Month Thirty-Two

Dear Sam,
It seems as though it has been way too long since I last wrote about you. Especially because you are in your most adorable stage. (Please let me not be jinxed by writing that.) I forgot how much I love when kids start to talk and talk and talk. There is no stopping your talking. And I have to say, the ability to communicate your needs and desires have really helped you out. Let's just say your fuse is pretty short.

But, let's talk about all that is adorable of the Sambino. First off, you have suddenly taken an interest in helping me clean up after dinner. You love to "wash dee deeeshes" and if I do not let you help, there is an all out mutiny on our hands. So, I have learned to suck it up and pull over a chair to the sink and let you go to town with the sink-hose-sprayer. I am not going to lie, there have been a couple charging cord casualties due to flooded counter-tops, but I just cannot deny your willingness to help me out. You also love to spray off the table ... and the windows ... and the floor ... and the walls .... etc. etc.

Washin dee deeeshes.

You are Christmas' number one fan. You love everything Christmas, large or small. We spent 25 minutes in two aisles at Walgreens, just so you could take in all that is Christmas. We played every single animatronic toy that sang a Christmas song, three times. You looked at every single ornament, candy, and card. You just can't get enough. You sing Christmas songs all the time -- Jingle Bells, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Deck the Halls. Your two favorite movies are "The Grinch" and "A Christmas Story," (you call it "The Ralphie Movie.") which neither are really age appropriate. You said, "Abe is Ralphie and I am Randy!"

Abe: stressed. Sam: mischievous.

You and Abe have been playing together more often, and in a nicer way. Last Saturday morning I had to check on you three times because you were so quiet. That never happens in our house. Sometimes you play quietly together, and sometimes you play loudly, running around the house in costumes, jumping off the couches. I was starting to get worried that you had skipped all of the baby toys and went straight to playing with whatever Abe likes, but lately you have been doing your own thing. You just love playing with Mr. Potato Head (or Mr. Toe Head as you call him.) You still have a soft spot for Elmo. All you want for Christmas is Elmo Bus, which is driven by One-Two-Three-Ahhh-Ahh-Ahhh (The Count. And yes, you call him One-Two-Three-Ahhh-Ahh-Ahhh every time. Do you see what I mean when I say ADORABLE?!)

Sam and his Daddy.

You are still super active and busy, and a bit of a daredevil. I am not quite sure how we haven't ended up in the ER with you (again, I sure hope I haven't jinxed this), but getting a bloody nose from bashing into something is pretty standard for you. In fact, when you get hurt, you get more upset that you cannot continue playing. Bloody noses really piss you off, because you HAVE to sit still for at least five minutes so the bleeding stops. This frightens me a bit.

Baby Sam in all his chubby glory.

My friend Laurin sent me this photo of you when you were a baby. First, my head exploded from the adorableness of your face. Then, after reassembling my head, I could not believe how much you have grown since then. You are now a running, laughing, singing, counting, bouncing machine. Your chubby baby legs are now svelte and long, and your belly is replaced by a freakishly long torso, just like your father. But, your eyes and your smile still express the same joy as they did when you smiled ever so freakishly much as an infant. You are just one joyful dude. Thank you for bringing so much of it to our family.

Love,
Mama