Look at my shirt!

Big news! We were all a little surprised when we found out but we are so excited! I can't wait to meet my new baby brother or sister in March (of course it could be April since I came two weeks late!)...big news..I'm a BIG BROTHER!

Off to Grandmama's and Grandpapa's

For all of you wondering where in the world is Sam? I'm in Florida for a much needed vacation on the farm. I am having a ball with Aunt Erin and Uncle Casey AND Grandmama and Grandpapa. If you want to see me playing with goats and dogs and horses check out Aunt Erin's blog at http://kinseyfarmhorses.blogspot.com/ - she is taking great pictures to show mama and daddy what I'm up to. I'll write later.

Ready or not...Here I come!

This week I started walking all by myself AND I am quite fast. Here are a few action shots. One is of me clapping because I am enjoying walking in the grass so much!

Black olives..

The fashionista - I like mama's new purse (thanks aunt vicki!) I like to zip and unzip it, carry it with me when I'm playing music and just have it near. Doesn't it match my outfit!
In true Ellis style I had my first (and second and third and fourth, etc, etc) black olive last night. I love them.

More Time with Granpa Noonan

Reading with granpa!

"Trot, trot to Boston, Trot, Trot to Lynn..."

"Watch out little boy you don't fall in!"

I forgot to tell you more about my time with Grandpa Noonan. When we were in Atlanta in early August we spent time with Granpa Noonan. I got to see his BIG dogs Marley and Avery and venture through the house with my cousin Jordyn. Our favorite thing was to play "Trot, Trot to Boston" with Granpa. He bounced us on his knees and then when he said "watch out little boy you don't fall in" we fell off his knees. Jordyn and I had so much fun doing this over and over. I had fun with granpa!

Back home

Since we returned I have been trying my hand at walking - I've ventured a few steps by myself and walk for long distances holding mama or daddy's hand. I'll keep you updated on my adventures as a bi-ped. Other new found enjoyments are sweeping and brushing my teeth. Teeth brushing is a new found enjoyment because I'm getting a couple of molars and an eye tooth looks like it is popping through - ooo - does that brush feel good.

Also, I've ventured out with Daddy on his bike with my new helmet - it's pretty nifty and even glows in the dark.

ATLANTA!!

While we were in Atlanta I stayed at my Aunt Vicki and Uncle Steve's it was lots of fun. I really liked her sink! I also got to meet my cousin Jordyn and my Uncle Kenny and Aunt Jackie. We spent time with Grnadpa and my cousin Tori too. Here we are at Underground Atlanta.

My Mama was the maitron of honor (doesn't that make mama sound so old!) in Aunt Sarah's wedding. Aunt Sarah was beautiful at her wedding and Mr. Jerel smiled ALOT! I can't wait to visit them in Greenville.

Well - so much more to tell. I'll write soon -

Travels to LEE

I had so much fun with Grandmama and Grandpapa in Lee. They put me to bed at night, fed me fun things like ice cream, let me play with anything I wanted and even let me take baths on the porch in the turtle pool. Here is a picture of me and Ruger on the porch in the middle of one of my baths. We also saw lots of people including my Great Mema and Papa and my Great Granny and Grandpa. I hope to visit again when it isn't so hot!



I spent alot of time with Uncle Casey and Aunt Erin. I got to see Aunt Erin rescue a goat (see their blog for more info on goat rescue 911) and race her horse at a barrel race. I got to be superman and spiderman, ride in Uncle Casey's big truck and play with their dog Ruger. Thanks Uncle Casey and Aunt Erin - I hope to see you soon.

Tomorrow I'll let you know what I did in Atlanta

Happy Birthday to me....

Today is my birthday. Actually a year ago today was my actual birthday. Mama says she remembers it well - I don't - but I did have fun today. I went to church and saw my friends and played in the nursery for a little while. Then I came home and took a 3 hour nap. I was very excited to wake up to a Happy Birthday sign and a few hours later some friends who came by to blow bubbles, eat cake and sing "happy birthday" to me. I even got presents even though I didn't think I would get any. Thanks friends!

Mama and I leave for grandma and grandpa's tomorrow - I'll write all about it when I get back in a few weeks.

The end of a birthday

After my great first birthday my day looked like all the rest - Daddy and Mama gave me a bath and Daddy read to me before bed while I had my milk - then prayers and down I went in my crib with my soft blanket. I like birthdays and I like my Mama - here we are after my bath.

Park Days

This summer we have ventured to the park several times. I can swing on the swings and I like to crawl around the Merry-go-round. The cool afternoon breezes make our walks enjoyable and the park a fun place to be. I'm so glad we can play outside during the long summer days.

Our yard

Mama says our yard is just like me - full of potential. Mama and Daddy have been working hard to get grass to grow, weeds to go away, trees to grow and flowers to bloom - it's starting to look promising. I really like the talking plants Mama got - see I'm listening while it talks to me.

Here is our yard with our Maple tree, grass and our new flower beds. On many nights we see bunnies in our yard AND we even have fireflies..

Welcome to our humble abode! Here are the plants mama got from our friend and the wall Daddy and Mama made - we have lots of perennials (lamb's ear, lilies, irises, hostas, mums, primrose, elizabeth, clematis and other pretty things) Come visit any time...

CHICAGO!

We had a great time with Daddy at his conferences. While Daddy was in meetings all day Mama and I swam in the hotel pool, played in the pretty park behind the hotel, walked the streets and explored the city on foot. One day we went for a big tour of town - Navy Pier was first on my walking tour (guided by Mama)

The beach was next...I really liked to play in the sand at the beach, crawl and make sand fly everywhere and eat the sand! Mama let me jump in the water and I liked to feel the water of Lake Michigan on my toes. I cried when Mama said we should go. I was so tired after playing I took a nap in the stroller on the way to the next park (I've never done that before)

Next on our tour was Millineium Park in Grant Park. We heard the symphony play while they practiced for their evening performance (they are behind us in that metal structure) and I crawled in the grass while mama sat on our blanket.

Buckingham fountain was our last stop of the day. I was more impressed with the pink gravel at the fountain than the fountain itself but the water flying everywhere was interesting.

Finally at the end of a long day we headed back to the room where I played some more and then Mama got me ready for bed. One of Mama's friend's watched me while I slept so that Mama and Daddy could go out and have dinner together. This was the first time Mama and Daddy have left me with anyone but Grandma! I like Chicago and can't wait to go back.

Olivet University Conference and fun outside

After Chicago, we went to Bourbannais, IL (where the Chicago Bears practice) for Daddy to go to another conference. Mama and I played outside on the lawn under the beautiful trees on campus all day long. We had so much fun! One morning Mama walked around and we found a farm with ponies and donkeys. We are home now and I'm glad to be in my own bed.

Ps - looks like the chicago trip will make it up on the blog tommorrow - enjoy these pictures from the conference after the conference.

Picnic at the Park

We went to campus and had a picnic lunch with Daddy yesterday. I enjoyed chewing on the plastic containers while mama and daddy ate their sandwiches. I also got to play in the nice green grass.

Safari Sam on the prowl...

One man pan band

Look what I found in the kitchen - my very own pot and pan band. My new job while mama fixes dinner is to play some upbeat music.

Weekends are fun!

I went for a walk with daddy in our neighborhood...
I helped mama with the laundry...(usually she puts the basket under the dryer so that I actually get the clothes out of the dryer all by myself)
and today it's raining and in the 60's today so our trip to the park was rescheduled for a sunny day so we went indoors to Menard's (a regional Home Depot) and played on their display toys and the little kiddy area. I had lots of fun with mama and daddy - here I am on the roller coaster....

And on the fire truck...

Funny Faces

OOOOOO - that cheerio had some prunes on it!
OOPS - I'm caught. Minutes after mama finished cleaning my room and putting my books back on the shelf, she returned to an empty shelf and my cute smile! The books are on the floor behind and the floor is covered.

Shoes

Shoes ... who needs them? They only get in the way of sucking on my toes and they are a burden to crawl with. I just don't like them but today I humored my mama by actually letting her put some sandles on me for our trip to the grocery store. Did I tell you I don't like shoes? I prefer to be barefooted and unless they can serve some other purpose- such as entertainment and distraction at my toe tips - I would rather leave them elsewhere.

And while on the subject of things I have opinions about - why should I only use one hand to eat Cheerios when I can use both hands ... at the same time?

Wee, Wee, Wee all the way home

Well at least I didn't go Wah! Wah! Wah! all the way home. I like flying on airplanes - they put me right to sleep. I did great and mama was so glad that the pressure didn't seem to hurt my ears. As you can see fromt eh picture above - I had a great time smiling and making friends at the airport. We enjoyed our trip to Raleigh and will put more pictures up when we get them.
I got to see my Great Granny and Grandpa Kinsey this weekend. My Great Granny read several books to me. I really like books!

AND I got to play with Camden Harvey while mama visited with his Mommy and Daddy - Kevin and Amy. We played with his toys and I really wanted to taste the cat food but mama wouldn't let me. We had a great visit and I'm glad we got to spend some time with them even though they are moving this week.

More later about my time with Grandma and Grandpa Kinsey and our adventures to the children's museum without mama...