The Hillian Collection

Magnus (left) and Sammy

Yesterday, our little family traveled to Tallahassee to celebrate my dad's birthday.  We arrived around 1:30pm, so we had enough time to allow Sammy his first-ever play date with the 5-month-old my mom nannies until 3pm each weekday.  Neither one of them really acknowledged each other, so we'll have to hope for their budding friendship to blossom in the future.

I made the mistake of not giving my spoiled boy all the niceties he's acquainted with at home (such as constant mommy holding, long naps and a dog-free environment), so he was pretty unhappy by the end of the night.  Still, we had a wonderful time.  It was his first visit to Grandma and Grandpa Shack's.

Happy birthday, Grandpa Shack!

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He laughs!! Sean was playing Superbaby with him tonight when we heard a happy new sound.  I ran to get my camera and captured this video of his very first laughs.  We couldn't stop giggling ourselves.

I'm going to be trying to get him to do this again in a million different ways this next week.

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For once, he's not looking at himself in a mirror.

This boy learns faster than I could have imagined.

The other night, Sammy and I were playing with his brand new tummy-time mirror.  It has a lady bug in the corner with a turning ball in the center.  I was turning it for Sammy as he watched.  Sean said that he'd never seen Sammy concentrate so hard on something for so long.  When I left to get ready for bed, Sean held the mirror up for Sammy, and he started batting at the lady bug, too! It wasn't just once, he did this for a few minutes straight.

This was the first sudden change I've seen in him.  Everything else has been so gradual--steady head control, practicing standing, even smiling--but I was floored by him doing that, especially since I'd only done it once.

He's made a habit of copying us.  Obviously, he talks back to us when we talk to him, but he's also started sticking his tongue out as us like we do to him to make him smile.  He'll even start sticking his tongue out when he hears the "lollipop" noise we make as we do it.

The video is one of him hitting the noise-maker hanging above him.  If it doesn't look intentional, just trust me that it is.  He's started staring at it and laughing. Silly boy.

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While Sean was in England, he picked up a classic Winne-the-Pooh storybook for Samuel.  I really like that he chose something that Sammy can enjoy for a while once he's older.  I'm sure he'll love me reading the stories to him while he's still very young, but the reading level is advanced enough that he may love reading it himself as he advances to chapter books.  I'm so thankful for my wise husband--I probably would have gotten Sammy a British onsie.

My souvenir gift was gourmet chocolates.  I like immediate satisfaction.  He done good.

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When I hear the smacking, I know he's happy...

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Saying Goodbye

Last Saturday, the 6th, Sammy and I had to say goodbye to  Daddy as he was leaving for a week (!!!) to a conference at Oxford. We certainly missed him, but we got plenty of help from Meme, Sean's mom, and Grandma Shack, my mom.

Our days were filled with walking, cooing, standing, tummy-time, smiles, a good bit of fussing, and lots and lots of love! Of course, we would much rather have Daddy than no Daddy, but we couldn't help enjoying ourselves.

Talking about Church

On Saturday night, Meme came by to keep me company and help out.  She stayed for church; during church, Sammy slept from the first hymn to the very end of the fellowship meal. Unbelievable! He was on his best behavior for Meme, of course.  Good boy.

Sunday night was our first night alone.  We survived.  That's all that need be said.

On Monday, Grandma Shack came. When Grandma Shack comes, Sammy can never properly finish his nap because she can't help but nibble on his sweet toes, kiss his tender flesh, and squeeze his tiny body.  Oh well.  I suppose I have to have something to do; I might as well  put him back to sleep.

Grandma Shack: The Babysitter

This biggest excitement this week for me was the arrival of my BumGenius cloth diapers on Monday.  I love them!  Grandma Shack helped me to set up my new system: clothes lines in the shower, and new diaper laundry pail, and changing table organization.  I'm going to enjoy these new diapers immensely. And the biggest plus: no more poop blow-outs!

On Wednesday, Sammy received two vaccinations and recovered wonderfully.  He was only a little fussier than usual that night and his temperature never broke 100 degrees.  Praise the Lord!

On Friday, we even ventured on a daytrip to Tampa to see Grey, Sammy's uncle, don his "white coat" at a ceremony initiating him into USF's med school.  We were so happy to see him and Charity celebrate his achievement at this new stage of their lives, and Grandma Shack was happy to watch Sammy during the ceremony for me.  I love free babysitting.

Tomorrow morning we get to see Daddy again. I can't wait.  I know Sean can't wait.  There's so much new to show him.  I'm sure he'll be proud of us.

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Both of these videos were taken on the Monday after Charity and Grey's wedding weekend in Orlando.  He was 7 weeks old.  We call him our "stand-y boy."  Any pressure under his feet makes him stretch out his legs.  It makes putting him into the Moby wrap just that much more difficult.

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Bottle-feeding Garden

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