We’ve been at the beach for the past week (more on that later!) so I haven’t been so good about updating the blog. My apologies. I know you all were on pins and needles to find out what Sam has been doing for the past month, so without further ado…

Sam’s updates:

*Weight and Height: I will get back to you with that. Sam’s 9 month appointment isn’t until the 20th of the month. UPDATE: Weight is 22.5 lbs (80%) and length is 30 inches (95%)
*Sleeping Habits: This month I put Sam on a “summer schedule,” what with the vacationing and all. We are giving him his last bottle at about 8, meaning he goes to sleep at about 8:15 and he usually wakes up between 7:45 and 8:15. I looove summer! (Yes, that counts as sleeping in now. It’s pathetic. I know.)
* New Sign: Waving. Sam just started waving “bye-bye” which is pretty darn cute. He sometimes waves to people but he always waves goodbye to the garden outside his bedroom window when it is time to close the blinds for his nap.
*New Skill: Cruising. Sam really loves walking around and around the coffee table. He was very cautious at first but has gotten much speedier. He loves to throw books or whatever else he can grab off the table as he goes. He also loves transferring from the coffee table to the couch or whatever is nearby, and then right back to the coffee table. However, much like Derek Zoolander, he is not an ambiturner. He only goes to the left, never to the right. Hmmm. Also, as of now, he is not able to pull up on to the furniture on his own.

* New Face: Fish Face. Sam has started making the most hilarious face. I have no idea where he got it from. I think maybe he does it when he is concentrating. He only does it for a few seconds at a time so I have spent the better part of the last two weeks trying to capture it on film. I got a few good ones, although you really have to see it in person to get the full effect.

* New Noise: Pptthlththllth. Sam has been making this noise all the time lately. Unfortunately, he seems to have learned what the video camera is and refuses to make this noise for the camera. So now I have about 100 videos of various family members making fart noises at Sam in hopes that he’ll join in. That’s cute too, though, right?

*Improved Skill: Pincer Grasp. I am so impressed with how carefully Sam picks up the littlest, slipperiest finger foods with the greatest of ease. Actually, more “intense concentration” than “ease.” Still, it is very impressive. This improved skill has also made me realize I should be vacuuming more: he picks up a lot of lint balls too!

Sam, you are the best cuddle bug we could have asked for! We love you!!