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Sunday, January 29, 2012

Johnsons in Austin!

We LOVED having Mary Stevens visit.  Saturday night was a party! Natalie, Hanna, Adrienne, and Jeff joined our family for a big spaghetti dinner.  It was so much fun, and the girls decided to take out the balloons one at a time leftover from Sabrina's birthday party.  They had a blast....

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Sabrina Night Night

After a particularly hard conversation about our expectations of Miss S versus how she behaves sometimes (particularly today), at bedtime she told me this.

"Your heart is mine and my heart is yours, Mommy."  "I love you Mommy, understand?"

"Yes baby, you're right. I do understand," I replied.

That girl...

Friday, January 13, 2012

Samuel, oh Samuel!

As I discussed pre-Christmas, Mr. Samuel James Johnson has discovered how to manipulate the 'small chairs' as we call them all over the house.  A few of weeks ago this meant that we needed to put drawer latches on all the kitchen drawers.  He was dragging his chair all over the kitchen to carefully remove utensils and silverware out to the counter.  Most of the time he'd put it all back, but occasionally he liked to throw these items on the floor and make a big mess.  Uncool Sam.

Fast forward to this week, where he has managed not only to move the small chairs to the couch, but also boxes, pillows, toys, anything he can drag.  All these items are then used as climbing stands to accomplish his main goal: getting on the couch by himself.  Once there, he proceeds to engage in lively conversation and 'stumping' speeches, while marching from one end of the couch to the other over and over again.  He'll carefully dismount, come to one of us for a supportive hug, then return to his speech platform to continue the lecture.  We have no idea what he is talking about, but he sure is passionate about something!  I wish we could understand his baby babble.  I think he's talking about how much he loves his Mommy, but that's just one idea.  He could be talking about the dog, or his favorite type of sausage, or his dreams of sailing the world.  I'm sure we'll figure it out eventually.  Samuel's not quiet about his wants or needs. ;)

As I watched him today complete one of his speeches, he misfired on his dismount and landed on the floor, flat on his belly & all fours extended.  He looked up at me perplexed, "uh oh," he said.  I agreed, and helped him up with a motherly, "you have to be more careful, Samuel."  I'm sure he got my drift.

He had a doctor's appointment yesterday, and he's right on track developmentally. Physically, he's a bit on the small side.  We're going to work on fattening him up a bit with more yogurt & cheese.  I think it's hilarious that I have the polar opposites in the weight department.  Miss thing has always rocked out the 90% end of things. Sam hovers around the fifth-tenth percentile.  Those kids!

A recent view of Samuel in action, Snow White "action figure" grasped in one hand, cracker in the other.

Sabrina and Mommy's Date Night Out

Philip has taken Sabrina to 2 movies. Me? Zero.  How does this happen? 

Monday night I decided it was my turn, and Philip encouraged us to do a whole night: dinner & a movie. Sabrina & I decided to dress up, just like Annie does when she goes to the movies, in nice dresses and with our hair done.  It was fun getting ready, and then we headed out.  I asked her if she wanted Serrano's or Texas Roadhouse (both had before 6pm deals going on). She replied Texas Roadhouse, not knowing anything about either, but happy to be the decider.



We ate well with shelling peanuts, and enjoying the sweet cinnamon buttered rolls.  Then she had a mini-burger with veggies, and I had a little sirloin with mashed potatoes.  We split the salad.  It was so nice to give her 100% of my attention, and she was a delightful dinner companion.  We discussed her favorite songs, and Muppets.  When dinner was over, Sabrina asked why we ate so quick!  The funny thing was that dinner was not quick, just normal.  I guess that means time flew for her too.

We went next to Tinseltown theater to see the new Muppets movie.  Sabrina & I have the same favorites: Miss Piggy & Kermit.  We also really liked the new character, Walter.  Walter whistles fabulously in the movie, which Sabrina thought for a moment was really bad singing.  She cracked up at this part telling me, "He's really bad!" :) It was cute.  Later I demonstrated some REALLY bad whistling, and she told me, "That's ok Mommy, I get it now, you can stop." Hey, Annie's Tomorrow is really hard to whistle! (For me.)  We got the works - popcorn, Sprite, and a coke for me, and had a great time hanging out, laughing, and chair dancing through the funny movie.  Sometimes she sat on my laugh & cuddled with me.  She finished off the popcorn, and then apologized saying, "I'm really sorry I ate the last popcorn without sharing with you Mommy." She thought there was more in there.  I told her it was ok, I was full.  We left singing the last songs of the movie together, hit the ladies room, and didn't stop singing the whole time.  On the way home we sang and rocked out to "Bad to the Bone" on the radio.  Bbbbbbbbad!  BBBBBBbad!  Bad to the Bone!  She told me two things as we sang and drove, "Get it moving, Mommy!"  Later, it was "Keep it moving, Mommy. Keep it moving."  I thought both coined phrases were very cool & totally Sabrina.  I think I'll copy my girl, and introduce the phrases around the office.  They'll fit in just fine.

Last night, while shopping for baby Mae, Sabrina picked out the cutest pink little Laura Ashley sandals.  They were even on sale!  Whoop for Sabrina's early shopping skills developing. Goodness knows I have zero skills (or desire) in that department! ;)  Stephanie said she really liked the shoes, so I think we succeeded!  And yes, Steph, I am in total stealthy spy mode filling your house with pink girly accessories... Ha! (Just accents, my dear.)