Sun and Fun

Today was one of those picture perfect Chicago days so we hit the zoo to celebrate. Happy Labor Day weekend to all. Enjoy your long weekend!

Waking Up on the RIGHT Side of the Bed

Steve and I decided that one of the many, many things we love about Sam right now is the way he greets us after he wakes up. We typically hear him start to roll around and then there are a few little grunts as he begins to scale the sides of his crib. Soon thereafter, his chitter chatter starts up and by the time we make it to the nursery door he's overflowing with energy (and a desire to get out and PLAY!) It's the greatest. Take a look:

Sam the String Bean

At Sam’s nine month check up today he clocked in at just 19.5 pounds. Given his height, 30 inches, the doctor directed us to start pushing the finger foods. He has the green light to indulge in good fats – think avocado!! Sounds like a dream, huh?

The other big change on the horizon? His car seat. At 30 inches he’s maxed out his Graco and needs to move on to a convertible seat. I guess you could say he’s moving up in the world.

We didn’t have the camera at our check up, but here are a few photos we took while hanging out in the backyard yesterday.

Shear Joy

Steve and I decided last week that Sam was due for a haircut. After researching the pros and cons of baby hair cuts we decided there was absolutely no harm in taking him in for his first trim. Still, I was a little nervous when the hairstylist started snipping, but Samuel played it cool the entire time. He sat intently and even looked down so the stylist could clean up his neckline. $20 and 10 snips later Sam sported a new do.

Prep:

The first snip (look at Mom's face):

After:

Why Sit When You Can Stand?

Sam is now nine months old. I tried for the monthly photo in his "Sam chair," but it was a no-go. Standing up is a lot more fun than sitting down these days, so this month's photos are actually quite fitting.

Cousins Unite

Claire, Meghan and Sam did some serious bonding this week -- from crawling and climbing together, to mouthing toys and playing in the pool! It's astonishing how similar and how different they can be at the same time. If this week is any indication, it will be a lot of fun to watch them grow and learn together.

Michael Phelps, look out!

When I was a kid my parents always described me as a "little fish." We had a summer cabin and I'd spend morning, noon and night swimming. Well, I've decided it must be hereditary because Sam literally can't get enough of the water. To say he loves the pool is an understatement! The child is a maniac in the pool, the tub and the lake. If he had it his way, he'd swim right away from us.

Holiday Road

After a total of 12 hours on the road, we finally made it to Grandview Lodge for our first official family vacation. Sam didn't take to the car nearly as well as we'd hoped -- he set a world record and only slept for 50 minutes between Chicago and Minnesota. But we made it (miraculously) and are now enjoying the beauty of Gull and Roy Lakes. Our cabin sits about 10 feet from the shorline and every morning we wake up to the loons (and Sam's cries, of course).