The Jolliff Family

So sorry that it has been a while since I last posted pictures. I don't know where the time goes between chasing Sam, diaper changes, working, chasing Sam, cooking dinner, exercising, church, spending time with Hap, laundry, chasing Sam, grocery shopping, and then chasing Sam! But none the less, it's so fun. Enjoy these pictures!:)

Sam has been walking behind his hippo for about three weeks now. I have been meaning to post a video and recorded this one today. At first his feet were just moving because they had too but he has gained coordination and strength and enjoys pushing it around. We have to turn it around for him, of course, but he can pull up to it and make it go. He can stand briefly- 5-10 seconds- by himself, so I'm sure free style walking will be here before we know it!!:)

Sam and I had such a busy, fun day today! It was absolutely beautiful outside and we had to get out and enjoy ourselves. We went to the zoo this morning for the first time and if anyone wants to go, we're up for it again!. He liked to look at the fish swimming and really studied the sealions as their big ole bellies swam up to the glass viewing area. As you can tell in the picture, he is pretty sleepy in his stroller!! We then walked over to the butterfly exhibit and gardens. He played in the grass, which is wasn't to fond of, and watched the kids running around like crazy! We then met up with daddy for lunch before I played secretary for him this afternoon. We came home and went on our second walk of the day and played outside on the swingset and visited with some neighbors. Sam got wild in the tub and went to bed just a few minutes ago. So much fun!! Eachday I am amazed at the newness that comes through Sam. Seeing him observe and enjoy the world around him makes my days se...

We are SO SO SO thankful for this spring weather. It is just great!! We are also thankful for how generous everyone has been since Sam has been born. One couple from church gave us their old swing set when they upgraded. Hap cleaned up an area in our backyard last weekend and set the swing set up tonight. Sam really enjoyed it. He wanted to go down the slide over and over again (with help of course) and he was trying REALLY hard to climb back up it!! I have a feeling that will be fun to him all summer long:)

Laura and John are parents!! Sam and I were able to make a quick trip to the hospital today to see the precious boy. He weighs 7lb 14oz and it's funny because he feels so little. I was thinking on the way home from the hospital that I have been blessed with some many good friends and so many of those friends are having children around the same time we had Sam. It's fun! The book of the month I am reading is on parenting and it is a great read for all you mommies or one day mommies out there!!:) Anyway, congrats Laura and John. Many fun times ahead!

On Saturday we spent the entire day up in Patoka. Hap's family had a brunch and then we went to his parents house for the shower. Sam gets a little over whelmed with all the people and gets fussy but we had a great time anyway! Lovely Aunt Jennifer Hunter is a wild man on his four wheeler and drives really fast:) But how else can you drive on a four wheeler? Sweet Cousin Love

Hap, Sam, and myself went to Illinois this past week. We went back for Hap's cousin's wedding shower on Saturday. Hap spent Friday working at the farm and Elizabeth and Sam spent the better part of the day up in Patoka and returned back to Salem before her mom got off work. It is always hard to try and see everyone when we get back to Salem/Patoka but we always enjoy ourselves!! Here are a few pictures from Salem. The neighbor girls loved on Sam and showered him with many kisses!!

Sam at nine months old... 16lbs 1oz of cute Crawls, pulls up, and cruises all around our house Having a hard time dealing with stranger anxiety! Enjoys eatting all kinds of food. His favorites include bananas and ravioli Has one tooth and working on some more. Likes grocery shopping with mommy and smiling at people passing by. Very curious and enjoying clocks and lightswitches. Brings joy each day to us. Loves our kisses and cuddles (well at least we love giving them to him). Blessing.

Sam continually cracks Hap and I up! Ever since his tooth has come in, he enjoys sticking his tongue out at us or anyone! This particular night, he was really enjoying himself and I was able to snap a few pictures of that newly discovered tongue:)

Well, sad but true... Hap and I have only been out twice by ourselves since Sam has been born. We love being with him and most everywhere we go we like to bring him with us. However, for Christmas my brother Nathan and his most wonderful girlfriend Heather bought us tickets for two for Beef and Boards dinner theatre. Also, Chris and Jessica Hooley had been telling us they were wanting to babysit Sam and have us go out for a night. ( The other time we went out Chris and Jess watched Sam too) So on Friday night, Hap and I went out and saw the show "Show Boat". It was wonderful, the food was wonderful, and we had a great time together. Sam did well himself, providing Chris and Jess with a fun bathtime, playtime and a pretty uneventful bedtime! We truly appreciated our night out together and look forward to more! I don't have any pictures of the evening out but here is a picture of Chris and Jessica with Sam when he was only 2 days old. They were our first visitors after we ...

This video was taken the day after Easter. Elizabeth's parents drove through and Grandpa Purcell enjoyed playing with Sam and by the looks of it, Sam enjoyed himself too.

A friend of mine at work gave me the idea to give Sam a frozen pancake to be used as a teether! I would have never thought to do this, but he enjoyed it and he was able to feed himself while I ate breakfast... bonus!!