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!

A month of FIRSTS!

We know it's already mid-November, but we haven't made a blog post since early October! Since that time, Sam has had more than a month full of FIRSTS!

We started out October not with a first, but with a third...Sam's 3-month birthday! Nana and Papa came down from Greenville to celebrate with him :)

Then it was time for Sam's first day of daycare! Mom sure misses him during weekdays, but he LOVES daycare!

Then, Sam's first family vacation! We went to Palm Beach for a very relaxing weekend. Sam enjoyed dressing up and seeing the beach!

On the drive home from Palm Beach, Mom had a first, too -- the first time she's actually completed the WHOLE Sunday New York Times crossword!

About two weeks into daycare, Sam experienced another first...his first cold. BUMMER! Eating and sleeping became pretty tough for a couple weeks, but Sam rolled with the punches pretty well for such a little guy. Since then, he's had a string of coughs and colds...the pediatrician calls it "daycare-itis." Fun, fun :)

Finally, Sam's first HALLOWEEN! He really seemed to have a great time with all of it. He LOVED the pumpkin patch, with all the bright orange pumpkins and lots of people everywhere...

...and he wore fun bibs, socks, and outfits all week long!...

...he seemed to be especially fascinated by those candy corn socks!...

...and he got all dressed up for his first Halloween party - as a Sweet Pea!

Mom and Dad dressed up like babies, in honor of the fact that last year's Ferrelle Halloween Party baby count = 0, and this year's count = 6. Holy moly!

And then it was on to Sam's first Florida/Georgia weekend. Mom and Dad enjoyed the tailgate while Sam hung out with Aunt Meredith and Uncle Mike!

We stayed at the beach with Chip and Phy for FL/GA weekend.

Three generations of Touseys!

Then, Sam took his first plane ride to Boston to see Aunt Kati and Uncle David. Sam was a real trooper - he did a great job on the plane AND being wheeled around in the stroller in that cold Boston wind all weekend. We had a really fun time seeing the sights (including Kati's favorites, the Public Library and the Seals at the Aquarium, and David's favorite sites on the Freedom Trail...note the pic of Sam posing by the tomb of a fellow Samuel - Sam Adams!).

We also made a stop in Cambridge, where Sam and Dad posed with the statue of John Harvard in Harvard Square! It was a really fun weekend, and we miss Kati, David, Nana, and Papa already!

Then on November 9th, we celebrated a 4th!

4 months old already? Makes Sam sleepy just thinking about it :)

Just hanging out with Mom & Dad!

And finally, here are a few adorable pictures from Sam's teacher of him & his friends at daycare!