Supporting Aunt Kati

As many of you know, our sister-in-law (and Sam's aunt), Kati Bray Strickland, is battling cancer. She and David are chronicling their journey (as well as keeping us posted about all the wonderful things they are doing in Boston in between treatments!) on their blog, supportingkati.blogspot.com. Fellow members of Kati's residency program at Pitt Memorial Hospital are selling wristbands to help support Kati symbolically and tangibly, so we wanted to help get the word out to anyone who might be interested in buying a wristband.

Here's the message Kati and David posted on their blog:

The fabulous people at Pitt Memorial Hospital’s Family Medicine Residency Program are selling wristbands (with “Always Believe” and “Never Back Down” written on either side) in effort to support their fellow comrade in arms during medical treatment. Each wristband is $5 and all proceeds go to aforementioned good cause. “We are thankful to any and all who buy these wristbands and wear them in support.” All interested individuals should contact Dr. Daniel Becerra (family medicine intern) at becerrag@ecu.edu. This is not a request and no one need feel obligated to do anything. Support is given in many different heartfelt ways and is received, loved, and appreciated all the same.

We love you, Kati and David. :)

Where Did (July and August and) September Go?

October is here! Sam is already sporting his sweet pumpkin shirt, while he continues to debate what he wants to be for Halloween!

Mom starts working again this week, and while it will be SO HARD for her not to be around Sam all day, Sam is looking forward to meeting new friends at daycare. He is growing faster than ever and doing lots of big-boy things like sitting up in his Bumbo seat all by himself, moving things around with his hands, and doing "mini-push-ups" on his tummy. He loves, loves, loves to be read to - he especially seems to like rhyming books and books with bright colors.

Here's an update from the little man:

I am getting so big! Now that I can hold my head up, I love to play in this jumper. It has lots of colors & fun shapes, and I get a big kick out of the fact that I can make myself bounce!

My VERY favorite thing is my crib mobile! I watch the chickens and the lambs and the bunnies go around and around and around, talking and laughing and kicking my legs the whole time.

Enjoying College Gameday with Mom and Dad. I'm comin' to your city!

Dad loves to give me the paper. Sometimes I read it...and sometimes I eat it!

Just digesting the news... :)

I love to sleep...

But when I'm awake, I am SO handsome!

Life is Sweet!

Sam's first smiles came a month or so ago, but these days he shows off his gums all the time. He's a happy baby!

Life is getting pretty sweet for Mom and Dad these days too -- Sam has started sleeping longer at night! He slept for six hours in a row last night, which was a first (and a very welcome surprise!). We just never know what each new day or night will bring...and that's what makes it fun :)

Look! I can grip onto my toys now!

Might sound like a silly thing to be excited about, but it sure does make Sam happy to hold things and wave them around in front of his face. His new trick -- anything he can hold, he puts in his mouth. :)

Everyday brings new surprises. About a week and a half ago, I looked over at Sam in his swing, and he was cooing and talking to his mobile. It was such an expression of happiness and excitement unlike any I'd seen from him before! I can't wait for many more weeks, months, and years of sweet surprises like that :)

Sam can now sit up pretty steadily with a little help from Mom or Dad!

Eco Baby! Sam loves to sport these totally green PJs.

What, you don't recycle?!

Sam wasn't a big fan of his bouncy seat at first, but now that he's a little bigger, he loves it. It gives him a chance to sit up and look around a little more!

I'm all business!

Sam's first GameDay! Looks like he tailgated a little too hard :)

And we did it all over again on Sunday!

Even though he loves trying new things, he can still sleep like a champ in his favorite spot - his swing!

Happy 2-Month Birthday to Sam!

The SnuggleMan is 2 months old! In celebration, here's a picture-packed blog post for all his fans!

On Sam's big day, we went to Pastiche to celebrate two months of fun and snuggles. The courtyard was beautiful and full of river breezes, and Sam had a great time staring at everything from his carseat!

Dad enjoyed a delicious dessert in Sam's honor while Sam enjoyed his bottle...

Sam hit the wine...

...and passed out in his favorite fetal position!

For Labor Day weekend, Sam made his first trip to the Motherland...North Carolina! He enjoyed 3 days of playing with his Nana and Papa Strickland, and he got to meet his great-grandparents, Hal and Janie Strickland!

Smiling at Papa...

Now, for a few fun pics from the last two weeks...

Here's Sam in his kicks, ready to run a marathon!

U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!

Sam still loves bathtime!

Smiling BIG smiles for Mom... :)

Sam was great in his carseat during the long drive to NC!

Playing with his activity mat...

It's a bird, it's a plane...it's SnuggleMan!

Goofing off with Annie...

Tummytime!

Here's hoping that the next two months will be as fun as the first two

(and, hopefully, a little more sleep-filled)!