Imagination

Samuel takes after his brother- his imagination is taking off! Here are some recent examples:

Friday night, the kids and I were watching cheesy Hallmark movies (cause we're cool like that) and Johnny was still at work.

As I sat on the couch, Samuel played on my lap, sliding down my legs and laughing hysterically! After a while, he climbed up next to me. He poked my cheek with his little finger saying, "Ding-dong!" repeatedly. I would mimic him, hoping he would stop. It got rather annoying after a few minutes, so I poked his cheek and said, "Ding-dong!" He responded, "Hello, nice to meet you!" as he extended his right hand, ready to shake mine. I laughed, shook his hand and said, Nice to meet you! What's your name?"
"I Dad."
"Hi Dad! I'm Mom."
"Hi Mom. (incoherent gibberish, sounds like 'uh-uh-nuh') Kids."
"You have kids?"
"Yep. Kids!" (more uh-uh-nuh, as he looks to the side, as if they're misbehaving.) Then he says, " Kids." and shakes his head.

This went on for about 5 minutes. The conversation was pretty repetitive with little variance, but so funny!

Sunday night:
Samuel often offers us pretend candy by holding his pointer finger and thumb together saying, "Mmm! Good! Good!" Johnny got home from work and the kids and I were watching the First Presidency Christmas Devotional. Johnny sat down next to me and Samuel was his usual, playful self. He offered a "piece of candy" to Johnny. When Johnny took it and put it in his mouth, Samuel made a face and said, "Ew! Yucky!" and laughed. He said, "Spit it out!" pointing to the floor and spit his own out. He then offered me a piece; I took it and put it in my mouth. Again, he said, "Ew! Yucky! Spit it out!" pointing to the floor. So I did and he yelled, "Uh-un napkin!" and ran to the kitchen. When he realized he couldn't reach the napkins, he ran back and noticed Bryn's blanket on the floor. He grabbed it and preceded to clean up the mess of gross candy I had spit onto the rug.

Funny boy!

Motivate ME Monday

Yikes! It's Tuesday and I just remembered! 

{Thanks Sarah!}

First, I have to say how proud I am of Sarah for keeping up with Motivate Me Monday

and for starting it to begin with! She is doing amazing, isn't she?!

As for myself, not so great. I gave myself last week to recuperate completely before putting my body through anything strenuous. And so far, this week is following suit. I'm not very motivated to workout. {boo!} I really don't want to lose ground, but I have continued to lose weight and am happy about that. Mostly, the weight loss is from staying busy and not having much of an appetite. So I can't complain. 

On a lighter note, it looks like Samuel is going to officially crawl! He has been doing the "army crawl" for awhile now- using both his forearms and legs. The tile has been good to slide and scoot around. Today he tried his hands and knee(s) and was so proud of himself. He would drag one leg so he could quickly transfer to a seated position, and he didn't go far (hence no picture). Once seated, he would clap and kick his legs as if he knew he had done something wonderful! Of course, we all lit up and clapped with him each time- because he is wonderful. Also, he has learned that pulling himself up and holding onto things is the single most fun activity. ever. 

This evening I was reading The Hobbit with Katherine and Travis. Olivia, Ella & Bryn were supposed to be cleaning their room, and Samuel ventured down the hall to my bedroom. He made a noise and Travis went running to check on him. He had pulled himself up to my bathtub and turned on the faucet! Haha! Who knew he was capable or ready!? We're definitely going to have to watch this one- gotta keep the doors closed.

This is from today- he had a great time feeding himself:

Look at that dimple! Oh, how I love this boy!

Motivate Me Monday: Losing Weight without the Workout!

Since I last posted, I have worked out maybe twice. But I'm not apologizing or even asking for more encouragement, because I have lost, like 3-4 lbs!

That's pretty amazing, right?! Last Tuesday morning I had a great workout! I did Turbo Sculpt and was able to push myself more than I had in a long time.

That afternoon I felt sore. I love feeling sore after a workout! But I did think it was odd that I would feel sore so soon.

The next day I knew I had a sinus infection and maybe a virus. My legs and joints ached and my sinuses burned, but no fever. Shoulda known the soreness wasn't from the workout.

*sigh*

On top of that, all week I was running errands and didn't get to nurse Samuel as often as usual. Ella had dental surgery on Friday, so I was away for several hours. (She had some cavities worked on. I'll blog about it soon.)

By Saturday night I had full blown mastitis. 102.3° fever, aches, chills, miserable. My aches and pains from earlier in the week were still there, only worse. So I'm still not sure if I had 1 or 2 sicknesses. ??

Today I still feel weak and sick, but no fever. I've been nursing exclusively. Poor Samuel. He was really liking his baby food. Also, I'm about to start an antibiotic (once I pick it up)- or should I if I'm not running a fever anymore?

Once I'm able to workout again, I'm really going to hit the weights hard! I don't want to lose muscle from being sick. Plus it's my favorite way to workout ;)

I have to say, my kids have been amazing! Not only was I sick, but Johnny has been sick since last Tuesday (or maybe before that) with a low-grade fever, and Travis has had a fever since Sunday. Katherine has been an angel babysitting for me and helping around the house. Olivia and Bryn have been super helpful and Ella too, when she could. Samuel is all smiles all the time. He had a fever last night, but seems okay today.

I couldn't ask for more.

♥

7 Months

Samuel is THE cutest. baby. ever.

We are having so much fun with him.

His personality is coming out and now that he is

7 months old, he is sitting up with pride.

Samuel is such a happy baby. He's long overdue for 

his checkup; he's got an appointment next week. 

According to our bathroom scale, he's topped 18 lbs!

For our kids, that's 

UNHEARD OF 

before reaching 18 months! Haha!

Samuel Cade Ratcliff

The pictures you are about to see are real.

They were taken as the events actually happened.

These are not actors. 

This is the story of the birth of a baby boy...

{Get comfortable. It's long, but it's good!}

No, it's not a basketball. It's not even a watermelon.

This is me, merely hours before delivery.

Penicillin hurts going in.

Samuel Cade Ratcliff. Born 9-23-10 at 9:23 a.m.

6 lbs 13 oz 19" long.

Funny thing happened. My body stopped regulating my temperature 

and my temp got down to 93°. The doctor ordered Benadryl

and a warming blanket. After several hours, it got up to 99°!

I'm all better!

Time to go home. Johnny helped pick out his outfit. Isn't it perfect!?

Time to meet the family for the first time...

Look at that dimple!

Oh! Bath time was not his favorite :(

His first time to go to church.

Halloween 2010

By 2 weeks old, he weighed 8 lbs 10 oz.

This picture was taken at Sears- impromptu. He was 3 weeks old.

Now, Samuel weighs a little over 12 lbs and

will be 3 months December 23rd.

His Blessing Day ~ November 21st, 2010.

My friend, Liberti, made this for him. Isn't it adorable? 

I think he looks hilarious! He's almost outgrown it already! 

Stay tuned for more... Mr. Personality is growing everyday! ;)