Hot, Hot, Hot!

Vegas summer has officially arrived. Ugh.

Sam and His Spot

Sam has taken a liking to the corner of the kitchen behind the table.

Swimming

Miles started "real" swimming lessons this week. We did the mommy and me kind a few years ago, but he is in the water on his own for these ones. He is doing well, and because of Grandma and Grandpa's pool, is very comfortable in the water. A little too comfortable. The kids are supposed to hold the side of the pool when they are not working one-on-one with the teacher. Miles has the tendency to leave the side of pool. The other day, she told him he needed to hold the side (as he floated away). He told her "But I am in outer space and I am being sucked into a monster black hole". I was laughing because although she didn't get it, I did. Oh yeah, and they have this awesome water slide the kids get to go down at the end of their lesson. Miles insists on going by himself and he "clunks" the whole way down and always come out sideways.

Numero Uno

Just the boys

I always knew that I would only have boys. Each new day I spend with "my boys", I feel lucky to be a mom to them. They are funny, smart, creative, loving, and much, much more. I love that Miles can explain digestion (seriously) because he is always wondering what is actually going on with Sam and his tubes. I love that they are able to begin a new kind of friendship as Sam grows. Sam loves Miles and when he can't see him, will call out "Mi-Mi". Then Miles is there and he chuckles. They are also becoming true brothers and are beginning to "argue" over toys or remote controls or tupperware...whatever is currently the favorite thing to play with (which is usually not a toy). Yeah- whoever first said "Give your kids wooden spoons, tupperware, and cardboard anything" knew what they were talking about. Our house is filled with toys (thank you to ALL of the aunts, uncles, friends, grandmas, and grandpas) and they will choose to play with things that are not "toys". I love these boys...

Big Brother

Miles has amazed me since he was VERY little. He talked well by his first birthday and continues to be very verbal. Everyone knows of his love (obsession) with anything space and it is not easing up. He walks around the house pretending he is floating away because there is no gravity, pretending to be sucked into a black hole, pretending to be living on the International Space Station, pretending to be fixing the Hubble Space Telescope...He can recall facts about space that most adults do not know. His favorite thing to watch on TV is the National Geographic channel's universe and space shows. He is also 3, so still loves regular 3 year old things, but it seems like he finds a way for even those types of things to be connected with space somehow. It is really amazing. I guess there are worse things he could be fascinated with. It is a good thing he is good looking...he could grow up to be quite a science "nerd".

Little Brother

Sam is 11 months and is very busy. Walking well, curious, and loving to love. He loves to give everybody and everything kisses- us, Rocco, shoes, stuffed animals, toy cars and boats, doors. He continues to need his tubes, sometimes a few times a day. I have been in constant contact with the hospital in Cincinnati and it looks like our initial trip will be in August. They will put him under :( and do another biopsy to figure out what is going on. From that point, we will know whether he needs another surgery or just needs more time. He does not like getting the tube, but is otherwise the sweetest, smartest, strongest little boy.

Sam Update

It looks like we will be heading to Cincinnati Children's Hospital (hopefully soon) to see a specialist for Sam. He is continuing to have problems and we are going to get a second opinion before we decide what to do next. We want our little man fixed...for good. I found a doctor at the Cincinnati Hospital who specializes in treating children with Hirschsprung's Disease. We just got his records faxed over and we are only waiting on his x-rays to be sent over and then the hospital will let us know a date for his visit. Yay!
Besides this one "little" problem, Sam is perfectly perfect...and he is a climber.

Snips and Clips

Miles finally let us take him to get a "real" haircut...

Before:












During:












After:

Painting

Uncle Jeff and Morgan were in town for Miles' party. I had the brilliant idea of painting, forgetting that Sam is now a good walker and also wanted to paint. All said and done...all kiddos had fun, especially Sam who tried to "eat" the paintbrush".

Party!

Miles had a (late) birthday party this last weekend. He requested a moon cake, which Bryce successfully pulled off.













Party animal Sam was eating crumbs off the ground. Yes, I know that it gross. But if you know Sam, he does not like to have things taken from him or be removed from something he is enjoying. We like to keep him happy. NO MATTER WHAT!