He LOVES Ernie

Sam loves stuffed animals, loves, loves, loves them. It is pretty annoying b/c he has an amazing hawk eye and he will find a stuffed animals anywhere. He then wants to hold it and hug it so if I don't let him we have a breakdown. Luckily he is young enough that I can get his attention elsewhere most of the time. He spotted a tiny stuffed bear at the scout office the other day, the library has some in the kids books and he wants those every time we go to the library. He even spotted a tiny stuffed bear at classy chasis (beauty supply store) the other day. I'm telling you if there is a stuffed animal in the room he will find it. Anyway, he has grown especially close with Ernie the elephant. I like the fact that he has this little buddy to snuggle with. He now wants to take it everywhere with him. If I try to get him to leave it in the car when we go run errand he gives me one of his new faces. It's the "you're not serious?" face. It is quite funny and I hope to get it on camera soon. Luckily I try to find a bird or something to distract him so we can leave it in the car. I don't like the idea of dragging it around and getting nasty crap on it. I digress.

    

He is so cute I know. His hair continues to grow at snail pace. There are some hair pieces that are actually pretty long now. He has been waking up SOOOO early and it is killing us. For the past couple of months he has been waking up between 5-5:30. The most frustrating thing is that he is still tired but he can't seem to go back to sleep. I am trying to limit the sippy cup in the evening so he doesn't wake up so wet and it has helped him not be so wet but he has still been waking up early. We have tried putting him to bed between 7-9 and he still wakes up in the 5 o'clock hour no matter what time he goes to bed. I'm at the point right now that I would be thrilled if he woke up at 6. It is so frustrating for me b/c that is MY time. Every mother needs my time and if they don't they are amazing in my eyes. So I usually go to the gym at that time but that means Dan has to get up early and take care of Sam. That makes me feel bad b/c  the guy needs a lot of sleep. When he starts working busy season hours I don't know what I'm going to do. I just hope this is a phase and he will wake up in the 6 o'clock hour. I welcome a 6 o'clock hour waking with wide open arms. There have been a couple days that I didn't wake up early to work out and I put a little 'fence' (ironing board) around the treadmill and ran with him there. Sure, the first day he just sat there and cried b/c he wanted to get on the treadmill or maybe he just wanted to drive me crazy but I ignored him. The 4th time he just played while I ran and it was wonderful. Well, I do have to stop about every mile to get him a snack or get him out of something he shouldn't be in but for the most part he has been playing with his balls and toys, it has been great! 

Sam is turning into a little parrot. He has been talking so good lately. He will try to repeat lots of the words that I say and we play the word game. I say a word and he repeats it. I'm probably the only one that can understand what he is saying but I have been so impressed. Cannot wait until we can communicate and understand each other. Actually I take that back, I'm 99.9% sure that he can understand most of what I am saying. Kids are smart, they understand a ton I am trying not to underestimate him b/c he really does understand a lot of stuff. Love him!