It's Christmas, What's New?

What is new indeed. This week had many firsts...let's see. First tooth (on the bottom, and it's SHARP), first Christmas, and most impressively, first steps on his own. There may even be some video evidence.

It was on the 21st that he first took a couple steps but it seemed like sort of a fluke. The excitement that he showed was incredible...mouth open wide and some occasional shrieks and hyperventilation. Of course, Mom and Dad weren't fully prepared for him to walk, so there weren't any pictures. Awesomely, he'd just stand by himself for seconds at a time and that has steadily grown to about 30 seconds.

As for the tooth, that showed up on the 20th and has been slowly emerging from his bottom gums. #2 may be on its way too.

Christmas was great, with lots of gifts for the little guy. Mom's parents and sister made it into town and Sam's kept everyone quite busy.

Here's the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGoP1luWNhk

In line to see Santa, could there have been a cuter kid?

What a great looking Santa and handsome boy.

Yeah, he was excited that Christmas was nearing.

...and just had to tell everyone about it.

Out at lunch with Mom and the fam.

First ride on a carousel!

Mom and Dad are expecting the "am I in trouble" look a lot in the future.

But we're looking more toward looks like this, both Sam and friend Evan smiling.

The tree glowed on Christmas Eve.

Instruments were gifts that Sam loved to get. A drum, maracas, and a bell? And he even has rhythm!

Which he demonstrated with the drum (repeatedly, loudly).

We're not sure if he'll be a guard or not, but he'll certainly be blocking some shots when he plays college ball. Note: Ring out ahoya!

This photo was solely included for excitement purposes.

A what?! A Fire Engine rocker? Whoohooo!

Sam gets his first ride on the rocker...sweeeet.

Wheeee.

A Christmas miracle...snow in the afternoon! Sam poses with Aunt Christina and Grandma Jan.

Then Aunt Christina made a snow angel in the 1/4" of powder.
We're still questioning her judgment.

Sam got a few stuffed animals, his favorite being Barbara (from UCSB).

Finally, a photo of the family gathered for the holiday.