where'd my sweet, mild-mannered baby go?

And who put this opinionated little boy in his place?

Okay, so Samuel's always been opinionated. It's just that suddenly he has so many ways to express his opinions. He's learned what "no" really means, and he's decided he hates hearing it. He's just figuring out how to talk, but gets frustrated with his vocabulary of about five words, so he screeches. He's able to reach more, do more, try more, get into more, and so he gets into more trouble.

And he's more fun. More work and more fun at the same time. He and Brie play together more and more. Today he even figured out how to say her name! In Sam's world, the three people he lives with are named "mama", "dada" and "Ba!"

He gets fascinated with things. The other day I gave him a cracker, and instead of eating it, he turned it over and over and over again in his hands, unable to stop practicing with his new-found dexterity. He cruises more than his sister ever did, going round and round and round the coffee table, sideways along our walls and, of course, circling us any chance he gets. He's super-sensitive to music, and bounces up and down with the rhythm.

But he doesn't fall asleep in church anymore. Le sigh.


Samwise, my Sam, I love you. Be a good boy.


peace of Christ to you,
Jessica