Of course the best part was lots of snuggling and cuddling with Papa!  Clare immediately ran up to him, arms outstretched for a hug, and they got along like a house afire.  Sammy was a little pricklier, but then we noticed 4! new molars in my mouth which explains his fussy attitude.  As you can see from the picture below, once those teeth came in all became right with the world – including Papa.

After our relaxing trip to Kentucky Lakes, we went back to Nashville for more family visiting.  We met up with Aunt Donna the Great, Mike, Brenda and Hannah at the Opryland Hotel.  The hotel was gorgeous, but the best part was catching up with the family.  Sammy fell in love with Donna immediately, and Hannah and Clare picked up where they left off last year. 

Unfortunately my photography skills were seriously lacking on this trip, but I captured a teensy slice of the sheer cuteness of cousins Hannah, Clare and Sam.  Hannah is so sweet and kind with the little kids and they absolutely adore her.  They, especially Clare, follow her around like little ducklings and want to be just like her.  At once point Clare put on Hannah’s boots, hat and purse and paraded around saying “I’m like Hannah!”

This silly boy is 16 months now (or 16.5 months now…).  Watching him makes me realize how much I really love the wobbler age.  Every day is a new discovery, every thing is a new adventure, and it’s all met with such joy and interest.  Mommy and Daddy are still wonderful and all-knowing, able to answer any questions and provide all comfort.  Pleasures are simple but dramatic.  He spent several minutes today laughing at a crow hopping along a field, just enjoying watching a bird jump around and caw.  This a sweet, sweet age and we’re all enjoying it.

Sammy is beginning to tell us what he wants, get where he wants to go, and sometimes even do what he wants when he gets there.  Every day we’re learning more about his personality and what’s going on inside his thoughtful head.  He LOVES to be outside.  He’s been known to throw himself against the door while wailing “Outsiiiiiii” when he wants to go out.  When he’s outside in a new place he wants to venture and explore.  Adam and I joke that Sammy needs to “explore the perimeter” of the yard or the park.  Sure he likes to swing, climb and slide with the best of them but after a few minutes of that he sets off to explore and see how far he can go before being caught. 

Our boy loves balls.  Ball was one of his first words.  He loves to roll, throw and kick any ball he comes across.  When he first saw the basketball hoop in the back yard he immediately tossed a ball into it.  Duh!  What else would he do? 

His vocabulary is growing by leaps and bounds.  Not only is he adding words but his words are becoming much clearer.  He says “psh” as ‘please’, a little sing-song “thank you” and “car.”  His new favorite word is “no,” said with authority.  “Sammy, let’s change your diaper.”  “No.”  “Sam, can bring me your shoes?”  “No.”  “Sam, stop pulling your sister’s hair!”  “No.”  All done with a strong shaking of his downy little head.  Yep, he’s all sweet mischief until you hit that unbreakable steel backbone of “No.”