Milo's blessing and much more.

It has been a while since my last update. Here are some of the few things we've been up to:

We've worked on potty training...

...without much success. When I tried to change those pants he's wearing he said "No Mom I want to wear these pants!" did I mention this wasn't just a pee accident? Someday right?

We planted a garden...

which flooded...

but is doing quite well now ( this is an old picture, it's really grown in a lot!)

Sam has been a fireman. He was so proud I just had to throw that in.

We have gone on LOTS of walks and yes Milo feels as fat as he looks.

Mondays with Katie.

I don't think she knows what to do with Sam most of the time. We love having her. In Sam's words "Katie is Nice!"

Sam got a belated birthday present; a bullet train. This has not only been a birthday present for Sam but for me as well in that it provides hours of entertainment. Thank you for a clean house and a homemade dinner bullet train.

Sam has renewed his excitement for trains. Everyday he asks if we can go to the train museum, watch bullet trains on Youtube and read his bullet train book. Here we are riding a train at an outdoor mall near us. Sam reminds me how enjoyable life can be with just simple pleasures. I think that's why I like being around him so much.

Community Festival! I'll let Sam's face describe the excitement.

I think the Ferris Wheel changed his attitude toward the festival.

Car racing. Believe it or not Sam learned how to control the controller so he slowed down around the corners and clocked a new speed record for the 30 lap race. The guys who ran it were pretty tickled and one of them told us we needed to get Sam into racing. I am a little suspicious they tell every parent that.

What a happy baby. I can't blame him though, I usually have that face when I am close to Hank like that.

Imagine seeing this face all day long? All is right in the world, isn't it?

"Mom I need 'nother pants, these ones are too hard"

Milo has learned how to roll from tummy to back, though he doesn't do it very often. I bet he would have more of a chance to practice if I didn't get overwhelmed by his cutness and cuddle him all the time. Maybe that's why Sam didn't walk till 16 months. It's not my fault! my babies are just too cuddle friendly!

Sam and Milo are buds. Sam won't let any of us finish a prayer without blessing Milo. He's got Milo's back...good big brother.

 Sam: Hi Mom

Me: Hey bud. What are you thinking about?

Sam: I am thinking about...Mom.

I love this picture because it really describes our relationship. Sam and I are such good friends.

Sam often has this face. He gets so excited about things. Milo has become accustomed to Sam's energy...Thank goodness.

I've got some good looking boys in my life, don't you think?

The big recent event was Milo's baby blessing. As you can tell we had quite a few people come for the occasion. we all felt the love. It was such a pleasant weekend. Sam loved having cousins in town to play with. Hank gave the most beautiful blessing and the spirit was so strong. Milo was happy during everything. It was all perfect!

Proud Grandparents.

Milo I apologize for Sam's inability to stay still during pictures. He's special...just like you.

Utah/ SoCal Vacation

Hank's grandpa "Dado" turned 90! So we traveled to Utah to celebrate with family. After that trip we headed down to SoCal to see my Dad's Art Show which was incredible and I am completely bummed because I don't have any pictures of! (so proud of you Dad) and to show off Milo of course.

Our first day was devoted to visiting Salt Lake.We have been talking a lot about temples recently in our home and so Sam was just beside himself in excitement to see the "Sa't Yake Temple!". He was a little disappointed that he couldn 't go inside though. Don't worry Sam you'll get there :)

Another exciting destination for our family was the "This is the Place" Monument. We also have been talking about Brigham Young recently and Sam sings 'This is da Pace!" around the house a lot. He has become Hank's trained monkey. I must admit he's a cute monkey.

Here is Sam being attacked by Cesar's (brother in Law) dogs. We had so much fun visiting family. Heather (Hank's sister) and her family were so gracious to be the central point for us all the gather. They have a fanastic home and backyard filled with an incredible playroom basement, dogs and chicken in the garage and yes they even have goats (one of which also attacked Sam). I Think Sam was ready to move in and quick frankly I was too!

One of my favorite parts of the trip was our stay with Mandy and Richard (Hank's sister and hubby). Not only did I feel like I was at a Bed and Breakfast the entire time (loved those pancakes and crepes) but the company was unbeatable. Sam was all hugs the whole the time.

Hank amazingly organized a cousin dinner for the night before the big 90th Birthday Party. I felt so impressed by the spirit and life that was there. I love the family I married into (even the extended family!) Sam shared my sentiments. In fact he was so excited about playing with cousins that night that the next day we went to a play place and he yelled when he saw a swarm of other children "oh cousins!!".

Hiking with his real cousins near Heather's house. What can I say he's a loner.

Grandma Marty working her charm. Milo is very interested...I think he's hoping another song will be coming soon.

At last we made it to the big night! Dado's 90th birthday party.Here is the best I have of the four generations of Henry Samuel Florence.

Sam you have a quite a lot to live up to.

More birthday party time! This time for Grandma Marty, Richard, Sam and well me! We had a combined birthday party for the fun of it. Marty of course made the cutest Easter cake.

On our last day in Utah we spent it with Richard (brother in law) at the Dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Point. It was an absolute blast. I think Sam felt at home here among his kind.

Next stop Southern California! After a 10 hours drive (on Sam's Birthday..poor guy) we were treated by Mama Nell to frozen yogurt and then Sam got to pick out his Birthday Present. What a nice welcome!

 

Visits to more great-grandparents. Sam knows how to ride in style.

I absolutely love this picture. So much love in the room.

One of my favorite parts of this trip was I got to spent more time then I usually get to with my best friend Laura. Her and Milo really hit it off as you can tell. I think he casually trying to impress her ("maybe she won't notice that I'm a baby").

Milo with my UCLA graduate, NASA intern brother. Oh did I mention he'll soon be married to someone just as good looking and intelligent as him? (like how I am making use of my bragging rights?)

I'll let Sam explain our trip to Travel Town "train museum! train museum! oh oh oh, mom, mom, oh we are at the TRRRRAAAIIN MUSEUM!"

Wait I can't leave out the most important part "we are at the train museum with Uncle Dan!". Every other day or so before our trip Sam has asked if we can go to the train museum with Uncle Dan. Can you imagine his excitement when it actually happened? well it was pretty exciting...as you can imagine.

Though his expression his this picture say otherwise, Milo loved my sister Sarah! I need to convince her to move her whole family and start a new careers, schools ect. in Rocklin so she can keep Milo happy. Do you think that's tough sale? Maybe if she wasn't so gosh darn successful I could convince her.

Yes that's right more party time. We threw Sam a Muppet Birthday party with my family. Anna of course made these adorable cupcakes. She is a gourmet queen...no really she is, check out her website. I could spent a lot of time bragging about her too.

Sisters with the babies from 2011. We had Norah, Georgianna and Milo. Isn't it obvious that they are best friends already.

I think we might have let them sit there longer than was needed but between Norah screaming and the other two slowing sliding to a horizontal position we had a hard time not giggling. I can't deny it, I love these babies.

Relaxing with Anna...could life get any better?

Easter! It's hard to pose for pictures at this age. Between all the family and birthday parties Sam was pretty much spent by then. Sam did love the Easter egg hunt and I loved spending time with family on this holiday. It's so fun to visit and so sad to say goodbye but life goes on and we always have to get back to it. Sam puts it perfectly "Sammy needs to sleep in Sammy's bed" or better yet "I miss my beans". Such wise words.

 

Is this even the same baby?

 Milo's physical therapist commented to me during his last visit that he doesn't even look like the same baby anymore. I see him changing everyday but it is still much more gradual. Looking back on just the last 3 months it is absolutely incredible how much he has grown. Not only in size but in development as well. To me Milo is nothing short of a miracle and continues to amaze and teach me new things all the time. His little spirit is felt in our home as he works everyday to grow and move. I have been told since Milo's birth by nurses, doctors and his physical therapist that he'll need to take the next two years to "catch up". In my eyes his determination and strength far exceeds any catching up that needs to be done. I am sincerely humbled to be the mother of such a person. It is excited to see where this baby takes us.

Milo was at his smallest here 3lbs 10oz I think.

He was a week old at this point and this picture was the best I had at the time. It still is sitting on our mantle. I keep meaning to take it down but it now kind of serves as a reminder of how far we have come.

3 months old and can already hold his head up! Sam couldn't even do that at 3 months! (though Sam didn't really do much at the right time...so maybe I shouldn't compare :))

You can't tell me this boy doesn't have a special spirit!

 I think I just stared at him for ten minutes before I took this picture. I blame Milo for my messy house.

It looks like Sam is smashing Milo's head but he's not, well maybe he is, but poor Milo is used to aggressive love by now. I tell you these boys are just fascinated with each other. This picture is not only very tender but it shows how big my baby is! Milo I like that's your growing but don't do it too fast okay.

My cute kids

We have been waiting and it's finally happening...

Milo's smiling!

The other day was really warm so played with water. Here is Sam throwing beans in the tub of water, and I quote "oh! beans, here we go to Sa't Yake (Salt lake). Oh and all the beans are going to Sa't Yake...here we gooo!" He is getting excited about the trip we are taking to Utah in a couple weeks. All his toy trains, buses and cars have made the trip to valley, it only makes sense that the beans need to make the voyage. 

 

"oh Mom, oh mom...Sam's in the water mom. Yeah, Sam's just in the water a little bit. Oh Mom, oh Sam's paint'n. Yeah, Sam just paint'n"

That is pretty much Sam's face anytime he sees Milo. Notice how worried Milo looks...I'll say it again Sam is Lenny from Mice and Men. He has a lot of heart and a lot of aggression. Poor smothered Milo.

He's thinking...I just asked him what his thoughts were on racial prejudices in America. He always gives me the most insightful answers.

We visited the Easter Bunny. It took a second for Sam to warm up (which is unusual in any setting) but as soon as he did, he didn't leave the bunny alone. I love this age, everything is so magical, new and exciting.

I have been taking Sam to story time since he was 17months old and this is the first time he sat down for longer than a minute. I had to get proof so I took a picture. Notice his shoes and socks are off. It's like he's saying "I'll grow up but on my own terms".

More smiles!

we really like each other.

I love how you can Sam in this one. He's just as thrilled as I am to see Milo smile. Isn't this what family is all about? I love these moments.