The Things on Sam's Head

Sam likes putting things on his head. In fact, he thinks he is quite hysterical when his head is adorned with all sorts of objects. A take-out container...

his favorite oversized fishing hat...

a tomato, of course...

a plastic container for a helmet...

a maybe an actual little boy hat (although it only lasted for seconds.)

A little piece of Pop-pop

I wasn't raised in a very religious household and don't truly know what my beliefs are about what happens to a person after they die. I do, however, think the ones we loved are somewhere looking down on us. Maybe we believe this to take comfort in feeling they are in a "better place." Maybe there is a heaven with golden gates and puffy clouds. Whatever the reason, I always felt that Pop-pop is somewhere looking out for me. First, when after so many years of searching for Mr. Right, Matt, a fisherman, walks into my life. And while I do not believe in reincarnation, I have always felt that there was a little piece of Pop-pop in Sam. He has his blue eyes and looks to be a lefty in the making so far holding his spoon and crayons in his left hand. Sam has recently discovered the one keepsake I have of Pop-pop's - his fisherman's hat, and he just won't let it go. Maybe it's just his interest of the week. Or maybe he thinks this hat that was worn in the salty sea air by his great-grandpop he never got the chance to meet now belongs on his head. Whatever the reason, I still have to smile everytime I see that little piece of Pop-pop in my son.

Sam's many seats

Sam loves to sit - for a second. He creates seats out of some interesting spots. He sits in his leather chair

And his musical chair. A box of wine makes a good chair. One of his favorite seats - the entertainment center.

A box makes a good seat.

The fireplace hearth perhaps?

And of course the original Sam chair - November 2009

November 2010

(and yes, he is constantly chewing on something)

But don't misunderstand. He doesn't sit for more than 5 seconds then he's off again... until he finds another spot to make a seat for the next 5 seconds.

The Catch-up Blog

OK - so I'm five months behind on blogs, and I can't seem to find the time to catch up. I thought that we didn't have any pictures of Sam because he won't stand still long enough to snap a shot, but apparently I was wrong. Here's what's been going on since October - and I'm talking the good stuff. No more boo-hoo blog. Sam has turned into quite the character. He is super silly, loves to laugh, and is not afraid to make his wishes known. First war wounds from the battlefield - aka the playground. Just FYI - the rubberized ground meant to prevent injuries at the bottom of the slide is not meant for face planting.

Sam loves to use the Swiffer. Good thing - 'cause Mommy doesn't clean.

Mornings in our new house were cold! Sam finally had the chance to wear his first Big Fish sweatshirt his Mom-mom bought. And the stylish outfit was completed by his cool CU Buffs booties thanks to Uncle Dash and Aunt Brendan. You all wish you could look so GQ. October was also Sam's first visit to the State Fair. The event has become an annual tradition for Matt and me since it was our second date. Sam's first fair came with many other firsts. Among them were his first corn dog (I,myself, still have yet to eat a corn dog in my 36 years) ...

and first ferris wheel.

Sam loves to be outside. We are constantly fighting to get him back in the house. This was Halloween day. Gotta love shorts on the last day of October. Phoenix is great!

Sam was a dinosaur the year for Halloween.

Gram came to vist in November. "Hi Gram!"

Sam loves his Mickey Mouse blanket head so much he could eat it.

Sam got himself into a little basket. What a fun seat! (and yes, that is drool on Sam's shirt) He just thought this was so funny...

...until he realized he was stuck and couldn't get out.

Sam learned to play the kazoo.

He's working on his model pose.

Did I mention Sam is silly?

Sam met Santa for the first time this year. He wasn't quite sure what to make of the jolly man with the big white beard. He didn't cry, but we sure couldn't get him to crack a smile.

Christmas time - what a pile of loot! That jolly man is ok in our book.

The toys are taking over!!

Check out Sam's new leather recliner.

Fortunately Grandpa Doug and Grandma Laurie were here for Christmas because I worked all weekend.

Did I mention Sam was silly?

Chili cook-off at a biker bar. It was a great Sunday family outing.

And that is what happened between October and February...

Sam's First Haircut

It was finally time for my first haircut. It was long overdue. I was worried they were going to start putting my hair in a ponytail or something. Or maybe they wanted me to be a heavy metal star like Bon Jovi? Who knows? But at least it got cut. I got to sit in a cool fire engine chair. Then they put on the biggest bib I've even seen. I stayed really still. She used sharp scissors and buzzy razors, and I didn't even flinch. The finished look was worth it. I looked pretty handsome in the end if I must say so myself...

Atlantic Beach, North Carolina

In the beginning of September we flew to North Carolina to visit Grandma and Grandpa DeJoseph and have a little beach vacation. Mom and Dad were ready for a little R&R after our big move to the new house. We flew into Wilmington, NC and were met at the airport by Grandma and Grandpa. How fun! We spent the night at their house before heading to the beach the next day. But before we hit the road we ate at Daddy's favorite NC restaurant, "Something Fishy." There was yummy fried seafood as far as the eye could see. I loved the hush puppies. With our bellies full, we were off to the beach. I love the the beach! (and I love my new sippy cups.) I'm not loving the windblown look of my overgrown hair though.


The beach had lots of sand and an ocean just like the beach in Delaware. Mom said it was the same ocean but I'm not sure I believe her. How did it follow us all the way to North Carolina? I had fun crawling around on the sand and in the water. This time I could even walk in the sand (well a few steps anyway. That sand could be tricky.) I loved the water. The waves were much calmer at this beach (I told you it wasn't the same ocean) so Mom and Dad could take me in the deep water. It was fun.

We ate out at lots of restaurants. I tried lots of new food - shrimp and fish.

Look Mom-mom - I still have my Elvis lip (and rediculously long hair)...

There were lots of fun things to do at our condo. There was a little playground for babies just like me. Mom took me for my first ride down the slide which was followed by my first head injury as I fell off the platform playing with the telescope and bonked my head on the ground. No worries - I was fine. Come to find out I have a very hard head which we will soon find out comes in handy in the months to come.

There were even pools and a hot tub. I just love the water. Grandma and Grandpa showed up for a few days too. Dad and Grandpa Tony went fishing while I hung out with Mom and Grandma Marge. Grandpa Tony come home much earlier than Daddy though. I think he must have missed me, but for some reason he looked a little green. Speaking of changing colors, Daddy's tongue turned blue while we were there. What is it about that place? I was trying to pull out Daddy's tongue so I could do a closer inspection, but I just couldn't get my hands on it. Fortunately, after some time everyone's color turned back to normal.

We didn't spend all of our time lounging by the pool and on the beach. We visited the North Carolina aquarium. That was pretty cool - lots of fish and other animals like turtles and even a baby aligator. We visited Fort Macon - an old Civil War fort. Mom and Dad thought it was really neat...

...but I didn't really know what was going on. Like why am I sitting next to these huge balls? They wouldn't even let me out to play with them.

Oh but the best part!!! Grandma Marge brought cupcakes to the condo since it was just after my birthday. I love cupcakes! Maybe even more than then beach. But did I mention I do not love my super long hair?

Oh and something else I didn't love - the plane ride home. I mean come on. I'm one. I tried really hard to sleep but I woke up. I didn't mean to scream for over an hour straight but it's not like they would let me down to play. I'd been on a lot of planes by this point and had been a model traveler. I thought I was due for one awful flight. Apparently, Mom and Dad were not seeing things my way. I heard them say I'm not allowed on another plane until I'm 10. Oh man! I hope you all don't mind flying cuz it seems like you're going to have to come to Phoenix if you want to see me.