April hike

The weather in NJ has been all over the place, but last Saturday it was beautiful!  We decided to go for a little hike.  We started from Kunkel Park and headed out to Baldwin Lake.  The hike was only two miles, but it felt longer with a crazy toddler on our back.  In any case, we still loved being outside in the warm weather and exploring more little parts of our town :)

15 months!

Last Friday Samantha turned a year and a quarter- 15 months! At her doctor's visit, she was 20 pounds, 7 ounces (finally passed the 20 pound mark!) and 30.5 inches.  She went up to the 30-35 percentile in weight (maybe it's the fact she still almost exclusively eats carbs!) and is right in the 70-75 percentile still for height (I think I can say height now instead of length!)  She had two shots- MMR and chicken pox, and for the first time these shots were in her little arms.    Dr. Marshall said everything is right on track!

Samantha's biggest development this last month is going from a sometimes walker to an always walker!  She is so good at walking now!  We have left crawling behind completely. And now Samantha is even starting to try and run- we're not there yet, but she is certainly a fast walker.  She walks inside and outside and can basically hold anything and keep walking (even a large toy!)

We're still basically on the grains and fruit diet.  Every once in a while she eats something else, and we rejoice- but that happens with no consistency.  One new snack fave this month is seaweed!  She also now can drink out of a straw cup- it's a little neater, but she's still a super messy drinker!

Samantha is also saying, "No" and "Yeah" now and lots of times those words are used to talk about food.  She has also started to say "done" for "all done," and she does the sign language for "all done" and "more." Strong preferences over here! 

She's still into climbing.  All the time.  

Her favorite things this month are anything that comes out of the recycling container and swings!  She's also really into taking things in and out of containers or bags.  She can stack her rings now in the right order all on her own (sometimes!)

And it's just been wonderful to see her really comprehend things this month.  She knows what you mean when you ask her to bring you things, and she totally gets hide and seek now.  

Loving this stage!

Early April movies!

Just zooming her car...

Oh and eating pancakes!

Outside Fun

The weather has finally started to warm up in New Jersey, and Samantha is happy about it!  We've been to the playground several times, and we are trying to take walks outside almost every day. Keep coming spring- we're ready for you!

At the Hopewell Tot Lot.  We like the slide, but we LOVE the swing.

S knows now that in order to go outside she must put on her shoes.  It's so cute when she tries to do it herself.

Last weekend we also made a quick stop at Terhune farm so Samantha could see the animals. She LOVED pointing at the chickens.  Can't wait to go back there when we have a little more time again soon.

And we finally took the patio furniture out this weekend, and Samantha and I have been trying to make the most of some sunny afternoon time.

She was skeptical about walking on grass...

but then tried it out- she's working on it!

Moving so fast these days!

Oh and our new favorite game is to pick up rocks and carry them back to Mommy.  Unfortunately, we still every once in a while decide we want to taste the rocks.  Working on persuading her that is not a good idea!

Meeting Matthew!

The last weekend in March, Samantha and I headed down to North Carolina to finally meet Matthew!  The last time we were in NC, Matthew was still five weeks from joining the world; I can't believe it took us this long to get there again. But we made it.  Katie drove down from Ithaca and flew with us, for which I was incredibly thankful (let me tell you- flying with a toddler- especially three hours delayed and past bedtime- is no joke).  Lauren welcomed us into her home, and it was wonderful to all be together for a long weekend!

On Friday morning Matthew and Samantha were up bright and early to play together.  And by play, I actually mean Matthew grabbed lots of toys, and Samantha carried around random household items and only took toys Matthew with which Matthew was already playing.

 

Matthew is getting really good and stable at sitting, until he wants to grab something that's behind him...haha...love it.

On Friday we went out to lunch to celebrate Baby Girl Finn Santana.  Your aunties can't wait to meet you, little one!

This is S realizing she will soon have another little girl cousin!

Back at home we chatted and lounged and played. We did a lot of that during the weekend.

Notice Samantha has a baby monitor instead of a toy in her hand.

Working on her gentle touching.

Matthew loves his Mama!

Lucky me got to snuggle with the little guy :)

I LOVE his smile.  It's so contagious!

Bath time buddies

Um- cutest walrus ever!

And what a sweet moment, Katie captured!

On Saturday, Lauren's sister Amy came by with her little daughter, Dorothy, who is just two weeks younger than Matthew.  

Matthew was working on his standing skills!

Just doing some more playing!

We took a little night time walk down the greenway- loving that spring was peeking through.

Basically I had a singing leaning backpack for the mile or so walk.

And finally Sunday morning before we left, S took every empty beer bottle Lauren and Danny had in the house and left them all over the kitchen.  Have I mentioned that she loves carrying around recyclables?!

Matthew watched his ridiculous bottle carrying with glee.

Matthew and Auntie Katie :)

All five (six!) of us!

Loved our time together and thankful for more than ten years of friendship!