Development Central

Sam has proven surprising this week, as he does every week. This week there were three new behaviors that made us laugh. Unfortunately, since they all have to do with crying, the laughter was short-lived.

1) While in the car, Sam spontaneously erupted in loud, very very shrill crying. Reason? Unknown. He goes crazy until he is out of the carseat, which has meant stopping in the middle of a trip for a cool-down period. In the process of crying, he heats up a LOT.

2) Apparently the concept of manipulating parents is ingrained in babies. Sam has started sticking out his lower lip and giving us a "whiny cry" whenever he wants...of course, we're not sure what he's trying to get, but one of us will pick him up and he calms right down.

3) By far the funniest thing that Sam has done started at Costa's wedding (see pics below) this past weekend. While in the church lobby drinking a bottle, one of the other babies in the room started crying. A second later, Sam's eyes welled up and he cried rather loudly...but then settled down quickly. When it happened once it was no big deal, but after 3 or 4 times, it got old and we started pre-empting Sam's crying if another kid lost it.

Four generations of Abels. Pretty cool stuff.

Sam is comfy with Ellen.

The hand tastes gooooooooooooooood!

It's hard to keep that excitement bottled up!

Hmmmm, what to do next...?

What's up dude? I can sit up!

Dad and Sam are stylin' at Costa's wedding.

Is there a disco nearby?

Sam and Mom looking good.

Mom gets a chance to congratulate Costa!

Auntie Athena is happy to see Sam and Mom.

Lucky groom Holger is excited to finally meet the little man!

Sam I Am is back with Sam, and they get along great!

The Buzz from Week 12

A spectacular week for Sam...he's found that he can get his right hand into his mouth, which keeps him occupied. He's still practicing sitting up, and is making progress in that arena. This past weekend, Sam took his first flight to San Jose where he got to meet the whole South Bay crew. He flew really well, surprising Mom and Dad. Since the visit included pictures from Tuesday, those photos will be included in next week's set.

The latest cutest picture in the world.

Most women would kill for those eyelashes.

Ooh Mom, we played...and then we took a nap, and then we played again...and then...

At the airport, ready for his first flight.

Someone get this airplane belt off of me!

Sam I am? Yes, Sam I am...and Sam.

It's Miller time.

Alison gets her shot at holding the little guy.

Matthew meets Sam...

and a bond is formed.

Krista entrances the Sam-Man.

Mark + 3yrs @ American U = JD

On the East Coast right now, there's a BBQ in celebration of a pretty big accomplishment. My little bro, Mark, is graduating from Law School tomorrow. That's right, three years of higher education, and an amount of reading that I can't begin to fathom, culminate tomorrow. And not only is he graduating, he's near the top of his class. That's something I am pretty impressed with, considering the work involved, and that I never had the desire to do that well.

Congraduations, Mark...enjoy it.

Hopefully I'll be able to show you some photos of the excitement in the next couple days.

77 Days

Tonight we had a conversation with Sam about a half-hour before his bed-time. The conversation included a lot of us saying "I love you" and Sam responding with a lot of excitement, and in one case, a loud shriek. It was another great week for Sam, he got to meet his friend Hugo and he just found out that another friend, Lance, was just born on Saturday.

Soon he'll be standing up all on his own.

Play time is the funnest part of the day!

Woohoo, yeah!

Hey Mom, don't I look cute?

...and my aunt is cute too!

My oh my, Sam is getting pudgy.

Mother's Day with Mom, looking great.

So happy

Getting some time with Dad on Mother's Day.

Sam's and his newest friend Hugo pose with their dads.

Sam slobbers on Dad.

70 days, wow.

It's funny how you fall into a rhythm so easily. Sam is getting to sleep for the night somewhere between 8 and 8:30pm...and once we start the effort, he's usually out in less than 5 minutes. Friday night was the first time he slept for 8 hours without waking...quite an accomplishment, but we have this feeling that he only will do things like that on the weekend, as after 8 on Friday and 7 on Saturday, he opted for four on Sunday night. At least Dad can sleep through just about anything. Sam knows it's play time when Dad gets home from work, which is pretty neat. We get a lot of smiles out of him during that time, and he is definitely smiling more in general. His last weigh-in was just short of 13 pounds...my how the boy has grown. No more scrawny arms and legs, instead he's got a double-chin!

On his sweet play mat. He hasn't figured it all out yet but he loves to dance on it.

Also on the play mat...having a great time!

Any poses like this are the work of Mom.

But you've got to admit, she knows what she's doing; he always looks great!

A security blanket, at this age? No, it's a burp cloth...and it matches the duckies.

Totally cashed out, he'll sleep anywhere.

The little guy loves the camera (and Mom & Dad)

Mom and Sam pose in front of some colorful flora.

Dad tells Sam a hilarious (punny) joke. He can't hold it in.


Sam loves his Baby Bjorn so much that he takes a nap whenever in it.