Friday we went through all his underwear within a matter of a few hours. Saturday morning was much better and we made it all day until about 7:30 pm before we ran out of underwear (that's 12 pair). By Sunday morning Samuel seemed to understand the hold it part because he was staying dry much more but was not getting the "when I can't hold it I need to go in the potty" part. He would go every once in a while when we took him but we still had wet accidents in between. We did make it all day only using 6 pair of underwear! Progress!
This year for Christmas I made the largest purchase ever for myself. I am now the proud owner of the Cannon Rebel XTi DSLR camera and I LOVE IT! Over the past three years or so I have fallen in love with photography. I have always loved pictures and especially pictures that capture my little dudes so beautifully.
This is the first time in a very long time that I have purchased something for myself simply because it makes me happy. It seems that life with children is so focused on them that I have lost sight of what I enjoy and what I am passionate about. I am ok with putting the boys and their needs first, but I am not ok losing who I am and what I love. So...I bought a camera.
I am amazed how I feel when taking photographs. There is a part of me that comes alive, part of me that I have been missing for too long now. To say the least, it has been so enjoyable. Given, I have no idea what I am really doing or what half of the terminology is or what it means, but I am learning. I have great friends who are helping me out and the Internet along with several manuals are wonderful. I may even take a photography class or two!
So all the pictures from Christmas along with any pictures posted from here on out will be taken with my new obsession, my camera!
Samuel-
Can it be true? Can you really be 2 1/2 years old already? The past six months has been full of new adventures for you. You became a big brother and along with the territory have become a great helper. You began speaking in sentences and have recently graduated to what seems like paragraphs. Your level of independence has sky rocketed and you can now entertain yourself for extended amounts of time. Most days you are a joy to be around. Like me, you have days when staying in bed might have been a better option and nothing seems to go your way. Luckily we have not had our days like that fall within the same 24 hour period. When it does, I am sure your dad and brother will run for their lives.
You are a great big brother to Liam. You love him so much and are always willing to help him in any way you can. You are the only person that can make him go from crying to laughing within a second. The way his face lights up whenever he sees you makes me so proud of the little boy you have become and a bit jealous of your relationship with him. You are so thoughtful and mindful of your brother that you insisted that Santa should bring him a blanket just like yours. You wanted him to have the same security and comfort that you get from your beloved "t-t." I hope you will always look out for him the way that you do now. 
I hadn't really noticed how polite you are until Uncle Mike mentioned it over the holidays. Please and thank-you have become common words out of your mouth. We often use them with you and have in the past asked you to use them with others. You are now doing it without us asking. I love when I hand you your cup of juice in the morning and you are off running yelling "thank-you mommy" over your shoulder. I hope that you are learning that respect for others is so important and that having these manners is one way of showing that. 
Your newest thing this past month has been your repertoire of songs. You love singing and dancing. You have always liked Old McDonald and I Love You but this month, with Christmas just passed, you have enjoyed some holiday favorites. Jingle Bells and Rudolf were some select favorites. You also surprised both your dad and I the other day when you knew the alphabet song. We have sang it to you many times and you have several toys that play it, but I didn't realize that I could sing it to you and stop randomly and you would be able to fill in the next several letters. This has now become a game for you and I. Always making you think!
Your independence has been growing and growing. You are so determined to do things by yourself you will often make dad or I undo something we did just so you can do it by yourself. The most frustrating for us is getting in the car. You often insist on getting in your seat and snapping your own belt. There are times that I forget and set you in your car seat. You quickly let me know that is not ok and will proceed to climb back out of your seat, give me a look of "let me do it" and turn around and climb right back in. Proving the point that you are an independently functioning and very capable 2 1/2 year old.
There are days when I wish the 2 1/2 stage to quickly pass but in all honestly I love watching your independence, determination and personality develop. I know we tell you all the time but you are an amazing little boy who we are madly in love with. You bring so much joy and laughter to our lives each and every day. You make my days worth living and my life worth remembering.
I love you my little (excuse me...big) boy.
Love,
Mommy
Samuel falling into the Christmas tree at Nana's. Yes I grabbed the camera before rescuing him! The picture was worth it!
Samuel loves his new fire truck!
Liam loves his new blanket.
Naps with Uncle Mike are always good.
Samuel and Lauryn. Lauryn is only three months older than Samuel. I am sure they will be great friends when we move back to Michigan.
Kaden and Liam. Kaden is only seven weeks older than Liam. I am sure these two will cause plenty of trouble together!Not only does Michigan mean the holidays with family, it also means snow! Oh did we have fun!
Liam and I watched from inside!
Checking the cookies Christmas morning...they are gone.
Liam chair with his stocking and his new "t-t". He had to have a blue one just like Samuel's (according to Samuel).
Samuel's chair with his stocking and his new fire truck. 
The boys in their Christmas jammies.
Liam attempting to wake up Christmas morning to open his gifts.
Nana and her painting (designed by Samuel of course.)
Me and my favorite two Christmas presents.
Liam getting a bit side tracked with reading his new Clifford book.
Liam checking out his new bear.
Gram opening the painting Samuel made for her.
Liam loved watching me open his gifts. He even grabbed the paper every now and then.
One of Samuel's favorite gifts...a Mack truck!
The cousins...Addison, Liam and Samuel
Gram and Liam
I love you a bushel and a peck
a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck
a hug around the neck and a barrel and a heep
a barrel and a heep and I'm talkin' in my sleep
about you
about who
about you
You are such an amazing baby. You have always been so calm and easy going. You are happy with life as long as your belly is full and you have had a good nap. I am often having to set you down to help Samuel with something. It is amazing how easily you cope. You generally watch and often even smile at me. I wondered what life would be like having two boys. I never imagined it would be so busy and often times feeling so chaotic. Yet I wouldn't trade any of it.
You are starting to discover you hands and are amazed at what they can do. You are reaching out to grab things and are fascinated when they end up in your hands. We are constantly watching you as you are learning quickly how to put things in your mouth. So far you prefer large objects but soon enough we will have to make sure all Samuel's little toys are out of your reach!
You still sleep pretty well. You prefer to be next to mom and dad but are able to sleep on your own. You are wonderful to wake up to in the morning. We generally find you wiggling around and trying to get out of the swaddling job we put you in at night. When you see us your face lights up and you are filled with joy. You often squeal with delight and turn your face away from us like you are bashful. It is adorable. You quickly return your gaze to us and are thrilled when we reach in and pick you up. I hope you always start each day with a squeal of delight!
As I think about what it has been like to be a mother I am amazed that I can actually do it. It is by far the hardest job I have ever done and ever hope to do. The hours are tedious, the tasks often messy, the pay minimal and the vacation time non-existent. Yet I would fill out the resume all over again because of the smiles, the giggles, the cuddles and the unconditional love.
