Sam I am is ONE! A tribute to him...

My little baby boy is ONE YEAR OLD, I can't believe it! I think back on 2008 (which began 8 days in with his birth) and it was such a trying time in the beginning. Jake was at the peak of hitting terrible two (wait, can a peak last 12 months?). Sam had to endure a ball pump needle (4 inches long) up the nose at 5 days old (leaving him with a bloody nose, and thank goodness no internal damage). At two weeks he had a crouton and blueberry fed to him through his nuk passy. Fortunately those did not obstruct the airway. Jake pushed him off our 4 foot tall bed. At 6 weeks he was hospitalized for 5 days with RSV, on Jake's 2nd birthday, and for 3 months he was a blood curdling screaming, fussy and colicy baby and REFUSED to take a bottle until 8 months! And I can write all this with a smile (kind of) of victory over all the trials that God has pulled us through. It is so clear that the Lord is protecting Sam and our family and that there are a pack of angels surrounding this boy. Today we wake up with a cheerful, smiley boy who is such a blessing and joy in our family. So I'll take a minute and share the mommy version of who my one year old is. Sam loves to play with toys. If he's not interrupted by the bombarding bro in his life, he will just sit and play with his and Jake's toys forever! He walks everywhere now and stands from the ground, loves to explore the entire home, including toilets and garbage cans. If a bathroom door is open, he will lift the lid and splash away! (YUK!) ANother pass time for Sam is climbing into the tub and playing with all the bath toys. This is how he chipped his front three teeth! He signs "all done" "more" and waves saying "ba ba" when people leave. He also says mama, dada, neenee (Lyndee) and hot (ot). This morning he added the lovely word "no" as Matt said "come on Sam" (out of the bathroom). Sam looked up at him, shook his head three times saying "no". He will go to anyone, and loves being held and snuggled. When he goes to sleep he has to have his blue blankie and he pulls it into his mouth while sucking his left thumb (only at bedtime). He eats anything and everything you put infront of him and he also enjoys eating sand and dirt (we're actually thinking about getting him tested for anemia on that one!) He has just been such a delight and we look forward to watching more of his personality unveil as this year goes on and he grows and learns more each day! Stay tuned...