Sam's 2nd Family Day

Dear Sam, 

February 16th marked two years with you, our sweet little Samuelito. It's hard to remember life before you joined our family. It's like you've always been here flashing that adorable grin and giving the best hugs.

Your 2nd Family Day landed on a busy Monday so we celebrated the day prior. You spent the morning cruising around in the new power wheelchair that you adore. It's one of your most requested things to do. You are an amazingly good driver for a 5 year old.

That afternoon was unseasonably warm for a February so outside we ventured for a fun bike ride around the neighborhood. We were so lucky to inherit the perfect bike for you last summer. You now even help with the pedaling. You love being on the move!

After our outside playtime, it was soon time for dinner. On this extra special day, you decided your appetizer should be a sucker! You are not much of a sweet tooth, but you sure do like a good sucker.

For dinner, we ordered a special take-out meal from CRAVE in honor of our little guy.

The next day was your actual Family Day, and while it was packed full of therapies, you got to spend some time "typing" on the family computer. For some reason, you adore the computer and get so excited to use it whenever you see it. It's not a touch screen so hard to navigate, but that doesn't stop your determination to give it your best try.

We ended your two-day celebration with a special homemade dessert - a delicious batch of gluten and dairy-free brownies that everyone gobbled up.

Sam, you are our silly, sweet with a side of spicy little boy. You are full of opinions and not at all shy about requesting (often demanding) what you want. You have discovered a new-found love - being mobile in a power wheelchair! You have craved this independence for as long as I've known you. Luckily for you, Aria received a lightweight power chair for Christmas but that opinionated sister of yours hasn't been interested in it. Which means it is always ready and waiting for you to give it a spin. You call it "Aria's" will ask for "Aria's" over and over. We know instantly that you mean Aria's power chair whenever you make that request. You have mastered driving it all over the house. It's quite amazing to see. You even roll right up to the table to grab a bite to eat, and then say "bye" while driving off to explore.

Speaking of food, you are such a mooch. Why eat what you're given when Mom's salad looks oh so much better. But seriously, you will often pull up your nose to the plate you are offered and instead request to share with me. What child prefers a salad over chicken nuggets? Only you.

You are now halfway through your second year of preschool, and you love it. You get so excited when we pull into the school parking lot. You will quickly yell for your new para that you adore, Mr. Noah. You think Mr. Noah is the best, so much so that you even learned how to say his name. You will shout across the parking lot, "Noah!, Noah!" in the hopes that he'll be the one walking you into school for the day.

You are getting stronger and stronger. You can floor sit longer, and you can stand taller with much less supports than just a year ago. You will happily point to your legs and say, "this" meaning you want to walk with your legs. We are still combating the major scissoring when walking, but you are definitely stronger and those little legs of yours can even step up the stairs with your Mama behind you holding onto your torso. 

You are still obsessed with "Mama's" as you call it, aka, Mama's winter coat. You will request "Mama's" several times a day. During the summer months, you tend to forget, but once the weather turns cold and you see Mama's winter coat once again, you get so excited. Sometimes you request that I put it on during your therapies when I'm trying to entertain you. And then you won't let me take it off! You stinker. Other times we play the 'zip up, zip down, pull off, put on' game on repeat. 

You have become a big music fan and will often request the song "me-me", aka "Belong Together" by Mark Ambor. Rose introduced you to the song, and it quickly became a favorite. The chorus goes, "You and me, belong together." and you will belt out, "Me, me, me" to the tune of the song. It's simply the cutest thing to hear.

 

You have well over 20 words now. I've lost track of all your words. New ones keep being added sporadically. Your most recited phrase is, "Please help me." You are not one to shy away from asking for help, even if you can do it yourself! And your most often used word is likely "this". You use "this" to ask for everything. We often play 20 questions while we determine what "this" is the "this" that you are requesting.  

You are still a huge Papa's boy. The way your face lights up when Pa gets home from work. Or your nightly requests to sit in the arm chair with your pa while both of you stream your entertainment of choice. You sure love that Pa of yours!

Sam, you are our lovable, cuddly little boy. Everyone adores you. We can't seem to get enough of those adorable dimples of yours and that sweet little voice. You were our missing piece that made our puzzle complete. We are so very thankful to call you ours. A very happy 2nd Family Day to you, Sam. We love you to infinity!