Drum Roll Please...

... and the allergy is MOLD (13.5!) and cedar (1.66) (~normal range is  <0.35).

Tuesday, Samantha said she broke Molly's horsey necklace at school. She seemed very upset so I asked if she wanted to make her a new one... she did, and she wound up making Daddy one too... and Ali (Mama had to make her own). She gave Molly her necklace and an apology note  this morning at school and Molly was so excited!
Samantha did such an excellent job lacing the little beads on the string.

Giving Butterflies (Labwork)

Today was the day we were going to the lab to get Samantha's blood drawn to test for allergies. I was nervous for her, but then we talked about it last night and I told her that they were going to take her blood to check to see how they could make her all better... and that she would get a special treat afterwards.
This morning, we go there and she was so talkative to all the patients in the waiting room and to the employees. Once her name was called, she was excited to go to the back. I put her and Pink Baby on the chair to wait for the tech who was getting a little butterfly needle *idea* They asked that I sit with Samantha on my lap and my arms wrapped around her, holding her arms; one tech spotted and made sure her arm didn't move while the first tech started to get things going. She poked Sammie with the needle and Sam started to get upset, but I told her they were taking her butterflies, or giving her butterflies... I started to confuse myself, concentrating on keeping Sams' mind off of it. Anyway, she started to giggle and just watched. Then of course came the questions for the 50th time, "What's your name?" "My name is Samantha." "I'm two." "My baby's name is Pink Baby." Although I brought an emergency Hello Kitty band-aid, she was excited to get the hot pink bandage, which she didn't want to ever take off. Afterwards, she gave both techs many thank yous and the poker tech a big hug. They were so nice!

And as promised, frozen yogurt.

So, what Samantha got from this experience: They took the butterflies in her blood to check them to make her all better.
She knows she didn't cry and was proud of herself!
We finally got the bandage off for bath and replaced it after with a Hello Kitty band-aid.
:)

Chocolate Chex

After Grandma picked Samantha up from school she heard her in the back of the car crying. After pulling over to check on her, she realized that Sam was crying for some chocolate Chex. You know what she got as soon as she got home...

 

Wild & Crazy!

Grandma said the kiddies had such a great time together today!

Meow!

Finally! With all my projects dis-organized in my head I pulled out the sewing machine to start scratching them off the list, starting with the simplest ones, and I made Samantha's kitty cat tail! She loved putting on her kitty ears and clipping on the tail and meowing around the house just like always; but now she's official. She loved messing with Ali, too- ha ha ha

 

Tonight she sat with Daddy and learned how to un-lace her lacing boards. She was very serious about it and concentrated hard. 

As far as the stuttering goes, it's not just starting a question. It's in random parts of a sentence now. Oh boy.

Sherwood Forest Faire

Funnel Cakes!

Feeding all the animals. Goats were the fav!

Little Piggy, Kevin {Bacon}

Sammie's first BIG horse ride. She wanted to ride the big horse before we even got there and we didn't even know it was an option. She loved it and loved petting the soft fur. 

 

 

The big swing hand-pushed!

The goodbye butterfly.

Silly Souvenir Style

After over 2 weeks, Samantha was so excited to see Cousin Nate today! She busted through Grandma's front door calling out for him although he wasn't there yet. Sam brought him his souvenir shirt from Colorado (and she wore hers too). She was ready to help him color it! Grandma said they were just so silly today!

Stuttering Sam

Look at this big girl! How did she start to look so grown?!

As of yesterday, Samantha has "developed" a stutter. It's usually goes like this... "What What What What -something?" or "That That That's -something?"  It's not in the middle of a sentence and is usually when she's asking What, That, This... Grandma said Daddy had one when he was about three years old and it's from the brain moving faster than your mouth can spit out the words. Poor Sam, she just needs to slow down! (I've heard from others that this is a milestone/development in the toddler brain.)

 Today, Grandma Wells had her "surgery". We went to visit her this evening and she looked fabulous! We are very relieved that everything went so well and that she is doing great!

Term of The Day...

"Mama, what's your new friend's name?"

-I don't have a new friend. Strange girl.

Before bed, Samantha blurts out that she's a doctor. I asked her if she wanted to be a doctor when she grew up; she said yes. (Normally, she says No to future occupation options.) I asked her if she wanted to be a doctor for babies and make them better; she said yes. Ok, look out, we have a Dr. Samantha, Pediatrician on our future hands!

Howdy!

Samantha had to get "fully dressed" to go out and tell Daddy bye-byes this morning.

We did early drop off again at school and she was ready to run from me-- I had to ask for a kiss and hug bye. I think she likes being in Ms. Niki's class, which is good, because she'll be there next semester!

I worked a little late tonight and on our way home Samantha asks me, "Mama, you help people feel better? I share at the hospital, too?" I don't know what she was talking about sharing, but it made me feel like my work is important, getting patients their medications. I help a lot of people feel better at [my] hospital. 

**It's been a couple of months, but Samantha will say "I love you!". Some times she'll throw us off saying "I love you so much!"**
** I think her last 2 bottom molars are coming in! This time it hurts and she'll complain that her teeth hurt.
 ** Samantha can count to 14, after that most of the numbers either sound the same or she seems to say the odd ones.
** We're still working on shapes (again).
** Will have a conversation with anyone. She wants to know everyone's name and if they have a doggy. After asking me and me telling her she has to ask the person, now, she just goes up to the person.

**She has a song list of songs that she loves to sing. This week's fav is "Warm kitty, Soft kitty, Little ball of furr."
** She is starting to get so creative and more verbal. She loves to dance and sing and will bring up anything that happened in the day or previous days and ask you about it, in specifics. 
** She has become potty-independent. She says, "I have to go potty, by myself. Don't help me." and will shut the door. She does a great job, pants down, potty-ing, wiping and pants up. Some times they'll be a little rolled up.

Precious

As Grandma calls her... Precious...

Choo Choo Ca-Choo

We needed some beautiful sunshine on our skin today, although it was a little windy. We asked Samantha if she wanted to go to the park or ride the train. Of course, she wanted to ride the train...

He's blowing the horn!

Trying to finally get a smiling pic in front of the engine, but it doesn't help when someone's yelling at you from the line. Who can it be? Ms. Wendi and Christian!

 We headed to the park while they rode 'Sophie' and then they met us there afterwards for a mini picnic. Look what Sammie learned to do! Daddy showed her how to swivel down the spiral pole!!!

The Kitty, The Butterfly, The Bunny

Samantha was wild with imagination this afternoon. She put on her tutu and wings and sang her heart out, then changed costume to kitty and requested Daddy fly like a butterfly and Mama hop like a bunny. It was hilariously cute! (She sure did miss Ali while we were gone... and Ali missed us! She purrs all the time now.)

Before bed, we all partook in coloring Sammie's new Breckenridge t-shirt. Sam tried to stay inside the lines and did a great job. It came out really cool, and it's too bad it'll wash out... then we'll have to start over.

Breckenridge Snowing Fun

***THESE ARE MOSTLY PICS EASILY UPLOADED FROM MY iPHONE. OTHER CAMERA PICS TO BE UPLOADED LATER***

Friday,  February, 15, 2013
Goodbye Breckenridge, We'll miss you, but not so much the -11 degree weather!
Although Samantha threw a fit getting dressed in all the layers everyday and Mama's patience wore thin many times, we had a blast playing in the snow and running around the beautiful Town of Breckenridge. The mountains were absolutely breath taking and I was amazed that Daddy and PaPa skied down them and we are happy that they had such a fun and safe time, as well (besides falling a couple times).

Waiting at the Denver Airport

Thursday, February 14, 2013- Valentine's Day
Ice Skating & Sledding at Carter Park!
Samantha was excited to go ice skating, as was Mama. She did a great job on the ice, but was ready to call it quits after a little bit. Mama and Daddy skating around the rink a few times before getting ready to hit the sledding hill.

 

 

 

 At the sledding hill, Samantha had A BLAST! She screamed and laughed and laughed going down the hill (Grandma has a great video!). Daddy had his work cut out for him, dragging her up to the top, and we all took turns riding down with her. PaPa was brilliant to see that Samantha was probably freezing her little self off since she was just sitting, so he and Grandma took her back to the car to warm up while Mama and Daddy raced down a couple more times, bum vs head first.
 ** Pics on separate camera to upload later**

Wednesday, February 13, 2013 
Recreation Center Family Bounce Time and Lunch with Grandma

 

 

 A common happening in the evening: Sam puts on her "little girl shoes", backpack and gets Pink Baby and tells everyone goodbye, she has to go.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013- Mardi Gras!
Mountain Top Children's Museum & Gondola ride to Peak 8 for Lunch with Daddy & PaPa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday, February 11, 2013 
Tobogganing!
Samantha liked when Mama ran fast tugging the toboggan. Whew, was I out of breath! And... she didn't like falling over into the snow!

Sunday, February 10, 2013
Snow Angels!
Samantha couldn't wait to plop herself in the snow and make a snow angel.

This is where we are staying