Saturday, May 09, 2009

Thanks for your support!


Here's a free photo someone snapped for us after the 5K charity walk on Saturday. Samson was a big trouper and did not complain about spending an hour in the BOB while we trudged up the hill to the Capitol and then back down again to Auditorium Shores in 90% humidity and 90+ degree heat. He was just excited to marvel at all of the construction cranes and police vehicles downtown.

It felt wonderful to finally participate in this annual rite of passage for families with preemies. We walked with hundreds of other individuals and groups who raised money for March of Dimes, many of whom were carrying memorial messages about babies in their families who didn't survive -- a sobering reminder of how very fortunate we've been....

So far, we've collected $755 for the March of Dimes! If you've not yet sent in a donation, there's still time to help us reach our $1,000 goal. Please visit our walk team page at marchforbabies.org/SamsonsLeftyMama for more information. Any support that you can provide will be greatly appreciated and put to very good use helping babies like Samson once was.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

I love concrete trucks!


Getting a new driveway put in has been the source of much excitement this week. Besides watching the big cement mixer pour its contents, Samson enjoyed "driving" "his" Bobcat and even trying out for an apprentice position with Austin Concrete Construction.


Saturday, March 14, 2009

Already Two and a Half?

Gosh, we had our heads down for what seemed like a minute and we're already into the middle of Samson's second year. Where did the time go?

Here are some recent big boy pics from one of those candid photo deals at school. If anyone wants to order them, go to iclicksmiles.com before 03/24/2009, and enter school "prodigy" and student "59179".


Life seems on fast forward since Mama went back to work outside the home in November. The weekday routine is something like this:
  • wake up at 6a (or 5ish if Samson decides to be an early bird)
  • set Samson up with a cereal bar & milk in front of Noggin so that Mama can take a shower; Daddy reads news on his phone and waits for his turn
  • everyone gets ready for school & work, which generally includes chasing Samson around the house for every stage of the diaper-PJs-clothes-socks-shoes-hair transformation
  • we all exit the house together, Mama to the car & office by 7:30, Daddy & Samson in the truck to school & work by 8
  • Mama picks up Samson after 4:30
  • supper & playtime from around 5:30-7:30
  • Samson's bath at 7:30, in bed by 8:15
  • Mama & Daddy unwind until nodding off by 10


Weekends are much the same, except Samson doesn't go to school, the grown-ups usually aren't at the office, and there is nap-time from noonish to 3ish. Friday evenings still usually mean dinner & playdate with the Turners. If we're lucky, PawPaw (& sometimes Grandma) may drive over from Houston for a visit on Saturday. Just about every other weekend, we also have cousin Emilie (& sometimes Tyler) come to hangout with Samson while Mama & Daddy have a date night. Throw in the random kid birthday party or trip out of town to visit relatives, and that's pretty much our life for the past 6 months.


In February, Samson started going to a new school that is much closer to where we live & work. Mama was nervous about how he'd handle the transition, but it was virtually seamless. He loves his new school, teachers, and friends, and most days, he is actually unhappy to leave when boring ol' Mama or Daddy come to take him home. Mama & Daddy love the new place, too, especially because Samson loves it, but also because:
  • it's cut our daily drive-time down by 90 minutes, several toll roads, and otherwise needless excursions to Cedar Park
  • we don't have to make lunch since they serve great meals, even offering a daily vegetarian option (due to lots of Hindus & Buddhists at school)
  • the kid to teacher ratio is much lower than our other school
  • most of the teachers & staff have worked there for more than 5 years and love working with these kids


Today, we're going to a toddler friend's 3rd b-day birthday at one of those bounce-house places, so Mama and Daddy will be sure to get a good workout chasing Samson around, preventing certain peril to life & limb. Samson has become quite the fearless jumper, something he tests many times each day on all the furniture he can manage to climb.