Happy (early) Birthday Samuel!

We celebrated Samuel's birthday 11 days early because his Poppa came to visit. Here are a few pictures of this momentous occasion!

This is his Frog Cake.

Would you like a little frosting, Poppa?

Maybe you'd like some Daddy? It's really yummy!

Reading his book from Great Grandma and Grandpa Thomspson.

And, he loves his new rocking chair from Nana and Poppa!

It's amazing to think that our little baby is close to being a year old. A great first birthday! He'll be celebrating again on the actual day, March 27th, and maybe one more time when his cousin Autum comes to visit. We'll consider that his "friends" party. (-: Enjoy the videos of Samuel's first cake.

He giveth more grace when the burden grows greater
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase
To added affliction he addeth his mercy
To multiplied trials, his multiplied peace

His love has no limits his grace has no measure.
His power no boundary known unto men
For out of his infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth and giveth and giveth again.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded reserves,
Our father's full giving is only begun

So, the fever is yet another ear infection. He must be feeling a little bit better after taking antibiotics last night becaue it's nearing 7:30 and he's still fast asleep.

What a big boy!

These last few days and weeks, Samuel has gone from baby to toddler without a glance back. Here are the pictures to prove it, starting with the most recent.

Last night, Samuel woke up with a fever and it has carried into this morning. Instead of sitting in my arms all day, he has made himself comfortable on the floor with pillows, his blanket, crackers, water, and Sesame Street. So independent!Samuel is officially on the move, walking all over the place. Here's the only one I could find that wasn't blurry or a super-close-up.

He likes to help Mommy out in the kitchen. Here he is with the bag of pasta. After this picture was taken, he proceeded to walk around the house carrying his little bag of pasta everywhere he went.

Finally, he loves to listen to his grandparents talking to him on the phone. He gets very quiet and listens intently. All they hear on the other end is his heavy breathing. Here he is with his own cell phone, trying to call his cousin Autumn, I'm sure.