18 Months!

It's been 18 months since our second son was born!  He is such a joy!  This little guy has stolen our hearts and fits perfectly into our family.  We are so thankful for him!!

Samuel is growing and changing every day.  At his 18 month check-up he was 30 pounds (98%) and 33.25" tall (80%)!  Big boy (just like his brother)!  He currently has 10 teeth (#4 on the bottom just popped through on his 18 month birthday) which he likes to use to eat most everything!  His favorite foods are fruit (ANY kind except watermelon), crackers, bread, sandwiches, fish sticks, ketchup, cheese, greek yogurt, cottage cheese, sweets, and anything in the little sample containers at the grocery stores.  Samuel does show his preferences for certain foods, more than Caleb ever did, but he still eats a wide variety.  He drinks about 3-4 cups of almondmilk a day or water, which apparently tastes better stolen from Mom's glass!

Samuel wakes up pretty early still, usually before 6:00 a.m. (although just here lately we've gotten a couple of days around 6:30-6:45!!) and turns in for the night around 7:30.  He loves to play in his play kitchen, cooking, stirring, dumping out all of the pretend foods, play outside, read books with Mommy, take a bath, insist loudly that whatever Caleb has is HIS, and just generally be right wherever Mommy is.  Mommy is still #1 in Sammy's book, without a doubt.  He now can pitifully say "mama" when he wants to be near Mommy or can't see her.  He hasn't really gotten many other words yet (just "mama", "yeah", "dada", and occasionally "bubba") but our pediatrician is pretty sure his little brain is just busy developing other skills and the language will catch-up soon.  Samuel understands all of what we say and can follow simple commands.  He loves to get his shoes when asked, get certain books, go "washa-washa" his hands before mealtimes, fold his hands to pray, choose a snack for himself after nap, get the papers off of the printer for Mommy, etc. when we ask.  Although most of the time he's doing what he should be doing, Samuel has found a love for climbing!  He can be found on top of the tables, hanging off of the refrigerator door, standing in the window sills, or climbing with his toes on the molding of the cabinets to see onto the counter tops!

Samuel is such a sweetheart most of the time.  He loves to give hugs, cuddle, kiss, be rocked in the chair, help with chores, and snuggle.  When we go get him from his crib after nap time for morning wake-up, he always grabs his blankie and lovey, Monkey, and snuggles in as soon as you pick him up.  As sweet as he is, he most certainly has a temper as well!!  We have seen lots of tantrums already and he gets very upset when someone is in his space or takes a toy he was even thinking about.  He knows what he wants, when he wants it, and loudly (VERY LOUDLY) protests when something isn't done on his timetable.  haha!  However, he does get very sad when Mommy or Daddy raises their voice at him or if Caleb is sad or hurt.  He's a sensitive little guy and so very different from big brother!

Samuel Reid, Sammy, Sammy-Jammy, Grumpo, we love you and can't wait to see what God has in store for you!!

Baby blues!

Making bird feeders!