Ok, I finally feeling like writing...

It's been a while since a family update and I have a long list so those that are interested get comfortable. I have a few pics available to show the new things in our life.

Updates on AJ and myself. We have really been enjoying the warmer weather and getting out to run 2 times a week. We are going to up it to 3 times a week in April. It has been wonderful to run together, sometimes we talk, sometimes we just enjoy each other, and there are those few times when we are privately competing to see who can run faster and farther. Either way it has helped to bring us back to spending time with each other. We began our relationship with outdoor activities and it helps keep us grounded. A has also been figuring out what he needs to race his car this summer and had a blast participating in a Race To Read program. He drove his Camaro down to the Charter school and talked to the children, plus signed Autographs. It was a real hit!!!
I have started riding Nitro again to get both of us in shape. My rear end is the most sore afterward. It is fun to be back riding and spending time with my parents preparing for our adventures with cattle this summer.

Now for Sammy update....

Sam has also been working out regularly. She is rollin both ways more, getting up on her knees a little, and riding horse (pictures to come, my sister has them).

We started feeding her solid food a few times over the last week. We actually began with letting her suck on carrot sticks, they make a great chew toy. One night I made green bean salad and decided to let her have one of the beans. This worked well until the bean broke...we took it away. However the next day we went to baby message class and revealed a massive blowout in her diaper when we were getting undressed for class. The reason became obvious when there was a little bean in the diaper, oops. No harm no foul.

To facilitate the eating thing we have put Sam's highchair at the table. Plus this way she can sit with us when we eat and eat or play. We have tried puried rice and Avacado so far. She doesn't really seem to love the avacado and really just chokes on the rice. This morning we had Cream of Wheat for breakfast and that she loved!!!! She was opening her mouth wide and even grabbing the spoon. I think we found a winner.

With the loveliness of poopy smell that comes with food we are also trying to do a little early potty training. Now wait, I know it sounds crazy but just hear me out. There is a concept called EC (Elimination Communication) and I have a friend who started. The idea is that you learn to read the childs signals and help them to learn when they are going to do it on the potty. So, when I'm home (I bought a little travel potty because I'm going to need one anyway) and it is after a nap or feeding I take her into the potty. When I do this I am saying "Haces Pepe" spanish for 'do you need to go' and making a peeing noise and a pooping noise. Are you laughing yet.....she has done both in the potty and almost at least once a day. I would even say that she is proud and happy to do it.....no sitting in a dirty diaper. Plus I put the potty in front of the mirror in the bathroom and one day she stood up leaned into the mirror with both hands and slowly kissed the baby in the mirror. Trust me she wasn't licking or sucking the baby, it was a very gentle purposeful kiss.









Grandma's, Sadie and Sam swimming. Grandpa and Sam going on a walk.

That's it for now....perfect timing the little one is waking from a nap!!