For Sam Fans

Okay, so I couldn't decide which picture was the best, so I posted them all! Indecision at its best.

Here are two other Rider boys from six and half years ago. These boys are 5 months in this picture whereas Sam is 7 months in the pictures above.  Thomas is on the left.  The age difference and the slightly different pose doesn't have them looking as similar as I had thought.

 

Pictures, pictures and more pictures!

Nathan with his Pinewood Derby trophey. His car came in second overall out of 15 cars. (These pictures date back to the first week in Feburary!)

 

Thomas with his participation medal.

 

The boys with their scout group and leader.

 

Grandpa teaching Sam to eat from a spoon.

 

Nathan with his teacher, Mrs. Bennett after the Stars and Stripes first grade musical.

 

Thomas with his teacher, Mrs. Young.

 

Napkin eating must be contagious.

 

Sam loves to sit up and play though notice the cushions. Even now I sit him with something behind him in case he arches his back. Nathan calls him Archie for that very reason.

 

I would say this jumping device his is absolute favorite. 

The high-chair, all us Howe children sat in!

Sam with his Aunt Teresa and Grandma Knight.

The boys with their Aunt Elaine.

The boys with their Aunt Teresa.  They were quite enamored by her!  So much so, they told me they were going to invite her to their birthday party.

No, they definitely are not related!

Morning sunlight....Sam in the saucer.

Sorry, he is just so cute, I can't stop posting more of the same!

A quick visit of the motorcycle brothers.

Thomas...the only one wanting a trip up and down the driveway.

Happy Five Months

Starting on cereal at night with the hopes Sam will sleep longer at night!

Have teddy, will bond!

Not much snow last Saturday, but enough to sled!

January Days

Sam loving his jump-a-roo.  He isn't happy in it unless he is right near someone.  We were just commenting that T and N spent much time in their swings, saucers and on the floor while Sam's tolerance for these things seem to be about 5 minutes (or less!).  He is a "carry-me" baby...wants to be in someone's arms.

Happy boy on the changing table.  He is happy on here 98% of the time.  I think he loves the close-up face to face.

Sam, chewing on his foot!

Waiting for Mommy to finish combing her hair.

Riding on Daddy's shoulders. Can you see Sam his using Matt's ears has handles?

The craziest thing happened the other day. I found a knot of my hairs wrapped around (tightly) Sam's middle toe. I had to take the seam ripper to get under the hair.  The hair was so tight, it was cutting into his skin. How strange. I'm just glad I found it before it hurt him any worse. 

I've signed Thomas and Nathan up for Little League this spring. They are very excited.

On the way home last night, we couldn't get down our road from Highland because of fire trucks blocking our way.  A firefighter told us a house had burned (our hearts leaped), which we asked?  It was Three Acre Farm, one of the original houses on our road.  It's the one that has the farm stand out by the road all summer.  Matt saw it this morning and said the entire back portion of the house appears to be where the fire was.  Thomas and Nathan had a tough time going to sleep last night....the things nightmares are made of.  I was reminded of the saying that fire is a wonderful slave but a poor master.  

Quiet Days

Sam batting at his toys

It appears that goatees are contagious in this house...I just hope I don't catch it!

Sam just rolled over by himself! 

A close-up of those blue eyes!

When Sam lays on the changing table, he kicks his feet down (boom boom) just like Thomas used to. He is very tactile (hmm, is this the right word?). He rubs my hand the entire time he nurses unless he falls asleep. He went through a couple of days of reaching up and rubbing my chin and mouth. It's very sweet. It reminds me some of Nathan.....he used to pat us on the back when we would hold him up to our shoulder.

The Rest of Christmas Break

The boys trying out a new snap electronic kit. They were definitely interested in it and did 3 of the projects.

That is Dixie at the highest point of our beams...I heard skritch scratch and looked up to see her trying to get a good footing. Brother!

Nathan who has never been interested before in Legos, spent a good part of his time off successfully putting together a couple of projects.

We went up the hill a couple of times to get firewood using a really neat little wagon that's been loaned to us. Please ignore the car seat behind Matt! I used that to set Sam in while we were working and then carried him down in my arms.

Watching the bird feeder early in the morning. Thomas is my early-bird (no pun intended). He loves to still snuggle with me in the rocking chair. I remember doing that with my Grandma Louise when I would spend the weekend with them. Nathan loves his snuggles at night. He said to me a couple of nights back...when is your favorite time of day? I went through a couple of different times that I enjoy (early morning being one of them!) and then asked him. He told me "right now, bed-time snuggle" It warmed my heart. I'll try to snuggle as long as they still want it!

Sam playing with his toys. He is looking more like Nathan to me right now. First I've noticed this.

Sam and Thomas.

Thomas spotted this deer in our woods. This is just out our back window maybe 30 feet up our hill.

Wishful thinking!