Happy Birthday Sam!

My little angel baby Sam came into our family 2 years ago.  This picture captures his presence in our lives perfectly.  He is the center of our family, the comic relief, and the source of so much joy and laughter.  Hank and Max adore him and love watching him achieve each new milestone in toddler-hood.  They look after him and protect him like big brothers should.  I had these pictures taken a few weeks ago and not surprisingly, Sam wasn't a fan of holding still and looking at the camera.

We had the pictures taken at Wheeler Farm which worked to our advantage since Sam is an animal loving fool.  He was so excited to see the "neigh".  Getting on his little tricycle which he calls his "cycle" and going to see the "neigh" is still a daily ritual for us.

Once all the picture taking was completed, we let Sam roll around in the dirt.  He's such a boy!

Sam is the best little boating baby I've ever seen.  He loves the boat and every time he sees it he says 

"boat...so fun!".  We've taken him on so many boating adventures this summer and he just rolls with it.  He's even become a little blondie from all the sun.

He has his favorite little spot on the boat and doesn't really move from there.  Just recently he's been more interested on getting in the "wa wa".  I have a feeling he'll be water skiing before his big brothers!

He loves to be outside.  He has a knack for finding old bikes and tricycles in our garage and storage shed.  The goggles and the binky really complete his biker look.  Such a little ham!

He found this little 4-wheeler in our garage the other day and scooted the entire way to the bus stop, with no shoes.  I guess that's what happens with your third kid.  Shoes are optional.

He went through a phase a few weeks ago where he refused to put both arms in his pajama shirt.  I have no idea what that was about.  As you can see from the pictures, his green binky is still around.  His addiction to his binky is getting worse I'm afraid.  I set a goal for myself to get Sam binky free by his 2nd birthday and I've failed miserably.  Honestly I can't bare the thought of taking it away from him.  It's like taking his best friend away.  I know it needs to go and it will...at least by the time he goes to preschool!

I've previously mentioned how obsessed the boys are with Sam but Sam is equally obsessed with Hank and Max.  He is constantly looking for them.

Max plays so cute with Sam.  He will jump on the tramp with him when no one else will.  He takes him upstairs and plays with him and is so patient when Sam constantly turns the Wii off during his games.  Max was made to be a big brother.

Here are some other tidbits about my darling little Sammy-boy at this stage of his life

• He loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and sleeps with Pete, Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and Pluto every night.
• His obsession with motorcycles, "cycles", is still going strong.  Every time I mention Grandma or Grandpa to him he assumes they are on their cycle. 
• Speaking of Grandma and Grandpa, he is in love with all of them.  He is by far my most affectionate child.  He loves going to his grandparents house.
• He is talking so well.  He can say most words and he really understands when I talk to him.  He's starting to put together 2 and 3 words at a time.
• He is a sleeping genius.  He sleeps 10-12 hours at night and takes a 3-4 hour nap every afternoon.  I can't tell you how grateful I am to have such a good little sleeper.  
• He is terrified of the car wash.  He screams the entire time.  That's my excuse for why I have such a dirty car.
• He has a new obsession with the movie "Paranorman".  He calls it "zombies" and requests to watch it all day long.  I can't believe it holds his attention like it does.  Perhaps his cousin Jack is rubbing off on him!

Now that Hank and Max are at school every day it leaves some quality time for me and Sam.  I really cherish that time.  He is such an easy going kid.  He keeps himself entertained better than Hank and Max ever did at this age.  Since we've been spending so much alone time it's made Sam an even bigger mama's boy then he was before.  I can't say that I mind it.  I know it's only a matter of time before he prefers Randy like his brothers do.  I can't help but remember the circumstances surrounding Sam's birth this time of year.  I lost my grandma just two short days before Sam entered the world.  I miss her everyday.  She would get such a kick out of Sam.  His loving personality, his big brown eyes, and his sweet little voice I know she would've just died over.  I'm so grateful to have him in my life.  He came at a time when our family really needed something to be happy about.  I just love my little boy so much and I'm so blessed to be his mommy.  Happy Birthday my darling angel baby!