da boy

This week, I've noticed that Sam's really learned how to manipulate his toys. He's been grabbing and holding for a long time, but now he can really turn things around, put the fun parts of his toys (like the chewy plastic feet of his duck) in his mouth, and discriminate about what he grabs and what he does with it. It's fun to see him play with his toys in new ways.

He's very fond of magazines, and will spend long periods of time ripping them up. He loves mirrors and things that crinkle and things that move (like his bead ball).

He still laughs most when you throw something at his face. For his sake, we stick to balloons and soft balls. My sister got Brie a mylar ladybug balloon several weeks ago, and it's become Sam's favorite toy, especially now that he can manage it with his hands (it's light, but big and unwieldy - he's very impressive with it). If you really want to get a belly laugh from the boy (other than by tickling him), try pulling his binky out of his mouth by the handle, and then spitting it into his face with a lough "paTOOOeee!" sound. For some reason, this gets him every time.

Sam's figured out, finally, that he doesn't want Brie stealing his toys. It used to be that he'd just sort of give a "where'd that go?" look when she did it, but now he makes cranky, angry cries - which is great, because then I know what happened and I can fix it. Brie's learning how to say, "I'm sorry, Sam" really, really well.

Sam likes banging on things (like his wipes box) and he's figured out how to splash in the tub.

Samuel's pretty content throughout the day, but he really comes alive when he gets one on one attention - from me or Adam or Brie. One of the most fun parts of the day is right after we put Brie to bed and before Sam conks out, when Adam and I spend a bit of time just playing with da boy. We turn him upside down, flurber his tummy, toss him in the air and play pat-a-cake.

He's talking a lot more now too, still really fond of his vowel sounds, lots of "ooooooo-oooo!"'s and "ah-gaaa"'s. He also screams happily when he's excited and happy and just a little too tired.

For some reason, he wants to be put to sleep and THEN nursed. Which is fine, it just took awhile for me to figure out. But, yep, Sam's favorite way to eat is while fast asleep.

Unless you're talking applesauce or yams or something cool like that. In which case, he wants to be awake so that he can hoot and flap his arms and pant and generally be as excited as possible, and maybe, possibly, manage to get his hands into the food and spread it all over his mom.

He also gets that excited about glasses of water, and will drink right from the glass. Yeah, it's been a little hot here.

So that's our Samwise!

Oh, and he still has, and looks like he's going to keep, his bright, bright, bright blue eyes. Sweet boy.


-Jess