McDonnell Place

Dear Sam,

You are such a joy to all of us. Following in the steps of your older siblings, you are not short on personality. You don't say much more than mama, dada, and baba yet... every now and then you will surprise us with "hiii" or what sounds like a siblings' name, or what sounds like "doggy" when you see Charlie. With these words, it is more the inflection than the pronunciation that makes what you mean crystal clear. But despite your limited vocabulary, you make what you want KNOWN... be it through inflection, your severely dramatic facial expressions, or your vocal chords.

Honey calls you Moose because you're filling out so quickly we might as well be watching a balloon inflate before our very eyes. Your brothers and sister have a complete fit over your rolls and behind and just you in general. They think everything you do is one of three things: precious, hilarious, or brilliant. And I have to agree. Even your temper tantrums are funny.

You've been walking since 9 months and pulling up for many months, so you get hurt a lot. Whenever you are injured we spank whatever hurt you- the floor, the table, the chair... and you stop crying long enough to observe this and then a few seconds later shake your limp hand at it, too, and say "dah, dah, dah" for bad, bad, bad along with us.

You also started opening and closing your fingers when we wave bye bye, but quickly lost interest in that new accomplishment.

Your skin is very fair like Evan's... and very dry this winter. And all the knees of your sleepers are black from your ambitious crawling ventures, and all the necks sour from drool. You have four teeth; four precious white pearls behind two precious soft lips. You give open-mouthed kisses to us, but only as you please, not on command. If we ask, we just might get a whap in the face. You are very rough.

And very bright.

And very vocal. (Did I mention that?)

One of your favorite games is when we have a sound off and copy yelling noises back and forth. What fun! This and peek-a-boo can sometimes send you into belly giggles.

Never still for long.

Never slowing down.

You are all boy.

And you love the ladies... particularly your sister. And you love when daddy walks in the door and cry when he leaves in the morning... indeed, you are a daddy's boy. You leap out of my arms when you hear the shower because you want so badly to join him.

And you're crazy about the rest of the bunch, too. Although, it's no difficult thing to love people who are so smitten with you. And we are, Sam. Boy, are we.

I love you,

Mama xo

Labels: baby, pics, pictures, Sam, siblings