he wants to do when he grows up: (this is new) be a BUG man! (we've spotted several here over the past few days and Ralph (our bug man) has been here to save us, and Sam LOVES Ralph!)

M*A*T*T*H*E*W*

Favorite foods: Blueberries, goldfish, tomato's, frozen peas, raisins, RED grapes (don't even THINK about offering him green), pancakes, and anything he can dunk in ketchup!

Favorite Toys: Anything Sam has in his hand, and Cell phones

First Words (with meaning): "Doggie" & "Hi"

Favorite loves: His smoothie pacifier and his blue My Blankee and his orange crocks.

Favorite pastimes: Destroying the new train track that Sam just built

Favorite people: His MaMa!!!!

Favorite book: Touch and Feel Farm

Favorite dislike: Being told the word "no" (we're starting the tantrums...ALREADY)

We're thinking this child of ours may possibly be a lefty. When he eats, the fork or spoon always goes into the left hand. When he waves, typically it is with the left hand.

A visit with the doctor!

Today Matthew had his 12 month well check at the doctor. Let's just say, he wowed me. The nurse tried to get his weight, and he just resisted. He screamed soooo loud that she said, "looks like we'll be trying this again later!". So, she got his head & length measurements and we attempted to put him back on the scale. With WALED screams, we decided to have him weighed on the "big boy" scale. So, we slipped back on his diaper, threw on his orange crocks and we ALL walked to the "big boy" scale where Matthew walked himself up on the scale, turned around and LAUGHED OUT LOUD at the nurse and myself. He had that look on his face like, "ha ha, I'm not a baby anymore....got ya guys". Then, the 3 of us walked back to the exam room and waited for the doctor! As the nurse was leaving she made the comment of, "looks like you have a determined motivated little boy on your hands". Again, Matthew smirked at her and laughed out loud in her face. My answer, "no I have a determined, motivated and stubborn little boy!". Matthew gave her the big wave and she left the room.

Here were the 12 month stats from the patient nurse:
Weight: 22#'s 6 oz's
Height: 30"
Head: 48 cm
All of which kept him right below the 50% mark on the charts

As Matthew and I patiently waited for the doctor to visit us, Matthew found himself completely amused with the white exam paper that he plopped himself onto. He tore it in about 1 million pieces. I wasn't about to stop him because after all he was so totally content and I didn't have to do any entertaining. A few moments later, Dr. Chally arrived.

Matthew decided to enter his fear of strangers phase while we were home last month. As soon as we got back home to Jacksonville, the fear of strangers passed (of course). He is back to his no fear, but still loves his mommy :) . Anyways, Dr. Chally walked in and Matthew greeted her with giant smiles, a waving hand and a little, "ahh" with arms pointed upwards. He wanted her to pick him up. So she did and he thought it was pretty darn neat. Anyways, she checked him over and told us he is growing right on track and everything looks good. When she went to put him back on the exam table, on top of the millions of pieces of shredded exam table paper, he whimpered a little.

Next it was time for the shots....he got 2 shots, and 1 heal prick to test his hemoglobin levels. When the nurse did the heal prick, Matthew giggled....That's RIGHT...giggled. For some reason Matthew thought it was funny. Next it was time for the shots...he did fairly well. A few shout outs, but nothing like before. A few moments later we were headed for the door, Matthew walking proudly out of the office, waving bye bye to everyone.

Good job Matthew! You did great today. I still can't believe you are 1. You continue to amaze us.

Oh oh oh....ANOTHER birthday in the house!

Me and the little ones!

Well, today is Sunday, July 15th and I am 30. Feels no different than yesterday. Feels no different than an last week. I'm pretty darn sure I feel complete. 5 years ago I tied the knot, 2.5 years ago Sam entered my life. 1 year ago I brought home child #2 from the hospital and I drive a minivan! What more could I ask for. My life has been blessed with wonderful friends and wonderful family all around. I am confident that turning 30 is a gift. I've gotten this far, it can't get much better than this!

I have to say, I am so sick of eating birthday cake....It's been NON-STOP around here and the kids think it has become a tradition to sing Happy birthday every night! I actually think our precious Sam may also be sick of cake. He normally requests cake every day and ever since we got home, he hasn't asked for it once!

My birthday day was perfect. The boys took me out for brunch downtown (my FAVORITE meal of the day) and after brunch we walked around the downtown until we were drowning in our sweat. Packed up the car and headed home for naps and then it started to storm! The storm continued all night and it was great. I LOVE thunderstorms!! I think Brad ordered it for me for my birthday because he is sick and tired of hearing me complain about the lack of storms we've had so far.


So tomorrow I can wake up and say I can't wait for 40!


Our walk around the St. John's River. Look at my boys!

They make my heart melt.

Mommy's little hams!
Oh oh oh, I think I'm in heaven!

Look how far we've come!

Turning 29....one year ago...

Today....Turning 30!

Matthew's REAL birthday day!

The birthday boy himself!

Singing Happy Birthday with friends, after eating his favorite, Pizza and grapes.

Matthew enjoying all the attention of his big day!

98 degrees/ 99% humidity

what more could we ask for in the dead of summer. It's so stinkin' hot, I swear the boys and I are going to melt when we go outside! We enjoyed time at friends house when we got back. It was so nice to be welcomed with hugs and kisses and 'we missed you' smiles. Sam spend this morning with all his buddies at Cody's house! Little Matthew met a new little friend today, Clare. She was born right when we left. She sure is beautiful!

We made it home....

The black little 4 wheeled mini van made it back to Jacksonville in one piece on Friday afternoon. The ride home was a bit more stressful as the boys found it very very difficult to cooperate. We left Milwaukee at 4:30 a.m. Thursday, July 5th and arrived to our door at 4:30 p.m. Friday, July 6th. Not to bad seeing as though we decided to stop and rest in GA a little after 4:00 p.m. on Thursday night. The traffic got unbearable and we were not about to brave Atlanta at the busiest time of the day. The boys were elated to be home, stretch and play with all the toys they sort of forgot about. Their toy madness let Brad and I unload the 4 wheeled mini and even prepare dinner! The boys went from toy to toy, touching and feeling it. Matthew decided it would be fun to make sure he licked every toy as well. We had a fantastic trip back home visiting with everyone. Thank you to all of you who came out of your way to spend some time with us, invited us for GREAT dinners and GREAT company. It was so nice to see you all. Honestly, 4 weeks flew by as the days were packed with fun!

So, when are you all coming to FL to visit us??

Happy 1st Birthday Matthew!

While home, we threw Matthew a first birthday party with all our friends and family. It was a great day for a party. We couldn't of asked for a better way to celebrate his first year of life and our being home to see everyone. It was a great party and a HUGE THANK you to all who traveled many miles to share this special day with us. The kids ran themselves wild at the park and the adults caught up on old times. Enjoy the video of the day and again, thank you for making his and our day special!

Fireworks

We waiting and waited and waited for the fireworks to happen.....and they never went off. HOWEVER, we enjoyed ourselves on the deck at Uncle David and Aunt Heathers house making smores.

Happy 4th of July

We celebrated the holiday with the Mequon-Thiensville Parade. This year, Josh and Zach were IN the parade and it was so fun to see them! Matthew and Sam enjoyed the parade. Didn't even flinch wSam was overjoyed when he saw the trains and fire trucks coming. It was a perfect summer WI day and we had a great time. Then the loud loud sirens of the fire trucks passed by. Matthew actually thought it was neat! Thank you Robin and Paul for the new sun visors! What a hit they were in the car on the way home :)

Zach was so kind to Sam in showing Sam all his exciting (Big boy) toys!

He really DOES love you all...

he just has a hard time showing it. Check out all these photos....every one Matthew is desperately trying to escape. Someday soon he'll realize how special you all are to him and he'll repay this time with hugs and kisses!

Sassy Dog

was on her best behavior while we stayed with Papa and Gaga! The boys adored her and we believe she adored them, most of the time, as well. Matthew's first word fell out of his mouth on our trip back home. And the word is: DOGGIE! It's just priceless how he says it! Him and Sam both found a love for dogs at age 1. So cute.

Thank you Papa Stan

For our new little T-Shirts! We love them.

Cushing Park

Those of you Wisconsinites MUST go visit Cushing Park in Delafield. It is literally in my parents backyard and this park is amazing. The Kuklas met us there to have some fun and BOY did they EVER. This park is HUGE surrounded by sandboxes, swings, trees, slides and bridges. It is great! Sam adored Henry and Lucy gogoed over Matthew. It was a steamy hot humid day that day, but the kids were great!

Just being boys

with Papa Tom. It was a nightly ritual. The two of them would go get their shoes on, head downstairs and go water the flowers and feed the birdies. Sam reminded me every time we walked the bird seed that is housed in the garage, "mommy, this is what Papa feeds the birds". Sam was also stunned to see LIVE turkeys living in the back of Mimi and Papa's house! The best part of the watering experience was when Papa came in soak and wet! Sam thought it would be funny to spray papa and then run away!

Celebrating Uncle Bob's birthday!

Matthew and cousin Natalie
Sam and Brandon playing in the "ultra cool basement"

The boys, all waiting for cake!

Happy Birthday Uncle Bob! Everyone knows that Sam will NEVER turn down a birthday celebration invite. Sam LOVES birthdays because he loves what is cut after we all get done singing! Thank you Uncle Bob for having a birthday while we were in town!

Stephanie and Justins Wedding
Sunday, June 24, 2007

The Zoo with Papa Stan!

GG Trudy

Spoiled with love from Great Grandma Trudy! Not many great grandchildren get to sit on top of the table and eat McDonalds!
Enjoying fries

Sam is in love with GG Trudy's basement. She loves showing him how to hammer things and the two of them could stay down there for hours! It's priceless times like this that we miss being in Florida.Look at all the JUNK! If GG Chet could only see Sam now.

Fathers Day 2007

It was a great surprise to be in town for the annual Fathers Day celebration that David and Heathers house. We had a great time with Family and the weather, well, it was PERFECT. Mid 70's and sunny and PERFECT.


Spending time with Papa Tom playing trains. Check out this train table papa Tom made for the boys! Thank you so much for your imagination. This table was great and Sam still talks about it.
Playing Golf
And then there were games for all the dads!
Playing baseball with Uncle David!