Sam Turns Two...The Belated Birthday Post!

I'm aware that I'm an exceptionally inconsistent blogger. When I get behind at all, I feel overwhelmed with what I haven't blogged about which keeps me from blogging even longer. I made a resolution that I'd keep up on it as, like 95% of blogging mommies, my faltering attempt at keeping a journal. So here's to smashed New Years' resolutions! (I haven't been exercising regularly or going to bed earlier either it you really want to know.)

Sam is actually 2 years and 1 month old now. Our little man celebrated his second year of life on March 1. We try to have some sort of family outing to celebrate each birthday in our house. Sam loves airplanes so we took the kiddos to the Hill AFB Museum. Brad has wanted to take our boys there pretty much since the ultrasound tech told us we were having a boy and it did not disappoint. The boys loved it, the biggest boy included.

Sam woke up Sunday morning knowing it was his day. Owen fulfilled his brotherly duties by opening the presents while Sam was busy playing with whatever he'd already opened. Little Sam sang "Happy to! Happy to! Happy to Sam!" all day giving his sentimental mommy something I will remember about his birthday for the rest of my days.

That night we had a spaghetti dinner with the grandparents and had the rest of the family over for cake and ice cream. I made a sad attempt at kids' party games which Owen loved so it counts right? Pin Thomas on the train track turned into Sam wearing Thomas on his shirt for the rest of the night. The fish pond over the kitchen counter was not very exciting either as the only kids under the age of 4 in attendance were my own and my niece Hadlee who is not yet two. It was worth a try! I'll have to figure out some "cool" kid games for Owen's birthday in May. Suggestions are welcomed. :)

So here are a few things I love about Sam:

• When Sam is happy, he is happy from the top of his head to the tips of his toes. He has a light about him that is contagious. As long as his basic needs are met (food, sleep, his blanket, he's healthy, more food) he's a pretty happy kid. However, the top of his head to the tips of his toes state also applies for his more indignant moments also!
• Sam has a mischievous little laugh that cracks me up even when he's doing something naughty.
• Curious only begins to describe our little guy. Every day is a new adventure. He loves to dismantle things just to see how they work and is in to EVERYTHING! He can tear up a room in two minutes flat!
• Sam has no fear. When he was younger he was much more timid but now he's a regular Evel Knievel! He makes friends in the most random places and flirts with pretty much anyone in the grocery check out line.
• Sam is very much in his own little world and we all get to live in it. He loves to explore. One of my favorite things as his mom is to sit back and watch him discover the little things of life. Everything is new and exciting to him, even things he's already experienced before. Every time he sees an airplane or a puppy you would think it's the first time he's seen one!
• Sam is so independent! He has to do things for himself and gets very frustrated by his little body's limitations.
• When he is angry with me, he growls at me. Like a dinosaur. It's really hard not to laugh at that!
• Sam is a blanket boy. He hauls his "my baby" all over the house. Whenever he gets hurt or is sad he comes to me saying "Momma I hold you." Once I pick him up, he wants his "my baby." I guess when I wrap him up in the blanket I say "I'll hold you my baby," and it has stuck. I know that as he grows this will be one of the things from his baby days that I'll miss the most.
• Sam really knows how to have fun. He's the life of the party and thinks he is the funniest kid around. He laughs at himself all of the time and makes us laugh in the process.
• Sam has been learning to pray by himself. In every prayer, he prays for food, the blankie, "jump" and "runnin"and usually food again. I think it is what he's the most grateful for!
• Sam loves dogs. He pretends to be a puppy for at least half of the day.
• Sam loves his brother. When Owen is in trouble, Sam sits in time out with him. When Owen cries, Sam cries too. At night, I hear them talking and laughing together before they fall asleep. He's Owen's little shadow and his best buddy.
• Sam is a huge daddy's boy. All day he looks for Brad asking if "Daddy's workin?" He is the first one to the stairs when he hears Brad's car pull up. Sam looks just like Brad did as a little guy.
• In the morning Sam crawls into bed with Brad and I and says "Daddy. Hi. Momma. Hi." every single day without fail. The day hasn't begun without the 6:00 a.m. greeting from Sam.
• Sam carries around a Lego Star Wars clone trooper pretty much all of the time. It's his "guys."
• Sam's favorite foods are bananas, apples, pasta in any form, pizza which he calls "choppies," cheese, soy milk, and fruit snacks.
• Sam is very coordinated. He can climb, jump, and run with the big kids and hold his own. He runs from the time he wakes up until he runs to his bed at night. He throws a ball like he was born to do it.
• Sam is one of the most determined kids I have ever met. He wants to do things his way when he's good and ready to do them. He will try and try something new until he gets it. He doesn't give up easily. (You can imagine the power struggles that go on around here!) I am excited to see what this little guy will accomplish in his life and what he will be driven to do by his will and determination alone.
• Our life wouldn't be the same without our Sam. I could go on and on about him (I kind-of just did :) He is a joy to be around. He has taught me so much in his two years in our family and I am so grateful to be his mommy. He has really helped me to let my hair down and live in the moment. The world is a better place with Sam in it. We love you Sammer! Happy Birthday!