Month Four...

Sammy has turned four months and is becoming a happier baby! In the past week he has...

...gone to the doctor and weighed in at 14lbs. 7.5oz
...gotten his second round of shots and did not enjoy it
...was told that he was not teething, even though we know he is
...rolled over onto his stomach from his right side
...rolled back over
...rolled over on his left side
...ate rice cereal for the first time (wasn't quite sure what to think of it)
...took a ride in his jumper, but can't quite touch the floor yet

What a busy week!

Lauren goes back to work in two weeks (Sep. 8) and not looking forward to it...but she might enjoy the company of adults. I think she will have a much different perspective on her job now that she is a mother. I will be reversing her schedule and hope to enjoy the company of Sam for three days a week.

On a personal note...I have been welcoming the addiction to golf with open arms. My goal is a senior tour card by the time I'm 50 (in 2027). I don't know if that will happen, but the lessons start soon (thanks LO) and I have high hopes. As the softball career dwindles, the golf career accelerates...and the foot is to the floor.

Pictures...

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the past 105 days...

Summer of Sam continues...

So the summer continues and Sammy has reach 106 days old (that is 15 weeks for the normal person). At three months he seemed to switch off the collick and become a happy baby...as the picture suggests. Overall, he has been excellent. The picture below is when we found out that he loves to sit on my shoulders and pound my head like a snare drum. Maybe he will be a civil war re-enacting drummer...hopefully not.




However, starting last night, the two months of bliss ended and he has begun the teething stage. It was a long evening with crying and no solution until I zoomed over to the CVS and bought some Oralgel to sooth the gums. Poor Sammy. It hurts to see him cry.

Bill is in L.A!!

So we went to the Dodger game last night and found out that Bill Sneed never actually went to England and instead, took a job as a Dodger security guard.

Tahoe!

Tahoe was amazing. Some of the highlights include...

...Sammy surviving the ride up (starting at 5a.m.) and we visit Lauren's aunt, uncle and cousins in Murphys on the way. She made us lunch and showed us around her home. She had some baby chickens that she was raising and trying to keep from being the meals of the nearest wildlife. We made it in to Tahoe around 6p.m. and Greg was there with a MaiTai ready for Jim and I...thirteen hours is a long time to be on the road.

...A trip on the Tahoe Queen where we rode to Emerald Bay, listening to stories of the early days of Tahoe (origin of Squaw Valley, Sinatra's Casino, the oldest bar in Nevada), watched Sammy sleep the entire trip, and we all got sunburned.

...Biking in Camp Richardson and trying to beat the 6p.m. curfew the rental company gave us.

...Jim and I gambling in the casinos on Thursday and winning...and drowning...then trying to find Chris' room with a little too much alcohol in the system. Then falling asleep while everyone else went down for dinner...then sneaking leftovers from an all-you-can-eat restaurant before the manager realizes what is happening.

...Sea-Doos on the calm water...going 35 MPH. Then telling Chris and Lauren we barely got wet while they come back drenched the next day.

...Fireworks on the lake...arriving 10 minutes beforehand (when we were advised to come 12 hours beforehand to save a spot) and getting a perfect spot to see the entire show...Sammy slept through 75% of the show.

...Jim's BBQ of bacon wrapped hot dogs and gourment burgers...um...yeah.

...Gin Rummy and Phase 10.

...keeping Pat away from Sam.

...Rum-runners at Beacons...I hear they were good.

...Wet Woody's at Riva Grill...I know they are good.

...Group betting on baseball parlays and losing every time (once losing every game in the parlay...not easy to do).

...Taking a stab at poker tournaments (again) and finally realizing that cash games in casinos is the only way to use skill. Tournament blinds are raised so frequently and steeply that it really is a luck game.

...Never playing poker again while I was up there.

...The ride back through the 395, which is more wilderness and expanded beauty than the 5 going up...but more two lane highways. Also, leaving at 10:30a.m. is much different than leaving at 5a.m...in Sammy's point of view.

Here are some photos for your enjoyment...

Sammy Pictures...

Sorry for the delay...here is a slideshow that I finally figured out how to do.

Computer on the fritz...

Sorry for the long length of time without any pictures. Our computer has blown up and even the computer freak Jimmy cannot fix it. We need to call in to Dell (India) and have them send someone out to get it back up and running.

In the meantime, know that Sammy is a growing boy. His spouts of colick are wearing down and he is being more and more awake and alert. Yesterday morning I had a tough time leaving for work because he was laying on the bed, smiling and laughing at me. It melts the heart.

We hope to have some pictures up soon.

Yes, you are my baby...

Yes, you are my baby!

Yes, you drive me crazy!
Yes, you are my baby and I love you very much!

One Month!!

So, it's been a while. Sammy turned one month old yesterday and he is a growing baby. His face is filling out along with the rest of him. Sammy is a happy baby for the most part. He has his bouts of crying for no reason at times, but his happy times definitely make up for it.

Here are a few pictures from the past month...

The Johnston Boys...

With Great-Godmother Mary...

With Great-Grandma...

With Dad...watching the Dodger game...

Kickin' it after a Dodger win...

Auntie Julianne