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!!!

Is the bunny gone yet mom?

Scary Bunny..

Great Grandma Trudy protected Sam from the Easter Bunny. It was a traumatic event for him.

Happy Easter

Words words and more words...

Sometimes he thinks he's cute, sometimes he thinks I'm cute...but tonight we thought we were both pretty darn cute. All day today Brad and I have been thinking about all the words Sam has develpoed. Our list got long and tonight, at bedtime, he proved to us that he is a big boy, who knows what he is talking about. We did our usual, read books, cuddle, rock, and drink the rest of our milk routine. When the milk was done, the lights were out and his "nene" (pacifier) was in his mouth and the eyes were getting heavy, Sam woke up, looked at me and started with a story... This story lasted for 25 minutes or so and boy was it funny.

I couldn't help but to join in conversation with him. He repeated almost everything I was saying. We stumbled a few times over a few strange words, but he knew that he couldn't say them because he would look at me with complete confusion and say, "ha?". We decided that we both want to go to the park tomorrow because the weather is supposed to be nice, and Sam also wanted me to know that he wanted me to bring his doggie and nene with. I asked him if he wanted to go on the swing for the first time at the park and he stated with PURE enthusiam saying, " MMMHHHHMMM". I asked him what he wanted me to pack for lunch at the park tomorrow and he said, "cheese".

The story went on about a few other things, like papa's car and daddy being downstairs, but he truley amazed me and proved to me that he IS growing up. What a fun stage. Sam is a true precious gift to us and we are blessed everyday by his intelligence and of couse the tantrums that come along with being a toddler.

It's a Gymboree Day!

Whittney and Sam....is it love?

It's parachute time!

Bubbles Bubbles in the Air!

Thanks Mary for taking such great pictures of the kids! As always, Gymboree is fun for all. Most importantly, us moms get a chance to catch up.

CRASH:THUMP:BANG:BOOM

We tried...no one warned me it would be this difficult. He fell asleep so nicely in a big boy bed at 8:00 p.m. after reading bedtime stories...but struggled throughout the night. The things we heard last night were priceless. Brad and I made numerous attempts to keep him in the bed, but he didn't stay there. Here it goes:

1. 10:05 p.m. CRASH...Sam had managed to unlock the siderail and slip between the siderail and the bed and got stuck. When Brad got there he was angry. Tears and tears of sadness and a little sore. However a little suck on his "Nene" (pacifier) Tucked him back in and the room was full of snores...

2. 11:30 p.m. THUMP! I ran in there to find Sam not only out of his bed....but clear across the room laying on the ground by the window???? How does this happen. And, the best part was...he was still sleeping???? So I gracefully attempted to tuck him back in bed.

3. 12:00 a.m. BANG!!!!!!! This time, Sam was STILL in his big boy bed, but standing up, blanket in hand, thrashing his head against the wall, STILL SLEEPING, but this time, Screaming. So, after some calm cuddle time, we both went back to sleep, and Sam was tucked back in his bead, sound asleep....

4. 3:00 a.m. BOOM!!! Not only was Sam out of his bed AGAIN, but he was out of his bed, laying in front of the door, so I could not get in.....thank heavens Gaga and Papa have 2 entrances into his bedroom....

5. 4:58 I'M UP!!!! Yes, that was the wake up time this morning. He had a very rough night. I think we may hold off on doing the bed thing again until we move....it was a disaster. Or better yet....how about 2 cribs?

I'll complete this post with a precious Samuel Lewis phrase:
"All Done"

Is it Summer YET???

Ever since we got home from Florida, Sam insists on playing outside, no matter what the temperature is. He constantly points to the door and insists on going out. So...we ventured to the park these past few days and he had a BLAST. He didn't know which slide to pick from. As you can see from some of the photos...it was cold. We had boogies dripping the entire afternoon. With all that said...he loved it, and I got a maternity work out as I chased him around the park! Sam went up the stairs to the slide and came crusing down with NO fear. A few times he landed on his head and had woodchips stuck to his hat, but then clapped and got up.

We just need the weather to warm up a little bit:) It's cold in Wisconsin.

Teplin Cousins!

My new green backpack!

Fun outside with Paige!

Fun at the Beach

Sick Eyes

At the pool!

Hanging out with the girls!

Paige and I

Hanging out with Paige! She was such a great friend to Sam.

At the Beach

Sam did great at the Beach. His new word of the trip is: "Beach"

We're Home!

Our plane arrived last night around 8:45 p.m. What a trip it's been. Needless to say, Florida was great, but it is really really nice to be home. The beginning of our trip we spent with the Jahners! We went to the pool, out for ice cream and paid a visit to the Venice Emergency Room! Sam had came down with another ear infection (#4) and he was miserable. He was running a temp for the first few days, but we kind of thought it was teething. So, after our 2.5 hours at the hospital, we were discharged with a script for the ears and a script for his eyes, which resulted in pink eye. After a day of antibiodics, he was feeling better, stealing all of Paige's toys and being himself. Thank you Jahners for your company. WI misses you :(

The second half of the trip we spent with Gaga Judi and Papa Stan. We enjoyed the pool everyday, took many many walks with Sassy the dog, and enjoyed spending time with Stephen and family! The weather was perfect. 70's everyday and beautiful. Our plane left last night and we were off. Stay tuned as I'll be uploading pictures very soon...

Betty Brinn Children's museum!

A day with my friends at the Betty Brinn! We had fun today with Helen, Whitney and Nico! Sam played so hard he fell asleep on the way home and missed lunch. We played on the slides, in the little kitchen, in the sand area and even played in the padded area! It was fun and we can't wait to go back sometime real soon!

Look at my new sandals!

We are getting ready to go to Florida!

16 Month picture!

Daycare and smiles!

Well, I have to say, that our daycare experiences are getting a little more positive. Today was pajama day at "school" for a Valentines party. They wanted to celebrate valentines day on the actual day, but only a few kids were scheduled, and they wanted to include everyone in the fun. So today was the party. When I picked him up, Miss Jessie and Miss Stacy said he had a WONDERFUL DAY and they were so proud of him. Miss Kim also told me that Sam was dancing and clapping in the muscle area of the school even though there was no music going! When they asked him how old he was he told them with one finger "1". They said he cried when they had to go and eat lunch because he was having so much fun.

They also played ring around the rosie today and Sam accidently slapped Mallory smack dab in the face and whoops, accidently made her cry. Oh well, that's what happens.

Anyways, just wanted to document our positive experiences today instead of always being so negative.

We've moved!

Well, we've officially moved out of our house. We're now living with Stan and Judi (Brad's parents). We've took over the entire upstairs! We weren't sure what type of reaction Sam would create, but he's adjusted so well we hardly know he's here. He's been a trooper through it all. He's given us so far 2 GREAT nights of sleeping, let's hope it continues.

It's moving time

Boxes Boxes Boxes EVERYWHERE! We have officially sold our home, and we are closing March 1st. Before the closing date had been decided, we had planned a trip to Florida during that time. So...because we haven't found a house we really like yet, we are moving in the Brad's parents for the interim time.