10 months old!

Sam @ 10 months

Weight:

at birth: 9lbs 2.7 oz

  at nine months: 22 lbs 1 oz

Eating

You are an adventurous eater and there's not much you won't eat, but... you have a sweet tooth! Fruit and sweet treats are by far your favorite! We have to serve you the rest of your food first, and reserve your fruit for last otherwise you gobble it up and don't want anything else!
Also, you are a grazer. You eat slowly... at your pace, no one elses. We will be frustrated sometimes when you don't seem to be eating your dinner, and about 20 minutes in all of a sudden you start eating, and you get it all down. You take your time, but you eat it all.

Sleeping

You wake up every day around 8:00 a.m.

You nap for 2-3 hours around 11:00 a.m.

You nap for about an hour around 5:00 p.m.

Bedtime is 9:30 p.m.
If we stray from this schedule... you are a grizzly bear.

You sleep on your tummy, with your knees pulled up under you and your bootie in the air. You like having your back rubbed to put you to sleep, and you won't go to sleep without a blanket and your sheep to snuggle.

Likes

Getting into all the things you are not supposed to... power cords, the dog gate, the dog bowls, laundry baskets, etc. If it is off limits... you want it. You also learned you could get inside the dog kennels one day... and oh boy was that exciting!

Your trike! Grandma and Grandpa P got you an early birthday gift... a pretty red trike, and ooh do you love it. You have always enjoyed riding in your strollers, but riding your trike (with mama and dad helping push right now) is doubly exciting. You hold on the the handles and steer and giggle with delight.

The shopping carts at Target. Specifically target, because they are bigger than most. And you turn around backwards in the seat and mama puts her arms around you and pushes you through the store facing forward and you squeal with excitement (and people give us dirty looks and judge your mama because it's probably pretty unsafe, and you don't care.)

Dislikes

 

All other shopping carts where you can't see where you are going.

When Daddy takes his shower. You get so excited when Daddy gets home at night, and he gives you a kiss and plays with you for a few minutes before going up to take his shower, and you scream is angry protest the whole time he is showering. It's not fair that Daddy is finally home and not with you, huh?

Firsts

First haircut. The Grandmas were distraught, but you looked so clean cut and handsome that they forgave me.

Slides. We went to the park with Grandma and Grandpa P and you loved the slides so much. We tried to start you out easy on the small slides but you fearlessly crawled to the big ones and launched yourself down headfirst. You beamed and giggled and were breathless with excitment to get back to the top each time and do it again.

Special Skills

Pulling up to a stand on the furniture. We had to lower your crib so you didn't crawl/fall out. You pull up to a stand in your crib, on the couch, on the dog gate, on the couch, on the cabinets, on... any piece of furniture you possibly can.

Waving. You are the friendliest kid ever. You wave at everyone. All the time. Always waving. When someone enters a room, when someone leaves. When someone talks to you, or when you see something you like. You have started responding with a wave when someone says 'Bye-bye' or 'Hello' so you get the concept. You love waving.

Playing the drums. Daddy had a little pair of drumsticks cut down to your size, and he set up a drum set for you out of some of his stuff-- a tom, a splash cymbal, and some woodblocks. He set it in front of your chair and you went to town with no instruction or encouragement. And Daddy was SO PROUD.

Things I don't want to forget

Mama trained to run a half marathon this summer, and you were my little running buddy. We put in a lot of miles; you in your stroller and me pushing you along. Sometimes you would fall asleep, but often you would sit awake and wide eyed observing everything. I love that about you, so curious and clever.

You have earned a new nickname-- Mama calls you a pickle all the time. And you smile at her like-- "I know, Mom, I know."

Making videos is very frustrating to you because it means you have to hold still and that makes you very angry or very sad. Either way it begins and ends in a cry fest and your mama gave up. So no 10 month footage.

You are clever, curious, and always on the move. You are ornery, funny, and fearless. You are all boy, independant, and energy all the time. You are our sweet little boy, and we love you and love watching you grow. Just... could you not grow quite so fast? Time is flying.

9 months with Sam

Hey busy little boy, here's what you were up to at 9 months:

Sam @ 9 months

Weight:

at birth: 9lbs 2.7 oz

  at nine months: 21 lbs 7 oz

Eating

Still enjoying solid foods three times a day with your family, and beginning to reduce formula feedings... which you enjoy before naps, bedtime, and once in the night usually between 3 and 4 a.m... same as last month.

Sleeping

You wake up every day around 8:00 a.m.

You nap for 2-3 hours around 11:00 a.m.

You nap for about an hour around 5:00 p.m.

Bedtime is 9:30 p.m.
If we stray from this schedule... you are a grizzly bear.

Likes

Bouncing with Grandpa (S). Everytime grandpa picks you up he turns you to face out and then stands there bouncing you. You smile and laugh and wave your arms like a maniac. You also kick your feet like crazy, and Grandpa jokes that he needs a 'nutcup' when he holds his grandson.

Blankets. Proof you are related to Mama. You love blankets. You love to play with them, chew on them, snuggle them, and you definitely will not go to sleep without one. We have these lightweight gauze blankets we used to swaddle you in, and those are your favorites, but you also love the texture and weight of your quilts and the crocheted blanket Aunt Cookie made you.

Drums. Daddy and Grandpa made you a pair of Sam size drumsticks. You love them and immediately started hitting everything in sight.

Dislikes

Growing teeth. I mean, who does? But you had a doozy of a month pushing those things through.

Firsts

First upper teeth! Actually, 6 teeth broke through this month. It was a pretty crazy month, with two really intense weeks trying to get four through all at the same time. yikes!

First cold. I feel pretty lucky that we made it to 9 months before our first cold... but it was miserable for everyone in the house. Poor guy would only sleep in the stroller or the car, so there were a few sleepless nights for everyone pushing a stroller around and around the living room.

Things I don't want to forget

You are so busy and curious all the time. You crawl accross the room, then turn and smile at me like-- I'm just over here Mama, don't worry, Then you go about your playing.

Your sweet baby chatter. Talking and chattering constantly, but it's fun to get you up in the mornings and you see us walk in the room and smile and say Mama mam mamama or Dada dada dadadadada. We love it.

Your gummy baby smile... you have so many teeth now! Such a young man.

Nine month video footage is short and sweet. You were not really interested in holding still and talking to mama for a video. But you are cute and you have your drumsticks...

9 months from Valerie Pogemiller on Vimeo.

I love you, Busy Boy.

8 months

I get slower at these each month. Sigh. I still got it in before 9 though, right? Yay me! High five!

 

Sam @ 8 months

Weight:

at birth: 9lbs 2.7 oz

  at eight months: 21 lbs

Eating

Still enjoying solid foods three times a day with your family, and beginning to reduce formula feedings... which you enjoy before naps, bedtime, and once in the night usually between 3 and 4 a.m.

Sleeping

Can't commit to a napping schedule. You have been taking about three 1 hour naps every day- around noon around 4:00 p.m. and around 7 p.m. But not always, sometimes you'll throw in a morning nap and skip the noon nap-- or sometimes you drop the afternoon nap entirely and those days you're pretty grizzly.

Likes

Your sheep. Grandma bought you a big fleecy sheep for valentines day, and you have recently discovered you love him so much. He sleeps in your bed with you and he has traveled to IA and CO this month. You like to growl at him and bite his nose.

Daddy's ID ta. Your Daddy has an ID tag that he ahs to wear with his work uniform, and you are fascinated with it and always try to get to it as soon as he is home from work. He often puts it in his pocket or throws it over his shoulder, but you always find it.

Dislikes

Long car rides... a couple vacations this month and after about 5 hours... you are DONE with the car. (Mama doesn't blame you!)

Firsts

Your first words: you have really started vocalizing and trying out new sounds, so of course we have been prompting you to repeat names. Your first word? MAMA. (beam!) Of course you said it one day and havn't wanted to say it since, but I have a video of that one day. You said Dada the next day and that's definitely your favorite sound to make.

Family reunion. We traveled to IA to the Pogemiller family reunion, and all the 'Kissing Aunts' finally got their hands on you! All of the family loved you and you got to meet some of your (2nd) cousins, which was fun!

Your first Family Vacation. We spent the week in CO at Estes Park. It was such a wonderful, relaxing trip. And while you hated the drive-- you seemed to really take to the mountains. You especially loved hiking in the backpack Mama and Daddy bought for you. We can't wait to go back. 

Crawling! We got back from CO-- immediately after a 9.5 hr car ride we set you on the ground to unload the car... and you started crawling around! We were so excited! ...for about 10 seconds then we looked at each other and said-- 'OH CRAP! We need to baby proof!' You are on the move every second! 

Special talents.

If someone sticks their hand out and says 'Gimme five!' you smile and happily slap their hand multiple times. Then you are very proud of yourself for giving fives!

Things I don't want to forget

You sing/hum to yourself quietly in the car, and also while you were in the backpack while hiking.  I'm pretty sure it's a self soothing method, but your little voice is so sweet and it makes me smile to hear it.

Walks and summer picnics with you in the park. I love your barefoot toes, laying in the shade on great grandma's blanket, and you playing with sticks. Such sweet fun days with my boy!

I had a heck of a time getting footage of you this month! You did not want to stay still and talk... you are such a busy little man.

8 months from Valerie Pogemiller on Vimeo.

Samuel, we are so in love with you, and so proud of every way you are learning and growing!

Sam is 7 months!

Seven months old. We are on the downhill side toward a year. I know that sounds like crazy talk. That's because it is. But tell me this, is it crazy that I have started planning his first birthday party? That I have started one of his handmade gifts? That Z and I had 'The Christmas Talk' (you know the one) on the way home from IA the other day?
It is? It is crazy? Well, we have officially boarded that train and we are on the way to crazy town with our 7 month old, thank you very much.

Sam @ 7 months

Weight:

at birth: 9lbs 2.7 oz

  at seven months: 20lbs 14.5 oz

Eating

Your favorite activity! You sit at the table with us for three meals a day and eat everything from boiled eggs and toast, to apricots, cucumbers, grilled meats, spaghetti, and icecream!
Daddy snuck you a completely illegal french fry the other day and you were stoked. Mama tried to remain calm and tell herself that one french fry wasn't going to hurt anyone... but Daddy did get a nice long lecture.

You are a big fan of fruit of all kinds, berries being your favorite and blueberries--hands down--your favorite berry. We love to watch you carefully pick them up one at a time and pop them in your mouth then smile as you squish them between your gums. You can eat more berries in one sitting than your mama can (impressive because I also have an obsession with those blue guys!), and (brace yourselves, I am about to talk about poo which I swore I would never do on this blog!) they turn you poo blue-- many of your diapers are hopelessly stained blue, and it kinda makes me laugh.

 

You still have several formula feedings a day, mostly before naptime and bedtime.

Sleeping

Sleeping was rough this month, but that was kinda our fault. Mama was in a musical and you were with Grandma S until at least 9:00 every night and didn't want to sleep when you got home and saw Daddy for the first time all day. You would stay up 'til 11:00 (and sometimes later!) then sleep untill 10:00 the next morning. I don't have to tell you that threw off nap schedules.

We'll get you back to normal soon, buddy!

Likes

Blueberries

 

Watching videos of yourself online. It's true... somedays it's the only things that calms you when you are having a screaming fit. Mom pulls up a video of you and you coo and giggle at yourself.

 

Playing "Where's Sam" and "tent" with the blankets in your bed.

 

Feeding the dogs. They sit on either side of your highchair during meals, and you happily drop things off the side for them, then lean over to watch them scramble for it. Sometimes thats more fun than eating. Stinker. 

 

Your penis. I don't mean to be rude and crude here-- but you kind of are. You discovered it during bathtime a while back, and reach for it obsessively at every diaper change. It's your favorite thing. Sometimes, even when you are fully diapered, you reach down and pat your crotch-- just to check for it. Funny little boy.

Dislikes

 

Teething. (who doesn't?)

This heat. It's oppressive and nasty, and you yell out your protest-- especially in the car.

When we try to entice you to crawl by placing things you want just out of your reach. You yell about it for a little bit, then take of rolling across the room, then roll back and pick up whatever it was you wanted. You outsmart us. You DO NOT want to crawl, thank you very much.

Not being able to play with our computers or phones. You try, oh do you try.

Firsts

YOUR FIRST TOOTH!
Can I get a hallelujah and an AMEN! Holy moly, we've been working on that for months. He's a handsome little guy, and sharp too! And you are so proud.

Special talents.

Singing in about 14 different octaves. Your mouth is changing and you are exploring your voice and making all kinds of fun sounds now. You also love to 'pop' your lips.

Destructo Baby. You can crumple a blanket, rip up a paper, or destroy a pleasant photo setup in about .02 seconds. Then you look at me and smile-- look what I did, Mama!

Swimming. Seriously. Watch out Michael Phelps. You get in the water and instinctively start kicking your little legs and going to town. You love the water and are fearless. 

 

Things I don't want to forget

Daddy discovered the book Blueberries for Sal on your bookshelf. So he pulled it out and read it to you at bedtime one night-- only he replaced Sal with Sam every time, and you enjoyed hearing your name over and over.

Your new smile is precious with that little tooth... but I loved your big gummy smile. And especially that little ridge in the middle of your top gums. (Will you have a gap between your front teeth?) I love when you throw your head back and laugh showing off your pink gums.

You on your first 4th of July. The adults were all staying up to watch fireworks, and you knew something was about to happen, and you didn't want to sleep either. When the fireworks started you watched with wide eyes-mesmerized-- until they were over when you promptly fell asleep still gripping your light-up toys.

And here's some footage of you at seven months old, and if you pay attention, you can even see your little tooth!



Samuel, you are charming, curious, and clever. You love to kick, move, play, and chatter-- you are constantly busy. You bring so much joy to your family and friends... and even people you have never met (but who are dying to meet you soon!). We love you so much!

6 months with Sam

6 months! Half a year! Can you believe it! Sam's half birthday came and went with little pomp and circumstance... but I may have gotten a teeny bit choked up once when I thought about the past six months and how much our life has changed and how richly our life has been blessed by this perfect little boy.
Here are the det's* on Sam at 6 months.

*I am mostly uncertain how to type most slang. But I still use it, because I want to sound like the cool kids, right? So that was my attempt to say det's (you know, the cool kid's shortened slangy term for 'details'.) Though I am not sure it was a successful written interpretation of the word, here goes my reasoning for spelling it as I did: in grade school when learning about contractions, you learn you should put an apostrophe where letters have been omitted (do not becomes don't, substituting an apostrophe for that superfluous o), then later you learn when shortening words or using slang you can also use an apostrophe for the ommitted letters (until becomes 'til and old becomes ol'). Using this method of thinking I surmised that the shortened slang form of details would likely be det's using the apostrophe to replace the omitted letters, but visually it doesn't read exactly like I thought it would. So who knows. Any English buffs or slang buffs out there want to tell me where I went wrong?

Sam @ 6 months

Weight:

at birth: 9lbs 2.7 oz

  at six months: 17 lbs 10oz

Length:
at birth: 19.5 inches
at six months: 26 inches

(Sam is in the 25th percentile for length, the 50th percentile for weight, and... the 94th percentile for head size. Short and stout-- with a GIANT head. That's my boy!)

Eating

BLW is a wonderful thing. When we sit down for meals I take a few things from my plate and put them on Sam's and he eats happily. He had his first meat on Father's Day-- A meatball with Grandpa! That moment warmed my heart, beauce we all know how much mama loves meatballs. :) Sam seems to really enjoy eating and happily tries every new thing placed in front of him. Watermelon is the new fav. He sucks down a chunk of water melon in no time flat, then throws the rind on the floor and screams for another piece. Yum, watermelon!

Also he still has several milk feedings a day, usually before naps and before bed.

Sleeping

Still a pretty good sleeper. Sometimes you sleep through the night... sometimes you need to wakeup for a snack to get you through, and who can blame you? 

Daddy was gone for a couple days on a trip last month, and you had a really hard time getting to sleep while he was gone. I would take you upstairs to start the bedtime routine, and you knew it was bedtime, but you kept looking around for daddy. Then you would yell in protest when I tried to put you to bed. You were trying to tell me: I can't go to bed! Daddy is not here! I don't go to bed until Daddy gets home! And we had several really rough night, but as soon as daddy was home again... you cooed and played at bedtime then rolled over and went to sleep right away. 

Also, you sleep on your tummy these days. That's how we know you are tired, we lay you down on your back in bed, and you immediately roll to your left and pull your knees up under your behind. You might wiggle around a bit to find just the right spot on the mattress, but you sleep in that exact position every single night... and naptimes too.

You are a morning person, Sam! Wake up every morning between 7:00 and 8:00 and you coo and play and laugh and have the time of your life until about 11:00 when you take your first nap. And it's not that you are unpleasant in the afternoon and evening-- but mornings are your time.

Likes

Watermelon.


Wi-wi and Cha-cha. Your doggies--or anyone's doggies, really--are soft to touch and fun to watch. Bonus points for grabbing the tuft of hair right on the top of the doggie's head, right?


Swimming.

Grandma and Grandpa. And Grandma and Grandpa. (thats right, they are all grandma and grandpa in this family. No Mimi or Nana or Poppa or whatever. We grew up calling both sets of grandparents Grandma and Grandpa, and there was never any confusion or emotional scarring for anyone, so if it's not broken...) Grandpa (S)'s favorite thing in the world is that you will reach out for him when you see him. Oh, man, you've never seen a man beam like he does when your tiny arms go up in the air asking to be held. You love all of your grandparents so much and squeal and play and charm and giggle whenever they are around. 


Carpet. We don't have much in our house, but you love rolling around on the carpet at Grandma and Grandpa's house. That's likely where you will learn to crawl.

Dislikes

Cornmeal pancakes that I made. I don't want to talk about it.


Evening nap time, inevitably there is someone over or something you are afraid you are going to miss.


The bouncy seat. We got one of those hang from the door jamb bouncy seat things that we thought you would love, and we try to put you in there, and you just don't love it. You tolerate it for a few minutes to appease us, then you scream because you are done and it is no fun and we are jerks for forcing it upon you.

Firsts

Sitting! You can sit now and balance yourself for several minutes. You are so big!

Swimming! (Which looks mostly like sitting in a small inflatable pool kicking, but you couldn't love it more.) You are the next Micheal Phelps. 

First Father's Day! And Daddy was out of town having a guy's weekend away in St.Louis. What a Bum. We gave him a hard time, but celebrated when he returned, and gave him awesome handmade gifts and concert tickets.

Special talents

Rolling across the room at warp speed.

Drinking from a straw. Sippy cups are not your gig. Straws are what the cool kids are using these days. Oh, didn't you know?

"Arms up!"  and both your little arms go up by your shoulders so mama can safely install your highchair tray without pinching your sweet little chub.

Singing. When mama is singing, you love to sing along. It's fun when we are at home, cute when we are at church-- and hilarious when mom was at musical rehearsal singing 'As if some tiny person were calling for help...' and right on cue, you belted out Waaaaaaaaaa!

It was awesome.

Things I don't want to forget

The way you explore everything by 'scratching' it. You love to scratch new surfaces and textures. You are very tactile-- just like mama! ;)

You waking up Daddy. Sitting on his tummy playing... with the morning light glowing behind you. It's the perfect, sweetest picture every time, and I adore that moment.

The sounds you make to yourself... low then high, then loud and chesty, then quiet and squeally, then blowing air through your wet lips... you are learning all about your own voice, and I love it.

The chub. (Scroll back up to the second picture where Sam's legs are straight. Go ahead, I'll wait.
waiting...
waiting...
OH. MY. GOODNESS. The rolls, right? I love love love the chub on those chunky monkey thighs. LOVE IT.


That day in the park. With perfect sunny-cool weather. That's exactly how I always imagined us. You (in a clean shirt) playing happily in the shade on grandma's old quilt. Daddy close by (recently shaved) pointing out birds and squirrels, and smiling at me-- with my shoes kicked off (and having a great hair day) laying next to you laughing contentedly at my boys, with a forgotten book laying nearby. And it was like that for about 47 seconds, and then you started crying, and I realized I had forgotten a bottle and this was real life-- but that 47 seconds was perfection that I promise I will never forget. SIGH.

And here's some footage of you at six months old.

 

Happy half birthday, Samuel Ellis!

Need more Sam? You can read about
Sam @ 5 months
Sam @4 months
Sam @ 3 months
Sam @ 2 months
Sam @ 1 month

Sam @ 5 months

Okay, here it is... finally five months, before he is 6 months! HA!

Sam @ 5 months

Weight:

at birth: 9lbs 2.7 oz

  five months: 16 lbs 11 oz

Eating

Exciting news! You are eating solids! I know, you are so young... everyone tells us. But you would freak out every time we ate, because you were not. It didn't matter if I had JUST FED YOU, you wanted to eat with us. So I threw a toasted bread crust at you one day and you happily gnawed on it for a while, then at 2 more pieces of bread. Okay, then. Since then, we have given you mostly fruits and veggies-- cucumber, zucchini, green beans, asparagus, sweetpotato, apple, pears, (your favorite) mango, yogurt, and applesauce. After a lot of research, we decided to go the Baby-led weaning route with you, and it seems to suit you. We love watching you feed yourself and discover new foods. I don't think anyone is more delighted than your Grandpa S-- but I ma sure that shocks no one. Your very favorite thing in the whole world to eat-- Mango yogurt popsicles that mom created special just for you!
You are still taking formula feedings 6-8 ounces about 5 times a day and once in the middle of the night.

Sleeping

As soon as you hit 4 months old you went... um... I think I would like an early morning snack to get in more calories. So you only slept through the night for about a month and now we get up once in the night around 3:00 am and you suck down formula and fall immediately back asleep.

You've also got on a somewhat consistant nap schedule. About 45 mins at 11:00 a.m., about 2-2.5 hours at 2:30 p.m., and about 45 mins at 7:00 p.m. It's nice and predictable during the week when we are home most of the day-- weekends anything goes.

Likes

EATING! You squeal and laugh and throw things and enjoy your food thoroughly.

Sleeping on your tummy. You can roll wherever you want now... so the tummy it is. You could not be more pleased.

Bath time... you figured out how to splash. Oh my goodness is that a good time.

Your dogs. Your eyes are glued on them whenever they enter the room. they are fascinating, huh buddy? At night when you are trying not to go to sleep, mama plays with the dogs while daddy holds you, and you watch intently. And you giggle.

Sophie. Sophie the giraffe just might be your very favorite thing ever. She is so delightfully gummy and squeaky, you can't get enough of her. The girls you love in order go like this: Mama, Sophie the giraffe, grandmas, Aunt Melodie, other babies. Somedays... mama and sophie switch places on this list, huh?

Dislikes

Hot car rides. It's summer, it's getting hotter, and our cars don't have awesome airconditioning. You fuss in the car now (you used to love it!) because it's hot, and then we feel awful and try not to take you anywhere unless it is cool morning or cool evening.

Dirty diapers. You let us know, the instant that thing is dirty you want it off.

Going to bed... you've figured out the routine and hold your eyes as wide open as you can to avoid bed time. You eventually give in, but you hate going to sleep-- like you are afraid you might miss something.

Firsts

We are rolling for real now. All the time. All over the place. Front to back, back to front, left to right, right to left...

Solid food.

First Mother's day. It was such a special day for Mama. Last year on mother's day we announced to everyone you were coming, can you believe that? This year you were here with us, and everyone enjoyed you.

You were also dedicated on mother's day. Which was awesome. More to come on that...

Special talents

Eating popsicles. (everything else is hit and miss-- but the popsicle never misses your mouth. Hmmm...)

'Talking' about your day. You get chatty in the evenings, and can spend a good hour ya-ya-yaing and ma-geeeee-ing all about everything that you saw that day. It's entertaining especially because you respond to prompts, so we call people to share your conversation. :)

You respond to your name now. If you hear someone say "Sam" you turn your head and smile. Smart baby.

Things I don't want to forget

The way you straighten your legs and rotate your ankles when you get excited about something.

The happy squeals and the way your face lights up when the door opens and Daddy comes home. 

The sound of your giggles. The sound of your playing with daddy. The joy on your face and everyone else's when you start laughing that big fat belly laugh.

And here's some footage of you at five months old.

 

It is such a joy to watch you grow, Baby. We regularly stop and say to each other, look at how big he has gotten! Can you even believe it? We can't believe it. We had no idea how awesome you were going to be, Sam. You bring so much JOY to our lives. We love you so much.

Sam @ 4 months

I've been putting off writing this. I'm not really sure why... I just all of a sudden felt like you were growing up too quickly and I could stop it by ignoring it. That doesn't really happen... You are still growing! I can't believe how sweet and handsome... and BIG you are getting!

Sam @ 4 months

Weight:

at birth: 9lbs 2.7 oz

four months: 14 lbs 8 oz

Length

at birth: 19.5 inches
four months: 24.5 inches 

Eating

You still just want to do your own thing when it comes to food. You like to eat every 2-3 hours still. And you eat anywhere between 3-6 ounces every time-- depending on your mood. You are all on formula now. About 3 months you started getting really frustrated trying to nurse because mama's body REALLY couldn't keep up with your eating demands anymore. The boobs gave out and you were tickled to have a bottle shoved in your mouth instead which is much easier for you to suck on with your short little tongue. (You can thank your daddy for that.)

Sleeping

Still sleeping through the night. 

I told your Daddy we can't have any more kids because you have spoiled us with your good sleeping. 

We have a bedtime routine now, diaper change and tickle monster with daddy, then jammies, and mama and daddy take turns reading you stories while you eat, then bedtime prayers and kisses and goodnight! Works like a charm.

Your daytime nap schedule is still erratic-- I blame it on daddy's work schedule, but you do love it when he gets to come home in the afternoons to play!

Likes

Still your hands. Always your hands. And just about anything else you can get in your mouth.

Tickle monster with Daddy. (usually when you are necked because daddy thinks you need time to 'air out' before your junk is tucked back in a diaper at bedtime.)

Bath time... and lotion massage immediately following.

Toys. Anything that is colorful, rattles, crinkles, or squeaks. Also anything you can get into your mouth. Everything goes in your mouth these days.

Dislikes

When other people are eating and you are not. 
 

The video cam. Well, you don't necessarily dislike it, but you know when it's been turned on and you get all sober and won't laugh anymore.

Firsts

Ice cream cone. Grandpa Dale handed it to you, and you knew just what to do with it. You just barely got a taste before mama snatched it away, but you smacked your lips and looked very pleased.

Pretty sure we have begun teething. No fun. Mama got you an amber voodoo necklace and it seems to be helping for now. Lets hope things don't get much worse. 

Your first Easter! Mama had a crazy fit and made you a seersucker suit. You were absolutely dashing. You got some Hawkeyes and Cardinals sportswear from Grandma and grandpa P, Books from Grandma and Grandpa S, and a swimming suit and swimming lessons in your easter basket from mama and daddy. Good loot!
Also, right before Easter, Daddy and I started reading to you from the bible. We wanted you to know about Palm Sunday, about Jesus death, and the Resurrection! Reading from the bible is now mama's favorite family activity.

Special talents

We can't get you to roll over again, but you roll up on your side and scoot around the floor, the bed, your crib, anywhere we lay you down. Sometimes I go to wake you up in the mornings and you have flipped 180 degrees. And you squeal-- quite excited and proud to show me what you've done.

Smiling at ladies in the grocery store. Well... actually it's more like, lower your head and bat your ladykiller lashes all coy-like, then once you've got them in the palm of your hand, they get a huge gummy grin and then you start shrieking and kicking like their cooing is the most clever thing you have ever heard. Seriously, perfect strangers have chased me down in walmart to tell me how charming you are.



Things I don't want to forget


The way you grab on to your shirt and pull your fists in close, then laugh like it's an awesome game when we try to change your shirt.

The sound of your coos and giggles mixed with the sound of daddy's coos and giggles when the two of you play together.

The way you fight-fight-fight against sleepiness, then all of a sudden your head melts into the crook of my neck and you wrap your arm around the other side in this perfect little snuggle hug that makes mama indescribably happy, and desperately sad all at once-- please snuggle like that forever. Please?

And here's some footage of you at four months old.

I really feel like you are getting bigger when I watch these movies. I love you, my Sweetie Baby.

Sam is 3 months old!

Samuel at Three Months

Weight:

at birth: 9lbs 2.7 oz

three months: 12 lbs 8.5 oz

Eating

You like to eat all the time. Allllllll the time. Babies your age should be eating 4-6 oz every couple 3-4 hrs... but you prefer to eat hourly. Wow! You get frustrated nursing very quickly these days, and I have a feeling that may be on it's way out, but (with formula supplements) we made it to 3 months, so I feel good about that accomplishment. We'll see where it goes from here.

Sleeping

I'm a little bit scared to say this out loud, because you might hear my excitement and decide to change things up-- but you are sleeping through the night! As soon as I thought you were on a schedule at 2 months, you threw that out the window and started sleeping longer and longer between your 12 and 4 feeding. And then you just said, who needs a 4 a.m. feeding? And mom agreed! Who needs it? Then one night you decided you didn't need food at midnight either... so now you usually go down for the night at 10 ish and sleep until 7. Which is amazing.

You don't have a very regular napping schedule during the day but we are working on that. Mom is just elated about the night sleeping thing.

Likes

Sucking on your hands... looking at your hands... wiggling your hands... your hands are the newest and greatest thing in your life.

When Daddy gets home from work. That's a good time. Actually, both you and daddy get pretty darn excited to see each other.

Wi-Wi and Cha-Cha. (what Daddy has started calling the dogs for you) You have started to notice them when they walk in the room. sometimes we let them sit next to you and you touch them with your feet and smile.

Other babies. We met a couple other babies and you smile and stare in fascination. Other babies are awesome.


Clean diapers. You scream your head off about dirty diapers, and you fuss when you are getting them changed, but as soon as that fresh clean fabric hits your bum you are all smiles and giggles and happiness.


Talking, telling stories, singing and dancing with mama and daddy.


Looking at yourself in the mirror.

Dislikes

Waiting for food. You are still exceptionally impatient about that. 

Sleeping during the day... much to mama's dismay.

When the music stops at church. We can't get you to sit through a service at church because as soon as the music portion is over you get hacked off.

Binkies. You are so over the binkie. Put that thing in my mouth and I will spit it in your face. The binkie is a liar and you hate it.

Firsts

Rolled over! It was a freak accident and you rolled from back to tummy and scared the poop out of yourself and cried. You haven't done it since, and I don't think it will happen again for a while. But you do like rolling up on your side to sleep.

Special talents

You have a special radar for when mom and dad are about to sit down for a meal, and regularly time a meltdown for just that moment. Which usually means mom eats a cold dinner... sometime later in the evening. SIGH.

Movie star! We've been taking lots of video of you, and making special videos for family out of town. (Grandma's birthday video was particularly fantastic, in mom's opinion.) You recognize the video camera now, and won't take your eyes off it when it comes out. You are a movie star-- always playing to the camera. 


Blowing out diapers. Disposable diapers at least. You had a couple disasters (one at church!) where we were amazed and baffeld by the amount and power of poop flying out of your diapers! WOW! Time to get a bigger diaper... in disposables this past month we went from NB size to size 1, and then to size 2 in only a couple weeks. The snaps on your cloth diapers are getting further apart too. You are getting big!



Things I don't want to forget


How you are in the morning. A morning person. You are so happy and funny in the mornings. Tickled to just sit in your chair and listen to music with mommy. You giggle about everything. You squeal and play with daddy. You explore toys. Morning is your time of day and you are a joy to be with.

The way you stretch your toes in the sun when we take you outside.

How you fit perfectly and snuggle happily against my shoulder.

And here's some footage of you at three months old.

You love to chatter and kick when mom gets out the camera, and mama loves it too. 

Sam @ 3 months from Valerie Pogemiller on Vimeo.

It's so fun to watch you grow and spend every day with you. We love you so much Sam.

Two Months

Hey Little Man! You are two months old! Mom and Dad are delighted by you daily. Especially now that you are responding to us, we think you are more fun than ever. Here's a little about what you've been up to this month:

Samuel at Two Months

Weight:

at birth: 9lbs 2.7 oz

two months: 11 lbs 3 oz

Length:

at birth: 19.5 in

two months: 23 in

Eating

 You still nurse a bajillion times a day, but mama has never been able to keep up with your voracious appetite so we supplement with formula. You eat every 2-3 hours and after nursing will down 3-4 oz of formula. You scarf it down-- you love to eat! In fact, other than mom and dad there are only two other things that you consistently recognize and respond to; a boob and a bottle. You hate wating for your food though. You go from happy baby to hangry baby (hangry= hungry+angry and stuff gets DRAMATIC fast) in about .2 seconds and refuse to be satiated by anything but food.
Really, though, it kinda makes mama's heart happy that you are such a good eater!

Sleeping

9:00 p.m.  ~  Midnight  ~  4:00 a.m.  ~  7:00 a.m.  ~  9:00 a.m.
That's when you wake at night. Pretty consistently for about 2.5 weeks now. You wake up, eat for about 30 mins, and then mama wraps you up and lays you down in your crib, and you go back to sleep like a champ. It is actually a pretty tolerable schedule for night time. 
During the day? It's anyone's game. Sometimes, you sleep for hours and mama has to try to wake you so you can eat (and avoid one of those hangry situations discussed above). Sometimes you are wide awake all day--we're talking 5-7 hours at a time-- and those are not happy days for mama or baby. Most days it's kinda in between those two extremes, but we just never know what kind of day it will be.

Likes

Sitting in your chair in the kitchen while mama cooks or cleans. You will sit quietly following mama around the room with your eyes. Sometimes we play music and Daddy says you 'dance'-- or at least shake your little fists in excitement. You also like crackling and staring at your firefly.


Freddy the firefly. A toy you got from Great Aunt RaeNell is totally your fav. We will set him on your lap and you will literally sit quietly staring at his black and white wings for hours. When you are tired of staring you grab at the wings and to your delight they crackle for you, and theres another hour of good clean fun. Seriously, Freddy, we love you.


Your play gym, particularly the carrots that you bat at, and they jingle in return. And... you coo and squeal and squawk your excitement.


Rocket ship with Daddy. Mommy counts down, and you and daddy 'blast off' and sometimes fly around the room. Also Daddy's beard makes you smile and giggle. Sooo... Daddy is still the favorite. Sigh.

Dislikes

Having you nose cleaned. Not a fan. the minute anything touches your nose you start shaking your head and screaming-- even though mama tries to convince you it will be better in the end.

Hats. We used to put cute little hats and caps on you all the time-- no more! You are hsving none of this hat junk. We can't even sneak one on while you sleep. You scream until the hat is removed, and you have impressive stamina in the screaming department.

Being alone. You are a social boy. Awake or asleep, you want to be where the people are.

Firsts
Roadtrip to St. Louis and then Iowa. You met so many people! You slept almost the entire trip in the car. You were a champ-- thank you for making that an easy trip!

Smile. Daddy got it. More specifically, Daddy's hairy chest got it one morning when daddy was asleep. Really, Sam? The hairy chest when mama had been playing with you and talking to you and begging for a smile for weeks? No fair. But now you smile for mama all the time, and there is just nothing in this world better. I forgive you.

Cloth Diapers! You are finally big enough for your fancy diapers... and I kinda think you like 'em. We only do it at home right now, not brave enough to deal with poo away from home at this point, but we'll get there. Daddy asks if you are ready for fluffy goodness when he puts one on,  and it makes me laugh. You are a happy boy when you are clean and dry, and you look charming in all your pretty colors. Mama is pleased.

Things we love

Waking you in the morning. You are happy and sweet and you kick your legs and smile up at us through droopy eyes. It's awesome.

When you see your fist. You will all of a sudden hold it in front of your face and go cross-eyed studying it. You are fascinated by your fists and are trying to figure out how to work them.

Seeing you interact with your grandparents. They are crazy about you, and you love them a lot too. Grandpa P can talk you out of crying. Grandma P snuggles you and rocks you to sleep. Grandpa S loves to 'bounce' you. Grandma S feeds you, rocks you, and sings to you. You love all of them.


And here's some footage of you at two months old.
You are so cute, it's almost painful to watch-- as in I dare you not to smile watching this, but your cheeks will be sore from smiling. Painful. You've been warned.

Sam @ 2 months from Valerie Pogemiller on Vimeo.

We love you so much little man!