Here Comes the Sun

2010 has gotten off to a rough start for our family, but Sam continues to be our little ray of sunshine. He is 7 1/2 months old now, and full of joy. The sun decided to come back out in Jacksonville last weekend, and it was good for all of us to get outside and enjoy the fresh air. Sam LOVED the swings and the slide at Boone Park. He's even big enough to sit in a swing by himself!

PS -- check out the two bottom teeth in the picture above!

Sam is quite the little eater these days. He's a big fan of squash, sweet potatoes, and yogurt, but he's not too sure about broccoli. He's even trying finger foods -- though these are much more fun when they stick to his fingers than when they go in his mouth...and he loves to grab the spoon and feed himself!

And Sam wants to give a big shout out to his newest friend, Brady Hunting Ellis, born this morning at about 8:30. Brady and his mom, Ashley, are both doing well. Welcome to the world, Brady! We can't wait to meet you!

Celebrating a Full Life

Sam's Aunt Kati - Katherine Bray Strickland - passed away on February 10 after a five year battle with cancer. We will all miss her terribly. Kati asked us not to mourn her death, but to celebrate her life, so as we grieved we tried to do just that - remembering stories with family and friends and toasting to a life very well lived. Kati was the embodiment of strength and resolve, and her optimism, intense compassion, and endless patience and kindness, even in her last days, will inspire us forever. We are heartbroken that Sam will not have the chance to know Kati better, but we will make sure he knows about her and the legacy she left among those of us who were lucky enough to know her.

Here are a few pictures from our trip. First -- Sam, sleeping sweetly in his carseat with the moose that Aunt Kati and Uncle David gave him for Christmas. Then, a few pictures of Sam's first snow, which fell the day of Kati's memorial service. We like to think of the snow as falling in honor of Kati's beloved childhood home in Maine.

Riverside-Avondale: An International Sensation

Our neighborhood made Great Britain's Financial Times:

www.ft.com/cms/s/2/0b3639c0-111e-11df-a6d6-00144feab49a.html

We couldn't agree more!

We Love Aunt Kati

Sam made a very important trip this past weekend - to visit his amazing and inspiring Aunt Kati. Kati has been battling cancer for four years, and she recently received some difficult news. Kati's developments are being chronicled by Sam's incredible Uncle David on their blog - supportingkati.blogspot.com

It meant the world to us to be able to spend the weekend with Kati and David and Kati's family in New Bern, NC. It was such special time together.

We love you Aunt Kati and Uncle David, and we always will.

Long time, no post!

We swear there's a good reason we haven't had a new post in over six weeks. A very good reason, in fact - we got a new camera! Clay gave Tracy an awesome new camera which we used to take pictures of Sam's FIRST CHRISTMAS!...and then it took us months to get around to loading the software, uploading the pictures, and loading them into the blog. Okay, maybe that's not a good reason.

Nonetheless, here are some of our favorite pictures from Sam's first Christmas, taken on our new camera...

Even though we headed for North Carolina for the holiday, we had to put up a tree and decorate our house for Sam's first yuletide season. Sam loved the twinkle lights! We celebrated with Chip & Phy and Aunt Mere and Uncle Mike here in Jacksonville the weekend before Christmas, then made the drive up to Greenville where we celebrated with Nana & Papa, Aunt Kati & Uncle David, and all the Swarming Stricklands and Crocker family. Sam had a great time. Santa brought Sam lots of books, blocks, rings, and his very own mini Radio Flyer wagon. It was a very special first Christmas!

Since Christmas, Sam has had a lot of fun! At Christmas, he could sit up but he still toppled sometimes (thankfully, he has a very tough noggin). Now he's not only sitting up all alone, but trying very, very hard to crawl! He'll go after things only to end up on his belly, kicking his legs and reaching with his arms, wondering why he can't move where he wants to go!

He has 3 new tooth buds, which cause him GREAT distress, but aid in eating new foods, which he's doing everyday now. We've moved beyond mere cereal to all kinds of veggies and fruits. Sam is a big fan of squash - who knew? He hates bananas, loves avocados (who doesn't?), and especially loves to grab the spoon and put the food in his mouth himself. Much like his mom, he has a strong independent streak!

He's talking up a storm (Lord knows what he's saying, but he REALLY means it!). We think he maybe (perhaps?) has said his first word, which is Annie! When he sees Annie, he says "Ahh-eee." At first we thought this was a cute coincidence, but when it kept happening we figured maybe he actually figured out Annie's name! Mom and Dad aren't disappointed that his first name wasn't Mama or Dada...we think it's pretty awesome that the little lad loves his doggie!

Here are a few of our favorite post-Christmas pics. More to come, we promise!